Your phone may soon no longer have access to WhatsApp; find out why

WhatsApp will stop working on certain mobile phones, particularly those using Android, starting in September 2026, potentially affecting a significant number of users with older devices.

The app will need Android 6.0 or higher to keep functioning, which implies that devices using Android 5.0 or 5.1 will no longer be supported. This could result in the app not opening or receiving updates on those devices.

This process is not a new occurrence. It happens periodically when older system versions no longer support new features and have performance and safety limitations. This allows WhatsApp to concentrate on implementing newer enhancements instead of supporting outdated technologies.

Which devices will experience an impact?

Older mobile phones, particularly models released before 2014 or 2015, are at risk. These are devices that have not been updated beyond Android 5. If your phone falls into this category, there are two main choices available.

Firstly, attempt to update the system using the device settings. If the system cannot receive any more updates, consider upgrading to a newer model. In any situation, make sure to back up conversations to prevent loss of important data.

Paraphrase: Origin