Nokia has not begun a global rollout of the Lumia 920 and 820 updates. (But they are coming.)

By Daniel Rubino
last updated

Some sites today are erroneously spreading word that Nokia has begun a “global rollout” of the Portico Windows Phone OS update for the Lumia 920 and 820. Presumably this includes unlocked phones and even ones on various carriers.

Unfortunately, these sites didn’t verify the information or took liberties with the source.

The foundation of the story is semi-official as it comes from Nokia’s own forum pages where a Community Manager posted, almost verbatim, our quote from Nokia yesterday.

A site called Symbian Tweet then lead the way with an article touting Nokia’s “global rollout” of the 820 and 920 rollout. WMPoweruser followed suit (along with the Verge) with the same headline, even though up to this point no one has been able to get an actual update outside of AT&T, Rogers or T-Mobile.

Truth be told, the original source post doesn’t even mention “global” anywhere.

We contacted Nokia and Microsoft on the matter for clarification, as we had heard nothing about a global rollout kicking off (and be sure, we would have heard about it). As it turns out, Nokia has not started such a system-wide update of Portico, which means you can stop checking your phone today. Certainly, Nokia never even said they were doing a global rollout so the info was just wrong from the beginning.

Nokia’s Communications Manager of North America, Chris Hollis did tell us the following:

“A Nokia Lumia Windows Phone 8 software update providing performance enhancements for the Nokia Lumia 820 and Nokia Lumia 920, has started rolling out over the air to operators. This currently includes Lumia 920 owners on AT&T and Rogers, Lumia 820 users on AT&T, and Lumia 810 users on T-Mobile. Delivery will continue in a phased manner over the coming weeks and is expected to be complete by the end of February. People will receive a notification on their phone when the update is available for them to download.”

Regarding other, international carriers (and those with unlocked phones or ones from BUILD), your update is still being tested and approved for quality. Once Nokia is satisfied with their stringent internal testing, it will be passed on to Microsoft for distribution. But that process is still happening and is not being executed at the moment.

As to the process of who gets the update when, all we can say is we’ll continue to pass along updates from Nokia as we receive them. At this point though, it won’t be a global anything as Nokia and Microsoft will release the update through carriers as it comes online. 

Due to the vastness of Nokia’s global coverage, we’ll do our best to let you folks know when that ensues. Just be assured Nokia and Microsoft are working promptly and this process should be relatively quick.

Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been here covering Microsoft since 2007 when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, Microsoft Surface, laptops, next-gen computing, and for some reason, watches. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics and ran the projectors at movie theaters, which has done absolutely nothing for his career.

86 Comments
  • It's just silly that we have to wait till February for OS updates that have been ready in December and shipping on cheaper phones like the 8S. It will be outdated by the time we receive it.
  • Nokias modifications to WP is starting to look like modifications to Android by android device makers.. Why buy Lumias and get crucial updates 3 months later than HTC Windows phones?
  • Oh really, HTC 8X for T-mobile just started getting portico yesterday, I think. 
  • Oh really? So how should I feel about not getting the OS update until February on my unbranded unlocked regular full-priced retail 820 that I purchased in early November for $700?
    And I'm not whining about some three little feature updates that this update contains, I don't give a rats about them. I just want my phone to stop rebooting spontaneously due to WP8 bugs.  
  • Have you tried changing you connection settings i.e. From 4G to 3G, Mine worked fine, I don't get anymore random reboots, hope that'll work for you too. :D
  • Look it annoys me as well, I constantly have to reboot to try to get a wifi connection. But we are in the minority. All US Nokia's have it and all phones sold this month as well.
    I reckon there's a problem with the update procedure, or more likely there's a couple more bugs they want to iron out before releasing a final build. It'd be annoying to update it now and then have to do so again next month, esp if the current build has some bugs (as reported in the forums). I guess I wouldn't be saying this if I was one of the people with the rebooting issues - if you have a phone like that you should just take it into the shop for a replacement.
    Or maybe if Apollo+ is coming at MWC (is that what it's called, the mobile conference in Feb) they will just jump us all straight onto that (can dream).
  • are you kidding me? You bought a phone for what it is, not for what it can be. If you buy a new phone every 6 months why on earth are you complaining about updates anyway? Your new phone will have the update pre-installed!
  • As I explained, I don't care so much about new features as for the bug fixes. I didn't buy a new phone to watch it spontaneously reboot every day.
    Are you suggesting I should throw away my 820 and get a new 8S for $400 if I want a stable WP8?
  • yes.
  • Where's the 822 rollout?
  • I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest...it's still in testing/being approved? Verizon is famously strict with updates.
  • Daniel, did you make that amazing meme? I actually smiled when I read it, a rarity amongst memes in general.
  • Dan is the king of memes. 
  •   Love my job, since I've been bringing in $5600… I sit at home, music playing while I work in front of my new iMac that I got now that I'm making it online(Click on menu Home) https://goo.gl/jfUTG   Happy New Year!    
  • When the hell is 7.8 is coming
  • +1 We got a little left out lol
  • It's starting to sorta look like NoDo >_>
  • Not today...
  • I'm also waiting with my "old friend" Omnia 7 for that news but nothing :'(
  • Stop whining on evey post. It's coming in Q1. It will be worth the wait.
  • Rawr... Angry internet dweller alert
  • When most of the major carriers approove it. Because for some inane reason, instead of simply relasing their OS updates monthly or quaterly, like they do for all other products, Microsoft keeps binding their OS updates with OEM updates. And they are scared of releasing OEM updates before the carriers test them. And that makes owners of unbranded variants receive the updates last, as they have to wait for the carrier variants in their region, for MS to feel safe.
    And yet, elephant-sized bugs like the disappearing keyboard manage to slip through that entire process, and then remain unpatched for several months, because of the same process.
  • Without adding fire to rumours - interestingly the portico updates have re-appeared on the navitool (for, as far as i can see, all markets) so can now be downloaded unofficially (not ota, settings lost, etc, etc)
  • Hoping it doesn't take long to hit UK carriers. Picking up my 920 on Sunday, making the switch from iPhone. Makes me very concerned for Apollo Plus. Waiting for some fixes isn't too painful, but pointlessly waiting months and months for new features will be terrible. Hoping MS/Nokia can streamline the update process after Portico.
     
