For many users, few phrases generate as much unease as reading that WhatsApp will stop working on your mobile phone from a specific dateWe're not talking about the typical occasional service outages, but something more serious: the end of official support on certain phones that no longer meet the application's minimum requirements.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has updated its help page and confirmed that From September 8, 2026, it will no longer be compatible with a number of older mobile phones.especially those that still run on older versions of Android and, in the case of Apple, on versions prior to iOS 15.1. Although these devices are quite old, there are still users who use them daily, including in Spain and the rest of Europe.
When will WhatsApp stop working on affected mobile phones?
The company has set a very clear date in its official documentation: September 8, 2026 will be the day these phones will lose WhatsApp support.From that moment on, the application will stop receiving updates and, shortly afterwards, will stop working altogether on devices that do not meet the minimum requirements.
Until now, the app was compatible with Android 5.0 Lollipop onwardsBut that changes: from September 8th, only mobile phones with Android 6.0 Marshmallow or laterAny phone that is stuck on Android 5.0 or 5.1 will no longer be able to use WhatsApp, both the regular version and WhatsApp Business.
On iPhone, the reference is different: WhatsApp will continue to work as long as the device has with iOS 15.1 or a later versioniPhones that cannot be updated to that operating system will, for all practical purposes, be taken out of service.
To give advance notice, WhatsApp will send in-app notifications to affected mobile devices.These messages will remind users that the deadline is approaching and that if they do not update their system or change phones, they will lose access to their chats.
Which phones will lose WhatsApp in September
Meta has not published a closed list of specific models, but it has made it clear which operating systems are no longer valid. The minimum requirement is now Android 6.0Therefore, all mobile phones still running Android 5.0 or 5.1 will be excluded from support.
This affects especially phones released around 2013, 2014 and 2015Many of them were quite popular in their day. In practice, we're talking about a generation of devices that, for the most part, no longer receive security updates from the manufacturer and have very limited hardware for current demands.
Although each brand has its own support schedule, some of the most common models may still be stuck on Android 5.x, therefore, They risk losing WhatsApp are:
- Samsung: families such as Galaxy S3, some Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Core and various basic models from those years.
- LG: Optimus L series and other entry-level models that did not get updated to Android 6.0.
- Motorola: first generations of Moto G and Moto E in their versions that never received Marshmallow.
- Sony: several mid-range and low-end Xperia phones that remained on Android 5.x.
- Huawei and other Asian brands: models from a decade ago that didn't get past Lollipop.
In Apple's case, the situation is somewhat different. WhatsApp requires iOS 15.1 or lowerTherefore, iPhones unable to install that version of the system will be the ones left behind. Very old models like iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c or earlier generations They have been out of the game for the app for some time now, and compatibility is focused on newer devices capable of running iOS 15.1 or higher.
In any case, the company itself acknowledges that the impact will be relatively small: There are fewer and fewer active users on these older versions.especially in Europe, where the mobile phone renewal cycle is faster than in other markets.
Android 6.0 as the new minimum: why the bar is being raised
The change in requirements is not a mere whim. WhatsApp explains that Maintaining compatibility with very old systems hinders development and limits the introduction of new features, especially in terms of security and performance.
Android versions 5.0 and 5.1 no longer receive security patches from Google or the manufacturersTherefore, they are more vulnerable to errors and attacks. By discontinuing support for these versions, the application can better guarantee the protection of the information it handles: messages, photos, videos, backups, and other sensitive data.
Furthermore, many of the new features that the platform is incorporating - from improved storage management and backups Even advanced notification features or AI-related tools depend on APIs and technologies that do not exist in Android 5.xContinuing to support these systems requires maintaining legacy code and forgoing certain improvements.
By focusing on Android 6.0 or later, developers can Optimize performance on newer mobile devicesThis makes better use of RAM, the processor, and graphics capabilities. This results in a more stable application with fewer crashes and a smoother experience, even on relatively recent mid-range and low-end phones.
Another compelling reason is purely statistical: WhatsApp periodically reviews how many users are still active on each system versionWhen the number of people using a very old edition is negligible, maintaining it involves a disproportionate effort compared to the benefit.
