WhatsApp regularly stops support for old phones. Or rather, for the (often heavily) outdated operating systems they run on. If you still have such a device, it is important to take action before the chat service stops working. Read here what you can do if support for WhatsApp ends.
At the time of writing, you need Android 4.1 or an iPhone with at least iOS 12 to use WhatsApp. The latter then relates, for example, to users with an iPhone 5 and 5C, phones that can no longer be updated to the required iOS version.
Below are four options to consider if you’re in this situation.
1. New phone
The most obvious option is of course to buy a new device. This is what WhatsApp itself also advises. You would do well to do this immediately as soon as WhatsApp warns that support will be ending soon.
WhatsApp says it will notify you “a few times” to remind you to upgrade your device. If you do not respond to this, you run the risk that you can no longer use the app, so that you can no longer transfer your chat history and other data to a new phone.
Read here how to make a WhatsApp backup to restore to your new phone.
2. Web or Desktop Version
If you have little need for a new phone and you still want to continue using WhatsApp, you can also switch completely to the web version of the chat service. Open your browser and log in to web.whatsapp.com to get started right away. Incidentally, this only works on your PC or laptop: not on a tablet or smartphone.
If you are on the road a lot, you can only be reached on WhatsApp if you bring your laptop. There is also a desktop app from WhatsApp, which is slightly nicer to use compared to the web version.
Also read: WhatsApp on your PC or laptop in 3 steps
3. Other chat service
You can of course also switch to another chat service and that is becoming easier. For example, you can now import old conversations from WhatsApp to Telegram. Read here how switching from WhatsApp to Telegram works.
With Signal, another popular alternative to WhatsApp, this is not (yet) possible. We recently took a closer look at some WhatsApp alternatives and looked at how securely these apps handle your privacy.
4. Older version
The least attractive option is to put an older version of WhatsApp on your phone. This is already not possible on an iPhone, but with an Android phone this sometimes works by searching the internet for so-called APK files of an old WhatsApp version.
This does pose serious security risks. So think carefully about this option before you try it. The sites that offer APK files can be shady and before you know it a virus will hitchhike…
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