A recent alert has been issued to WhatsApp users, warning that failure to take action promptly could result in losing access to the app later this year. Meta, the parent company of the app, is planning to discontinue support for older versions of the Android operating system. This decision is expected to impact devices running on Android 6 or earlier starting from September 8, 2026.
While the move may inconvenience some users, it is anticipated that the majority will not be affected significantly. Android 6 was introduced in 2015, and the current version is Android 16. However, data from Statcounter reveals that approximately 0.69% of Android devices worldwide are still operating on Android 5, potentially affecting around 3 million devices out of the over 4 billion Android users globally.
Users with phones dating back a decade may still be able to use WhatsApp for now, but after September 8, the app may cease to function on these devices. The most viable solution would be to upgrade to a newer Android device, considering that older devices are no longer receiving security updates and may struggle with running modern apps.
In addition to the announcement, WABetaInfo shared an image from an upcoming version of WhatsApp displaying a warning message indicating that the app will no longer be supported on certain devices later this year. It is advisable to check the software version on your Android phone to determine if you will be affected and consider upgrading before the deadline.
