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Meta confirmed that WhatsApp will stop working on devices with Android 5.0 and 5.1 starting September 8, 2026. The list of affected phones includes popular models from Samsung, LG, Motorola, Sony, Huawei, and HTC that cannot be updated to Android 6.0, the new minimum requirement for the app. Devices are already receiving the notice, but many users in Brazil have not yet realized that their devices will be cut off.
The WhatsApp will stop working on a large list of phones in Brazil and the date is already set: September 8, 2026. Meta, the owner of the app, confirmed the termination of the messaging service on devices running Android 5.0 and 5.1, both in the personal and Business versions. The cut affects models from brands like Samsung, LG, Motorola, Sony, Huawei, and HTC that were sold in millions in Brazil and that many users still use daily.
The problem is that a large part of the owners of these devices does not know they are on the list. Meta has already started sending notices within WhatsApp itself, alerting about the discontinuation, and the platform’s support page has updated the date of termination. But those who do not use the app frequently or do not pay attention to notifications may be surprised in September when WhatsApp simply stops opening. The minimum prerequisite becomes Android 6.0, and devices that cannot be updated to this version will lose access to the most used messaging service in the country.
The complete list of phones that will lose WhatsApp
According to information released by the NSC portal, the survey of affected devices was made based on the factory settings of smartphones whose update to Android 6.0 is no longer possible. Samsung leads the list with models that were extremely popular in Brazil: Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S4 Mini, Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Core, Galaxy Trend, and Galaxy J2. These devices sold millions of units and many are still in use, especially in low-income families who do not change their phones frequently.
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LG, which has already closed its smartphone division, has in the list the models Optimus L3, L5, L7, F5, L3 II Dual, and L5 II. Motorola appears with the Moto G and Moto E of the first generation, two of the best-selling phones in history in Brazil. Sony contributes with Xperia Z2 and Z3, Huawei with Ascend Mate, Ascend G740, and Ascend D2, and HTC with models from the line prior to Android 6. The extent of the list shows that the cut does not only affect obscure devices but phones that defined a generation of Brazilian users.
Why WhatsApp is cutting these devices
The explanation from Meta is technical: the new functionalities of WhatsApp require more advanced software requirements that Android 5.0 and 5.1 cannot offer. Features like enhanced encryption, group video calls, heavy file sharing, and integration with artificial intelligence demand processing and code libraries that simply do not exist in such old versions of the operating system.
The company considers the process natural and performs it periodically. Every two or three years, WhatsApp raises the minimum operating system requirement to ensure that the app works stably and securely on all supported devices. For Meta, maintaining compatibility with very old versions of Android consumes development resources that could be directed to improvements for the majority of users who already have more recent devices.
How to know if your phone is on the list
The simplest way to check is to verify the Android version installed on the device. Simply go to Settings, then “About phone” or “About device”, and look for the “Android Version” information. If the number is 5.0 or 5.1, the phone will lose WhatsApp in September. If it’s 6.0 or higher, the app will continue to function normally.
Another way to check is to see if WhatsApp itself has already displayed the discontinuation notice. Meta is sending in-app notifications to affected devices, informing them of the termination date and advising the user to back up conversations before the cutoff. If the notice hasn’t appeared yet, but the Android version is 5.0 or 5.1, the recommendation is not to wait and take action proactively.
What to do before losing access to WhatsApp
For those on the list, the first step is to back up conversations. WhatsApp allows you to save your message history to Google Drive, ensuring that photos, videos, and texts are not lost when the app stops working. The process is done in Settings, then “Chats” and “Chat backup”, selecting the Google account for storage.
The second decision is about the phone itself. If the device cannot be updated to Android 6.0, the only alternative to continue using WhatsApp is to switch devices. Smartphones with Android 6.0 or higher can be found on the used market for affordable prices, and new basic models with an updated operating system start from R$ 500. For users who depend on WhatsApp for work, family communication, and access to services, switching may be inevitable.
The impact in Brazil, where WhatsApp is more than an app
Brazil is one of the largest WhatsApp markets in the world, and the app goes far beyond exchanging messages: it’s a work tool for freelancers, a customer service channel for companies, a means of communication with public services, and, for many Brazilians, the only form of internet access they use daily. Losing WhatsApp means, for part of the population, losing the main channel of communication with the world.
The September cutoff disproportionately affects low-income users who keep old devices due to inability to replace them. Families who bought a Galaxy J2 or a first-generation Moto G and never had a reason to replace it will discover in a few months that their phone, which still works for calls and basic browsing, has lost the ability to run the most essential app in daily Brazilian life.
Have you checked if your phone is on the list or do you know anyone who still uses one of the devices that will lose WhatsApp? Tell us in the comments what model you have and if you think it’s fair for Meta to cut support for phones that still work perfectly for other functions.
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