Cortana for iOS is finally dead

Cortana for iOS
Cortana for iOS (Image credit: iMore)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft is today ending support for Cortana on mobile.
  • The app is no longer available for download, and reminders and lists will stop working.

Microsoft, as promised, has ended support for its Cortana mobile app on both iOS and Android from Wednesday, giving up its fight against Siri on the iPhone.

As announced in July and confirmed by in-app reminders last week, Microsoft stated it would end support for Cortana on iOS and Android. From our friends at Windows Central:

Microsoft details the upcoming discontinuation in a support document:As we announced in July, we will soon be ending support for the Cortana app on Android and iOS, as Cortana continues its evolution as a productivity assistant.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.

Microsoft says the app will no longer be supported from today, and the app is no longer available to download. Microsoft started phasing out Cortana in some markets way back in November of 2019, as part of its plan to integrate Cortana into Microsoft's 365 productivity apps. Wednesday, March 31 sees Cortana come to its final resting place.

Despite its flaws, Siri remains the best and most-integrated smart voice assistant for most users on iPhone and iOS thanks to its support for Apple Music and other content platforms, as well as its HomeKit integration and compatibility, making it great for controlling the best Siri Shortcut-supported smart home gadgets.

Stephen Warwick
News Editor

Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design.

Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9