In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to backup all the data from your phone, the minimum requirements, which devices are supported, and how to upgrade your Windows Phone 8.1 device to Windows 10 Mobile. It’s worth pointing out that while the mobile version of Windows 10 is available starting March 17, 2016, not everyone will receive the upgrade at once. Microsoft is proactively working with manufacturers and mobile operators to make the operating system available on supported phones as soon as possible.
How to upgrade to Windows 10 Mobile
List of supported Windows Phone devices
The first thing you need to do is make sure your phone is in the list of supported phones: Lumia 1520, Lumia 930, Lumia 640, Lumia 640XL, Lumia 730, Lumia 735, Lumia 830, Lumia 532, Lumia 535, Lumia 540, Lumia 635 (1GB), Lumia 636 (1GB), Lumia 638 (1GB), Lumia 430, Lumia 435, BLU Win HD w510u, BLU Win HD LTE x150q, MCJ Madosma Q501. (Note that Windows Phone devices with 512MB of RAM won’t be getting Windows 10 Mobile)
Make a Windows Phone 8.1 backup
Before you upgrade to Windows 10 Mobile, you have to make sure to do a full backup of all your accounts, apps, settings, and files. Windows Phone 8.1 comes with the necessary tools for the job, and you can use this guide to create a backup of everything on your phone.
Download the Upgrade Advisor app
Microsoft is making available the Upgrade Advisor app to help verify if your Windows Phone device is compatible to receive the Windows 10 Mobile upgrade, it will update your phone, and it also will help you free up space as necessary. Here are a few requirements:
Device must be running Windows Phone 8.1 GDR1 QFE8 or later version of the operating system. Device must have at least 1.4GB of free space to allow the Windows 10 Mobile download. A Wi-Fi connection with access to the internet is also required to download and install the upgrade. Device has to be fully charged before the upgrade. It’s important to note that while most apps, in-app purchases, and settings will migrate over to the new installation, but some others may not migrate during the upgrade.
Install Windows 10 Mobile
Using the Upgrade Advisor is similar to the “Get Windows 10” app — it’s just a way to reserve the copy of the operating system –, when the upgrade becomes available do the following: You should be able to install Windows 10 Mobile immediately or postpone to a later time. The installation process can take up to an hour depending on your phone and apps installed. Once the upgrade completes, make sure to open Settings > Update & security > Phone update > Check for updates, as new updates may be available for your phone.
Windows Insider information
If your phone have the current version of Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview build, then you don’t need to do anything. You’re running the latest version of Windows 10 Mobile. However, if you want to stay with stable version, make sure to open the Insider Hub app and switch to the Production ring. If your phone is not on the list of supported phones, but you are running the latest version of Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview, you can keep using the operating system in an unsupported state. However, Microsoft says that it “will not be offering build updates beyond the Current Branch build 10586,” which means that in a near future, unsupported phones will stop receiving Insider builds. Once updates are not longer available for unsupported phones, you will need to roll back your device to Windows Phone 8.1 to keep getting updates. All content on this site is provided with no warranties, express or implied. Use any information at your own risk. Always backup of your device and files before making any changes. Privacy policy info.
