WhatsApp is self-explanatory. According to statistics, it has 2.7 billion monthly users, which implies the WhatsApp program is active on 2.7 billion devices. It’s an enormous number, to say the least. And it’s evident that not all of these smartphones are running the most recent Android version, or even the same and oldest. However, the company has chosen to discontinue support for Android KitKat, also known as Android 4.4.
WhatsApp releases updates on a regular basis to reflect modernity and improvements in order to improve the user experience. Of course, the sophisticated capability requires an advanced Android version, and Android KitKat (4.4) appears to be too old.
Currently, the brand offers assistance and recommends the usage of the following devices that run on the aforementioned operating systems;
- Android devices – running OS 4.1 and newer
- iPhone device – Running iOS 12 and newer
- KaiOS 2.5.0 and newer, including JioPhone and JioPhone 2
If all of these mentioned devices are running on these OS versions, then they are eligible to install WhatsApp.
Noticeably, WhatsApp, from October 24, 2023, will only support Android OS version 5.0 and newer versions, which means that it is dropping the support for Android 4.4, known as KitKat.
WhatsApp, on a regular basis, is rolling out upgrades as per the modernity and advancements for enhancing the user’s experience. Of course, advanced features need an advanced Android version, and Android KitKat seems too old.
How WhatsApp Comes On Decision: Dropping Support For Android Kitkat (4.4) Version
Changing devices and software in the natural process as per the advancement. The company has arrived at this decision of dropping support for Android KitKat by regularly reviewing what operating system it is supporting and then making updates. The brand, regarding this change, stated that.
“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.”
According to this statement, the business made this decision by exposing which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest people currently using them, and Android 4.4 KitKat is one of them. Devices running Android KitKat also lack the most recent security upgrades and lack the functionality required to operate WhatsApp.
There Are Less Than 1% Of Users Who Are On Android KitKat Yet
Also, before the company stops supporting the Android KitKat version, the users will be notified directly in WhatsApp ahead of time and reminded a few times to upgrade.
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