We've got some sad news for those of you rocking an older Windows Phone device on T-Mobile today: if you own anything other than a Lumia 521 or 925, you won't be seeing an update to Windows Phone 8.1.
Unfortunately, that means those of you wielding an HTC 8X are left out in the cold (though that's not entirely unexpected given its age). T-Mobile said the following in response to a question about the possibility of that very handset receiving the 8.1 update:
"Hi! We have no plans to release a Windows Phone 8.1 update on devices other than the Lumia 521 and Lumia 925 at this time. *CF"
This is pretty unfortunate news for those of you with older devices on T-Mobile's network. However, what's even more disconcerting is that this makes the possibility of an update to Windows 10 uncertain at best.
Updated: Corrected mentions of "older" to "other" as per the tweet. My brain now knows those are not the same word.
Thanks for the heads-up M. Monzon!
Source: T-Mobile (Twitter); Via PCWorld
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T-Mobile has 'no plans' to roll out Windows Phone 8.1 to devices other than the Lumia 521 and 925
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Wait a min. Isn't this old news? I mean Lumia 925 already have WP 8.1 isn't?
I think it is because my Lumia 521 received Cyan months ago.
I really wish that MS makes and delivers updates of own phones independent of carriers. It is not understandable, how come that Lumia 1520 is still not updated to Denim as planned. Limited updates in Finland and few more countries is just shame. Why can't be that changed with Win 10?
I have an 8x on t-mobile,will I still be able to get the win 10 insider preview?
Is anyone really surprised by this move? They already abandoned the 810. They're only updating the two best sellers. Anyone using one of these "other" devices should sign up for the developer preview. While the firmware updates are important, the device will run fine without it. My Icon has been on 8.1.1 for the last three months without any issues.
Personally, I think that if a phone is carrier-unlocked, it should then revert back to the OE image/updates, and drop all carrier-specific limitations (updates, branding, apps installed on a reset, etc.). BUt it is BS like this why I no longer buy locked/carrier-branded phones.
Developer preview is fine. All you miss out on is wifi calling.
Did T-Mobile say how long after WP10 was widespread before they will update their 521s and 925s to 8.1?
Glad I left for Cricket and ATT phones that actually get supported.
I don't get it. I have a Vodafone-locked Lumia 520 and had no issue upgrading. I even asked them if they plan on blockig the update or push their own custom update and they said it's not their job and as long as MS offers updates it's my call.
How come I only hear these things from T-Mobile/Verizon???
T-Horrible strikes again!!
I called them out about firmware updates. T-Horrible kept telling to to check with Nokia/Microsoft for not providing firmware updates for the 810. So I did check with Nokia/Microsoft, eventually found out that they did/have sent updates to T-Horrible and they were the ones holding it back. When I went back to T-Horrible with this info, nothing but the sound of crickets was all I heard.
I'm just waiting for the new wave of W10 phones to come out. Then I'll be looking for an unbranded, unlocked version, and I'll be leaving T-Horrible for good.
I do run the developers preview for 8.1 on my 810, and I have found bugs that could be corrected if I had the Black firmware. But I know there is no hope of ever seeing anything past Amber.
I just had the same conversation with T-Horrible too. Just got a NIB Lumia 810 three days ago and when I went to download the new Amber update, T-Horrible told me that update is but isn't available anymore. How can a update be and not be available for a phone the carry on their website. Fucking idiots over there.
This is a carriers way of saying update your phone....
Once again, glad to be tied to no carrier.
These mofos do whatever they want.
I WANT A NEXUS LIKE PHONE FROM MICROSOFT!!!!
I really don't get why people keep buying carrier locked phones. Sure, it's fine when you get it a bit cheaper but there are also great deals on unlocked phones and at least you chose the carrier which suits you best, leave whenever you want and don't have to deal with carriers bullshit.. Also, country variant versions always come first than carriers versions, at least in Europe.
I'm no US user, but i feel pity on how US carrier treated you, TMobile is an apple a** kisser, especially the CEO that looks like his past time is combing his hair.
