iPhone lovers beware, you may not have access to WhatsApp for much longer as it will no longer work on these phones
If your iPhone is on the older side, you might want to check this… Messaging giant WhatsApp has officially dropped support for several older Apple devices, meaning some users will no longer be able to send messages, make calls or access chats from today.
Which iPhones are affected?
The update impacts iPhones that can’t run the minimum required software (iOS 15.1 or later). That means the following models will now unsupported:
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5c
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
These devices can’t be updated to newer iOS versions, which makes them incompatible with the latest version of WhatsApp.
Why is this happening?
Like most major apps, WhatsApp regularly updates its system requirements to keep things secure and running smoothly. Older operating systems simply can’t support newer features, encryption updates, or performance improvements.
WhatsApp now requires iPhones to run at least iOS 15.1 — anything below that is officially out.
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What happens if you’re affected?
If you’re still using one of the devices listed above:
- The app will stop opening or functioning properly
- You won’t be able to send or receive messages
- Updates and security patches will no longer be available
What should you do?
If your phone is on the list, your options are pretty limited:
- Update your iOS (if your device allows it)
- Back up your chats to avoid losing conversations
- Upgrade your device to continue using WhatsApp
This isn’t unusual. WhatsApp — owned by Meta Platforms — regularly phases out older devices as part of its update cycle. It’s all about keeping the platform secure and compatible with newer tech.
Still, if you’ve been holding onto an older iPhone, this might be the push you didn’t ask for… but probably needed.
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