WhatsApp: End of support for old cell phones in 2025 – Is yours on the list?

WhatsApp has issued an alert about the next obsolescence of its application in a series of models of old cell phones from March 2025. This decision, explained in its help center, is due to the need of the parent company, goal, to maintain compatibility with the latest technological advances.

Periodically, WhatsApp informs users whose devices no longer meet the minimum requirements to receive updates, security patches and new functionalities. Those who receive these notifications must consider the update of their device or make a backup to avoid the loss of important data.

What devices will be affected?

As of March 2025, WhatsApp will stop working on the following models:

• Samsung: Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy Ace 3.
• Motorola: Moto G (1st gen), Razr HD and Moto E 2014.
• LG: Optimus G, Nexus 4 and G2 Mini.
• Sony: Xperia Z and Xperia sp.
• iPhone: iPhone 5 and iPhone 5C.

Minimum operating system requirements:

• Android: Version 5.0 or posterior will be required.
• iOS: Until May 5, 2025, the app operates in iOS 12 and later, but after that date IOS 15.1 or more recent versions.

To verify the version of the operating system, users can access the «settings» section or «configuration» of their devices. In Android, the information is in «about the phone», while in iOS it is in «general»> «about.»

Programmed obsolescence:

The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) points out that smartphones are particularly prone to obsolescence, the operating system being a determining factor. Application developers, such as WhatsApp, take into account this reality to guarantee compatibility with the most up -to -date devices.

WhatsApp recommends affected users to consider the update of their devices to continue enjoying the application and its functions.