Those who use their mobile phones for everything—work, family, school or neighborhood groups—should take note: from the February 1th 2026, a part of the phones Older iPhones and Androids will lose access to WhatsAppThis is not a one-off failure or an app error, but a planned change in the minimum service requirements.
Meta, the company that owns the platform, has set a new red line: only devices that can run at least iOS 15.1 on iPhone y Android Lollipop 5.0 on Android. Those who do not reach those versions You will see how the application stops opening or starts showing incompatibility warnings until it becomes unusable.
What's changing in WhatsApp from February 2026
The new compatibility cycle will come into effect on February 1th 2026 and represents a clear reduction in the list of supported mobile phones. From that date, WhatsApp will only work en phones that meet these basic operating system requirements:
- iPhoneIt will be mandatory to have iOS 15.1 or a later version.
- Android: will be required Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher.
This type of update is not new: the app performs a annual review of compatible systems, in which it analyzes how many people are still using older versions, and whether those platforms are still receiving security patches and whether the hardware can handle the latest features being added.
Older devices, which are no longer updated by the manufacturer and have a very small user base, end up being left out. The goal is to prevent the outdated mobile phones become a weak point for privacy and a hindrance to new application tools.
iPhones that will lose WhatsApp
In the Apple ecosystem, the new requirement of iOS 15.1 minimum It leaves out several classic phones that are still circulating in many drawers and pockets. The problem is that these models They cannot officially install iOS 15.1Therefore, the app will no longer be usable on them.
Amongst the iPhones that lose WhatsApp compatibility From 2026 onwards, the following stand out:
- iPhone 6
- 6 iPhone Plus
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 5c
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 4s and earlier models
These devices remained stuck on iOS versions like 10 or 12, far from that iOS 15.1 that the app now requiresIn many cases, WhatsApp already worked with certain limitations; with the new cut, directly. will stop starting or receiving updates.
The decline is especially noticeable in Europe and Spain, where these older iPhones are still used as secondary or emergency phones. Even so, their lack of support and security patches This makes continuing to use them for encrypted messaging less and less advisable.
Android phones affected by the new requirement
On Android, the impact will be greater in terms of the number of models affected, because the catalog of manufacturers and product lines is much broader. WhatsApp will no longer be compatible with all phones that are still running versions prior to Android 5.0, such as:
- 4.4 Android KitKat
- Android 4.3 and 4.2 Jelly Bean
- Android 4.1 and earlier versions
These are primarily phones released before 2014 that no longer receive official updates. Among the most representative examples of Android The following are listed as groups that will lose access to WhatsApp:
- Samsung Galaxy mini S4
- Samsung Galaxy S3
- Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Ace 4
- Sony Xperia M
- LG Optimus L7 II, Optimus L3 II and other Optimus from the same era
- LG Optimus L3 II Dual and similar entry-level models
- Huawei Ascend G510 and Huawei Ascend Mate
- HTC Desire 500
- Motorola Moto E (first generation)
- Other budget Motorola phones released before 2014
Most of these terminals remained stuck in Android 4.x And there's no official way to upgrade to Lollipop. In other words, even if the user tries to force an update, the phone won't work. It does not have official support for the minimum versions required by the app.
In practice, this means that, when the deadline arrives, WhatsApp will stop working on these older Android devices.You will not be able to send or receive messages and, over time, it will become impossible to even install the application from the official stores.
Why does WhatsApp stop working on older phones?
Meta justifies this cut on three main points: compatibility, security and technological evolutionThe application doesn't just send messages; it also integrates calls, video calls, cloud backups, end-to-end encryption, and increasingly, advanced features linked to artificial intelligence.
To maintain that pace of development, it needs to rely on modern versions of iOS and AndroidVery old mobile phones lack processing power, memory, and above all, critical security updates, which makes them an easy entry point for attacks or identity theft.
Each year the company analyzes which operating systems they have fewer active users and which ones have already been abandoned by their own manufacturers. When a model stops receiving patches and support, it's assessed that continuing to allow WhatsApp in that environment poses a risk to the data privacy and for the stability of the global service.
Furthermore, maintaining compatibility with outdated platforms increases development costs and makes it difficult for most users, who are on recent systems, to receive new features quicklyThat's why the company is gradually removing older mobile phones from the list of supported devices.
How to know if your mobile phone will lose WhatsApp
Before getting alarmed, it's a good idea to check which operating system version your device has. It's a simple process that any user can perform from the phone's settings, without needing to be an expert.
- On Android: go into Settings > About phone > Android versionIf the number is lower than 5.0 and no update is available, the mobile phone risks losing compatibility.
- On iPhone: and a Settings > General > Information > Software VersionIf your device cannot install iOS 15.1 or later, it will no longer meet the official requirements in 2026.
According to WhatsApp Help CenterThe affected terminals will begin to receive notifications within the application itself Weeks before the service interruption takes effect, these messages remind users of the need to update their system or change their device.
In some cases, the phone may support one last major software update. If that update allows you to reach Android 5.0 or iOS 15.1The phone will still be valid for using the app, at least for a while longer.
What to do before WhatsApp stops being supported
If the phone is on the affected list or does not meet the minimum version requirements, the first thing to do is protect informationThe platform itself and technology experts recommend making a full backup of chats, photos, and files before the deadline.
On Android phones, backups can be configured from the app in Settings> Chats> BackupUsing Google Drive to store the data in the cloud. That way, when you change phones, you can simply restore that backup to recover the entire conversation.
On iPhones, the process is similar, but the copy is saved in iCloudWhatsApp allows you to activate the option to have content uploaded periodically, preventing data loss if your device suddenly becomes incompatible.
If, after reviewing the options, the mobile phone cannot update the system to the required versions, the reality is that The only alternative will be to change terminalsExperts advise, if the budget allows, opting for models with Android 10 or higher, or relatively recent iPhones, to ensure several additional years of support.
New 'strict account adjustments' to strengthen security
The end of support for older phones comes with a new feature designed for those who will continue using the app: the so-called “strict account adjustments”This is an advanced configuration that strengthens protection against cyberattacks, scams, and unwanted contact.
This feature is being rolled out gradually to users of Android and iOS From all over the world, including Spain. To activate it, open the app and follow the route Settings > Privacy > Advanced options, where the specific section for strict settings appears.
By enabling this option, WhatsApp applies a series of automatic measures, including the blocking multimedia files from unknown senders, disabling link previews, muting calls from numbers not in the address book and Strict restrictions on group invitations.
In addition, the application requires the activation of the two step verification and routes calls through its own servers to hide IP address This reduces the information that third parties can obtain about the connection and makes it more difficult for those who try to impersonate accounts.
This entire package of changes—new minimum requirements, removal of support for older iPhone and Android devices, and the arrival of advanced security tweaks—fits into Meta's strategy of Focus WhatsApp on more modern deviceswhere privacy, performance, and access to the latest features can be better guaranteed. For users with older phones, the message is clear: it's advisable to check your system version, back up your data, and consider upgrading to an updated phone if you want to continue using the app without problems.