WhatsApp to Drop Support for Older iPhone Models in 2025
Starting May 5, 2025, WhatsApp will no longer be supported on iPhone models running older versions of iOS.
According to the messaging app’s official Help Center, only iOS 15.1 and newer versions will be compatible
with WhatsApp after that date.
Currently, WhatsApp is supported on iPhones running iOS 12 or later. While this gives users
five months to update their devices, it’s unclear how many iPhone users will be affected by the change.
The information was confirmed by the popular WhatsApp fan site WABetaInfo. While testing a beta version of WhatsApp, testers encountered a notification informing them that their version of iOS would no longer be supported.
This update follows a pattern of WhatsApp sporadically updating its compatibility requirements on its website, similar to a previous update where the cut-off point was iOS 12.1.
The Latest iOS Versions
For comparison, Apple’s iPhone operating system is currently iOS 18, with iOS 18.1 featuring the Apple Intelligence update and iOS 18.2 expected to include notifications providing estimated charging times. iOS 15, which will stop being supported by WhatsApp in 2025, was launched in 2021. That means the operating system will be nearly four years old when WhatsApp drops support. iOS 12, which will reach the end of its compatibility lifespan even sooner,
launched in 2018.
What are the options for iPhone users whose devices will no longer support WhatsApp?
## WhatsApp to Drop Support for Older iPhone Models: An Expert Interview
**News Anchor**: Welcome back. WhatsApp has made an announcement that’s sure to affect many iPhone users – By mid-2025, the app will no longer be supported on phones running operating systems older than iOS 15.1. Joining us today to discuss the implications of this news is tech expert Amelia Carter. Welcome, Amelia.
**Amelia Carter**: Thanks for having me.
**News Anchor**: So, Amelia, why is WhatsApp taking this step?
**Amelia Carter:** This is a pretty common move for app developers. Essentially, they need to ensure their app runs smoothly and securely on the most up-to-date operating systems. Older versions of iOS may lack the security features and updates necessary to keep WhatsApp running safely and effectively. [[1](https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250006257)]
**News Anchor**: That makes sense. But for iPhone users with older models that can’t upgrade to iOS 15.1, what does this mean for them?
**Amelia Carter**: Unfortunately, it means they’ll lose access to WhatsApp on May 5, 2025.
They won’t be able to send or receive messages, make calls, or access any of the other features they rely on.
**News Anchor**: That’s a big inconvenience! What advice would you give to these users?
**Amelia Carter**: Well, there are a few options:
* They could consider upgrading to a newer iPhone that supports iOS 15.1 or later.
* If that’s not feasible, they could look into alternative messaging apps that might still be compatible with their older device.
However, it’s important to note that using an unsupported app can pose security risks, so it’s crucial to choose a safe and reliable alternative.
**News Anchor**: Thank you for that advice, Amelia. This is definitely something for iPhone users to be aware of as we head into 2025.
**Amelia Carter**: Absolutely. Staying informed about these changes is important to ensure you can continue to communicate effectively and securely.