Facebook is ending support for its Messenger app in older versions of Windows and Windows phone

Windows 10 Mobile is Microsoft’s latest and greatest mobile OS, designed to be the last numerical iteration, with a focus of software updates and new features going forward. The OS was designed to bridge the gap between smartphone and PC with interesting features like continuum and Universal Windows Apps.

However before Windows 10 and Windows 10 mobile, there was Windows Phone 8.1, which theoretically was supposed to do the same thing as it’s successor, but ultimately fell short (hence the reason we even have a Windows 10 in the first place).

Microsoft has been trying to get users to switch from the old OS to the new, and honestly there’s no reason that anyone shouldn’t. WP8.1 hasn’t received an update in eons, and the features on W10M are beyond it by leaps and bounds. Though a fair number of users have upgraded, there are still a few holding on to the aging OS; but that may be about to change with another big name app leaving the platform.

According to Updates Lumia, some users of the old Facebook Messenger app have been receiving emails from Facebook themselves saying that “the Official Messenger messaging client will be discontinued as of the end of March for the old Windows Phone platform”, with instructions on where to find the new messenger app on Windows 10 mobile.

Francesco B, Thank you for choosing to use Messenger.

We regret to inform you that since the end of March, the app version you’re using is no longer supported and you can not send and receive messages. To continue to send and receive messages from Facebook on your phone, update your Facebook app to the latest version: www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9WZDNCRFJ2WL

This news comes after Microsoft ended support for its Skype app on Windows Phone 8.1 at the beginning of the month. As the user base continues to deplete, expect more and more big name apps to leave the platform, forcing users to eventually jump ship. The decision that has to be made is whether a simple upgrade to the newer OS is the best choice (for those who actually CAN upgrade), or to leave the Windows platform all together and switch to another mobile OS.

What say our readers, is the abandonment of the older OS concerning to you? And if so are you planning to stick with Microsoft in Windows 10 mobile, or will you be flocking to another mobile OS? Let us know in the comments below!

Update: The changes also apply to the following apps:

• Facebook for Windows Phone.
• Messenger for Windows Phone 8 and 8.1.
• Facebook for Windows 8 and 8.1 desktop app