As the instant messaging app by Meta removes Whatsapp support for KaiOS feature phones, where does that leave users of these affordable mobile devices?
By Melissa De Silva
Users of Whatsapp for KaiOS phones who had logged out of the instant messaging service and tried to log in recently would have seen the following:
In February 2025, Whatsapp will stop their support for KaiOS devices. This was officially communicated on the Whatsapp website.
On its own website, KaiOS has announced that users with Whatsapp installed and activated on their KaiOS phones before 25th June 2024, who have not logged out, will be able to use the app until early 2025. Those on KaiOS who have never logged in to Whatsapp, or have logged out, will have their Whatsapp support ended on 25th June 2024.
Whatsapp has been removed from the apps for download from the Kai store on KaiOS devices.
Many users of the wallet-friendly KaiOS phones have come to depend on the Meta-owned messaging app to communicate at a low cost through texts and calls wherever there is an internet connection.
While there are other alternative communication apps available on the Kai store for KaiOS devices at present, such as Facebook and OliveWeb Messenger, these apps do not have the agility of design or offer users the ease of use Whatsapp did.
Whatsapp’s exit from KaiOS leaves a huge vacuum, which could offer many possibilities to developers. The departure of the messaging giant opens a path for smaller outfits, including SpudnikLab, to design a viable instant messaging app uniquely tailored to the needs of the demographic of KaiOS users globally.