    Cheers for the clarification on this Daniel.
  • It's not too painful to wait for the update as the Lumia 920 (as well as every Windows Phone 8 smartphone) is usable without it. You'll be happy enough with the experience prior to updating.
  • That's true, but I'm the kind of person who hates having an outdated version of anything. All of my devices, apps and software get updated as soon as they're available. It's one of the biggest reasons why I dislike Android, and is certainly an area of worry for WP8. 
     
    If it's only a few weeks it doesn't bother me, but when you're looking at months then it becomes incredibly frustrating.
  • Stop whining. You will get your update. If you can't wait, stop using phones and start sending letters. Wtf is wrong with ppl?
  • Speaking of whining.....
  • It depends: I keep experiencing multiple random reboots daily for example. Check the Nokia forums and you will see that the 920, as well as the 900 before it, have issues.
    And I am not even getting to Nokia behaviour that update AT&T devices before unbranded ones. Great way to treat your customers Nokia.....
  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzr12gBrXA8
     
  • Welcome to the world of carrier run updates. Microsoft needs a system just like Apple. When an update is pushed out it goes out on their time to ALL of the phones. This whole waiting on carriers is absolutely ridiculous. That's my single most missed part of having an iPhone.
  • While we all agreed "that'd be nice" it just won't happen.
  • Considering the "brightness" (sarcasm) of the actual top Echelon at Microsoft I am not surprised if you will be proven right...
  • The carriers are not the problem this time.It's Nokia, they haven't even released the update for the unlocked 920
  • Stop trolling!
    The 920 has been out what, two months? Why can't you just sit and wait. Nokia is the best updater there is! You will get your update, Can't you understand that they want to make it as good as possible before the release. If it's not released yet, it's not ready for release. Simple as that.
  • Would not get a heart attack if even Apple would have to give up on that luxury in the years to come. They are not the only game in town anymore.
  • People with open minds would indeed see the end of something very useful for customers as something very sad. Zealots on the other side, would rejoy.....
  • I'm so glad I stopped reading WMPU. I'm fed up with their poorly researched articles
  • They should start rolling out the phones too...
    Here in italy the 920 is totally unavailable.
    Carriers and even Nokia Stores have 1/2 of them every few weeks.
  • Vai nei centri Tim, io ne ho preso uno là, ho aspettato una settimana, poi insieme ad un mio amico ne abbiamo ricevuti 2 neri. E comunque girando nei vari negozi in centro, almeno di 920 bianchi e gialli ce ne sono, basta cercare :)
  • con quello che costa non lo vorrei brandato, per essere il flagship di Nokia ne fanno troppo pochi 
  • Putroppo qui credo abbia influito la situazione finanziaria di Nokia. troppo rischio se avessero pianificato produzione e shipment di piu' grande misura. C'e' un mio amico che sta aspettando da 9 settimane qui in Inghilterra, con EE. Sta scappando dall' iPhone.
    Lumia 920, sta andando fortissimo (con tutta la forte crisi) e potrebbe andare anche meglio se ne avessero di piu'. 
    Io sono riuscito a prenderlo grazie ad un mio contatto a Dubai, dove e' classico vendere tutti i telefoni unlocked.
    Ci sono possibilita' di togliere il lock, ma fate attenzione perche' non e' semplice, le aziende che dichiarano di farlo poi possono rifiutarsi se non hanno tutte le chiavi necessarie. 
  • Seems odd its still being "tested" when new lumias come with it preinstalled.
  • Good point.
  • Very true... Would be nice to hear an explanation for this.
  • In this case "still being tested" is in the same league of "The check is in the mail"......
  • So much shit information comes from wmpoweruser interpreting stuff, how they are still relevant is beyond me.
  • Who?
  • The 920 is a premium product and owners pay for that, they expect premium service too. Rolling out the portico update in this fashion is not doing Nokia any good.
  • great, shame for me that i have switched to windows phone. i cant understand rolling update piece by piece. if you start updating apply globally. thats why windows phone would never be like ios platform
