Millions of WhatsApp users in Nigeria and across the globe may soon lose access to the messaging platform as Meta, the app’s parent company, prepares to phase out support for older smartphones.
Starting May 5, 2025, WhatsApp will no longer function on certain outdated devices that fail to meet the app’s latest security and performance requirements. The update affects both individual users and small businesses that rely on WhatsApp Business for communication.
Meta explained that the decision is part of its ongoing efforts to enhance data security, maintain app stability, and align with the evolving capabilities of modern operating systems.
“As technology advances, phasing out support for older hardware is necessary to maintain app functionality and security,” the company said in a statement.
Among the devices affected are iPhones running iOS versions earlier than 15.1. This includes:
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
These models are unable to upgrade beyond iOS 12.5.7, making them incompatible with the upcoming changes.
The policy shift also extends to older Android devices. Earlier this year, WhatsApp announced it would stop supporting Android 4.4 (KitKat) as of January 1, 2025. Devices that fall under this category include:
Samsung
- Galaxy S3
- Note 2
- Ace 3
- S4 Mini
Motorola
- Moto G (1st Gen)
- Moto E (2014)
- Razr HD
HTC
- One X+
- Desire 500
- Desire 601
LG
- Optimus G
- L90
Users of these devices are advised to upgrade to newer models or operating systems to continue accessing WhatsApp beyond the deadline.
About WhatsApp
The service was created by WhatsApp Inc. of Mountain View, California, which was acquired by Facebook in February 2014 for approximately 19 billion US dollars.
It became the world’s most popular messaging application by 2015 and had more than 2 billion users worldwide by February 2020, confirmed four years later by 200 million new registrations per month.
By 2016, it had become the primary means of Internet communication in regions including the Americas, the Indian subcontinent, and large parts of Europe and Africa.
