WhatsApp to End Support for iOS 10 and iOS 11, Require iPhone 5S or Later to Work - MacRumors
Skip to Content

WhatsApp to End Support for iOS 10 and iOS 11, Require iPhone 5S or Later to Work

WhatsApp is set to end support for iOS 10 and iOS 11 versions of Apple's mobile operating system, requiring all users to be running at least iOS 12 after October 24, 2022.

Whatsapp Feature
That means iOS 10 and iOS 11 users – who will mainly be iPhone 5 and iPhone 5C owners – will no longer be able to use the encrypted chat service after the specified date.

WhatsApp already states on its Help Center that it currently provides official support iOS 12 or newer, so presumably iPhone models like the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6s will remain fully supported for the foreseeable future.

Users who intend to upgrade their iPhone and use the app after the above date can back up their WhatsApp chats to iCloud, and restore their chat history to a newer, supported device. You can find instructions on how to do so here.

(Via WaBetaInfo.)

Popular Stories

Whatsapp Feature

WhatsApp Now Lets Anyone Join Calls, No Account Needed

Wednesday October 14, 2026 7:00 am PDT by
Popular Meta chat app WhatsApp today gained guest calling, a feature that lets users invite anyone to join a voice or video call, even if the invitee doesn't have a WhatsApp account. WhatsApp says everyone has access to free, end-to-end encrypted calls with no time limits and support for up to 32 people at once. A guest joining a call needs permission from the call host, and guests will...
Whatsapp Feature

WhatsApp Developing In-App Browser for All Chat Links on iPhone

Tuesday October 20, 2026 9:15 pm PDT by
WhatsApp is developing an optional in-app browser for its iPhone app that would let users open any link shared in chats without leaving the app, according to WABetaInfo. A new "In-app browser" option under Settings and Chats would let users enable the feature or continue opening links in their default browser. Users would also be able to clear cookies, cache, and other browsing data. The...
iOS 28 AI

Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28

Sunday November 8, 2026 7:42 am PST by
Apple has made a change to its development process for iOS 28, macOS 28, and corresponding software updates, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, he said Apple separates development of each year's new operating systems into three major stages. Typically, he said each stage consists of four weeks of coding followed by a four-week "convergence" period where...

Top Rated Comments

58 months ago

I wonder what happen the these who said they will continue to use iOS 6 and not move to non Skeuomorphic designs of past iOS 7??
I'm pretty sure most of these people are just making up fake stories for internet points.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheRoadRunner Avatar
58 months ago
The 5 and 5C have been around for a very long time in tech terms (2012/2013), so in my opinion you can’t complain about this. They’ve done well to be supported for this long.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
58 months ago

While I agree, it makes little sense to drop support.

I mean I can understand not porting new features and that would be legit, but keeping at least the text part wouldmake sense.
It's not quite that straightforward. When the app starts having different features gated to different devices, you increase its complexity quite a lot, plus encourage the dragging of bloat. It can also lead to security issues (through legacy, unsupported API use) and generally just bring the experience down for everyone.

Nearly ten years is a good run for software support.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mercedes33 Avatar
58 months ago
i use an Iphone 4s as my daily :)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BellSystem Avatar
58 months ago
Facebook needs more horsepower than the 5C can muster for examination of your messages.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
58 months ago

i use an Iphone 4s as my daily :)
I don’t know why you like to hurt yourself but have fun!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Here's What Apple Fixed in iOS 27.2.1 and macOS 27.2.1
Here's What Apple Fixed in iOS 27.2.1 and macOS 27.2.1
7 hours ago
Webex Gets iPhone Duo Support
Webex Gets iPhone Duo Support
8 hours ago
Meta's Muse AI Agent Comes to Apple Watch
Meta's Muse AI Agent Comes to Apple Watch
8 hours ago
Anker Launches Eufy Security Cam With Auto-Tracking Light
Anker Launches Eufy Security Cam With Auto-Tracking Light
8 hours ago
macOS 27.2.1 Fixes eMudhra Certificate Flaw in Command-Line Tools
macOS 27.2.1 Fixes eMudhra Certificate Flaw in Command-Line Tools
10 hours ago
Anthropic Launches Claude Fable 5.2 and Mythos 5.2
Anthropic Launches Claude Fable 5.2 and Mythos 5.2
11 hours ago
Apple Releases macOS Golden Gate 27.2.1
Apple Releases macOS Golden Gate 27.2.1
12 hours ago
Apple Releases iOS 27.2.1 With Bug Fixes
Apple Releases iOS 27.2.1 With Bug Fixes
12 hours ago
Apple Releases watchOS 27.2.1 and visionOS 27.2.1 With Security Fixes
Apple Releases watchOS 27.2.1 and visionOS 27.2.1 With Security Fixes
12 hours ago
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Gets $99 Amazon Discounts, Starting at $699.99
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Gets $99 Amazon Discounts, Starting at $699.99
12 hours ago
Apple Pay Ad Features Martial Arts Convenience Store Food Fight
Apple Pay Ad Features Martial Arts Convenience Store Food Fight
12 hours ago
Apple Continues to Say Some AI Features Will Have Fees for Extra Usage
Apple Continues to Say Some AI Features Will Have Fees for Extra Usage
12 hours ago
Apple Announces Türkiye Expansion Plans as Tim Cook Visits
Apple Announces Türkiye Expansion Plans as Tim Cook Visits
14 hours ago
Singapore Saved Apple $2.7 Billion in Taxes This Year
Singapore Saved Apple $2.7 Billion in Taxes This Year
14 hours ago
Apple Music's 2026 Artist of the Year is Olivia Dean
Apple Music's 2026 Artist of the Year is Olivia Dean
14 hours ago
This Could Be Your Last Chance to Pre-Order the HomeView at a Discount
This Could Be Your Last Chance to Pre-Order the HomeView at a Discount
14 hours ago
Some HomePod Mini 2 Buyers Returning Units Over Mac Speaker Issues
Some HomePod Mini 2 Buyers Returning Units Over Mac Speaker Issues
15 hours ago
MacBook Pro With PROLED XDR Display: Details You Might Have Missed
MacBook Pro With PROLED XDR Display: Details You Might Have Missed
15 hours ago
Satechi Offers MacRumors Readers 30% Off Select Accessories in Early Black Friday Sale
Satechi Offers MacRumors Readers 30% Off Select Accessories in Early Black Friday Sale
15 hours ago
Leaker Envisions a Shorter iPhone With a New iOS Layout
Leaker Envisions a Shorter iPhone With a New iOS Layout
16 hours ago
Apple to Give You More Control Over When Your Mac Passwords Lock
Apple to Give You More Control Over When Your Mac Passwords Lock
17 hours ago
Siri Is Getting a Better Memory
Siri Is Getting a Better Memory
17 hours ago
iPhone 18e Could Feature Bigger Display and Battery
iPhone 18e Could Feature Bigger Display and Battery
17 hours ago
Apple's Siri Boss May Leave - Here's Who Could Take Over
Apple's Siri Boss May Leave - Here's Who Could Take Over
18 hours ago
Apple Launching Two More New Products This Friday
Apple Launching Two More New Products This Friday
18 hours ago
Apple Store Subscription Sign-Up Controversy Exposed
Apple Store Subscription Sign-Up Controversy Exposed
1 day ago
Siri AI Rumored to Become 'More Like an Agent' as Early as Next Year
Siri AI Rumored to Become 'More Like an Agent' as Early as Next Year
2 days ago
Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28
Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28
2 days ago
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
2 days ago
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
2 days ago