Microsoft pushing users to iOS and Android as it ends support for Windows 10 Mobile

Microsoft is officially putting an end to its mobile phone efforts, at least in their current form. In a new support document, first spotted by Thurrott, the company says that on December 10, 2019, Windows 10 Mobile users will stop receiving security updates, bug fixes and other forms of support.

As of December 10, 2019, Windows 10 Mobile users are no longer eligible to receive new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free assisted support options, or online technical content updates from Microsoft for free. Third parties or paid support programs may provide ongoing support, but it is important to recognize that Microsoft support will not publicly provide updates or patches for Windows 10 Mobile.

What does this mean? Essentially, the end of Windows 10 Mobile. Microsoft says that automatic device backups for settings and select apps will continue for 3 months, and some services such as photo uploads, will continue for up to 12 months, but other than that users shouldn’t expect any other activity.

So what should Windows 10 Mobile users do now?

With the Windows 10 Mobile OS end of support, we recommend that customers move to a supported Android or iOS device. 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.

Microsoft actually ended active development on Windows 10 Mobile back in late 2017, so this isn’t exactly new information. But I think a lot of folks expected the company to figure out a way to save the platform, or at least come up with a new strategy for mobile before completely discontinuing this one.

As you may recall, Microsoft actually held a large portion of the smartphone marketshare in the years leading up to 2007. But once iPhone and Android devices started popping up, the Windows-maker—like Palm, BlackBerry and others— struggled to compete in the new touchscreen, app-focused climate.

Source: Microsoft