WhatsApp support for some older iPhone models will end in May 2025. The reason for this is the increasing technical requirements of the app, which can no longer be met on these devices. Millions of users who still use one of these iPhones will therefore have to look for alternatives.
The most important facts in brief
- Affected are: iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
- From May 2025, at least iOS 14.1 is required to continue using WhatsApp.
- The affected devices cannot be updated to iOS 14.1.
- Main reasons: Improving security and introducing new features.
Why is support ending for iPhone 5s, 6 and 6 Plus?
WhatsApp requires an app update at regular intervals. In the rarest of cases, the focus is on greater ease of use or a revised look and feel of the software. Rather, the regular updates are intended to ensure greater security for users. Nevertheless, the updates can become more challenging for smartphone hardware over time, which is why WhatsApp will soon have to discontinue support for some of the most popular iPhones.
WhatsApp’s decision is based on the need to keep the app secure and future-proof. Operating systems such as iOS 12, which runs on the affected iPhones, are no longer able to support modern security standards and new features. These include features such as advanced encryption, improved voice messages and the integration of AI-based tools.
The iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are affected by the problem. These three smartphones have now been on the market for over 10 years. Their hardware is outdated and offers neither the computing power nor the storage capacity to keep pace with the requirements of modern apps. In addition, iOS 12, the last supported version for these devices, has not been supplied with security updates since 2021, which increases the risk of security vulnerabilities.
Alternatives for affected users
Anyone using one of the affected iPhones has various options. Firstly, users could upgrade to a newer iPhone that supports at least iOS 14.1. Models such as the iPhone 8 € 139.00 *), which are available at moderate prices on the second-hand market, could serve as a temporary solution. If money is no object, you can of course also consider upgrading to the current iPhone 16 (€ 952.20 *).
If you are also open to other smartphone families, it may also be advisable to switch to the Android world. If you need inspiration for this, we recommend you take a look at our list of the best smartphones of 2025. If you still want to continue using your iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, you need to think about switching to other messengers.
There are several alternatives. For example, services such as Signal or Telegram continue to run on older devices. There are still a few months left to prepare for the switch. From May 2025, however, WhatsApp will no longer be functional on the iPhones mentioned. Users who use the messenger for business or important communications in particular should plan their switch early.
