Meta is once again updating software requirements to run WhatsApp on Android and iOS devices. Starting Sept. 8, 2026, the app will only be supported on Android 6 or above. And starting Nov. 30, 2026, it will only be supported on iPhones running iOS 15.5 or newer.

WhatsApp’s system requirements are updated every year to ensure the app is protected by the latest security updates. The company says it analyzes operating systems and drops support for the oldest ones with the fewest users. Last year, it raised the minimum requirement to iOS 15.1 and Android 5.0.

“Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates,” WhatsApp says. “These devices also might not have the latest security updates, or might lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp.”

The change may not impact iPhone users heavily. All devices that support WhatsApp’s current minimum requirement of iOS 15.1 can also be upgraded to iOS 15.5 or later. Just head to Settings > General > Software Update and download the latest possible version.

For Android phones, things could get a little tricky. Meta has updated the system requirements by an entire generation, from version 5.0 (Lollipop) to 6.0 (Marshmallow). Some older smartphones may not allow the jump, and users may need to purchase new devices to keep WhatsApp running without hiccups.

To check your current software version, head to Settings and scroll down to About phone. To upgrade your device to Android 6.0 or newer, go to Settings > System > Software updates. If you’re unable to upgrade, it likely means your device doesn’t have enough storage space, or it doesn’t support any Android version beyond what’s already installed.

PCMag

Today marks the global rollout of the Instagram Plus option, and the company offered more details about exactly what will be included for paying users.

The bulk of the features are about getting people to see content. Story Spotlight prioritizes your profile for friends while Story Extend keeps the disappearing content visible for 48 hours instead of 24. Subscribers can also create multiple audience lists and pick which one will see a given story. There is a tool to preview stories, stats about how often your stories were rewatched and a way to search the people who have viewed a story. And if you don't want a piece of content to show up in the main feed, you can opt to publish a post directly to your profile or highlights.

There are also some customization options. Subscribers can select from a collection of app icons and pick the text font for their bios. They'll be able to pin six items to the top of their profile and send animated super hearts when reacting to friends' stories.

Meta's announcement noted that more capabilities will be added in the coming months. Instagram Plus costs $3.99 a month.

Engadget

Apple today released iOS 26.5.1, a minor update to iOS 26. The software is available three weeks after iOS 26.5 came out, and appears to only be available for the iPhone Air and all models in the iPhone 17 lineup.

The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

According to Apple's release notes, the update fixes a previously documented charging issue with *iPhone Air* and *iPhone 17* models.

This update addresses an issue for a small number of users that may prevent wired charging on iPhone Air and iPhone 17 models when the battery is nearly drained.

Apple's work on *iOS 26* is winding down as it prepares to introduce iOS 27 at the June 8 WWDC keynote event.

MacRumors

On the operating system's 45th anniversary, Microsoft has released the source code for 86-DOS 1.00, the first version of DOS for the IBM PC. The tech giant says that a dedicated team of historians and preservationists located, scanned, and transcribed the DOS-era source listing from Tim Paterson, the original creator of 86-DOS.

This listing includes the 86-DOS 1.00 kernel, development snapshots of the PC-DOS 1.00 kernel, and a few utilities you might recognize, including CHKDSK, offering an in-depth look at how DOS was created at the time.

Additionally, the listings take things a step further by including handwritten notes by Paterson, offering more context surrounding DOS' development, including timelines of changes, when features were implemented, and even errors and other issues. All of these artifacts will be on display at the Interim Computer Museum and have been donated by Paterson.

In 1980, Microsoft had the opportunity to build the operating system for IBM's PC, and then-CEO Bill Gates was tasked with delivering it on a tight timeline. Naturally, rather than develop an OS from scratch, Gates bought 86-DOS, also known as QDOS, from Seattle Computer Products and its creator, Tim Paterson, for roughly $75,000, setting Microsoft on the path to become the tech giant that it is today.

At the time, the OS ran on 160KB floppy disks and didn't feature hard-disk support, but it eventually became the foundation for what would eventually become MS-DOS, the dominant PC operating system of the 1980s and early 1990s. Before now, the earliest available versions of MS-DOS were 1.25 and 2.0.

"These releases are about making historically important systems software available for study, preservation, and plain ol’ curiosity," writes Microsoft's Stacey Haffner, the Director of Microsoft's OSPO and a developer advocate, and Scott Hanselman, VP and Member of Technical Staff at Microsoft/GitHub.

XDA

No more getting caught by a forced Windows 11 update while you're in the middle of a meeting or a match. Microsoft announced some major changes coming to Windows Update on its blog, including the ability to indefinitely pause Windows updates, 35 days at a time.

To give users more control, Windows Update introduced the option to extend update pauses as much as users want. Once you opted to pause updates for Windows 11, you won't be disturbed for 35 days at a time, but you can now reset this 35-day limit for as long as you want. You should eventually install these updates, as most of them are usually related to security upgrades and only sometimes require emergency fixes, but Microsoft is letting users decide when to do so. Microsoft's Aria Hanson wrote in the blog that these changes were a result of feedback that consistently mentioned "disruption caused by untimely updates and not enough control over when updates happen."

Beyond the update pauses, Microsoft is ensuring Windows 11 users always have the option to shut down or restart their devices without updating. These quality-of-life upgrades build on another recent change that allowed users to skip updates while setting up their new Windows devices. According to Microsoft, the latest Windows Updates features are currently rolling out to those enrolled in the Windows Insider program, specifically users in the Dev and Experimental Channels.

Engadget

amsung is putting the final nail in the coffin for its own messaging app. The smartphone maker posted an "End of Service Announcement" on its website, revealing that the Samsung Messages app will no longer be available by July of this year. Samsung also recommended that anyone still using Samsung Messages switch over to Google Messages as the default messaging app.

For Samsung Messages users in the US, the switch to Google offers RCS messaging that lets you send high-quality media, join group chats and get real-time typing indicators no matter the smartphone's OS. Galaxy smartphone owners may lose out on some of the Samsung Messages customization options, but Google Messages will make up for it generative AI from Gemini that can remix your photos in chats. On top of those features, Google Messages makes it easier for Samsung users to switch chats between a smartphone, tablet or smartwatch.

It's no surprise that Samsung is only using Google Messages from now on, since it has been phasing out Samsung Messages for a few years now. Dating back to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6, and then followed by the Galaxy S25 series, Samsung stopped preloading the Samsung Messages app and instead pre-installed the Google Messages app. The Samsung Messages app is still available on the Galaxy Store, but Samsung said the exact final date will eventually be announced on the app itself.

Engadget