Changes to WhatsApp’s operating system will prevent some older smartphones using the app in 2025.
The alterations to the social media app mean 70 Android phone models will no longer be able to use WhatsApp next year, according to Android developer Selva Ganesh of AndroidInfotech. Of these, 27 models were sold in the U.S, according to Newsweek research. Three iPhone models will also be affected.
Newsweek contacted the Meta press office requesting the full list of phones the app will no longer be working on in 2025, and the company pointed Newsweek to WhatsApp’s Help Center site, which does not list the phones. Newsweek has also contacted Ganesh via email for comment.
Yui Mok/Press Association via AP
Why It Matters
The phones that the changes to WhatsApp will affect are fairly old models, so it is likely relatively few people still use them. However, as the application is so widely used, with over 2 billion monthly active users worldwide and 100 million monthly active users in the U.S, those who aren’t able to access it may feel increasingly isolated or feel forced to purchase a new phone.
What To Know
According to Ganesh, the first compatibility update for WhatsApp will happen on January 1, 2025, and will affect 70 Android phones, 27 of which are available in the U.S, and later in the year, the app will stop being supported for older versions of iPhones as well.
The January 1 update to WhatsApp will mean those using the Android KitKat OS, released in 2013, are unable to use the social media app.
Based on the list of affected Android phones reported by Ganesh, the ones that have been sold in the U.S, according to an AI-assisted search, include:
Samsung:
- Galaxy Note 3
- Galaxy S4 (I9500, I9505, I9506)
- Galaxy S4 Active I9295
- Galaxy S4 mini I9190
- Galaxy S4 zoom
- Galaxy J
- Galaxy Mega 6.3 I9200
Sony:
- Xperia Z
- Xperia Z Ultra
- Xperia Z1
- Xperia ZL
HTC:
LG:
- G2
- G Flex
- Nexus 5
- Optimus G Pro E985
Motorola:
- DROID Maxx
- DROID Ultra
- Moto G
- Moto X
Huawei:
NEC:
Casio:
Cat:
Vertu:
On May 5, 2025, WhatsApp will also stop working on a number of iPhones with older IOS versions than 15.1, according to the WhatsApp Help Center.
Some iPhones with older IOS versions can be updated, but other phones can only be updated to IOS 12.5.7. These phones include the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
On the Help Center site for the application, it says: “These devices also might not have the latest security updates, or might lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp.”
According to HD Blog, Meta is discontinuing support for these older smartphones to enable the application to promote artificial intelligence (AI)-based capabilities that the older phone models would not be able to support.
What People Are Saying
WhatsApp, on its website Help Center: “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.”
What’s Next
The first update will happen on New Years Day, reportedly affecting the listed Android phones. It will then be in May that iPhones are also affected.
According to HD Blog, if you have one of the listed phones, it could be worth making a backup of the chats before permanently losing access to the platform. This can be done within the app’s settings.
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