WhatsApp to drop support for these older iOS and iPadOS versions

Source Domain: 9to5mac.com

Meta has announced that, starting November 30, 2026, WhatsApp will raise its minimum requirements for running on iPhones and iPads. Here are the details.

WhatsApp announces new minimum requirements

From time to time, WhatsApp announces important changes that affect users running the app on older devices.

Here’s why, according to Meta:

Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates.

Every year we look at which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest users. These devices also might not have the latest security updates, or might lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp.

Last year, the app raised its minimum iOS version requirement to iOS 15.1, effectively dropping support for the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus.

The company makes these announcements well in advance, so users who might still be rocking an older iPhone have time to prepare.

That’s why this week, Meta announced that starting November 30, WhatsApp will require iOS 15.5 or newer, and iPadOS 15.5 or newer to run.

The good news is that every iPhone and iPad running iOS 15.1 and iPadOS 15.1 can also run iOS 15.5 and iPadOS 15.5, so the cutoff won’t be as consequential as last time.

That said, if you or someone in your life still uses an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, iPad Air 2, or iPad mini 4, make sure these devices are running the latest updates available (iOS 15.8.8 and iPadOS 15.8.8) to keep using WhatsApp.

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