WhatsApp Ended Support for Some Android Devices – Here’s Why

WhatsApp has officially ended support for older Android versions. Starting September 8, 2026, WhatsApp will no longer work on devices running Android 5.0 or Android 5.1.

The new minimum requirement is Android 6.0 Marshmallow. According to WABetaInfo, the change applies to both WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business.

WhatsApp Ended Support for Some Android Devices – Here’s Why

WhatsApp first announced this change in April. At the time, the company informed affected users through an in-app notification. Users were given several months to update their phones or move to a newer device before support ended.

Older Android Phones Can No Longer Use WhatsApp

The change affects devices that cannot be upgraded beyond Android 5.0 or 5.1. Many of these phones are several years old and no longer receive software updates from their manufacturers.

Older Android devices are still used in several markets, including Pakistan, India, Brazil, parts of Southeast Asia, and Africa. Users who have phones stuck on Android 5.0 or 5.1 will now need a newer device to continue using WhatsApp.

Users should first check whether their phone can be upgraded to Android 6.0 or a newer version. This can usually be done through the software update section in the phone’s settings. If no compatible update is available, switching to a newer phone will be necessary.

See Also: WhatsApp Expands Pinned Messages Limit to Four on Android

Chat History Can Still Be Recovered

Users who need to move to another device should make sure their WhatsApp chats are backed up. Depending on the device and backup settings, a recent chat backup may be available through Google Drive or local storage.

After moving to a supported Android phone, users can install WhatsApp and sign in with the same phone number. They may then be able to restore their previous chat history from an available backup.

It is a good idea to check the backup before switching devices, especially if important conversations, photos, or other media are stored in WhatsApp.

Why WhatsApp Is Dropping Older Android Versions

Supporting older operating systems can make it harder for WhatsApp to introduce new features. Every new feature needs to work across the Android versions supported by the app.

By ending support for Android 5.0 and 5.1, WhatsApp can focus its development on newer versions of Android and modern hardware. This can also make it easier to introduce features that older devices may not be capable of supporting.

The change is expected to affect a relatively small number of users, but those with unsupported phones will need to take action.

Android 6.0 and Newer Devices Are Still Supported

For most WhatsApp users, nothing changes. Anyone using Android 6.0 or a newer version can continue using the app as usual.

The Android 5.0 and 5.1 cutoff applies to both WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business. Users who are unsure about their phone’s compatibility can check the Android version in their device settings.

For affected users, the main options are to install an available Android 6.0 or newer update or move to a newer phone. Before making the switch, backing up WhatsApp chats is recommended to avoid losing important conversations and media.