WhatsApp will end support for older smartphones and OS versions on January 1 According to a FAQ post, to continue using the encrypted messaging service next year, you will need Android 401 or later, iOS 9 or later, or some KaiOS 251 (or later) or later) devices are required

This means that all iPhone 4 and earlier models will no longer be available, as well as all Windows Phones, which Whatsapp is about to discontinue support for completely

The FAQ also explains that chat history cannot be transferred between platforms, only exported as email attachments If you want to continue using Whatsapp, we recommend updating your phone's operating system to a compatible version

iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPhone 6, iPhone 6S can all be updated to the latest iOS version iOS 14 The current version can be checked by opening "Settings" and tapping "Software Update" from the "General" menu If the version displayed is iOS 9 or higher, you do not need to do anything to make sure Whatsapp works, but you can update by tapping "Download and Install" from the "Software Update" menu

For Android, you can check the current version by opening "Settings" and tapping the "About Phone" section If you need to update to version 401 or later, return to Settings, find the System menu option, and tap System Update

This should cover the majority of Android phones as 401 was released all the way back in 2011, but if your device is old enough that a newer version is compatible, our list of the best cheap phones affordable Consider a priced upgrade