  • It's been explained thousands of times. Carriers weld a lot of power combined with these phones being "customized" slightly for each carrier. Apple can do whatever they want because they're the top dog. But even Android (Google) with all of their clout are way behind even Windows Phone when it comes to OS updates. We're right in the middle between iOS and Android and to be honest, it's only the enthusiasts who complain about these things. Most smartphone owners don't cruise phone sites for the latest news on their devices, nor concern themselves with OS updates.  Even looking at comments on sites and forums--only those who are unhappy or have complaints share post. Most people who are happy with their phone/service/software won't share that.
  • Fine then explain how come UPDATES FOR UNLOCKED PHONE GETS DELAYED?
  • I don't need to explain that as that was not the question asked.
  • I am with you here, Not happy about paying top dollar to buy unlocked and having to wait months after others for updates.
  • Sorry Daniel but unlocked/unbranded phones getting updates after carrier-branded ones has to be a first in History! You shouldn't even attempt to defend Microsoft and Nokia on that one.
  • If you read the question asked and my answer, that was not what I was "defending". You're conflating issues.
  • Daniel i wouldn't agree with you. Microsoft could be the top dog like Apple and i didnt mention Android because i know how it is impossible to control all android phones to be updated at the same time. As others said, i have unlocked Lumia 920 and i should receive updates without carrier customization. I would understand if there were no updates till this day; but when someone receives updates and most of the others wait for updates to be rolled out, i feel as if i am treated as idiot.
  • I think they had some problems with the original Portico update and delayed the global release because if it. I've had more battery drain issues and recently even random reboots in the recent weeks since the update, than I did prior. The Bluetooth lockups are gone at least. Hopefully, these have been addressed.
  • You are right. Heard people bricking thier phones when it tried to install Portico. Also as you said some people experiencing erratic bright screens and battery life issues.
    I think Nokia must have sent some feedback to MS due to number of people having to get thier handsets replaced, so I guess they are probably doing some testing.
  • USA ATT Lumia 920s already have portico, right?
  • Yes.
  • So let me get this straight. Right now I'm waiting for 7.8. If I go and buy myself a 820/920 unbranded for much more money than a branded one. Nokia and MS will give me updates that had been out on the market for 2 months? Wtf is this shit OS. I really am looking strongly for some other Android phone this year rather WP8 if this is how it's going to be like.
  • Would be nice if u could do some digging in to this Daniel for what's the reason.
  • Garpen, android phones don't even get updates sometimes, and if they do, its not uncommon for it to tale 6 months. 2 month wait for a brand new OS is not that bad. Besides Nokia are rolling out software updates every week
  • Well if they are going to make us wait; they might as well make sure we get custom tones for MMS/SMS and emails.
  • Wait a minute????? So.... you mean to tell me that 7.8 still hasn't rolled out to some users? Dear God, if that's true then I won't hold my breath for Protico.
  • Ms keeps telling us "early 2013" over at twitter. Its laughable.
  • Early means Q1 in Microsoft terms. And three months is a blitz in Microsoft time.
  • 7.8 actually hasn't rolled out through Zune to any users yet.
  • Where wp7.8 update????
  • WE WANT 7.8 SOMEONE PLEASE SPEAK ABOUT THAT. WE ARE ALL FORGOTTEN!
  • edit
  • So the tweet was about the Extras update, everyone over-reacted. Now they are moaning more. Be patient, if your phone is rebooting take it back to the store for a replacement.
  • I am an iPhone user since 2007. I switched to lumia 920, 2 months ago for several reasons.
    I am not gonna take the easy road and sell my phone to go back to iPhone, I really like the WP8 interface and all. However things are really messed up here in this WP world and I already regret this decision... I hope it'll get a lot better very soon... Some stuff is really messed up here in WP world.
  •  
    Saw this on gsmArena today:  http://www.gsmarena.com/windows_phone_8_portico_update_rolls_out_to_lumia_920_and_820-news-5364.php
    Will be good to hear from anyone having recieved this notification.
  • Guys and gals, its very simple why unlocked phones do not have the update, the exclusivity deal baked in terms that delayed unlocked roms from being released otherwise hackers would find some way to install them on locked phones. Don't ppl find it just a tiny bit suspicious that the so called roll out da