Sign in with Microsoft
Sign in or create an account.
Hello,
Select a different account.
You have multiple accounts
Choose the account you want to sign in with.

General Windows Phone 8.1

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

Based on our Support Lifecycle Policy, product and security updates were no longer available as of July 11, 2017. As of October 11, 2017, users were no longer able to automatically or manually create new device backups for setting and some applications.

After December 16, 2019, the Store in Windows Phone 8.1 will no longer be available for downloading new apps or reinstalling previously downloaded apps.  Users who reset or reimage their phones will not be able to recover previously downloaded apps after this date.

After December 31, 2019, the anti-theft features will no longer be enabled. This means that if a Windows Phone 8.1 device is lost or stolen, the owner will not be able to remotely track the phone, lock the phone, reset the phone to factory settings, and/or erase the stored data. Also Reset Protection will no longer function. Resetting the phone with Reset Protection enabled will permanently lock the device. Please disable Reset Protection in Settings before attempting to reset your device. If your device is locked, you can contact support for help. 

While some services such as photo uploads and restoring a device from an existing device backup may continue to function, all services will be discontinued over time.

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

Customers can upgrade eligible Windows Phone 8.1 devices to Windows 10 Mobile, but should note that support for all versions of Windows 10 Mobile will end after December 2019. Devices upgraded to Windows 10 Mobile will receive security and servicing updates while it is still supported.

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 theWindows 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.

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

The Windows Device Recovery tool may continue to provide the recovery image for your Windows Phone 8.1 device . However, after December 16, 2019, you will not be able to recover any apps that were previously downloaded.  As with all Windows Phone 8.1 services, the Windows Device Recovery tool for Windows Phone 8.1 will be discontinued over time. See Windows Device Recovery Tool FAQ for more details on how to use the tool.

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").

Search the product lifecycle page to find out which versions of Window 10 Mobile are still supported.  No version of Windows 10 Mobile will still be supported after December 2019. 

Commercial Business

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.

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Was this information helpful?

What affected your experience?
By pressing submit, your feedback will be used to improve Microsoft products and services. Your IT admin will be able to collect this data. Privacy Statement.

Thank you for your feedback!

×