If you have been using Microsoft’s digital assistant Cortana on your Android or iOS bases device, that will have to stop from January 31, 2020. Microsoft is withdrawing the support on these platforms. The only option for you, if you are still keen on using it for your reminders etc. is for you to download the Microsoft To Do app on your mobile. This app is free for download and use.

Microsoft is quick to point out that this move in no way conveys the impression that the digital assistant is on its way out. It may be true that Cortana has not had the kind of success that a Google Assistant or an Alexa has had. The company is expected to bundle Cortana along with the Microsoft 365 productivity applications. In that limited sense, Microsoft has admitted that it has not been able to compete with Google Assistant and Alexa. These two companies, Google and Alexa have moved on to create a niche market for themselves in the form of home speakers, which can perform a variety of tasks around the household.

The decision to withdraw support to Cortana for the Android and iOS devices has been made for limited geographies, including India. The other countries where the service won’t be available are Australia, the UK, China, Spain, and Canada. There are other markets as well.

Those using Cortana on any Windows platform can continue to use it without any hassles. The removal from the mobile environment means it may not function on apps like Skype and Outlook on your mobile as well.