WhatsApp Raises Minimum iOS and iPadOS Requirements
WhatsApp will drop support for older iOS and iPadOS versions starting November 30, 2026, requiring iOS 15.5 or newer and iPadOS 15.5 or newer to run. Affected devices include iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, iPad Air 2, and iPad mini 4. Users must update to the latest available versions to continue using the app.
Key points
- WhatsApp, a messaging app owned by Meta, will raise its minimum requirements for running on iPhones and iPads starting November 30, 2026.
- The new requirements are iOS 15.5 or newer and iPadOS 15.5 or newer, affecting devices such as iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, iPad Air 2, and iPad mini 4.
- Users must update to the latest available versions, iOS 15.8.8 and iPadOS 15.8.8, to continue using WhatsApp.
- Meta makes these announcements in advance to give users time to prepare and update their devices.
- The change is part of WhatsApp's regular review of supported operating systems and updates to ensure security and functionality.
WhatsApp, a popular messaging app owned by Meta, has announced that it will raise its minimum requirements for running on iPhones and iPads starting November 30, 2026. The new requirements are iOS 15.5 or newer and iPadOS 15.5 or newer.
This change affects devices such as the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, iPad Air 2, and iPad mini 4. Users who still use these devices must update to the latest available versions, iOS 15.8.8 and iPadOS 15.8.8, to continue using WhatsApp.
Meta makes these announcements in advance to give users time to prepare and update their devices. This is part of WhatsApp's regular review of supported operating systems and updates to ensure security and functionality.
The change may not be as consequential as last year's update, which raised the minimum iOS version requirement to iOS 15.1. However, users who still use older devices should take note and update their devices to the latest available versions to continue using WhatsApp.
Sources
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