WhatsApp removed support for Android 5.0 and 5.1 (Lollipop) on September 8, 2026, raising the app’s minimum Android requirement to Android 6.0 Marshmallow for both WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business. The cutoff was preceded by in-app warnings; affected users should verify their software version, secure chat backups and, if necessary, move to a compatible device.
What changed and who is affected
WhatsApp’s Help Center and multiple reports show the change took effect on September 8, 2026. Devices running Android 5.0 or 5.1 are no longer supported unless the phone can be upgraded to Android 6.0 or newer. The policy applies across WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business, and mirrors the company’s long-standing practice of periodically dropping older operating systems that lack security updates or the functionality needed for new app features.
How to check whether your phone is affected
- Open Settings on your Android phone.
- Tap System, Software update, or About phone (wording varies by manufacturer).
- Look for Android Version. If it shows 5.0 or 5.1, your device is on Lollipop.
Immediate steps if your phone runs Android 5.0 or 5.1
Sources consistently recommend the following actions:
- Check for an official OS update: If the manufacturer offers an upgrade to Android 6.0 or later, install it — that will restore compatibility with WhatsApp.
- Back up your chats now: Create a current backup while the app still works. For Android, use WhatsApp Settings → Chats → Chat Backup and back up to Google Drive or local storage. Restoring on a new Android phone requires the same phone number and Google account used for the backup.
- Keep your SIM active during transfer: WhatsApp’s verification requires the phone number to receive SMS or calls during setup on a new device.
- Plan for replacement if no upgrade exists: If your handset cannot move past Android 5.x, you will need a newer device to continue using WhatsApp.
Which phones are likely impacted
WhatsApp did not publish an exhaustive model list. Reporting from several outlets lists older models known to have Android 5.x as their final update — examples cited by reporters include Google Nexus 4, Motorola Moto G (first generation), Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One M7. Individual impact depends on whether the manufacturer provided later Android builds for a given model.
Context and scale — what the evidence says
Media outlets point out Android 5.0 (Lollipop) first released in 2014, making these operating systems more than a decade old. One report estimated Android 5.0 retained roughly 0.69% global market share in March 2026 and used that figure to approximate about 3 million affected users; that specific estimate is reported by TechJuice and attributes the market-share figure to Statcounter. WhatsApp itself has not disclosed an official user count affected by the cutoff.
Related iPhone change
Multiple sources note WhatsApp will raise the iOS minimum to iOS 15.5 on November 30, 2026, up from iOS 15.1. Reporters say many older iPhones can satisfy the new requirement with a software update, but that depends on the model. This November change is separate from the Android cutoff and has its own deadline.
Practical migration checklist (one-page action plan)
- Confirm Android Version: Settings → About phone.
- If on Android 5.x, check Software Update; install any available update to Android 6.0+.
- Create a WhatsApp backup now: WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Chat Backup. Verify Google account used.
- Verify phone number & SIM: ensure the number is active and the SIM will be available during transfer.
- If no update is available, choose a replacement phone that ships with or supports Android 6.0 or later; verify supported Android version before purchase.
- On the new phone, install WhatsApp and restore from the Google Drive backup using the same phone number and Google account.
Why WhatsApp keeps dropping old OS versions
WhatsApp says it routinely ends support for older operating systems because they may lack security updates or the capabilities required for new features. Reporters add that maintaining backward compatibility with decade-old systems complicates development and security work, which motivates periodic cutoffs.
Unresolved points and discrepancies in reporting
Sources agree on the September 8 effective date and the Android 6.0 minimum, but differ on scope estimates. WhatsApp has not released an official list of affected models or the number of users impacted; different outlets have compiled likely model lists or used market-share data to estimate affected users. Where figures or model lists are reported, they are attributed to those outlets and not claimed as company-published facts.
Bottom line
If your Android phone runs Android 5.0 or 5.1, check for an update immediately and back up WhatsApp chats while you still have access. If the device cannot be upgraded, prepare to migrate to a phone that supports Android 6.0 or newer to keep using WhatsApp.