WhatsApp is set to discontinue support for several older Android operating systems as the messaging platform updates its minimum requirements to improve security and performance.
According to updated details shared in the WhatsApp help section, the app will require Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or later starting September 8. Devices running Android 5 (Lollipop) or older versions will no longer be able to run the messaging service properly.
The company regularly updates its system requirements to ensure compatibility with new features and maintain strong security standards. Older operating systems often lack critical security patches and cannot support modern app functions. As a result, WhatsApp gradually stops providing updates for outdated systems.
Users with unsupported Android versions may initially continue to open the app, but they will begin receiving warning notifications asking them to update their operating system. Eventually, the application will stop functioning completely because it cannot support new features or security updates.
The change could affect millions of smartphones worldwide. According to data from StatCounter, around 0.7 percent of Android devices still run Android 5. While this percentage may seem small, with more than three billion active Android devices globally, it still represents several million phones losing access to WhatsApp.
Several once-popular smartphone models fall into this category because they cannot upgrade beyond Android 5. These include the Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini, Google Nexus 4, LG G2, HTC One M7, and Sony Xperia Z.
WhatsApp says users with affected devices will receive multiple reminders encouraging them to update their software or switch to a newer smartphone. Checking for available system updates is the first step users should take to ensure their device meets the new requirements.
Currently, the new minimum requirements for using WhatsApp include Android 6.0 or newer for Android smartphones and iOS 15.1 or later for iPhones.
The company has already discontinued support for several older platforms in the past, including Symbian, BlackBerry OS, and Windows Phone. As technology continues to evolve, apps like WhatsApp must update their system requirements to deliver improved features, performance, and security to users worldwide.