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 platform 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 operating system. This move could potentially impact millions of users.
According to reports from WABetaInfo, devices running on Android 6 or earlier will face restrictions starting on September 8, 2026. While this change may not sit well with some users, it is important to note that Android 6 was released in 2015, and the current version is Android 16.
Statistics from Statcounter reveal that approximately 0.69% of Android devices worldwide are still operating on Android 5. Despite the seemingly small percentage, this translates to around 3 million devices out of the over 4 billion Android users globally.
If you are using a phone that is nearly a decade old, it may continue to function for now. However, come September 8, WhatsApp could cease to operate on such devices. The most viable solution would be to upgrade to a newer Android device, particularly since older devices are no longer receiving security updates and may struggle with modern apps.
In addition to the alert, WABetaInfo shared an image from a future WhatsApp version displaying a warning message indicating that the app will cease to function on certain devices later this year. It is advisable to check your Android phone’s software version to determine if you may be affected. Users have a few months to address this potential issue.