No good
I have no plans to use T-Mobile
How does it matter? Just use the developer preview! Its as stable as anything
T-Movie means Terrible-Movie lol
This is why carriers should not have a say on OS updates we need the jerks in DC to pass a bill stopping this practice.
The best build design 925
Carriers shouldn't be allowed to make the call. I don't want this bs when Windows 10 comes out.
This is exactly why I always go sim-free. Even if I take out a contract and the phone carrier branded, I will sell that phone unopened as soon as I get it and buy the sim-free carrier unbranded version so I know that I will get any updates the manufacturer pushes out as soon as they are released.
I've been with TMo US for over 15 years and while customer service and rates are the best, their support of WP has been abominable and getting worse each year...
Do they have any plans for denim in 630??
Microsoft needs to update phones like they do PCs. Don't have the carrier test the update, just release it for all devices at the same time. If I have to wait for my carrier to approve Windows 10 on my Lumia 735 I'll be dissapointed.
And here is T-Mobile, ruining Windows Phone users once more.
Too many asshole carriers in the US. I've never seen any carrier in Australia playing dicks. Although most of them delay firmware releases.
By chance is there anyone in here that has the Amber Update for the Lumia 810 since its not being pushed out by Tmo anymore.
Yeti80, I have the Amber update on my 810.
Is you phone carrier locked or unlocked?
This is what I don't get, why should a carrier be allowed to push updates when Microsoft can send an OTA to everyone with a wifi connection, Tmo should just be allowed to push out a radio update to everyone and that should be it. Tmo sending out a firmware update takes forever and they have even killed phones that weren't even a year old......case in point was the Nokia Lumia 810 and now the HTC 8x. Let the software company send out the firmware updates so everyone will be happy and people wont leave the carrier that they like so much.
I have a 930 and have all the latest updates.....
Carriers really do need to be cut out of the update process with Windows 10, or there should at least be an option to get updates directly.
Every Windows 10 device should get updates via Windows Update ideally - I know they say they need to test it, but I'm not really so sure that's so applicable these days.
In the UK I would always get my phone from Carphone Warehouse as they come unlocked, and are CV versions - Which I believe would cut out this problem, not sure there's the ability to do something similar in other countries.
That's how I always buy my phones in Portugal, and I never agree on ANY carrier contracts. Pay as I go and if they piss me off I can even change carrier always keeping my phone number.
I should change my username to Foxythepirate
T mobile sucks
So don't buy T Mobile from now on... No support for updates means I don't care you.
I can believe that the are still Lumia Phones the are still running on windows phone 8
That's sad
All I can say is that I'm relieved to live in a country where carriers a fraction the size of their US counterparts have little difficulties in releasing updates, and just generally have minimal power over their customers...
I'm relieved for you as well.
Wow, that's really harsh :/
Guess what Verizon is going to announce about deni...literally every fucking future windows phone update -_-
Welp- wait I own a 521 :3
I've been running 8.1 for months via the Developer Preview on my HTC 8X sourced from TMobile. Haven't had a single problem. I say anyone with one should just do the same. You can do it in less than an hour with no hassles.
Can those phones still do Dev Preview to get WP8.1?
Funny to see the phone carriers fighting so hard to be something other than a dumb pipe. All the way down to the lowliest twitter grunt, T-Mobile's attitude is clear now. Too bad, I thought they were the good guys. Now I know they're just as lazy/useless as Verizon.
Lol that's fuked
Herin lies the problem. Microsoft's problem. Get the carrier out of the OS update and Firmware update process. If not for all Windows Phones, at least for the Lumia devices. And while I'm on my soapbox; Enough of the exclusive phones with the carriers, too. Exclusive Windows Phones with T-Mobile, now T-Mobile won't update all of their Windows Phone inventory with a new OS. Who looks stupid now? "Exclusively" Microsoft.
Shorter T-Mobile: Customers and their needs? Screw 'em!
Really don't think this sort of beahviour by carriers should be legal. You sold the phone and you collect monthly fees. Update the damn things!
T-Miserable strikes again. Losers.
