WhatsApp to drop support for Windows phones on December 31

By Dan Thorp-Lancaster
published

Prepare to say goodbye to WhatsApp on Windows phones by the end of the year.

WhatsApp for Windows 10 Mobile
WhatsApp for Windows 10 Mobile (Image credit: Windows Central)

WhatsApp is preparing to fully drop support for Windows phones by the end of 2019. In an update to a blog post that revealed the end of support for older operating systems in 2016, WhatsApp now says it will drop support for all Windows phone operating systems, including Windows 10 Mobile, on December 31, 2019 (via MSPU).

In addition to all Windows phone versions, WhatsApp added expiration dates of February 1, 2020, for Android versions 2.3.7 and older, as well as iOS 7 and older.

"Because we will no longer actively develop for these platforms, some features may stop functioning at any time," WhatsApp says. While the app may initially continue to work, you'll likely start encountering major bugs as WhatsApp continues to make changes on its end and Windows phone grows stale.

Windows 10 Mobile itself is set to lose support from Microsoft in December, so it's not entirely surprising to see another app abandoning the platform. You will, however, be able to continue using the WhatsApp desktop app going forward.

See at Microsoft (opens in new tab)

Cheap PC accessories we love

Take a gander at these awesome PC accessories, all of which will enhance your Windows experience.

Anker 4 port USB 3.0 hub (opens in new tab) ($10 at Amazon)

Whether on a desktop or laptop PC, you always need more ports to connect things to. This hub gives you an additional four USB 3.0 Type A ports.

Ikea Fixa Cable Management System (opens in new tab) ($11 at Amazon)

This IKEA cable management kit is your ticket to a clean setup. It's simple and functional.

NZXT Puck (opens in new tab) ($20 at Amazon)

This clever little accessory has powerful magnets on the rear to make it stick to any of the metal panels on your PC case or anything else. It's great for hanging accessories like headsets.

Dan Thorp-Lancaster
Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl. 

25 Comments
  • The desktop app relys on your phone... so I'm not sure how that is going to work after Dec 2019?
  • But it can work off an app from a different phone OS.
  • I'm aware, I just wanted to point that out as the sentence "You will, however, be able to continue using the WhatsApp desktop app going forward." Makes it sound like the desktop app is a standalone client when it's just a overbloated relay.
  • Did they ever really support Windows Phone? I'm still waiting for replys in NC, which should be matters of course.
  • I remember the time when every Whatsapp update for WP was a huge news. So many issues on WP7, a little less on WP8
  • It was still there? Wow.
  • The final straw that breaks the camel's back.
  • Really, now you say that. Your camel's back must have been made of steel. 😋
  • Do they know that we cannot transfer chats to another platform? So how do we move to another mobile platform without a way of transferring our chats?
  • https://www.winwazzapmigrator.com/ This was my solution and it worked pretty good, even when the app costed me 6 Euros, was totally worth it. I had some problems in the beginning, but the support(or to be more precise the developer himself) is really helpful and trys to fix your problems, if there are any. I can recommend it to everyone, who wants to transfer their whatsapp history to an other os!
  • I tried that one but could never get it to work with my 950XL, even after following all the advice. 🙁
  • Contact the Developer, he eventually will help you out! I also faced some problems but got them figured out with the help of the developer! :)
  • I'll give it another try sometime 🙂
  • Just wanted to clarify. The app does not support x50 devices such as 550 and 950. Pretty sure 950XL is also not supported.
  • Yes, I tried to follow the unlock advice, but it didn't seem to work.
  • It does now.
  • I contacted the dev to clarify. Their response is still the same. x50 devices are still not supported.
  • Well, nothing to be surprised, but still a pity. Nowadays the black mode for mobile operating systems is a trend and WhatsApp in WP and WM10 always use that characteristic as a default one. Such a great experience using that messaging app in Microsoft's mobile operating systems.
  • Better inform one of my customers, they are still on Windows Phone.
  • Apparently a UWP is coming, so this would be a non-issue for W10M users. https://mspoweruser.com/leaker-confirms-whatsapp-uwp-app-on-the-way/
  • A UWP does not mean it guarantees to run on W10M.
  • Fou wrote an entire article for this? For the 5% of the remaining 12 windows phone users who use whatsapp?
  • Yes, for me. You see, I'm a priority reader of this site. Sorry pal, but WC write news for me, not you.
  • Ok, I just uninstalled it from my Samsung Galaxy S10. Buh bye.
  • That's a damn shame. I use WhatsApp to communicate more than any other messaging surface. Both on my Microsoft Phone and my Surface Book 2.