WhatsApp Drops Lollipop: What Owners of Older Phones Need to Know

WhatsApp has discontinued support for Android 5.0 and 5.1, also known as Lollipop. This change took effect on September 8, making smartphones running these outdated versions incompatible with the app. The platform now requires devices to be running Android 6.0 Marshmallow or later. This decision was announced in April, when users received in-app notifications about the impending cutoff.

WhatsApp explained their reasoning on their FAQ page, stating that they periodically drop older operating systems because they may lack necessary security updates or functionality. By dropping Lollipop, WhatsApp can allocate more resources towards developing and securing newer operating systems that support their latest features.

For individuals relying on older or secondhand phones, this update could pose a significant issue, as it may force them into purchasing a new device to continue using WhatsApp. The cutoff does not affect iPhones, which will begin requiring iOS 15.5 or newer beginning November 30. To ensure uninterrupted service, users running Android 5.0 or 5.1 should verify if their device supports a newer build.

If not, they will need to switch to a compatible device before the cutoff date. To do so, they can create a current backup using Google Drive, which requires the same phone number and Google account as the original device.