We’ve known for a while that Windows Phones are dead, but in a recent end-of-support FAQ page, Microsoft recommends users to switch to iPhone or Android as soon as possible.
Specifically, Microsoft says the latest updates for Windows 10 Mobile will launch in December this year, and while devices and applications will continue to work after this date, the company emphasizes that without patches, vulnerabilities in the OS would remain unfixed.
Furthermore, beginning with March 2020, Microsoft will no longer allow the creation of device backups.
“After the end of support, automatic or manual creation of new device backups for settings and some applications will continue for 3 months, ending March 10, 2020. Some services including photo uploads and restoring a device from an existing device backup may continue to work for up to another 12 months from end of support,” the company says.
The Android and iOS migration
More important is Microsoft’s advice for customers still using a Windows Phone. The company explains that these users should move to Android or iPhone as soon as possible, emphasizing that all of its apps are available on these platforms too.
“With the Windows 10 Mobile OS end of support, we recommend that customers move to a supported Android or iOS device. Microsoft’s mission statement to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, compels us to support our Mobile apps on those platforms and devices,” Microsoft says.
Microsoft also explains that customers who recently purchased Windows 10 Mobile devices should contact the retailer for any information on returns and reimbursements.
Microsoft itself no longer sells Windows phones, but certain models, like the HP Elite X3, continue to be available from various retailers. We expect these devices to be pulled shortly as well.
Another thing worth having in mind is that Microsoft does not guarantee that the Microsoft Store would continue to run after the December 2019 end of support.
“The Store
may continue to work after the end of support date,” the company says (emphasis is ours). Furthermore, the software giant explains that developers can pull their apps at any time before and after the December deadline.
