Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Starting May 5, 2025, WhatsApp will cease to function on several older iPhone models, including the popular iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus, as the messaging platform pushes forward with technological upgrades that these aging devices can no longer support.

This change comes as WhatsApp raises its minimum operating system requirement to iOS 15.1 — a version that the affected models, having long stopped receiving Apple updates, are unable to install. As a result, users of these older devices will first notice the loss of certain features, eventually leading to a complete shutdown of WhatsApp functionality.

The move marks the end of the line for some of Apple’s most commercially successful devices. Despite being more than a decade old, the iPhone 6 series continues to see widespread use globally. However, the inability to access WhatsApp — a key communication tool — is likely to prompt many remaining users to seek newer alternatives.

WhatsApp explained that the decision is part of a broader strategy to leverage the latest features and security updates available in newer versions of iOS. This allows the company to continue enhancing both its personal and business platforms with modern functionalities.

Users impacted by the change have already begun receiving notifications, advising them to update their operating systems where possible or consider transitioning to newer smartphones that meet the app’s technical requirements.

The shift is not limited to iPhones. WhatsApp is also discontinuing support for devices running KaiOS — a lightweight operating system based on Firefox OS, often found on basic “feature phones.” These include models like the Nokia 8110 (famously known as the “Banana Phone” from The Matrix), the Nokia 2760 Flip, and the Alcatel Go Flip.

In total, more than 70 different KaiOS-powered phone models across over 100 countries will be affected, impacting nearly 130 million devices worldwide. These basic phones have gained popularity in recent years due to their simplicity and alignment with the “digital detox” lifestyle, but they too will lose access to WhatsApp.

The platform’s decision underscores the growing challenge for users of older hardware in keeping up with fast-evolving digital services. As WhatsApp evolves, many will now be faced with a choice: upgrade to a newer device or part ways with one of the world’s most widely used messaging apps.