WhatsApp shutting down permanently on these iPhones and Android devices. Is your phone on the list?
WhatsApp discontinues service for devices running iOS 15 or Android 5.0 and below.
WhatsApp will stop functioning on a number of older smartphones as part of its routine software update cycle beginning Sunday, June 1, 2025. The update, initially expected on May 5, was delayed to allow users more time to prepare. The Meta-owned messaging platform has raised its minimum operating system requirements, resulting in the end of support for devices that can no longer meet these standards.To continue using WhatsApp, iPhones must now be running iOS 15.1 or later, while Android devices must operate on Android 5.1 or newer. Devices that fall short of these criteria will lose access to the app's messaging and calling services.
Several older Apple and Android devices will be impacted. The following iPhone models are confirmed to be incompatible with the new version of WhatsApp: iPhone 5s
iPhone 6
iPhone 6 Plus Additional models such as the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPhone SE (1st generation) have also been mentioned in some reports. However, these devices are capable of running iOS 15.8.4, which means they remain compatible for the time being. Samsung Galaxy S4
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Sony Xperia Z1
LG G2
Huawei Ascend P6
Moto G (1st Gen)
Motorola Razr HD
Moto E (2014)
HTC One X
Samsung Galaxy S3
Any device running Android 5.0 or earlier is no longer supported due to the new minimum requirement of Android 5.1.WhatsApp routinely updates its software to utilize newer system capabilities, enhance app performance, and improve security measures. As operating systems and hardware age, they become unable to support advanced features like end-to-end encryption, video calling, and improved user interface options. Discontinuing support for outdated systems ensures WhatsApp can deliver a consistent and secure experience to its user base, which exceeds 3 billion globally.Security remains a major concern. Older devices no longer receive updates from manufacturers like Apple and Google, leaving them vulnerable to security risks. WhatsApp has emphasized the need to use newer devices to maintain strong protection for personal data.For users with devices listed above, several options are available:
Upgrade the Device: Buying a new phone that supports iOS 15.1 or Android 5.1 (or higher) is the most reliable way to continue using WhatsApp.
Update the Software: For users with iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, or SE (1st gen), updating to iOS 15.8.4 will maintain compatibility for now.
Switch to Alternatives: Apps like Telegram and Signal may still function on older systems, though their feature sets and user bases differ.
Back Up Chats: Before support ends, users are advised to back up their chat history. On iPhones, this can be done via iCloud; Android users can use Google Drive. To do so, go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup within the WhatsApp app. According to data from Apple in 2024, only about 5% of active iPhones are still running iOS 15 or earlier, suggesting that the change will affect a relatively small portion of users, particularly in developed markets. However, in regions with slower device turnover, the impact may be more noticeable.For more information, users can visit WhatsApp's official support page or check their phone's software version under Settings.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
What to expect from Apple's WWDC this year
WWDC 2025: What to Expect iOS 26 Could Replace iOS 19 Feature Drops You'll Actually Notice AI-powered battery management for better longevity A New Playground for Gamers Apple Intelligence: Smarter, Not Just Flashier Hardware? Don't Hold Your Breath, But… Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference—WWDC for short—is where the tech giant sets the tone for the year, unveiling major software updates and occasionally dropping hardware surprises. It's the big stage where developers, fans, and the industry get a front-row seat to what's next from 2025 is almost here, and the buzz has already begun. Apple's confirmed the event will run from June 9 to 13, with the keynote kicking things off on June 9 at 1 PM ET (10:30 PM IST), livestreamed on YouTube. While the company is keeping most announcements under wraps, leaks and rumours have filled in some gaps—think major iOS updates, a leap forward in Apple Intelligence, an overhauled VisionOS, and possibly an early glimpse at the iPhone 17 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 seems less about shiny new features and more about a visual glow-up. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company is gearing up for a major design overhaul—codenamed Solarium—that'll stretch across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Drawing inspiration from visionOS, the refresh promises a softer, more modern aesthetic with rounded icons, translucent menus, and a cleaner overall look. It's the biggest visual update since iOS 7—and it's about time the UI got some a move to streamline its software branding, Apple might finally be ditching version numbers in favour of calendar-based naming. That means instead of iOS 19 or macOS 15, we could be looking at iOS 2026 and macOS 2026 . It's a small change on the surface, but a smart one—making it instantly clear which year each update belongs to. Clean, consistent, and honestly, long overdue updates with calendar years—making it easier for users (and developers) to keep the redesign may steal the spotlight, Apple isn't showing up empty-handed on the features front. iOS 26 is expected to bring a handful of practical upgrades, including:A desktop mode for iPhones with USB-C, letting you plug into an external display and get a more PC-like experienceOver on iPadOS 26, expect a more Mac-like vibe, complete with a top menu bar and enhanced Stage Manager multitasking. macOS and the rest may not see headline features but will benefit from the overall visual consistency that ties the ecosystem Apple might finally be paying attention. Gurman hints at a new, dedicated cross-platform gaming app—a beefed-up evolution of Game Center. Think friend lists, leaderboards, and deeper Apple Arcade integration, all working seamlessly across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple the AI front, Apple is focusing on refining rather than reinventing. Expect smarter, context-aware Siri responses and the debut of a new health coaching tool. Developers can also look forward to new APIs to help integrate Apple Intelligence more tightly into their is typically software-first, but hardware surprises aren't off the table. With the MacBook Air M4, iPad Air M3, and iPhone 16e already out, a major launch seems unlikely. That said, a refreshed Mac Pro—especially one running on the M4 chip—would make sense for the developer just maybe, Apple might drop a teaser for the much-rumoured iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to be the slimmest iPhone yet. A full reveal? Probably not. A sneak peek? Definitely not out of the question.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Global cooperation on AI necessary but 'difficult' in today's geopolitical context: Google Deepmind CEO
