WhatsApp to Discontinue Support for These Older iPhone Models

WhatsApp will stop supporting older iPhone units soon. From May 5, 2025, the app will necessitate iOS 15.1 and beyond to work, which means users with iPhones that do not manage to upgrade beyond iOS 12.5.7 need either to upgrade their devices or migrate to newer ones to be able to continuously use WhatsApp. 

Which iPhones will be affected by this? 

According to a report from WAbetainfo, this revision will not affect users of iPhones that can update to the relevant iOS version. Those with recent iPhones models or that have already updated them to run on iOS 15.1 or later versions are not going to be affected.

“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 report said.

Which iPhones are affected 

The report shows that several iPhone models including, among others, the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus will be affected by the change.

These iPhones, when released, were over 10 years ago; therefore, it is likely that there are not many people still using WhatsApp on them. Besides, those who possess any of the newer iPhone models using an iOS version earlier than 15.1 could be able to access the latest iOS version through Settings > General > Software Update.

Why WhatsApp is bringing this change 

WABetainfo explains that WhatsApp's decision to drop support for older iPhones is motivated by the need to take advantage of the latest iOS advancements. Newer iOS versions provide updated APIs and improved technologies that are crucial for WhatsApp to develop and implement new features.

By ending support for older versions, WhatsApp can optimize its app and introduce innovative functionalities that would not work with outdated operating systems.

“Additionally, it's easy to assume that WhatsApp has closely monitored the number of users still running older versions of iOS. Data may indicate that a significantly smaller portion of users relies on these outdated systems. WhatsApp can ensure that it provides a better overall experience to the majority of its users by focusing on newer iOS versions, while minimizing the impact on those who continue to use older devices,” the report added.