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WhatsApp ends support for older Android and iOS devices
WhatsApp is raising its minimum operating system requirements, which will end support for several older smartphone models. Starting September 8, 2026, the messaging service will no longer be compatible with devices running Android 5.0 or 5.1 (Lollipop). To continue using the app, Android users must have at least Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) installed.
Apple users will face similar changes later in the year. Beginning November 30, 2026, WhatsApp will require iOS 15.5 or newer. This change may affect older iPhone models that cannot be updated to the required version.
Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, stated that these periodic updates are necessary to keep pace with technological advancements, ensure high-level security through modern encryption protocols, and support new features. The move is expected to affect millions of users globally, particularly in regions where older hardware remains common. Users on affected devices are advised to back up their chat history to cloud services like Google Drive and consider upgrading their hardware to maintain access to the service.
Entities
Android · Apple · Google · Google Drive · Meta · Samsung · WhatsApp · iOS
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] WhatsApp is ending support for Android 5.0 and 5.1 (Lollipop) as of September 8, 2026. aqarlight.com · al-wattan.net · www.ad-hoc-news.de · shiftdelete.net
- [● 4 SOURCES] Guest calls will utilize end-to-end encryption via temporary session identifiers. www.hwupgrade.it · www.tomsguide.fr · www.timesnownews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] WhatsApp plans to increase the maximum length of music clips in Status from 15 to 30 seconds. wochentlich.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] The minimum required Android operating system for WhatsApp is now Android 6.0 (Marshmallow). aqarlight.com · al-wattan.net · www.ad-hoc-news.de · shiftdelete.net
- [● 4 SOURCES] Hosts of guest calls must manually approve every participant before they can join. www.hwupgrade.it · www.tomsguide.fr · www.timesnownews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Support for iPhone users will be restricted to iOS 15.5 or newer starting in November 2026. aqarlight.com · www.gzt.com · nra.lv
- [● 4 SOURCES] WhatsApp is developing a 'guest calls' feature that allows non-users to join calls via a web link. www.hwupgrade.it · www.tomsguide.fr · www.timesnownews.com