WhatsApp to End Support for Older iPhones in May 2025

The popular messaging app will no longer work on iPhone models that cannot run iOS 15.1 or later, affecting devices over a decade old.

WhatsApp has announced it will stop supporting iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus starting May 5, 2025, as these models cannot be updated to iOS 15.1 or newer.
The change also impacts first-generation iPad Air, iPad mini 2, and iPad mini 3, which will lose compatibility with the app on the same date.
Users are advised to back up their chats to iCloud to ensure easy data transfer to a newer device if they choose to upgrade.
WhatsApp cites the need to support newer iOS versions with improved APIs and technologies as the reason for ending support for older devices.
Only a small percentage of iPhone users are affected, as the majority of devices now run iOS 16 or later according to Apple statistics.