From May next year, Meta's messaging service, WhatsApp, will stop supporting Apple running iOS lower than 15.1.
If you're using an older iPhone, you've probably already received a notification about this. But if you haven't, it might be time to start thinking about an upgrade.
WhatsApp currently supports iOS 12, but will stop supporting it and any later versions of iOS by 15.1 on May 5, 2025 .
Read more: WhatsApp: Working on Passkey support on iPhone
The iPhone models affected by this change are:
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
Considering the iPhone 6 was released a decade ago, this shouldn't come as a surprise. Few people still use these devices, and Meta simply can't continue to support such old devices.
Not only does it take up valuable resources to make apps compatible with older hardware, but it also limits how much an app can improve. It's understandable that an iPhone 5s can't perform the same number of complex tasks as an iPhone 16. Also, the ever-decreasing number of users ultimately makes supporting older hardware less profitable.
See also: Hackers exploit vulnerability in Apple Safari
Additionally, the new iPhone SE is said to support Apple Intelligence: the company's latest hotly-promoted initiative. Plus, even the SE models get at least five years of software support — though Apple usually goes even further — so you'll be covered for a long time.
You have a few months to get a new iPhone, and I also recommend trying out Android . The Galaxy S25 phones are expected to be released early next year, and the Pixel 9 is also worth your attention. If you've always been curious about the "other side," now is the time to give it a try.
Read also: Apple Intelligence and a better Siri may be coming to iPhones
Either way, both operating systems are on some of the best phones worth buying right now.
Source: phonearena
