If WhatsApp has stopped working on your phone or you are unable to use the Meta-owned instant messaging app on your device, there is a reason behind it. WhatsApp has officially ended support for smartphones running Android 5.0 and Android 5.1 from today (September 8, 2026).
This means users with phones that are stuck on these older Android versions will no longer be able to use WhatsApp normally. The app now requires at least Android 6.0 or a newer version of Google’s mobile operating system.
It is important to note that the WhatsApp had announced this change several months ago.
In April, the company informed users that support for Android 5.0 and 5.1 would end on September 8. Users with affected phones were also shown notifications inside the app. The Meta-owned platform gave them enough time to update their devices or move to a newer smartphone.
The deadline has now arrived. From today, WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business will no longer support devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop or Android 5.1 Lollipop.
Which Android phones are affected?
The change mainly affects very old Android smartphones that cannot be upgraded beyond Android 5.0 or 5.1. If your phone supports Android 6.0 or a newer version, you do not need to worry.
Users can check their Android version by opening the Settings app and looking for the software or system information section. If an Android 6.0 or newer update is available, installing it should allow WhatsApp to continue working.
However, if the phone cannot receive a newer Android update, users will need to switch to a newer device to continue using WhatsApp.
What about your WhatsApp chats?
Before moving to a new phone, you should make sure your WhatsApp chats are backed up. A recent backup can help restore conversations when WhatsApp is installed on the new device using the same phone number and Google account.
WhatsApp regularly drops support for older operating systems because newer features and security updates may not work properly on outdated software and hardware.