"T-Miserable"
-w- it's beautiful
Maybe Apple and Google is paying pretty much money for avoid windows phone expansion ,is well known that Samsung pays journalist and even in some events like mobile world congress at Barcelona Samsung paid plane ticket to journalists . In that way who dare to says the problem that their cell phones have. In a report of France 2 has discovered that.
Swear to god. I'm going to set up a company as a 3rd party reseller and prequalify models (including carrier exclusives) against US carriers and sell them unlocked with all the qualified SIM cards so they can call them up and set up service.
Well, let's hope with Windows 10 going forward that Phone companies have no say over updates and upgrades. I also plan always to buy my smartphones just as I buy my computers.
Inb4 a welp moment
Windows 10 Tech Preview is very last thing I would like to have on my Lumia 521 ..nothing much. I know it won't survive or do any good with future software releases due to old age and limited hardware specs.
That's a jerk move t-mobile.
Glad I waited longer to buy a new device at the time till the 925 came out...I was going to get the 810 HA!
I don't understand why they wouldn't update all phones.id be leaving that network.and why are the carrier involved as it a Microsoft OS they should be doing it.just like apple do with there's
So they can get the update once the device is unlocked?
No. Doesn't work anywhere close to that. :c
What the hell ):
They have the m8 but I would wait for a Lumia the m8 next to the 1520 /930 is the best Windows phone out there.
When is Tmobile getting a flagship Windows phone? I'm in need of an upgrade
I talked to a regional manager a week ago and he said there is a high end in the pipeline but with no release date and nor word of when it will be conpleted
They sell the HTC M8, which is probably the most powerful WP at the moment, just a kind of weak camera. Acceptable for casual shots, facebook, "selfies", etc. It takes fast pictures, though. When you 'click' it's ready to be viewed. I got the m8 from t-mobile with jump so if a great Lumia (or other brand) comes along, I can upgrade. So far there is nothing on the radar.
When I had my Windows mobile phone you could go to Windows update to get firmware updates and more.
CF stands for cock fuckers. T mobile like them cocks. Sadly I'm with them now, but il using my 920 and 1020.
That there is funny.
I've been planning on getting an unlocked 1520 to use on T-Mobile, will this affect me getting any updates on that phone?
I have a 925, and it is on the older side...perhaps its a less-than-subtle was of nudging those customers into their '75 Gremlin and into a store to get something more...relevant...
925 is still awesome just that it doesn't get along with concrete at high velocities
Mine survived at least a dozen drops onto sidewalks, roads, tile floors, wood floors . That phone was a beast! Until someone else dropped it and shattered the screen :(
That's kinda messed up. Between this & Verizon (did they update the ativ se?) unlocked\unbranded phones on GSM networks are the way to go
Doesn't it make sense that they are no longer supporting 8.1 because of the impending Windows 10? It doesn't sound like a referendum on 8.1, but a retooling/ re focus in advance of W10
Not exactly screwing over the fucking phone is well over 2 years old idiots
Totally agree! +HTCm8. They can't officially support every phone forever. Either buy a current phone or stop complaining. :). If people bought more current phones, maybe we would get more OEM's
Ohhh god it's crazyy..
I'm currently using the 925, hopefully they don't drag their feet with Widows 10 like they did with the 8.1 update.
This seems like an old article. The 521 was replaced by the 530, and their current seller is the 635. Both of which already have 8.1.
Yep. They are going nuts about old $29 phones. I spent more on dinner tonight.
Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
Exactly.
That shouldn't be surprising to anyone who had a Lumia 810 on T-Mobile. They screwed over those customers too.
>EOL in 2013
Once again, carrier screw up a brand
What a coincidence... I will never take my business to t-mobile either, so i guess that makes us even
So that means: No 8.1 from T-Mobile
Ugh.. Why can't Microsoft just ax carriers and just freaking OTA the updates?
I know the answer to that. It's just more of frustration.
I don't see this as related to W10 at all. That's a completely different beast. Since their Lumia 635 already has 8.1 this is a non-event pretty much.
You're right, it's NOT related to Windows 10, that's because it's not a Windows 10 article.
