From this month WhatsApp will cease to work on an array of older phones, with the changes having taken effect from June 1, impacting devices over a decade old. Enhancements in WhatsApp’s system compatibility means some outdated smartphones will be incapable of supporting the widely-used messaging app, attributed to safety concerns.
The implementation of these changes were scheduled for May but got delayed to June. iPhones that were released before 2015 and are unable to update beyond iOS 15.1 are affected by this change. For Android handsets, the requisite operating system is now Android OS 5.0, which debuted in 2014.
On the brink of these changes, WhatsApp had sent notifications warning users that they need to “update to the latest version of iOS to continue using WhatsApp.” These alerts were sent out to users who are running anything older than iOS 15.1 on their iPhones.
If you have an iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, or iPhone 6 Plus, or any earlier iPhone, your device will not be compatible with iOS 18. This means you will not be able to update your phone and WhatsApp will stop working on the device you use.
Apple deemed the iPhone 6 “obsolete” just over a year ago, ceasing repairs or services for the device and preventing third-party providers from ordering parts.
Android handsets such as the Samsung Galaxy S III, HTC One X, and Sony Xperia Z will also lose access to Meta’s messaging platform.
According to 9to5Mac, on the app’s FAQ page, Meta says the decision to axe support is due to these legacy phones not having the latest security updates or functionality required to run WhatsApp.
Full list of phones that WhatsApp will no longer work on from this month
- iphone 5
- iphone 5s
- iphone 6
- iphone 6 plus
- Samsung Galaxy S III
- HTC One X
- Sony Xperia Z
