Cannot use WhatsApp in Gingerbread anymore I have Samsung Galaxy S+ (i9001) and the other day had a prompt from WhatsApp to update the app.

The update download but the installation fails and the app cannot be opened.

I tried downloading the APK of the latest version and even many of older versions but the issue is still there.

I know WhatsApp said they are ceasing support for Android 2.1 and 2.2, but my phone has 2.3.6, so it shouldn't be affected. 

How to fix?
Yes, officially they said they won't support android 2.1 and 2.2, but since the last update only devices with Android 4.0 and above are supported.

Try installing 2.16.259 over 2.16.225:


Download APKs for WhatsApp version 2.16.225 and 2.16.259.
Install 225 first, don't open it
Reboot the phone
Install 259


But soon or later these versions will be dropped as well.