Windows Phone 8.1 Preview is now available for download

Once you have done this, all you have to do is go to the Windows Phone store and download Preview for Developers (we'll put the QR code below to make it more comfortable). When it is installed, open the app, check the Enable Preview for Developers box and press Done . At that time, your phone is activated and you will be able to download the update as soon as it is released.

Remember that to update, you have to go to Settings -> Update the phone and press the Check for updates button so that the phone finds the new version.

Alternate forms

Downloading the preview via App Studio is so extremely easy that you don't need alternatives if you just want to update. However, it may be a good time to explore another option that, in addition to allowing you to update , gives you more advantages.

If you have a developer friend, you can ask them to unlock your phone (note that the limit is three unlocked phones per each account).It's as easy as connecting via USB to your computer and running the unlock tool in Windows. Thus, in addition to accessing the preview, you can load applications that are not in the official store.

You can also get a developer account for Windows Phone and Windows. Registration doesn't cost much ($20 for a yearly subscription). In fact, if you are students, you can get a full account for free through DreamSpark. Being developers you have access to the SDK, with which you can start creating your own applications if you feel like it.

What are the risks of upgrading? How do I prepare?

As we have already said, the preparation is simply having the phone activated to receive the preview. It is also recommended that the battery is well charged to avoid problems, and that you have enough storage space on the phone.

The risks of upgrading are few. With GDR3 the same procedure was followed and few had problems. There are only two things to keep in mind: that you cannot go back. If the update goes wrong, there is no way to roll it back. If you absolutely can't live without your phone, keep that in mind so you don't risk it.