**WhatsApp Withdraws Support for Older Mobile Devices: What Users Need to Know**
From the start of this month, millions of smartphone users may find themselves unable to access WhatsApp, as the popular messaging platform has discontinued support for a number of ageing devices. This sweeping decision, which officially took effect from 1 June 2025, marks the end of service for a swathe of phones released more than a decade ago and unable to meet new system requirements.
WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta, cited enhanced security and performance as driving factors behind the update. The company noted that ongoing development and the integration of new features make it increasingly challenging to ensure compatibility with devices running on outdated operating systems. As a result, these changes are set to impact smartphones that are no longer capable of running at least iOS 15.1 for Apple devices, or Android 5.0 for many Android handset models.
Owners of older iPhones—notably those launched prior to 2015—will be most affected. This includes well-known models such as the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, which are unable to upgrade to more recent versions of Apple’s mobile operating system. Over the past few weeks, WhatsApp has warned its users of impending changes, encouraging those with incompatible handsets to update their devices if possible to avoid losing access.
The move does not single out Apple users alone. A range of Android phones are also included, such as the Samsung Galaxy S III, HTC One X, and Sony Xperia Z. According to reports referencing WhatsApp’s official support pages, these devices lack the necessary hardware and software infrastructure required for the platform’s latest security features and functionalities. As a direct consequence, users with these older phones will be cut off from both sending and receiving messages through the app.
Apple itself has previously labelled several of these models, such as the iPhone 6, as “obsolete.” This designation means that official repairs and services are no longer available, and even third-party repair shops face difficulties sourcing replacement parts. The loss of WhatsApp support, therefore, can be seen as part of the device lifecycle’s natural progression.
It is worth noting that WhatsApp boasts over two billion active users worldwide, making it the globe’s most popular messaging application. The company has been on a steady path of feature enhancements, unveiling twelve new tools and upgrades as recently as April. These include improvements to group chats, custom notifications, and fresh ways to manage events and video calls.
Among the standout features recently introduced: users can now view who is ‘online’ in group conversations at a glance; there’s greater control over notification preferences within groups; and creating or RSVPing to events directly in chats has been made possible, with options to indicate ‘maybe,’ add plus-ones, and set event dates. Further, tapping to react quickly to messages and scanning documents directly through the app are part of efforts to streamline everyday interactions.
Specific to iOS, iPhone owners can now designate WhatsApp as their default messaging and calling application. This functionality, made available with the latest iOS update, enhances the integration of WhatsApp into users’ daily communication routines.
Video and voice call improvements are also worth mentioning. Chat participants now benefit from crisper connectivity due to bandwidth enhancements, with features like pinch-to-zoom during video calls and seamless adding of participants from chat threads greatly improving the user experience. In addition, channel administrators now have the capacity to record and share short video notes, and voice messages can be transcribed into text for added accessibility.
The drive behind these upgrades is clear: Meta aims to keep WhatsApp at the forefront of digital messaging by offering secure, convenient, and innovative features. However, this comes at the cost of losing compatibility with legacy hardware, a move that may inconvenience some, but ultimately ensures the app remains robustly protected against modern threats.
For those keen to continue using WhatsApp, the message is unambiguous—upgrading to a more recent mobile device could well be unavoidable. As the platform continues to evolve, so too must the technology it depends on, highlighting the constant churn that characterises the world of digital communications.