14 DAY TRIAL // The current sad state of Windows phones is no longer a secret, as more and more developers abandon the platform to switch the focus entirely to Android and iOS, and now it looks like Australian banks are doing exactly the same thing.
Both Westpac and Commonwealth Bank are leaving Windows phones for a reason that’s not hard to figure out, and users are left with no other option than to connect to the mobile version of the websites or to migrate to Android or iPhone.
First of all, CommBank confirmed in a tweet that “Windows phones are not compatible with CBA app,” but instead “we have the CommBank app for iPhone and Android.”
This is a response that most developers leaving the platform are offering to their users, so it’s not at all surprising, especially because the majority of banks are deeply committed to supporting their Android and iOS apps.
Westpac also saying goodbye
And the same thing for Westpac, who recently said in a mailed response that Windows apps would be pulled, recommending instead a switch to a rival platform or pointing the browser to the web-based mobile banking service.
“We’re contacting you to let you know that from April 30 the Westpac Live Mobile and tablet apps for Windows will no longer be supported, or available to download from the Microsoft store. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for banking with Westpac,” the mail reads.
This can only be sad news for Windows phone users who wanted to stick with the platform until mid-2019 when support comes to an end, but it appears that sooner or later, the transition to Android or iOS is a thing that everyone needs to do.
Microsoft has already confirmed that no new features and devices running Windows 10 Mobile would be released, and the platform is currently in maintenance mode, with security updates to be released until July 2019.
Thanks for the tip, Jesse!