14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has recently announced in an updated tech support document that the Windows Phone 8.1 app store would be retired on December 16, 2019.
This means that Windows Phone 8.1 devices would no longer be able to download new apps, install them, and receive updates. While the apps that are already installed will continue to work, Microsoft warns that once an app is removed from the device, it’ll be impossible to bring it back.
“Reinstallation of apps will no longer be possible. If a user removes an app from the phone it will not be possible for such app to be restored. This includes phone reset as well as use of the Windows Device Recovery Tool (WDRT) where apps are deleted or removed. Users should take this into consideration before choosing to reset the phone or use WDRT on or after December 16, 2019,” the company says.
Windows 10 Mobile, 0% market share
On the other hand, the software giant points users to Windows 10 Mobile, albeit support for this OS version is also projected to be reached in December.
“Certain Lumia phone models can be upgraded to Windows 10 Mobile. Users who choose to upgrade an eligible device should note that Window 10 Mobile is already out of support or, in some cases, will be by the end of 2019. This means the operating system will no longer be updated (including no additional security updates), though the Store is currently still functional,” the company notes.
Needless to say, this is a milestone that had to be announced, and there’s a chance that only a handful of users would actually be impacted.
Windows 10 Mobile is already considered a dead operating system, as its market share is currently at 0 percent and it’s only just a matter of time until the few users still running it make the full switch to Android or iOS.
Thanks for the tip, Jeremy!