As usual, the reading comprehension on this site is abysmal. The article states "However, what's even more disconcerting is that this makes the possibility of an update to Windows 10 uncertain at best." That is what I was commenting on.
And ne more reason not to switch to t-Mobil I'm on t-mobi mobile but using a 920 o
Microsoft simply need to sell international versions that work on all networks. Skip the carriers in the USA.
Most people in the U.S. Don't like paying up front for a phone.
When a phone is $40 I don't think they care so much. We are talking 521 level here.
I wonder why the carriers do this. The main costs that releasing the update entail for them are that they (possibly) might have a few bricked machines that need service.
Then again, the carrier makes money when people buy a new phone. Not supporting a two plus year old phone "encourages" people to buy a new one.
I think I just answered my own question, and the ultimate source of a lot of peoples' frustrations.
If there's hardly anyone on the network using a particular device, then they probably don't see it to be worth the testing involved to push an OS update out. Just a guess.
My heart was about to drop before I finished the headline...
Massive Microsoft fail for allowing t-mobile to screw over WP users. Microsoft needs to step up and provide the OS and firmware update themselves for all devices affected by disgusting carriers or lazy OEMs. T-mobile just lost all the respect it gained by its un-carrier efferts, and they are dead to me and I hope to all WP fans.
Receiving updates was one of few advantages WP had over the update mess that is Android, if this is where WP is headed with zero help from Microsoft, then its pretty much the end of the platforms future.
And no, developer preview does not count.
Let's wait until someone other than the 8X users (which can update through Preview program if needed) actually get screwed over shall we?
Uh, MS did give the world the PFD program. I never got that with my shortly lived Android phone. Gotta give them that...
Done with smartphones....too stressful :(
I'm going back to sending fucking ravens, Game of Thrones style.
The wpc tile reminds me of the WPC days :)
Dat watermark c:
So much for the "uncarrier." That's worse than Verizon's never-ending Cyan delays.
If we don't buy carrier handsets (on T-Mo, anyway) then we don't get access to LTE. Tried with Blu WinHD... No go.
You can always get an unlocked Rogers Windows Phone or the 1520.3 that has all the bands needed for T-Mobile's network.
Blu WinHD is an LTE phone, T-Mo won't allow it access to the network, just 3G
My unlocked Lumia 735 gets LTE without problem from the T-Mobile network..
My AT&T 1520 has LTE on T-mobile. Perhaps your Blu is not LTE capable on the carrier.
Then you don't have the proper bands.
I have tested my unlocked 1520.3 on T-Mobile (with my girlfriend's sim card, I do not use T-Mobile) and LTE works just fine.
So much for being the uncarrier...
I'm tired of this ish....yawn
This is hardly news. We all know the 810 will never get any updates since the one that pushed it to the Amber firmware. Is it a slow news day today?
Well at least they came out and said it Verizon wont even update the "high-end" Icon. Microsoft better have a good Flagship phone on all carriers like the iPhone or I wont be sticking with Windows Phone. Im tired of no apps and lack of support from carriers.
I had the HTC 8X and was able to upgrade to Windows Phone 8.1 with the developer preview. I rocked 8.1 since the first day it was avalible and never had an issue. It worked wonderfully. There is no reason that T-Mobile can't just pass the update through. Or, dang it, Microsoft just needs to push it through. My youngest got my 8X after I moved over to the HTC One M8 (Awesome Phone!). He reset the phone to log in and he still had WP8.1. He still has no problems.
As long as the OEM made the to Microsoft's standard there shouldn't be any reason that the new OS can't be put on it.
Every person in my family has already signed up for Windows Insider and we're just waiting for the release. Yeah, even the 8X! I really do expect Microsoft will allow all of them to update.
My only question, how exactly do you "rock" a phone...I never understood that.
Hold with both hands in front of you, gently swinging it side to side. Like rocking a baby.
That is the mental image I conjure every time I see that wording.
Kind of like a dance, then?
M8 is an "Awesome Phone", currently "rocking". I let my daughter use my 1020 to play the games her 635 can't. Everytime I see her with the 1020 I think to myself "ugly POS".
