BlackBerry users in Nigeria and across the world will now not be able to use WhatsApp on their devices from June 30, 2017 instead of the earlier date of December 31, 2016.
WhatsApp stated this on Wednesday when it updated its support page, adding that it would now end its support on the BlackBerry software platform mid next year.
It stated that Blackberry users had “a bit more than seven more months to enjoy the social media app.”
“We will soon be ending support for certain devices. On June 30, 2017, we will no longer support the following platforms: BlackBerry OS and BlackBerry 10, Nokia S40 and Nokia Symbian S60,” the WhatsApp statement on its updated page read.
The company confirmed that the service would be halted on Android 2.1 and Android 2.2 as well as Windows Phone 7 at the beginning of 2017.
According to it, the messaging app will no longer be supported on old operating systems, including devices running iOS 6 and the iPhone 3GS phone.
The statement said, “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 Android running OS 2.3+, a Windows Phone 8+, or an iPhone running iOS 7+ before the end of 2016 to continue using WhatsApp.”
It noted that there was currently no option to transfer chat history between platforms. Although, upon request, the company said it could provide chat history attached to an email.
Shortly after WhatsApp’s announcement in early 2016 to end support for BlackBerry, the Canadian company expressed its disappointment with the decision to abandon its platform.
It had said in a statement that, “We are working on alternative solutions, which will keep our customers glued to their BlackBerry devices. Already, we have introduced the BlackBerry PRIV, which is Android-based, and with it they can use Facebook and WhatsApp.”
