WhatsApp ends support for Android KitKat

WhatsApp, the instant messaging application, dropped support for Android 4.4 KitKat systems in its latest app versions.

This means that users of devices running on Android KitKat will no longer be able to use the app after the recent update. To address this issue, users will need to upgrade to relatively newer devices or update their operating system if possible.

This decision is aimed at focusing on supporting the application for modern operating systems, as the current usage of Android KitKat accounts for only about 0.5% of all Android devices globally.

Supporting older operating systems consumes a lot of resources for tech companies, and as a result, these resources can be redirected towards developing products for users who rely on newer versions of the operating system.

Furthermore, Meta, the owner of the WhatsApp platform, is currently working on regularly improving the app's interface, adding new features, and enhancing security. Removing support for older systems allows the company to expedite the app development process and improve the user experience.

Android KitKat 4.4 was released in 2013 and was highly successful in its time, but Google ended support for it a few months ago. Several other applications have also made the same decision, such as the file storage app Dropbox and some Google applications like the messaging app.

Currently, to install the WhatsApp application, you must have Android 5.0 Lollipop or later.