Mobile Plans Archives

AppWizard

September 18, 2025

Android’s New Verification System May Limit Offline App Sideloading

Google is introducing a new developer verification system for Android that may require an internet connection to sideload apps. A code snippet in the Android SDK suggests that the installation process will include an online check to confirm the developer's legitimacy. This could hinder users in areas without reliable internet access from installing apps, even from trusted sources. However, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) will still allow advanced users to sideload applications offline. The new system is expected to roll out over the next year, giving developers time to register and users time to adapt.

AppWizard

September 12, 2025

Forget carriers: your next phone plan could come from an app

AT&T is collaborating with Gigs, a Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE), to integrate prepaid services into existing applications and platforms, allowing companies to offer mobile services without creating a standalone brand. Early adopters include fintech companies like Klarna and OnePay. Gigs-powered services can openly advertise their use of AT&T’s network, contrasting with traditional prepaid brands that often obscure their network affiliations. This initiative reflects a trend among major carriers to enable independent companies to launch wireless offerings, following T-Mobile's "Your Name, Our Wireless" program. AT&T's VP suggests that telecommunications and consumer technology will converge, allowing mobile plans to be managed within various applications. However, there are concerns about customer service quality in an app-driven model, particularly for less tech-savvy users.

Winsage

September 1, 2025

Windows Mobile Plans are being cut for good – here’s what we know, and what you can do next

Microsoft will discontinue its Mobile Plans service, with the app ceasing operations on February 27, 2026. The app will be removed from Windows and the Microsoft Store immediately. Users will still be able to connect their PCs to mobile networks, but management will shift to Windows Settings and require navigation to mobile operators' websites. Existing connections will remain functional. The introduction of eSIMs will eliminate the need for codes or QR scans, with a public rollout expected in the latter half of 2025. Microsoft will provide updated documentation for users, while mobile carriers may face challenges adapting to the new system. Some select partners have participated in a trial since June 2025, but their identities have not been disclosed.

Winsage

August 30, 2025

RIP Mobile Plans app 🪦 — Microsoft is shutting it down in 2026

Microsoft will retire the Mobile Plans app on February 27, 2026, directing users to manage cellular plans through a web browser instead. The app will remain functional for managing eSIM data plans, but adjustments will require visiting the provider's website. Windows 11 users can activate eSIMs via QR codes or manual entry, with a new feature in testing that may simplify this process. Many Windows laptops, including Microsoft's Surface Pro 11, offer 5G or 4G LTE options. An eSIM integrates SIM functionality into the device, eliminating the need for a physical card and allowing easier carrier switching. Laptops can connect through 5G or 4G LTE networks, with 5G providing enhanced speeds and lower latency.

Winsage

August 29, 2025

Microsoft is Removing the Mobile Plans App from Windows 11

Microsoft will retire the Mobile Plans app in Windows 11 by February 2026 to simplify the process of connecting PCs to mobile data. Users will manage cellular plans through web browsers and the Settings app instead of the app. The Mobile Plans app, which allowed users to discover mobile operators and manage pay-as-you-go plans, is becoming redundant as these tasks can now be done online. Existing eSIM profiles will remain functional, but management will shift to carriers' websites. Notifications about the app's end of support will be sent to users, and it will be removed from the Microsoft Store after February 27, 2026. Cellular carriers are adapting their systems for web-based activations to support this transition.

Winsage

August 29, 2025

Windows Mobile Plans app to be disconnected in 2026

Microsoft will retire its Mobile Plans app on February 27, 2026, directing users to cellular providers' websites and the Windows Settings app for mobile connectivity. The app facilitated connections between Windows devices and cellular networks, allowing users to manage eSIM profiles and SIM cards. The transition aims to simplify purchasing mobile plans by enabling users to share their device's cellular identifiers with operators for automatic eSIM provisioning. This new functionality is expected to be available by the end of 2025, but the capability to share identifiers is currently not available. Microsoft is testing this approach with selected operator partners to ensure a smooth transition.