WhatsApp to drop support for older Android versions in September 2026
WhatsApp will drop support for versions older than Android 6 on September 8, 2026. Users will still be able to access WhatsApp as long as they are on the latest supported version of the app.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Story about: | Android support update |
| When does it take effect: | September 8, 2026 |
| Compatibility: | Only Android 6 and newer versions will be supported in the future. |
| Thanks: | Akan and Federico Trevisani, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp Plus launches premium features for a monthly fee! |
WhatsApp is working on notification bubbles
Last week, we announced a feature that improves support for for notification bubbles. This feature will allow conversations to appear as floating icons on the screen. Users will be able to enable this feature by tapping a new icon right within the notification interface. Recent versions of Android already allow users to open apps in a floating window. However, WhatsApp will make this even simpler. This feature will make it more convenient for users to access their chats without leaving the app they're using.
Balancing new features with system requirements
While WhatsApp continues to work on new features, it is also important to preserve minimum system requirements. When WhatsApp develops new features, the development team needs to make them compatible even on older Android versions. This means that older devices and operating systems may prevent WhatsApp from introducing new features. As a result, WhatsApp is now announcing that it will drop support for certain versions of Android.
Current WhatsApp for Android requirements and supported versions
The current supported version of WhatsApp for Android requires Android OS 5.0 or newer. However, a certain number of users still rely on outdated devices. This is especially common in countries such as India, Brazil, Pakistan, and some parts of Southeast Asia and Africa. Here, older smartphones are widely used. Many of these devices run versions much older than Android 10, which are no longer updated by many manufacturers. As a result, the difference between what new software requires and what older devices can handle keeps growing.
In-app alerts and upcoming cutoff date
WhatsApp is notifying affected users as soon as they open the app. The message notes that starting on September 8, 2026, WhatsApp will no longer be available on certain versions of Android. Specifically, WhatsApp will drop support for all Android versions older than Android 6.0. This change means that devices running Android 5.0 and 5.1 will no longer be able to use the app once the update takes effect.
Chat backups and data preservation options
Users should back up their chats before that date to avoid losing their conversations. They can back up their chat history on Google Drive right within the app settings. It is also possible to restore the chat history from a local backup stored on the device's internal storage. This warning will make it easier for affected users to align with the upcoming change. In this case, they will need to update their operating system or switch to a newer device to keep using WhatsApp.
No impact on iOS and iPad devices
iOS is not affected by this upcoming change. WhatsApp will continue to support iPhones running iOS 15.1 and later. This also includes iPads running iPadOS 15.1 and newer. This means that Apple users will not experience any disruption related to this specific Android update. The change currently applies only to Android devices and their minimum operating system requirements. For now, iOS users can continue using WhatsApp as usual without updating their devices due to this update.
Preparing for the end of support for Android 5.0 and 5.1
Starting September 8, 2026, WhatsApp will discontinue support for versions prior to Android 6. Note that this change applies to both WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business, as they share the same underlying code. If you are currently using Android 5.0 or Android 5.1, it is recommended that you update your device to continue using WhatsApp or move to a compatible device that supports newer versions.
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