WhatsApp to stop working on millions of phones from January 2021

According to new update released, WhatsApp update will prevent the

popular messaging app from working on millions of phones from 1 January 2021.

Older Android and iPhone devices will no longer support the latest version of the app, forcing owners to either update their mobile operating

system or buy a new smartphone, Yahoo News reports.

Any iPhone not running iOS 9 or newer, or any phone not running at least Android 4.0.3 – also

known as Ice Cream Sandwich – will no longer be able to open or operate the Facebook-owned app.

This means all iPhone models up to the iPhone 4 will be unable to support WhatsApp, as these phones are not capable of updating to iOS 9.

The iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S were all released before iOS 9, however owners can still update to the

operating system if they are yet to do so, to meet up with the new WhatsApp update criteria.

Android phones that will lose WhatsApp support include the Samsung Galaxy S2, HTC

Desire and LG Optimus Black.

Phone owners can see what software their device is using by checking the settings section. For iPhone users, this can be found under Settings > General > Software update.

For Android users, this can be found under Settings > "About phone" to check your current version > "System update" to upgrade your phone to a more higher version.

The messaging giant will also be updating its Terms of Service next year, forcing users to agree to new privacy rules in order to keep using the app.