Latest news with #iOS15
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Economic Times
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 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 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 Discontinuing support for outdated systems ensures WhatsApp can deliver a consistent and secure experience to its user base, which exceeds 3 billion remains a major concern.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 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 more information, users can visit WhatsApp's official support page or check their phone's software version under Settings.
India.com
2 days ago
- India.com
Attention Android, iPhone users! WhatsApp will not work on these phones from tomorrow due to...; check complete list
(File) WhatsApp requirements: In a vital update for users still clinging on to their older iPhones or Android-based smartphones, WhatsApp, Meta's popular messaging app, will stop working in devices running iOS 15 or earlier, or Android 5.0 or earlier, from tomorrow (June 1, 2025). According to Meta, the company is raising the minimum requirements for using WhatsApp because older iOS and Android-based smartphones no longer receive critical security updates from Apple and Google, respectively, which opens up users to a whole range of security threats. Starting June 1, Android devices running on Android 5.0 or earlier, and iOS devices, including iPhones and iPads, running iOS 15 or earlier, will end support for WhatsApp. Check out the complete list of Android and iPhones that won't support WhatsApp from tomorrow: iPhone models that will no longer support WhatsApp iPhone 5s iPhone 6 iPhone 6 Plus iPhone 6s iPhone 6s Plus iPhone SE (1st gen) WhatsApp won't work on these Android phones from June 1 Samsung Galaxy S4 Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Sony Zperia Z1 LG G2 Huawei Ascend P6 Moto G (1st Gen) Motorola Razr HD Moto E 2014 Do you need to change your phone to use WhatsApp? Not necessarily, while all the above mentioned phones are essentially ancient relics in 2025, its important to note that some might still be upgradable to iOS 15.1 or Android 5.1 which would enable WhatsApp to continue to run on these devices, at least until Meta raises the requirements again. However, if your phone is stuck on iOS 15 or Android 5.0, meaning you need to change your device, do not worry about losing your WhatsApp chats and media, and follow these easy steps to backup these to your Google account, which you can later use to restore on your new device. How to create WhatsApp backup? Open WhatsApp and enter settings by clicking the dotted bar on the upper right hand corner. Click 'Chats' Choose 'Backup' Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the backup to your Google account Why Meta withdrew WhatsApp support for older devices? According to Meta, the primary reason behind the the decision is to protect the privacy and security of WhatsApp users. The company noted that Apple and Google have ended support for these older iOS and Android versions, and no longer provides them with security updates, which exposes these older devices to a host of security risks.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
WhatsApp to End Support for Older iPhones and Android Phones from June 1: Is your Phone on the List
Starting June 1, WhatsApp will no longer function on a number of older iPhones and Android smartphones, as part of Meta's regular update cycle aimed at enhancing app performance and security. The company had initially planned to implement the change in May 2025 but delayed the rollout slightly, giving users extra time to prepare. This move affects devices running on outdated operating systems. Specifically, iPhones with iOS 15 or earlier and Android smartphones on Android 5.0 or below will lose access to the messaging app. According to WhatsApp, this step is essential as these legacy systems no longer receive security updates, leaving them vulnerable to threats. Here's a list of phones that will lose WhatsApp support starting June 1: iPhone 5s iPhone 6 iPhone 6 Plus iPhone 6s iPhone 6s Plus iPhone SE (1st Generation) 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) While these models are considered outdated, WhatsApp advises users to check their current software version before assuming they're affected. Devices running iOS 15.1 or newer, and Android 5.1 or later, will still be compatible with WhatsApp. If your device is eligible for a software update, installing it may keep WhatsApp running smoothly. For users whose phones are on the chopping block, WhatsApp recommends backing up chats before the support cutoff. This can be done by opening the app, navigating to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup, and following the prompts. Backing up your data to a Google account ensures an easier transition to a new phone without losing conversations or media. Security First: Why WhatsApp Is Pulling the Plug on Old Systems The primary reason behind ending support for these older systems is security. Devices that no longer receive regular updates from Apple or Android are more prone to cybersecurity threats. As WhatsApp continues to roll out new features aimed at protecting user data, maintaining compatibility with outdated systems becomes increasingly difficult and risky. 'Security is the main reason behind' the decision, the company said. Without frequent software patches, these older devices are at greater risk of being compromised — something WhatsApp is keen to avoid as it prioritizes user safety. Recent Privacy Enhancements on WhatsApp In recent months, WhatsApp has introduced a suite of privacy upgrades. These include new tools to prevent unauthorized copying of messages, images, or videos in both personal and group chats. Additionally, features like chat lock — which secures conversations with a password, fingerprint, or Face ID — and enhanced disappearing messages options have been implemented to give users more control over their data.
