WhatsApp support for Android 5.0 and 5.1 reportedly ended on September 8, 2026. WhatsApp’s Help Center lists Android 6.0 and newer as supported, so check the version installed on your phone to see whether it meets the requirement.
WhatsApp lists Android 6.0 and newer as supported
Android 5.0 and 5.1 fall below WhatsApp’s listed minimum. The installed Android version—not the phone’s model name alone—determines whether a device meets the requirement. Update availability can also differ among individual phones and markets.
Check your Android version and updates
Open Settings and look for About phone or a similar section. Check the Android version, then look in the system-update settings for an available update. Menu names vary by manufacturer.
If an update can bring your phone to Android 6.0 or newer, install it to meet WhatsApp’s listed requirement. If no compatible update is available, moving to a phone that runs Android 6.0 or newer is the route to continue using WhatsApp.
Back up chats before switching phones
Before moving, back up your chats, photos, and documents to Google Drive. A backup can be restored on a compatible phone, provided you have a usable backup.
