WhatsApp is preparing to cut support for a range of older iPhones starting in May 2025, including models running iOS 15.1 or earlier. This change will primarily affect users of older devices like the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus, which will no longer be compatible with the messaging app. Although WhatsApp has been supporting iPhones running iOS 12 and above until now, the decision to drop support for earlier versions is tied to security concerns. Apple has ceased providing software updates for these older iOS versions, leaving users with higher exposure to security vulnerabilities without critical security patches.
WhatsApp's recent updates have emphasized strengthening user privacy and security, which could be harder to ensure on older devices that no longer receive regular updates. Features such as enhanced privacy layers that prevent others from copying text, images, or videos from chats and groups, as well as chat lock options and disappearing messages, have been rolled out to improve user protection. The app also introduced the "Silence Unknown Callers" feature, designed to block calls from numbers not saved in the user's contacts, which can reduce spam and scams. Additionally, a new Privacy Checkup tool has been added, providing a step-by-step guide for users to adjust their privacy settings.
As these new features require more advanced hardware, users with aging devices may face limitations in accessing certain capabilities. For example, biometric features like fingerprint or Face ID-based chat locks may not function properly on older iPhones with less processing power. With iOS 15 now being three generations behind the latest iOS updates, WhatsApp users on these devices could face increased challenges in keeping their app functioning smoothly as app requirements evolve.
For those intending to continue using WhatsApp, upgrading to a newer model such as the iPhone 13 or iPhone 14, which supports the latest iOS updates, would be recommended to ensure continued access to the app’s newest features and maintain security. As the tech landscape shifts rapidly, users of older iPhones will need to adapt to avoid disruptions in service.
