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WhatsApp Ends Support for iOS 9, Now Requires iPhone 5 or Later to Work

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As indicated in a newly published support document, WhatsApp has ended support for iOS 9 and earlier versions of Apple's mobile operating system, requiring all users to be running at least iOS 10, released in 2016.

Whatsapp Feature
Up until now, iOS 9 users – who will have been mainly iPhone 4s owners – were able to use the encrypted chat service. Going forward, however, iOS 10 is required, meaning users will need an iPhone 5 or later model to use WhatsApp.

The drop in support follows a similar move by the Facebook-owned instant messaging service last year, when it ended support for iOS 8 and older.

For customers finding themselves no longer being able to use the app due to the end of support, it's recommended that you back up your WhatsApp chats to iCloud, and restore your chat history to a newer, supported device. You can find instructions on how to do so here.

Tag: WhatsApp

Top Rated Comments

T
Tubamajuba
66 months ago

The instructions being… spend more money on a device they won't be bothered to support in a few years?
The iPhone 4S is ten years old. It is beyond reasonable to ask your users to get a newer phone.
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sh20 Avatar
sh20
66 months ago

Big if true... especially given the WhatsApp demographic is poor people
wtf does that even mean?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zmmyt Avatar
Zmmyt
66 months ago
I’m on iPhone SE 2 and ended support for WhatsApp months ago.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple Knowledge Navigator Avatar
Apple Knowledge Navigator
66 months ago
Let's take a moment to remember our iPhone 4S friends... whoever they are.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A
and 1989 others
66 months ago
Remember folks the end of WhatsApp support on those phones does not render them useless. They can still be used to make calls, send text messages, emails and use the web.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
N
NewUsername
66 months ago
I still know people here in the Netherlands who have an iPhone 4s.

But it's a non-issue. Sell your iPhone 4s for 20 euro and buy an iPhone 5 for 30 euro. Or a 2016 iPhone SE for 60 euro. I mean, how much do you pay every month for your mobile subscription?

The ones in the Netherlands with a problem now are teenagers with an iPhone 4s who now need to convince their parents that they deserve an upgrade.

Though of course I can imagine the iPhone 4s might still have some decent use in developing countries.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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