Guide on how to update Windows Phone 8 to 8.1 in easy steps

Microsoft began delivering updates on Windows Phone 8 a month ago, with updates to Windows Phone 8.1 many WP8 users are experiencing new and more interesting features. Though the update is on PREVIEW version, Windows Phone 8.1 Preview for Developers version introduces many new features including an awesome assistance app Cortana (Beta).

One can update and experience Windows Phone 8.1 on its Developer Preview only if the phone is Windows Phone 8, there is no updates for 7.8 and other versions. So, there are some pre-stuffs you need to do to update to Windows Phone 8.1. Go through this guide and update.

Prerequisites

• Windows Phone (Device)
• Windows Phone 8 (OS)
• Developer Account login

Well, with above things equipped now you can start to update your Windows Phone. Just follow these easy steps.

If you are new to the developer preview program, you might get a small update. Don’t get excited too much, it is just final GDR3 update build. Also make sure you are on 8.0.10521.155 OS version. Verify it from ‘about’ section of the settings. Simply, get that the one update you’ll be getting first is not Windows Phone 8.1 Preview.

Update to Windows 8.1

1. Sign up as a developer. Technically, Windows Phone 8.1 is only available to those who have registered their Microsoft account—the same one you’re signed in with on the phone—with one of Microsoft’s developer programs. These include the Windows Phone Dev Center ($19 per year) or the free App Studio, which lets you create simple Windows Phone apps on the web. Since App Studio is free, head over there first, sign in with the same Microsoft account you used to sign in on your Windows Phone handset, and then register. That’s all you have to do.

2. Download the Preview for Developers app. Now, download the Preview for Developers app from the Windows Phone Store to your handset. You can do this remotely, from your PC’s web browser, or directly from the browser on your phone.

3. Run Preview for Developers. Once the app is installed, find it on your phone and run it. The app will step through a short wizard that explains what’s happening, provides a Terms and Conditions document you must agree to, and a sign-in for your Microsoft account. Once that’s all done, you agree to enable the Preview for Developers and click Done to complete the process.

4. Check for updates. Once Microsoft releases the Windows Phone 8.1 developer preview—it will be sometime this month—you can check for updates and then install it. To do so, navigate on your phone to Settings, Phone Update and tap the Check for Updates button. Phone Update will automatically find the update and begin downloading it. When that’s done, it will prompt you to install the update now.

[UPDATE]

There’s a latest update to Windows Phone 8.1  [OS Version: 8.10.12382.878] Preview for Developers, this update is supposed to fix bugs encountered on previous versions. To get this update, Check for Updates under Settings -> phone update.