Every single day millions of people continue to use their old Android smartphones. The devices will become silent on September 8 2026 because WhatsApp will no longer support them.
WhatsApp has confirmed that it will stop supporting devices which use Android 5.0 and 5.1 from September 8 2026. The two applications WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business will become unusable after that date on those operating systems because there will be no solution to restore their function.
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⚠️ Are you affected? Go to Settings → About Phone → Software Information on your device. If your Android version is 5.0 or 5.1, you will lose WhatsApp access on September 8, 2026, unless you upgrade your OS or switch to a newer device. |
Why is WhatsApp doing this?
WhatsApp depends on modern operating systems because the company adds new features such as encrypted backups and video calling improvements. The system requirements exceed what Android 5.x which launched more than ten years ago can provide.
Who is most at risk?
The impact will be most severe in areas where people continue to use their outdated smartphones. The affected category includes several former popular models which now belong to this group.
| Manufacturer | Affected Models |
|---|---|
| Samsung | Galaxy S6, Note 4, Note 5 |
| Sony | Xperia Z3, Z4, Z5 series |
| OnePlus | OnePlus One, OnePlus 2 |
| Honor | Honor 4, 6 & 7 |
| Asus | Zenfone 2 series |
| Lenovo | K3 Note, A7000 |
How to protect your chats before the deadline
WhatsApp has already begun alerting affected users. If you receive a notification, follow these steps:
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1. Back up to Google Drive
Open WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Chat Backup → Back Up Now. -
2. Save a local backup
Copy the WhatsApp folder from your phone's internal storage to a computer or SD card. -
3. Upgrade your Android version
Check Settings → Software Update. If Android 6.0 or higher is available, install it. -
4. Move to a newer device
If your phone cannot be updated, consider moving your account to a newer device.
What about iPhone users?
iOS - NO ACTION NEEDED
Apple users are not affected by this change. WhatsApp will continue to support iOS 15.1 and above. iPhone users can continue using the app without any disruption.
The Android-only nature of this update reflects the fragmentation within the Android ecosystem compared to the more unified iOS environment.
Technology moves forward, and sometimes it leaves older devices in its wake. For the millions still holding on to an ageing Android phone, September 8 is a date worth marking on the calendar.