- WhatsApp will raise the minimum requirement to Android 6.0 from September 8, 2026.
- On iPhone, iOS 15.1 is currently required, and on November 30, 2026 the minimum will change to iOS 15.5.
- Older models from Samsung, Motorola, LG, Sony, Huawei, and several iPhones will lose compatibility.
- It is essential to check the system version and make backups before the change.
Many users who still use older phones for calls, photos, and WhatsApp will have to start reading the fine print. The messaging app is tightening its technical requirements, which will exclude some phones with older operating systems, especially those that no longer receive updates.
The changes will be rolled out gradually and will affect both Android and iPhone devices . In both cases, the determining factor will be the installed Android or iOS version, not just the model. Those who cannot update their system to the minimum versions required by WhatsApp will lose service and will have to migrate to a more modern device.
Key dates: when old mobile phones will no longer be valid
WhatsApp has already set several dates in its Help Center and in statements consulted by various media outlets. The first major date will be September 8, 2026 , the day from which the application will only support phones with Android 6.0 or a later version. Until now, the minimum requirement has remained Android 5.0, but this will increase in September.
In practice, this means that phones stuck on Android 5.0 or Android 5.1 that cannot be officially updated to Android 6.0 or higher will no longer be supported. Several articles agree that WhatsApp doesn't publish a definitive list of supported models, but it does clearly state the operating system requirement.
In Apple's case, the transition will be somewhat different. Currently, the app works on iPhones with iOS 15.1 or higher , but the company has already announced a second change: on November 30, 2026, the minimum requirement will be iOS 15.5. iPhones that cannot install that version of the system will also be excluded from the service.
It's important to note that the shutdown won't happen all at once on the specified date. Several documents explain that the process will be gradual: first, updates will stop coming from Google Play or the App Store; then, errors will appear when sending messages or logging in; and, after some time, the app will eventually stop working altogether.
Android: Which versions and models will no longer receive WhatsApp
The key change in Android is clear: starting September 8, 2026, the minimum version will be Android 6.0 . Currently, WhatsApp works on Android 5.0 or later, so all devices still running Android 5.0 or 5.1 will be at risk if they can't upgrade.
Several reports agree that a number of very popular mobile phones from over a decade ago will be particularly affected. These include numerous models from Samsung, Motorola, LG, Sony, and Huawei that can still be found in use, especially as secondary phones or "workhorse" phones for WhatsApp.
- Samsung: Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4 Mini, Galaxy Ace 4, Galaxy Core, Galaxy Core II, Galaxy Trend Lite.
- Motorola: First-generation Moto G, first-generation Moto E.
- LG: Optimus G, Optimus L5, Optimus L5 II, Optimus L7, Optimus L7 II, Optimus F7, Lucid 2, Nexus 4, G2 Mini, L70 and L90.
- Sony: Xperia Z, Xperia Z2, Xperia SP.
- Huawei: Ascend Mate, Ascend G740, Ascend P6.
- HTC: One M7.
Owning one of these smartphones doesn't automatically mean WhatsApp will stop working on September 8th. The real determining factor is the version of Android the device is running . If the manufacturer offered an update to Android 6.0 or a later version, and the user has it installed, that phone will continue to meet the official requirements.
The problem will affect those who keep these phones on Android 5.0 or 5.1 with no possibility of updating . In those cases, even if the app remains installed, they will gradually stop receiving new versions and will begin to notice errors in basic functions: messages that don't send, calls that fail, or unexpected crashes.
iPhone: current requirements and upgrade to iOS 15.5
In the Apple ecosystem, WhatsApp currently requires iOS 15.1 as a minimum . This excludes several older models that don't support that version. Various sources agree that the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus are affected , either because they are stuck on earlier versions or are simply incapable of running iOS 15.1.
Furthermore, the platform has already announced that, starting November 30, 2026 , the requirement will be tightened to iOS 15.5 or higher . iPhones that have reached iOS 15.1 but cannot install iOS 15.5 will also lose support on that date. Therefore, for Apple users, the timeline is slightly longer, but the outcome is the same: those who cannot update their system will lose access to WhatsApp.
