(StraightShooterNews.com) – In a move that could impact millions of iPhone users, WhatsApp will discontinue support for older models starting in May 2025.
See the tweet below.
This decision, which affects popular devices like the iPhone 5s, 6, and 6 Plus, is being portrayed as yet another example of big tech companies forcing consumers to upgrade their devices unnecessarily.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta application WhatsApp has announced that iPhones running iOS versions below 15.1 will no longer be supported after May 5, 2025.
The update will render the app unusable on devices that cannot update beyond iOS 12.5.7, effectively pushing users to either upgrade their phones or abandon the platform altogether.
This has sparked outrage among loyal iPhone users, who see it as a deliberate attempt to force them into purchasing newer, more expensive models.
Moreover, critics argue that this is another example of planned obsolescence, a strategy whereby companies intentionally design products with a limited useful life to drive future sales.
This tactic not only burdens consumers financially but also contribute to electronic waste, raising environmental concerns.
While WhatsApp claimed this change is necessary to “leverage advanced technologies and APIs in newer iOS versions,” skeptics see it as a thinly veiled attempt to collect more user data and exert greater control over personal information.
The app’s end-to-end encryption has long been a selling point, but this forced upgrade raises questions about whether privacy is truly a priority for the company.
Moreover, it is a troubling trend where tech companies feel empowered to dictate when and how users should upgrade their devices, often at significant personal expense.
The alternatives are limited for those unwilling or unable to upgrade. While WhatsApp offers a tool to transfer data from iOS to Android, a feature for transferring from Android to iOS is still in development.
Users are advised to back up their chats to iCloud, but this solution does not address the fundamental issue of being forced off a platform they’ve come to rely on.
The app made a report stating, “Currently, WhatsApp supports iOS 12 and later, but with a future update, the app will require iOS 15.1 or newer to work properly.”
“To help affected users adapt to this change, WhatsApp is providing a five-month notice period, giving them ample time to update their devices if possible or consider alternatives if their hardware does not support newer iOS versions,” it continued.
WhatsApp’s decision to drop support for older iPhones is more than just a technical update. It is a wake-up call about the control tech companies wield over Americans’ digital lives.
WhatsApp to Drop Support for These iPhones Starting May 2025 https://t.co/CvNgMIIT8Z pic.twitter.com/u2Zcw2mtwR
— MacRumors.com (@MacRumors) December 2, 2024
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