WhatsApp has an internal "expiration date." If your app version is too old, it will prompt you to update, but since the Play Store won't offer a compatible version for 4.4.4, you'll be stuck in a loop. Options for Android 4.4.4 Users
While sites like APKPure host a massive archive of older versions, installing an old "compatible" APK on Android 4.4.4 generally will not work for the following reasons: whatsapp apkpure android 4.4.4
As of early 2026, the minimum required operating system for WhatsApp is Android 5.0 (Lollipop) . WhatsApp has an internal "expiration date