WhatsApp closing down for good on these Android and iPhones

WhatsApp closing down for good on these Android and iPhones

WhatsApp will no longer work on several older phones as part of its regular software update cycle starting Sunday, June 1, 2025. The update, which was initially scheduled for May 5, was postponed to give the users more time to get ready. The Meta-owned messaging service has increased its minimum operating system requirements, effectively ending support for devices that can no longer comply with these demands.

To keep using WhatsApp, iPhones have to be iOS 15.1 or above, and Android devices have to be Android 5.1 or above. Devices that fail to meet these standards will no longer have access to the app’s messaging and calling features.

Full List of Affected iPhones and Android Phones
There are a few older Apple and Android phones that will be affected.

The following iPhone models are sure to come with the new version of WhatsApp:

iPhone 5s

iPhone 6

iPhone 6 Plus

Other phones like the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPhone SE (1st generation) have also been named in some of the reports. Those phones, however, can run iOS 15.8.4, so they are still compatible for now.

In Android, the phones that are losing support are:

Samsung Galaxy S4

Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Sony Xperia Z1

LG G2
Huawei Ascend P6

Moto G (1st Gen)

Motorola Razr HD

Moto E (2014)

HTC One X

Samsung Galaxy S3

All devices with Android 5.0 or lower are not supported anymore because of the new minimum standard of Android 5.1.

Why WhatsApp Is Dropping Support for Older Devices
WhatsApp regularly updates its app to take advantage of newer system features, improve performance, and strengthen security features. Over time, as operating systems and hardware become older, they become incapable of supporting rich features such as end-to-end encryption, video calling, and better user interface options. Stopping support for older systems helps WhatsApp provide a secure and predictable experience to its large user base, which is over 3 billion people worldwide.

Security is a key issue. Older phones no longer get updates from their manufacturers such as Apple and Google, making them open to security threats. WhatsApp has reiterated the necessity of using new devices to ensure robust protection of personal information.