WhatsApp will no longer work on these phones! The date has been set
According to the system requirements updated by Meta, WhatsApp will not be supported on devices running below Android 6 and iOS 15.5 in 2026.
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Meta has updated the minimum software requirements for WhatsApp to run on Android and iOS devices. With this change, the application's support scope will narrow; some phones remaining on older operating system versions will lose WhatsApp support during 2026.
As reported by ShiftDelete.net, starting September 8, 2026, WhatsApp will only be supported on Android 6.0 and higher versions on the Android side. This means that devices remaining on Android 5.0 or older versions may not be able to use the application securely and without issues.
In the Android ecosystem, the situation varies according to device manufacturers' update policies. Since some older models cannot be upgraded to Android 6.0, users will need to check their device's software support. It is not guaranteed that the application will continue to work in the future on phones that cannot receive updates.
The transition schedule for iPhone users has been announced as November 30, 2026. After this date, WhatsApp will only be supported on iPhone models running iOS 15.5 or newer versions.
This change is expected to have a more limited impact on the iPhone side. It is stated that devices supporting the current minimum requirement of iOS 15.1 can be updated to iOS 15.5 and higher versions. iOS 15 can run on iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, first-generation iPhone SE, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus models.
WHAT SHOULD USERS DO?
The change in WhatsApp's support policy is linked to the fact that older devices do not receive current security patches. The company states that it regularly reviews supported operating systems and may end support for older versions that are rarely used.
Users can check whether their devices are affected via the settings menu. On an iPhone, the latest version can be installed via "Settings > General > Software Update." On Android devices, the current version can usually be seen in the "Settings > About Phone" section; for updates, the steps "Settings > System > Software updates" can be followed.
Users whose devices can be upgraded to Android 6.0 or iOS 15.5 and higher will be able to continue using WhatsApp. However, the 2026 calendar will become critical for phones for which manufacturer support has ended and which cannot receive new software.