WhatsApp, the instant messaging platform owned by Meta, has announced that it will stop supporting some older Android versions starting from September 8, 2026, in a move aimed at improving performance and keeping up with technological advancements.
Necessary Updates to Keep Up with Development
The app will continue to work only on smart devices running Android 6.0 or later, while support for older versions will be discontinued.
This decision comes as part of WhatsApp’s efforts to maintain an appropriate level of performance, especially with the growing reliance on advanced features that require newer technical capabilities not available in older systems.
Older Devices Gradually Going Out of Service
Although the current version of the app still supports Android 5.0 and above, the shift toward newer operating system versions, such as Android 17, has created a gap between modern technologies and older devices.
Millions of users around the world still rely on phones running older versions, especially in some developing countries where low-cost devices are common and do not receive regular updates.
Important Tips to Avoid Data Loss
WhatsApp will begin sending warning notifications to affected users to inform them about the date when the app will stop working on their devices.
The platform advises users to back up their chats before the deadline, either through Google Drive or via local backups stored on the device’s memory, ensuring easy data recovery when switching to a newer device.
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