WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, used by over 2 billion people. However, sometimes users encounter issues when trying to update to the latest version of WhatsApp on their Android or iOS devices. There are a few potential reasons why WhatsApp may not be letting you update to the newest version.
You Have an Unsupported Device
One of the most common reasons why WhatsApp won’t update is if you have an older, unsupported device. WhatsApp regularly stops supporting older operating systems and device models. For example, as of February 1, 2020, WhatsApp stopped working on Android versions 2.3.7 and older as well as iOS 8 and older. If you are using a very old iPhone or Android phone that is no longer supported, WhatsApp simply will not let you update to the latest version.
Here are the minimum system requirements to run the latest version of WhatsApp:
| Android | OS 4.1 and newer |
| iPhone | iOS 10 and newer |
So if you are on an older unsupported OS, you will be stuck with your current version of WhatsApp and will not see any updates in the app store. To resolve this, you would need to upgrade your device to one that runs a supported operating system.
Insufficient Storage Space
Another common reason why WhatsApp will not update on your phone is if you have insufficient storage space. WhatsApp updates can be quite large in size, often over 100MB. If your phone is almost out of storage, the app store will not be able to download and install the latest WhatsApp update.
Try freeing up space on your device – delete old photos/videos, clear cache on apps, uninstall apps you no longer use. Once you have freed up enough storage, you should be able to update WhatsApp without any issues.
Connection Issues
In order to update WhatsApp, your phone needs to be able to connect to the internet to download the latest update files. If you are having connection issues due to poor WiFi or mobile data, the app store may fail to download the update, leading to the perception that WhatsApp “won’t update”.
Try switching to a stronger internet connection – connect to WiFi or move closer to a cell tower. Disable VPN or firewall temporarily if those may be interfering with the connection. Once you have a stable internet connection, you should be able to update WhatsApp.
Outdated Play Store / App Store
The Google Play Store and Apple App Store also occasionally need to be updated themselves. If your app store is outdated, it may fail to fetch the latest WhatsApp update files. Try updating your Play Store / App Store to the latest version and then check WhatsApp again.
Google Play Services Needs Updating
On Android devices, having an outdated version of Google Play Services can prevent WhatsApp from updating properly. Open the Play Store, go to My Apps & Games, and check for any available updates to Google Play Services. Install the latest version and then try updating WhatsApp again.
App Cloned / Tampered With
If your WhatsApp app has been tampered with, modified, or cloned outside of the official app store, the official version of WhatsApp may refuse to update the unauthorized version. Try uninstalling WhatsApp completely, clearing cache/data, and reinstalling WhatsApp from the Play Store or App Store. Then attempt updating again – this should allow the update to go through.
Update is Not Yet Available in Your Region
WhatsApp occasionally rolls out updates gradually across the world. If a new update is showing for your friends/family but not for you, it may simply not have reached your geographic region yet. Be patient and keep checking the Play Store / App Store periodically – the update should become available within a few days.
Incorrect Date / Time Settings
Having incorrect date and time settings on your device can confuse the Play Store and prevent updates from certain apps like WhatsApp. Go into your device settings, ensure date & time are set correctly and are updated automatically. Reboot your device and try updating WhatsApp again.
How to Force WhatsApp Updates
If none of the above have helped and WhatsApp is still not showing an update, you can try forcing it to update by following these steps:
- Uninstall WhatsApp completely
- Clear cache & data for the Play Store / App Store
- Reboot your device
- Connect phone to WiFi or strong cellular data
- Open Play Store / App Store and make sure it updates itself
- Search & reinstall WhatsApp
- Open WhatsApp, verify your number, and it should now update
Contact WhatsApp Support
If all else fails, contact WhatsApp directly through their help center: https://faq.whatsapp.com/. Their support team may be able to further troubleshoot and identify any rare underlying issues preventing you from updating.
Conclusion
Being unable to update WhatsApp can be frustrating, but there are usually a handful of common reasons why this happens. From having an outdated operating system to insufficient storage space, identifying the specific reason why your phone is unable to update can help get WhatsApp working on the latest version again.
Try the troubleshooting tips outlined above to isolate the issue, clear up any blockers, and force the update through. Reach out to WhatsApp support if you remain stuck. With some focused effort, you should be able to get your WhatsApp updating properly again.