India Today
3 days ago
- India Today
WhatsApp will stop working on these older iPhones and Android phones starting tomorrow: See the full list here
WhatsApp will stop working for a few iPhones and Android devices, starting June 1. Previously, the company said that this move would come into effect in May 2025. However, a little delay turned out to be more time for the users to switch their phones. Before we move on to the entire list, the fairest question that pops up in our minds is: why? This move is part of Meta's regular cycle update. Essentially, WhatsApp is increasing its minimum requirements for its usage. advertisementStarting tomorrow, iPhones running on iOS 15 or earlier versions will not be able to support WhatsApp. The messaging app is also withdrawing support for Android 5.0 or earlier. Let's look at which phones are being targeted here. List of iPhones and Androids that will no longer support WhatsApp -- iPhone 5s-- iPhone 6-- iPhone 6 Plus-- iPhone 6s-- iPhone 6s Plus-- iPhone SE (1st gen) -- Samsung Galaxy S4-- Samsung Galaxy Note 3-- Sony Zperia Z1-- LG G2 -- Huawei Ascend P6-- Moto G (1st Gen)-- Motorola Razr HD-- Moto E 2014All the phones on the list are long past their prime. But before you discard your phone because of this issue, you must check if your phone is up-to-date. If the phones are still receiving software updates, which will make iPhones run on iOS 15.1 or later and Androids run on Android 5.1 or later, then WhatsApp will also run smoothly on your phone. advertisementIf you suspect your phone might be among those affected, there's no need to worry just yet. WhatsApp advises users to back up their chat history to a Google account before support is withdrawn. Doing so ensures that all your conversations can be seamlessly transferred to a new device. Simply open WhatsApp, head to Settings, tap Chats, then choose Chat Backup and follow the on-screen prompts. Taking this step will help make the switch to a new handset far more straightforward. Security is the main reason behindOne of the main motivations behind this decision is security. Since Apple no longer provides software updates for these older iOS versions, the devices are increasingly exposed to security risks. Without consistent security patches, users become more susceptible to breaches — a key reason why WhatsApp is urging people to move to newer hardware and operating the past few months, WhatsApp has introduced a number of updates aimed at bolstering user privacy and safeguarding personal data. Among the notable changes is a new privacy feature that prevents others from copying text, images, or videos from chats and group conversations — a move designed to reduce the risk of sensitive content being shared or misused without consent. In addition, WhatsApp has enhanced tools like chat lock, which lets users secure individual chats with a password, fingerprint, or Face ID. Improvements have also been made to the disappearing messages function, offering users more control over how long their messages remain visible before they vanish automatically.
CNET
6 days ago
- Health
- CNET
Save Money on a White Noise Machine by Using Your iPhone Instead
Listening to natural sounds can lower stress, relieve perceived pain and foster a more positive disposition, according to research from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Other studies suggest that white noise could help parents get their babies to sleep, adults learn words, and improve learning in environments full of distractions. And if you have an iPhone, it can double as a white noise machine, saving you money on a new device. Read more: White Noise Versus Brown Noise: Which One Is Best for Sleep? When Apple released iOS 15 in 2021, the operating system brought a hidden feature to your iPhone called Background Sounds. It allows you to turn your iPhone into a white noise machine, and you can play these sounds by themselves or under any podcast, music or video streaming app. When Apple first introduced the feature, there were six ambient sounds to play on a loop: rain, stream, ocean, bright, balanced and dark noise, which are different pitches of white noise. When Apple released iOS 18 last September, it added two sounds to the feature: night and fire. So instead of buying a white noise machine, save yourself some money and just use your iPhone. Read more: Everything You Need to Know About iOS 18 Here's how to enable Background Sounds on your iPhone. How to set up Background Sounds on your iPhone 1. Tap Settings. 2. Tap Accessibility. 3. Tap Audio & Visual. 4. Tap Background Sounds. 5. Tap the toggle next to Background Sounds near the top of the menu to enable the feature. In this menu you can also tap Sound to listen to the different noise options. If you're using the feature for the first time, the sounds have to download, so it might take a second. There are also two other toggles in this menu: Use When Media Is Playing and Stop Sounds When Locked. Tapping the toggle next to Use When Media Is Playing allows Background Sounds to keep playing while you watch a video or listen to music. And tapping the toggle next to Stop Sounds When Locked ensures Background Sounds will turn off when your device locks. If you don't have this enabled, the sounds will continue to play when your device locks. How to access Background Sounds from Control Center Instead of searching through Settings each time you want to turn Background Sounds on, here's how you can set up a toggle in the Control Center to turn the feature on to use on your iPhone. I like rain but fire and night are also pleasant. Apple/CNET 1. Open Control Center. 2. Tap the plus (+) sign in the top left of your screen. 3. Tap Add a Control near the bottom of your screen. 4. Tap Hearing control (ear icon) to add to Control Center. Once the Hearing control icon is in Control Center, tap it to see three options: Speaker, Background Sounds and Live Listen. Then tap the musical notes next to Background Sounds to turn the feature on. You can also tap on the words Background Sounds to open a menu to choose a different background sound as well as adjust the volume. Use Accessibility Shortcuts for Background Sounds You can also set up an accessibility shortcut to turn Background Sounds on or off from your home screen or within an app. Here's how to set it up. 1. Tap Settings. 2. Tap Accessibility. 3. Tap Accessibility Shortcut. 4. Tap Background Sounds. Now when you press the side button on your iPhone three times, Background Sounds will turn on. You can tap the button three times again to turn it back off. For more iOS news, here's all the features included in iOS 18.5 and iOS 18.4. You can also check out our iOS 18 cheat sheet and what we hope to see in iOS 19.
