Microsoft recently announced that its Windows 10 Mobile, formerly known as Windows phone, days are counted and will shut down permanently by the end of this year. It hence recommended users to shift to Android or iOS devices before the deadline.

Microsoft notified users that it will stop issuing security updates to smartphones running Windows 10 Mobile by December 10, 2019 and users should make respective arrangements – switch to either iOS or Android phones – before time.

Stating the reason, Microsoft wrote, “Technology has evolved along with the needs and expectations of your customers and partners who have already adopted Android or iOS platforms and devices. Microsoft’s mission statement to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, compels us to support our Mobile apps on the supported Android and iOS devices.”

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The company mentioned that the end of support date applies to all the Windows 10 Mobile products, including Windows 10 Mobile and Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise. Users will no longer be to able to receive ‘new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free assisted support options or online technical content updates from Microsoft for free’.

Though it mentioned that third parties or paid support programs may provide ongoing support, but Microsoft support itself won’t publicly provide updates or patches for Windows 10 Mobile.

Without the security updates, Windows mobile users will be at a higher risk to security threats, including hacks or malware attacks that can expose users’ personal information. To keep users safe, Microsoft thus recommended them to ‘move to a supported Android or iOS device’.

It further stated that after the end of support, the automatic or manual creation of new device backups for settings and certain apps will continue till March 10, 2020. However, customers who still wish to use Windows 10 Mobile device after the deadline should create manual backup.