WEDNESDAY April 16, 2025 |
By thenewsdesk.ng
Users of older smartphones may soon find themselves cut off from one of the world’s most popular messaging platforms. WhatsApp, owned by tech giant Meta, will officially stop supporting several outdated smartphones starting May 5, 2025, as part of its routine updates aimed at maintaining security and functionality across newer devices.
According to a statement by Meta, “The changes are part of regular updates to ensure the app stays secure and functional while working with newer phones.”
While this move will not affect the majority of users, those holding onto devices that are over a decade old could see WhatsApp services end unless they upgrade or update their operating systems.
Among the iPhones losing support are those running iOS versions earlier than 15.1, including iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus. These models, released between 2013 and 2014, are only capable of running up to iOS 12.5.7—now incompatible with WhatsApp’s latest version.
On the Android side, the first round of device incompatibility took effect on January 1, 2025, when WhatsApp stopped working with Android KitKat (version 4.4) and older. This affects a number of legacy models from major manufacturers such as Samsung, Motorola, HTC, LG, and Sony. Popular affected models include the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Note 2, Motorola Moto G (1st Gen), HTC One X, LG Optimus G, and Sony Xperia Z, among others.
Both standard WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business will be affected by this change, as they share the same technical requirements.
For users unsure about their device’s compatibility, WhatsApp will continue functioning on iPhones running iOS 15 or later, and Android devices on version 5.0 (Lollipop) or above. Those on the edge of compatibility are advised to double-check their phone’s software version before the deadline.
To prepare, WhatsApp encourages users to back up their chat history using iCloud or Google Drive, check for any available system updates, or consider upgrading to newer, budget-friendly smartphones that support the app’s current requirements.
As the deadline approaches, users still clinging to their trusty old phones may have to bid farewell—not just to their device, but to their connection with billions of people around the world via WhatsApp.
