List of phones that will not support WhatsApp in 2025

As humans evolve, so does technology. WhatsApp is one of the technologies that is constantly improving its interface. With these improvements, some devices are no longer compatible with operating the app.

In 2025, WhatsApp has stated that it will stop working on up to 50 phones.

This article will explore the list of phones that will not support WhatsApp in 2025. 

Brief History of WhatsApp

WhatsApp Messenger, popularly called WhatsApp, is an instant messaging and voice communications application owned by Meta Technology. 

WhatsApp can be used on smartphones, laptop, computers and tablets. It can be used for various means of communication, such as sending text, making audio and video calls, sharing documents, and more. Users need to have mobile data to access these services on WhatsApp.

In 2018, WhatsApp introduced WhatsApp Business to ease communication and advertisements for SMEs across the globe.

Also read: Here is How to Add Multiple WhatsApp Accounts to One WhatsApp

Why Will WhatsApp Stop Working on Some Devices? 

In 2023, WhatsApp announced that it would no longer be accessible on old smartphones. This includes phones from technology giants like Apple, Samsung and Huawei. 

This is because the old smartphones are still running on outdated operating systems, which cannot handle the new WhatsApp updates. 

On their official website, WhatsApp stated:

“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.”

Therefore, in a bid to provide the best updates for its users, WhatsApp has stopped supporting some old devices. 

Comprehensive List of Phones that Will Not Support WhatsApp in 2025 

WhatsApp will no longer be accessible on Android Operating System (OS) 4.1 and below and iPhone Operating System (iOS) 11 and below. 

Below is a list of iPhones, Samsung and Huawei phones that will no longer support WhatsApp from February 2025:

Also read: Here is How to Move WhatsApp Data from iPhone to Android 2025

More Android Versions That Won’t Support WhatsApp in 2025

Aside from Samsung and Huawei, other Android versions will not support WhatsApp in 2025. These include:

LG Versions That Won’t Support WhatsApp in 2025

LG has some phones with old OS that can no longer handle WhatsApp. These include: 

• L3 II Dual
• Optimus
• Lucid 2
• Enact
• Best L5
• L5 Dual
• L7 Dual
• L5 II
• L3 II
• L2 II
• L4 I
• L7II
• F3Q
• F5
• F3
• F6
• F7

Other Android Versions That Will Lose WhatsApp in 2025

Below are some other Android versions that will no longer support WhatsApp: 

• Archos 53 Platinum
• ZTE Grand S Flex
• ZTE Grand Memo
• Wiko Cink Five
• Wiko Darknight
• Sony Xperia M
• Lenovo A820
• ZTE V956
• ZTE UMi X2
• Faea F1
• THL W8

Also read: WhatsApp Influencing: How to Make Money Online on WhatsApp 2025

Is iPhone 6s Among the List of Phones that Will Not Support WhatsApp in 2025?

iPhone 6s is one of the iPhones that will not support WhatsApp as of February 2025. The iPhone 6s IOS is too obsolete to operate WhatsApp.

Users who still have this iPhone model will have no choice but to purchase a new smartphone if they want to keep communicating via WhatsApp. 

Otherwise, users can get accustomed to other instant messaging platforms like Instagram and Telegram.

WhatsApp has stated that this development aims to provide better services to its users across the globe and that affected customers will be notified before the termination. 

How to Check the OS Version of Your Phone

The following operating systems are the only compatible operating systems for WhatsApp:

• Android OS 4.1 and above
• iPhones iOS 12 and above
• KaiOS 2.5.0 and above

You can check your phone’s operating system to determine whether it falls under the list of phones that will not support WhatsApp in 2024. 

Follow the steps below to check your Android OS:

1. Go to your general phone settings
2. Click “About phone”
3. Click “Software information” and view the details of your phone, including its OS. 

Follow the steps below to check your iOS: 

1. Go to general phone settings 
2. Click “About”
3. There, you can see the current iOS version running on your smartphone. 

Also read: South African Subsidiary, WigWag Introduces AI-powered WhatsApp Payment Service

What Will Happen if WhatsApp Ends Support on Your Phone? 

WhatsApp has guaranteed that it will notify all users whose phones fall under the list of phones that will not support WhatsApp in 2024. 

The notification will state that your phone operating system is no longer supported and advise you to upgrade your device if you want to keep using WhatsApp.

Common Issues and Solutions: WhatsApp Update or Download Problem for Eligible Phones 

If your phone does not fall under the list of phones that will not support WhatsApp in 2025, yet you are unable to download or update WhatsApp, it may be due to one or all of the following reasons:

A. Insufficient Space on Your Device

A minimum of 1GB free space is required to install WhatsApp on any device successfully. 

If your phone storage is less than 1GB, you may need to delete some files. Alternatively, you can transfer some files to an external storage card to free up space on your phone storage. 

You can also clear your app cache and data by following the steps below: 

• Go to your general phone settings
• Click on “Apps & notifications.”
• Go to Google Play Store/WhatsApp/any app whose cache you would like to clear 
• Click “App info”
• Click “Storage”
• Click “CLEAR CACHE” and CLEAR DATA.

Once you have cleared your cache or deleted some files, restart your phone and see if you can install WhatsApp.

Also read: Latest WhatsApp Hacks you Need to Know to Protect your Privacy

B. The App is Unavailable in Your Country

While installing or updating WhatsApp, you may see an error code on your screen stating that WhatsApp is not available in your country.

To resolve that, visit the WhatsApp Help page and download WhatsApp as an APK. 

Open the APK file and allow the file to install via your settings.

C. Other Error Codes

Error codes: 413, 481, 491, 492, 505, 907, 910, 921, 927, 941 and DF-DLA-15

To resolve the above-listed error codes, follow the steps below: 

• Remove your Google account
• Restart your phone
• Log back into your Google account
• Clear your Google Play Store cache
• Try downloading WhatsApp again.

For error code: 490 and other error codes not among the above-listed, see more.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Conclusion: Upgrade Your Device 

There’s Instagram, Telegram, Snapchat and other social networks to play around with. 

However, it is advisable to upgrade your device still, as WhatsApp remains one of the most widely recognised messaging platforms across families, companies, employees, and nations. 

In the long run, other social networking apps may also terminate their use on old smartphones.

Stay connected with our blog to get tips on functional and affordable smartphones in the Nigerian Market. For easy access to interesting updates, follow us on X or Twitter @SiliconAfriTech.

References 

• www.en.as.com/meristation – Every phone on which WhatsApp will stop working in 2025: iPhone, Samsung, Huawei…
• www.tech.hindustantimes.com – Full List of Phons WhatsApp will stop working
• www.businesstoday.in – WhatsApp to stop working on these Android phones
• www.legit.ng – Full List of iPhones, Android Phones That Will Lose WhatsApp Support

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