Last week Microsoft stated that those who had been a part of the Developer Preview program would start seeing Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 roll out to their devices this week. Here we are on Monday and the rollout has begun. The update has been rolling out to DP members globally with several key improvements and enhancements now available on their devices.
Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1, also known as GDR 1, brings several key updates to Windows Phone 8.1 including the ability to natively create app folders on the Start page as well as improved rendering of website in Internet Explorer 11 on devices. SMS merging and forwarding is now also available to Windows Phone users with this update. Perhaps the biggest update for global users is that Cortana can be used for the first time. Users in the UK, China, Australia, India and Canada can now use the US version of Cortana (localised language packs still not there yet).
If you are a Developer Preview user, navigate to Settings>Phone Update and do a manual check for an update. Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 should start downloading afterward. You will need at least 1.5GB of available space for the download to unpack itself on your device and you won’t be able to use your phone during the update process, about a 10-15 minute process. All of your data should remain just fine but it never hurts to do a a quick backup of your device to be safe. Check out my How To Backup post to learn how to do an on-demand backup.
