Whatsapp does not work on iphone 3

Since this post is under iPhone apps, this only applies to iOS. Also, your post is not clear. If you mean installing the current WhatsApp on older iOS, sometimes the current version of an app, not just WhatsApp, will not support an older iOS.

You can easily do that with a computer and iTunes . Or if you have access to the phone you can chick OTA update in settings

Please take a look at this:

https://www.whatsapp.com/faq/en/iphone/20950161

"Please note: iPod and iPad devices are not supported at this time."

From the same FAQ web page:

"WhatsApp for iPhone requires iOS 4.3 or later. For the best experience, we recommend you use the latest version of iOS available for your phone."

(Just to be clear, this is the BBC Radio app, right? If your problem is the BBC News app, I may have a different suggestion.)

Do you have the latest version of the app? It appears that BBC Radio just updated the app a week ago on 31July2014 (Version 1.5.3), but it requires iOS 6.0 or later and is optimized for iPhone 5. I see you have an iPhone 4.

Do you have iOS 6 on your phone? And do you have the latest version of the app?

iOS 6 is supposedly completely compatible with iPhone 4s, and it is also supposedly compatible with iPhone 4 except iOS 6 on:

• iPhone 4, does not support:
  • Siri
  • Maps flyover
  • Turn-by-turn navigation
  • FaceTime on 3G
  • Hearing aid support

So, it seems to me that this app should still work on your phone, unless you don't have the proper operating system or you haven't upgraded to the new version.

(the info below is copied and pasted for your viewing)
What's New in Version 1.5.3 FIXED - problem with automatically finding your local station
Please note that you can also choose any local station from the option beneath the dial after turning it to 'Find Local Radio'. You can even add up to 3 selected local stations to the dial using the Edit function.
Compatibility: Requires iOS 6.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.

on a iPhone 3 it is not possible to install iOS 6 !
IOS 6 is possible only on iPhone 3GS / 4 / 4S
- There are two ways to upgrade the iOS version of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch - via connecting the device to iTunes on a computer
- or directly from within the device, but only since iOS 5, it is possible to upgrade the iOS version without the need to connect the iOS device to a computer (over-the-air update)
just go to: settings - general - software update

facebook on iOS 5:
It is possible, a bit tricky, but possible. First, you'll need to download the Facebook app through iTunes on your computer, this will make it show up as "purchased" in your library.
After that, open up the App Store on your iPhone and go to the 'purchased' tab. When you try to install it this way it will tell you that you need iOS 6 or higher, but will also ask if you would like to download an older version of the app. then click on download.
- again step by step:
1) Open up iTunes on your computer
2) Go to Store (left hand column) ->iTunes Store
3) Search for Facebook; - download the app
4) then open App Store on your iPhone
5) Click on 'Purchased'
- you will have to install Facebook by clicking on it as usual.
App Store will ask you: "Download an older version of this app. The current version requires iOS 6.0 or later, but you can download the last compatible version.",
- then click on Download and it should finally work.

to update to iOS 5 is only possible on iPhone 3GS / 4 / 4S with connecting the device to iTunes on a computer.
- Plug the iPhone to your computer and open up iTunes under devices click on your iPhone and then click on check for update.
----
latest iOS possible:
iPhone 1 = iOS 3.1.3
iPhone 3 = iOS 4.2
iPhone 3GS = iOS 6.1.6
iPhone 4 = iOS 7.1.2
iPhone 4S = iOS 8.1.2
iPhone 5 = iOS 8.1.2

the new whatsapp app is not running on a iPhone 3G with iOS 4.2.1 as it is too old...
- but there is a workaround which you may try:
It is possible, a bit tricky, but possible. First, you'll need to download the Whatsapp app through iTunes on your computer, this will make it show up as "purchased" in your library.
After that, open up the App Store on your iPhone and go to the 'purchased' tab. When you try to install it this way it will tell you that you need iOS 6 or higher, but will also ask if you would like to download an older version of the app. then click on download.
- again step by step:
1) Open up iTunes on your computer
2) Go to Store (left hand column) ->iTunes Store
3) Search for Whatsapp; - download the app
4) then open App Store on your iPhone
5) Click on 'Purchased'
- you will have to install Whatsapp by clicking on it as usual.
App Store will ask you: "Download an older version of this app. The current version requires iOS 6.0 or later, but you can download the last compatible version.",
- then click on Download and it should finally work.

There is still no solution to this problem. What people here don't understand is that the iPhone 3G does not support iOS beyond 4.2.1

It is possible, a bit tricky, but possible. First, you'll need to download the Whatsapp app through iTunes on your computer, this will make it show up as "purchased" in your library.
After that, open up the App Store on your iPhone and go to the 'purchased' tab. When you try to install it this way it will tell you that you need iOS 6 or higher, but will also ask if you would like to download an older version of the app. then click on download.
- again step by step:
1) Open up iTunes on your computer
2) Go to Store (left hand column) ->iTunes Store
3) Search for Whatsapp; - download the app
4) then open App Store on your iPhone
5) Click on 'Purchased'
- you will have to install Whatsapp by clicking on it as usual.
App Store will ask you: "Download an older version of this app. The current version requires iOS 6.0 or later, but you can download the last compatible version.",
- then click on Download and it should finally work.