CALIFORNIA, Oct 13 — WhatsApp is preparing to block access on older Android and iOS smartphones that no longer meet its minimum operating system requirements.
The Meta-owned messaging platform is testing a new security system through a server-side update, meaning the restriction could be enforced without requiring users to install a specific new version of WhatsApp.
Once implemented, users running outdated or unsupported operating systems will begin receiving warning notifications informing them that their device software must be updated to continue using the app.
A new warning screen is also expected to appear on affected devices, telling users that they need to update their phone’s operating system before they can log back into WhatsApp.
Users will not be able to dismiss the warning and continue using the app once the restriction is fully enforced.
If a newer operating system update is not available for a particular device, users may need to switch to a newer smartphone to keep using WhatsApp.
Which Phones Will Be Affected?
WhatsApp has not yet released a final list of all operating systems that will be affected by the login restriction.
However, the move is expected to primarily impact very old Android and iPhone models running outdated software.
WhatsApp has already ended support for Android 5.0 and Android 5.1, meaning users will now need at least Android 6 to continue using the service.
For iPhone users, iOS 15.5 or later will become mandatory from November 30, 2026.
Although some users on older operating systems may still be able to send and receive messages for now, they will lose access once the new restriction is fully enforced.
Meta has not yet officially announced the final date for the broader rollout of the login block.