On KaiOS smartphones, WhatsApp will stop functioning in 2025. Popular keypad devices will no longer support WhatsApp, including the JioPhone 2 and original JioPhone, as well as a number of other feature phones. Also, the well-known instant messaging software no longer accepts new user registrations or downloads on KaiOS. Here are the specifics.
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As of June 25, 2024, WhatsApp has been deactivated, according to the official KaiOS website. WhatsApp cannot be downloaded or registered on smartphones running KaiOS. But until early 2025, current users will still be able to access it.
Keypad phone operating systems are commonly used with KaiOS. It works with a number of smartphone-level applications, including Facebook, YouTube, and other social media sites. Although it has since been discontinued, WhatsApp was one of the apps that was officially supported.
Some Reddit users claim that WhatsApp does not let sideload older versions on KaiOS. Date and time sync issues arise when users try to install older versions of WhatsApp; these issues also occur on Android devices. As of now, WhatsApp has not released an official statement.
The JioPhone, JioPhone 2, Nokia 2720 Flip, Nokia 6300 4G, and numerous more phones from itel, CAT, Karbonn, and related OEMs are among the well-known phones impacted by this change. Prior to this, WhatsApp has also withdrawn its official support for Symbian OS. KaiOS has been discontinued, which means that the messaging software owned by Meta will now primarily be available on PC, iOS, and Android devices.
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Relatedly, WhatsApp has been releasing a number of updates with AI integrations. Users of the app can now communicate with the AI chatbot through a separate chat window thanks to the recent launch of Meta AI support in India. Nevertheless, KaiOS is unable to utilize some of these functionalities because to hardware constraints. This could explain why, despite having a sizable potential user base, WhatsApp discontinued supporting keypad phones.
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