Devices can no longer download apps from the store

Dec 17, 2019 10:47 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has officially closed the Windows Phone 8.1 app store on December 16, so devices running this operating system version can no longer download and install apps.

Plans to retire the app store were originally announced in October this year, when Microsoft explained that apps would continue to work normally on devices where they were installed.

On the other hand, installing, reinstalling, and downloading new apps is no longer possible. In other words, if you remove an app from your device running Windows Phone 8.1, bringing it back won’t be possible from the store. Sideloading still works, albeit this isn’t necessarily a solution that comes in handy to beginners.

“Users will not be able to download any additional apps to the phone. Users should make sure to download all applications that they might want before December 16, 2019,” Microsoft said.

“There may be some degradation in app functionality going forward as updates are no longer available via the Store. Users should check with app publishers if they have questions.”

The end of Windows 10 Mobile

Meanwhile, Windows 10 Mobile devices can still install apps from the store, albeit support for the operating system is also projected to end next month.

“The operating system will no longer be updated (including no additional security updates), though the Store is currently still functional,” Microsoft explains.

Microsoft originally planned to pull Windows 10 Mobile on December 10, but the support was silently extended to January 14, 2020. This means Windows 10 Mobile should receive one more update next month, after which it’s once again an abandoned platform.

Of course, with Windows 10 Mobile close to its retirement date, the few developers on the platform are likely to end updates for their apps soon too. Windows 10 Mobile is already at 0% share.