WhatsApp Ends Android 5 Support Today, iPhone Users Are Next in November — Check If Your Phone Is Affected

If you are still using an old Android phone, WhatsApp may have just reached the end of the road on your device. And iPhone owners are next — although the situation for Apple users is considerably less severe.

Starting September 8, 2026, WhatsApp requires Android 6 or newer, officially ending support for phones stuck on Android 5.0 and Android 5.1. The change is confirmed on the official WhatsApp supported operating systems page.

For Android users, the important question is not necessarily how old the phone is, but which Android version it can run. If your device is still running Android 5 but its manufacturer provided an Android 6 or later update, installing that update should keep it compatible. However, phones permanently stuck on Android 5.0 or 5.1 will no longer meet WhatsApp's minimum requirement. You can check your Android version by opening your phone's Settings and looking under About phone or Software information, although the exact menu can differ by manufacturer. If it says Android 6 or anything newer, this particular cutoff should not affect you.

The reason WhatsApp keeps abandoning older operating systems is partly technological and partly about security. WhatsApp says it regularly reviews the oldest operating systems with the fewest users. Those systems may no longer receive the latest security updates or may lack functionality WhatsApp needs for newer features. The company also says affected users are warned inside WhatsApp several times before support ends. You can read WhatsApp's explanation on its But Android users are not the only ones who need to check their phones.

On November 30, 2026, WhatsApp will increase its minimum iPhone requirement from iOS 15.1 to iOS 15.5. WhatsApp has already confirmed the upcoming change on its iPhone supported-devices page. So, will your iPhone lose WhatsApp in November?

Probably not permanently. But you should check your iOS version.

Older models worth checking include the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, first-generation iPhone SE, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. These devices can run later versions of iOS 15, meaning owners do not necessarily need to buy another iPhone. They simply need to make sure their software is updated to at least iOS 15.5.

That makes the November change very different from today's Android cutoff. Some Android devices stuck on Android 5 have no official route to Android 6, meaning their owners may ultimately need newer hardware to continue using WhatsApp. The older iPhones affected by the November software requirement can still update beyond iOS 15.5.

To check your iPhone now, open Settings → General → About and look for iOS Version. You can then go to Settings → General → Software Update to see whether a newer version is available. If your iPhone already runs iOS 15.5 or later, the November 30 WhatsApp requirement should not be a problem.

Users should take these warnings seriously because WhatsApp is increasingly central to everyday communication, particularly across Africa. Families use it for calls and messaging, while small businesses use WhatsApp to communicate with customers, take orders and provide support. Losing access unexpectedly can therefore be more than an inconvenience.

If WhatsApp identifies your operating system as one that is about to become unsupported, the company says it will notify you inside the app and remind you to upgrade.

For Android users, September 8 is already here: Android 5 is out, and Android 6 is now the minimum. For iPhone users, November 30 is the date to remember, when iOS 15.5 becomes the minimum. So before November arrives, check the iPhone in your hand or the older one your parents, children or relatives still use. It may only take a software update to make sure their WhatsApp messages keep coming.