Technology Desk: WhatsApp has made a big change for old smartphone users. The company has stopped supporting WhatsApp on phones with Android 5.0 and 5.1 from September 8, 2026. This means that these old phones may face problems in running WhatsApp and users will not be able to use the new messaging features. According to the report, when opening WhatsApp in phones with older Android versions, users may also see a notification related to the end of support inside the app.
Now at least Android 6.0 required
WhatsApp will now support at least Android 6.0 Marshmallow or above. Users whose phone is running Android 5.0 or 5.1 should first check if there is a new software update available for their phone.
If the phone can be updated to a new Android version, users can continue using WhatsApp by updating. At the same time, if a new update is not available in the phone, then you may have to buy a new smartphone.
Why was support stopped on old phones?
WhatsApp constantly releases new features and security updates. Older smartphones are not able to support these new features and necessary security updates.
Meta periodically reviews older devices and operating systems. The company removes such devices from the support list, which do not have the necessary technical capabilities to run new features and keep users' data safe.
Impact in many countries including India
The impact of this change may be greater in countries including India, where many people still use old smartphones. Especially such phones will be affected which are running on Android 5.0 or older version.
What to do if WhatsApp stops on your phone?
If your phone is also running on Android 5.0 or 5.1, then first go to the phone's settings and check Software Update. If a new update is available, update the phone. If there is no new Android update available for your device, you will need to switch to a newer and supported smartphone to continue using WhatsApp. So if you are using an old Android phone, then definitely check the Android version of your phone now.
