Beginning January 1, 2026, a significant portion of the mobile phones still used in Spain and the rest of Europe They will lose access to WhatsAppWe're talking about phones that many households still use for basic calls, family groups, or as a second device, but which no longer support the operating system versions that the application will require.
This decision is part of the periodic rounds of cleaning and requirements updates which WhatsApp has been doing for years. The official goal is to maintain security, introduce new features without technical limitations, and stop depending on obsolete operating systems that no longer receive patches or support by manufacturers.
What does WhatsApp need to continue operating in 2026?
According to information released by the platform and Meta's help centers, In 2026, only WhatsApp's functionality will be guaranteed. on mobile phones that meet certain minimum software requirements. These requirements draw a clear line between the devices that will remain active and those that will be left out.
In the case of AndroidThe app requires as a basis Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or laterand in practice it is already directing support towards Android 6.0 onwardsDevices that remain stuck on Android 4.x versions prior to this will gradually lose access.
To iPhoneWhatsApp has set the bar in iOS 15.1 or higherModels that cannot be updated to that version of Apple's operating system will be excluded from future versions of the app and will no longer be able to open it normally.
When a mobile phone stops meeting these requirements, You can no longer install new updates WhatsApp stops receiving security updates and, over time, the app may stop opening or display a warning that the device is no longer supported.
iPhone and Android phones that will lose WhatsApp
The change in requirements will affect very popular models from a decade ago They still linger in many drawers and pockets. The vast majority no longer receive system updates, leaving them out of the new versions of the messaging app.
In the Apple ecosystem, the key is that these phones They cannot install iOS 15.1These are generations that Apple stopped updating years ago and therefore do not meet the minimum security requirements that WhatsApp needs.
Amongst the iPhones that will lose WhatsApp in 2026 include:
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5c
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 6
- 6 iPhone Plus
All these models only support older versions of iOS and They do not reach the iOS 15.1 thresholdIn many cases, users have already seen some features fail or app updates stop appearing in the store.
In the case of Android, the scope is even broader because many different brands and custom interfaces are involved. The common denominator is that these are phones that They do not exceed Android 4.x and cannot be updated to Android 5.0 or 6.0, something essential to remain in the club of compatible devices.
Amongst the Android phones that will lose compatibility with WhatsApp We found examples of several brands with a strong presence in Spain and Europe:
Samsung
- Galaxy S3
- Galaxy S4 Mini
- Galaxy S5
- Galaxy Note 2
- Galaxy Core
- Galaxy Fashion
- Galaxy J2
- Galaxy Ace 4
LG
- Optimus L3
- Optimus L5
- Optimus L7
- Optimus F5
- Optimus L3 II Dual
- L5 Optimus II
- L3 Optimus II
Motorola
- Moto G (first generation)
- Moto E (first generation)
Sony
- X
- X
- Xperia M
Huawei
- Ascend Mate
- Ascend G740
- Ascend D2
HTC
- HTC Desire 500
- Other classic models without recent software support
To all these devices They are united by the same thingThey have lost official manufacturer support, do not receive security patches, and cannot reliably run the latest versions of the messaging app.
Why WhatsApp is abandoning older phones
The decision to cut support, according to the official version, has less to do with selling more phones than with... technical and safety reasonsEach WhatsApp update adds new features, improves encryption, strengthens protection against attacks, and fixes detected bugs.
To apply these improvements, the app needs an operating system with a certain level of processing power and, above all, recent security patchesOlder phones have stopped receiving Android or iOS updates, creating a bottleneck: WhatsApp cannot guarantee that the app will work properly or that user data will be protected.
Furthermore, maintain compatibility with very old platforms It complicates development and hinders innovation.The company's engineers have to invest time in adapting each new feature to systems that are already used by very few users, which ends up taking resources away from improvements that affect the majority.
For this reason, the company periodically reviews which versions of Android and iOS They still have a minimal user base and if they continue to receive support from the manufacturer. Those that fall outside that criterion are marked on the obsolete systems list and cease to be compatible.
The process, in any case, is not usually abrupt: WhatsApp gives advance notice through messages within the application itself, reminding the user that they must update the system or change their mobile phone to continue using the service normally.
How to know if your mobile phone will lose WhatsApp
Before getting a shock in 2026, it's best to check calmly. What version of the operating system does the phone have?The process is simple on both Android and iPhone and can be done in less than a minute.
On a mobile phone Android, the usual steps are:
- open the menu Settings o Configuration.
- Enter the section About of the phone o Device Information.
- Find the data of Android version, where a number will appear (Android 8, Android 10, Android 12, etc.).
From that same menu there is usually a section for Software update This allows you to check if the manufacturer still offers a newer version. If your phone can be updated to at least Android 5.0 or, even better, Android 6.0, you'll save time with WhatsApp.
In a iPhoneThe procedure is just as straightforward:
- OPEN Configuration.
- Tap on General admission.
- Choose the option Information.
- Locate the field Software versionwhere you'll see something like iOS 15.8, iOS 16.7, etc.
If the installed version is lower than 15.1, it's worth going into Settings> General> Software update and check if an update is available. If the iPhone doesn't offer newer versions, it's most likely that will not be able to continue using WhatsApp normally in 2026.
What to do if your mobile phone loses WhatsApp support
If your phone appears on the list of affected models or cannot be updated to the minimum required versions, it's best not to wait until the last minute. Prepare for the transition in advance It reduces the risk of losing important conversations, photos, or documents.
The first step is back up chatsOn Android, this is done from within the app itself: go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup and select Google Drive as the destination. This will save messages, images, videos, and voice notes to the cloud.
On iPhone, backups are done through iCloudThis works as long as the user has available storage space and automatic backups are enabled in WhatsApp settings. This way, when switching devices, simply logging in and restoring the backup will recover all chat history.
If the operating system still allows it, it's also worthwhile. Try one last software updateSome brands have been releasing recent versions even for devices that are several years old, which can extend the lifespan of the phone with WhatsApp a little.
When there is no longer an option to update, the alternative is to acquire a compatible phone (with Android 5.0 or higher, and in practice, Android 6.0 or higher is better, or an iPhone with iOS 15.1 or later). Once the new device is set up, the app is installed, the number is verified, and the backup made on the old phone is restored.
Those who decide not to change their phone can try other messaging applications that still support older systems, although in Europe and Spain Most contacts will continue using WhatsAppThis significantly limits that option. In any case, it's advisable to notify family and friends if you change your number or platform to avoid confusion.
With this new compatibility cut, WhatsApp reinforces its commitment to security and advanced features, but at the cost of excluding a significant number of older mobile phones. For users, the key lies in... Check your system version, make backups, and calmly plan your upgrade to a more modern device. before the app stops working permanently in 2026.
