Support for Windows Phone 8.1 has ended Microsoft ended support for Windows Phone 8.1 on July 11, 2017. This change has affected your software updates and security options.
Many apps or games are designed to take advantage of specific hardware and software features of your Windows Phone. For example, a photo app might need to use your phone's camera, or a restaurant guide might need to know your location to provide nearby recommendations.
You can see what features an app requires by tapping the app in the Windows Phone Store and swiping over to Details. You'll see the app requirements listed at the bottom of the page. Apps are required to ask you for permission before they use certain phone features. If you don't want to allow an app to access something listed in the requirements, you can choose not to install the app.
Some apps and features won't work on phones with less than 1 GB of RAM. To see how much memory your phone has, check the manufacturer's website or your phone's documentation.
Here's a list of some features that may appear in the details screen:
- Appointments. Allows an app to access the calendar and appointment info on your phone.
- Camera. Allows an app to access the phone's built-in camera.
- Compass. Allows an app to access the phone's built-in compass, if available.
- Contacts. Allows an app to access the contact info on your phone.
- Data services. Your phone's cellular data or Wi-Fi connection.
- Gyroscope. Allows an app to access the phone's built-in gyroscope, if available.
- Location services. The approximate location coordinates of your phone.
- Photo, music, and video libraries. Allows an app to access all photos, music, and videos on your phone.
- Microphone. Allows an app to record audio from the phone's built-in microphone and to use Speech features.
- Movement and directional sensor. Allows an app to access the phone's motion sensor.
- Proximity. Allows access to the phone's Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and near field communication (NFC) capabilities.
- Owner identity. An anonymous identifier that allows an app to distinguish one person from another but provides no personal info.
- Phone identity. A unique device identifier that allows an app to distinguish one phone from another.
- Push notification service. Notifications that an app automatically sends to your phone in the background.
- Ringtones. Allows an app to access the ringtone collection on your phone.
- SD card. Allows an app limited access to the SD card.
- Speech recognition. Allows an app to access Speech features.
- Wallet. Allows an app to access items in your Wallet or to make payments using your Wallet.
- Web browser. Allows an app to access your phone's web browser.
- Xbox. Allows an app to access the Xbox service or your account info.