₦airaland Forum

WhatsApp to Stop Working on Millions of Android Phones by September 2026 – See If Your Device Is Affected

WhatsApp has announced a major update that will affect millions of Android users across the world, especially in countries where older smartphones are still widely used.

Starting from September 8, 2026, WhatsApp will officially stop working on devices running Android 5.0 and Android 5.1. This means that only smartphones operating on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and above will be able to continue using the app.

This change applies to both WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business, as they both rely on the same system requirements.

What Exactly Is Changing?

Currently, WhatsApp still supports Android 5.0 and above, but with this new update, support for Android 5.0 and 5.1 will be completely discontinued.

Once the deadline passes:

Users on affected devices will no longer be able to open or use WhatsApp
The app may stop functioning entirely or prompt users to upgrade
Updates and new features will no longer be available

Why Is WhatsApp Making This Decision?

As smartphones and apps continue to evolve, newer features require stronger system capabilities, better security, and improved performance.

Older Android versions lack the ability to support many of these modern features. Keeping support for outdated systems can slow down development and limit innovation.

By dropping support for older versions, WhatsApp can:
Improve app performance
Enhance user security
Introduce more advanced features without limitations

Who Will Be Affected the Most?

This update is expected to affect users in regions where older devices are still common, including parts of Africa, Asia, and South America.

Many people still use phones that cannot upgrade beyond Android 5.0 or 5.1 due to hardware limitations.

If your phone falls into this category, you will not be able to continue using WhatsApp after the deadline unless you upgrade your device.

What Should You Do Now?

If you are currently using an older Android phone, you are advised to take action before September 2026.

Here are your options:
Check your Android version in your phone settings
Upgrade your device software if an update is available
If your phone cannot be updated, consider getting a newer device

Don’t Lose Your Chats – Backup Is Important
WhatsApp has also warned users to back up their chats before support is discontinued.

You can do this by:

Backing up to Google Drive through WhatsApp settings
Using local storage backup on your phone
Failing to back up your chats could result in permanent loss of important conversations, media, and files.

What About iPhone Users?

This change does not affect iPhone users. WhatsApp will continue to support devices running iOS 15.1 and above, so Apple users will not experience any disruption from this update.

Final Note

Although WhatsApp says only a small percentage of users are still on Android 5.0 and 5.1, the impact could still be significant in developing regions where older devices are more common.
With the deadline set for September 8, 2026, users still have time to prepare, upgrade, and secure their data.

Source

https://wabetainfo.com/whatsapp-to-drop-support-for-older-android-versions-in-september-2026/

E no go affect me. So whatever.

Good.

Most Tinubu supporters will be disconnected.

Who still dey use android 5.0

About a decade ago, WhatsApp did the same thing on blackberry devices. It stopped working on several blackberry devices. What they're saying is that users should upgrade their phones if they want to continue using WhatsApp

Kalatium:
E no go affect me. So whatever.

How did you know? I heard e no go even work on Android 13 below .

People still use android 5? I just checked mine, its 16

Make una keep exploiting us cos our leaders are bent on looting public fund instead of promoting our human - tech capacity

How my people for naija go do now person never chop na to buy new phone chai it is well

Gbadugbakun:
About a decade ago, WhatsApp did the same thing on blackberry devices. It stopped working on several blackberry devices. What they're saying is that users should upgrade their phones if they want to continue using WhatsApp

That's unfair and while they all tout security this and that, it is a way of making the industry keep getting funds. I wait for EU to step in. Microsoft is notorious for these changes which are all to make us spend more. Messaging should not be this hard. WhatsApp today is no longer simple, just complex like you're on IG. I hope someone else introduces another simple app. If it was the simple things we used to have on WhatsApp, we would not need these updates but now only WhatsApp:
1. Challenge stickers
2. Status updates from pages (WhatsApp was supposed to be for your closed circle)
3. Group video calls (WhatsApp can now do zoom type calls)
4. All, Unread, Favorites, Groups, Updates, Comminites, Lists etc
5. Status Views that are influenced by algorithm. Before you will just view status based on time of post, now, chat with someone, the next thing is to see their status next. The status view is now like the endless scroll online. All these things of course will make us upgrade it. I always knew Meta buying WhatsApp will create a bad experience because to them, you are just metadata

We didn't ask for these things, they made something simple difficult to use.

This has been their recycle news over time!

This people are the ones advancing global phone markets by even making Google Android richer.

Mine is Android version 11

iPhone 17 here. I have at least 15 years before I worry.

Samsung galaxy S4 &5, note 4&5 are among devices running on android 5. Phones for the big boys of those days are now becoming obsolete. Truly, nothing lasts forever

DeclanR:
Mine is Android version 11

wao so how do i check mine

NL supposed to somehow follow same if possible. It'll save us a lot of political noise.

We don dey hear this thing tay,, why you dey threaten us wia no get money or flare for Apple

gassbee:
wao so how do i check mine

Go to your SETTINGS, it's there.

You'll see "Phone". Click on it, it will show u everything.

SixSeven:
That's unfair and while they all tout security this and that, it is a way of making the industry keep getting funds. I wait for EU to step in. Microsoft is notorious for these changes which are all to make us spend more. Messaging should not be this hard. WhatsApp today is no longer simple, just complex like you're on IG. I hope someone else introduces another simple app. If it was the simple things we used to have on WhatsApp, we would not need these updates but now only WhatsApp:
1. Challenge stickers
2. Status updates from pages (WhatsApp was supposed to be for your closed circle)
3. Group video calls (WhatsApp can now do zoom type calls)
4. All, Unread, Favorites, Groups, Updates, Comminites, Lists etc
5. Status Views that are influenced by algorithm. Before you will just view status based on time of post, now, chat with someone, the next thing is to see their status next. The status view is now like the endless scroll online. All these things of course will make us upgrade it. I always knew Meta buying WhatsApp will create a bad experience because to them, you are just metadata

We didn't ask for these things, they made something simple difficult to use.

I didn’t see EU in the affected region. Probably because they sabi EU wahala

U nor sabi read? Dem say from 5.1 and 5.0

educatedfool:
How did you know? I heard e no go even work on Android 13 below .

DeclanR:
Go to your SETTINGS, it's there.

You'll see "Phone". Click on it, it will show u everything.

thanks i just found out mine

gassbee:
thanks i just found out mine

Don't just thank me by words pls.
Be kind

Androids below 6.0 still exist?!!

Normally, the newly improved software packages shouldn't work on them.

So, this isn't news.

My phone version is Andriod 16

If e affects my phone na to go the company straight... phone wey nova reach 2 weeks.

Who even uses Android 6 in 2026?

We Iphone users have notin to worry about

kpankpangolo:
iPhone 17 here. I have at least 15 years before I worry.

Who dash monkee banana? When was the last time you had a square meal?

Thank God say i don switch to Iphone

Chai... where i go con take see another phone

Lobatan!

5.1? Mtchewww! I'm safe jare.

dominique:
Samsung galaxy S4 &5, note 4&5 are among devices running on android 5. Phones for the big boys of those days are now becoming obsolete. Truly, nothing lasts forever

Many gals use their tohtoh take acquire those phones ooooo. Chai!! This life shaaaaa