WhatsApp is introducing a new alert for users on outdated versions of iOS or Android to help them update and protect their devices and accounts. When users try to log into the app, WhatsApp asks them to update their operating system to get back in. The update applies to specific users on Android and iOS, regardless of which version of WhatsApp they use.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | OS update requirement to log in |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Availability info: | This is a server-side update available to specific users on iOS and Android. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp will move channels to the Chats tab! |
WhatsApp is testing a warning for unofficial Web clients
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.35.1 update, we announced a warning for users who connect their account through unofficial WhatsApp Web clients. It appears within the Linked devices screen and asks users to switch to the official client. This followed an incident when WhatsApp notified around 200 users in Italy whose devices were compromised through a fake version of the app. With these updates, WhatsApp is actively hardening account access to help people protect their accounts.
WhatsApp is now blocking logins on devices with outdated software
WhatsApp is now taking this protection further by introducing new security alerts. Users who use a device with an outdated operating system may notice that WhatsApp blocks their login until they update. This is a particular server-side update that does not require users to install a new version of the app. It applies to both iOS and Android, and WhatsApp is releasing it to specific accounts. Users who try to log in on an outdated device will see a new screen that explains what they need to do before they can continue.
What the screen shows and what WhatsApp users need to do
WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that lets users know that they need to update their device software before they can log in. WhatsApp informs users to open the device settings and install the latest available update. After they update their device, users can finally open WhatsApp and complete the login. The screen also explains how to check the current software version for users who are not sure which one they installed. For security reasons, WhatsApp does not let users skip this step. This means that they cannot log in until they update their device software.
Why an outdated operating system puts any app at risk
WhatsApp is secure, but its security also depends on the device it runs on. Attackers actively look for known vulnerabilities in outdated operating systems to install malware. Once the device is infected by malware, the attacker can intercept data before WhatsApp encrypts it. End-to-end encryption secures messages, but it cannot protect content that an attacker has already captured on the device. Note that every app on it becomes vulnerable, not just WhatsApp. As a result, an outdated operating system is often the weakest link in the chain. With this update, WhatsApp is making it easier for users to understand that the app is only as secure as the device it runs on.
Why this is not a WhatsApp security issue
This new security warning does not mean that WhatsApp has critical vulnerabilities. Instead, it depends on the operating system users installed. WhatsApp, like any app, relies on the security guarantees the operating system provides. When the operating system is outdated, these guarantees weaken or disappear. WhatsApp is making this dependency explicit by refusing to proceed with a login in case of obsolete operating systems.
How this fits into WhatsApp's broader security strategy
WhatsApp worked on a warning for unofficial Web clients, a Scam Alert feature to detect suspicious messages on-device, and restricted chats to limit certain conversations to the primary device. The OS update requirement is another layer that makes the app more secure. WhatsApp is working to ensure the app works on an operating system that meets the minimum security standard. For users, this means that an up-to-date operating system is now a requirement to use WhatsApp.
WhatsApp is rolling out the OS update requirement to iOS and Android users
WhatsApp is automatically applying this security measure to any account on a device with outdated software. The security alert can appear to specific Android and iOS users. People who do not see this screen may see it in the future if their device software falls below WhatsApp's minimum requirement. WhatsApp has not announced which specific versions trigger the block.
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