WhatsApp to End Support for Older iPhones, Leaving Some Users Disconnected
MENLO PARK, Calif. — Millions of WhatsApp users with older iPhones face potential disruption as the messaging giant, owned by meta, plans to end support for devices running older versions of Apple’s iOS operating system beginning May 5, 2025. The move, while aimed at enhancing security and functionality, could leave some users unable to access their message history, send or receive messages, or even make calls.
Meta Platforms Inc.announced that WhatsApp will cease to function on iPhones using iOS versions prior to 15.1.This decision impacts users of iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, 6, and 6 Plus models, all of which were released between 2012 and 2014 and no longer receive official software updates from Apple.
“The measure, announced by Meta, responds to the need to adapt the platform to new technical demands that cannot be executed in devices with limited capabilities,” the company said in a statement.
the decision reflects a growing trend in the tech industry to prioritize security and performance by phasing out support for older systems. Obsolete operating systems frequently enough lack critical security patches and cannot handle the advanced features and encryption protocols required by modern applications.
The potential impact in the U.S. is tough to quantify precisely. While statistics show that smartphone ownership is widespread across all income levels, older phones are disproportionately used by lower-income individuals and communities, and those who don’t want to upgrade their phones. According to a 2024 Pew Research Center study, adoption of smartphones is nearly worldwide among younger Americans, but declines among older age groups, who also tend to hold onto their phones longer.
The move by WhatsApp has sparked debate among tech experts and consumer advocates. Critics argue that the decision disproportionately affects users in developing countries or those with limited financial resources who rely on older devices. Others point out the environmental impact of forcing premature upgrades, contributing to electronic waste.
“Maintain[ing] compatibility with these systems would represent a limitation in the technical advancement of the request,” Meta responded.
What Users Need to Do
With the looming deadline, WhatsApp is urging users of affected devices to take immediate action:
Check your iOS Version: Navigate to Settings > General > About to determine the iOS version running on your iPhone.
Update if Possible: If your device is running an older version of iOS, check for available updates in Settings > General > Software Update. Though, the iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, 6 and 6 Plus aren’t capable of updating to iOS 15.1 or later.
* Back Up Your Data: Before May 5, back up your WhatsApp chats and media to iCloud. To do this, open WhatsApp, go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup, and tap “Back up Now.”
“They could face the impossibility of accessing the history of conversations and the stored multimedia content in the application if they do not make a backup in advance,” the company warned. “The data, including photos, videos, messages and documents, would be inaccessible once the application stops working in these devices.”
The backup process requires an active Apple account and sufficient storage space in iCloud. Users may need to purchase additional iCloud storage if their current plan is insufficient.
The company said that “iOS systems below version 15.1 do not have support for certain cryptographic functions and processing necessary to maintain the stability
Considering whatsapp’s decision to discontinue support for older iPhones, how will this affect users who rely on these devices, particularly in developing countries and among lower-income communities?
WhatsApp Disconnect: An Interview with Tech Analyst Anya Sharma on End-of-Support for Older iPhones
Archyde welcomes Anya Sharma, a leading tech analyst at “FutureTech Insights,” to discuss the recent announcement by WhatsApp regarding the end of support for older iPhones. anya, welcome to Archyde.
Anya Sharma: Thank you for having me.I’m happy to be here, it’s a crucial time for many WhatsApp users, so let’s discuss.
The Impact of WhatsApp’s Decision on Older iPhone Users
Archyde: Anya, could you break down the core implications of WhatsApp discontinuing support for iPhones running iOS versions before 15.1? What does this mean for users of iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, 6, and 6 Plus models?
Anya Sharma: Essentially, it signifies that these users won’t be able to access their whatsapp accounts.They’ll lose the ability to send or receive messages, make calls, and access their chat history unless they act beforehand by backing up their data. This is a complete cutoff, so the user will not be able to access the functionalities that WhatsApp provides.
Archyde: This affects, according to Meta, the need to adapt the platform to new technical demands, What’re the challenges that legacy devices pose for modern applications like WhatsApp?
Anya Sharma: Older devices frequently enough lack the processing power and security protocols to handle modern encryption and features. Moreover, these devices are no longer supported by Apple with security updates leaving them vulnerable to threats. Maintaining compatibility with legacy systems can also slow down the advancement of new features. In effect, the costs of maintaining them become greater than the benefits.
Socioeconomic and Environmental Concerns
Archyde: This decision has raised concerns about its impact on specific demographics such as lower-income and the elderly. How is this a valid point?
Anya Sharma: Yes, that is very valid. Older devices are disproportionately used by these groups and in areas with less disposable income. The necessity of upgrading to a new device can be a significant financial burden. The environmental impact is another key point. Discarding perfectly functional phones contributes to e-waste, which is a growing problem.
Archyde: What are the most crucial steps affected users should take within the next few months?
Anya Sharma: users must take action immediately. Firstly,check your iOS version,if it is below 15.1, backing up your WhatsApp data to iCloud is critical. Navigate to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup, and tap “Back up Now.” Remember,this requires an active Apple account and sufficient iCloud storage.Consider enabling automatic backups to secure your data continually.
Future Implications and Outlook
Archyde: There’s a bigger tech trend behind this. Do you see this as a growing trend in the tech industry?
Anya Sharma: Absolutely.We’re seeing a clear shift towards prioritizing security, and feature enhancements over backward compatibility. this is why we see software companies cutting off support. As technology advances, and new features demand more hardware, legacy support becomes less lasting. The trend is only setting a precedent, these actions will become more frequent as time goes on.
Archyde: Thinking forward, what’s your main consideration for the impact of this move?
Anya Sharma: I hope we see companies considering providing more time for backup or some type of transitional support. Right now there doesn’t seem to be much empathy.My main concern lies in making sure digital inclusion isn’t hindered. Providing alternatives, be it device trade-ins or extended support, can help prevent further divisions and ensure that everyone can access essential services.
Archyde: Anya Sharma,thank you for shedding light on these crucial issues for our audience. This has been a complete and insightful discussion.
Anya Sharma: The pleasure was all mine!
Archyde: To our audience: What do you think about WhatsApp’s decision to end support for older iPhones? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
