Karachi: (RightNow) Meta announces the end of WhatsApp support for older Android phones. From September 9, 2026, WhatsApp will no longer be available on phones running Android 5 and 5.1.

According to reports, phones operating on systems earlier than Android 6 will also be affected by this decision. Millions of users will need to transfer their WhatsApp data to new devices.

Meta states that support for older hardware is being discontinued to accommodate modern features and Artificial Intelligence technology. The company is enhancing user interface and privacy settings.

The aim of this move is to ensure user security and privacy protection while maintaining app performance. Features compatible with modern operating systems are being introduced.

It is noteworthy that Meta periodically ends support for older operating systems to improve app performance and provide users with modern experiences.