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These Older iPhones Will Need an Update to Keep Running WhatsApp

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Some older iPhone models will need a software update to keep running WhatsApp from the end of November 2026, after Meta confirmed it is raising the app's minimum system requirements.

Whatsapp Feature
From November 30, WhatsApp will require iOS 15.5 or later, up from the current requirement of iOS 15.1.

The models affected are the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus. iOS 15.8.8 is the last update these models can install, so owners just need to make sure their device is updated before the deadline.

To be clear, no iPhone is being dropped outright. Every model that can run iOS 15.1 can also be updated to 15.5, so a trip into Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update will be all it takes to stay compatible.

Happily, the new requirements aren't as harsh as last year. In June 2025, WhatsApp cut off the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus entirely, since none of the devices could be updated past iOS 15.0. Affected users were left with web.whatsapp.com as their only option.

Meta says it reviews supported operating systems each year, dropping those with the fewest users and the ones least likely to carry current security updates. Anyone on an affected version will be notified inside WhatsApp and reminded to upgrade before support ends.

Tag: WhatsApp

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Top Rated Comments

adrianlondon Avatar
adrianlondon
1 hour ago at 05:07 am

iOS 15? Are you kidding me? Apple is marching ahead with software and features and people are on iOS 15?

The default should be support for up to 2 years maximum, no matter the app, no matter the platform - update your phone or GTFO
My backup phone is my old 6S, so yes, still on iOS 15.

I won't mention my first-gen iPad mini, nailed to a wall and used as a remote controller, forever on iOS 9 ...

They both still work well with FaceTime, iMessage, IMAP mails etc. I'm surprised to be fair, and it wouldn't annoy me if they stopped working.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
Charlie Bonesx
52 minutes ago at 05:38 am
I refuse to put any meta software on my phone

If people can’t just text message normally then I don’t need to hear from them
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T
tonmischa
1 hour ago at 05:17 am

cut off the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus entirely, since none of the devices could be updated past iOS 15.0
While it is true that WhatsApp cut off support for those devices, the reasoning given is incorrect.
Saying they couldn't be updated "past iOS 15.0" implies they reached 15.0 but failed to go higher, which is factually wrong.
They never even reached iOS 13. Latest iOS for iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus is iOS 12.5.8.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
diewish2007 Avatar
diewish2007
1 hour ago at 05:09 am
If only all these apps were compatible with each other like with email so I could drop WhatsApp and just use the normal Messages app. I hate having to rely on WhatsApp for communication, but everyone in my country uses it.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dirk Pieters Avatar
Dirk Pieters
3 hours ago at 04:00 am
Will WhatsApp content be fed into Spotlight and will its content be available to Siri?

I'm in Europe so it really makes no difference to me (😅) but WhatsApp is used intensely here. In fact, almost no one uses Apple Messages.

If the entire "Show me the picture of the golfclubs that my brother sent recently" is solely based on Messages, then hmmmm.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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