Sure fire way to keep away potential customers. Granted most of us in the know will just use insider but, the general public will see others phones with features they'll never get. Just sad really.
I have an 8x on t- mobile rocking 8.1 preview.So that means I want be able to update to windows 10 at all?
You will be able to update it, just through developer preview or windows insider.
That's exactly why I left them.
Windows preview program, updates for as long as the hardware and Microsoft allow.
Maybe they are not doing it due to 10. Too close together. ????
Step away from the crack pipe...
T-Mobile... I expected nothing else from them. Land of the abandoned WP devices.
That's crap for 8x owners! When it first came out it was a flagship phone and expensive as well. They didn't even follow what Microsoft has said about support. Even Verizon is going to update the 8x.
Bypass the carrier with developer preview. It's what I did with my 8x before I gave it to a friend.
It does kind of suck. I mean, I still have my 920 as my daily phone. Sure it's old now, but it's still a very usable phone till I go and purchase another flagship Windows phone that grabs my attention. Almost did it with the 930 but lack of glance and LTE in Canada pushed me to wait til the new phones for Windows 10 release. That said, Windows phone preview or insider are the way to go.
Developer preview is your friend
Since t-mobile has no 2 year contracts and you should have jump and update when a new one comes out......why would you still have an 8x?
Because the 8x STILL is the best form factor, I upgraded because I had volume rocker issues (now resolved by updates) on the 8x, and because of the 1020 camera, to 1020, but holding the 8X is sooo much nicer then the 1020, I will Insider' with the 8x and see how much I will use the 1020 from the W10 download onwards
Because you save a lot of money not being on Jump.
It's like $5 dollars a month, and it's included with your insurance. If you buy insurance with your new phone(most folks do) then you're already signed up for the Jump program.
Jump is fantastic, I get two new high end phones a year with that service, and it's one of the greatest things about T-Mo(that and unlimited data)
I never ever buy insurance and buy my phones outright (and not from the carrier). The savings add up in so many ways. As it turns out, I've never needed the insurance. Ka-Ching!
Should bypass carriers like apple
Developer preview or Windows Insider takes care of the OS part if you're ok with no firmware updates. Enthusiasts should be taken care of and the everyday non tech customers will never know any better. It's all good...
This. People need to realize these older phones get little to no benefit from Denim firmware. Just grab the OS updates from Microsoft.
Well, of course not, they're HTC. The only other Lumia not on 8.1 is 810, so not even Cyan (which does offer benefits).
All HTC's are on 8.1 or higher.
They said 8.1 not just firmware here
Without firmware updates, its useless; Microsoft should step up and just scrap the 'developer preview' label and create a full update program for WPs as they do for PC's.
Why is it useless? Can you elaborate? Will your phone stop to work?
There are plenty of reports of the developer preview screwing up phones, be it bad battery life or other small issues, just check the forums, bottom line is this was always intended for developers to test out, not as a final release that is bug free and fully operational, since for most optimazation you need the firmware update as well.
This is not true. The technical insider preview is intended for testing but the developer previews are final builds. You can skip technical beta testing and wait for developer preview and your phone will function as intended.
John is correct, well not with the useless part but firmware is very important. 8.1 was coo on my att 1520 with dev preview but once the official update came, it not only was smoother & faster but Cortana gained certain features among other things. Firmware certainly matters!
Not even the M8?
M8 belongs to AT&T and Verizon for now.
Tmo has it too...
Typing on it now
Oops, it comes with 8.1 built in...
8.1.1 to be technical
Their CEO is a freaking cheese ball
Sounds like the usual T-Mobile, my Lumia 710 got the cold shoulder when WP 7.8 was released, so I'd be surprised if any of them recieve Windows 10 update. T-Mobile mostly only supports the budget Lumia devices and my guess is that sales are so little that they'd rather you buy a new device than to get a free upgrade.
It sucks to not have wi fi calling support, but I'll probably never buy a T-Mobile branded Windows phone ever again. I'm currently running a Rogers branded Lumia 1020.
