Popular instant messaging service WhatsApp will cease to function on 49 smartphone models after today - leaving millions around the world without the widely-used application.
Those who have older iPhone and Android models will need to upgrade should they wish to continue to use the app going into the New Year, as they become incompatible after December 31.
Overall, 49 models are said to be affected by the change, including a number of Huawei, LG and Samsung handsets.
Read more: Urgent WhatsApp warning issued to millions after phone numbers stolen by hackers
The Mirror reports that the app has reportedly been programmed to issue an alert to those affected before the instant messaging service stops working. WhatsApp said: "Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates.
"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'."
Full list of makes and models affected
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5C
- Archos 53 Platinum
- Grand S Flex ZTE
- Grand X Quad V987 ZTE
- HTC Desire 500
- Huawei Ascend D
- Huawei Ascend D1
- Huawei Ascend D2
- Huawei Ascend G740
- Huawei Ascend Mate
- Huawei Ascend P1
- Lenovo A820
- LG Enact
- LG Lucid 2
- LG Optimus 4X HD
- LG Optimus F3
- LG Optimus F3Q
- LG Optimus F5
- LG Optimus F6
- LG Optimus F7
- LG Optimus L2 II
- LG Optimus L3 II
- LG Optimus L3 II Dual
- LG Optimus L4 II
- LG Optimus L4 II Dual
- LG Optimus L5
- LG Optimus L5 II
- LG Optimus L5 II Dual
- LG Optimus L7
- LG Optimus L7 II
- LG Optimus L7 II Dual
- LG Optimus Nitro HD
- Memo ZTE V956
Quad XL
- Samsung Galaxy Ace 2
- Samsung Galaxy Core
- Samsung Galaxy S2
- Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini
- Samsung Galaxy Trend II
- Samsung Galaxy Trend Lite
- Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2
- Sony Xperia Arc S
- Sony Xperia miro
- Sony Xperia Neo L
- Wiko Cink Five
- Wiko Darknight ZT
Last month WhatsApp announced that it will finally start rolling out 3D avatars for its two billion users around the globe. This move comes months after the stickers made their debut on Instagram, Facebook and Messenger.
While the company first introduced avatars on WhatsApp in the beta channel in October, the feature is now rolling out to all users on the messaging application. On Wednesday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote on Facebook confirming the news, adding that the avatars can be used as profile photos or custom stickers.
He wrote: "We're bringing avatars to WhatsApp! Now you can use your avatar as a sticker in chats. More styles coming soon across all our apps."
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