Many iPhone users will soon need to upgrade their devices if they want to continue to use WhatsApp.
Billions of people use the Meta-owned platform across the world, and the messaging service is about to drop support for any iPhones that can't run Apple's iOS 12 operating system or later.
This is bad news for anyone with an iPhone 5, or any earlier versions of the Apple device.
READ MORE: Every DWP cost of living payment between September and Christmas
These ageing devices are no longer compatible with the latest iOS software and, from next month, anyone owning one will find WhatsApp no longer works, according to the Express. The change was originally spotted by the eagle-eyed team at WABetainfo who regularly reveal the latest changes coming to this app.
It appears those with incompatible devices are already receiving alerts which say, "Update to the latest version of iOS to continue using WhatsApp. WhatsApp will stop supporting this version of iOS after 24 Oct 2022."
Along with this pop-up window on iPhones, WhatsApp has also updated its support page which now states, "Currently, we provide support for and recommend using the following devices: Android running OS 4.1 and newer, iPhone running iOS 12 and newer."
It's fairly common for the messaging firm to drop support for older devices with the company saying that it needs to focus on upgrades that will be available for the majority of its users.
As phones get older fewer people use them so it makes business sense to stop pushing out updates. WhatsApp says that it looks at what devices to support each year and it seems in 2022 it's the end for anything that runs iOS 10 or iOS 11.
WhatsApp said: "Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates.
"To choose what to stop supporting, every year we, like other technology companies, look at which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest number of people still using them. These devices also might not have the latest security updates, or might lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp."
Here are all the iPhones that are compatible with iOS 12 and later:
- iPhone 5S
- iPhone 6/6 Plus
- iPhone 6S/6S Plus
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
- iPhone 7/7 Plus
- iPhone 8/8 Plus
- iPhone X
- iPhone XS/XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone 11 range
- iPhone 12 range
- iPhone 13 range
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT:
Warning issued to anyone who rents a home in the UK
BBC Antiques Roadshow guest told £250k item is actually worth £150
MSE Martin Lewis shares cheapest way to pay your energy bill
Loose Women pulled from air for breaking announcement
This Morning's Vernon Kay red-faced after Rochelle Humes' rude remark
