One less app, one better experience for connecting to cellular data
Windows is retiring the built-in Mobile Plans app to simplify how you connect your PC to mobile data. Instead of using Mobile Plans app to buy or manage cellular plans, you’ll use your web browser and the Windows Settings app going forward. This change means a more integrated experience: no extra app installations, just a direct link between Windows and your mobile operator’s website. In this post, we’ll outline why this change is happening, what the new experience looks like, and how it benefits both consumers and mobile operators.
New experience in Settings to share device IDs with operator websites
A more streamlined web-based experience
- Direct purchase on operator websites: Instead of launching an app, you’ll purchase and activate your cellular data plan directly on your mobile operator’s website. This change to a web-centric and operator-driven model better aligns with familiar experiences on other platforms. From Windows, when you want to add a mobile plan, you’ll navigate to your carrier’s web portal in your browser. Each operator will handle their own sign-up and payment flow.
- No separate app needed: Windows 11 has new built-in functionality to make this web-based activation seamless, meaning one less app installed on your PC. When you purchase a plan on the site of participating carriers, Windows might prompt you via the Settings app to share your device’s cellular identifiers (like EID, IMEI) with the operator. With your consent, these details are securely passed to the carrier, so they can automatically provision your eSIM without you needing to type in codes or scan QR images. You can then download and start using cellular data right away. By using industry-standard web flows, HTTPS, and confirmation steps, this system remains streamlined and secure.
Timeline of the transition
Windows already supports activating eSIM using the web, via QR codes, and manual entry. The new experience to share your device’s cellular identifiers is available for Windows Insiders and will release publicly in the last half of 2025. Mobile operators will be adding support throughout the next year. The
You can continue using the Mobile Plans app until February 27, 2026. After that date, the app will be retired and you may uninstall it, and references to the app in Windows will be removed. If you face issues with this transition, please contact your mobile operator or visit their website to buy and manage eSIM data plans for your PC.
What it means for users
For most Windows users, this change should be convenient: connecting your device to a mobile network should be as easy as buying something online. If you already have an active mobile plan, you don’t need to take any action. Here are the key impacts:
- No loss of cellular functionality: Existing cellular features on Windows remain intact. Any eSIM profiles or data plans you’ve already activated on your PC will continue to work normally. Any plans you purchased through Mobile Plans will continue working, but you’ll need to go to the operator’s website to manage them. Other ways of activating eSIM (like scanning a QR code from a carrier or manually entering activation codes) will continue to be supported just as before.
- Mobile Plans app will be going away: You will see a message within the app about the end of support date. After that date, the app will be retired and may be uninstalled. The app will be removed from the Microsoft Store, and any links to open the app from within Windows will be removed.
- Seamless user experience: If you have a laptop or tablet with LTE/5G and eSIM support, you’ll no longer need the Mobile Plans app. Instead, you can go directly to your carrier’s online sign-up page and then follow the Windows Settings prompts to install the eSIM profile and get connected.
- Where to get and manage plans now: After the transition, to sign up for a new cellular plan on your PC, directly visit your mobile operator’s website and look for their section on activating an eSIM for Windows devices. After the transition, documentation will be updated to guide you through the new flow.
What it means for mobile operators
Microsoft has reached out to mobile operators participating in the Mobile Plans app, providing them the necessary details to transition to this new model.
- Operator enablement: Carriers are adapting their systems to support eSIM activation for Windows PCs via web. This involves adding an option on their websites to initiate the Windows activation flow and handle the secure sharing of device identifiers and eSIM profiles. Microsoft is providing technical guidance so that each operator’s implementation meets the necessary criteria for a seamless user experience. Information on how to download eSIM profile is available here: Use a QR code or URI link to download an eSIM profile.
- Trials and feedback: Starting in June 2025, selected operator partners began trialing the new flow with Microsoft. These trials allow operators to test the end-to-end process (from website to Windows device) and ensure any issues are ironed out before broad launch. All mobile operators with Windows data plan offerings are encouraged to participate in testing so that they’re ready by the time the app is retired. Please reach out to your local Microsoft representative with questions.
- Removal from Mobile Operator Portal and COSA profiles: Following the retirement of the app, the Mobile Operator Portal will be updated to remove "Mobile Plans" as an option when creating a new draft. The COSA definition for enabling GetBalance will also be removed from all the provider profiles. Only the two entries “SupportDataMarketPlace” and “MobilePlansIdentifier” will be removed.
- Updating “View My Account” links: In the current Windows UI, some carriers integrated with Mobile Plans have a “View my account” link in the network settings or Quick Settings. Those links used to point to the Mobile Plans app. Going forward, those need to point to the carrier’s own account management webpage. Operators should submit updated configurations (via COSA, the provisioning database) to ensure their customers can easily click from Windows UI to the correct web page for account info. More information is available here: Microsoft Mobile Operator Configuration Portal Guide.
- Continued collaboration: This change enables the operators to have more control when building and providing a great activation experience. Microsoft will continue to work in partnership with mobile operators to ensure a seamless transition.
Next steps
The retirement of the Mobile Plans app is a move toward a simpler, web-powered, and more streamlined future for Windows connectivity. For users, it means one less app and an easier way to get your device online. For operators, it gives them direct control of the customer purchase experience.
Over the coming months, Microsoft will roll out the necessary Windows updates and work with carriers to finalize the new system. Keep an eye on the official Windows release notes and your carrier’s communications for announcements of support for the new eSIM activation flow.
In the meantime, if you’re a user looking to add cellular service to your Windows PC, you can continue to use the Mobile Plans app until it’s retired or check your operator’s website for information. Many operators already allow eSIM activation via QR code or manual entry, which is what the new flow streamlines.
We’re confident that moving to a web-centric solution will provide a smoother, more consistent connectivity experience for everyone. Thank you for being part of this journey to simplify Windows networking!
Additional information
Microsoft