Upgrading your unsupported Lumia to Windows 10 Mobile (Redstone 1)

On my first tutorial, I have shown how to upgrade an unsupported device running Windows Phone 8.1 to Windows 10 Mobile. However, there isn’t a straight path to current version, codenamed ‘Redstone 1’. Instead, you will get ‘Threshold 1’, more precisely build 10586.107, which isn’t even the latest build under 1511 version. The question is how to upgrade from 1511 version to the latest 1607? Let’s find out!

Note: This tutorial also applies if you are running Redstone 1 and you want to update to a new cumulative update. For example, from 14393.0 to 14393.900. In case you apply this method and later you Reset your phone, you will have to repeat this procedure to get the monthly security updates and bug fixes.

What do you need?

The method we are going to apply is that same as the previous tutorial with some additions. However, we need new tools that work on Windows 10. Believe this, this time the full procedure is way easier.

• Interop Tools. This app allows to unlock system capabilities, has buil-in registry browser/editor and more

Ohhh… That’s it 😊

Getting started

Enable Developer Mode

On Windows Phone 8.1, you had to register your phone as a developer using SDK tools. On Windows 10 Mobile, it’s MUCH simpler, thankfully. All you need to do is go to Settings app < Update & Security < For developers and enable Developer Mode.
That’s it, easy!

Sideload Interop Tools

The next step is to install an app, named Interop Tools, developed by @gus30000. It unlocks some functionalities and allows us to play with registry.
Installing an app on Windows 10 Mobile doesn’t require SDK tools, which is awesome! All you need to do is move the files you downloaded above to your device storage using your PC. In addition, you also need to move the dependencies folder or the files inside. Dependencies are a set of files with APIs that Interop Tool makes use of, and might not be installed on your phone yet. Those dependencies are usually installed over time depending on what apps you install through Store.

Let’s first install the dependencies. Simply tap on each file inside Dependencies folder. You should see a Message asking, “Install app?”. Tap Install. Repeat this step for all dependencies files. Now, just wait a minute or two. Unfortunately, there isn’t any progress indicator nor error messages…

Assuming all dependencies were installed successfully, now we can install Interop Tools. The process is the same, tap the file InteropToolsApp_beta_1.7_0.0.157.0_arm.appxbundle and tap Install when prompted. Soon or later, you should see a new entry on Apps List. Otherwise, try to repeat the previous step followed by this one. It might happen that some dependency failed to install.

Edit registry

The Interop Tool is a 2 in 1 for us here. It has registry editor built in and has the power to allow registry edition. Great 😊

First, we will enable registry modification. Open the app from All Apps list. Tap the hamburger menu and tap Interop Unlock. If Restore NDTKSvc is off, enable it.

Now, let’s modify the registry! On the hamburger menu there is a functionality Registry Browser. Tap on it. Browse to HKLM\SYSTEM\Platform\DeviceTargetingInfo and change the follow registry keys:

• PhoneHardwareVariant -> RM-1027
• PhoneManufacturer -> NOKIA
• PhoneManufacturerModelName -> RM-1027_1007
• PhoneMobileOperatorName -> 000-HK
• PhoneModelName -> Lumia 636
• PhoneSOCVersion -> 8926

Final step

We are getting there! This step might seem weird, but it works, or at least it helps. Go to the store and install Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft. Open the app and tap Next. Let it finish the process.
It seems the Upgrade Advisor is blocked for Windows 10 Mobile. On that case, download the APPX here and install it on your phone the same way we did for Interop Tools. No dependencies are required!
Search for updates. You should get the latest production build :)
Tested and updated to 14393.1066, the latest build from Current branch.

Not working? 

If you followed all the steps and you don't get any update, let's make sure you did all right.

Ensure the device information was changed. 

You can check it on Extras&Info or Settings > System > About.

Make sure your device is on production ring.

I did this mistake once. I upgraded from Windows Phone 8.1 to Windows 10 Mobile, but after that upgrade I was set on Fast Ring. On that case, this tutorial doesn't work. You can only get Production builds. Therefore, make sure you are on Production Ring. If you have Windows Insider app, open it and exit from windows insider program.

I am not on Insider program and my device information was changed...

Try to reset your phone and do everything from beginning

My phone runs out of space during update process (e.g. Lumia 530)

If you have a 4GB internal storage device, updating between Windows 10 builds can fail due the lack of free storage. On this case, reset the phone. Once you finish configuring the device, hurry up and go to the Store to disable auto updates for apps. Next, uninstall as much apps as you can. Hopefully, you will now have around 1.2GB or more. That is enough. With 'Creators Update' coming, which brings Unified Update Program (in other words, much smaller updates size) this should stop being a problem :)