Microsoft Launcher for Android to kill Timeline and Family Parental Control features

The latest Microsoft Launcher for Android beta v6.2.200904.91704 is warning users to prepare for the retirement of the Timeline feature. The message shown in the feed assures Timeline feature will still be available on Windows, Edge, and other office apps.

What you should know:

  • Microsoft soon will retire Timeline from Microsoft Launcher for Android.
  • The company confirms app’s Family features will be shifting to its recently launched Family Safety Android App.

Timeline is going away

If you sign in to Microsoft account on Windows and MS Launcher for Android and sync your timeline to track recent activities on PC, the feature will be no more. Microsoft has decided to kill it in its Launcher App.

After installing the latest beta, if you tap on the Timeline tab in your feed, you’ll be greeted with the following message:

“We’ll be retiring Timeline from Microsoft Launcher soon, but don’t worry. You’ll still be able to see your recent activities on your PC, or on Edge and office mobile apps.”

Timeline retiring message

If you want to remove Timeline from Launcher before Microsoft does, follow the instructions given below.

To turn off Timeline in Microsoft Launcher on Android

  1. Visit Microsoft launcher Settings
  2. Tap on Edit your feed,
  3. Uncheck “Timeline”.

Family features will be moved to the Microsoft Family Safety app

Another change the update informs the user is about the depreciation of Family Parental control.

When you swipe right to see your feed at Glance, you’ll be told about this:

“Family features are moving. We know you just started setting up but family features are moving to the new Microsoft Family Safety app soon.”

Family features are moving message

Note: Microsoft Family Safety app is currently in beta.

By retiring or moving one or more features, the Microsoft Launcher team can spend additional time to bring new features to the App.

Changelog:

In addition to these, the app update brings improvements to the Home screen, App drawer, and device configuration on fully managed devices. This release includes general bug fixes and improvements as usual.

It’s worth noting that these changes are in the beta version of MS Launcher, and may take more to appear in the public version of the App.

Are you going to really miss Microsoft Launcher for Android’s Timeline and Family features? Let us know in the comments below.

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Venkat Eswarlu

Venkat is an independent technology journalist and the founder of Techdows. He has been covering web browsers, Windows, and software news since 2009. His exclusive scoops on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge features have been cited by Forbes, TechCrunch, Wired, CNET, and other major publications.

2 Comments

  1. Anonymous

    1. “By retiring or moving one or more features, the Microsoft Launcher team can spend additional time to bring new features to the App.”

    I am starting to understand. Microsoft adds and removes “features”, calls it an update, and tells you how much they have “improved” applications.

    They do it to keep themselves busy, and seemingly relevant.

    Why the hell can’t they spend their time and effort fixing bugs that annoy people every day, rather than adding and removing features people are using.

    2. “We know you just started setting up but family features are moving to the new Microsoft Family Safety app soon.”
    We don’t care how much time and effort you have put into setting up this “feature”. We are going to remove it, have you install a new app, and set it up there, instead. We may or may not change that by the time you get it set up.

    3

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