Support for iPhone models running iOS 10 and iOS 11 will be phased out.

The modification on WhatsApp's end will take effect on October 24.

WhatsApp has quietly removed support for iOS 10 and 11, making iOS 12 the minimum version requirement for iPhone users. WhatsApp is officially eliminating support for the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c models by abandoning previous iOS versions, providing customers a chance to update to a newer iPhone. WhatsApp has begun telling iOS 10 and iOS 11 users about the update.Dropping support for previous iOS versions effectively means that WhatsApp users will be unable to receive new updates and security patches unless they upgrade to a newer iOS version — or newer hardware running iOS 12 or later.

WhatsApp will stop supporting iOS 10 and iOS 11 as early as October 24, according to a screenshot shared by some users and brought to light by WABetaInfo. To continue receiving WhatsApp support, the app recommends that users update to a newer iOS version.

If you have an iPhone 5 or iPhone 5c, updating to a newer iOS update is not practicable. If you have an iPhone 5s or later model, however, you can update to iOS 12 to keep WhatsApp support.

WhatsApp's supported operating systems FAQ page on the Help Centre site has been changed to reflect that it now supports and recommends users have an iPhone running iOS 12 or later. WhatsApp's App Store page has also been updated to reflect the new software requirements. According to web archives, WhatsApp secretly updated its iOS compatibility this month.

Users on iOS 10 and iOS 11 will no longer be able to download WhatsApp from the App Store as a result of the update. However, if you have WhatsApp installed on an older iOS version, you will likely continue to receive updates and security patches until October.

This isn't the first time WhatsApp has dropped support for an older version of its software. It is standard procedure to only make the popular messaging software available and supported on newer operating systems.

Last year, WhatsApp ceased supporting Android 4.0.4 users and began advising them to update to Android 4.1 or later to continue receiving support.