WhatsApp, one of the world’s most popular messaging platforms, will end support for specific older iPhones starting in 2025. This decision impacts devices that run on iOS versions earlier than 15.1. Here’s everything you need to know, including the affected devices and the reasons behind this move.

Key Points

WhatsApp will drop support for iPhones running iOS 15.1 or earlier.

iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus will lose access to WhatsApp starting May 5, 2025.

Users are advised to upgrade to newer devices or operating systems to continue using WhatsApp.

The decision allows WhatsApp to leverage updated APIs and technologies in newer iOS versions.

Similar changes will affect KaiOS feature phones, including JioPhone models.

Affected users have five months to back up chats and prepare for the transition.

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iPhones Affected by the Update

Starting May 5, 2025, WhatsApp will no longer function on the following iPhones:

iPhone 5s

iPhone 6

iPhone 6 Plus

These devices were once flagship models but are now over a decade old. Their maximum supported iOS version, 12.5.7, does not meet the updated requirement of iOS 15.1.

Why is WhatsApp Dropping Support?

WhatsApp regularly discontinues support for older devices to ensure a seamless user experience and introduce cutting-edge features. Here are the main reasons:

Outdated APIs: iOS 15 and newer include modern APIs and technologies essential for WhatsApp’s new features and performance improvements.

Optimized Development: By dropping older versions, WhatsApp can streamline its codebase, eliminating the need to support deprecated systems.

Minimal Impact: Most users have transitioned to newer devices, so the number of affected individuals is relatively small.

Transition Period

To ease the transition, WhatsApp provides affected users a five-month notice period. During this time, users can:

Back Up Chats: Save your WhatsApp chat history to iCloud to ensure a smooth transfer to a new device.

Upgrade Devices: Switch to an iPhone model that supports iOS 15.1 or later.

Use Chat Transfer Features: WhatsApp allows users to restore chats and media seamlessly on upgraded devices.

KaiOS Devices Also Affected

In addition to iPhones, WhatsApp will end support for devices running KaiOS, including popular feature phones like:

JioPhone

JioPhone 2

WhatsApp has already restricted new user registrations on KaiOS devices and will fully drop support in 2025.

How to Check and Update Your iPhone

If your device supports iOS 15.1 or newer, follow these steps to update your iPhone:

Open Settings.

Go to General > Software Update.

Download and install the latest iOS version available for your device.

This step ensures continued access to WhatsApp and other apps reliant on updated systems.

Conclusion

This move by WhatsApp aligns with its vision to deliver a modern, seamless messaging experience. While it marks the end of an era for older iPhones, users still have several months to upgrade their devices or transition their chat data. Staying updated ensures uninterrupted access to WhatsApp’s features and security enhancements.

For those affected, now is the time to prepare for the change and explore options to stay connected.