Popular messaging application, WhatsApp, will no longer be functional on millions of phone devices, after a proposed update.
The proposed update and subsequent block will take effect from January 1st, 2021.
The latest version of the application will no longer be supported on older versions of Android and iPhone devices.
Owners of such devices will have the option of, either updating their mobile operating system (os), or buying a new smartphone, if they wish to continue enjoying the service.
For iPhones, any of its devices not running iOS 9 or newer, will no longer be able to run the application owned by Facebook.
As for Android, any phone not running Android 4.0.3 or newer will also not be able to run the application.
Alternatively, Android and iPhone owners can still update their operating system to remain active.
The iPhone 4 model cannot, however, support WhatsApp, as it is incapable of updating to iOS 9.
Samsung Galaxy S2, HTC Desire and LG Optimus Black are some of the Android devices that will no longer support WhatsApp.
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WhatsApp boasts over 2 billion users worldwide.
The bulk of these users will not be affected by the change, although, those who will be affected will amount to millions worldwide.
In the beginning of 2020, WhatsApp effected a similar update that saw older phone devices lose support of the application.
Below are the phones that will need to update to at least iOS 9 or Android OS 4.0.3:
Apple iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6S, Samsung Galaxy S3 and newer, Samsung Galaxy Note, HTC Sensation, HTC Thunderbolt, LG Lucid, Motorola Droid 4, Sony Xperia Pro and newer
Phone owners can find out what software their device is running on by checking the ‘settings’ on their phones.
iPhone users can navigate this under Settings > General > Software update.
WhatsApp will also be updating its Terms of Service in the coming year.
Users will, therefore, need to agree to new privacy rules in order to keep using the app.