WhatsApp, one of the world’s most popular instant messaging applications, has announced that it will stop working on all Microsoft’s windows mobile devices from December 31.
The termination comes at about the same time Microsoft, US technology giant, will end support for its windows 10 mobile operating system.
Earlier this year, Microsoft had urged windows 10 mobile users to switch to android or iOS devices because of its lack of app support.
This was after the messaging app had stopped supporting earlier windows phones, as well as BlackBerry OS and BlackBerry 10.
WhatsApp had earlier announced that the service will be pulled from windows phone, describing the termination as a “tough decision”.
“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,” a statement from the messaging application read.
If you’re using any of the expiring platforms, WhatsApp advises you to back up your chat history and export it as an email attachment before support ends.
In a recent blog post, the Facebook owned app also warned users of iPhone running iOS 8 or older and android device running version 2.3.7 or older, saying the devices will no longer support the use of the application from February 1, 2020.
“WhatsApp for iPhone requires iOS 9 or later. On iOS 8, you can no longer create new accounts or reverify existing accounts. If WhatsApp is currently active on your iOS 8 device, you’ll be able to use it until February 1, 2020,” it read.
Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, had earlier said his greatest mistake ever was Microsoft missing the Android opportunity.
“The greatest mistake ever that I made was whatever mismanagement I did that caused Microsoft not to be what Android is. Android is the standard non-apple phone platform,” he said.
