FILE PHOTO: WhatsApp are seen on an iPhone.
Credit: Reuters File Photo
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, with more than two billion active users worldwide. One of the main reasons people like WhatsApp is that it has a simple user interface and offers several value-added features, such as disappearing messages for private conversations between individuals, group chats for friends and families, and more.
Earlier this year, it launched Meta AI to assist users in getting the latest information from the web, creating emojis, images, and more. Just a few days ago, it introduced a voice transcription option for voice messages. But to operate such features without any issues, devices have to have the right hardware and operating system.
So, every year, the Meta-owned entity revises the official support page to inform its users that they must upgrade their devices to continue using WhatsApp.
Currently, WhatsApp supports devices with iOS 12.1 and newer versions. But, it will change next year.
The company has revealed that WhatsApp will work only on iPhones with iOS 15.1 or newer versions.
It has given a five-month window up to May 2025. After the deadline, older devices which can't upgrade to iOS 15.1 or newer versions will lose access to WhatsApp.
Affected devices include iPhone 5S, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus series models.
In a related development, WhatsApp is testing a reverse search feature on its messenger app.
Lately, there has been a surge in misinformation shared on messenger apps. Artificially morphed photos are being misused to malign not just high-profile people in the fields of politics and movies, but also common people, sometimes over bitter separation of relationships.
With this reverse search feature, people will be able to verify whether the image shared on WhatsApp is fake or genuine, thus preventing them from falling for misinformation.
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