People who use WhatsApp are being warned the app is to stop working on 49 smartphone models within days.
Users with older iPhones and Androids handsets will need to get an upgrade after December 31 in order to use the app. In total, 49 models will be affected - including a number of Huawei, LG and Samsung phones.
The app has reportedly been programmed to issue an alert to those affected before the instant messaging service stops working, reports The Mirror. WhatsApp said: "Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates.
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"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'."
Last month WhatsApp announced 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.
Users are now finally able to create a digital representation of themselves on the app. On Wednesday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote on Facebook: "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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