The end of WhatsApp on old smartphones. What to do before January 1?

From January 1, 2025, WhatsApp will stop working on devices running Android KitKat. This decision results from the need to adapt the application to increasingly advanced functions and security requirements. Is your phone at risk?

Outdated systems

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messengers in the world, regularly enriched with new functions. However, modern solutions require appropriately efficient devices and operating systems. Older versions of software such as Android KitKat are unable to meet these requirements, leading to the decision to end support.

Meta, the owner of WhatsApp, announced that from January the application will stop working on smartphones that have been on the market for over a decade. The devices that will lose access to the messenger include:

• Samsung Galaxy S3,
• Samsung Galaxy Note 2,
• LG G2 Mini,
• Sony Xperia Z.

Safety first

One of the main reasons for ending support for older versions of Android is security issues. Instant messaging apps like WhatsApp store huge amounts of users’ private data. Maintaining support for outdated systems could put data at greater risk.

A similar step was previously taken for Apple devices – from May 2025, WhatsApp will only work on iPhones running iOS 15.1 or later. As a consequence, older models such as iPhone 5s or iPhone 6 will also lose access to the application.

What to do if your phone stops supporting WhatsApp?

If you’re using an Android KitKat phone, there are a few steps you might want to consider:

1. Back up your WhatsApp data. All chats and media can be transferred to your new phone so you don’t lose important information.
2. Update your device. If your smartphone supports a newer version of Android, update the operating system.
3. Invest in a new phone. The decision to replace your device with a more modern one may be necessary if you want to continue using WhatsApp and other applications that require up-to-date systems.

The end of an era

Although many people have long forgotten about smartphone models such as the Galaxy S3 or Xperia Z, some still use them. Ending support for Android KitKat is another step towards modernizing mobile technologies and adapting them to modern standards.

Losing access to WhatsApp may be an impulse for changes for users of these devices. Remember to protect your data before January 1, 2025 by backing up your chats and media.