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. The popular chat application may no longer be compatible with older Android devices, as Meta, the app’s parent company, is expected to discontinue support for outdated versions of the Google operating system. This decision is set to impact devices running Android 6 or older starting from September 8, 2026.
While this change may not sit well with some users, it is anticipated that the majority will not be affected significantly. Android 6 was introduced in 2015, and the most recent iteration is now Android 16. Despite this, data from Statcounter reveals that approximately 0.69% of Android devices worldwide are still operating on Android 5. Although this percentage appears small, it could equate to around 3 million devices out of the over 4 billion Android users globally.
If you are still using a phone from nearly a decade ago, it may continue to function for the time being. However, after September 8, WhatsApp could suddenly cease to operate on such devices. The most viable solution would be to upgrade to a newer Android device. This is a prudent decision given that devices running outdated software are no longer receiving security updates and may struggle to support other modern applications.
In addition to the announcement, WABetaInfo shared an image from a forthcoming version of WhatsApp displaying a warning message stating, “Later this year, WhatsApp won’t work on this device.” Therefore, now might be a good opportunity to check the software version on your Android phone. If you suspect you might be affected, you have a few months to consider your options.
