Overview
- WhatsApp will require Android 6 (Marshmallow) or newer starting September 8, 2026, ending support for devices on Android 5.0 and 5.1.
- Roughly 0.4% to 0.7% of Android phones still run Android 5, which translates to several million devices that could lose access worldwide.
- Affected users will see in‑app notices urging an OS update or a newer phone, and WhatsApp advises backing up chats to Google Drive or with a local backup before the cutoff.
- Older models that typically cannot upgrade include Samsung Galaxy S4 and S5 Mini, Google Nexus 4 and Nexus 7/10, LG G2, HTC One M7, and Sony Xperia Z.
- After support ends, the app will stop receiving features and security fixes and could stop working entirely if server logins are blocked, with the same rules applying to WhatsApp Business; iPhones already need iOS 15.1 or newer and KaiOS support ended in February 2025.