WhatsApp regularly stops support for older phones. More precisely, for the (mostly quite) old operating systems they run on. If you still have such a device, it is important that you take action before the chat service stops working. Read here what you can do if WhatsApp support ends.
At the time of writing, you need an iPhone with Android 4.1 or at least iOS 12 to use WhatsApp. The latter concerns users who, for example, have iPhone 5 and 5C, phones that can no longer be updated to the required iOS version.
Below are four options to consider if you are in this situation.
1. New phone
The most obvious option is, of course, to buy a new device. This is what WhatsApp itself also recommends. As soon as WhatsApp warns that support will end soon, you better do it right away.
WhatsApp says it will notify you “several times” to remind you to upgrade your device. If you don’t respond to this, you risk not being able to use the app anymore, so you can no longer transfer your chat history and other data to a new phone.
Read here how to backup WhatsApp to restore to your new phone.
2. Web or Desktop Version
If you have little need for a new phone and still want to continue using WhatsApp, you can also switch to an all-web version of the chat service. To get started right away, open your browser and sign in to web.whatsapp.com. By the way, this only works on your PC or laptop: not on a tablet or smartphone.
If you’re on the road a lot, you can reach them on WhatsApp if you bring your laptop. There’s also a desktop app that’s a little nicer to use compared to the web version of WhatsApp.
Also read: WhatsApp on your PC or laptop in 3 steps
3. Other chat service
Of course, you can also switch to another chat service, and it’s getting easier and easier. For example, you can now transfer old conversations from WhatsApp to Telegram. Read here how the transition from WhatsApp to Telegram works.
This is not (yet) possible with Signal, another popular alternative to WhatsApp. We recently took a closer look at some WhatsApp alternatives and how securely these apps take care of your privacy.
4. Old version
The least attractive option is to put an old version of WhatsApp on your phone. This isn’t possible on an iPhone anyway, but on an Android phone this works by sometimes searching the internet for APK files of an old WhatsApp version.
This poses serious security risks. So consider this option carefully before trying it. Sites that serve APK files can be shady and a virus hitchhikes you before you know it…
Source: Computer Totaal
