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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I right to be annoyed?

53 replies

annoyedinipswich · 03/04/2020 08:19

I am a part of a professional group, a specialist committee, which is quite active at present as it is fairly newly set up. At least I think it is.

Thing is, when the group was set up, some of the committee decided they would communicate through whatsapp. I can't get it on my phone and am not in the position to upgrade to one that can just now.

I told them from the very beginning that this wouldn't work for me but the response was " aw that's too bad, you should get a new phone".
So, I am left not only in the dark but also looking like I am not pulling my weight (as I have no clue what the tasks etc are).

I know I am the only one but AIBU in thinking that this is a little unfair (or am I being difficult)?

OP posts:
Keeva2017 · 03/04/2020 09:16

YABU. It drives me mad when my parents brag they have a low cost phone and contract but then complain they are left out when the family communicates through an APP they can’t get.

If your phone won’t support watsapp then what group app do you suggest that’s as convenient? YABU to ask others to inconvenience themselves because you didn’t want to keep up with technology.

mallachy · 03/04/2020 09:58

WhatsApp terms and conditions clearly state not for business use.

SharonasCorona · 03/04/2020 10:23

@mallachy stop scaring people, WhatsApp don’t give a shit why do you.

SharonasCorona · 03/04/2020 10:23

Also, OP’s group isn’t a business.

Racoonworld · 03/04/2020 10:27

Do you have a laptop? You can download it on Windows!

marchez · 03/04/2020 10:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Psychologika · 03/04/2020 10:51

I strongly suspect you need to update the operating system on your current phone. It is likely to be that that is stopping you from being able to install. What happens when you plug your phone into your laptop?

donquixotedelamancha · 03/04/2020 11:04

Yes I have, the phone will not support the app.

Just for clarity: you've tried to side load an .APK of and old version as shown in the link upthread, but it doesn't install?

As PPs have asked, have you checked your phone's software to is up to date and checked you have enough storage?

mallachy · 03/04/2020 15:26

why on earth was my statement scary? just stating fact, nothing frightening about it.

SharonasCorona · 04/04/2020 03:43

Is it even a fact? Prove it or don’t spout crap. Even the WhatsApp Business app is free.

Thepigeonsarecoming · 04/04/2020 03:53

What professional group would leave people without the tech if they are needed. Guessing this is a volunteer home made corvid 19 group. And although also needed will cope without one member

GrumpyInsomniac · 04/04/2020 05:39

It's a known bug. There were plenty of articles a couple of months back about the fact that some Android phones were going to be unable to install WhatsApp in future because their version of the operating system was no longer supported due to security issues, if memory serves.

Some of the phones are old enough that they simply cannot update the OS to a later version of Android that is more compatible with WhatsApp. They may function fine for making calls and texting and stuff like Facebook, but not work with other apps. I think it's utterly shocking that people are judging OP for not being able to afford a new phone for purely this purpose, or questioning the truth of what they're saying. Life is pretty tight for lots of self-employed people now, and if the phone functions in other respects I can see why buying food and paying bills might take priority over a new phone.

WhatsApp is far from the only game in town. OP, head to the Play Store and see if you can install Telegram or Hangouts, then suggest it as an alternative that you can use. Give them a solution and if they're not utter dicks they should be willing to switch so they can include you.

Am I right to be annoyed?
DanielRicciardosSmile · 04/04/2020 06:45

That version of android came out in 2010 though. The J1 wasn't released until 2015. Would it really have a 5 year old operating system?

Patch23042 · 04/04/2020 08:31

Could you explain the situation to your phone provider and ask for an early upgrade? They may defer payment for this month and May until June.

I really feel for S/E people currently. I hope things turn around for you.

newbingepisodes · 04/04/2020 08:34

My work would buy me the equipment I needed to do the job!

Veterinari · 04/04/2020 08:49

@mallachy at best it's totally irrelevant unless you think this is a thread for spouting random 'facts' about WhatsApp.

CandyLeBonBon · 04/04/2020 09:48

No one is going to send you a new phone OP

BocolateChiscuits · 04/04/2020 10:02

WhatsApp have a browser interface blog.whatsapp.com/whats-app-web. Do you have access to a computer? Do you live with someone using WhatsApp who wouldn't mind you borrowing the account and mostly accessing on the computer?

Otherwise you'll need to explain further to the group how this excludes you. They'll find it hard to wrap their heads around, so you'll need to politely and clearly spell it out to them.

C8H10N4O2 · 04/04/2020 11:11

WhatsApp have a browser interface

You need to have whatsapp functioning on your phone to use the browser version.

Socksey · 04/04/2020 11:40

WhatsApp doesn't work on all phones.... and fir some tgatvit used to work on, they withdrew support earlier this year. My OH has a HTC One and it doesn't work.... and that was their flagship model a few years ago...

1forsorrow · 04/04/2020 11:42

Couldn't someone in the group send you updates by email? If no one is prepared to do that I would leave the group and let them get on with it.

Piglet89 · 04/04/2020 11:50

@mallachy where does it say it in the Ts and Cs?

www.whatsapp.com/legal/client/?platform=android&lg=

Can you point me towards the provision?

bruffin · 04/04/2020 12:06

WhatsApp for j1

RandomLondoner · 04/04/2020 12:20

The version of Android that Galaxy J1 was lauched with was 4.4.4, the version that is too old is 2.3.7. So it should be possible to get it to run.

Though if there really wasn't an issue then links to techy pages describing special procedures involved to install it wouldn't exist. (Not to mention non-standard places to download versions of it. I would not be happy with a version that wasn't direct from the Play store.)

SharonasCorona · 04/04/2020 12:21

Doubt @mallachy will be back now we haven’t take his/her word as gospel 🙄