WhatsApp for Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016)

WhatsApp is tied to your phone number, not the device, so install WhatsApp on the new phone, enter the same number, and confirm the SMS or call verification code to reclaim the account. To restore messages you need the Google Drive backup the old A7 made under WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat backup; if you can still power the cracked A7 on, run a manual backup first, otherwise only chats from the last automatic backup will return. If the phone still boots but the screen is unusable, you can also copy the local backup from a PC — look in Internal storage/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases (older builds use Internal storage/WhatsApp/Databases) and place it on the new phone before reinstalling. See how others solved this on Reddit

This usually means either WhatsApp dropped support for the old Android version on the 2016 A7, or your account was blocked for a terms-of-service reason. First open the Play Store and update WhatsApp; if the store says your Android version is too old, that build can no longer be updated and you'll need a newer phone. If the app is current but you're blocked, tap 'Request a review' on the block screen inside the app to appeal — bans for using unofficial mods like GB WhatsApp are common and require switching back to the official app from the Play Store before you can return. See how others solved this on Reddit

Free up space first, since the A7's storage chokes when nearly full: go to Settings > Device care > Storage and clear cached files, then open WhatsApp > Settings > Storage and data > Manage storage to delete large forwarded videos and photos. Disable or uninstall apps you don't use under Settings > Apps, and turn off media auto-download in WhatsApp > Settings > Storage and data so chats stop filling the phone. As a last resort, a factory reset (Settings > General management > Reset) after backing up your WhatsApp chats to Google Drive often restores noticeable speed on these older models. See how others solved this on Reddit

The A7 (2016) takes a microSD card, so insert one and route your camera and downloads to it to relieve internal space. WhatsApp won't relocate its core data to the SD card, but you can keep media off the phone by turning off auto-download (WhatsApp > Settings > Storage and data) and periodically clearing chat media under Manage storage. Neither stock Android nor custom ROMs like LineageOS let you merge the SD card into internal storage on this device, so the practical fix is housekeeping plus moving photos and music to the card. See how others solved this on Reddit

If WhatsApp still updates from the Play Store and the phone runs without constant crashes, the A7 is fine for messaging — but once WhatsApp's minimum Android requirement passes your version, the app stops working and replacement becomes unavoidable. Before deciding, back up your chats to Google Drive (WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat backup) so your history transfers cleanly to any newer Android phone. Battery wear and storage limits are the usual breaking points on these models, so a cheap modern budget phone will run WhatsApp far more reliably. See how others solved this on Reddit

That's Google Factory Reset Protection or a Family Link parental lock tied to the previous owner's account, and WhatsApp can't be set up until it's cleared. The only legitimate fix is having the seller sign in to remove their Google account, or release the device from Family Link, then factory reset via Settings > General management > Reset. Without the original owner's credentials Google won't unlock it, so don't pay for any tool claiming an instant bypass — confirm the phone is clean before relying on it for WhatsApp. See how others solved this on Reddit