Goodbye,friend. Until the next updated model (Picture: Getty)

Messaging app WhatsApp is set to stop working altogether on some phones.

It affects phones that are around ten years old,so if you have managed to keep yours this long without fatally dropping it or putting it in the washing machine,it might be time to retire it even so.

Changes to WhatsApp’s compatibility with operating systems mean some older smartphones will no longer be able to run the popular app from today.

In January,some Android users already saw their phones lose access.

Now,it is the turn of those with oldschool iPhones,as the app will only work with iOS 15.1 or later.

The number of people affected by this will not be particularly large – only those with enough talent for technological TLC to have kept their devices in working condition for a decade need worry (if this is you… respect).

But if you’re using a device that old,it’s worth reading on to see if it is named on the list.

Here are the models that will no longer support WhatsApp from May 5,2025.

iOS versions earlier than 15.1

iPhone 5s,iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

While some iPhone users with older iOSes can simply update their phones,some which are still in use can only be updated to iOS 12.5.7.

The iPhone 5s,iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were all released in 2013 and 2014.

Meta,which owns WhatsApp,says the changes are part of regular updates to ensure the app stays secure and functional while working with newer phones.

The first WhatsApp compatibility update came on January 1,2025,when WhatsApp stopped supporting Android’s KitKat OS in addition to any older versions.

These changes affect both the regular WhatsApp application and WhatsApp Business,which has the same system requirements.

This article was first published on December 29,2024.

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