Meta-owned WhatsApp will not support older iPhone models from the next year. According to a report by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp will stop working on iOS 15.1 model from 5th May 2025.
This update will affect both WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business apps because the code and system requirements of both these apps are the same. If you have an old iPhone, you will either have to update your device or update your iPhone or you will have to switch to a WhatsApp compatible iPhone.
This means that iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users will not be able to use WhatsApp as the company is will stop supporting iOS 15.1 and older versions for these models.
Which iPhone models are affected?
The users of iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be affected by the discontinuation of WhatsApp support. The last iOS update on these iPhone models was iOS 12.5.7.
These models were launched 10 years ago and now WhatsApp will no longer support them. WhatsApp is taking this step because new versions of iOS include new APIs and better technologies, which WhatsApp uses to provide new features in its app.
These features do not run on older iOS versions due to which WhatsApp will not support older iOS versions in order to optimize its app and introduce new features.
Users affected by this update of WhatsApp will be provided with a notice of 5 months so that they can update their devices. This will give users enough time to update their devices.
However, this update is only applicable to iPhones and no android users will get affected. WhatsApp will continue to support android smartphones, as android has different technical and system requirements.