Windows Phone 8.1 End of Support: FAQ

As of July 11, 2017, Windows Phone 8.1 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 Phone 8.1.

End of support means there will be no more product or security updates.  This is in-line with our Support Lifecycle policy.

Even after end of support, automatic or manual creation of new device backups for setting and some applications will continue for 3 months, ending October 11, 2017. Other services including photo uploads, restoring a device from an existing device backup and the Store will continue to work for at least another 12 months from end of support, after which time, services will start to be discontinued.

Microsoft has no plans to push the Windows 10 Mobile upgrade proactively to Windows Phone 8.1 handsets that are eligible for the upgrade.

Microsoft recommends customers upgrade eligible Windows Phone 8.1 devices to Windows 10 Mobile at the earliest opportunity.  Devices upgraded to Windows 10 Mobile will receive security and servicing updates according to Microsoft’s support lifecycle policies. 

If users want to upgrade their eligible Windows Phone 8.1 to Windows 10 Mobile, they can initiate the update via the Upgrade Advisor app or an MDM system of their choice.

For more info, see Upgrade Advisor app for Windows 10 Mobile.

Information on which Windows Phone 8.1 devices can be upgraded to Windows 10 Mobile can be found on the Windows 10 Mobile Specifications & Systems Requirements page.

No, Microsoft recommends that customers upgrade eligible Lumia devices to Windows 10 Mobile.

Additional Information can be found on the Lumia Troubleshooting and Repair page.

With the Windows Phone 8.1 operating system out of support and its device backup functionality ending soon, we recommend that customers move to a supported platform, either by upgrading eligible Windows Phone 8.1 devices to Windows 10 Mobile at the earliest opportunity or by purchasing a new Windows 10 Mobile device where available.

Customers who expect to continue using their Windows Phone 8.1 device after October 11, 2017 are encouraged to manually create a backup using the Settings->Backup->Apps + Settings and then tapping Backup now before that date and to contact their app publisher for instructions on how to preserve app-specific data after that date.

We have no current plans to remove historical Windows Phone 8.1 updates from Windows Update.

Yes. The Windows Device Recovery tool will continue to provide the recovery image for your Windows Phone 8.1 device. See Windows Device Recovery Tool FAQ for more details. 

Yes.  Your Windows Phone 8.1 device should continue to work after July 11, 2017, but there will be no updates after July 11, 2017 (including security updates) and device backup functionality and other backend services will be phased out as described above.

To see which Windows Phone operating system (OS) version is installed on your phone, do the following:

• In the App list, tap Settings.
• More info.
  The Software section indicates the general product name we use to describe the release (for example, "Windows Phone 8.1" or "Windows Phone 8"). The OS version section indicates the specific build number of the release (for example, "8.0.0000.0" or "8.0.10517.150").

There are two different ways to get Windows 10 Mobile:

• Buy a new phone. Check out the select new devices running Windows 10 Mobile that are available now.
• Update your Windows Phone 8.1. Windows 10 Mobile is being made available to eligible smartphones running Windows Phone 8.1. Click here to see if the upgrade is available for your phone.

No. Newer phones running Windows 10 Mobile are still fully supported.  Phones running Windows 10 Mobile, released April 2017 will be supported through June of 2019. Phones which upgrade to future releases of Windows 10 Mobile will be supported beyond June of 2019.

Windows Phone 8.1 was a great software release, but technology has evolved along with the needs and expectations of your customers and partners that have already adopted modern platforms and devices. An older mobile operating system can no longer address today’s business and technology needs nor security threats. Companies still on Windows Phone 8.1 are also missing out on tangible benefits of modernizing their IT investments and enhancing their security to meet the needs of a mobile workforce through future-proofing their IT investments.

Customers who do not want their users to upgrade their Windows Phone 8.1 device to Windows 10 Mobile should blacklist the Upgrade Advisor app using the MDM system of their choice. 

Windows Phone 8.1 end of support date is the same for consumer and enterprise. Microsoft encourages all of our customers with eligible phones to upgrade to Windows 10 Mobile.