MICROSOFT MERGES COPILOT APPS INTO SINGLE UNIFIED INTERFACE

Microsoft is combining its consumer-facing Copilot app and Microsoft 365 Copilot into one unified application, beginning rollout in mid-August for mobile and web versions and mid-September for Windows and Mac. The merger consolidates two separate but similar AI assistants that previously created user confusion, particularly for individuals switching between personal and work accounts. Users will be able to sign in with personal, work, or school accounts and access email, calendar, and cloud-based services from a single interface. The unified app will feature an updated design and icon, eliminating duplicate Copilot icons from system trays and taskbars.

Microsoft 365 subscribers will retain higher usage limits compared to free Copilot users and will continue to access Word, Excel, Outlook and other Microsoft 365 applications directly from Copilot. All users, whether free or paid, will retain access to standard Copilot features including question-answering, image creation, file uploads, and text or voice chat. Existing personal Copilot users will be transferred to the updated version with their chat history and content preserved, whilst Microsoft 365 Copilot users will see minor navigation changes and gain access to Copilot chat. Users employing both apps will have their chats and content merged into the single updated app, though data will remain separate between account types.

Microsoft stated that the merger represents a technical milestone in preparation for a broader "super app" the company plans to launch later in 2026. Enterprise security, compliance, and government controls remain unchanged. Users of the mobile app will be prompted to download the updated version, whilst Windows Insider testers will begin seeing updates this week.