WhatsApp is making more changes to its popular chatting app and it might leave some users facing an unwanted bill. The Facebook-owned service just announced that it will end all support for iOS 9, which means that anyone with an old Apple device tucked into their pocket will have to upgrade their old smartphone to keep sending messages and pictures or making video or audio calls.
This is not the first time that WhatsApp has released an update that prevents users from accessing the application but it certainly will not satisfy those who will soon be without access to this hugely popular service.
To confirm the news, the company said: “WhatsApp for iPhone requires iOS 10 or later. For the best experience, we recommend that you use the latest version of iOS available for your phone. Please visit Apple’s support site to find out how to update your iPhone. Software.”
When WhatsApp changed things again in 2019, the company told millions of Android, iPhone, and Windows users that they would need to upgrade their devices to continue using the service.
Read more: WhatsApp warning: New messages blocked for some iPhone users have been confirmed
Explaining his decision, WhatsApp said: “Although these mobile devices were an important part of our story, they do not offer the kind of capabilities we need to extend the features of our application in the future. This was a difficult decision for us, but it is the appropriate way to give people better ways. To communicate with friends, family and loved ones using WhatsApp.
“If you are using one of these affected mobile devices, we recommend that you upgrade to the latest version of Android, iPhone, or Windows Phone to continue using WhatsApp.”
If you are concerned about losing access, fortunately this latest change should only affect a small number of iPhones.
Almost all new Apple devices are compatible with iOS 10 or later, and as long as you have an iPhone 5 or something more modern in your pocket, you should be able to press the software upgrade button and continue messaging. However, for those who have an iPhone 4s or older in their pockets, they may find that they will need to make a trip to the Apple Store to get an upgrade and this won’t be a cheap day.
Even if this change doesn’t affect you, something is coming in the spring that will hit everyone no matter what device you use. All WhatsApp users face a ban from the chat service unless they subscribe to the company’s brand new terms and conditions.
The Facebook-owned company is changing some of its terms and conditions and not accepting them means you will not be able to chat, send messages, or make calls.
In a blog post, WhatsApp confirmed: “WhatsApp will not delete your account. However, you will not have full WhatsApp functionality until you accept it. For a short period, you will be able to receive calls and notifications, but you will not be able to read or send messages from the application.”
This controversial update was initially scheduled to go into effect again in January but after a protest from users, WhatsApp postponed the changes again until May 15.