Get the Windows Phone Developer Preview

As a Windows developer, you can preview Windows Phone 8.1 system updates before mobile providers make them available to customers. With these updates, you can test and validate your apps on your development phone to make sure they work correctly when the updates are officially released to all customers. If you want to jump ahead and start trying out upcoming Windows 10 features, join the Windows Insider Program.

Not a developer? No problem. If you’re looking for a sneak peek at the Windows 10 experience for phones, find out how to get the latest updates for your phone.

Step 1: Register as a developer

Not all developers are the same. Select the option that best matches what you want to do.

Option 1: Build apps with your own code

Option 2: Build apps using App Studio

Option 3: Build apps for yourself by unlocking your phone

If you’re just building apps for yourself, you can “dev unlock” your phone without needing to register anywhere.
Free!

No matter which way you choose, you should review the Terms and Conditions for Windows Phone Preview for Developers.

Step 2: Read these important notes

Before you go any further, you need to understand that…

You might void any warranty from your mobile operator and OEM. Contact your mobile operator if you’re concerned about any repercussions.
A preview update only includes the Microsoft portion of the update; mobile operator and OEM driver updates will be available when the official update for your phone is available. This means that operating system updates haven’t gone through all of the detailed testing with regards to your phone’s mobile service and hardware, so you might experience some bugs.
After you update your phone to a preview version of the operating system, you can’t go back to a previous released version of the operating system. When the new operating system is released to the public, you’ll get the update on your phone, but there’s no going back before then.

Step 3: Download the app

To make getting the updates easy, install the Windows Phone Preview for Developers app. The app will configure your phone to point to our preview update servers so you can easily get the latest build on your phone.

Need help?

Visit our forums for help with issues that you may be having, answers to questions that others have asked, and to engage in discussions with your developer peers and Microsoft experts about the preview release.

We’ve got 2 forums you can participate in, depending on your question:
The Developer support forum—for solutions to issues with eligibility, registration, or the SDK.
The Consumer support forum—for questions about the software on the phone.