Microsoft says its Copilot assistant will stop functioning on WhatsApp from January 15, 2026. The company said it is working on a smooth transition and will redirect users to Copilot on mobile, the web, and PCs so they can continue using the assistant without interruption.
The decision comes after Meta introduced new rules that block AI chatbots and other large language model tools from operating on WhatsApp. Microsoft isn’t the only one impacted — OpenAI has also confirmed that ChatGPT will no longer work on the platform after Meta’s deadline.
What Happens to Copilot on WhatsApp Next
According to Microsoft, Copilot on WhatsApp will continue to run until January 15, 2026, after which the feature will be turned off. Users can still access Copilot through several other platforms, including:
• Copilot mobile app (iOS and Android)
• Copilot on the web
• Copilot on Windows
Microsoft added that these versions provide everything available in the WhatsApp experience, along with enhanced features such as Copilot Voice, Copilot Vision, and a new expressive visual companion named Mico.
The company also advised users who want to keep their chat history to export it using WhatsApp’s built-in options before the shutdown date. It noted that since the WhatsApp integration does not use account authentication, chat history cannot be moved to other Copilot platforms.
Meta’s latest policy update
Meta has introduced a new section in its WhatsApp API policies aimed at “AI providers,” covering LLM-based systems and general AI assistants. Under these updated terms, AI chatbots are not allowed on the platform if the assistant itself is the main product being offered.
According to a report from TechCrunch, Meta said the rise in AI chatbot use has increased message traffic and system strain, requiring more infrastructure than WhatsApp was designed to handle. The revised terms are intended to keep the platform focused on its original purpose rather than turning it into a hub for large conversational AI systems.
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