Microsoft Copilot to Exit WhatsApp as Meta Tightens Platform Rules

Microsoft is pulling its Copilot AI chatbot from WhatsApp. The service will be discontinued on January 15. This decision impacts all users who accessed the AI directly through the messaging platform.

The change is a direct response to new policies from Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company. According to Reuters, these revised rules limit how third-party AI services can use the WhatsApp Business API.

Policy Shift Ends AI Chatbot Access on Popular Messenger

Meta announced the platform policy changes last month. The company will no longer support general-purpose AI chatbots on its Business API. This channel is now being reserved for other types of commercial enterprises.

This move creates a significant shift for AI distribution. Companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, and Perplexity are affected. Their chatbots can no longer use WhatsApp as a primary interface for users. OpenAI had already announced a similar January shutdown for its service.

User Histories Won’t Transfer to New Platforms

A key consequence for users is the loss of chat history. Microsoft confirmed that conversations will not be preserved. This is because access to Copilot on WhatsApp was unauthenticated.

The company advises users to export important chats before the mid-January deadline. WhatsApp’s built-in export tools should be used for this. After January 15, the only way to interact with Copilot will be through its official mobile apps or the web.

The removal of Microsoft Copilot from WhatsApp marks a clear strategic pivot for Meta’s platform. This change will centralize AI interactions back to their native applications, fundamentally altering how many users access these powerful tools.

Dropping this nugget your way-

What is the exact date Copilot stops working on WhatsApp?

Microsoft Copilot will be fully removed from WhatsApp on January 15. The service will be inaccessible after this date. Users must switch to official Copilot apps by then.

Can I save my old Copilot chats from WhatsApp?

Yes, but you must act before the shutdown. Microsoft recommends using WhatsApp’s export feature to save your chat history. These conversations will not automatically transfer to the new app.

Why is this change happening now?

Meta is enforcing new WhatsApp Business API policies. These policies restrict general-purpose AI chatbots from using the service. The goal is to reserve API access for other business types.

What are my options after Copilot is gone?

You can download the official Microsoft Copilot mobile app. Alternatively, you can access the AI through a web browser. These are the only supported methods going forward.

Is any other AI chatbot affected by this?

Yes, other major AI services are also impacted. OpenAI previously announced it would wind down its own WhatsApp integration. The policy change applies to all similar third-party AI tools.