WhatsApp ends support for BlackBerry, Symbian and old Android versions

Whatsapp has announced that it will end support for multiple mobile operating systems. The most notable of these are BlackBerry’s operating systems, including the relatively new BlackBerry 10.

The popular chat service explains the decision taken on its blog. Since Android, iOS and Windows 10 Mobile now account for almost all smartphone sales, other operating systems have become less important for the Facebook subsidiary. For that reason, support for BlackBerry, including BlackBerry 10, and Nokia operating systems, such as Symbian S60, will be discontinued at the end of this year.

Also old Android versions will no longer be supported at the end of 2016. This concerns Android 2.1 and 2.2, which are now about six years old. The outdated Windows Phone 7.1 will no longer receive updates at the end of the year.

According to Whatsapp, it is not possible for these operating systems to develop new features, because they would not be supported. The chat service advises users of outdated software to buy a new smartphone to ensure that Whatsapp can still be used after 2016.