KakaoTalk No Longer Available on Galaxy S7 and Earlier Models as Minimum Supported Version Is Raised

Support for Android 8 and Below Ends from April 13

Some Users Say "KakaoTalk Not Working" vs Kakao Cites "Security Reasons"

KakaoTalk has raised the minimum supported version of its Android app, resulting in service discontinuation for users with outdated smartphones. Kakao raises the minimum supported version every year to ensure security and service stability.

According to the IT industry on April 14, complaints have been raised among user online communities and customers that "KakaoTalk suddenly does not work on old smartphones."

Notice Regarding the Minimum Supported Version of KakaoTalk. KakaoTalk App Screenshot

One user wrote, "I've been using an old phone, and today, after seeing a KakaoTalk update notification, the app suddenly stopped working. When I tap update, it only shows 'Open' instead of actually updating." This user mentioned that they are using Samsung's Galaxy S7, released in 2016.

This issue, where KakaoTalk cannot be launched on older devices, appears to be due to device obsolescence, which makes it impossible to install the latest version of KakaoTalk. Previously, on March 10, Kakao announced in a notice that the minimum supported version of KakaoTalk for Android would be changed to v11.0.0. As a result, users with an app version lower than v11.0.0 have not been able to use KakaoTalk since April 13.

KakaoTalk version 11.0.0 operates on smartphones running Android OS 9 (Pie) or higher. Smartphones with earlier versions, including the previous Android 8 (Oreo), can no longer use KakaoTalk. For reference, based on Samsung's Galaxy S series, devices released before the Galaxy S7 are now unable to run KakaoTalk, as OS update support for the Galaxy S7 stopped at Android 8.

Kakao explained that users who continue to use versions below v11.0.0 after the effective date are excluded from support and cannot use KakaoTalk. In its notice, Kakao stated, "We are providing advance notice with sufficient lead time to avoid sudden service interruptions or inconvenience, so please update within the specified period."

This discontinuation of service for older versions by Kakao is to ensure security and service stability. Older smartphone models, which have stopped receiving OS support including security updates, are vulnerable to threats such as hacking. There are also many cases where app usage is not smooth due to performance issues.

A Kakao representative said, "Through last month's notice and multiple individual notifications to users, we provided information about the minimum supported version," adding that "for the stability and safety of KakaoTalk service, we regularly raise the minimum supported version every year."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.