Microsoft has confirmed that its Copilot AI bot will be removed from WhatsApp on January 15, 2026, urging users to switch to its standalone mobile apps and website for continued access. This removal follows recent changes in WhatsApp’s policy that restrict the use of its Business API for general AI chatbots, limiting it to business communications like customer support and notifications, marking the first time Meta has publicly discontinued content distribution via WhatsApp for such AI bots. While Copilot will no longer function within WhatsApp chats, it remains accessible through Microsoft’s iOS and Android apps, Windows, and web platforms.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta, updated its platform policies to prohibit general-purpose AI assistants from using its Business API, focusing the API’s use on commerce-related messaging and customer service. This shift aims to optimize the platform for business messaging and payments while reducing risks of spam, high resource use, and moderation challenges. Consequently, AI chatbots like Microsoft Copilot, OpenAI’s models, and others must exit WhatsApp, affecting many companies relying on the platform for AI interaction distribution. OpenAI has already announced plans to wind down their WhatsApp integration following this new direction.
For Copilot users on WhatsApp, the service will cease operation on the cutoff date, and access to chat history will not be preserved since WhatsApp interactions were unauthenticated. Users are recommended to export their chat history using WhatsApp’s export chat feature prior to January 15 to retain conversational records. Transitioning to the official Microsoft Copilot apps or the web experience offers benefits such as account-based personalization, session continuity, enterprise controls, and removal of message limits, providing a more integrated and secure AI assistant experience within the Microsoft ecosystem.
This change reflects a broader trend where messaging platforms are narrowing AI usage to controlled, business-focused functions, particularly on widely used services like WhatsApp with over 2 billion users. Meta’s focus on growing WhatsApp Business with millions of active business users underscores this strategy. Meanwhile, AI providers are increasingly developing their own apps and web portals to maintain user engagement and feature delivery without third-party platform constraints. Alternative messaging platforms like Telegram and Discord continue to support AI bots but have a smaller reach compared to WhatsApp.
Users impacted by this change should export their WhatsApp chat histories before the deadline and move to Microsoft’s official Copilot apps or web platform for uninterrupted use. These official Microsoft platforms not only offer all core Copilot features available on WhatsApp but also introduce additional capabilities like voice, vision, and companion features. For enterprise users, linking Copilot to a professional Microsoft 365 account provides enhanced features and compliance options, marking a shift towards a more authenticated and managed AI assistant environment.
