There’s bad news for users with older iPhone models. WhatsApp, owned by Meta, will stop supporting the app for certain iPhone users starting next year.
The company will no longer support iOS versions older than 15.1. This could be troubling for many users with older iPhones. Here’s a look at which iPhone models will no longer support WhatsApp.
The report states that starting next year, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus users will no longer be able to use WhatsApp.
Additionally, new iPhone users will need to update to the latest available iOS version to continue using WhatsApp.
WhatsApp will not support iOS 15.1
A report by WABetaInfo states that WhatsApp will stop supporting iOS versions earlier than 15.1 starting May 5, 2025.
This change will affect both the WhatsApp app and WhatsApp Business, as they share the same code and system requirements.
Users with older iOS versions are urged to update their devices or switch to a compatible iPhone to keep using the app.
iPhones with older iOS
The last iOS update for the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus models is iOS 12.5.7.
Since these devices were released over 10 years ago, the number of users still running WhatsApp on them is likely very low.
To prevent any issues, WhatsApp is giving users a 5-month notice period. This will allow enough time for users to update their iPhones. If they have an older model, they may need to explore other options.
Reason for Discontinuing Support
The report states that one of the main reasons for this change is that the latest iOS version includes updated APIs and improved technologies, which WhatsApp needs to provide new features.
By discontinuing support for the old version, WhatsApp will be able to optimize the app and introduce new features, which isn’t possible with the older operating system.
It’s important to note that this decision will only impact some iPhone users, while Android users will not be affected by this update.
