WhatsApp, from January goodbye to support on dozens of phones
Like every year, Meta's platform discontinues obsolete, very old and outdated versions of Android without security updates.
by L.Tre.
1' min read
1' min read
Meta, the company that owns WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook has announced that it will cease support for a number of dated smartphones as of 1 January 2025. This decision, in line with the company's strategy to focus on modern and thus more secure devices, will affect a number of Android models released between 2012 and 2013, including devices from Samsung, Motorola, HTc and Lg. These smartphones, which use Android 5.0 or earlier versions, are no longer able to guarantee the security standards and functionality required by WhatsApp.
The phenomenon is well-known and is the planned obsolescence practised by consumer electronics bigwigs. Devices that are no longer supported become vulnerable to cyber threats and incompatible with new technologies such as artificial intelligence integration. Let us remember, however, that Meta Ai, the generative artificial intelligence suite integrated in WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram is not yet available in Europe. Let's say that planned obsolescence is also a good idea to push users to buy new hardware.
The discontinuation of support is not limited to Android. As of May 2025, certain iPhone models, including iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus (with iOS prior to version 15.1), will also no longer be compatible with WhatsApp.
Recently, WhatsApp introduced new holiday-related features, such as emoticons and animated reactions, demonstrating the platform's continuous development.
