WhatsApp Ends Support for iPhone 6: Users Locked Out After August Update
I still remember standing outside a buzzing Apple store in Delhi in early May, interviewing Rishi, a college student who had queued up for a refurbished iPhone 8.
He looked visibly frustrated. “WhatsApp just stopped working on my iPhone 6 yesterday,” he said, holding up the device with a cracked screen.
He had missed a crucial update from his internship coordinator due to the app cutoff. “I didn’t even know support had ended.”
That moment stuck with me - not because of the technicality of a software update, but because of the very real impact it had on someone trying to climb up in life with limited tools. And he’s not alone.
That moment stuck with me - not because of the technicality of a software update, but because of the very real impact it had on someone trying to climb up in life with limited tools. And he’s not alone.
This article explains why WhatsApp ended support for older iPhones, running iOS below 15.1, including the iPhone 5s, 6, and 6 Plus who it impacts, and what steps affected users can take immediately to stay connected.
This move, while expected by some in the tech community, has caught millions off guard - particularly students, freelancers, and small business owners across India, Pakistan, the UAE, and parts of Africa.
WhatsApp now requires iPhones to run iOS 15.1 or newer. If your device is older than the iPhone 6s, you won’t be able to send or receive messages, though your previous chats will still be visible for now.
The initial cutoff was scheduled for May 5, but enforcement began on June 1, 2025.
Affected iPhone models:
iPhone 5s
iPhone 6
iPhone 6 Plus
Many users, particularly in India, are still on these legacy devices, largely due to the high resale value of iPhones and a booming refurbished phone market.
If you’re using one of the affected models:
You will no longer receive new messages.
WhatsApp (and WhatsApp Business) will become non-functional beyond static access to old messages.
You must upgrade your device or switch platforms to continue communicating.
Backup your chats to iCloud or Google Drive (if migrating to Android) immediately.
The Human Impact: Small Businesses & Students Hit Hardest
For small businesses that rely on WhatsApp for customer engagement and payments, the cutoff has led to disruptions.
Shazia, who runs a home bakery in Lucknow, told me: “I had no idea this was coming. Customers were messaging and I wasn’t getting anything. I lost three orders in a single day.”
In rural Pakistan, where WhatsApp is often the default mode of communication for freelancers and delivery workers, such a change isn’t just inconvenient - it’s crippling.
Even in the UAE, where the tech adoption rate is high, older iPhones remain in use among migrant laborers, many of whom rely on WhatsApp for international communication.
A WhatsApp spokesperson stated, "Raising the iOS baseline allows us to use newer APIs, ensuring better encryption, performance, and app reliability."
Translation: older systems can’t handle modern features and security protocols.
WhatsApp's updated FAQ confirms that iOS 15.1+ is now the minimum requirement, aligning with the company’s broader roadmap to deprecate older platforms in favor of newer tech.
If you're on iPhone 6 or older, here are your choices:
Option 1: Upgrade to a Supported iPhone
iPhone 8 (Refurbished): ₹18,000 to ₹25,000 (India); $150–$200 (US)
iPhone X (Refurbished): ₹30,000 to ₹40,000 (India); $250–$300 (US)
Budget Android phones from brands like Xiaomi, Realme, and Samsung still support WhatsApp.
Affected users report limited access via desktop if previously logged in.
Telegram, Signal, or even iMessage (on newer Apple devices).
What’s Changing?
WhatsApp now requires iPhones to run iOS 15.1 or newer. If your device is older than the iPhone 6s, you won’t be able to send or receive messages, though your previous chats will still be visible for now.
The initial cutoff was scheduled for May 5, but enforcement began on June 1, 2025.
Affected iPhone models:
iPhone 5s
iPhone 6
iPhone 6 Plus
What This Means for Users
Many users, particularly in India, are still on these legacy devices, largely due to the high resale value of iPhones and a booming refurbished phone market.
If you’re using one of the affected models:
You will no longer receive new messages.
WhatsApp (and WhatsApp Business) will become non-functional beyond static access to old messages.
You must upgrade your device or switch platforms to continue communicating.
Backup your chats to iCloud or Google Drive (if migrating to Android) immediately.
