If you still have a phone running an old operating system then it's time to consider upgrading. Because WhatsApp is no longer supporting BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, and Windows Phone 8.0. Which is entirely understandable given the small number of people still using them.

Android and iOS now power 99.6 percent of new smartphones. And Android accounts for 9 out of every 10 of them. This leaves little room for the also-rans such as Windows Phone and BlackBerry, which have tiny, almost non-existent userbases, and a dwindling number of apps.

WhatsApp Is Abandoning More Old OSes

WhatsApp is the latest app to abandon some older operating systems. The messaging app has previously stopped supporting Android 2.3.3, Windows Phone 7, iOS 6, and Nokia Symbian S60. And now it's adding BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, and Windows Phone 8 and older to the list.

WhatsApp has also signposted which operating systems will lose support next. Nokia S40 users have until December 31, 2018, and anyone still using Android 2.3.7 has until February 1, 2020. Which seems a little generous. On the support page announcing this move, WhatsApp explains:

"These platforms don't offer the kind of capabilities we need to expand our app's features in the future. If you use one of these affected mobile devices, we recommend upgrading to a newer OS version, or to a newer Android running OS 4.0+, iPhone running iOS 7+, or Windows Phone 8.1+ so that you can continue using WhatsApp."

As of right now you can "no longer create new accounts, nor re-verify existing accounts" on WhatsApp on these platforms. However, WhatsApp will continue to work on these older mobile operating systems for a very short period of time, supposedly to give users a chance to upgrade.

Just Upgrade to a New Phone Already

This was only a matter of time, and I'm rather surprised WhatsApp has waited this long before pulling support. The chances are very few people reading this will be affected, and any that are should probably take it as a sign that they really need to buy a more up-to-date smartphone.

Another option? You could just keep using WhatsApp on the web.

Are you still using one of the old operating systems WhatsApp is stopping supporting? If so, is this going to make you upgrade to a newer phone? Or can you live without WhatsApp? Were you a fan of Windows Phone and/or BlackBerry? Please let us know in the comments below!

Image Credit: Jan Persiel via Flickr