Some iPhone users will be impacted by WhatsApp’s significant 2025 changes. You may soon lose WhatsApp access if you have an older iPhone. Some users will have to upgrade their handsets or update their operating system as the Meta-owned messaging behemoth will no longer support iOS versions below iOS 15.1.
Versions Older Than 15.1
WhatsApp has already begun preventing beta testers from installing the most recent version of the app on iPhones running earlier iOS versions, according to a report from WABetaInfo. You cannot download WhatsApp beta version 25.2.10.72 using TestFlight if your iPhone is running an iOS version older than 15.1.
You may easily update your operating system and keep using WhatsApp without any problems if your iPhone is compatible with iOS 15.1 or later. However, you may need to think about purchasing a new phone if your current one is too old to upgrade.
What If You Can’t Update Your iPhone
There are two choices for people who are unable to upgrade their iPhones:
- Continue Using the previous WhatsApp Version: If WhatsApp is already installed on your computer, you can continue to use the previous version. You won’t, however, be able to obtain bug patches, security upgrades, or new features.
- Go to the Stable Version: If you are using WhatsApp in beta, you can go to the App Store and get the stable version. This will give you a little more time to utilize the app before the May 2025 deadline.
WhatsApp’s Deadline
WhatsApp is currently compatible with iPhones running iOS 12 and later. However, WhatsApp will formally need iOS 15.1 or later to operate as beginning May 5, 2025. This implies that previous iPhone models, like:
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
will be unable to use WhatsApp any more. The decision is not particularly shocking, considering Apple abandoned these models more than ten years ago.
What Should You Do
It might be time to replace your iPhone if you’re still using an earlier model. You can keep using WhatsApp for a while, but eventually you won’t be able to get new security fixes and updates, which could endanger your data.
Before the May 2025 deadline, be careful to verify the software version on your iPhone and make plans for what to do next!
