Summary: WhatsApp has started blocking logins on phones running outdated versions of Android or iOS. Users trying to log in on an unsupported software will see a screen asking them to update their device first. The change is rolling out as a server-side update and cannot be skipped.
WhatsApp currently supports Android 6.0 or iOS 15.1 and newer, but the messaging app has started enforcing a new security rule for those running older software. The app will now stop users from logging in altogether. There is no way around it and users will have to update their phone’s software before WhatsApp will lets them back in.
WhatsApp to Put Hard Restrictions for Unsupported Devices
According to the latest report by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is rolling out a server-side change that checks the operating system version on your phone when anyone tries to log in. If the OS is too old, a new screen appears similar to the one shown below, explaining that one needs to update their device software to use the app.
The screen also tells users how to check their current version if they are not sure. The important thing here is that it cannot be skipped or dismissed. WhatsApp won’t let anyone past the screen until the update is done. It also does not matter which version of the WhatsApp app is installed as the check is tied to the phone’s OS, not the app itself.
So why is WhatsApp doing this? The reasoning is fairly simple. Even though WhatsApp uses end-to-end encrypted, that encryption only kicks in once the message leaves the phone. If the phone’s software has known security holes, an attacker could potentially access user data before it ever gets encrypted.
With that said, WhatsApp is yet to share which Android or iOS versions will trigger this screen. But it is likely to show up on devices running older versions than Android 6.0 or iOS 15.1. So readers are requested to update their devices as to be not locked out of their WhatsApp account.
