WhatsApp will cease supporting iOS 15 and earlier versions of Apple’s operating system for iPhones beginning next year, according to recent reports from a feature tracking source. The discontinuation of support will affect older iPhone models including the iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6, and iPhone 5S. Meanwhile, newer iPhones running the latest iOS version will continue to be compatible with WhatsApp.
WhatsApp Support for Older iPhone Models
The feature tracker WABetaInfo has indicated that WhatsApp is notifying users of iPhones operating on outdated iOS versions about the impending withdrawal of support. Currently, the minimum requirement for the messaging app to function on iPhones is iOS 12, but this will change to iOS 15.1 starting May 5, 2025. This change will notably impact older models such as the iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6, and iPhone 5S, which were released over a decade ago.
The notification issued to users states, “WhatsApp will stop supporting this version of iOS after 5 May 2025. Update to the latest version of iOS to continue using WhatsApp. Please go to Settings > General, then tap Software Update to get the latest iOS version.”
Users have a five-month window to upgrade their devices to the latest available iOS version, currently iOS 18.1, if their devices support it. Alternatively, they may need to opt for a newer device that runs the latest operating system. Following the deadline, users will be unable to access WhatsApp on unsupported devices, even if they attempt to use a previous beta version through the TestFlight program.
Experts suggest that the introduction of new APIs and enhanced technologies in more recent iOS versions may be motivating this decision. Once the support cutoff takes effect, WhatsApp is expected to implement better app optimizations and introduce features that are not feasible on older operating systems.
