Millions of devices will lose access to WhatsApp next month

WhatsApp is set to block access to its app on millions of iPhones and android devices by November 1. See if your phone is affected.

Popular messaging app WhatsApp is set to stop working on millions of older smartphones in less than a month, which will affect more than 50 different devices.

The Facebook-owned app, which regularly phases out support for older devices, will unleash its latest cull by November 1, meaning the app will stop working on 53 older smartphone models.

However, it has also taken unprecedented steps to block those smartphones from being able to continue to use the service.

Affected users won't be able to access messages, photos and videos unless you update your smart devices, or buy a new one in order to continue to use WhatsApp from November 1.

The tech giant has warned Android and Apple users that they need to urgently update their software, or risk not being able to use the app.

More than 50 phones will be affected by Whatsapp’s decision

WhatsApp is officially the world's most popular international instant messaging platform, with approximately two billion users around the globe.

It outranks Facebook‘s Messenger, which has 1.3 billion users, and WeChat, which has 1.2 billion users, according to Statista.

What phones Will WhatsApp work on?

According to WhatsApp’s FAQ page, the app will keep working for:

• Androids running OS 4.1 and newer
• iPhones running iOS 10 and newer
• Select phones running KaiOS 2.5.1 newer, including JioPhone and JioPhone 2

Here is a full list of the models that are affected:

iPhone SE (2016)

iPhone 6S

iPhone 6S Plus

Galaxy Trend II

Galaxy SII

Galaxy S3 mini

Galaxy Xcover 2

Galaxy Core

Galaxy Ace 2

Lucid 2

Optimus F7

Optimus F5

Optimus L3 II Dual

Optimus F5

Optimus L5

Best L5 II

Optimus L5 Dual

Best L3 II

Optimus L7

Optimus L7 II Dual

Best L7 II

Optimus F6, Enact

Optimus L4 II Dual

Optimus F3

Best L4 II

Best L2 II

Optimus Nitro HD

Optimus 4X HD

Optimus F3Q

ZTE V956

Grand X Quad V987

Grand Memo

Xperia Miro

Xperia Neo L

Xperia Arc S

Alcatel

Ascend G740

Ascend Mate

Ascend D Quad XL

Ascend D1 Quad XL

Ascend P1 S

Ascend D2

Archos 53 Platinum

HTC Desire 500

Caterpillar Cat B15

Wiko Cink Five

Wiko Darknight

Lenovo A820

UMi X2

Run F1

THL W8

Originally published as Millions of devices will lose access to WhatsApp next month