As the digital landscape continues to evolve rapidly, so do the devices, apps, and software that power it. Keeping up with newer technologies while continuing to support older devices seems challenging for app makers. Against this backdrop, WhatsApp is reportedly set to discontinue support for older Android versions later this year, as it moves to align with updated system requirements and performance standards.
According to a report by WABetaInfo, starting September 8, 2026, WhatsApp will no longer work on devices running Android versions older than Android 6.0. Currently, WhatsApp supports devices running Android 5.0 and above. However, with upcoming features requiring more advanced system capabilities, the company is raising the minimum requirement. This means smartphones running Android 5.0 and 5.1 will lose access to the app after the cutoff date.
To prepare users for the transition, WhatsApp has started displaying in-app alerts notifying those affected by the change. The company is advising users to back up their chat history before support ends. Chat backups can be stored on Google Drive or saved locally on the device, allowing users to restore their data later if they switch to a compatible device.
The move is expected to impact a small but notable group of users, particularly in regions like India, Brazil, and parts of Southeast Asia and Africa, where older smartphones are still widely used. Many of these devices no longer receive software updates, making it difficult to meet newer app requirements.
Users who wish to continue using WhatsApp will need to upgrade to a device running Android 6.0 or newer. The change applies to both WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business.
Notably, this update does not affect Apple users. iPhones running iOS 15.1 and later, along with iPads on iPadOS 15.1 or newer, will continue to support WhatsApp without any disruption.
In relatable news, WhatsApp is also reportedly working to bring notification bubbles features to Android phones. If you have used Facebook Messenger, then you will have a good idea of how the bubble features function. According to WABetaInfo, the feature is still not available for beta testing yet. The feature aims to improve how chats are handled on Android by making it easier to read and reply to messages without leaving other apps. It will integrate with the Android notification system and is expected to make multitasking during conversations more seamless.
