These Older iPhones Will Need an Update to Keep Running WhatsApp

Some older i Phone models will need a software update to keep running Whats App from the end of November 2026, after Meta confirmed it is raising the app's minimum system requirements. From November 30, Whats App will require i OS 15.5 or later, up from the current requirement of i OS 15.1. The models affected are the i Phone 6s, i Phone 6s Plus, i Phone SE (1st generation), i Phone 7, and i Phone 7 Plus. i OS 15.8.8 is the last update these models can install, so owners just need to make sure their device is updated before the deadline. To be clear, no iPhone is being dropped outright. Every model that can run iOS 15.1 can also be updated to 15.5, so a trip into Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update will be all it takes to stay compatible. Happily, the new requirements aren't as harsh as last year. In June 2025, WhatsApp cut off the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus entirely, since none of the devices could be updated past iOS 15.0. Affected users were left with web.whatsapp.com as their only option. Meta says it reviews supported operating systems each year, dropping those with the fewest users and the ones least likely to carry current security updates. Anyone on an affected version will be notified inside WhatsApp and reminded to upgrade before support ends.Tag: WhatsAppThis article, "These Older iPhones Will Need an Update to Keep Running WhatsApp" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums