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Meta announced that WhatsApp will end support for various Android devices running KitKat OS and earlier versions starting January 1, 2025. The move is part of the company's regular updates to ensure compatibility with new technologies and ensure the security of the app. The Android KitKat functionality, introduced in 2013, has been discontinued as most smartphones now run newer versions of Android. Meta's decision to phase out KitKat support reflects the challenge of maintaining backwards compatibility while advancing the capabilities of modern operating systems. The company said older platforms often lack the features needed to support new updates, introducing security risks and limiting performance. The end of support means WhatsApp will no longer provide updates, bug fixes and security patches to affected devices.

The decision affects several devices, including some models from well-known brands such as Samsung, LG and Sony, which were launched more than a decade ago. To continue accessing WhatsApp services, we recommend upgrading to a device with a newer Android version. Here is a complete list of Android smartphones that will lose access to WhatsApp in a few days.

Samsung: Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Ace 3, Galaxy S4 Mini
Motorola: Moto G (1st Gen), Razr HD, Moto E 2014
HTC: One X, One X+, Desire 500, Desire 601
LG: Optimus G, Nexus 4, G2 Mini, L90
Sony: Xperia Z, Xperia SP, Xperia T, Xperia V

This is not the first time that Meta has stopped supporting older operating systems. The company regularly reviews the minimum requirements for Android and iOS to ensure that the app meets current security standards and features. Similar moves have been made in recent years to phase out older iOS devices and earlier versions of Android. WhatsApp has announced that it will stop supporting older versions of iOS from 2025. As of May 5, devices running iOS versions prior to 15.1 will no longer be able to access the app, including older beta versions of TestFlight. While WhatsApp currently supports iOS 12 and up, future changes will require iOS 15.1 as the minimum version to continue working. To give users time to adapt, WhatsApp is offering a five-month grace period to allow them to upgrade their devices or explore other options if their hardware doesn't support the latest versions of iOS. This update mainly affects users of older iPhones, especially iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, for iOS 12.5.7 only. Released over a decade ago, these models represent a small portion of WhatsApp's user base. For new iPhone users who still have older software installed, updating to iOS 15.1 or later will provide seamless access to WhatsApp.

These changes affect both the standard WhatsApp app and the WhatsApp Business app as both are based on the same system requirements. With this move, WhatsApp aims to improve performance, security and compatibility for users using modern devices.