In the case of iPhones, the company also reminds users that the device must be able to receive SMS messages or calls , as this is the method used to verify the number when activating the account. WhatsApp also emphasizes that it does not offer compatibility with modified versions of iOS (the so-called jailbreaks), something that may be relevant for some users of older devices.
Again, simply having an iPhone of a certain generation isn't the only thing that matters. What really counts is the installed iOS version : if the phone can be updated to the required version, it will remain valid; if not, it will eventually lose access, even if the app continues to appear on the screen.
Why does WhatsApp stop working on older phones?
WhatsApp regularly reviews the older operating systems and devices it still supports. According to the company, it periodically analyzes which versions of Android and iOS have a very small user base and which devices have stopped receiving security updates from their manufacturers.
The technical argument is that these older phones lack the necessary capabilities to properly run the app's latest features, especially those related to security, encryption, voice calls, or video calls. Maintaining compatibility with outdated platforms hinders the development of new tools and complicates data protection.
By cutting support for very old systems, the company can focus on newer versions of Android and iOS that do receive security patches and regular improvements. This strategy is similar to that of other services and is not limited to any one country: it affects users in Spain, the rest of Europe, and other markets equally.
The direct consequence for those who still have an older mobile phone is that, sooner or later, usage problems will arise : features that become unavailable, more frequent crashes, or the inability to install mandatory app updates. Hence the importance of checking the operating system version regularly.
How to check if your phone will still be compatible
Before you panic thinking your phone will lose WhatsApp, the first thing to do is check which operating system version you have installed . You can find this information directly in your phone's settings and it only takes a few seconds.
On most Android phones, you need to follow a similar path to this:
- OPEN Settings or Phone settings.
- Walk into About of the phone o Device information.
- Find the section Android version.
If Android 6.0 or a later version appears at that point, the device meets the new requirement that will come into effect in September 2026. If it shows Android 5.0, 5.1, or any earlier version, then it is in the risk zone, and you will have to check if the manufacturer offers any official updates to a later version.
On iPhone, the procedure is similar. To find out which version of iOS is being used, the following is usually done:
- OPEN Configuration.
- Access to General.
- Walk into Information or in Software update to see the installed iOS version.
If the phone can download a newer version of iOS, the general recommendation is to always install the latest update available, not only for WhatsApp, but also for security and stability reasons for the device itself.
What to do if your mobile phone is locked out: backups and changing equipment
If, after reviewing the information, you see that your phone is still running Android 5.x or an older iOS version than required and cannot be updated, the wisest course of action is to be proactive. The first step recommended by experts and the app itself is to back up your data.
In WhatsApp, the backup process is managed from within the app itself. You need to go to:
- Settings or Settings within WhatsApp.
- choose section Cat.
- Walk into Backup.
From there, you can link your account to Google Drive on Android or iCloud on iPhone and save a copy of your conversations, photos, videos, and documents. For those who already have a new device, it's useful to know how to export WhatsApp conversations to another phone before losing access.
If your device no longer receives system updates and there's no way to maintain compatibility, the only option is to switch to a compatible phone . It's best not to leave this decision until the last minute, because once the app stops working completely, accessing your old data won't be so easy.
Advance notifications and role of WhatsApp Web
WhatsApp states that, before discontinuing support for an operating system, it sends in-app notifications to affected users. In addition to the initial notification, it typically displays reminders to update the system or switch devices before the service becomes unusable.
On the other hand, these changes to mobile devices do not affect the functionality of WhatsApp Web on computers . The desktop and browser version will remain compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, provided relatively modern browsers are used. However, to log out of WhatsApp Web or link the account to a computer, a phone that meets the minimum requirements is still required.
Anyone who relies on WhatsApp for important work or personal matters should take these warnings seriously, as this is a global compatibility change and not an isolated issue in a specific region. Spain and the rest of Europe will be affected at the same time as other countries.
Given this situation, owners of older mobile phones need to perform a quick technical check: verify their Android or iOS version, update if possible, back up their chats, and if necessary, start thinking about getting a newer device so that WhatsApp continues to function normally and with the latest security features.