WhatsApp, which is among the most widely used messaging applications in the world, is going to become unavailable on certain iPhones that are older than 10 years starting in 2025. As promised, the news was confirmed by a very reputable tracking website, WABetaInfo, which states some of the most well-known iPhones in Apple’s history will be affected by this change. This is what you need to know about the non-supported devices and how to prepare users for that transition.
iPhone models losing WhatsApp support
A screenshot released by WABetaInfo shows an outdated device with a warning message. WhatsApp lets users breathe easy by promising them five months to upgrade their software or get a new phone. The company, however, adds that users should back up their chat histories and media files via iCloud to make the process seamless. With the chat transfer feature, users can quickly restore their data to this newer device.
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Another variant would be the writing of this consequence: iPhones will no longer support older versions from now on, as the company intends to always give opportunities to all the devices for proper usage with the best standards that WhatsApp befits. Old software versions do not have API updates and new heavy technologies needed to make new features available, and they create compatibility issues. By discontinuing support for old versions of iOS, WhatsApp guarantees that innovative features will always be available.
upgrade their software or transition to a newer device. To make this process seamless, the platform encourages users to back up their chat history and media files using iCloud. With the chat transfer feature, users can easily restore their data on a newer device.
The decision to end support for older iPhones stems from WhatsApp’s commitment to providing a consistent and secure experience across all platforms. Older software versions lack the updated APIs and advanced technologies required for new features, which creates compatibility issues. By discontinuing support for outdated iOS versions, WhatsApp ensures it can implement innovative features without hindrance.
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Impact on feature phones and KaiOS devices
Device-wise, WhatsApp will cease support for older iPhones as well as KaiOS devices in the year 2025. Thus, all those feature phones, such as the very popular JioPhone and JioPhone 2, will no longer receive support on WhatsApp as they operate on the KaiOS platform. As we notice, access to new user registrations and downloads on KaiOS has been blocked, thus gearing towards a near-complete termination of service on the said operating system.
Before, it really made sense for emerging markets to get hold of these devices developed with affordability in mind but which provided smartphone-like capacity. But now with changing technology and user needs, the decision taken by WhatsApp makes sense, prioritizing new platforms convergence that can support an increasingly expanding range of features.
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How to prepare for the transition
Transitioning from older iPhones or KaiOS devices to the new WhatsApp does not have to be bumpy for users. To check if WhatsApp will stop working on your device, check your iOS version or operating system. If you’re an iPhone user, go to Settings > General > About and read this.
If your device is on the list, you might want to consider upgrading to a newer model of iPhone or an alternative-supported smartphone. Make sure to back up your WhatsApp account via iCloud before switching to save all your chat history and media during a seamless transition. This transfer is further simplified by WhatsApp’s chat transfer feature, which enables users to restore their data to the new device effortlessly.
For KaiOS users, it is encouraged to migrate to a smartphone that’s Android- or iOS-based if they want to continue using WhatsApp. The investment would be upfront, but this would definitely give access to a far richer ecosystem of applications and capabilities.
This way, users will be still connected with relatives friends, and important people in their lives all the time. WhatsApp provides a seamless way for users to upgrade from previous technologies to newer ones while still using a state-of-the-art messaging platform.
