WhatsApp Ends Support for iOS 9, Now Requires iPhone 5 or Later to Work

by

As indicated in a newly published support document, WhatsApp has ended support for iOS 9 and earlier versions of Apple's mobile operating system, requiring all users to be running at least iOS 10, released in 2016.

Whatsapp Feature
Up until now, iOS 9 users – who will have been mainly iPhone 4s owners – were able to use the encrypted chat service. Going forward, however, iOS 10 is required, meaning users will need an ‌iPhone‌ 5 or later model to use WhatsApp.

The drop in support follows a similar move by the Facebook-owned instant messaging service last year, when it ended support for iOS 8 and older.

For customers finding themselves no longer being able to use the app due to the end of support, it's recommended that you back up your WhatsApp chats to iCloud, and restore your chat history to a newer, supported device. You can find instructions on how to do so here.

Tag: WhatsApp

Top Rated Comments

Tubamajuba Avatar
Tubamajuba
19 weeks ago

The instructions being… spend more money on a device they won't be bothered to support in a few years?
The iPhone 4S is ten years old. It is beyond reasonable to ask your users to get a newer phone.
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sh20 Avatar
sh20
19 weeks ago

Big if true... especially given the WhatsApp demographic is poor people
wtf does that even mean?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple Knowledge Navigator Avatar
Apple Knowledge Navigator
19 weeks ago
Let's take a moment to remember our iPhone 4S friends... whoever they are.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tymmz Avatar
Tymmz
19 weeks ago
I’m on iPhone SE 2 and ended support for WhatsApp months ago.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
and 1989 others Avatar
and 1989 others
19 weeks ago
Remember folks the end of WhatsApp support on those phones does not render them useless. They can still be used to make calls, send text messages, emails and use the web.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
otternonsense Avatar
otternonsense
19 weeks ago

The iPhone 4S is ten years old. It is beyond reasonable to ask your users to get a newer phone.
Well yea, even the ones fastest to criticise Apple (points at self) can agree with that.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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