Microsoft will close the Windows Phone 8.1 app store on December 16th

Microsoft recently announced in an updated technical support document that the Windows Phone 8.1 app store will be retired on December 16, 2019. This means that Windows Phone 8.1 devices will not be able to download, install, and receive updates. Although the installed application will continue to run, Microsoft warns that once the application is removed from the device, it cannot be recovered.

Microsoft wrote:

“Reinstallation of apps will no longer be possible. If a user removes an app from the phone it will not be possible for such app to be restored. This includes phone reset as well as use of the Windows Device Recovery Tool (WDRT) where apps are deleted or removed. Users should take this into consideration before choosing to reset the phone or use WDRT on or after December 16, 2019.”