WhatsApp has announced that beginning November 1, 2022, only phones running iOS 12 and newer and Android 4.1 and newer will be able to use WhatsApp. This means that older phone models using operating systems below these minimum requirements will no longer be compatible with the messaging app.
What are the minimum OS requirements for WhatsApp?
As mentioned above, the minimum operating system requirements for WhatsApp as of November 1, 2022 are:
- iOS 12 and newer for iPhones
- Android 4.1 and newer for Android phones
Any iPhone running iOS 11 or older will not be able to use WhatsApp after November 1. On the Android side, any phone running Android 4.0.4 or older will also lose access to the app.
Why is WhatsApp ending support for older OS versions?
WhatsApp states they are ceasing support for older operating systems in order to provide users with the latest features and security updates. Maintaining app compatibility with older OS versions requires significant development resources. Dropping support for older OS allows WhatsApp to better focus engineering efforts on more recent OS releases.
Which iPhone models will be impacted?
Here are the iPhone models that will no longer be able to use WhatsApp due to running iOS 11 or earlier:
| iPhone Model | Oldest Supported iOS Version |
|---|---|
| iPhone 4 | iOS 7 |
| iPhone 4S | iOS 9 |
| iPhone 5 | iOS 10 |
| iPhone 5C | iOS 10 |
| iPhone 5S | iOS 12 |
| iPhone 6 | iOS 12 |
| iPhone 6 Plus | iOS 12 |
As you can see, the iPhone 5, 5C, and earlier models will no longer support WhatsApp. The iPhone 5S and later models will continue working since they are capable of running iOS 12 or higher.
Which Android phones will be impacted?
On the Android side, phones running Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich or earlier will lose WhatsApp access. This includes popular models like:
- Samsung Galaxy S2
- Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini
- LG Optimus L3
- HTC Desire C
- Sony Xperia U
A full list of Android phones released with Android 4.0 and earlier includes:
| Phone Model | Oldest Supported Android Version |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S2 | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich |
| LG Optimus L3 | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich |
| LG Optimus L5 | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich |
| LG Optimus L7 | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich |
| HTC One V | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich |
| HTC Desire C | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich |
| Sony Xperia P | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich |
| Sony Xperia U | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich |
| Sony Xperia Sola | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich |
| Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich |
| Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich |
| Huawei Ascend G300 | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich |
| ZTE Skate | Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich |
I have an older iPhone/Android model – what are my options?
If you currently use an iPhone or Android phone that will no longer be supported, you have a few options to keep using WhatsApp:
- Upgrade your phone – Purchase a newer model iPhone or Android phone that can run the latest OS versions supported by WhatsApp.
- Use WhatsApp Web – Access WhatsApp by linking your account to the WhatsApp Web browser client through a supported phone.
- Wait for third-party support – Some third-party apps may provide unofficial ways to use WhatsApp on unsupported devices, though these may not be reliable.
Upgrading your phone is recommended to ensure you can keep accessing all of WhatsApp’s features reliably after support ends for older OS versions. WhatsApp Web can provide temporary access from a computer browser if you cannot upgrade your phone immediately.
Will I lose my chat history if I get a new phone?
No, your chat history will not be lost if you upgrade to a new supported phone. WhatsApp uses cloud sync to save your chat history. As long as you use the same phone number and account when installing WhatsApp on your new device, your chat history will automatically sync from the cloud.
What if my phone can’t update to a newer OS version?
Some older iPhone and Android models may not be capable of updating to the minimum OS version required for WhatsApp, even if a newer OS version was released for that model. For example, the iPhone 5 and 5C cannot update past iOS 10, but WhatsApp requires iOS 12.
If your phone is stuck on an older OS version that can’t be updated to the WhatsApp minimum requirement, your only options are to use WhatsApp Web or upgrade your device to maintain app access after support ends for older OS.
Will this affect WhatsApp Business accounts?
Yes, the ending of support for older operating systems will impact both regular WhatsApp accounts as well as WhatsApp Business accounts. If your phone is running iOS 11 or older, or Android 4.0.4 or older, you will not be able to use WhatsApp Business after November 1, 2022.
Business users with incompatible devices will need to upgrade their phones to continue using the WhatsApp Business app and access key features like messaging customers, creating business profiles, and more.
Does this change affect WhatsApp Web?
No, the discontinuation of support for older mobile OS versions does not impact WhatsApp Web. WhatsApp Web provides web browser access to WhatsApp by linking to your account on a supported mobile device.
As long as you have WhatsApp installed on a compatible iPhone or Android phone, you can continue using WhatsApp Web even after support ends for older OS versions. However, your primary mobile device will need to stay connected to the internet to sync messages to WhatsApp Web.
Will I get reminders if my phone will lose WhatsApp access?
Yes, WhatsApp has already begun showing reminders to users with incompatible devices alerting them that they will lose WhatsApp access after November 1, 2022 unless they upgrade OS versions. You will periodically see an in-app reminder indicating your device OS is no longer supported.
What happens on November 1 to unsupported phones?
On November 1, 2022, WhatsApp will completely stop working and become unusable on any iPhone running iOS 11 or older. Similarly, WhatsApp will stop working on any Android phone running Android 4.0.4 or older versions.
You will no longer see the WhatsApp icon on your phone’s home screen. If you try opening WhatsApp, you will receive an error message that your operating system is no longer supported.
Will I still get calls and notifications?
No, without the app installed and working on your phone, you will no longer receive any calls or notifications from WhatsApp after support ends for older operating systems. To continue using WhatsApp as normal, you will need to upgrade your phone’s OS or upgrade your device to a supported model.
What if I didn’t back up my chat history before November 1?
Unfortunately, if you did not back up your WhatsApp chat history before support ended for older OS versions, there will be no way to retrieve your past chats after November 1 on unsupported devices. Your chat history will be erased from that device when WhatsApp stops working.
To preserve your chat history, be sure to upgrade to a supported device and sync to a new WhatsApp install before the November 1 deadline.
Could WhatsApp extend the deadline or add support back for older OS?
It is unlikely that WhatsApp will extend the November 1 deadline or re-add support for iOS 11 and older. The company has clearly stated the reasoning behind dropping support for older operating systems and wants to focus development on newer OS versions going forward.
Unless prohibited by regulations in certain markets, expect WhatsApp to strictly enforce the OS version support changes beginning November 1 as announced.
Conclusion
WhatsApp will stop working on iPhones running iOS 11 or older and Android phones running Android 4.0.4 or older beginning November 1, 2022. Users of unsupported devices will need to upgrade their phone’s operating system or purchase a newer device to continue using WhatsApp.
Affected iPhone models include the iPhone 5, 5C, and earlier. Affected Android models include popular phones like the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini and Sony Xperia U. Users have options like updating to WhatsApp Web or upgrading their hardware to maintain app access.
After November 1, unsupported phones will lose access to WhatsApp calls, messages, and notifications. Make sure to back up chat history and upgrade to a compatible phone before the deadline to preserve your account and features.