Time to Upgrade Your Old Device: WhatsApp Drops Support for Certain Apple and Android Phones
Older iPhone and Android devices lose WhatsApp support: Upgrade necessary for continued use.
Effective from June 1, 2025, WhatsApp has stopped supporting several older Apple and Android devices. If you're still hanging onto a pre-2014 iPhone or Android phone and WhatsApp is your preferred messaging app, it might be time for an upgrade.
Initially, WhatsApp was planning to drop support for these devices by May 5, 2025, but Apple granted an extension, allowing users of older iOS devices a bit more time to prepare for the change. According to 9to5Mac, iPhones running on iOS 15.8.4 may still be supported for another year or two before WhatsApp conducts another review.
Here is a list of the devices WhatsApp no longer supports:
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6s
- Galaxy S III
- HTC One X
- Sony Xperia Z
Some reports also suggest that the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and the iPhone SE (1st gen) may be affected, but 9to5Mac asserts that these models, running on iOS 15.8.4, should be supported for another year or two.
On their Help Center, WhatsApp mentioned, "each year we look at which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest users. These devices may not have the latest security updates, or may lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp."
It's High Time for an Upgrade
While this change won't affect users of the latest iPhones and Android phones, many users still cling to older models, especially those who are not tech-savvy. If you're one of them and rely on WhatsApp for communication, now might be the perfect time to upgrade to a newer model.
To help you make the most informed decision, check out our round-ups of the best mobile phone deals in the US and the UK or, if you're an iPhone fan, our round-ups of the best iPhone deals in the US and UK.
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As WhatsApp no longer supports older devices like the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, Galaxy S III, HTC One X, and Sony Xperia Z, it's high time for an upgrade if you're still using these models and rely on WhatsApp for communication. To make an informed decision, you might consider exploring the latest technology gadgets such as smartphones, which offer better security updates and functionality for using WhatsApp and other computing applications.
