WhatsApp is ending support for these phones tomorrow

WhatsApp, the messaging application used by billions of people worldwide, is preparing for a significant change. Meta, the company that manages the application, has announced that it will completely terminate access to WhatsApp on Android and iOS operating systems below a certain level, effective January 1, 2026.

Accordingly, smartphones using Android 5.0 or earlier, or versions older than iOS 15.1, will no longer be able to open the application from this date forward. Users will not be able to send or receive messages or share media on these devices.

Meta management states that they have made this decision due to security vulnerabilities and technical limitations. According to the company's statement, outdated operating systems make it difficult to implement new features and security patches. For this reason, it becomes inevitable to exclude some older models from support coverage at regular intervals.

Experts recommend that users back up their WhatsApp data and check the software version of their devices. They remind users that otherwise, chat history could be lost and important information could become inaccessible.

In Turkey, many older models that are still widely used are on the list of devices that will be directly affected by the decision. The use of WhatsApp will completely end on devices that are generally used as backup phones or have not received updates for a long time.

Some notable models that will be out of support are listed as follows:

Apple: iPhone 5, 5c, 5S, 6, 6 Plus

Samsung: Galaxy S3, S4, S5, Note 2, Note 3, Ace 3, S4 Mini, Trend, J2

Sony: Xperia Z2, Xperia Z3

Huawei: Ascend Mate, G740, D2

LG: Optimus L3 II, L5 II, F5, L7 II

Those who wish to continue using WhatsApp will be required to switch to a newer model or install current software. Otherwise, no functions such as messaging, voice, or video calls via WhatsApp will be available.