WhatsApp may soon be coming to your KaiOS feature phone

WhatsApp has announced a new version of its app will be available on the JioPhone, a phone that runs on KaiOS.

KaiOS, based on what was known as FirefoxOS at one point in time, runs on low-powered feature phones. A few of said phones are available in South Africa too, like the Nokia 8110.

The chat application will soon terminate support for older Android smartphones, iOS and Windows devices.

Notably, it’s the first indication that the social messenger now supports the operating system, even though it does allow for some apps and internet connectivity.

This too is an indication that the app may come to other KaiOS devices, opening the market for more affordable but functional phones.

“The new app offers the best of WhatsApp including fast and reliable messaging and the ability to send photos and videos — all end-to-end encrypted. It’s also easy to record and send voice messages with just couple taps on the keypad,” says WhatsApp added on its blog.

The app’s available on the JioPhone App Store for those in India.

Feature image: WhatsApp