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WhatsApp To Stop Working On The Following Phones Starting June 1, 2025

BY Getrude Mathayo · June 3, 2025 05:06 am

WhatsApp has officially confirmed it will discontinue support for certain older iPhone and Android devices beginning June 1, 2025.

The phase-out, which had originally been scheduled for May 5, was slightly delayed to give users additional time to prepare. However, the new deadline is now set in stone, and affected users must take immediate action to avoid losing access to the app.

The change is part of Meta’s ongoing efforts to ensure WhatsApp remains secure, efficient, and compatible with modern mobile operating systems. As a result, the company is tightening its requirements for the minimum software versions that can run the app.

Users of older devices, particularly those who have not updated their phones’ operating systems or own hardware incapable of supporting newer updates, are most likely to be impacted.

Starting June 1, 2025, WhatsApp will require iOS 15.1 or higher in order to function. This means that older iPhones that cannot install this version of iOS will no longer be able to send or receive messages via WhatsApp.

Specifically, devices such as the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus will no longer be supported, as they are incapable of upgrading to iOS 15.1 or higher.

There is, however, a gray area when it comes to the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. These devices currently support iOS versions up to 15.8.4, which is above the new minimum threshold.

Therefore, as long as users of these models have updated to the latest available iOS version, they should still be able to use WhatsApp, at least for the time being.

That said, industry experts advise users of iPhone 6s models to start planning for an upgrade, as Apple is likely to cease providing updates for these devices within the next couple of years, after which WhatsApp support will also likely end.

On the Android side, WhatsApp will no longer run on any device operating below Android 5.1 (Lollipop). While Meta has not yet released a definitive list of all affected models, the implication is clear: any smartphone that cannot be updated past Android 5.0 will be left behind.

This means that users of very old Android devices, often budget models released before 2015, will need to check their operating system settings. If an update to Android 5.1 or newer is not available, continued use of WhatsApp will be impossible.

WhatsApp, like many modern applications, regularly updates its software to include new features, stronger security protocols, and better performance. Maintaining support for outdated operating systems often limits what developers can implement, while simultaneously exposing users to potential security vulnerabilities.

By dropping support for older systems, Meta can better focus its resources on enhancing the app for the vast majority of its over 3 billion global users, most of whom are on up-to-date devices. This strategy also aligns with industry norms, as other major apps have followed similar paths in recent years.

If you are concerned that your device may be on the chopping block, the first step is to check your phone’s current operating system version:

iPhone users can do this by navigating to Settings > General > About and looking for the “Software Version.”
Android users can typically find their OS version under Settings > About Phone > Software Information or a similar menu, depending on the device brand.

If your phone runs an older OS and you’re unable to update it to meet the new requirements, your only option to continue using WhatsApp is to upgrade to a newer device.

While the number of users affected by this change is small compared to WhatsApp’s entire user base, those in developing countries, older demographics, or individuals who use secondary devices may find themselves caught off guard. Therefore, spreading awareness is crucial to help users avoid unexpected disruptions.

Though change can be inconvenient, especially for those who still rely on older hardware, Meta’s decision to streamline WhatsApp’s compatibility with newer systems is in line with broader technological trends.

Users are encouraged to take proactive steps now—check their system versions, update their devices if possible, and consider upgrading their phones if necessary—to ensure uninterrupted access to one of the world’s most widely used communication platforms.