Currently (2025), WhatsApp requires iOS 12 or higher to work. The iPhone 6 can remain on iOS 12, but some WhatsApp features may not work properly or even stop working at any time, especially due to the lack of security updates from Apple.
Alternative Solutions:
- Check if your phone is on iOS 12:
- Go to Settings > General > About and then check Software Version.
- If you are below iOS 12, you will not be able to use WhatsApp at all.
- Try updating to iOS 12 (if you haven’t already):
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Use WhatsApp Web (if WhatsApp is still temporarily down):
- You can open WhatsApp on a computer by going to web.whatsapp.com, but you need to be already logged in on your phone first.
- Consider switching phones: If you rely heavily on WhatsApp, a permanent solution is to buy a new phone or even an older iPhone SE that supports iOS 15 or higher.
Want help choosing a replacement phone that’s affordable and runs WhatsApp well?