What is the lowest iOS version developers can create an app for?

Question

Is it still possible to create an app for iOS 4.2.1 (or lower)???

The reason for this question is that Whatsapp is not available anymore for iOS < 4.3. This is what Whatsapp sais about this:

The latest version of WhatsApp for iPhone requires iOS 4.3 or later. Regretfully, Apple does not allow new app updates to be compatible with both iOS 6 and older versions of iOS, effectively ending support for iPhone 3G and the original iPhone. Because of Apple's policy change to new App Store submissions, there is nothing we can do at this time for users with older versions of iOS.

Answer 1

(A more complete question and answers)

iOS Support Matrix v2.4

This version is updated and includes iOS 7.

Link: http://www.iossupportmatrix.com

Answer 2

With the Xcode version 4.5.x or later, you can not create the application for devices having iOS 4.3.

However iPhone starts with iOS 2. So with lower versions of Xcode and iOS SDK, you can build the applications for those versions as well. But its important when you want to support the iPhone5 with big screen.

With lower versions of iOS SDK, you can create the application which can support devices having iOS 4.* onwards. But with those applications, you can not take advantage of big screen of iPhone5.

Answer 3

According to the insert, only updates are excluded. Which means it is still possible to create apps for iOS 4.2.1 or lower. I just submitted an app about two weeks ago which was created using Xcode 4.5.1 and uses an sdk lower than 4.2.1 hassle-free.