WhatsApp will stop working on some older iPhones unless you update iOS

WhatsApp will require iOS 15.5 or later starting November 30, 2026, cutting off any device running an older version of Apple's software. The affected models — iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, SE (1st gen), iPhone 7, and 7 Plus — can all run iOS 15.8.8, the highest version Apple ever released for them. That means no one needs to buy a new phone; a quick software update is all it takes.

The affected models

The five models listed above are the ones to watch. If you own any of them and haven't updated in a while, go to Settings → General → Software Update and install whatever is available. Every device that can run iOS 15.1 — which all five can — is able to reach at least iOS 15.5, per 9to5Mac. WhatsApp is already pushing in-app notifications to users who need to act, so you may have already seen a prompt.

This is the second time in twelve months Meta has raised its iOS floor. In June 2025, WhatsApp cut off iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus entirely — those models were capped at iOS 12 and had no path to iOS 15. The November 2026 change is more lenient: hardware isn't the barrier, just an uninstalled update.

What this means going forward

Meta frames these annual minimum-requirement reviews as necessary to drop platforms with outdated security frameworks. As Macworld notes, Apple ended major iOS updates for the 6s and 7 years ago, and iOS 27 — expected in fall 2026 — is unlikely to bring new security patches to iOS 15 devices. That leaves iPhone 6s and 7 owners in a narrow window: WhatsApp-capable after November, but increasingly unpatched against new threats.

Android users face a parallel deadline. On September 8, 2026, WhatsApp will drop support for Android 5.0 and 5.1, requiring Android 6.0 as a minimum.

The practical advice is straightforward: update now, not in November. The five-month lead time is generous for individual users, but business owners managing a fleet of older devices should act sooner to avoid any disruption.