The Human Impact: Small Businesses & Students Hit Hardest
For small businesses that rely on WhatsApp for customer engagement and payments, the cutoff has led to disruptions.
Shazia, who runs a home bakery in Lucknow, told me: “I had no idea this was coming. Customers were messaging and I wasn’t getting anything. I lost three orders in a single day.”
In rural Pakistan, where WhatsApp is often the default mode of communication for freelancers and delivery workers, such a change isn’t just inconvenient - it’s crippling.
Even in the UAE, where the tech adoption rate is high, older iPhones remain in use among migrant laborers, many of whom rely on WhatsApp for international communication.
Why WhatsApp Did This
A WhatsApp spokesperson stated, "Raising the iOS baseline allows us to use newer APIs, ensuring better encryption, performance, and app reliability."
Translation: older systems can’t handle modern features and security protocols.
WhatsApp's updated FAQ confirms that iOS 15.1+ is now the minimum requirement, aligning with the company’s broader roadmap to deprecate older platforms in favor of newer tech.
What Are Your Options Now?
If you're on iPhone 6 or older, here are your choices:
Option 1: Upgrade to a Supported iPhone
iPhone 8 (Refurbished): ₹18,000 to ₹25,000 (India); $150–$200 (US)
iPhone X (Refurbished): ₹30,000 to ₹40,000 (India); $250–$300 (US)
Option 2: Switch to Android
Budget Android phones from brands like Xiaomi, Realme, and Samsung still support WhatsApp.
Option 3: Use WhatsApp Web (Temporarily)
Affected users report limited access via desktop if previously logged in.
Option 4: Switch Messaging Platforms
Telegram, Signal, or even iMessage (on newer Apple devices).
iPhone 8 vs iPhone X – Key Specs
Feature iPhone 8 iPhone X
Display 4.7” Retina HD 5.8” Super Retina OLED
Processor A11 Bionic A11 Bionic
Authentication Touch ID Face ID
Camera 12 MP (single lens) Dual 12 MP cameras
OS Support Up to iOS 16 Up to iOS 17
Reactions from the Ground
A quick scan of Reddit threads and user forums reveals frustration and confusion:
"Respect to those still running a 5s"
"WhatsApp just died on my mom's phone, she didn't even know updates mattered"
These posts reveal a knowledge gap: millions of casual users are unaware that OS support even plays a role in app functionality.
Retail Response: Surge in Refurb iPhone Sales
Amit Mehta, CEO of Mumbai-based tech resale company Refurbee, noted a 30% spike in refurbished iPhone 8 inquiries in May.
“We saw traffic jump the moment WhatsApp’s enforcement date passed. People were desperate to find budget upgrades,” he told me.
What Other Messaging Apps Are Doing
Compared to WhatsApp, platforms like Telegram and Samsung Messages tend to maintain backward compatibility longer.
However, even Google only recently stopped support for Android 5.0, hinting at a wider trend: messaging apps are all moving toward dropping older systems.
How to Backup Your WhatsApp Data Before It's Too Late
Pro Tip: Backups can take up to an hour depending on chat size.
To backup your WhatsApp chats:
Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
Connect to Wi-Fi.
Ensure iCloud has enough storage.
Tap Back Up Now.
If you're switching to Android:
Use Move to iOS app for migration.
Ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Bigger Picture: A Shift in the Mobile Lifecycle
This isn’t just about WhatsApp.
It’s about how long tech companies want users to stay on old devices. Apple, Google, and Meta are all nudging users toward more frequent upgrades by cutting support earlier.
With budget constraints across developing markets, this could deepen digital inequality.
Final Thoughts
If you’re still using an iPhone 6 or older, the writing’s on the wall. WhatsApp won’t work unless you upgrade.
But the issue runs deeper than hardware. It reflects how app ecosystems are evolving - with less room for legacy users.
For millions, this isn’t just a push to upgrade. It’s a reminder that digital access, too, comes with an expiration date.
For more info you may visit official whatsapp site
Author: Michael B. Norris, Senior Tech Reporter | TrendingAlone News
Michael B. Norris has covered mobile ecosystems, privacy tech, and app evolution for over a decade. His work has appeared in major tech magazines, and he frequently interviews on-ground users to reflect authentic tech experiences.
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