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WhatsApp has pulled support for several older iPhone models, stopping them from sending or receiving messages in the popular chat app.
Starting today (June 1), WhatsApp will require your device to run iOS 15.1 or newer to access its service. With a mind-boggling 2.5 billion users worldwide, even small tweaks, like this latest spring clean of supported devices, can impact a vast number of people who rely on the messaging platform.
Until now, WhatsApp has worked on any iPhone capable of running iOS 12 and newer. By changing the threshold to iOS 15.1, the Meta-owned messenger will cut-off three ageing iPhone handsets:
- iPhone 5S
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
The original deadline for this shake-up was May 5, but WhatsApp delayed the shake-up until June 1 to allow people more time to prepare.
iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and the first-generation iPhone SE are now the oldest devices from Apple to support WhatsApp. These three handsets all support up to iOS 15.8.4. However, it's not unreasonable to think these will be dropped in the next shake-up planned by WhatsApp. That said, these should be good for another year or two at least.
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The latest change will also impact WhatsApp Business, which is an offshoot with many of the same features designed specifically for small businesses to use the familiar chat app to communicate with customers.
iPhone 5s, which superseded the iPhone 5 in the lineup in the Apple Store, first launched back in September 2013. Discussing the decision to pull support for these ageing handsets, WhatsApp updated its FAQ with the following notice: "Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates.Every year we look at which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest users.
"These devices also might not have the latest security updates, or might lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp."
"Before we stop supporting your operating system, you'll be notified in WhatsApp and reminded a few times to upgrade " the Meta-owned platform explains. "We’ll update this page regularly to ensure that the latest operating systems that we support are listed. "Starting May 5, 2025, only iOS versions 15.1 and newer will be supported."
The iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus have already been branded "obsolete" by Apple. The Californian company explains: "Products are considered obsolete when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 7 years ago. Apple discontinues all hardware service for obsolete products, and service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products."
A customer shows the new products of Apple, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, at an Apple Store in Madrid at the launch of the new devices — with the biggest-ever screen size of any iPhone — in September 2014
GETTY IMAGES
If you have one of these decade-old smartphones in your pocket, you haven't been able to order replacement parts — like the camera models, lithium-ion battery cell, screen, or anything else that's broken — for some time. As such, the decision from WhatsApp to drop support shouldn't be a surprise.
However, those who with hand-me-down iPhone models, like younger or older family members, could now be cut-off from a myriad of messages and group chats on WhatsApp.
WhatsApp users who want to continue using the chat app after May 5 will need to upgrade to a newer iPhone. The iPhone 8 and iPhone X are now the oldest handsets that support WhatsApp.
However, both of these devices stopped receiving software updates from Apple with the launch of iOS 16 in September 2022, so we can summise that these will be the next candidates dropped by WhatsApp.
While this change will affect only a small proportion of WhatsApp's billions of users globally, it will disappoint those who have remained loyal to these classic devices.
The iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus were popular models in their time, with many users still finding them perfectly adequate for basic tasks.
However, as technology advances, older hardware inevitably falls behind. WhatsApp has started to send out notifications to affected users, warning them to update their iOS version to continue using the service.
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If you're looking for a brand-new iPhone, Apple launched a new iPhone 16 model earlier this year.
Dubbed iPhone 16e, it was created to offer a more affordable entry into Apple’s 2025 lineup without skimping on essentials. It shares the speedy A18 system-on-a-chip, Action Button, and new Capture Button with pricier models, alongside the Apple Intelligence features only available on the latest hardware.
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To keep costs down, Apple dropped the ProMotion 120Hz display, stainless steel frame, and advanced camera zoom tech. It sticks with a simpler dual-camera system, an aluminium body, and slightly thicker bezels. Face ID remains, but there's no Always-On Display or satellite connectivity upgrades.
It's perfect for users who want fresh Apple tech without the Pro-level price tag. Although, it's worth keeping an eye out for savings on the iPhone 16 lineup, which launched back in September 2024. Amazon has slashed £100 off the iPhone 16 in its latest sale — making it just £100 more expensive than the affordable new iPhone 16e and the same price as the older iPhone 15 in your nearest Apple Store.
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