Wired
The popular instant messenger WhatsApp has discontinued support for iOS 6, according to a blog post. In the future, when it comes to developing new features, they want to focus on the devices that people really use. Outdated hardware like the iPhone 3GS only bothers. Of course, the app developer can of course not exclude individual devices. However, one can stop the support for a specific iOS version. WhatsApp does that and disables iOS 6. This is the iPhone 3GS also out there, it does not run with iOS 7 or newer.
WhatsApp: iPhone 3GS is old iron
The outcry of indignation was of course not as great, as was the case for example with the data transfer to Facebook. After all, hardly any users are using the age-old Apple hardware. The iPhone 3GS was released on June 19, 2009.
Looking forward to the next 7 years, we would like to focus our efforts on the mobile platforms that are used by the vast majority.
Other devices also send WhatsApp into virtual retirement. So even these smartphones will not be able to use a current WhatsApp version anymore:
- BlackBerry, including BlackBerry 10
- Nokia S40
- Nokia Symbian S60
- Android 2.1 and Android 2.2
- Windows Phone 7.1
Meanwhile, WhatsApp requires at least iOS 8 on the iPhone. Under iOS 7.1.2 you can no longer create new accounts or re-verify existing accounts. If you use WhatsApp on your iOS 7.1.2 device, it will be available until February 1, 2020.
Source: iPhone Tricks