Microsoft has announced its decision to cease support for the Mobile Plans app as of February 27, 2026. This move signals a shift toward a cohesive and streamlined approach to connecting PCs to mobile data. With the Mobile Plans app phased out, users will now rely on Windows Settings for a more unified connection experience.
New Integration with Windows Settings
As part of this transition, Microsoft plans to enhance the Windows Settings function, allowing users to purchase and manage cellular plans directly through their mobile carriers’ websites. Although the Mobile Plans app will be removed from both Windows and the Microsoft Store, users will not lose functionality. Instead, they will gain a more direct pathway through Windows Settings, which will include secure sharing of device identifiers, such as EID and IMEI, with carriers. This secure information exchange aims to simplify service activation, eliminating the need for codes or QR codes.
Implementation has already begun. Windows Insiders are currently testing this feature, and it is expected to reach the general public by the latter half of 2025. As a result, existing mobile plan connections will remain operational, but any management tasks will need to be accomplished through the carrier’s website, bypassing the Mobile Plans app interface entirely.
Preparations and Collaborations
With this upcoming change, mobile carriers are urged to update their systems to support the Windows activation process. Microsoft, committed to facilitating a smooth transition, will offer guidance to aid in the adoption of the new system. However, carriers may implement these updates at varying speeds, depending on their internal processes.
Back in June 2025, Microsoft ran a successful trial of this feature with select partners, demonstrating the feasibility and efficiency of this updated system. Furthermore, the company plans to update all relevant documentation to ensure a clear understanding of the new processes ahead of the official changeover.
The retiring of the Mobile Plans app is happening alongside a broader strategy to create a more cohesive ecosystem for users seeking mobile connectivity through their PCs. Through such integrations, Microsoft aims to offer a hassle-free experience by weaving mobile connectivity tools directly into the Windows environment.
