Many iPhone users with older models like the iPhone 6S are wondering whether their devices will continue to support WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform owned by Meta. WhatsApp is one of the most widely used messaging services globally, with over 2 billion monthly active users. As apps get updated over time, they sometimes drop support for older operating systems and devices. So a valid question to ask is, will WhatsApp stop working on iPhone 6S anytime soon? Let’s analyze this in detail.
WhatsApp Support for iOS Versions
WhatsApp’s support page states that the app supports iOS 12 and newer versions currently. Here are the minimum iOS versions required for WhatsApp as per their latest update:
| WhatsApp Version | Minimum iOS Version Supported |
| 2.22.10.70 | iOS 12 |
| 2.22.10.74 | iOS 12 |
| 2.22.10.75 | iOS 12 |
| 2.22.10.78 | iOS 12 |
As you can see, the last few WhatsApp updates have consistently maintained support for iOS 12 and above.
iOS Version History of iPhone 6S
The iPhone 6S originally shipped with iOS 9. The latest version it supports currently is iOS 15.6.1 as per Apple’s update policy for older devices. Here is the iOS version history for iPhone 6S:
| Release Year | iOS Version |
| 2015 | iOS 9 |
| 2016 | iOS 10 |
| 2017 | iOS 11 |
| 2018 | iOS 12 |
| 2019 | iOS 13 |
| 2020 | iOS 14 |
| 2022 | iOS 15 |
As you can see, the iPhone 6S is capable of running up to iOS 15 which is the latest version it supports.
WhatsApp Support Conclusion for iPhone 6S
Based on the WhatsApp version support requirements and the iOS versions supported by iPhone 6S, we can conclude that WhatsApp will continue to work on iPhone 6S for the foreseeable future.
The latest iOS 15.6.1 update that the iPhone 6S can install meets WhatsApp’s minimum requirement of iOS 12. There are currently no signs that WhatsApp will drop support for iOS 15 anytime soon. So users with an iPhone 6S do not need to worry about losing WhatsApp access.
Will WhatsApp Ever Stop Working on iPhone 6S?
While WhatsApp will continue working for now, there may come a time in the future when new WhatsApp updates no longer support older iOS versions that the iPhone 6S can install.
This usually happens when apps aim to leverage new features only available in the latest OS versions. Dropping support for older OSes helps maintain a consistent user experience and simplify app development & testing.
Based on WhatsApp’s update history, they have dropped iOS version support a couple of times before:
| Year | Minimum iOS Version |
| 2017 | iOS 9 |
| 2018 | iOS 10 |
| 2020 | iOS 12 |
So in late 2020, WhatsApp started requiring at least iOS 12. Any older iPhone models that couldn’t upgrade to iOS 12 lost WhatsApp support.
The iPhone 6S may face a similar situation in the future if it cannot upgrade to meet WhatsApp’s minimum iOS version requirements.
Apple typically provides software updates to older iPhones for 4-5 years after their release. The iPhone 6S came out in September 2015, so it is approaching 8 years old. Apple may stop releasing iOS updates for it anytime now.
When that happens, if WhatsApp requires an iOS version newer than 15.6.1, the iPhone 6S would lose access to the app. But this would likely happen years down the road, not anytime soon.
Alternative Messaging Options if WhatsApp Stops Working
If someday in the future WhatsApp drops support for your iPhone 6S, here are some alternative messaging options to consider:
Telegram
Telegram is an increasingly popular messaging app with a focus on speed, security and privacy. It has desktop and web apps available alongside mobile apps. You can easily transfer your chats from WhatsApp to Telegram.
Signal
Signal is widely used encrypted messaging app recommended by privacy advocates. It allows secure chats, voice calls, video calls and group chats. Signal also needs only your phone number to get started.
Facebook Messenger
Facebook’s official Messenger app focuses on messaging, voice and video calls. It deeply integrates with Facebook’s social network. The app supports cross-platform chats across mobile, desktop and web.
iMessage
Apple’s own iMessage service provides encrypted messaging between iOS devices and Macs. It supports standard chats, group chats, voice messages, photos, videos, animations and more.
RCS Messaging
RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging is a new standard supported by many Android phones and carriers. It adds support for richer chats over cellular data like WhatsApp. But its adoption among iOS users may be limited.
Key Takeaways
– WhatsApp currently supports iOS 12 and above, while the iPhone 6S can run up to iOS 15.6.1. So WhatsApp will continue working on iPhone 6S for now.
– WhatsApp may eventually stop supporting older iOS versions that the iPhone 6S relies on. But this would likely happen years later as the device ages further.
– Once WhatsApp drops support, users have alternative options like Telegram, Signal, iMessage, Facebook Messenger and RCS messaging.
– For now, iPhone 6S users can continue enjoying WhatsApp without worrying about losing access anytime soon. But it’s wise to be prepared for a switch to a newer device and messaging app in the future.
Conclusion
To summarize, based on the latest WhatsApp version support policies and the iOS versions the iPhone 6S can install, users with this device will not face any imminent risk of losing WhatsApp access.
The app will continue working smoothly on iPhone 6S at present. Only years down the road when WhatsApp requires a more modern iOS version may the aging iPhone 6S lose support. But you have plenty of alternative messaging options to switch to if that happens in the distant future.
So in conclusion, you can safely rely on using WhatsApp from your iPhone 6S for the next few years at the minimum without worrying about compatibility issues or the app stopping to work. Only after the phone is much older and unsupported would you need to consider newer device options for messaging needs.