WhatsApp to end support for older iPhones running iOS 11
WhatsApp has confirmed that iPhones running outdated iOS software will soon be unable to use the instant messaging app.
The Meta-owned company revealed on Monday that it will no longer support its service on iPhone devices running iOS 10 or iOS 11.
This means that users with devices such as the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5C will have to purchase a new smartphone if they want to continue using WhatsApp later this year.
Support is set to end in October according to reports, but WhatsApp has yet to confirm an official date.
It has been five years since the launch of iOS 11, so it’s not a huge surprise that WhatsApp has opted to support newer versions of Apple’s mobile software moving forward.
The company’s support page states that operating systems are “regularly reviewed” amid the ongoing release of new devices and software.
While many developers want to continue supporting older software, some devices don’t have access to new security updates or cutting-edge features and functionality.
Apple’s latest flagship, the iPhone 13, runs iOS 15, while iOS 16 is likely to be unveiled in the coming months.
WhatsApp users with unsupported devices have around five months to upgrade to a new device that supports iOS 12 or later versions.
In the meantime, WhatsApp says that users running iOS 11 or earlier will soon get a notification within the app about the changes.
The notification will advise them to switch to either newer software or devices to keep their contacts and messages.