Microsoft closes the book on Bookings mobile apps, will shut them down this July
Those who want to book and schedule appointments will have to use the web.
What you need to know
- The Microsoft Bookings apps on iOS and Android will stop working on July 15, 2023.
- The apps were removed from the App Store and Google Play Store back in February, but they work at the moment.
- The service will continue to work, but it will only be available through the web.
The Microsoft Bookings apps on Android and iOS will stop working on July 15, 2023. Microsoft has already removed the apps from the Google Play Store and App Store, but they still work, at least for the time being. Though since they're not available in any app store, only those that previously downloaded the apps can use Bookings right now. After the cutoff date next month, the Bookings apps will stop functioning.
Petri spotted the announcement of the apps being shut down via the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Bookings initially launched in March 2017. The service allows businesses and individuals to coordinate appointments. For example, a barber could use Bookings to allow customers to schedule haircuts.
The service supports rescheduling appointments, saving bookings to a calendar, and notifying everyone involved about a scheduled event.
While the Bookings apps will stop working in July, the service will live on through the web.
“We have launched the mobile friendly web version for users to access Bookings web page (https://book.ms) on their mobile browser. We recommend users who are using the mobile Apps to transition to the mobile web version,” explained a message in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
It's assumed that Microsoft will shut down the mobile Bookings apps due to low usage, though the company did not specify its reasons. It did, however, emphasize that it will continue to improve Bookings as a service.
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"We will continue to invest into improving the web version and providing a consistent experience across desktop and mobile," said Microsoft.
You can access the web version of Bookings through Microsoft's website.
Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.