Microsoft shuts down Cortana for Android, iOS

Microsoft has shut down the Cortana application on Android and iOS platforms.

“As of March 31, 2021, the Cortana content you created–such as reminders and lists–will no longer function in the Cortana mobile app, but can still be accessed through Cortana in Windows. Also, Cortana reminders, lists, and tasks are automatically synced to the Microsoft To-Do app, which you can download to your phone for free,” the company said in a post.

The company had launched the digital assistant on mobile in November 2019.

Microsoft last year announced that it would end support for its virtual assistant on Android and iOS. Microsoft also stopped offering the standalone Cortana app in select markets such as India, the UK, China, Spain, and Canada among others.

The company had then attributed the shift in approach to a “transformational AI-powered assistant experience in Microsoft 365.” The move was also seen as the company’s efforts to push Cortana to productivity-focused users. The virtual assistant remains one of the highlights of its enterprise suite.

The end-user version, however, did not take off the way Google’s Assistant has on Android or Amazon’s Alexa on smart speakers. Google has made efforts to improve the Assistant with several features such as newer languages support and deeper integration with Android. Similarly, Alexa has found its place on a wide range of smart speakers.