Microsoft has confirmed that it will shut down the official Copilot assistant profile on WhatsApp, effective January 15, 2026, following Meta’s new restrictions on third-party AI models within the platform. The decision aligns with the broader policy shift already affecting OpenAI’s ChatGPT profile and will likely impact any other company offering full LLM access through WhatsApp.
Below is a detailed explanation of the changes, the reasons behind them, and the necessary actions for users before the shutdown.
What changes for Copilot users on WhatsApp?
Although Copilot will disappear from WhatsApp, the assistant itself is not going away. Microsoft is removing only the WhatsApp entry point.
You will still be able to access Copilot through:
- The official Copilot website
- The Android and iOS Copilot apps
- Copilot integrated into Windows
- Copilot features across Microsoft 365 apps
However, there is one major limitation:
Conversation history from WhatsApp will not sync to any other Copilot platform.
If you’ve used Copilot extensively inside WhatsApp, all of that data will remain isolated in the messenger and won’t transfer over.
How to save your WhatsApp Copilot history
Before January 15, 2026:
- Open your chat with Copilot in WhatsApp
- Tap the three-dot menu
- Choose More → Export chat
- Save the exported file to your preferred storage location
After the shutdown date, the chat will no longer be accessible.
Why is WhatsApp removing external AI chatbots?
The decision is tied to new WhatsApp Business API rules that go into effect in January 2026.
Meta’s stated reasons include:
1. API overload concerns
Meta claims that full-scale LLM providers—such as Microsoft, OpenAI, and others—can place an excessive load on the Business API, which wasn’t designed to host general-purpose AI chatbots for millions of users.
2. Limiting use of WhatsApp as a distribution platform for external LLMs
The updated policy restricts companies from using WhatsApp to offer general AI chatbots directly to consumers, which is exactly what Copilot and ChatGPT profiles do.
3. Customer-service bots are still allowed
The rule does not impact companies using AI assistants strictly for customer support or business workflows, since those use cases remain within WhatsApp’s intended Business API limits.
4. Possible strategic reasoning
Although Meta cites technical constraints, the decision also strengthens the role of Meta AI, its own in-app assistant. Removing competing LLMs naturally directs more users toward Meta’s built-in solution.
Will Copilot return to WhatsApp in the future?
As of now, there is no indication that Microsoft will be able to bring Copilot back, unless Meta creates a new approved channel for third-party general-purpose AI assistants. Given Meta’s current focus on promoting its own LLM ecosystem, this appears unlikely in the short term.
