Devices stuck on KitKat can no longer download, update, or connect to WhatsApp servers. Why You Can't Install the Latest Version
As of May 4, 2026, the minimum requirement for WhatsApp on Android has increased:
Installing WhatsApp on a device running is no longer officially supported by Meta as of early 2025 . This change was part of a routine update to improve app security and support modern features like Meta AI and advanced encryption.