WhatsApp Ends Support for Older Devices Starting June 1, 2025

Starting June 1, 2025, WhatsApp will stop working on a number of older iPhones and Android devices that no longer meet its minimum software requirements. The update, which was originally expected in May, was pushed back slightly—giving users a final window to upgrade their devices or back up their data.

This move is part of Meta’s broader strategy to retire legacy hardware in order to boost app security, improve performance, and ensure compatibility with newer features. Older operating systems, which often miss critical security patches, can make users more vulnerable to threats and limit how well the app can function.

Which phones are loosing support?

If you’re using an iPhone running iOS 15 or earlier—like the iPhone 5s, 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, or the first-generation SE—WhatsApp will no longer be supported. The same goes for Android phones still running Android 5.0 or earlier. That includes once-popular models like the Samsung Galaxy S4, Note 3, Sony Xperia Z1, LG G2, Moto G (1st Gen), Motorola Razr HD, Huawei Ascend P6, and the 2014 Moto E.

However, there’s a silver lining. If your phone is still eligible for an update to iOS 15.1 or Android 5.1 or higher, WhatsApp will keep working just fine. So it’s worth checking your current software version and updating it if you can.

For those planning to switch to a newer phone—or whose devices can’t be updated—it’s crucial to back up your WhatsApp chats. Just head into the app, go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup, and pick a backup option like Google Drive or iCloud. That way, you can easily transfer your chat history to your new device without losing any conversations.

Meanwhile, WhatsApp continues to add new privacy features to give users more control. The latest updates include the ability to prevent others from copying text, images, or videos from chats, along with a chat lock option that lets you secure specific conversations using a fingerprint, Face ID, or password. The disappearing messages feature has also been improved, giving users more control over how long messages stay visible.

So if you’re still holding onto an older phone, now’s the time to take action—whether that means updating your software, backing up your chats, or making the leap to a new device.