WhatsApp has announced that it will stop working on all Windows smartphones in around six months time.
The messaging app will no longer work on handsets powered by the Microsoft software in December 2019, a spokesperson wrote in a blog post.
They also warned that some WhatsApp features might stop working at ‘any time’ on these devices, which Microsoft discontinued in 2017.
‘You’ll no longer be able to use all Windows Phone operating systems after December 31, 2019,’ they wrote.
‘Because we no longer actively develop for these operating systems, some features might stop functioning at any time.’
The statement follows Microsoft’s decision to end support for the software from December the same year, advising people to buy iOS or Android devices.
WhatsApp also announced that by 2020, they will also withdraw support on Android versions 2.3.7 and older, or iOS 7 and older.
Windows Phone operating system was launched in October 2010 and then succeeded by Windows 10 mobile in 2015.
In 2017, Microsoft announced that work on Windows 10 Mobile was drawing to a close due to lack of market penetration and dearth of interest from app developers.
It will officially stop supporting Windows 10 Mobile, previously referred to as Windows Phones, starting December 10th, 2019.
At that point, users will no longer receive ‘new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free assisted support options, or online technical content updates from Microsoft for free,’the company announced.
‘With the Windows 10 Mobile OS end of support, we recommend that customers move to a supported Android or iOS device,’ the company explained.
‘Microsoft’s mission statement to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, compels us to support our Mobile apps on those platforms and devices.’
In an attempt to hold a spot on mobile, Microsoft has bought the Windows 10 PC browser, Edge to Android and iOS.
The browser allows users to share websites, apps, photos and other information between phones and Windows PC.
