What's changing with Copilot?
We're updating Copilot to create a simpler, more cohesive experience for everyone. Depending on the account and device you use, you will see changes to the Copilot app including changes to appearance and functionality, such as navigation, feature availability, or sign-in experience.
You will be able to sign in to the updated Copilot app with a personal account, a work or school account, or both. Work and personal accounts remain separate. Your organization's security, privacy, compliance, and administrative controls continue to apply when you use Copilot with your work or school account.
What improvements will the updated Copilot app have?
Starting with a fresh look, the updated app combines the best of Copilot chat and image creation, with the power of Microsoft 365 for your work.
- Access Word, Excel, Outlook, other Microsoft 365 apps, files and content directly from the app, so you can move from chat to your favorite Microsoft apps easily.
- Sign in using your work, school, or personal account and connect to email, calendar and cloud storage to give Copilot the context to keep you moving forward with work or at home.
- Microsoft 365 subscribers can get more done with Copilot, with advanced AI, leading models, and higher usage limits than free users.
- Podcasts, Deep Research, Group chat, and other features are retiring. Read more about retiring features
Will I need to pay to use the Copilot app?
You can continue to chat with Copilot, create images, upload files and more for free, subject to available capacity and limits.
When you hit a limit, you can choose to upgrade to a paid option or come back later.
For higher limits to chat and create, use agents, or tackle complex multi-step tasks, purchase a Microsoft 365 subscription. Microsoft 365 Plans
How does it affect me?
| You are... | What happens |
|---|---|
| Using Microsoft Copilot with a personal Microsoft account, Google, or Apple sign-in | You'll be moved to an updated Copilot app; your chats and content come with you. |
| Using the Microsoft 365 Copilot app with a personal Microsoft account | You'll see minor navigation changes and an update to the Copilot icon. Copilot chat will be available for all users. |
| Using both Microsoft Copilot and the Microsoft 365 Copilot app with a personal account | Your chats and content will be merged to a single updated Copilot app. Chats, content, and data remain separate between account types in the app. |
| Using Microsoft 365 Copilot with a work or school account | You'll see minor user experience changes and an update to the Copilot icon. |
Details by account type
If you use Microsoft Copilot with a personal account
If you use Copilot on a desktop or web browser with a personal account (e.g. signed up using personal Microsoft, Google or Apple email), you will be moved to an updated version of Copilot.
Your chat history and most content will move with you. You will be guided through the process. Read more about data and content.
If you use the Copilot mobile app, you will need to download an updated version of Copilot to continue using the app.
If you use the Microsoft 365 Copilot app with a personal account
If you use the Microsoft 365 Copilot app today with a personal Microsoft account, you may notice some updates to appearance and navigation.
If you were using the Microsoft 365 Copilot app without a Microsoft 365 subscription, you'll now have access to Copilot chat, at no extra cost. You won't have to make any changes to your account.
For Windows users, the Microsoft 365 Copilot app icon on your taskbar may be updated.
For mobile users, there will be an update to the app that may be auto-installed, or you may need to manually request an update. The icon will update for mobile users as well.
If you use both Microsoft Copilot and the Microsoft 365 Copilot app with a personal account
Your chat history and content you've created will be merged to a single updated Copilot app. Chats, content, and data remain separate between the account types in the app. Read more about your data and content.
If you use Microsoft 365 Copilot for work or school
You will see the Microsoft 365 Copilot icon and name update if you have Copilot installed for Windows, Mac, or on a mobile device. Otherwise, there will be minimal changes to your Copilot experience.
Do I need to do anything to prepare for the update?
No. Most updates will happen automatically. Existing users will be guided through the transition, and web users will be automatically redirected to an updated version of Copilot on the web.
Can I switch between my personal and work or school accounts?
Yes. You can continue to switch between personal and work or school accounts using the account switcher within Copilot, just as you might be doing today. Work and personal experiences remain separated by design, and data does not flow between them.
What's going away or unavailable?
Group Chat
Group Chat threads, messages, and content, including images created in Group Chats, will not be carried forward after August 18, 2026. Before your account updates, copy any messages you want to keep into a document or notes app and download any images you want to save. Learn more
Podcasts
Podcasts is being retired from Copilot and will no longer be available after August 18, 2026. After retirement, customers will no longer be able to create or access Podcasts in Copilot. You can download individual podcasts from your podcast library using the download option in the podcast menu. Learn more
Deep Research
Deep Research is being retired in the Copilot app for consumers starting August 18, 2026. If you've used Deep Research to create detailed reports and analyses in Copilot, you may have questions about what this change means for you. This page explains what is changing and how to access your existing research content.
Temporarily unavailable features
Some features may be temporarily unavailable, or you may experience functionality gaps while the latest version of Copilot is being rolled out.
Privacy and Data
What happens to my chats and data?
Most user data will be moved with you to the updated Copilot app. Content that has been created with features that are being retired (for example, group chats, podcasts and deep research content) may be handled differently. Read more.
The following data will be migrated:
- Your chats
- Images
- Other content you've created with Copilot
Will data be shared between my personal and work accounts?
Commercial data boundaries, tenant controls, and compliance protections are not changing. The boundaries that keep work and personal separate remain in place: Personal (Microsoft account) and work (Microsoft Entra) accounts are distinct by design. Data entered into the work (Microsoft Entra) experience does not flow into the personal (Microsoft account) experience, and vice versa.
Where will my files to be stored?
Files shared and generated with the standalone Copilot app will be moved to OneDrive. You can access and manage your Copilot files in the OneDrive app on your desktop or mobile device, or by logging into your Microsoft account. Additional storage capacity is available with a Microsoft 365 subscription.
How does Copilot handle my privacy, data, conversations, and uploaded files?
Copilot is designed with privacy, security, and Responsible AI principles at its core. For details about conversation retention, personalization, data use, file uploads, privacy controls, and Responsible AI practices review the following content.
| You are... | Privacy documentation for your account |
|---|---|
| Using Copilot with a personal Microsoft account using Google or Apple sign-in | Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps for home: your data and privacy |
| Using Copilot with a work, school, or organization account | Data protection when using Microsoft Copilot Chat for work or school |