WhatsApp has just revealed that it is to drop support for three iPhone models in 2025, so if you’re using one of the models, you’ll need to get a new phone to continue using the app. Here’s everything you need to know.
WhatsApp Update: Which iPhones Are Affected?
There are three iPhones which are affected: iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s. The iPhone 5s went on sale in 2013, the other two in 2014. In other words, they are all ten years old or older. These iPhones can’t be upgraded to operating software that WhatsApp will soon require.
Is anyone still using these handsets? It’s a good question, but the iPhone 6 was one of the most successful iPhones, selling more than 220 million units, making it perhaps the third-biggest seller ever.
WhatsApp Update: What’s Happening?
WhatsApp has recently informed users who are running older versions of iOS that they will need to update their devices, according to WABetaInfo.
The report says, “Currently, WhatsApp supports iOS 12 and later, but with a future update, the app will require iOS 15.1 or newer to work properly. To help affected users adapt to this change, WhatsApp is providing a five-month notice period, giving them ample time to update their devices if possible or consider alternatives if their hardware does not support newer iOS versions.”
The iPhone 7 is compatible with iOS 15.1, so all iPhones from then onwards will still be able to use WhatsApp.
As to why it’s happening, WABetaInfo puts it like this: “One of the main reasons for this change is that newer versions of iOS include updated APIs and improved technologies that WhatsApp relies on to deliver new features. By not supporting older versions, WhatsApp will be able to optimize the app and introduce new features that simply wouldn’t be possible with outdated operating systems.”
WhatsApp Update: When Does The Change Happen?
WhatsApp says it’s introducing the change on May 5, 2025, and from then it will no longer support software earlier than iOS 15.1.
As MacRumors points out, “Users who intend to upgrade can back up their WhatsApp chats to iCloud, and restore their full chat and media history to a newer, supported device using using WhatsApp’s Chat Transfer feature. Instructions on how to do so are outlined in WhatsApp’s Help Center.”
