2025 is here, but it might get off to a bad start if you haven’t updated your smartphone in a while. WhatsApp has just confirmed that it’s blocking some ageing devices from sending chats from today, January 1, and if your call maker is on the list you’ll need to splash out on something new to continue messaging and making phone calls.
From time to time, the Meta-owned service updates its compatibility list in a bid to keep its app up to date and running smoothly on the latest smartphones. Sadly, these changes do mean some will be left behind and this time around it’s the turn of anyone with a device running Android KitKat.
That Google operating system was launched over 10 years ago so hopefully, most users will have now switched to a more modern smartphone. If you’re not sure if you are affected by the block here are some of the phones that will no longer work with WhatsApp after today.
• Samsung Galaxy S3, Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Samsung Galaxy Ace 3, Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
• Motorola Moto G (1st Gen), Motorola Razr HD, Motorola Moto E 2014
• HTC One X, HTC One X+, HTC Desire 500, HTC Desire 601
• LG Nexus 4, LG G2 Mini, L90
• Sony Xperia Z, Sony Xperia T, Sony Xperia V
If you are running the latest versions of Android – such as Android 13, 12, 11 or 10 – you won’t have any issues, and you’ll be able to continue using the service as normal.
That’s not the only block happening this year. It was recently discovered that a trio of older Apple smartphones are also about to be blocked from the Meta-owned platform.
As spotted by the ever-reliable team at WAbetaInfo, some WhatsApp users are seeing a warning message telling them that older devices will stop working this year.
The change will impact owners of call makers including the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus – these were all released over 10 years ago but there are sure to be plenty of people still using them.
If you are one of the unlucky ones, you now have around six months to switch to something new or lose access to your WhatsApp chats.
