WhatsApp will stop working on some Android phones in 2026. Check which smartphones are affected and when will it happen
Publish Date: 2026-04-29 11:06:00
Source Domain: m.economictimes.com
WhatsApp is preparing to roll out a change that could affect a section of users still relying on older Android phones. The messaging platform, owned by Meta, has started notifying some users that support for certain devices will end in 2026. The update may not hit everyone, but in countries like India and other emerging markets, the impact could still be noticeable because many people continue using older phones for longer.
When will WhatsApp stop working?
As per details shared via the WhatsApp Help Center and reports by WABetaInfo, the app will stop working on Android devices running versions older than Android 6.0 starting September 8, 2026. This means phones operating on Android 5.0 and Android 5.1 will no longer support WhatsApp after that date.
Users are already seeing alerts inside the app. The notification clearly says that from that date, WhatsApp will not be available on certain Android versions, especially those below Android 6.0.
Why is WhatsApp dropping support?
The company says this kind of move is part of its regular update cycle. It is mainly done to keep the app stable and secure. Older Android systems usually do not support newer features or security layers, and over time, it becomes harder to keep them compatible.
“WhatsApp is notifying affected users by displaying an alert as soon as they open the app. The message notes that starting on September 8, 2026, WhatsApp will no longer be available on specific versions of Android. Specifically, WhatsApp will drop support for all Android versions older than Android 6.0.”
Apart from that, older phones often stop receiving software updates from manufacturers. That creates security risks and also limits features like video calling, encryption improvements, and newer interface changes.
Impact on users
There is no single official list, but many older models launched before 2014 are expected to lose support. Some of the commonly mentioned devices include: Samsung Galaxy S6, Sony Xperia Z3 and OnePlus One.Apart…
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