Microsoft Phones; No Skype & Dead from October?!

Dawn248

Well, I just tried to set up a new microsoft account for my Lumier 535 phone so I'll be able so Skype my daughter when she goes to Uni in September and I feel a right fool. Apparently Windows are withdrawing their support for microsoft phones so they no longer have the Skype app.

I can't find out if the actual phone is going to die from October or if it's still usable. Both me and my 2 daughters have them.

Now I'm worried. Do I have to get the three of us new phones?

Can I set up Skype on my laptop to chat to my daughter or is it being axed completely?

I can't afford Apple phones to use facetime. Is there a lower cost alternative?

I'm really not pleased, the phones work great and mine has a ton of important texts I need to keep. I can't even back them up or save them as far as I know. Do I have to ditch 3 perfectly good phones? How can this be right?

Massive thanks for anyone who can help me out here. I'm a single mum with have barely any money and no technical knowledge.

darren72

I believe this is just the third party Skype app that is being withdrawn. The built-in Skype app that is part of the Windows phone operating system will continue as before (assuming you have or can upgrade your phones to Windows 10).

ballyblack

Use FREE 'Whatsapp' instead of Facetime and get an Android phone as Windows mobile 'WhatsApp' is stopping at the end if the year

I stopped using Skype years ago



.

elsien

Not much help when OP is trying to find a way to keep her current phones workable.

OP, google lumia534 back up texts and a couple of ways come up, including to an SD card. If they're important it may be sensible to do as if your phone dies you've lost the lot.

ballyblack

Support for windows phones are stopping so its time to bail out and get an Android, much better system anyhow

Irishdexy

Support and updates for the Microsoft Phones will end in October however if your phones are running Windows 10 Mobile they will be as up to date as they can be.

You don't need to ditch three working phones as like you said they are perfectly usable now. As someone has mentioned there is a built in Skype app in the Windows 10 Mobile so you and your daughter can use that.

Just as a side note yes you can install and use Skype on a laptop just google Skype and install it from the main Skype homepage. Sign in and use as per normal.

Just be aware that because support ends in October the phones will not receive any updates and no new phones are going to be released so you can in theory use the phones as they are now and plan to make the jump to Android as you have mentioned your not into Apple

indesisiv

Don't know if windows phones support it or not but you can video message through the facebook messenger app too.
Personally I just use whatsapp.

Didn't know anyone still used skype to be honest.

Dawn248

Thank so much for the replies!
Our phones are Windows 8.1 and I'm not sure if I can upgrade to Windows 10?

Can anyone recommend an good android phone that isn't too expensive, as I'll get one for each of us. It's either that or three second hand iphone 4's. My youngest uses instagram & snapchat so she's been wanting to upgrade for ages, I just couldn't afford it.

Thanks again.

ballyblack

Motorola 'C' 'E' or 'G' depending on your budget

Great modern phones running latest Android 7

Range from around £70 to £140 depending on model

I would never consider a 2nd iphone 4, battery will probably be shot anyway

Moto G5 £140 at moment in Argos (voucher £10)

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/6842176?cmpid=COJUN&utm_campaign=11553376&cjsurferid=113204023105673500%3AV8r8wxrTB87E&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_content=Pepper+Deals+LTD&utm_source=CJ&catalogId=10001&storeId=10151&_%24ja=tsid%3A11674%7Cprd%3A1546795&utm_term=1453124&referredURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.argos.co.uk%2Fproduct%2F6842176&referrer=COJUN
.

molerat

MS support for 8.1 ended in July. The 535 is upgradeable to W10, it was in fact one of the first upgraded. Go into the Windows Store and search for "Windows Upgrade Advisor" and it will upgrade from there. Back your phone up to the cloud - it should have been doing that itself anyway. It can take over an hour so be patient.

darren72

Dawn248 wrote: »

Thank so much for the replies!
Our phones are Windows 8.1 and I'm not sure if I can upgrade to Windows 10?

Can anyone recommend an good android phone that isn't too expensive, as I'll get one for each of us. It's either that or three second hand iphone 4's. My youngest uses instagram & snapchat so she's been wanting to upgrade for ages, I just couldn't afford it.

Thanks again.

Yes, you can upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 10 on your model phone - Just following the previous reply and that will get you sorted. Windows 10 is much better anyway.