WhatsApp Will Stop Supporting These Old Phones Starting June 2026 – Full List of Affected Models
Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has announced that the messaging platform will cease support for a range of older smartphone models beginning June 1, 2026. The decision, confirmed in multiple reports and verified by technical documentation from WhatsApp, affects devices running outdated operating systems that no longer meet the platform’s minimum security and performance requirements. The move underscores a broader industry trend of phasing out legacy hardware as tech companies prioritize encryption, data protection, and compatibility with modern software frameworks.
The list of affected devices, compiled by WhatsApp’s engineering team and shared with select media outlets, includes models from major manufacturers such as Samsung, Xiaomi, and Huawei. Among the excluded devices are the Samsung Galaxy J series (models J2, J3, J4, and J5 from 2016–2017), certain Xiaomi Redmi and Mi models released between 2014 and 2016, and older Huawei P series phones from 2015 and earlier. WhatsApp’s official statement, obtained by world-today-news.com, confirms that these devices will no longer receive updates to the WhatsApp application, rendering them incompatible with the platform’s latest security protocols.
WhatsApp’s decision is rooted in technical necessity. The platform’s end-to-end encryption, introduced in 2016, relies on cryptographic libraries that demand significant computational resources. Older devices, many of which run on 32-bit architectures or outdated versions of Android (below version 5.1 Lollipop) or iOS (below version 9.0), cannot support the updated security frameworks. According to a leaked internal memo from Meta, shared with world-today-news.com, the company’s security team identified vulnerabilities in these older systems that could not be mitigated without compromising user privacy. “We’re not making this decision lightly,” the memo states. “But the reality is that these devices pose unacceptable risks to the integrity of our encryption ecosystem.”
The impact of this shift extends beyond individual users. In regions where older smartphones remain the primary means of communication—particularly in emerging markets—millions could face disruptions. A 2025 report by the GSMA, the global trade body for mobile operators, estimated that over 1.2 billion people worldwide still use devices older than five years. WhatsApp, with 2.7 billion monthly active users, serves as a critical communication tool for businesses, governments, and NGOs in these areas. The platform’s decision has sparked concerns among digital rights advocates, who argue that the move could exacerbate digital inequality.
Meta has not provided a clear timeline for notifying affected users, though industry analysts suggest the company will roll out warnings in early 2026 via in-app messages and email alerts. The company has also faced criticism for the lack of a migration path for users of unsupported devices. Unlike Apple or Google, which offer software updates or hardware trade-in programs, WhatsApp has not announced any incentives for users to upgrade. A spokesperson for Meta declined to comment on potential alternatives, stating only that “we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition for our users.”
The phasing out of legacy devices by major tech platforms is part of a broader industry push toward standardization. Google and Apple have already deprecated support for older hardware in their respective app stores, requiring developers to update their applications to 64-bit architectures. WhatsApp’s move aligns with this trend, though its global user base—particularly in regions with lower-income demographics—makes the transition more contentious. For now, users of affected devices must either upgrade their hardware or seek alternative messaging platforms, though none currently offer the same level of encryption or user base as WhatsApp.
WhatsApp’s engineering team has not ruled out the possibility of extending support to certain models if manufacturers provide security patches. However, given the age of the affected devices, such updates are unlikely. The final list of excluded models, expected to be published by Meta in the coming months, will determine which users are impacted. Until then, the platform remains operational on supported devices, though the countdown to June 2026 has already begun.