WhatsApp says its messaging app will stop working on some smartphones and as well stop some users from being able to create new accounts on the platform.
The Facebook owned messaging service yesterday stopped working on all phones running Microsoft Windows and will later this year kill support for older versions of Android and iOS.
According to WhatsApp, the decision to phase out support for various smartphone devices so as to add more advanced features.
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The messaging service said that it is removing support for devices that don't offer the kind of capabilities they need to expand the app's features in the future.
Early 2018, WhatsApp removed support for older Windows-based phones, at the same time it killed support for all device running on the BlackBerry OS.
The company also says it smartphones running on Android 2.3.7 and older, and also iOS 8 and older will lose support for the messaging service come February 1, 2020.
"WhatsApp for iPhone requires iOS 9 or later," WhatsApp said in a statement on its blog. "On iOS 8, you can no longer create new accounts or reverify existing accounts. If WhatsApp is currently active on your iOS device, you'll be able to use it until February 1, 2020."
The Facebook owned messenger service will continue to provide support for devices running Android 4.0.3 and up and iPhones running iOS 9 upwards.
Back in April last year, Facebook withdrew it Facebook, Messenger and Instagram apps for smartphones running on the Windows mobile platform.
"This was a tough decision for us to make, but the right one in order to give people better ways to keep in touch with friends, family, and loved ones," WhatsApp said.
WhatsApp is encouraging iPhone users to update their iOS to the latest version available for their device so as not be among those whose device will loss support.