WhatsApp, the world’s most popular messaging app, is about to drop support for a range of older smartphones — and if your device is on the list, you may soon be cut off from your chats. The change is part of WhatsApp’s regular updates to improve security, introduce new features, and ensure better performance. Unfortunately, that also means saying goodbye to devices that can’t keep up with the latest technology.
Starting soon, WhatsApp will no longer work on phones running Android versions below 5.0, iOS versions below 12, and KaiOS versions below 2.5.0. If your phone can’t be updated to these operating systems, you won’t be able to send or receive messages, make calls, or access your chat history through the app.
Some of the well-known models affected include the Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 3, HTC One, Sony Xperia Z, LG Optimus G Pro, and other pre-2014 Android devices. For Apple users, the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c — along with earlier models — will lose WhatsApp access, as they cannot upgrade to iOS 12. Users of older JioPhone and JioPhone 2 models running outdated KaiOS versions will also be impacted.
To check your phone’s compatibility, go to your device settings and look for the “About Phone” or “Software Information” section. If your operating system is below the required version and no updates are available, upgrading to a newer device will be your only option to keep using WhatsApp.
While losing access to an essential app can be frustrating, these updates ensure that WhatsApp remains secure and functional for the vast majority of users — offering better encryption, faster performance, and access to its newest features.