If you've been holding onto a Windows Phone device over the past few years, you might be disappointed to know that Xbox will be ceasing support for the platform on May 16th, 2022, and that includes all achievements.
In a message to Xbox users, Microsoft stated that "earning achievements will be retired on Windows Phone devices" from that date, and while some games may remain playable, progress won't be recorded to your Xbox profile anymore.
The official Microsoft website is also carrying this statement now:
"End of support means experiences with Xbox related features will have limited to no functionality. In addition, earning achievements through Windows Phone devices will be turned off starting May 16, 2022. Some games may still be playable locally on your phone, but progress will not be recorded to your Xbox profile."
This appears to affect everything up to and including Windows 10 Mobile, which went into end-of-support status back in December 2019. It's not the biggest surprise to see Xbox ditching the platform — we're actually shocked it's taken this long.
Are you affected by this news? Let us know down in the comments section below.
[source support.microsoft.com]
Comments 21
Windows Phone still had hands down the best phones I've veer owned. And the Lumia 1520 still has better battery life than my modern handset. A shame that after pulling out all they left us with is Apple copying their aesthetic.
On top of that, it was the best place for apps. No ads on Facebook, Instagram, etc. And the integration with the ecosystem was fantastic as well.
@InterceptorAlpha I owned three (including a 1520) and miss them dearly. RIP Live Tiles. 😥
I liked the windows phone I used to have.
It was the only phone and still today that fully linked with my car at the time through blue tooth that was fully functional for reading out texts and voice sending texts etc etc. It worked perfectly and was way ahead of its time with both iPhone and Android with full car connectivity.
The company I work for issues out top end surface pro laptops, I have one and of course full I cloud cross functionally and software with my company iPhone mobile.
It works ok but if windows phones were about now I bet it would work better and seamless between the surface pro laptop and windows mobile phone.
I now put IT department wish there were updated and still available for those cross functionally reasons.
@Zochmenos I actually have my OnePlus 9 set up with a launcher.
So much more function than the stock UI.
I wish Windows Phone would make a comeback, I mean they could just give us a modified version of Windows 11. I am tired of everything being Android or iphone.
I still have over 85 Windows Phone games to get through on my wife's old lumia. It can't connect to XBL now, so I suppose nothing will change for me. I'm just trying to finish them off before the phone finally just gives up the ghost and dies.
I resisted smartphones for so long a decade or so ago. My first smartphone ended up being a Windows phone. A Nokia Lumia 720.
It was certainly an interesting phone but I do remember having FOMO about the popular apps my friends were using. Only having dodgy looking "client" alternatives to use on WP just put me off. Probably for the best in that I didn't get obsessed with Snapchat, Instagram and the like though 😅
Unfortunately I repeated the mistake some years later when I bought an Amazon Kindle Fire 7. Such a trash device 😅
Loved my HTC one. Thing was a brick and simple. I think the Microsoft of today would have done much better at the Windows phones than the Microsoft of old. Kind of a shame.
What's the point of continuing when Game Pass is their main Platform and ALL Platforms (except Switch & Playstation) have access to Game Pass, inc Window's Phones...
Makes sense to me, they'll 'officially' stop making games for XB1 hardware but they'll still be able to play some games on their XB1 through Game Pass
Does anyone think that the Xbox 360 could possibly be next?
@InterceptorAlpha That's so dope.
Why don’t Microsoft spend a few bob porting those older games to iOS and Android? It would be fairly easy and I’m sure there are more people than me that miss the Windows Phone version of Hexic. They could still have all the achievements in them too.
@Snake_V5 That was my worry after reading this. I’d say it’s doubtful though, particularly as 360 games are still functioning on current platforms. It doesn’t make sense to cease achievements on 360 as they will be using the same servers. I can understand the phones losing support, in the same way as the PC live service was also shut down.
As someone who loved their Windows phone, I haven't had mine since 2013 and didn't realize they.. Still existed
Sucks for me as mine hardly works anymore and I'm missing 1 achievement on Sonic CD (And no, its not the not get hit racing Metal Sonic one. )
I still miss my Lumia 900 and 928 all the time. Still my favorite smartphones i ever had. It would be great if this means we'll finally get Halo Spartan Strike on Xbox. I actually really liked Spartan Assault and I've wanted to try Spartan Strike for a long time
Windows Phone was ahead of its time. Wish the didn't shut it down.
This is such a shame. I loved all of my windows phones. Now using an inferior Android phone
I still have two!
They've been gimped so badly.
These used to be amazing.
Nokia Lumia 920 and 1020
@InterceptorAlpha
Fellow Brave user, I see!
@ralphdibny
The 720 was crap, unfortunately.
The 920 and up had a way better OS!
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