WhatsApp ending support for old phones

WhatsApp Is Saying Goodbye to Older Phones — Here’s What You Can Do

Hey parents — here’s a heads-up that could save your family from a last-minute tech scramble.

Starting May 2025, WhatsApp will stop working on a range of older smartphones. About 35 different devices — from brands like Samsung, Apple, Motorola, Sony, LG, and Huawei — will lose support. That means no sending or receiving messages on those phones… and if you’re not prepared, it could also mean losing your chat history.

Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters for families, and how to stay ahead of it.

What’s Changing — and Why?

Every now and then, apps like WhatsApp stop supporting older operating systems. It’s part of keeping things secure and running smoothly — but it also means some older phones get left behind.

For families, this can be disruptive — especially if a teen is using a hand-me-down phone, or if a grandparent relies on WhatsApp to keep in touch with everyone.

Could This Affect Your Household?

Here’s who should take a closer look:

• Your teen is using an older smartphone to message friends or family.
• A grandparent or older relative relies on WhatsApp to stay connected.
• You use WhatsApp as a key way to check in when teens are out or traveling.

If any of these sound like your family setup, it’s a good idea to check if those devices are on the list of unsupported phones (usually listed on WhatsApp’s Help Center or tech news sites).

What You Need to Do Before May 2025

1. Back up all chat history.
   Teens especially may have messages, photos, and voice notes they don’t want to lose — and older relatives might not realize a backup is even possible. Go to WhatsApp settings and back everything up to Google Drive or iCloud.
2. Check for software updates.
   Sometimes a quick OS update is all that’s needed. But if the phone can’t support newer updates, a replacement might be necessary.
3. Consider upgrading sooner rather than later.
   For teens, this could be a good opportunity to move to a more secure, family-managed phone. For older relatives, aim for something simple, reliable, and easy to use — with WhatsApp support guaranteed.
4. Use this moment for a family tech check-in.
   Talk with your teen about their messaging habits, privacy settings, and how to back up content. And make sure older relatives understand how and when this change will affect them.

How can I check what version my Smartphone is running?

Great question Apple iPhones which are loosing access include:

• iPhone 5S
• iPhone 6
• iPhone 6 Plus

To check your version is currently running on your Apple Smartphone tap on Settings -> General -> About

If you are an Android user tap on About -> Software Information

It’s always a good ideas to have automatic updates turned on to ensure your device is always running the latest version of the operation system and that your chats are also backed up via WhatsApp to do this jump into WhatsApp tap on settings -> chats -> chat backup

A Quick Reality Check…

We tend to assume our tech will “just work” — until it doesn’t. Updates like this are a reminder to pause, double-check the devices we depend on, and make sure everyone in the family is still connected safely.

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Wayne

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