• Stronger system requirements will phase out older Android devices
• Users will be alerted and advised to back up chats before changes

WhatsApp has announced it will end support for Android versions older than 6.0 beginning 8 September 2026, in a move aimed at keeping the app aligned with modern technical standards and improving overall performance.

Under the new policy, users will still be able to use WhatsApp as long as their devices run Android 6.0 or later and the latest version of the app is installed.

The company says the change is necessary to support upcoming features that rely on more advanced operating systems, meaning older devices may no longer be able to keep up with future updates.

To prepare users, WhatsApp will begin showing in-app alerts warning those affected about the end of support and encouraging them to update their system or switch devices to avoid service disruption.

The platform also advises users to back up their chats via Google Drive or local storage to prevent data loss once support ends.

The decision applies to both WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business, while Apple devices will remain unaffected, with support continuing for iOS 15.1 and later.

Currently, WhatsApp supports Android 5.0 and above, but the upcoming update will fully discontinue compatibility with Android 5.0 and 5.1 after the policy takes effect.