CALIFORNIA (Kashmir English): Meta-owned WhatsApp will soon stop working on three older iPhones from May 5.
The popular messaging app will only work on phones that can run iOS 15.1 or newer after May 5, meaning thereby some Apple phones will no longer be supported.
The three affected iPhones
iPhone 5S
iPhone 6
iPhone 6 Plus
All of these phones can only update to iOS 12.5.7, which is now quite old for the latest version of WhatsApp.
The change is likely to affect some of WhatsApp’s two billion users around the globe.
However, the messaging platform has said that it regularly updates its supported devices to keep the app safe and working well.
Older iPhones may not have the latest security updates or features needed to run the app.
This isn’t the first time the messaging platform has removed support for old phones. The app already stopped working on the original iPhone and several early models released between 2007 and 2013.
The decision means if someone still using one of these older iPhones and want to keep using WhatsApp, he may need to switch to a newer device.
Android users met the same fate in December last year when the meta-owned WhatsApp announced that it would no longer work on a range of smart smartphones starting January 1, 2025.
The decision aligns with WhatsApp efforts to adapt to the latest technological advancements and offer better services to its users globally, including in Pakistan.
Devices running outdated operating systems that are no longer eligible for updates will no longer support the app.
As a result, these older Android phones will no longer be able to install future WhatsApp updates, preventing users from continuing to use the app.
List of phones that will stop supporting WhatsApp in 2025
Samsung
Galaxy S3
Galaxy Note 2
Galaxy Ace 3
Galaxy S4 Mini
Motorola:
Moto G (1st Gen)
Razr HD
Moto E 2014
HTC
One X
One X+
Desire 500
Desire 601
LG
Optimus G
Nexus 4
G2 Mini
L90
Sony
Xperia Z
Xperia SP
Xperia T
Xperia V
iPhone
iPhone 5s
iPhone 6
iPhone 6 Plus
WABetaInfo reported that WhatsApp will cease support for iOS versions before 15.1 effective May 5, 2025. At present, the application is compatible with devices operating on iOS 12 and later.
However, following this update, users will need to have at least iOS 15.1 to continue using the app.
Those with iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus, which can only be updated to iOS 12.5.7, will find themselves unable to access WhatsApp after the specified date.
