Beginning March 1th 2026Millions of users will encounter an unpleasant surprise when trying to open the app: WhatsApp will stop working on a long list of older phones that no longer meet the minimum safety and performance requirements set by Meta.
The measure affects both Android and iPhone mobiles and focuses primarily on devices released before 2014which no longer receive updates from their manufacturers. For many users in Spain and the rest of Europe, this could be the final push to upgrade a smartphone that, although it still turns on, has clearly become outdated.
What does WhatsApp require to continue operating from March 2026 onwards?
The company has officially updated the minimum operating system requirements in order to continue using the application normally, both to send messages and to make calls or video calls.
Specifically, WhatsApp will only continue to be compatible with:
- Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher on mobile phones with Google's operating system.
- iOS 15.1 or higher on Apple phones.
Any device that falls below these versions It will gradually lose functions until, finally, the app stops opening, or no longer allows updates from the official store or it can't even be downloaded again.
Affected iPhones: the models that will lose WhatsApp
In the Apple ecosystem, the change in requirements has a clear consequence: Any iPhone that cannot be updated to iOS 15.1 is excluded. from official WhatsApp support starting in March 2026.
The affected models include:
- iPhone 6
- 6 iPhone Plus
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 5c
- Other models prior to these devices
These phones are no longer compatible with iOS 15.1Therefore, they will not be able to run future versions of the app. Although they were once very popular phones and are still used in some European homes as a second phone or emergency device, they are now permanently excluded from the service.
Apple had already phased out these models in previous updates, but WhatsApp maintained a certain degree of compatibilityWith the new technical specifications, that window closes, forcing those who still use these iPhones to consider changing their device.
Android: List of phones that lose WhatsApp due to having older versions
On Android, the impact is even greater. Any mobile phone that does not reach at least Android 5.0 Lollipop will no longer be compatible with the messaging app. And this is where many legendary models come into play, models that are still working in the hands of users who have stretched their lifespan to the maximum.
Phones that are not supported include: devices that are very well known in Spain and other European countries:
- Samsung Galaxy S3
- Samsung Galaxy S4
- Samsung Galaxy mini S4
- Samsung Galaxy Ace 4
- Sony Xperia M
- LG Optimus L7 II
- LG Optimus L3 II
- Motorola Moto E (1st generation)
- Huawei Ascend Mate
- Huawei Ascend G510
- HTC Desire 500
All of these terminals were launched between approximately 2012 and 2014 and They no longer receive operating system updates or security patchesThis means that, in addition to losing WhatsApp, they have been operating with outdated software for some time, making them more vulnerable.
Why does WhatsApp stop working on older phones?
The decision is not arbitrary. Meta explains that this type of change is part of a periodic process to to ensure security, performance and compatibility with new features on a platform that already has over 2.000 billion users worldwide.
Mobile phones that lose support share several problems:
- They do not receive security patches by manufacturers.
- Its hardware has memory and power limitations that make it difficult to perform advanced functions.
- Older versions of Android and iOS They do not meet current encryption and data protection standards.
In that context, keeping the app operational on these devices involves a considerable technical effort and, furthermore, This poses a potential risk to privacy. of those who use them. That's why the company prefers to concentrate resources on relatively recent devices, which account for the majority of active users.
Furthermore, many of WhatsApp's latest and upcoming features—encryption improvements, advanced group management tools, new file options, and even AI-powered features— They require a minimum system and hardware that are simply not present in equipment from more than a decade ago.
How to know if your phone will be affected
Before getting a scare on March 1st, it's a good idea to check What version of operating system does your phone have?The process is simple, both on Android and iPhone.
On Android, the general steps are these (they may vary slightly depending on the brand's interface):
- Open the app Settings of the telephone.
- Walk into About of the phone o Device information.
- Access to Software information.
- Find the section Android version and check the number.
If a version lower than Android 5.0 appears, the phone is at risk. The process is similar for Apple:
- Ir a Settings.
- Click on General.
- Walk into Information.
- See what number appears next to iOS version.
When the installed version is not up to iOS 15.1 and the device does not allow further updates, WhatsApp will no longer be available as soon as the new requirements are applied.
Updates, backups, and changing your mobile phone: what you can do
If your phone is at its limit, the first thing to do is check if there are any pending software updateIn many cases, especially on more recent models, it's possible to install a compatible version and continue using the app without problems.
To check for updates on Android and iOS, the usual procedure is:
- Walk into Settings.
- Find the section Software update or similar.
- Click on Search for updates and, if one is available, download and install it.
When the device no longer offers new official versions and does not meet WhatsApp's minimum requirements, there isn't much room for maneuver: The only real solution is to change your smartphone. for a compatible model. Before doing so, it's advisable to protect the information.
Meta recommends that users who will be affected Make a backup of your chats and files before the deadline. This prevents losing important conversations, photos, videos, or documents.
How to backup WhatsApp on Android and iPhone
On Android phones, WhatsApp integrates with Google Drive to store the backup in the cloud. The general procedure is as follows:
- OPEN WhatsApp on the phone.
- Tap the icon of the three points (up to the right).
- Walk into Settings> Chats> Backup.
- Click on Save or "Create a copy now" to upload the data.
It is important to check beforehand that the associated Google account has enough space on Driveespecially if you save a lot of videos and photos.
On iPhone, the system works similarly but using iCloud as a storage service:
- Open WhatsApp and enter Configuration.
- Click on Chats > Backup.
- Select "Back Up Now".
Again, it's worth checking what's there free space in iCloud To avoid errors during the process. Once the backup is created, you can easily restore it when setting up WhatsApp on your new compatible phone.
March 2026 will mark a turning point for those who continue to use very old mobile phones: WhatsApp will no longer be an option on phones that do not reach Android 5.0 or iOS 15.1This has a particularly strong impact on classic models like the Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4 mini, various mid-range Huawei and LG phones from a decade ago, as well as the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, and earlier models. Beyond the inconvenience of searching for a new device, the decision highlights a growing reality: keeping the operating system up-to-date isn't just about having the latest features, but also about maintaining a minimum level of security and continuity in everyday tools like instant messaging.
