Meta-owned messaging giant WhatsApp has officially announced it will stop supporting millions of Android devices starting September 8, 2026.
The update, first spotted by industry tracker WABetainfo and confirmed via the official WhatsApp Help Center, marks a significant shift in the platform’s minimum system requirements. For millions of users particularly in emerging markets like Nigeria, India, and Brazil this serves as a final countdown to either update their software or transition to newer hardware.
The Technical Cutoff: Who is Affected?
Currently, WhatsApp maintains compatibility for devices running Android 5.0 (Lollipop) and newer. However, starting this September, the baseline will move to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow).
This means any smartphone or tablet still operating on Android 5.0 or 5.1 will lose the ability to send or receive messages, make calls, or access WhatsApp Business. While these operating systems are over a decade old, they remain surprisingly resilient in regions where the "secondary" smartphone market thrives or where users retain legacy devices for basic communication.
Among the popular models expected to lose support unless they can be updated to a newer OS are:
Samsung: Galaxy S6, Galaxy Note 4, and Note 5.
Sony: Xperia Z3, Z4, and Z5 series.
LG: Select models from the G and V series launched circa 2014-2015.
Google: Older Nexus devices that did not receive the Marshmallow update.
Why the Change Now?
The decision to drop support for older systems is rarely arbitrary. According to Meta, the move is driven by two primary factors: Security and Innovation.
As cyber threats become more sophisticated, older operating systems lack the kernel-level security patches required to protect user data effectively. WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption relies on modern cryptographic standards that can be taxing on older processors and outdated software architectures.
Furthermore, WhatsApp is no longer just a simple "text-and-receive" utility. The platform has recently integrated heavy-duty features such as Meta AI summaries, high-definition video calling, and advanced business tools. These features require higher RAM allocation and better processing power capabilities that 11-year-old hardware simply cannot provide.
"Every year, we look at which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest number of people still using them," a WhatsApp spokesperson noted. "These devices also might not have the latest security updates or lack the functionality required to run the app efficiently."
Global and Regional Impact
While the percentage of global users on Android 5.0 is statistically small, the absolute number of people affected is in the millions. In West Africa, where device longevity is a matter of economic necessity, many users rely on "London-used" or refurbished older flagships.
For the Nigerian digital economy, where WhatsApp serves as a primary hub for informal commerce, the cutoff could pose a hurdle for small-scale entrepreneurs using older handsets to run WhatsApp Business. The transition highlights a recurring theme in the "computer wars": as software leaps forward, the hardware of the past becomes a digital paperweight.
What Affected Users Should Do
WhatsApp has already begun rolling out in-app notifications to users on targeted devices. If you receive an alert stating, "Later this year, WhatsApp won't work on this device," here are the recommended steps:
Check for Updates: Go to Settings > System > Software Update to see if your manufacturer released a version of Android 6.0 or higher for your model.
Back Up Immediately: Affected users should ensure their chat history is backed up to Google Drive. After the September 8 deadline, you will not be able to initiate a backup from the device if the app ceases to function.
Upgrade Hardware: For those on devices that cannot be updated beyond Android 5.1, the only solution is to migrate to a newer device. Fortunately, modern entry-level smartphones, even those at budget price points, now ship with Android 13 or 14, providing a long runway for future compatibility.
The iPhone Exception
Notably, this specific update does not impact Apple users. WhatsApp confirmed that it will continue to support iPhones running iOS 15.1 and later. This means users with the iPhone 6s and newer remain safe for the foreseeable future, as the cutoff is currently focused solely on the Android ecosystem's fragmentation.
As the September deadline approaches, the message from Meta is clear: the future of global communication is faster, more secure, and increasingly exclusive to modern hardware. For millions, the coming months will be a race to stay connected.