WhatsApp users on older phones lose access to the app starting next month. Meta raises the minimum Android version to 5.0, which cuts off devices running Android 5.0 or 5.1 on Monday, Sept. 8, 2026. This change forces owners of very old Android devices to buy new hardware if they want to keep messaging. The shift affects a tiny fraction of the global user base, but it signals the end of support for legacy systems.
Meta enforces new OS limits for Android and iPhones
The update targets the Android platform first, with iOS changes arriving later. WhatsApp requires Android 5.0 or higher to run the messenger after the Sept. 8 deadline. Devices stuck on Android 5.0 or 5.1 will no longer be able to log in or receive messages. This move clears out the oldest supported Android versions from the ecosystem.
- Android Minimum OS: Android 5.0 or higher
- iOS Minimum OS: iOS 15.5 or higher
- Affected Android Versions: Android 5.0, 5.1
- Affected iOS Versions: iOS 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4
Apple users face a similar restriction in November. WhatsApp raises the minimum iOS requirement from 15.1 to 15.5 on Nov. 30, 2026. This change blocks iPhones running iOS 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, and 15.4. The affected devices include the iPhone 6s, iPhone SE (first generation), and iPhone 7 series. Owners of these iPhones can update to iOS 15.8.8 to stay compatible.
StatCounter data shows Android 5 usage is below 1.7% globally in August 2026. This low adoption rate means most users are unaffected by the Android cutoff. The exact number of people impacted by these changes remains unknown. There is no reliable data on the exact number of users who will lose access to the platform.
WhatsApp ends support for Android 5.0 and 5.1 on September 8, 2026. The app raises the minimum iOS requirement to 15.5 on November 30, 2026. These updates remove access for the oldest supported devices on both platforms. Users with compatible devices can continue using the app without interruption.
Source: NotebookCheck
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