As of November 1, 2021, 44 mobile phones (HP) will be blocked by WhatsApp. This blocking is because the operating system used by the 44 cellphones is outdated. So what is the process, will WhatsApp immediately not be able to be used on the 44 cellphones?
Apparently, WhatsApp on a cellphone that is no longer supported by updates does not immediately stop working. "Even though WhatsApp no longer supports the list of cellphones, it doesn't mean that the application immediately stops working.
"Actually, the biggest problem with devices that are not supported by WhatsApp is that they can't access security updates. This makes the device a target for hackers who can exploit it to retrieve user data," they explained.
But even though it can still work, it may not take long. Some functions of the application may also be inaccessible. That's why WhatsApp asks affected users to change devices immediately.
It is also possible that the application is difficult to work. For that, it's a good idea to save the chat before November 1st. "Please change to a supported device or save your chat history before that date," WhatsApp said.
You do this by opening WhatsApp > tap More options, namely the three dots at the top right > Settings > Chats > Chat backup > Backup. Saved chats can be accessed on new devices.
"WhatsApp will no longer support Android phones running OS 4.0.4 and earlier on November 1, 2021. Please switch to a supported device or save your chat history before that date," WhatsApp wrote on the Android FAQ page.
Some of the affected phones are still quite widely used today. Call it the iPhone SE, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S Plus. On Android, there are for example the Galaxy S3 Mini, Galaxy XCover 2 and others. The full list is here.
If the affected phone user changes their phone to a newer version, they can still use the old WhatsApp account with the same number. If for one reason or another you have not been able to change to a new one, you can use alternative services such as Signal or Telegram for security.
