WhatsApp has announced that starting in 2023, they will no longer support Android phones running Android 4.1 or lower and iPhones running iOS 10 or lower. This means that users with older phones on these unsupported operating systems will no longer be able to create new accounts or reverify existing accounts on WhatsApp.
Why is WhatsApp dropping support for older phones?
There are a few key reasons why WhatsApp is dropping support for older operating systems:
- To focus engineering resources on newer mobile platforms – Maintaining app compatibility with older OS versions takes significant developer resources. Dropping support allows WhatsApp to focus on features and improvements for newer platforms.
- Lack of security updates – Older OS platforms often stop receiving important security patches. WhatsApp likely wants to ensure all users are on secure, up-to-date OS versions.
- Lack of new features – New WhatsApp features may not work or perform well on older OS versions. Dropping support allows WhatsApp to innovate faster.
By dropping support for Android 4.1 and lower plus iOS 10 and lower, WhatsApp can devote more resources to improving the app for the vast majority of users on newer OS platforms.
Which Android phones will be affected?
All Android phones running Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) or earlier will no longer be able to use WhatsApp starting in 2023. This includes phones running:
- Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
- Android 3.0 Honeycomb
- Android 2.3.3 to 2.3.7 Gingerbread
- Android 2.2 Froyo
- Android 2.1 Eclair
- Android 1.6 Donut
- Android 1.5 Cupcake
- Android 1.1
- Android 1.0
Some examples of popular Android phones that will be impacted include:
| Phone | Operating System |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S3 | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich |
| LG Optimus L3 | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich |
| HTC One X | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich |
| Motorola Droid Razr | Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread |
| Samsung Galaxy S2 | Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread |
So in summary, any Android phone running Android 4.1 or earlier will be unable to use WhatsApp starting in 2023.
Which iPhones will be affected?
WhatsApp will stop supporting all iPhones running iOS 10 or earlier, starting in 2023. This includes:
- iPhone 4S
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5C
- iPhone 5S
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone 6S
- iPhone 6S Plus
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
- iPod Touch (6th generation)
So if you have an iPhone model older than the iPhone 7, you will need to upgrade your phone’s OS to at least iOS 11 to continue using WhatsApp.
Which iPad models will be affected?
WhatsApp will drop support for all iPad models capable of running iOS 10 or earlier. This consists of the following models:
- iPad 4
- iPad Air
- iPad Mini 2
- iPad Mini 3
- iPad Mini 4
So if you own any iPad model older than one of the 2017 models, you will need to upgrade your OS to continue using WhatsApp.
By when do I need to upgrade?
WhatsApp has said they will stop supporting Android 4.1 and lower plus iOS 10 and lower starting in 2023. They have not provided an exact date.
To ensure you do not get locked out of WhatsApp, it is recommended you upgrade to a compatible device/OS before the end of 2022.
How do I tell what OS version my phone is running?
To check what OS version you are currently running on an Android phone:
- Go to Settings > About Phone
- Look for “Android version” or “Software version”
- Check the number listed. For example, “Android 9”, “Android 8”, “Android 7”, etc.
To check the iOS version on an iPhone or iPad:
- Go to Settings > General > About
- Look for “Version”
- Check the number listed. For example, “iOS 12.5.1”, “iOS 11.4.1”, etc.
This will display the exact OS version running on your device.
How do I update my phone’s OS?
To update an Android phone’s OS:
- Go to Settings > System > Advanced > System Update
- Tap “Check for Update”
- If an update is available, follow the prompts to download and install it
To update an iPhone or iPad’s iOS:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update
- Tap “Download and Install”
- If an update is available, follow the prompts to download and install it
Be sure your device is charged or plugged in before starting the update. The update process may take a while depending on your internet connection speed.
What if my phone can’t update to the required OS version?
If your phone cannot update to at least Android 4.1 or iOS 11, then unfortunately you will not be able to use WhatsApp on that phone once support is dropped in 2023.
Some older phones simply cannot be updated further due to hardware limitations. In this case, you will need to consider upgrading your phone completely to a newer model capable of running a supported OS.
Can I just avoid updating my OS to keep using WhatsApp?
You may be able to continue using WhatsApp temporarily on an unsupported OS version by avoiding updates. However, this is strongly discouraged for security reasons.
Running an unsupported, outdated operating system will prevent you from getting important security patches. It also opens you up to potential bugs and exploits that can compromise your privacy or data. We strongly recommend updating to a supported OS version to ensure you can safely use WhatsApp.
If I can’t update, are there alternatives to WhatsApp I can use?
If you are unable to update your phone’s OS to continue using WhatsApp, there are a few alternatives you can consider:
- Facebook Messenger – Messenger has similar features to WhatsApp and may be more compatible with older OS versions.
- Telegram – Telegram is another popular encrypted messaging app that supports older phones.
- Signal – Signal is focused on privacy and also supports older OS platforms.
- Line – Popular messaging app in Asia that may support older phones.
- GroupMe – Allows group messaging and supports Android 4.1+ and iOS 9+.
Check the compatibility requirements before downloading any apps. And consider upgrading your device if possible for the best experience and security.
Can I transfer my WhatsApp chat history to a new phone?
Yes, it is possible to transfer your existing WhatsApp chat history and data from an old phone to a new phone:
- On your old phone, back up your WhatsApp data to Google Drive or iCloud.
- On your new phone, install WhatsApp and restore chat history from the cloud backup.
- Use the “Move to iOS” app to transfer data from Android to iPhone.
- Use a third-party app like dr.fone to transfer WhatsApp data between phones.
As long as you properly back up your WhatsApp data before switching phones, you can seamlessly transfer your chats to a new device.
Conclusion
WhatsApp dropping support for older Android and iOS versions will impact users who have not updated their phones’ operating systems. To continue using WhatsApp, Android users will need to upgrade to at least Android 4.1, while iPhone users will need iOS 11.
Affected Android phones include Samsung Galaxy S3, LG Optimus L3, HTC One X, and any model running Android 4.0 or below. iPhones will be impacted starting from the iPhone 5 and 5C down to the iPhone 4S.
Check your phone’s OS version in Settings to see if you will be affected. Upgrade to a compatible OS before 2023 to avoid losing WhatsApp access. Consider switching to alternative messaging apps if you absolutely cannot update your phone’s OS.