iPhone users operating older iOS software receive notifications from WhatsApp at the end of last year and will notify you that they will no longer be able to run the app on their devices any time.
Currently, you can use the instant messaging app on your iPhone using iOPONE on iOS 12 or below.
However, as of May 2025, according to Wabetainfo, iOS 15.1 or higher is required to continue using WhatsApp.
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An expert on WhatsApp explains: “One of the main reasons for this change is that new versions of iOS include updated APIs and improved technologies that WhatsApp relies on to provide new features.
“By not supporting older versions, WhatsApp can optimize apps and introduce new features that are not possible with outdated operating systems.”
iPhones that can no longer access WhatsApp
The following iPhones affected by this change have not been able to access WhatsApp since May:
iPhone 5S iPhone 6 iPhone 6 Plus
Since iOS 12.5.7 is the last supported release of these models, these iOPONEs cannot be updated to iOS 15.1. This is the minimum requirement to access WhatsApp from next year.
When will WhatsApp stop working on these iPhone devices?
WhatsApp has provided iPhone users with a five-month notification period, allowing time to update their devices.
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However, this notification period will end next month (May 2025).
From May 5th, anyone with an iPhone with software older than iOS 15.1 will not be able to access WhatsApp.
This applies to both the standard and business versions of WhatsApp.
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