Starting April 1, 2025, a number of mobile phones will no longer be compatible with WhatsApp.This measure, adopted by the Meta-owned company, responds to the need to maintain greater security and ensure the application functions correctly on the latest devices.
The decision will affect older models that no longer support the minimum features required to run the app. Specifically, these are phones running versions prior to Android 5.0 Lollipop or iOS 12.0, which includes many devices released more than a decade ago. Users of these terminals should be attentive to the warnings of the application itself., as WhatsApp will begin displaying warning notifications to remind you of the need to update your operating system or, failing that, consider changing your device.
Reasons behind the loss of compatibility
Meta has reported that this measure is not due to a deliberate block, but rather to the technical limitations of certain older devices.These not only lack the necessary hardware, but also fall short of the security standards required to support current and future WhatsApp features.
Each year, the company reviews the user base and technical support of the different models, gradually removing access to those considered obsolete. This allows us to optimize development resources and focus on improving the experience for those using updated versions of the system.
In addition to security issues, many of the app's new features —such as AI-based tools—demand processing power that older devices cannot provide.
List of phones that will lose support in April 2025
Below are the phone models that will no longer be able to open, install, or update WhatsApp starting in April:
- Apple : iPhone 5, iPhone 5c.
- Samsung: Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Ace 3, Galaxy S4 Mini.
- LG: Optimus G, Nexus 4, G2 Mini, L90, G3 and earlier.
- Motorola: Moto G (2014st generation), Moto E XNUMX, Razr HD.
- HTC: One X, One X+, Desire 500, Desire 601.
- Sony: Xperia Z, Xperia SP, Xperia T, Xperia V.
- Xiaomi: Redmi 1, Redmi 1 W China, Redmi Note 3G, Redmi Note 1 TD China, Mi Note LTE, Mi 2A, Redmi 2 LTE.
- Huawei: Ascend Mate 2 and other models with Android 4.4 or lower.
This time, in addition to the aforementioned models, all devices with operating systems lower than Android 5.0 or iOS 12 are excluded, even if they don't appear individually on the lists. If you want more information about WhatsApp's new features, you can explore how to use them. use artificial intelligence in WhatsApp.
How to know if your device is at risk
To check if your phone is still compatible with WhatsApp, you can check the operating system version by following these steps:
On Android:
- Go to "Settings".
- Select “About phone”.
- Go to “Software Information”.
- Look for the “Android Version” section.
An iPhone:
- Open the “Settings” app.
- Go to “General”.
- Click on “Information”.
- Check the version number of iOS installed.
If your system does not meet the minimum requirements, it will be necessary to consider options such as update the software or change the model.
What to do if your phone is no longer compatible
If you can't continue using WhatsApp on an older device, users have several options:
- Update the phone's operating system, if the brand still offers official support.
- Upgrade your device to a newer one that meets the minimum requirements of WhatsApp.
- Use WhatsApp Web temporarily, if mobile connection is still possible.
- Make a backup of all messages, photos, videos and documents before the app stops working.
In some cases, alternatives like Telegram or Signal can also be used, although not all services support older versions of Android or iOS.
WhatsApp will continue to update its requirements
This won't be the last time Meta updates the list of supported devices.In fact, it has already been confirmed that starting May 5, 2025, the minimum iOS version will be 15.1, although this change will not affect current devices, such as the iPhone 6S and later.
The company regularly reviews which operating system versions to keep active, based on how many users are still using them and whether minimum security and performance standards can still be guaranteed.
Therefore, from time to time it is likely that new models will be added to the list of incompatibilities., especially if they are no longer receiving official maintenance from the manufacturers.
With all this, Meta's decision is part of a natural process of technological evolution, where maintaining universal compatibility is becoming increasingly difficult. Ensuring you have an up-to-date device is key to ensuring you don't lose access to basic features like instant messaging.
