WhatsApp stopped supporting phones running Android 5.0 and 5.1 on September 8, 2026. Users whose devices cannot be upgraded to Android 6.0 or higher can no longer run WhatsApp Messenger or WhatsApp Business. Below is the list of widely reported models known to be limited to Android 5.0/5.1, plus practical steps to check, back up and migrate.
Which phones are affected
WhatsApp did not publish an official per-model list. News outlets reporting on the change (Legit.ng and aggregated feeds) list 31 devices known to have stopped at Android 5.0 or 5.1 and therefore affected. The list includes several Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony, Motorola and other older models:
- Google Nexus 4
- Samsung Galaxy S4
- Samsung Galaxy S3
- Samsung Galaxy Alpha
- Samsung Galaxy S1
- Samsung Galaxy Xcover
- Motorola Moto G (1st Generation)
- Motorola Backflip
- HTC One M7
- HTC One X+
- HTC Desire 628
- LG G2
- Sony Xperia Z
- Sony Xperia Z1
- Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
- Xiaomi Mi 1
- Redmi 1S
- Redmi 2 Prime
- Huawei Honor U8860
- Huawei Honour 2
- Huawei Honor 3X
- Honor Bee
- Huawei U8100
- Oppo Find 5
- Vivo X3
- ZTE Racer II
- ZTE Blade III
- ZTE Grand S
- QMobile Noir Z6
- Goophone X
- Google Nexus One
Sources attribute specific cutoff points for some models: the Google Nexus 4 and first-generation Moto G reportedly stopped at Android 5.1, while the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One M7 reportedly stopped at Android 5.0. Those device-level details come from the same reporting above; WhatsApp itself did not publish a device-level breakdown in the cited coverage.
How to check if your phone is affected
- On Android: open Settings > About phone (or Settings > System > About phone) and look for “Android Version.”
- If the version is 5.0 or 5.1 and your manufacturer offers no system update to 6.0 or higher, WhatsApp will no longer work on that device.
iPhone note reported separately
Reporting also notes a separate iPhone deadline: WhatsApp currently supports iPhones running iOS 15.1 and above but, according to the cited coverage, the minimum iOS requirement will rise to iOS 15.5 from November 30, 2026. The iPhone model list in the reporting names multiple legacy iPhone models; that iOS change is reported separately from the Android 5.0/5.1 cutoff.
Practical migration checklist (value-add)
- Confirm OS version: use the steps above to verify whether your current device is on Android 5.0 or 5.1.
- Check for official updates: in Settings > System > System update (or manufacturer update utility) confirm whether an upgrade to Android 6.0+ is available.
- Back up WhatsApp chats before switching: if you can still access WhatsApp, back up to Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iPhone) via WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat backup. If Google Drive backup is not enabled, copy local backups from internal storage if you plan to keep a copy.
- Do not uninstall or factory-reset the old device until you have confirmed a successful backup and restored chats on the new device.
- If your phone cannot be upgraded, plan device replacement: choose a phone that ships with or can run Android 6.0 or later. People in markets with many legacy devices may need budget options that meet that minimum.
- After moving to a new phone, install WhatsApp and restore the backup during setup using the same phone number and Google account (Android) or Apple ID (iPhone), if applicable.
Why this change matters
According to the reporting, WhatsApp raised the minimum Android requirement so it can focus development and security work on newer platforms. The affected devices are mostly a decade old and typically no longer receive manufacturer updates or security patches—this magnifies the risks of continuing to run modern apps on obsolete operating systems.
Disagreements and limits of the coverage
The primary reports say WhatsApp ended support for Android 5.0 and 5.1 on September 8, 2026 and list the 31 models above as known devices that never moved past those Android versions. WhatsApp did not publish a model-by-model official list in the reporting we used; the device list is reported by news outlets summarising which phones historically stopped at Android 5.0/5.1. If your model is not listed here but shows Android 5.0/5.1 on the device, treat it as affected unless an official update is available.
What to do next
If you rely on WhatsApp and your phone runs Android 5.0 or 5.1, follow the migration checklist above. Users who are unsure about backups or restoration can seek assistance from a local authorised service or store before switching devices to avoid data loss.