Of all the messaging apps, there is no doubt that WhatsApp is the absolute queen. And as such, it has become an essential tool in our daily lives. However, nothing is forever and the application does not offer support for absolutely all mobiles. Yes for the recent and a little old, but not so much for those who have already accumulated a few years behind them.
If when you try to enter WhatsApp You will see a notice alerting you that your mobile is not compatible, unfortunately you will have to say goodbye to the “official” application (the one downloaded from Google Play). The good news is that there are options to continue using the platform, although we have already warned that in some cases it comes with risks.
The first thing is to make sure that WhatsApp is really incompatible
There should be no doubt about the compatibility of WhatsApp with your mobile if a notice appears. But if no alert jumped out at you or if it does and you still want to make sure, there is a very easy way to check it
There is a section on the official WhatsApp site where they talk about compatibility with Android devices. At the time of publishing this news, the application is fully functional on mobiles with Android 4.1 and later, so the range of devices is very wide. In fact, the average is 8-10 years with regard to support.
And we think it is worth pointing out this point of compatibility because on more occasions than we would like, hoaxes arise regarding mobile phones in which WhatsApp stops working. It should always be clear that this is a guideline established by WhatsApp itself and should appear in the aforementioned section of its website.
An APK downloaded outside of Google Play may be the solution
If you have already verified that indeed your mobile no longer supports WhatsApp updates and it does not work with the one you have, it is time to explore other options. And download an APK from a repository outside of Google Play can be a solution, but not always effective. Although at this point you lose nothing by trying.
Below we leave you a link to various reputable repositories where you can download the WhatsApp APK and test if it works, including the one offered by the platform.
To be able to install an APK on Android, you need to enable permission to install apps from unknown sources.
If you have never installed APK on Android before, don’t worry because the process is simple. This involves downloading the application in an “APK” file which will be stored in your download folder. Then you need to open it and proceed with its installation.
This, yes, permission will be required to install unknown apps. Yes, we know in this case it’s WhatsApp, but Android considers “unknown” all apps downloaded outside of Google Play. This permission is usually found in app settings, although it can also be found in developer options.
WhatsApp Plus and other MODs as a lesser evil in the face of incompatibility
We generally do not recommend installing modded versions of WhatsApp. And it is that these versions, despite their advantages, usually carry certain dangers. And it is that may incorporate malware inside, as we were able to verify ourselves. Besides, its use is not authorized by WhatsAppso they can ban your account.
Nevertheless, if you are willing to take risks In favor of being able to use WhatsApp on a mobile that is already no longer supported, you can try it. As in the previous case, success is not guaranteed, although there is a better chance that they will turn out to be functional since they are really modded versions of WhatsApp itself.
respect to your facility, is a process identical to the previous one, having to download their respective APKs from a repository. Here we leave you some of the best known:
- GBWhatsApp
- soula whatsapp
- WhatsappMore
- whatsapp red
- YOWhatsApp
Another fact to highlight beyond the risk of banning and infecting the mobile is that operation may not be the same as with the official app. And it will be because, like the official application, you have a mobile that is already too old.
The most extreme solution: change the ROM to the mobile
This option seems very extreme. And in fact it is, since changing the ROM just to be able to use WhatsApp seems tedious to say the least. However, it doesn’t stop being one more option in the end with as much chance of being valid as the others. Of course, this could also involve risks related to the operation of the mobile.
And it is that the idea goes through install a ROM of an Android version with which WhatsApp is compatible. Since your mobile, in theory, should not be compatible with more advanced versions of Android, it is recommended to opt for a ROM based on the oldest possible version compatible with WhatsApp. In this case, it should be one based on Android 4.1 and thus also guarantee that the performance of your terminal is good.
Cover image | Rachit Tank on Unsplash
In Xataka Android | WhatsApp limits: maximum send size, group limits, calls, names, etc.
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