WhatsApp functionalities to cease from June 5.
04:15 2nd June
Hey There, Buddy!
Brace yourself! Starting June 1st, 2025, the stylish messaging app WhatsApp (owned by Meta, tagged as extremist and prohibited in Russia) will capsize on some ancient Smartphones. This blockbuster tidbit was originally dropped by the popular portal 9to5Mac. The cause behind this seismic shift is the escalating technical demands for devices, affecting both iPhones and Android users equally.
Say Goodbye to These Buds: The Full Roster & Crucial Info
Under the new rules, WhatsApp will fail to function on devices rocking:
- iOS 15.1 and earlier versions,
- Android versions lower than 5.1.
In layman's terms, this implies goodbye to trendy models like iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus. Users of these models will bid farewell to WhatsApp's glorious chatting, as they won't be able to launch it, neither communicate nor receive security updates.
Cheers for iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, and the OG iPhone SE!
The cheerful news is for the owners of iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, and the first-gen iPhone SE. If they've installed the latest version of iOS 15.8.4 on their devices, WhatsApp access will remain uninterrupted. But, beware! Slightly straying from this version could jeopardize WhatsApp's smooth operation.
Android Buddies, Here's the Skinny!
For Android Smartphones, it's elementary: if the device is running a version under 5.1, WhatsApp will pack its bags. For instance, older models of Samsung Galaxy, Huawei, LG, and other manufacturers launched before 2015 are in the hot seat.
The Risks of Pulling the Plug
Forgoing support isn't merely about missing fabulous features. On vintage devices:
- WhatsApp might refuse to launch or struggle with instability,
- installing updates, including vital security patches, becomes mission impossible,
- chats, messages, and files can vanish into thin air when WhatsApp crashes.
As per Ilya Rachko, IT analyst, "sans regular updates, WhatsApp becomes a juicy target for cyber attacks. Any crashes can lead to data spillage."
Stepping Up for Old Devices: Preparation and Action Steps
Users of devices on the chopping block are urged to follow these simple steps:
- Check your OS version. Delve into "Settings" - "General" - "About" on iPhone or "Phone Info" on Android to uncover the installed system version.
- Update your firmware. If your device allows a newer operating system, don't neglect installing all updates.
- Secure your WhatsApp chats. Utilize Google Drive or iCloud to create a backup of all your chats to prevent losing vital information while migrating to a new device.
- Upgrade your Smartphone. If updating the system proves impossible, investing in a newer Smartphone that supports contemporary OS versions might be your saving grace.
Lesser-known Nuances
- WhatsApp ended support for iOS devices below 15.1 on May 5, 2025, but mass disconnections didn't begin till June.
- As of present, WhatsApp guarantees functionality on phones sporting Android 5.0 and iOS 12, but some models with minimum versions may already be riddled with glitches.
- According to statistics, over a million iOS 12-15 devices are still in use in Russia, with the majority belonging to pensioners and teenagers.
The Inside Scoop onWhy WhatsApp Ditches Old Devices
Experts claim that the gradual abandonment of support for outdated operating systems is a global trend. Developers strive to optimize the service for modern data protection standards and novel features that don't jive with older platforms.Moreover, mobile threats are mutating like crazy, and antiquated devices become easy pickings for cyber villains. Therefore, ditching support is also a question of user safety.
- As the tech world evolves, it's important to note that smartphones, such as iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus, will no longer support WhatsApp starting June 1st, 2025, due to increasing technical demands for devices affecting both iPhones and Android users equally.
- In the realm of Android devices, older models like pre-2015 Samsung Galaxy, Huawei, LG, and other manufacturers will no longer be compatible with WhatsApp, contributing to the growing list of gadgets losing support for the popular messaging app.
