Phones
Apps That Stop Working on Old iPhones (2026): WhatsApp, Banking, Netflix
Which popular apps still install on older iPhones, from WhatsApp and Canadian banking apps to YouTube and Netflix, and what to do when yours stops.
On an iPhone 11 or newer, every popular app still installs, because they all run iOS 27. On an iPhone XS or XR (stuck on iOS 18), the current Netflix and Outlook apps no longer install. On an iPhone 8 or X (iOS 16), YouTube, Uber, Gmail, CIBC and ChatGPT are gone too. On an iPhone 7 or 6s (iOS 15), Canadian banking apps, Instagram and Spotify no longer install.
How it works
- Each app sets a minimum iOS version on the App Store. If your iPhone cannot update to it, new versions will not install.
- The App Store may offer the last compatible version of an app you downloaded before, but it can stop working when the service shuts off old versions. WhatsApp and banking apps do this for security.
- Your iPhone's maximum iOS is fixed by Apple. See which iPhones get iOS 27.
Your iPhone's maximum iOS
| iPhone | Last iOS it can run |
|---|---|
| iPhone 11 and newer, SE (2nd gen and later) | iOS 27 (current) |
| iPhone XS, XS Max, XR | iOS 18 |
| iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X | iOS 16 |
| iPhone 6s, 7, SE (1st gen) | iOS 15 |
| iPhone 6 and older | iOS 12 or earlier |
Messaging and social
| App | Needs iOS | iPhone 6s, 7, SE (1st) | iPhone 8, X | iPhone XS, XR | iPhone 11 and newer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.1+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Messenger | 15.1+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 15.1+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 16.3+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Threads | 16.3+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TikTok | 15+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Snapchat | 15+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| X | 15+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Telegram | 15+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Signal | 15+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Discord | 16+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Canadian banking and money
| App | Needs iOS | iPhone 6s, 7, SE (1st) | iPhone 8, X | iPhone XS, XR | iPhone 11 and newer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBC Mobile | 16.4+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TD Canada | 16+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Scotiabank | 16+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BMO Mobile Banking | 16+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CIBC Mobile Banking | 17+ | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Tangerine | 16+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Desjardins | 16.4+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wealthsimple | 16.4+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Streaming and music
| App | Needs iOS | iPhone 6s, 7, SE (1st) | iPhone 8, X | iPhone XS, XR | iPhone 11 and newer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 17+ | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Netflix | 26+ | No | No | No | Yes |
| Disney+ | 16.5+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Crave | 16+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Spotify | 16.1+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Everyday
| App | Needs iOS | iPhone 6s, 7, SE (1st) | iPhone 8, X | iPhone XS, XR | iPhone 11 and newer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Maps | 16+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waze | 16+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Uber | 18+ | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Gmail | 18+ | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft Outlook | 26+ | No | No | No | Yes |
| Microsoft Teams | 17+ | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Zoom Workplace | 15+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Amazon Shopping | 16+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PC Optimum | 17+ | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Tim Hortons | 16.4+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Canada Post | 16+ | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ChatGPT | 18+ | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Google Gemini | 18.2+ | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Minimum iOS versions from the Canadian App Store listings of each app, checked October 24, 2026. "Yes" means the current version installs on that iPhone's last iOS. Developers raise these minimums often, usually once or twice a year.
WhatsApp on old iPhones
WhatsApp currently needs iOS 15.1 or later. That still covers the iPhone 6s, 7 and SE (1st gen) on iOS 15.8, but WhatsApp raises its minimum regularly and gives a few months' warning in the app before an iPhone stops working. The iPhone 6 and older (iOS 12) can no longer use WhatsApp at all.
Banking apps on old iPhones
Canadian banks moved to iOS 16 or newer, and CIBC to iOS 17, so an iPhone 7 or 6s can no longer install them, and an iPhone 8 or X cannot install CIBC. Banks block outdated app versions for security, so an old copy on your phone may simply refuse to log in. Online banking still works in Safari.
What you can do
- Update iOS to the latest version your iPhone supports: Settings, General, Software Update.
- Use the website. Banking, Netflix, YouTube and Gmail all work in Safari, even on older iOS.
- Upgrade to a supported iPhone. Any iPhone 11 or newer runs iOS 27 and every app above. Browse every refurbished iPhone, or take the phone finder quiz.
- Sell your old one before it loses more value: see what we pay.
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Questions people ask
Why do apps stop working on old iPhones?
Each app needs a minimum iOS version. When your iPhone cannot update past a certain iOS, new app versions stop installing, and some services block old versions for security.
Which iPhones can still use WhatsApp?
Any iPhone that can run iOS 15.1 or later: iPhone 6s, 7, SE (1st gen) and every newer iPhone, as of October 24, 2026.
Can I use banking apps on an iPhone 7?
No. RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC, Tangerine, Desjardins and Wealthsimple all need iOS 16 or later, and the iPhone 7 stops at iOS 15. Use online banking in Safari.
Does YouTube work on an iPhone 8?
The current YouTube app needs iOS 17, and the iPhone 8 stops at iOS 16. YouTube still works in Safari.
Does Netflix work on an iPhone XR?
The current Netflix app needs iOS 26, and the iPhone XR stops at iOS 18. You may still have an older version installed, but Netflix can stop supporting it. Netflix works in Safari.
What is the oldest iPhone that runs every app?
The iPhone 11 and iPhone SE (2nd gen). They run iOS 27, the current version.
How do I download an older version of an app?
If you downloaded the app before with your Apple Account, the App Store may offer the last compatible version when you try to install it on an older iPhone. It is not guaranteed to keep working.
Related: which iPhones get iOS 27, iPhone features by model, which iPhone you should buy.
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