ISLAMABAD: If you are using an old Android phone, then be careful now, because the technology company Meta has announced that the WhatsApp service will be discontinued on several older smartphones from September 2026.
The decision could affect millions of users, especially those who are using phones that are 10 to 11 years old.
According to reports, WhatsApp support will be removed on Android devices that are running Android 5 or Android 5.1. Moreover, access to the app will start being limited on all operating systems before Android 6 from January 1, 2026, while the service will be completely discontinued after September 8, 2026.
Experts say that WhatsApp is constantly improving its user interface, security, and privacy features, which require modern operating systems. Older systems cannot support these modern features, which is why the company periodically ends support for them.
According to reports, Meta is now introducing new features based on artificial intelligence (AI), which require more powerful hardware, which is why older phones are not compatible with this new technology.
Users have been advised that if they are still using old Android phones, then upgrade their devices as soon as possible and transfer WhatsApp data to a new device; otherwise, after September 8, their chat history, photos, and videos may be lost forever.
