If you’re still holding on to your pre-2014 iPhone or Android smartphone, now might be the time to finally make the upgrade.

From today, WhatsApp will only support iPhones running iOS 15.1 and up, or Android devices running Android 5.0 and up.

This means legacy smartphones released in or before 2014—like the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus—as well as old-school Android phones like Samsung’s Galaxy S III, the HTC One X, and the Sony Xperia Z, will no longer be able to run Meta’s ever-popular messaging app.

The change was originally pegged for May 5, 2025, but had been pushed back for a few weeks to allow users time to prepare, according to 9to5Mac. In the app’s FAQ page, Meta explained the decision to axe support was due to these legacy phones not having the latest security updates or functionality required to run WhatsApp.

“Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates. Every year, we look at which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest users.”

The writing has been on the wall for these older iPhones for quite some time. Apple declared the iPhone 6 “obsolete” just over a year ago, meaning the company will no longer repair or service the device, and third-party service providers can’t order parts for the products.

If this is enough to force you to upgrade, check out PCMag’s guide to the best modern iPhones for 2025.

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About Will McCurdy

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I’m a reporter covering weekend news. Before joining PCMag in 2024, I picked up bylines in BBC News, The Guardian, The Times of London, The Daily Beast, Vice, Slate, Fast Company, The Evening Standard, The i, TechRadar, and Decrypt Media.

I’ve been a PC gamer since you had to install games from multiple CD-ROMs by hand. As a reporter, I’m passionate about the intersection of tech and human lives. I’ve covered everything from crypto scandals to the art world, as well as conspiracy theories, UK politics, and Russia and foreign affairs.

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