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pc:indiatoday

WhatsApp has become the most popular messaging application in India over the past decade. This platform was widely used not only among Android users but also among iOS users. Since its popularity, the platform has also been undergoing improvements and updates. WhatsApp has made efforts to ensure compatibility with a variety of iOS versions, so that users of different iPhone models can continue using the app without any issues.

By maintaining support for older iOS versions, WhatsApp has been able to offer its features to many users. The goal of this strategy was to provide new features and updates to as many people as possible. However, to keep up with the latest technological advancements and improve the user experience, WhatsApp is now considering discontinuing support for some older iOS versions.

In the latest notification reported by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp has recently announced that the platform will stop supporting users on older iOS versions in 2025. Specifically, users with iOS versions older than 15.1 will no longer be able to access the app, even if they try to use previous beta versions through TestFlight. And

Currently, WhatsApp supports iOS 12 and up, but with the upcoming updates, the app will require at least iOS 15.1 for best functionality. To ensure that users get enough time to adjust, WhatsApp is giving a notice period of five months, giving them the opportunity to update their device or look for alternatives if their hardware does not support the new iOS version. Permission is granted. This means that the update will happen in May 2025.

This decision is largely driven by the need to take advantage of updated APIs and technologies introduced in new iOS releases. These advancements enable WhatsApp to deliver better performance, introduce new features and ensure a seamless user experience. Some features and optimizations available in newer iOS versions, such as iOS 15, depend on APIs that older iOS releases do not support. By dropping support for older versions, WhatsApp can focus on improving the performance of its app and introducing features that would not be possible with legacy operating systems.

According to WABetaInfo report, WhatsApp has probably analyzed user data and found that the number of people using older iOS versions is relatively low. This allows the company to prioritize its most users, ensuring a better overall experience for those with newer iOS versions, while minimizing the impact on those who still rely on older devices.

The upcoming change will mainly affect users of iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus, as these models only support up to iOS 12.5.7. These devices were released more than a decade ago, and it is expected that only a small portion of WhatsApp users are still on these devices. For users with new iPhones, those running iOS versions below 15.1 will still be able to update to the latest release and continue using WhatsApp without any issues. To update your device, go to your phone's Settings and click General. In this option, you will find the option “Software Update”. Check if your device is up-to-date. If not, you will need to update it.

This change, which is scheduled to take effect on May 5, 2025, will apply to both the standard WhatsApp app and WhatsApp Business, as both have the same inbuilt system requirements. This update will not affect Android users. If you're using an older version of iOS, it's recommended to update your device or switch to a newer iPhone model to continue using WhatsApp.