The Meta-owned messaging service WhatsApp is to stop working for older iPhone models from May next year. As per the new report, the app will not be able to support the devices that have iOS below iOS 15; it is recommended to update the iOS version, or else you’ll be locked out.
WhatsApp to Phase Out Support for Older iPhones in 2025
At the moment, it supports operational systems of iPhones, namely iOS 12 and all the further updates. However, the change denotes a shift in the technical nature of the platform, maybe to provide additional features and possibly to deter malicious users. Those gadgets that stayed on iOS 12 through and including iOS 14 will feel the impact of this update.
According to WABetaInfo, the server that pulls notifications data for iOS beta users is already indicating an ongoing change regarding this transition. This message is meant to force the users to update their iPhones to get a newer operating system to help them continue using the app’s services.
This step of WhatsApp to stop supporting older iOS versions has been deemed part of the platform’s preparation for current innovations. Captured elements of novelty often are inclined on updated operating systems performance and security feature frameworks for egoistic entertainment, like the new encryptions and multimedia support.
Customers who were using iPhones that were not supported in the new version will have to upgrade their devices where they can or else look for new devices. This action is in harmony with the WhatsApp policy of ending support to some specific systems gradually to work hand in hand with the latest technology.
Update Your iPhone to Keep WhatsApp Running: What You Need to Know
Those iPhone users who are still using outdated versions of iOS are encouraged to upgrade their iOS version to the latest iOS version, which supports WhatsApp. The Nicknamed Meta version will no longer support all the latest iOS versions; rather, it will stop supporting iOS versions below iOS 15 from May 2025.
However, this update is a big challenge to persons with low-cost iPhones like the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and 6 Plus. These devices cannot download and install iOS 15, and once the new requirements for using WhatsApp go live, the application will stop on them.
The reasons that WhatsApp has decided to stop updating for older operating systems are all linked with performance, security, and the capability to set up the new features of the application. Typically, it results in abandoning older devices, which may lack necessary hardware or software accommodations.
Users who use older iPhone devices are advised to sync their chats and consider the option of stepping up to a new model or using an iPhone device that is compatible with the latest versions of iOS 15 or above. Those lucky enough to have iPhones that can update the software can do it through the device’s Settings app.
Although this change may be unprohibitive to some users, it fully demonstrates the technological requirements when it comes to today’s social applications such as WhatsApp. In this way, WhatsApp stays safe and guarantees that it is oriented in the newest operating systems to provide the majority of its users with popular features.
WhatsApp to End Support for Older iPhones in May 2025, Adds New Voice-to-Text Feature
WhatsApp has recently released many announcements, one of which is that it will no longer support iPhones that have iOS 15.1 or earlier starting May 5, 2025. This provides affected users about five and a half months within which they can update their devices or migrate to newer hardware in order to continue using the messaging platform.
The action is in line with the continuing process of simplification of the company’s services while keeping compatibility with recent technologies. First, iOS 15 support will only be available to iPhone 6s and later models, meaning the previous generation devices that cannot be updated past iOS 15.1 will not receive support. The users are advised to look at the kind of operating system that is currently in use and, if possible, to update.
Over and above this alteration, WhatsApp has released another update that enables users to translate voice messages. It is useful in those occasions when it can be inconvenient to listen to audio messages. The feature can also be set to run automatically within the user settings of the apps, adding a further level of convenience regarding interaction.
The voice-to-text feature is believed to extend the platform’s functionality and improve its interactivity for voice-impaired or text-preferred consumers. It also shows that WhatsApp cares for the innovation, and for this reason, the application does not only introduce new features but also works on phasing out older technologies, which hinders development.
As much as there are some ways that this may cause inconvenience for some people, in some ways it can be said that WhatsApp has an exciting pace where the application continues to be updated and new functions added in a bid to improve on security, performance, and general user experience. For users who are using iPhones and have unsupported devices, they are advised to create backups for their chats and seek ways through which they can upgrade so as to continue using the application.
