If you are using an old smartphone to send WhatsApp messages to friends you may need to to add an upgrade to your birthday wish list.
WhatsApp has announced it will no longer support a range of older operating platforms by the end of the year.
In a blog post, the messaging app said it will be phasing out support for Blackberry, Nokia and older Windows and Android models by the end of 2016.
WhatsApp has announced it will be phasing out support for older smartphones by the end of 2016. In a blog post, the messaging app said it will be phasing out support for Blackberry, Nokia and older Windows and Android models by the end of 2016. Stock image pictured
According to the Facebook-owned firm, the older smartphone platforms can no longer keep up with the latest features being rolled out for the app.
WhatsApp made the announcement as it celebrated its seventh anniversary, after first launching the popular messaging platform in 2009.
The app, which is now used by more than one billion people worldwide, was launched in the early days of Apple's App Store, when seven out of ten had operating systems offered by Blackberry and Nokia.
However, today's smartphone market is dominated by Google, Apple and Microsoft, with almost all newer models running on these platforms.
The app, which is now used by more than one billion people worldwide, was launched in the early days of Apple's App Store, when seven out of ten had operating systems offered by Blackberry and Nokia. However, today's market is dominated by Google, Apple (iPhone pictured) and Microsoft
The firm wrote: 'As we look ahead to our next seven years, we want to focus our efforts on the mobile platforms the vast majority of people use.'
The full list of platforms being left behind includes: BlackBerry, including BlackBerry 10; Nokia S40; Nokia Symbian S60; Android 2.1 and Android 2.2; and Windows Phone 7.1.
The Nokia Symbian open source operating system, launched in 2007, is the oldest OS capable of running the app.
WhatsApp explained: 'While these mobile devices have been an important part of our story, they don't offer the kind of capabilities we need to expand our app's features in the future.'
Users still on one of the listed platforms are advised to upgrade to newer Android, iPhone or Windows phone platforms.
The firm added: 'This was a tough decision for us to make, but the right one in order to give people better ways to keep in touch with friends, family, and loved ones using WhatsApp.'
In its seven years since being set up by former Yahoo! employees Jan Koum and Brian Acton in Canada, the messaging app has grown from strength to strength.
The full list of platforms being left behind includes: BlackBerry (pictured left), including BlackBerry 10; Nokia S40; Nokia Symbian S60; Android 2.1 and Android 2.2; and Windows Phone 7.1. The Nokia Symbian OS (pictured right), launched in 2007, is the oldest platform capable of running WhatsApp
It has switched from free to paid and back and was snapped up by Facebook in 2014 in a deal worth $19bn (£13.7bn).
Last month WhatsApp announced it had abandoned its 99 cent subscription fee and will allow millions of users to chat for free.
The annual fee is set to disappear over the next few weeks and the company plans to experiment with 'other commercial services' for future revenue streams.
FIVE WHATSAPP TRICKS THAT CAN MAKE LIFE EASIER
In its seven years since being set up by former Yahoo! employees in Canada, the messaging app has grown from strength to strength
See when your messages are read: Go to a chat, tap and hold on any of the messages you've sent, followed by the info option.
Mute group chats: Tap on the group chat and the name to bring up 'Group Info', where you will find the option to 'Mute' the chat for eight hours to one week or even a year.
Shortcuts to conversations: Tap and hold on the chat and a tab will pop up.
Select the 'Add Conversation Shortcut' option and the chat in question will appear as the person's profile photo on your mobile desk top – can only be used by Android users.
Send public messages privately: On the top-left hand corner just below the search bar, you'll notice a 'Broadcast Lists'.
Tap on it for the option to create a new list of contacts you want your message to go out to, and message away like you would normally.
Make calls: Make sure you're using the latest version of WhatsApp.
You should see a new 'Calls' tab alongside the usual 'Chats' and 'Contacts'.
Just send a voice call invite to another WhatsApp user and you'll be chatting away in no time.
Source: Stuff
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