WhatsApp Ends Support for Older Android Operating Systems

Check to see if yours is on the list

By
Allison Murray
Allison Matyus
Allison Murray
Tech News Reporter
  • Southern Illinois University
Allison reports on all things tech. She's a news junky that keeps her eye on the latest trends. Allison is a writer working out of Chicago, IL, with her only coworker: her cat Norbert.
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Published on November 1, 2021 10:38AM EDT
Fact checked by
Rich Scherr
Rich Scherr
Fact checked by Rich Scherr
  • University of Maryland Baltimore County
Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire.
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WhatsApp is discontinuing support for some outdated Android devices, so you may want to double-check if yours will still supporting the app. 

The messaging app updated a support page over the weekend to detail WhatsApp’s compatibility with Android devices. Beginning Monday, the app no longer supports Android phones with OS 4.0.4 or older. 

Closeup on a hand holding a smartphone with a WhatsApp menu displayed on the screen.

Dimitir Karastelev / Unsplash

This change shouldn't affect most users, since the latest version of Android's operating system is Android 12. However, those who might have older phones that do not support more current versions of Android OS might be affected by WhatsApp's change. 

Phone Arena detailed some of the older phones that will no longer have WhatsApp support. These include the Galaxy Trend Lite, the Galaxy S3 mini, the Galaxy Core, the Optimus F3, the Lucid 2, Ascend Mate, Lenovo A820, and more. 

Aside from Android devices, the iPhone SE and the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus also are on that list, since you need iOS 10 or newer, and these phones don't support that. 

WhatsApp also noted on its support page that it would only let you receive messages when outside the range of a Wi-Fi network if your Android device is on a data plan. 

The app has been rolling out updates to its users left and right this year, including Android Auto support, the ability to share better-quality photos and videos, privacy customization controls, and more. 

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