WhatsApp has officially stopped supporting smartphones running Android 5.0 and Android 5.1. The support change took effect on September 8, 2026.
The move affects both WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business. Users now need Android 6.0 Marshmallow or a newer version to continue using the apps.
Phones that cannot upgrade beyond Android 5 will no longer support WhatsApp. Users with these devices may need to move to a newer smartphone.
The change mainly affects older phones that still run Android 5.0 Lollipop or Android 5.1 Lollipop. Many of these devices no longer receive software updates from manufacturers.
WhatsApp announced the upcoming change several months earlier. The company also notified affected users through messages inside the app.
These notifications gave users time to update their devices. Users were also advised to consider switching to newer phones before support ended.
People using Android 6.0 or newer do not need to make any changes. Their devices remain compatible with the current minimum requirements.
Older Android smartphones are still used in several parts of the world. These markets include India, Brazil, Pakistan, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
The change could affect users in these regions who still rely on older devices. Some may have no option to upgrade their current phones.
Users should first check their phone’s software settings for available updates. An upgrade to Android 6.0 or later could restore compatibility.
However, some older smartphones cannot receive newer Android versions. This depends on the manufacturer and the specific device model.
If no update is available, users will need a newer compatible phone. WhatsApp recommends backing up chats before moving to another device.
Users may still be able to recover their conversations after changing phones. Recent WhatsApp backups can be stored on Google Drive or internal storage.
After installing WhatsApp on a supported device, users can sign in with their existing number. They can then restore an available chat backup.
The support change is part of WhatsApp’s regular platform updates. The company periodically removes support for older operating systems.
New WhatsApp features may require newer software and hardware capabilities. Maintaining compatibility with outdated systems can also limit future development.
By ending support for Android 5.0 and 5.1, WhatsApp can focus on newer platforms. This allows the company to develop features for supported devices more efficiently.
The same Android requirement applies to WhatsApp Business. Both applications depend on the same underlying platform requirements.
For affected users, checking for an available system update is the first step. If no update exists, switching phones will be necessary.
Users should also make sure their chats are backed up before changing devices. This can help prevent the loss of important conversations.
In other related news also read WhatsApp Users Urged to Enable New Security Features
The latest change marks another reduction in support for older Android versions. WhatsApp users with compatible devices can continue using the service normally.
