Windows 10 Mobile Is Dead Dead
- Mehedi Hassan
- Jan 18, 2019
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102
Windows 10 Mobile is dead.
No, I am being serious.
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Yes, for real for real.
It is dead. Dead dead.
Here’s the story.
Microsoft recently published a support page detailing Windows 10 Mobile’s upcoming End of Support. The company said that all Windows 10 Mobile users are no longer eligible to receive updates, including security updates, from December 10, 2019. Devices that are running Windows 10 Mobile version 1703 will no longer receive support even earlier — on June 11th, 2019.
After your device reaches end of support, some of the features will slowly stop working and Microsoft won’t do anything about it. That includes automatic or manual device backups, which will end on March 10, 2020. And services like photo uploads and restoring a device from an existing device backup may only work for up to an additional 12 month after the end of support.
The way out of all this? Switch to Android and iOS, says Microsoft.
“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,” the company said, recommending users to move to an Android or iOS device.
Windows 10 Mobile is probably going to die a couple more times before everyone forgets about it. But if you still happen to be using a Windows 10 Mobile device, you should probably try looking for a new phone before things stop working — because Microsoft won’t be there to support you.
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Conversation 102 comments
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innitrichie
<p>Shocking news.</p><p>I've been holding out for a Surface Phone but I guess it might not happen now?</p><p>I'll never stop using my Lumia 950 XL. It's still the best smartphone on the market.</p>
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Bats
<blockquote><em><a href="#397773">In reply to innitrichie:</a></em></blockquote><p>That's the spirit!</p>
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jean
<p>and so is Windows XP and soon enough Windows 7 – SO WHAT : there are still gazillions using these versions</p>
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skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#397946">In reply to Bob_Shutts:</a></em></blockquote><p>Only in the world of Apple would a $450 phone be consider inexpensive. </p>
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skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#397846">In reply to jgraebner:</a></em></blockquote><p>Very strange logic here. What does "never gained traction" have to do with whether there is a suitable replacement? iOS and Android have failed to provide some of the functions that the Windows Phone has even though they've had an extra two years to develop them. Which device family is best is obviously subjective but "traction gained" isn't a valid comparison criteria.</p>
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skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#398101">In reply to pecosbob04:</a></em></blockquote><p>For example, the automatic function of reading your texts via Bluetooth and giving you the opportunity to give a voice response that will be converted to text and sent back to the other party. Merely connecting via Bluetooth is all that is required, no need to start an app or push any buttons.</p>
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faustxd9
Premium Member<p>When I pick up my 950xl and look at its beautiful screen, I shed an internal tear and pick up my Android to get most anything done. Wish MS would have done a lot different to potentially include skinning Android, but that chapter is closed for now. RIP </p>
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skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#397880">In reply to robmille:</a></em></blockquote><p>Some people see technical products as tools while others see them as toys. The former group will continue to use their tools as long as they do the job, while the latter group will buy whatever shiny new device they see whether they need it or not. </p>
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provision l-3
<p>I wonder what the venn diagram looks like for people waiting for Surface Phone and people waiting Osborn Executive.</p>
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skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#398166">In reply to hrlngrv:</a></em></blockquote><p>There's really no grief involved. When my Windows Phone stops working or I need to perform some task that is supported on another OS but not on Windows mobile, I'll move on. </p>
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wocowboy
Premium Member<p>All is not lost. For those tho like to take a new Android phone out of the box and immediately change EVERYTHING about it, there is the wonderful Microsoft Launcher app available on the Google Play store. It’s actually pretty good, although buyer beware, I installed it on one of my Android phones and it also installed a second, unnanounced piece of software that could not be removed without completely borking the device and starting from scratch, after doing some research on the internet that disclosed the problem. I was not amused. It was a couple years ago so I’ve already forgotten what the malware was and I have not installed the launcher on any other device since I moved to iOS, so I don’t know if it’s still a problem or not. </p>