LinkedIn is one of the most popular professional networking platforms, with over 800 million members worldwide. The LinkedIn app allows users to access their LinkedIn feed, messages, notifications and profile on the go from their mobile devices. While LinkedIn apps are available for both iOS and Android platforms, recently it was announced that LinkedIn will be discontinuing its Windows app.
What does discontinuing the LinkedIn Windows app mean?
Discontinuing the LinkedIn Windows app means that Microsoft will no longer be developing new updates or features for the LinkedIn Windows app. Existing Windows users who have the LinkedIn app installed will be able to continue using the app, but over time as the OS updates, the app may stop working properly.
New Windows users will not be able to download or install the LinkedIn app from the Microsoft Store anymore. LinkedIn will also remove the app listing from the Microsoft Store soon.
Why is LinkedIn discontinuing the Windows app?
In an official statement, LinkedIn said the decision to discontinue the Windows app is based on usage trends. Essentially, LinkedIn usage on Windows mobile devices has been declining for some time now. The majority of LinkedIn members now access the platform through its mobile apps for iOS and Android instead of Windows.
Discontinuing the Windows app will allow LinkedIn to focus its development resources on building new features and improving experiences on the mobile platforms that the majority of its members use. Maintaining a Windows app with declining usage was likely not seen as the best use of resources for the company.
When will the LinkedIn Windows app stop working?
LinkedIn has said it will discontinue the Windows app in early 2023. While an exact end date has not been provided, the app is expected to reach end of life status sometime in Q1 or Q2 of 2023.
Existing Windows users will be able to continue using the app during this transition period. However, they will no longer receive any software updates or bug fixes. Over time, the lack of support will cause the app to degrade in performance and eventually stop working as Windows evolves.
What are the alternatives for Windows users?
Here are some alternative options for Windows users to access LinkedIn after the app is discontinued:
Use LinkedIn through the Browser
The main LinkedIn website offers the full suite of features and functionalities. Windows users can simply access LinkedIn through their preferred internet browser like Chrome, Firefox or Edge.
Use the LinkedIn Mobile Site
LinkedIn also offers a mobile-optimized version of their website that offers a more optimized experience for mobile and tablet users. Windows users can add the LinkedIn mobile site to their home screen for quick access.
Use Third-Party Apps
There are some third party Windows apps in the Microsoft Store like LinkedUp that offer LinkedIn access and functionality. These unofficial apps are not developed by LinkedIn, but provide an alternative solution.
| Alternative | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| LinkedIn Website | Full suite of features | Not optimized for mobile |
| LinkedIn Mobile Site | Mobile-optimized experience | Limited feature set |
| Third-Party Apps | Native app experience | Unofficial, inconsistent quality |
Will LinkedIn discontinue apps for other platforms?
Currently, LinkedIn has only announced that it is discontinuing the Windows app. The iOS and Android apps are not being discontinued and will continue to be supported and developed.
LinkedIn’s user base is predominantly on iOS and Android devices, so it makes sense that they will remain LinkedIn’s focus in the mobile space. Discontinuing the Windows app appears to be a strategic decision based on low usage rates rather than a step toward ending support for mobile apps altogether.
As long as iOS and especially Android continue to command the majority mobile OS market share, it is unlikely LinkedIn will discontinue its apps for these platforms. However, if usage on these platforms declines significantly in the future, LinkedIn may re-evaluate its mobile app strategy.
Conclusion
LinkedIn’s decision to discontinue its Windows app reflects a shift in usage trends away from Windows mobile devices. With the majority of LinkedIn’s 800+ million members now accessing the platform from iOS and Android, it makes sense for the company to focus development resources there.
While no longer supporting the Windows app is disappointing for existing Windows users, there are still options to access LinkedIn through the mobile site or third-party apps. And desktop users can continue accessing the full LinkedIn experience through their browser.
Given LinkedIn’s current strong mobile usage on iOS and Android, it is unlikely the company would discontinue apps for these platforms anytime soon. But the Windows app shutdown reflects LinkedIn’s commitment to developing for the platforms where the most members are active. As usage evolves, the company appears ready to evolve its mobile strategy as well.
