WhatsApp has announced that, starting from October 24, 2023, it will cease to support smartphones running on Android versions 4.1 or earlier. This means that, after the specified date, WhatsApp will only be accessible on devices with Android 5.1 and above. While this move may not affect a large percentage of users, it’s important for those who still use Android 4.1 or older to consider upgrading their devices for enhanced security and privacy. To check your Android version, you can simply go to your device’s Settings and navigate to the “About Phone” section. If your phone falls within the unsupported category, it’s advisable to prepare for an upgrade, as you have approximately one month before this change takes effect.
In contrast to the discontinuation of support for certain Android versions, WhatsApp will maintain its support for iPhones running iOS 12 and later, as well as KaiOS 2.5.0 and above. This includes devices like JioPhone and JioPhone 2. The consistent support for these operating systems remains unchanged since December of the previous year. While Android users on older versions will be affected by the change, iOS and KaiOS users can continue using WhatsApp without disruption.
While WhatsApp has not provided a specific list of Android phones that will lose support, it’s likely that phones from manufacturers such as Sony, HTC, LG, and others may be affected, as was the case in a previous discontinuation that impacted around 49 devices. Users with unsupported devices are encouraged to monitor any potential updates regarding this change to WhatsApp’s device compatibility list.
