If you are still carrying around a Windows Phone 8.1 device, then you should be aware that Microsoft is ending mainstream support for the OS next month on July 11, 2017. According to the support policy, the Windows Phone 8.1
lifecycle started back on June 24, 2014 and remains valid for a period of 3 years, maximum.
What this means is, Microsoft will no longer provide critical or security updates for your device after July 11, 2017.
Here’s what the review notes from the official support page reveals:
Microsoft will make updates available for the Operating System, including security updates, for a minimum of 36 months after the lifecycle start date. These updates will be incremental, with each update built on the update that preceded it. Customers need to install each update in order to remain supported. The distribution of these incremental updates may be controlled by the mobile operator or the phone manufacturer from which you purchased your phone, and installation will require that your phone have any prior updates. Update availability will also vary by country, region, and hardware capabilities.
If you are curious, Windows 10 Mobile (Anniversary Update Build 14393.0) released in August 2016, has the mainstream support end date as 10/9/2018, which is around 15 months from now.
Also, do let us know if you still have a Windows Phone 8.1 smartphone or you have made a leap to Android/iOS already, in the comments below.
