WhatsApp to end support of many more smartphones in 2017; to include devices with Android lower than 4.0.3+

New Delhi: WhatsApp is likley to pull the plug on more smartphones running older versions of Android operating system.

Earlier the chat messenger had said that it wants to focus efforts on the mobile platforms the vast majority of people use. So, by the end of 2016, it will be ending support for WhatsApp Messenger on the following mobile platforms:

Android 2.1 and Android 2.2, Windows Phone 7, iPhone 3GS/iOS 6.

WhatsApp will be extending support for BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, Nokia S40 and Nokia Symbian S60 until June 30, 2017.

It appears that the chat messenger has had a change of tack. WhatsApp is likely to disrupt support for all the versions lower than Android 4.0.3+.

WhatsApp Beta, which usually tweets reliable WhatsApp updates in work or about to be expected tweeted on Friday the same.

WhatsApp for Android 2.16.391 supports Android OS 4.0.3+ (API 15).
The support for lower versions has been interrupted.#READMORE pic.twitter.com/EQ7jH7zBhX

— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) December 10, 2016

Though, no official word has come from WhatsApp, but if it happens, larger number of Android phones will be impacted. The news has also casts uncertainty on the status of the other older versions among non Android phones.