It’s Official: Lumia Firmware Updates Are Coming to Windows Insiders

I’ve stated before that any true Windows phone fan needs to be on the Windows Insider program, because that’s the only way to ensure you will get timely OS updates. Well, Insider is about to get a lot better, with Microsoft working to add Windows phone firmware updates to the program as well.

And that, folks, makes it a no-brainer.

“We have been getting a lot of feedback on making mobile device firmware updates more accessible to our Windows Insiders with devices in the Fast and Slow rings,” a Microsoft employee identified only as Jason revealed to Insiders. “We have heard you loud and clear and are working to enable this. As more Windows 10 Mobile devices come to market, we expect that firmware updates will be an ongoing activity within the Windows Insider Program.”

If I’m reading that right, it could mean firmware updates for many phone models, not just for Microsoft’s own Lumia devices. That’s doubly good news, though I do think most are better off with a Lumia.

Today, Windows Insiders and wireless carriers get early access to Windows 10 Mobile builds and cumulative updates so that they can provide feedback prior the updates rolling out publicly devices in the wild. But there are often associated firmware updates as well, and these updates often work hand-in-hand with the other software updates that Insiders (and carriers) are already testing.

“Our teams work closely with mobile operators to evaluate and approve the firmware update for devices they support,” Jason explains. “Specially for the Lumia 950 and 950 XL models, to date we have shipped firmware updates to 700+ device configurations and still have additional mobile operators evaluating future updates.”

Today, firmware update releases only target production (public) builds of Windows 10 Mobile. But that is changing. It will take “a few weeks” before we see anything on the Insider program, but current and future firmware updates will be delivered through Windows Insiders going forward.

Great news.