WhatsApp to End Android 5.0/5.1 Support Sept. 8, 2026

WhatsApp will discontinue support for Android devices running versions 5.0 and 5.1 starting September 8, 2026, leaving millions of users worldwide without access to the messaging service unless they upgrade their software or hardware.

The change, confirmed through WhatsApp's official Help Center, raises the minimum requirement to Android 6.0 Marshmallow and higher. Devices affected include older models such as the Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy Note 4 and Note 5, Sony Xperia Z3, Z4 and Z5 series, select LG G and V series phones from 2014-2015, and earlier Google Nexus devices that cannot update beyond Android 5.1. Although these operating systems, known as Lollipop, represent a small global market share of about 0.69 percent as of March 2026, they still impact roughly 3 million of the estimated 4.5 billion Android users.

The decision stems from security concerns and the need to support new features. Older versions no longer receive software or kernel-level security updates, increasing vulnerability to cyber threats and undermining WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption. Recent additions like high-definition video calling, Meta AI summaries, notification bubbles and advanced business tools...