3 min learnNew DelhiApr 28, 2026 12:40 PM IST
WhatsApp is getting ready to discontinue assist for a spread of older Android units. The transfer scheduled for later in 2026 is a part of the corporate’s ongoing effort to streamline efficiency and safety because it rolls out newer options throughout the platform.
In accordance WABetaInfo, WhatsApp will reportedly cease engaged on smartphones operating Android model sooner than Android 6.0 beginning September 8, 2026. This implies units nonetheless working on Android 5.0 and Android 5.1 will not meet the minimal system necessities wanted to run the app.
Dropping older Android variations permits WhatsApp to deal with bettering the app’s general performance. Furthermore, many of those units not obtain software program updates, which makes it more and more tough for them to fulfill the newest app necessities.
The transfer is more likely to have an effect on a comparatively small however important group of customers, particularly in areas similar to India, Brazil, Pakistan, and throughout components of Southeast Asia and Africa, the place older smartphones proceed to be in use. India, specifically, stays WhatsApp’s greatest market with over 500 million energetic customers.
Consequently, customers who need to hold utilizing WhatsApp might want to change to a tool operating Android 6.0 or newer. This requirement will apply throughout each WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Enterprise, which means all customers on unsupported variations can be equally impacted.
Nonetheless, the replace doesn’t lengthen to Apple units. iPhones operating on iOS 15.1 and later, together with iPads on iPadOS 15.1 or newer, will proceed to assist WhatsApp with none disruption.
In the meantime, in a associated improvement, WhatsApp can also be mentioned to be engaged on introducing notification bubble options for Android. Just like what customers could have seen on Fb Messenger, this function is anticipated to permit chats to seem as floating bubbles on the display screen. It’s nonetheless beneath improvement and never but obtainable for beta testing. As soon as rolled out, it’s anticipated to enhance multitasking by enabling customers to learn and reply to messages with out leaving their present app, whereas additionally integrating extra easily with Android’s notification system.
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(This text has been curated by Shivani P Menon, who’s an intern with The Indian Specific)
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