Popular messaging service WhatsApp is about to stop working on millions of phones.
People with older iPhone and Android models won’t be able to use the app after December 31 without getting an upgrade.
WhatsApp will cease to function on 49 makes of phone including the iPhone 5 or 5c along with several Huawei, LG and Samsung models.
The popular messaging service WhatsApp will stop working on millions of phones in the new year
However, users of those phones will be sent an alert by WhatsApp before it stops working. 
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‘Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates,’ the messaging app said.
‘These devices also might not have the latest security updates, or might lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp.’
‘To choose what to stop supporting, every year we, like other technology companies, look at which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest number of people still using them.’
To update your operating system on an iPhone go to the ‘general’ settings and select ‘software update’.
If your device cannot run the updated software you will need a newer phone to do so.
People with older models of iPhone, Huawei, LG and Samsung will need to upgrade to keep WhatsApp functioning (pictured stock image)
In October WhatsApp stopped working on iPhones using iOS 11 and older software.
‘To keep up with the latest advances in tech, we routinely stop supporting older operating systems to point our resources to supporting the latest ones,’ the messaging service said.
In November it launched a new tool called ‘Message Yourself’, which, as the name suggests, lets you send yourself notes, reminders and updates.
This feature is available on Android and iPhone and lets you start a 1:1 chat with yourself within the WhatsApp app.
It helps users to keep track of their to-do lists, send themselves notes, reminders or shopping lists.
To update your operating system on an iPhone go to the ‘general’ settings and select ‘software update’
Before that WhatsApp launched a new tool called Communities, which lets you message multiple groups at once.
The tool allows users to place several group chats together under one topic and share updates with them all.
Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive of Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, said: ‘Today we’re launching Communities on WhatsApp.
‘It makes groups better by enabling sub-groups, multiple threads, announcement channels, and more.’
BEST WHATSAPP ALTERNATIVES
If you’re considering deleting WhatsApp, you’ll be happy to hear that there are several alternative apps to choose from:
1. Telegram
With more than 400 million users, Telegram is one of the most popular WhatsApp alternatives.
While it looks very similar to WhatsApp, what sets it apart is the fact that it gives the option to set messages to self-destruct after a given period of time, leaving no trace.
Telegram also offers end-to-end encryption.
However, as a WhatsApp spokesperson pointed out, Telegram ‘does not offer end-to-end encryption by default so it’s not necessarily more secure than WhatsApp’.
2. Signal
Signal is one of the most secure messaging apps, thanks to the fact that it is open-source.
This means that the code for the app is publicly available to view, making it near-impossible for the app’s creators to sneak in any backdoors that could allow governments or hackers to spy on your messages.
3. iMessage
If you use an iPhone, you may consider simply switching to iMessage, Apple’s own messaging app.
The app has a number of impressive features included no character limits, the ability to send pictures and videos, and of course Apple’s animated emoji feature, Animoji.
Unfortunately, iMessage is only available for iPhone users, so you’ll struggle to interact with anyone using an Android.
4. Google Messages
Google’s answer to iMessage is Google Messages, an Android-only messaging service.
The app replaces your standard SMS app, and integrates with all of Google’s apps and services, making it easy to share images or use Google Assistant.
5. Facebook Messenger
If you were put off using WhatsApp due to its sharing of data with Facebook, Facebook Messenger may not be the best option for you.
However, the app offers a number of helpful features, including games, secret conversations and video calls.
