WhatsApp will cease support for older Android smartphones running Android OS version 4.1 or earlier.
This means users with these devices won’t receive future app updates and will eventually lose access to the messaging app.
WhatsApp periodically updates its platforms to introduce new features and security enhancements, but it also discontinues support for outdated operating systems to focus on development for newer technologies.
Starting from October 24, WhatsApp will no longer function on Android devices with Android OS version 4.1 and older.
The decision to stop supporting these devices is in line with the industry practice of assessing which devices and software are the oldest and least used, often lacking the latest security updates or required functionality.
This move aims to ensure the best user experience, privacy, and security for WhatsApp users.
While many of the devices running Android OS version 4.1 and older are older models that are no longer in widespread use, users with such devices are encouraged to consider upgrading to newer devices.
Sticking with outdated operating systems can leave devices vulnerable to cybersecurity threats as they won’t receive essential security updates.
WhatsApp plans to notify users on these older devices ahead of time and will remind them multiple times to upgrade.
Failure to update will result in WhatsApp no longer working on these devices, including the inability to send or receive messages, make or receive calls, or access any other WhatsApp features.
To check the Android version on a device, users can navigate to Settings > About phone > Software information, where the Android version will be listed under the Version category.
Devices that will continue to support WhatsApp after October 24 include those running Android OS version 5.0 and newer, iPhones running iOS 12 and newer, and devices with KaiOS 2.5.0 and newer, including JioPhone and JioPhone 2.
Additionally, WhatsApp requires users to have a phone number capable of receiving SMS or calls for account verification and does not allow the creation of new accounts on devices with only Wi-Fi access.
