A recent warning has been issued to users of WhatsApp, alerting them that failure to take action promptly could result in losing access to the app by the end of the year. The popular chat application may no longer be compatible with older Android devices, as Meta, the company behind the app, is expected to discontinue support for outdated versions of the Google-owned operating system. This change is set to impact devices running on Android 6 or earlier, with the blocking expected to commence on September 8, 2026.
While this decision may inconvenience some users, it is anticipated that the majority will not be affected significantly. Android 6 was released in 2015, and the current version is Android 16. Despite this, data provided by Statcounter reveals that approximately 0.69% of Android devices worldwide are still running on Android 5, which could translate to around 3 million devices out of the over 4 billion Android users globally.
Therefore, individuals using phones from a decade ago may still be able to use WhatsApp for now, but come September 8, the app may cease to function on such devices. The most viable solution would be to upgrade to a more recent Android device. This upgrade is advisable not only to ensure WhatsApp compatibility but also due to the lack of security updates for devices running on outdated software, which may already be struggling to support other modern applications.
In addition to the announcement, WABetaInfo shared an image from a forthcoming WhatsApp version displaying a warning message stating, “Later this year, WhatsApp won’t work on this device.” It is advisable to check the software version on your Android phone and take necessary action if you suspect that your device may be affected.