WhatsApp will stop supporting iPhones on iOS versions below 15.5 from 30 November 2026, according to its Help Center page on supported operating systems. The page lists iPhones on iOS 15.1 and newer as supported at present and adds: “Starting November 30, 2026, only iOS 15.5 and newer will be supported.”

That leaves a narrow band of affected phones: those still running iOS 15.1 to 15.4.

WhatsApp says users on a version it is dropping get a warning inside the app. “Before we stop supporting your operating system, you’ll be notified in WhatsApp. We’ll remind you a few times to upgrade,” the page says. Android phones on 6.0 and newer remain supported, and WhatsApp has announced no change for them.

Who is affected

Phones already on iOS 15.5 or newer keep working after the cutoff.

The ones that lose support on 30 November 2026 are iPhones still on any iOS version from 15.1 up to, but not including, 15.5. Anything older than 15.1 is already outside WhatsApp’s supported list, so the change only touches the versions between the old minimum and the new one.

WhatsApp gives a reason for the yearly review on the same page. “Every year, we look at which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest users,” it says, adding that these devices “might not have the latest security updates” and “might also lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp.”

The page says WhatsApp updates it regularly so the latest supported systems are listed.

How to check your iPhone

Open Settings, tap General, tap About, and find the version next to iOS Version, according to Apple Support.

If it shows 15.5 or higher, nothing changes on 30 November 2026. If it shows anything from 15.1 up to but below 15.5, the phone needs a software update to keep using WhatsApp past that date, and WhatsApp says its reminders will appear in the app before support ends.

The same About screen is the place to return to after installing an update to confirm the new version number.

A separate login block

Separately, WABetaInfo reported on 5 October 2026 that WhatsApp is rolling out a screen that blocks login on devices running an outdated operating system until the device software is updated, according to its report.

The report says this is a server-side change sent to specific users on both iOS and Android, whichever version of WhatsApp they run. The screen tells users to open the device settings and install the latest available update, explains how to check the current software version, and does not let them skip the step.

WhatsApp has not announced which operating system versions trigger the screen, and the WABetaInfo report names none.

Sources: