WhatsApp to cancel support for outdated iPhone and iOS versions

Beginning in May 2025, WhatsApp will no longer support outdated iPhone devices and iOS versions.

WhatsApp will stop supporting iOS versions below 15.1, which will impact users of the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus, on May 5, 2025. As long as they are running the most recent version of iOS, users with older iPhone models will still be able to use the app.

Updates for iOS Support

In order to guarantee that users of different devices may continue to take use of the features provided by the app, WhatsApp has spent years working to support a broad variety of iOS versions. WhatsApp has been able to reach a large audience thanks to this strategy, which supports a variety of iPhone models and iOS versions within acceptable bounds.

WhatsApp to cancel support for outdated iPhone and iOS versions 

The goal of providing the newest features and enhancements to as many customers as possible drove the decision to keep compatibility with earlier operating systems. However, WhatsApp is currently looking at the prospect of discontinuing support for some earlier iOS versions in order to keep up with the most recent technological advancements and provide better services to all customers.

WhatsApp has notified customers on earlier iOS versions that their devices would no longer be supported in the upcoming year. Even if a user tries to access the app using a previous beta version on TestFlight, this update informs users using iOS versions before than 15.1 that they will no longer be allowed to use it going forward.

WhatsApp is compatible with iOS 12 and later at the moment, but a future upgrade will require iOS 15.1 or later for the program to function correctly. WhatsApp is offering impacted customers a five-month notice period to assist them adjust to this change. This will give them enough time to update their smartphones, if at all feasible, or look into other options if their hardware isn't compatible with the latest iOS versions.

The fact that WhatsApp uses better technology and updated APIs in iOS releases to provide new capabilities is one of the primary causes of this shift. WhatsApp will be able to improve the app and provide new features that aren't achievable with obsolete operating systems by discontinuing support for previous versions.

For instance, APIs that were only available in iOS 15 and later are needed for some of the features and performance boosts seen in more recent iOS versions. Additionally, by stopping support for out-of-date operating systems, WhatsApp may move the software to utilize the newest APIs, removing the requirement in some circumstances to rely on deprecated code for backward compatibility.

Furthermore, it's reasonable to believe that WhatsApp has kept a careful eye on how many users are still using outdated iOS versions. Data could suggest that the number of users who depend on these antiquated technologies is much lower.

By concentrating on more recent iOS versions, WhatsApp can make sure that it offers a better overall experience to the vast majority of its customers while reducing the impact on those who still use older smartphones.

Since iOS 12.5.7 is the most recent version of iOS available for the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus, owners of these devices will be the ones most impacted by this change. Since these handsets were introduced more than a decade ago, it's possible that very few people are still using WhatsApp on them.

Even after the change takes effect, customers with newer iPhone models running an iOS version lower than 15.1 will still be able to update to the most recent release and utilize WhatsApp.

To upgrade your device, NAVIGATE to Settings > General > Software upgrade on your iPhone.

NOTE: that this choice only affects a small percentage of iPhone users; Android users will not be impacted by this upgrade and may continue using WhatsApp as usual.

Starting May 5, 2025, WhatsApp will no longer support versions previous to iOS 15.1. Because WhatsApp Business and the regular WhatsApp app have the same underlying code and system requirements, this change affects both. To continue using the app, you need upgrade your smartphone if you're using an earlier version of iOS or get a compatible iPhone that runs the latest version.