What happens if your phone has Android 5.0 or 5.1
If you still use a mobile phone with Android 5.0 or 5.1Sooner or later, you'll see a notification appear within the app. WhatsApp will display a message indicating that Your device will no longer be supported after September 8, 2026 and it will suggest you update the system or change your phone.
In practice, the options are limited. The only official way to continue using WhatsApp on that device is update to Android 6.0 or higherTo check, you can go to Settings > System > System updates and see if there is a newer version available for your model.
If the manufacturer stopped offering updates years ago - something very common with these phones - You will not be able to officially upgrade to Android 6.0In that case, once the date arrives, you will not be able to send or receive messages, nor access your chats from the app, even if the files are still physically in the phone's memory.
Some very advanced users may choose to Install custom ROMs or older versions of the WhatsApp APKHowever, these methods are not recommended: they pose security risks, potential account blocks, and, in many cases, unstable performance. From a practical and security standpoint, the most sensible alternative is to start thinking about changing your device.
It's worth remembering that these phones won't just lose WhatsApp. Many other key applications – including several from Google and social networks – have also stopped supporting Android 5.xTherefore, the overall experience of using the phone will become increasingly limited.
How to prepare: backups and changing your mobile phone
If your phone is among those affected, the most important thing is Don't leave everything until the last dayYou have months ahead of you, but it's best to take steps calmly to avoid losing important conversations or files.
The first step is perform a full backup of your chatsOn Android, you can do this from Settings > Chats > Chat backup. There you can choose whether you want to save your data to Google Drive and how often that backup is updated.
The Google Drive option is usually the most convenient, although it should be noted that the photos and, above all, videos They can take up quite a bit of spaceIf you have a free account that's very full, you may need to delete old content or upgrade your storage to ensure the copy goes smoothly.
In addition to the cloud, WhatsApp generates local backups on the mobile phone's internal memoryThese files can be manually transferred to a computer or SD card for later restoration on another device. This is a useful alternative if you don't want to or can't use Google Drive.
Once you have your copies, it's time to consider changing your phoneThere's no need to go for the high-end range: nowadays there are very affordable Android phones that include recent versions of the system -Android 13, 14 or higher- and that guarantee several years of support for WhatsApp and other applications.
Once you set up the new device, simply install WhatsApp, verify your number, and choose the option to restore the backup From Google Drive or from the local backup you saved. It's essential that you use the same phone number and, in the case of the cloud backup, the same Google account.
What happens to iPhone users in Spain and Europe?
In the Apple ecosystem, the situation is a bit simpler to follow. WhatsApp maintains iOS 15.1 as a minimum requirement for iPhone and iPad, with no changes announced for September beyond that reference.
This means that Any iPhone that can be updated to iOS 15.1 or higher will still have WhatsAppMost models currently used in Spain and the rest of Europe fall into this category, as Apple usually offers software support for more years than many Android manufacturers.
Devices that are unable to install iOS 15.1 - such as iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c and earlierIn practice, these devices have already been dropped from the app's official support. Those who still own one of these devices usually use it as a secondary phone or for very basic tasks, not as their main phone.
In any case, if you use WhatsApp on an older iPhone, it is recommended Check in Settings > General > Software Update Check which version of the operating system you have installed and if there are any pending updates. If your device is not compatible with iOS 15.1, you'll need to consider upgrading to a newer model if you want to ensure continued access to the service.
Just like on Android, the migration process is simple: You back up your data to iCloud and, when you set up your new iPhone, you restore your chats. During WhatsApp installation. If you're switching from iPhone to Android or vice versa, the app also offers native tools to transfer your chat history between platforms.
WhatsApp's decision to stop working on phones with Android 5.x and iPhones without iOS 15.1 It responds to a combination of safety, efficiency and technological evolutionWhile it might cause some annoyance among those still using very old phones, the truth is that these devices have practically reached the end of their software lifespan and pose a greater risk to personal data. Taking advantage of these months to check your operating system version, back up your data, and, if necessary, upgrade your phone is the best way to ensure that, when September arrives, you'll be able to chat normally without any problems.
