WhatsApp has become an essential tool To communicate with friends, family, and work, to the point that many users depend on the app for almost everything. Therefore, when it's announced that it will stop working on certain phones, it's normal to feel some anxiety, and many wonder if their phone is on the list.
By 2026, Meta's messaging app It will no longer be compatible with a number of older iPhone and Android models. which no longer meet the minimum operating system and security requirements. This decision will also affect users in Spain and the rest of Europe who continue to use these devices for basic calls or as a second mobile phone.
When and why will WhatsApp stop working on some mobile phones?
Meta has set the January 1, 2026 as the cut-off date From which point a portion of the phone fleet will no longer be supported. Some listings specify that the December 31st will be the last day of normal operationso the change will be noticeable right at the start of the year.
The company explains that, on a regular basis, Check which operating systems and models are too old or they have very few active users. These devices usually stop receiving security patches from their manufacturers and they don't have enough power to reliably run the app's latest features.
By 2026, WhatsApp's requirement is clear: The application can only be used on mobile phones with Android 6.0 or higher and iOS 16 or higherAny terminal that gets stuck in Android 5.0 or earlier, or iOS 15.1 or an older versionIt will no longer be compatible.
This policy is not something new. WhatsApp has been gradually raising the bar for years. to focus on devices that can receive updates and run encryption, cloud backups, and other features without putting personal data at risk.
Official WhatsApp requirements in 2026
According to information published by Meta in its help center, The minimum requirements to continue using WhatsApp in 2026 are as follows:
- , on mobile phones that support SMS or calls to verify the account.
- iPhone with iOS 16 or later, without system modifications (no jailbreak or altered software).
In practical terms, this means that Phones that cannot be updated beyond Android 5.0 or iOS 15.1 They will lose access to the service. Although some news reports refer to Android 5.0 or iOS 15.1 as recommended versions, the platform's own actions indicate that these versions are no longer sufficient.
Additionally, in the case of Android, WhatsApp reminds users that Creating accounts or verifying numbers is not allowed on WiFi-only devices. that do not support traditional calls or SMS; something that particularly affects older tablets without a telephony module.
iPhones on which WhatsApp will stop working in 2026
In the Apple ecosystem, the change will affect iPhones that can no longer advance to iOS 16 They are compatible with iOS 15.1 or earlier at most. These phones were very common for years and are still used today as workhorses or for very basic tasks.
Among the models mentioned in the various lists, the following stand out. iPhones that will lose WhatsApp compatibility in 2026:
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5c
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 6
- 6 iPhone Plus
Several media outlets also point out that, in practice, any iPhone that cannot upgrade from older versions of iOS (Very old models like 3G, 3GS, 4 or 4s) are now completely out of the game, although in most cases those devices haven't received new versions of WhatsApp for a long time.
In Spain and other European countries, these devices are still seen in the hands of elderly users, children, or as emergency mobiles. Those who depend on them to use WhatsApp They will be forced to look for alternatives before the deadline arrives.
Android: Brands and models that will no longer have WhatsApp
On the Android side, the list is longer and includes Phones from various brands that remained stuck on Android 5.0 or even earlier versionsMany of them were bestsellers in their time and have remained in circulation for years.
Among the models that the various articles identify as affected and that They will lose access to WhatsApp starting in 2026 are:
Samsung
- Samsung Galaxy S3
- Samsung Galaxy S4 y Galaxy mini S4
- Samsung Galaxy S5
- Samsung Galaxy Note 2
- Samsung galaxy core
- Samsung Galaxy Trend
- Samsung Galaxy J2
- Samsung Galaxy Ace 4
LG
- LG G3
- LG Optimus L7 II
- LG Optimus L3 y L3II
- LG Optimus L5 y L5II
- LG Optimus L7
- LG Optimus F5 y F6
- LG Optimus F3 y F3Q
- LG Optimus L2 II, L4II y L4 II Dual
- LG Nexus 4
Huawei
- Huawei Ascend Mate
- Huawei Ascend G740
- Huawei Ascend D2
Motorola
- Moto G (first generation)
- Moto E (first generation)
Sony
- Sony Xperia Z2
- Sony Xperia Z3
- Sony Xperia M
HTC and other manufacturers
- HTC One M8
- HTC Desire 500
- Classic models from HTC and other manufacturers released before 2014, who cannot install Android 6.0 or higher.
- Lenovo A820 and other low-end terminals from that era.
In all these cases, the common denominator is that The phone cannot be updated to a newer version of AndroidTherefore, it falls short of the standard required by the app from 2026 onwards.
How WhatsApp will notify you and what problems you might encounter.
Meta has announced that the process will not be abruptUsers whose phones are nearing the end of their support lifecycle will receive notifications within the application itselfreminding them that they must update the system or change devices if they want to continue using the service.
If your phone is on the list or uses an older version of the system, you may have already noticed that WhatsApp is working more slowly, crashing, or not allowing the use of certain functions.These symptoms usually indicate that official support is coming to an end.
Ignoring these messages and continuing with an incompatible device may lead to several problems: inability to install new versions of the appFrequent errors in sending or receiving messages, or simply the inability to access the application after a final update.
Furthermore, the fact that the phone no longer receives patches from the manufacturer means that, over time, This increases the risk of vulnerabilities and data breaches.This is especially sensitive if chats are used to share documents, keys, or personal information.
What to do if your mobile phone will stop supporting WhatsApp in 2026
If your phone is among those affected or is stuck on an older version of Android or iOS, It's best to anticipate changes so you don't miss conversations or become cut off from communication from one day to the next.
The first step is check the operating system versionOn Android, you can find it in Settings > About phone > Android version; on iPhone, in Settings > General > About. If the version number is lower than what WhatsApp requires, you'll need to take action.
From there, the basic recommendations are:
- Try updating the system From the settings menu. Some manufacturers release slightly more modern versions even for older models, which can extend the lifespan of WhatsApp support.
- Back up chats and files. On Android, it's managed from Settings > Chats > Backup, using Google Drive; on iPhone, via iCloud.
- Consider upgrading to a newer mobile phone that meets the app's minimum requirements, especially if WhatsApp is used for work-related matters or important procedures.
- If you are unable to change your phone, Explore other messaging apps that are still supported. with older systems, considering that most contacts will continue to use WhatsApp.
When you get a new device, all you'll need to do is Install WhatsApp and restore from backup created on your old mobile phone to recover conversations, photos, videos and groups, provided you have made the backup correctly and use the same phone number.
This new compatibility cut makes it clear once again that Staying on very old hardware and software has consequences. In terms of security, features, and access to essential services like WhatsApp, it's important to consider the time to upgrade your phone, even if it still turns on and receives calls. However, the 2026 switchover is forcing many users, including those in Spain and Europe, to consider whether it's time for an upgrade.