An alert has been issued to WhatsApp users warning of a potential loss of access to the app later this year. Meta, the parent company of the app, is set to discontinue support for older Android phones. Devices running Android 6 or older will face a block starting on September 8, 2026.
While this change may inconvenience some users, it is expected to impact a relatively small number of people. Data suggests that around 0.69% of global Android devices still run on Android 5, potentially affecting millions of users out of the over 4 billion Android user base worldwide.
If you are using a phone that is a decade old, it might continue to work for now, but after September 8, WhatsApp may cease to function on it. Upgrading to a newer Android device is the recommended solution, especially considering that older devices are no longer receiving security updates and may struggle with modern apps.
In addition to the announcement, a warning message from a future version of WhatsApp has been shared by WABetaInfo, indicating that the app will not be supported on certain devices later this year. It is advisable to check the software version of your Android phone to determine if you will be affected by this change.