Facebook-owned WhatsApp has announced that it is dropping support for older
versions of iOS starting in the coming months.
According to a new support document
<https://faq.whatsapp.com/en/wp/26000006/?category=5245235> , WhatsApp will
drop support for iOS 8 and older on February 1st, 2020. Up until now, users
running WhatsApp on a device with iOS 8 or older have been able to keep
using the app, but have not been able to create new accounts nor reverify
existing accounts. On February 1st, 2020, however, that will change, with
WhatsApp saying support for iOS 8 will be completely dropped.
WhatsApp explains (via CNET
<https://www.cnet.com/news/whatsapp-ending-support-for-windows-phones-and-ot
her-older-devices/#ftag=CAD590a51e> ):
For the following operating systems, you can no longer create new accounts,
nor reverify existing accounts. However, you'll be able to continue using
WhatsApp on:
* Android versions 2.3.7 and older until February 1st, 2020
* iOS 8 and older until February 1st, 2020
The company also notes that there is no option to transfer chat history
between platforms, but you can export your chat history as an email
attachment.
Meanwhile, Facebook also recently rolled out a change
<https://9to5mac.com/2019/12/27/sign-up-for-facebook-messenger/> that
prevents users from signing up for Facebook Messenger without a Facebook
account. This change is likely preparation for anticipated integration of
messaging
<https://9to5mac.com/2019/01/25/facebook-reportedly-plans-to-merge-whatsapp-
instagram-and-messenger-chats/> across Facebook's apps, with Facebook
working to link accounts from WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.
WhatsApp dropping support for older iOS versions likely won't affect many
users, but if you have a long history of messages on an unsupported device,
you should plan to export your chat history soon to ensure you can still
access it.
By Chance Miller at:
www.9to5mac.com
===========================================================
The fb-exchange mailing list
Manage account, subscribe or unsubscribe:
//www.freelists.org/list/fb-exchange
Archives: //www.freelists.org/archives/fb-exchange ;
Administrative contact: insight@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
===========================================================
