Update your iPhone beyond iOS 10 and iOS 11, or stop using WhatsApp

From October 2022, WABetaInfo claims that WhatsApp will no longer support iOS 10 and iOS 11, as well as two iPhones: 5C and 5C. Users of iOS 10 and iOS 11 are reportedly receiving the following notice on their iPhones: “Update to the latest version of iOS to continue using WhatsApp. WhatsApp will stop supporting this version of iOS after 24 Oct 2022.” The message further notes that if these users want to use the app beyond the October deadline, they need to update their device to iOS 12 or later.

The iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c were released in 2012 and 2013, respectively, making them both relics of the past. Most iPhone users have probably already moved on and bought something newer, so the end of support isn’t likely to affect too many people. To continue using the app, users of these outdated smartphones will need to upgrade to a newer phone.

Those with a newer iPhone still running iOS 10 or 11 must update to iOS 12 or a later version to avoid losing WhatsApp support. To get the most recent version of iOS that is compatible with your device, go to the Settings menu on your iPhone, select ‘General,’ and then tap on the ‘Software Update’ option.

There’s no doubt that WhatsApp is the most popular instant messaging service globally. But even though it’s almost the default way to messaging for millions of Android users around the world, iMessage is more popular on iOS. Still, millions of iPhone users around the world use WhatsApp, and the fact that some older devices will no longer be supported could be bad news for some of them.

As with most apps, WhatsApp does discontinue support for older operating systems, thus its decision to end support for ancient iOS versions is actually valid. In 2021, it removed support for Android phones running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean or older. Meaning that Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and older are no longer supported by the app. This probably did not affect a large number of individuals, given the great majority of Android users have long since abandoned these outdated operating systems.

Next year, WhatsApp may end support for the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6s running iOS 12.