Install Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview

Getting started is easy. To install your first Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Build 1 , simply follow these steps.

1. Prerequisites

If you haven’t already, register as a Windows Insider and check that Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview supports your language preferences and device types.

2. Back up your phone

Before installing an Insider Preview build, we recommend backing up your phone. For more information about backing up your mobile device, see Windows 10 Mobile help.

3. Enroll your phone

Windows Phone 8.x or early Windows 10 Mobile build

From the device, open the Store application, search for and install the Windows Insider application, launch the application and follow the on-screen prompts.

Enter your registered Microsoft Account or corporate account, Select the desired flight Ring, reboot the device and check for updates.

Current Windows 10 Mobile build

For current Windows 10 Mobile builds, Windows Insider setup options have been migrated into Settings.

Go to Settings>Update & Security>Windows Insider Program, click Get Started.

Under “Pick and account to get started”, click the “+” icon to link an account and click the account that you used to register for the Windows Insider Program. Click Continue.

Select your desired Insider level (Fast, Slow, Release Preview). Insiders in the fast Ring will get earlier and more frequent access to new features but may experience more bugs.

Reboot the device, go to Settings > Update & security > Phone update, and click Check for updates.

4. Keep your phone up to date

Once you’ve installed your first Insider Preview build, new builds will be automatically downloaded and installed on your phone when they become available.

To check if you have the latest Insider Preview build: Go to Settings > Update & security > Phone update, and click Check for updates. If Phone Update says your device is up to date, you have the latest build.

Let us know what you think

The feedback you provide on Insider Preview builds goes directly to our engineers to help develop Windows. To provide feedback, simply visit the Feedback Hub app in your Start menu. The Feedback Hub also connects you to Insider news, quests, community, and other resources. Find out how to provide constructive feedback.

Switching between rings

Changing rings is a simple process. Launch Settings, select Updates & Security, select Windows Insider Program. Under Choose Your Level, select between the following rings: Fast, Slow or Release Preview. Find out more about rings.

Find information about your device

Below is a set of quick references for key information you may find useful as you participate in the program. This information will also be helpful when submitting feedback for build issues or feature suggestions, as well as reaching out for assistance.

How to find the build number, firmware revision and device model

How to verify which flight ring I have selected

Go to Settings>Update & security>Windows Insider Program and view information under “Choose your Insider level.”

How do I check which Microsoft Account (MSA) or Azure Active Directory (AAD) I am using for getting builds?

Go to Settings>Update & Security>Windows Insider Program, scroll down to “Windows Insider account.”

Not receiving updates

If you are not receiving the latest Insider Preview updates as expected, please review the following information.

Is there an update already pending on your device?

If your mobile device has any pending update waiting to be installed, it will not check for further updates until the current update has been installed.

Perform a manual check for updates: Open Settings, open Update & Security and review available updates or select Check for Updates.

Install any pending updates and then re-check for additional updates that may be available.

If you have set Active Hours, ensure your device is left turned on during the off-hours so the install process can complete. You may manually initiate the install of a pending build at any time.

Compare build numbers

Validate your device is up-to-date. To find the most recent build number for your selected ring, check the latest Windows Insider blog post or reach out to us @WindowsInsider.

Are you in the correct ring to receive the expected build?

Builds are more frequently released to the Fast Ring than to Slow or Release Preview Rings. As such, the Fast Ring is often on a newer build than other rings.

Go to Settings>Update & security>Windows Insider Program and view information under “Choose your Insider level.”

Is the MSA or AAD connected to your device registered for receiving builds?

Go to the Getting started page to verify that you are registered by signing in with your MSA or AAD and clicking on Register with your personal account (MSA) or on Register with your organization account (AAD). If you land on the page “Already a member,” your MSA or AAD is registered.

Is there a known bug causing issues with build detection or install?

There may be an issue with a build that could lead to issues with updates being received. Please check the most recent Windows Insider Blog Post or reach out to us @WindowsInsider.

Has the list of supported devices changed?

Some phones, regions, and mobile operators might not support Insider Preview. If your phone isn't listed below, and no Insider Preview builds appear under Enroll in the Windows Insider app, then your phone isn't supported and it may or may not be supported in the future.

To see which Windows Phone operating system (OS) version is installed on your phone, go to Settings > About > More info.

Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview currently works with the following phones:

• HP Elite x3


• Wileyfox Pro


• Microsoft Lumia 550


• Microsoft Lumia 650


• Microsoft Lumia 950/950 XL


• Alcatel IDOL 4S


• Alcatel IDOL 4S Pro


• Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL


• Softbank 503LV


• VAIO Phone Biz


• MouseComputer MADOSMA Q601


• Trinity NuAns Neo

Recovering a device

If you are in a situation where you are unable to use your device as expected, we want you to know how to recover your device to a good state.

Assess the impact

• What is the impact of the issue? Single app not working? Minor features?


• Can you continue using your device or is key functionality not working?


• Are you able to work around the issue? Would an alternate app suffice?


• Is a newer build available that may have a fix for any known bugs being faced?

Troubleshoot & Discover

Troubleshoot the issue. There may be a workaround available. Reach out to us via the Windows Insider Forums or @WindowsInsider.

If key functionality is unusable and there are no known workarounds, you may consider resetting your device or flashing back to an earlier version of Windows. See instructions at Windows Phone Device Recovery. Prior to doing any reinstall or rollback, ensure you have backed up important files. For more information about backing up your mobile device, see Windows 10 Mobile help.

How to Recover

If you need to return to your original operating system version, use the Windows Device Recovery Tool. See instructions at Windows Phone Device Recovery.

Stop receiving Insider builds

While participating in the Windows Insider Preview program, you may find it necessary to stop taking new builds on a particular mobile device. Below you will find the steps to complete this process.

To stop getting new builds on your mobile device, open Settings, select Update & Security, select Windows Insider Program, select “Stop Insider Preview Builds” and follow the additional on-screen prompts.

Recover your device

We recommend that you do stop getting builds when your device is on a Production Build so that you do not need to recover your device. Production builds are stable, receive servicing updates, will allow you to stay up-to-date and you will not lose any of the data on your device. If you unenroll while your device is running an Insider build, your device will remain on a build that will not receive future servicing updates, will have an expiry date set, and may contain security vulnerabilities.

To find out the current Production Build number, check the Windows Insider Blog.

Ensure you have backed up important photos, videos, contacts, and other files as needed. You will need to restore them after you have reinstalled the earlier operating system version. For more information about backing up your mobile device, see Windows 10 Mobile help.

To recover your mobile device to a current Production Build, you will need to return to your original operating system version using the Windows Device Recovery Tool. See instructions at Windows Phone Device Recovery.