WhatsApp will stop supporting Android devices running versions 5.0 and 5.1 from September 8, 2026, Meta has announced.
The company has advised users with older smartphones typically 10 to 11 years old to upgrade their devices if they wish to continue using the app.
According to Meta, many of WhatsApp’s newer features, including AI-based tools and improved privacy options, are built for modern operating systems. As a result, support for outdated Android versions is being phased out, while devices running Android 6.0 or newer will remain compatible.
Users with older phones are also encouraged to back up and transfer their WhatsApp data to a newer device before the deadline. Otherwise, they risk losing all chat history and media stored on the app.
Meta says the decision is intended to enhance security, strengthen privacy protections, and ensure better overall performance for users.
In a separate development, WhatsApp introduced a new shortcut feature for its users that allows them to create and copy stickers from images, currently it is not fully functional for all users.
However, the Meta-owned messaging and video calling platform said that the feature would be available to majority of users over the coming days.
WhatsApp introduced a One-tap-photo-to-sticker feature making sticker creation faster. The platform gives two options one opens to sticker editor, where users create stickers by choosing from different options.
The second option is faster as WhatsApp picks the best sticker version from the options, and performs the same action already available through the overflow menu.
After this selection, WhatsApp presents a bottom sheet that offers users to add stickers to their favourites to find them instantly later, or include them in a sticker pack.
Further, users can also edit it by opening the sticker editor, or send it directly in the current chat, particularly making the process interesting because it allows users to quickly generate a sticker using the most appropriate default variation, excluding the manual selection.
Resultantly, the process of photo to sticker becomes more efficient for the users.
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