Artificial intelligence pioneer and head of Google's Deepmind, Demis Hassabis on Monday said that greater international cooperation around AI regulation was needed but "difficult" to achieve "in today's geopolitical context". At a time when AI is being integrated across all industries, its uses have raised major ethical questions, from the spread of misinformation to its impact on employment, or the loss of technological control. At London's South by Southwest (SXSW) festival on Monday, Hassabis, who has won a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research on AI, also addressed the challenges that artificial general intelligence (AGI) -- a technology that could match and even surpass human capability -- would bring. "The most important thing is it's got to be some form of international cooperation because the technology is across all borders. It's going to get applied to all countries," Hassabis said. "Many, many countries are involved in researching or building data centres or hosting these technologies. So I think for anything to be meaningful, there has to be some sort of international cooperation or collaboration and unfortunately that's looking quite difficult in today's geopolitical context," he said. At Paris's AI summit in February, 58 countries -- including China, France, India, the European Union and the African Union Commission -- called for enhanced coordination on AI governance. But the US warned against "excessive regulation", with US Vice President JD Vance saying it could "kill a transformative sector". Alongside the US, the UK refused to sign the summit's appeal for an "open", "inclusive" and "ethical" AI. Hassabis on Monday advocated for the implementation of "smart, adaptable regulation" because "it needs to kind of adapt to where the technology ends up going and what the problems end up being".
Economic Times
3 hours ago
- Economic Times
XChat launch: Elon Musk to release app this week, will it replace WhatsApp?
Elon Musk unveils XChat, an encrypted messaging and calling feature rolling out on X this week. With end-to-end encryption, file sharing, and vanishing messages, XChat aims to rival WhatsApp and advance Musk's vision of turning X into an 'everything app". Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Encrypted Messaging, File Sharing, and More Signal-Like Privacy, Bitcoin-Style Security? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A Step Toward the 'Everything App' Tech World Watches Closely FAQs What is XChat? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads When will XChat be available? In a fresh push toward transforming his social media platform X into a comprehensive digital ecosystem, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has announced that XChat, a new encrypted messaging and calling service, will begin rolling out to users this week. The development marks a significant expansion of X's capabilities, raising questions about whether Musk's platform could become a viable competitor to WhatsApp, the dominant player in the messaging space, as mentioned in a report by announcement, made by Musk via a post on X on Monday, outlined key features of XChat, including end-to-end encryption, vanishing messages, the ability to share 'any kind of file,' and the option to make audio or video calls without the need for a phone new functionalities will be layered onto the platform's existing direct messaging service, which originally stemmed from its predecessor, stated the rollout will begin 'this week,' barring any technical issues. Reports indicate that some paying subscribers on X Premium have already begun accessing early iterations of the XChat service, suggesting limited testing is underway.A notable emphasis has been placed on privacy and encryption. Musk previously said he aimed to make direct messaging on X mirror the encrypted platform Signal, known for its strong security protocols. In his Monday post, Musk mentioned that XChat would adopt 'Bitcoin-style encryption'.However, this has drawn scrutiny from tech experts, as Bitcoin does not use encryption in a conventional sense but instead relies on cryptography and digital signatures to secure its blockchain Musk's intent appears to be reinforcing privacy standards that go beyond those of many mainstream messaging apps. He has also previously criticised Meta-owned WhatsApp, alleging it lacks sufficient user security—a claim WhatsApp has repeatedly denied, as mentioned in a report by introduction of XChat is part of Musk's broader vision to transform X into an 'everything app,' a goal he articulated before acquiring Twitter in a $44 billion deal in October 2022. The idea draws inspiration from Chinese super apps like WeChat, which combine messaging, social networking, payments, shopping, and has already initiated steps toward this model. In January, he announced a partnership with Visa to enable peer-to-peer payments on X, putting it in direct competition with services like Zelle and Venmo. The platform has also integrated Grok, an AI-powered chatbot, as part of its growing suite of features.X CEO Linda Yaccarino has echoed Musk's ambitions, calling the rollout of financial and messaging tools central to the company's launch of XChat could signal a new era for digital communications, especially if it manages to scale and attract a global user base. While WhatsApp currently dominates the messaging market with over 2 billion active users, XChat's promise of integrated functionality, privacy, and a social media backbone could position it as a disruptive force—if executed now, all eyes are on Musk and whether XChat, poised to debut this week, can indeed carve out a meaningful space in the saturated messaging app is a new encrypted messaging and calling service introduced by Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter), offering secure text, audio, video, and file-sharing to Musk, the rollout will begin this week. Some X Premium subscribers have reportedly started seeing early access.
