There have been rumors circulating that Apple’s iPhone will stop supporting WhatsApp in the near future. However, these claims are misleading and not entirely accurate. Here is a closer look at the facts:
WhatsApp Support on iPhones
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide with over 2 billion users. It is available for download on both Android and iOS devices including all models of iPhones. WhatsApp has confirmed that they will continue supporting iPhone models running iOS 10 and newer versions of the operating system. This means all iPhones from the iPhone 5 and newer will still be able to use WhatsApp without any issues for the foreseeable future.
Where Did the Rumors Originate?
In early 2022, WhatsApp updated the minimum iOS version required to run the app from iOS 10 to iOS 12. This led to speculation that older iPhone models like the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c would no longer be able to use WhatsApp since they cannot update to iOS 12 and newer. However, WhatsApp has not placed any restrictions on using the app on these older devices as long as they are updated to the latest OS version they support, which is iOS 10.
What iPhones Will Be Impacted?
Based on WhatsApp’s requirements, the only iPhones that will be impacted by the rumors are:
- iPhone 4S
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5C
These models max out at iOS 10 and will eventually lose access to WhatsApp when support for iOS 10 ends. However, there is no definitive timeline on when iOS 10 support will end. For now, these iPhone models can still use WhatsApp without issue if running iOS 10.
Will WhatsApp Completely Stop Working on iPhones?
No, there are no plans for WhatsApp to completely stop working on all iPhone models. The rumors solely impact iPhone models that cannot update past iOS 10. As long as you have an iPhone model capable of running iOS 12 or newer, you will still be able to use WhatsApp.
Here are the iPhone models capable of running iOS 12 and newer:
- iPhone 5S
- iPhone 6/6 Plus
- iPhone 6S/6S Plus
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
- iPhone 7/7 Plus
- iPhone 8/8 Plus
- iPhone X
- iPhone XS/XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone 12/12 Mini/12 Pro/12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13/13 Mini/13 Pro/13 Pro Max
All the models in this list will continue to support WhatsApp for the foreseeable future, even after iOS 10 support ends. Only the oldest iPhone models like the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 will eventually lose access.
What Should Users With Older iPhones Do?
For users with older iPhone models like the iPhone 5 that will eventually lose WhatsApp support, you have a few options:
- Use WhatsApp for as long as your current iPhone supports iOS 10.
- Upgrade your iPhone to a newer model that supports iOS 12 or higher.
- Switch to an Android phone that will continue supporting WhatsApp if you do not want to upgrade your iPhone.
The best option is to upgrade your iPhone to a newer model when your current phone stops supporting the latest iOS version. This will allow you to keep using WhatsApp and other apps that may eventually drop support for older iOS versions.
Will WhatsApp Stop Working on All Older iPhones?
No, WhatsApp will only stop working on iPhone models that cannot update past iOS 10. As long as your iPhone can run iOS 12 or newer, you will still be able to use WhatsApp. The app will only become unavailable for iPhone 5 and earlier models once iOS 10 support ends in the future.
Is There an Official End Date for WhatsApp Support on iOS 10?
WhatsApp has not provided any official end-of-support date for iOS 10 devices. The company may decide to continue supporting iOS 10 longer than anticipated. However, iOS 10 will eventually stop receiving important security updates and bug fixes, which will impact WhatsApp’s performance and security on outdated iPhone models. Users should prepare to upgrade their iPhones when WhatsApp and iOS 10 support ends.
Key Takeaways
- WhatsApp is not completely stopping support for iPhones, only the oldest models like iPhone 5 that cannot update past iOS 10.
- All iPhones capable of running iOS 12 or newer will still support WhatsApp.
- There is no definitive end date for iOS 10 and WhatsApp support yet.
- Users with outdated iPhones should prepare to upgrade when iOS 10 support ends.
- Upgrading to an iPhone model supporting iOS 12+ will allow continued use of WhatsApp.
The Bottom Line
In summary, rumors of WhatsApp no longer working on iPhones are only partially true. Only iPhone models not updatable past iOS 10 will eventually lose WhatsApp support when iOS 10 ends. However, all iPhones running iOS 12 or higher will continue working with WhatsApp. To keep using WhatsApp, users with outdated iPhones will need to upgrade to a newer iPhone model supporting newer iOS versions. There is no imminent end date for iOS 10 and WhatsApp support yet, but users should prepare to upgrade in the future.