Is Windows 10 Mobile Phone Support Really Ending on Dec 10 2019?

Yes, you heard that right. On January 18, 2019  Microsoft had made an official announcement that they will be stopping Windows 10 mobile phone support on December 10, 2019. I know its bad news for many Windows 10 smartphone users including myself. But the end is here. No more Windows 10 mobile updates.

I don't know if you guys have heard "Small Fish Gets Eaten By The Biggies". That's what happened with the Windows 10 mobile. The popularity of Android mobile firmware and the lack of development from Microsoft Windows mobile developers had led to the death of Windows 10 mobile firmware.

The demand for the Windows Phone has decreased dramatically over a couple of years. People prefer Android and IOS based devices more, and as a result, Windows mobile has come to an end.

It's been more than a year when Microsoft announced the end of support for Windows Phone 8.1 and now the end of Windows 10 mobile follows.

Microsoft also stated that the devices with the Version 1709 would receive security patches until December. However the devices running Version 1703 (that runs on Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL) are not eligible for the security patches, and the support for them will end on June 11th, 2019. Source: XDA

This news came to me with no surprise as there were no significant updates for my Windows 10 phone from a long time. I was only one in my friend circle who was using the Windows smartphone and was satisfied with it. Ya Google Services like Google Maps unavailability on Windows phones had to lead me to buy an Android phone as well.

What Will Happen When Windows 10 Mobile Support Ends?

Microsoft already advised Windows Mobile users to switch to Android or IOS. But if still, you want to keep your Windows phone than you need to know a few serious issues that you may face over time.

1. As Microsoft will stop further security updates after the predefined dates, there will always be a risk of security of your data on your phone.
2. Over time you may feel your Windows 10 mobile performance getting reduced.
3. There will be no further app updates on the Windows Store.
4. Stability will be an issue.
5. There will no support at all for your Windows phone on any authorized service center, except you need assistance on your mobile hardware.

Should You Throw Away Your Windows 10 Smartphone?

Definately not, you don't have to do that. My suggestion is to get an Android or IOS based phone and transfer all your data to the new phone before the support ends. You can still keep your Windows mobile phone for calling purposes or clicking images or maybe more.

I want to clarify that there is no hurry to get a new phone there is still time, and I think when the Support ends you can even use your Windows-based phone for an additional six months or so. That entirely depends on you.

If you are a big fan of some of the Microsoft apps for mobile, you can still get those apps on the Android device. Microsoft has already developed many of their mobile apps on Android platform.

Microsoft has developed a launcher for Android that integrates Windows 10 and Cortana for multitasking.

Wrapping Up

I know this is not settling for many Windows 10 mobile phone users. But this is what it is. If you are one of the Windows 10 smartphone user do comment, let me know what you think about the decision of Microsoft to end support for Windows 10 mobile phones.

Change is always good, and we should move with the flow. I think if Google supported Windows mobile from the beginning by given their services to Windows phone users, this story would never have ended like this.

Do share this post to let your friends know about this official announcement by Microsoft.

Is Windows 10 Mobile Phone Support Really Ending on Dec 10 2019? was originally published to: https://www.windowsqna.com