There are two primary ways to install the app on your Marshmallow device: the (recommended) or a direct APK download . 1. Using the Google Play Store (Safest)
However, a major update is approaching. Starting , WhatsApp will officially drop support for versions older than Android 6.0 (specifically Android 5.0 and 5.1). This makes Android 6.0.1 the new "baseline" for using the app on legacy hardware. Official Requirements for WhatsApp (May 2026) download whatsapp for android 6.0.1
: Approximately 132 MB for the APK file, plus additional space for chats and media. There are two primary ways to install the