With the arrival of November of 2025, WhatsApp will withdraw support on a number of phones that no longer meet the app's technical requirements. The change will affect mobile phones with years behind them, which will be left without official support or security updates.
The measure is part of the annual update schedule with which the platform, owned by Meta, maintains the service secure and stable; consult what to do if your team is eliminated.
Date and scope of the change
WhatsApp will end support for phones running Android 5.0 or earlier and those with iOS 12 or earlier. It's not a fad: new features require more memory, power, and updated systems to ensure encryption, stability, and security patches.
On unsupported devices, the app will stop receiving updates, which means greater exposure to vulnerabilities and possible errors when starting, opening chats or sending messages until you allow access.
Although some terminals will be able to continue opening the app for a while, without maintenance the service will be increasingly less stable and the latest features will not be available.
To check if your device falls under the cutoff, check the system version in Settings → About phone (or Device Information) on Android, and on Settings → General → Information on iPhone.
Which Android phones are left without WhatsApp?
The models with more than a decade and without manufacturer maintenance are the main victims. Among the most common that will lose access are different ranges of Samsung, Motorola, LG, Sony, Huawei and HTC:
Samsung
- Galaxy S3
- Galaxy S4 Mini
- Notes 2
- Galaxy Core
- Galaxy Fashion
- Galaxy S5
Motorola
- First generation Moto G
- Moto E (2014)
LG
- Optimus G
- Nexus 4
- G2 Mini
- LG G3
Sony
- Xperia Z
- Xperia SP
- Xperia T
- Xperia V
- X
Other brands
- H
- HTC One M8
If your model is not listed, but is running Android 5.0 or earlier, will be out of supportHowever, if the manufacturer offers an update to a newer version of the system, it's a good idea to install it as soon as possible.
iPhones that lose access
In the Apple ecosystem, the restriction applies to phones with iOS 12 or earlierAmong the most common models that will lose WhatsApp are:
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5C
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 6
- 6 iPhone Plus
If you have an iPhone that can upgrade to a higher version, please do so before the date to retain access and the latest features.
On devices that cannot upload iOS 12, like the iPhone 5/5C and most of the iPhone 6, the blockade will be definitive when the change comes into effect.
What to do before the change
The first step is to back up your chats and files. On Android, go to WhatsApp Settings → Chats → Backup and enable saving to Google Drive.
On iPhone, go to WhatsApp Settings → Chats → Backup and use iCloud to save history.
If your mobile phone cannot be updated to a compatible system, it is recommended to migrate your account to a newer device after creating the copy. Avoid installing unofficial apps or modified versions of WhatsApp: they put your privacy at risk and can block your number.
Regarding the tabletsThe measure focuses on phones; the app doesn't have a specific version for Android tablets or iPads, so there's no specific list of affected models in that format.
Act in advance: check the system version, update if your manufacturer allows it and make sure your cloud backup has completed successfully.
With the change coming in November, Android 5.0 phones and iPhones running iOS 12 are left behind; those who check their version, update when possible and protect your data with backups They will be able to continue using the app normally on a compatible device.
