WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business to End Support for Older Smartphones Starting May 5, 2025

Beginning May 5, 2025, WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business will no longer be accessible on a range of older smartphones, as Meta—the parent company of WhatsApp—continues its strategy of phasing out support for outdated mobile devices that no longer meet updated software and hardware requirements.

This move aligns with Meta’s ongoing efforts to prioritize user security and optimize the performance of its messaging platforms. By focusing on devices that can support the latest security protocols and app features, the company aims to provide a more seamless and secure user experience. According to Meta, maintaining support for legacy systems compromises both efficiency and data protection, which are critical components of the app’s reliability and trustworthiness.

Impact on Users with Legacy Devices

The upcoming changes will predominantly affect smartphones that are over a decade old or cannot be updated to meet the new minimum system requirements. Users who continue to use these devices are strongly encouraged to transition to newer hardware to avoid losing access to their chats, contacts, and app functionality.

Apple Devices That Will No Longer Be Supported

WhatsApp will soon require iOS version 15.1 or higher. Unfortunately, several older iPhone models cannot be updated beyond iOS 12.5.7, rendering them incompatible with the app after the policy change. These models include:

• iPhone 5s
• iPhone 6
• iPhone 6 Plus

As these devices have reached the end of their software update lifecycle, they are unable to meet WhatsApp’s new operating standards.

Android Devices Losing WhatsApp Support

As of January 1, 2025, WhatsApp had already stopped working on Android smartphones running version 4.4 (KitKat) or earlier. For users with such devices, continued use of WhatsApp is only possible if an upgrade to a newer operating system version is available—which is often not the case with older models.

Notable Android phones affected by this policy include:

Samsung:

• Galaxy S3
• Galaxy Note 2
• Galaxy Ace 3
• Galaxy S4 Mini

Motorola:

• Moto G (1st Gen)
• Moto E (2014)
• Razr HD

HTC:

• One X
• One X+
• Desire 500
• Desire 601

LG:

• Optimus G
• G2 Mini
• L90
• Nexus 4

Sony:

• Xperia Z
• Xperia SP
• Xperia T
• Xperia V

Owners of these devices are advised to upgrade to newer smartphones capable of running current operating systems in order to maintain uninterrupted access to WhatsApp and its features.