Visual Studio App Center

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Status note (checked 11 November 2026): Microsoft retired Visual Studio App Center on 31 March 2025. According to the Microsoft Learn retirement page, support for the Analytics and Diagnostics features was extended to the end of March 2027, and Azure Monitor Mobile Analytics (public preview) is the suggested migration path for those. App Center Test, the device testing feature, was among the features retired. Do not choose it for new projects.

Introduction

Visual Studio App Center was Microsoft’s service for continuously building, testing, releasing and monitoring mobile and desktop apps. It bundled CI builds, cloud device testing (App Center Test), app distribution to testers and stores, crash reporting (Diagnostics) and usage Analytics.

Microsoft announced its retirement and the Microsoft Learn retirement page states that App Center was retired on 31 March 2025. In a March 2025 update Microsoft extended support for Analytics and Diagnostics until the end of March 2027, and in April 2026 it announced Azure Monitor Mobile Analytics in public preview as a migration path.

CheckOps keeps this page so that readers who find App Center in older guides know its status and where to go instead. For device testing, the retirement means teams need another cloud such as Firebase Test Lab, AWS Device Farm, BrowserStack or Sauce Labs.

Features

1. Build (retired): Cloud CI for iOS, Android, Windows and macOS apps.
2. Test (retired): Automated UI tests on real devices in Microsoft’s cloud.
3. Distribute (retired): Delivery of builds to testers and app stores.
4. Diagnostics and Analytics: Crash reporting and usage analytics, supported until the end of March 2027.

Pros

1. Clear migration guidance: Microsoft documents retirement dates and alternative solutions.

Cons

1. Retired: Most features stopped on 31 March 2025.
2. Migration required: Existing users must move build, test and distribution to other services.

Usage and Links (Example)

If you still use App Center Analytics or Diagnostics, follow the Microsoft Learn retirement page for the migration path to Azure Monitor. For device testing, move UI tests (for example Appium, Espresso or XCUITest) to an active device cloud and update CI pipelines accordingly.

Useful links:

• Microsoft Learn: App Center retirement

Pricing

Not applicable for new customers because the service is retired. See the Microsoft Learn retirement page for support timelines.

Recommended for?

• Existing App Center users planning migration
• Readers checking the status of App Center references in older documentation

Conclusion

Visual Studio App Center is retired and should not be adopted. Use this page as a pointer to Microsoft’s retirement guidance and to active alternatives for device testing, distribution and crash reporting.

Teams still relying on its Analytics or Diagnostics features have until the end of March 2027 to move.