14 DAY TRIAL // Windows Phone 8.1 is projected to reach end of mainstream support on July 11, with Microsoft yet to provide any details on how long it plans to keep offering extended support.
The end of mainstream support means Microsoft would no longer issue feature updates for the platform, so reaching this milestone isn’t bringing too many changes for users sticking with this mobile operating system, as the software giant hasn’t released new features in a long time anyway.
On the other hand, by exiting mainstream support, Windows Phone 8.1 is supposed to only receive security improvements, though for the time being it’s not clear how long this is supposed to happen because Microsoft lists the extended support end date with a “review note.” Most likely, such information would be provided tomorrow when mainstream support ends.
Upgrading to Windows 10 Mobile
The best way to continue receiving updates and improvements for mobile devices is to upgrade to Windows 10 Mobile, but that’s not possible for all users because not all devices are supported.
Furthermore, the number of Windows phone that can be fully up-to-date is even smaller, as Microsoft isn’t offering the Creators Update for all devices, but only for some 50 percent of models.
While Microsoft does not provide any information on extended support for Windows Phone 8.1, the company actually suggests that the July 11 deadline might be the end of the platform.
“Microsoft will continue its existing support for Windows Phone 8.1 until the end of support date of July 11, 2017,” the firm briefly says in a FAQ page discussing support for Windows Phone 8.1 if the existing phone cannot upgrade to Windows 10 Mobile.
Windows Phone 8.1, on the other hand, is currently the top version of Microsoft’s mobile OS right now, with nearly 74 percent of devices running it. Windows 10 Mobile is far behind with 20.3 percent, also because of the limited device availability detailed above.