WhatsApp Drops Support for Older Android Devices and Develops Zoom-Like Guest Calls

WhatsApp has officially ended support for older Android operating systems, specifically Android 5.0 and Android 5.1, making Android 6.0 the new minimum requirement. This change affects both the standard WhatsApp application and WhatsApp Business.

WhatsApp initially announced this transition in April, setting the deadline for September 8, 2026. Users on affected devices had received in-app notifications over several months, advising them to update their operating systems or transition to newer hardware.

Impact on Legacy Devices

Devices unable to upgrade beyond Android 5.0 or 5.1 are no longer compatible with the application. This change primarily impacts older smartphones that have ceased receiving software updates from manufacturers. Such legacy devices remain widely used in regions including India, Brazil, Pakistan, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa.

Users currently running Android 5.0 or 5.1 can check their device settings to see if an update to Android 6.0 or higher is available. If no update is supported, continuing to use WhatsApp will require upgrading to a newer device. Users on Android 6.0 or later are unaffected and can continue using the application normally.

For those locked out of the app, chat history may still be recoverable from the last backup saved to internal storage. Alternatively, users can back up their data to Google Drive or local storage before setting up WhatsApp on a new device using the same phone number.

Web-Based Guest Calls in Development

In a parallel development, WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to join calls via a secure web link without needing a WhatsApp account. Guests will be able to open a secure link in their browser, bypassing the need to install the app or register. The host must manually approve each guest before they can enter the call, positioning the feature as a direct competitor to video conferencing platforms like Zoom.

This feature builds on guest chat capabilities already introduced for non-account holders. In guest chats, a unique session identifier is generated via WhatsApp Web, creating an encryption key that secures the communication with end-to-end encryption.

Currently, WhatsApp call links require all participants to have the app installed and an active account. This has historically presented a barrier for users in regions like the United States, where WhatsApp adoption is lower, or for individuals reluctant to share their personal phone numbers. Under the upcoming system, hosts will generate a link from the calls tab, select the call type, and share the link. Recipients can then join directly from their browser as guests.

Security and Moderation Controls

Manual host approval will be a mandatory security setting that cannot be disabled. Because WhatsApp cannot verify the identity of anonymous link-holders, the host must manually approve or reject each join request. During the call, the host retains full administrative control, including the ability to remove guests, block them from rejoining, or end the call for all participants.

There is a distinct operational difference between guest chats and guest calls:

• Guest Chats: Remain active for up to 10 days of inactivity, allowing participants to read and reply asynchronously.

• Guest Calls: Occur strictly in real-time and terminate completely once the session ends.

This guest calling feature is currently under development for a future software release and is not yet available to beta testers.