Advanced users can look into flashing a custom Android ROM (like LineageOS) to update the operating system version of the physical device to Android 5.0 or higher, granting access to the modern Play Store.
With WhatsApp installed:
Modern versions of WhatsApp (released in 2024 and beyond) generally require newer Android operating systems (Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher). If you try to download the latest WhatsApp from the Play Store on an Android 4.4.2 device, you will likely see the dreaded message: "Your device isn't compatible with this version." whatsapp for android 442 uptodown full