A recent alert has been released to users of WhatsApp, warning that failure to take action promptly could lead to the app becoming incompatible with certain devices later this year. The team at WABetaInfo, known for uncovering upcoming updates, has identified a potential discontinuation of support for older Android phones by the app’s parent company, Meta.
It is anticipated that Meta will cease support for outdated versions of the Google-owned operating system, potentially impacting millions of users who rely on WhatsApp. According to WABetaInfo, devices running on Android 6 or earlier will encounter restrictions starting on September 8, 2026.
While this change may not sit well with some users, it is expected to have minimal impact. Android 6 was introduced in 2015, and the latest iteration is now Android 16. However, data from Statcounter reveals that approximately 0.69% of Android devices worldwide are still operating on Android 5, which could amount to around 3 million devices out of the over 4 billion Android users globally.
If you are using a phone that is nearly a decade old, it may continue to function for the time being. Nevertheless, after September 8, WhatsApp may cease to operate on such devices. The most viable solution would be to upgrade to a newer Android device, a move that is advisable considering that older software versions are no longer receiving security updates and may struggle to run modern applications effectively.
In addition to the announcement, WABetaInfo has shared an image from a forthcoming version of WhatsApp displaying a warning message indicating that the app will no longer be compatible with certain devices later in the year.
It might be a good idea to check the software version on your Android phone to determine if you are affected. Should you find yourself impacted, you have a few months to address the situation.