Later this year, WhatsApp support for older Apple iPhone models is reportedly going to end. According to a recent report by Mashable India, the popular instant messaging app may discontinue supporting earlier iterations of Apple’s iOS operating system as early as this October.
The versions include iOS 10 and iOS 11, as WABetaInfo had previously hinted. According to sources, WhatsApp has already begun notifying iPhone users running iOS 10 and iOS 11 about the change.
Why is this happening?
For all the phones and platforms it supports, including iOS, Android, and PCs, WhatsApp needs to be updated on a regular basis, just like most other apps. The development team must concentrate its efforts on more recent hardware and software so that it can continue to support the app while adding new features. Additionally, this entails ceasing support for outdated software versions that are only sometimes utilised by consumers.
What iPhone models might this affect?
Not many iPhone models are expected to be impacted by WhatsApp’s decision, as iOS 16 is only scheduled to go live next week and iOS 14 and 15 are the most widely used software versions at the moment. The iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S are the main devices that are still operable with this older OS.
How to update your iPhone?
If you’re on iOS 10 or iOS 11, and your model supports an upgrade, you can head over to Settings > General and then tap on the Software Update option to check for updates and update your device.