Does the 1020 work with lte? just wondering.
Yes, it does. 1020 and 925, both take LTE/4G network.
Thanks, although I completely worded my question wrong, sorry. I meant to ask if the 1020 lte works on T-Mobiles network. I have heard some things about the network bands possibly not matching up.
I believe there are 3 different varitations of the 1020, not all of them work on T-Mobile. I have the RM-877 model, you'll need to configure the APN for LTE & MMS manually, but yes this one does in fact work with T-Mobile US LTE.
Thanks, I was thinking of a good windows phone for my mom, and she likes to take pictures so I couldn't think of any better phone. Although I would have to do all of the technical stuff for her lol...... She will learn someday.
Yet, if you got a new device with tmo, the fuckers would ask for your old phone, the balls on them people.
Only if you are on the Jump program, and don't have your phone paid off. Not sure how you would be confused by this.
If you pay for your phone, you don't have to give them your old one.
At ATT, they asked for my old phone and Verizon or sprint is claiming half off your bill but you need to trade in your old phone. I'm not confused, just saying, often any carrier, not just tmo, will give a credit if you give them your old phone. Unconfused now?
T-Mobile.... terrible.
Microsoft needs to take some damn control over the updates like Apple did.
Microsoft doesn't have the leverage (read market penetration).
The iPhone had such ability since day one though....
Seriously. Apple did it on day 1 with 0% market share. Even Microsoft has more than 0%.
And one carrier that signed a deal giving apple what they wanted for exclusive rights
The World is bigger than the US.....
And, BTW, what is the difference with the Lumia Icon?.....
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_iPhone
Says att was the only carrier at first
Seriously. Apple did it from day one because they already dominated the MP3 player market worldwide. Back in those days people had to carry their iPod and their cellphone and were tired of it. Since day one people were in lines a block long to get the first gen iPhone, people with iPods. Apple ALREADY had a huge market/demand for the iPhone.
And again Apple created the iPods phenomenon from scratch, it was able to negotiate with music companies and and able to offer the device Worldwide.
Apple was able to negotiate AFTER they sold millions of iPods. Before that, people were ripping their CD's. Everybody and their mother had an iPod. Apple gave the music industry 2 choices: make money off of their millions of customers or don't. Microsoft does not have ONE product that sells like an Apple product and until they do they will not have leverage in negotiations.
Carriers bend over backwards to please Apple, because without the iPhone, customers would leave in droves. No other phone manufacturer has that type of clout, and it allows Apple to make their own rules.
Yeah. But they had Steve. He created and pioneered many things while Microsoft stood and watched, and ultimately lost out.
I think that's why carriers are so hell bent on controlling the updates. Apple was smart to control updates since the beginning. Carriers gave Apple too much control, so they than cracked the whip on android and microsoft.
U said penetration.....
U probably watch family guy.....
If we look at Microsoft as a company and not just WP market share, they have more than enough leverage to do so.
Until they get antitrust lawsuits thrown at them.
None of T-Mobile's phones will benefit from Denim, so who cares. Just grab the Dev Preview for the OS, as that's all that matters to those old phones.
Completely agree, if Microsoft does not step up with full OS and firmware update support, then WP is not worth shit, especially for people that just can't afford to buy a new phone every year.
If you can't afford something who's fault is that?
Cry me a river if you want but then build me bridge to get over it... Posted from my HTC M8
How is MS not giving full support? It's T-Mobile who is not allowing an update, not MS
What devices fall under "older than 521 and 925" besides the 810 and 8X?
I know right. That's all they have. Pretty lackluster lineup of windows phone devices. Smh
At least that's all they have, otherwise you may end up with more than those two phones not getting updated... Besides they dropped support for the 810 months ago.
Lackluster compared to whom? AT&T? Verizon obviously is no better and I am stuck with Sprint who only has the 635. Kind of jealous that they have more than one phone option.
Verizon is a lot better actually, with the ICON and the ATIV SE.
Yeah, and that Icon is still waiting for cyan.
Got Denim now.
Meanwhile 810 is on Amber.
Uhm, Sprint also has an awesome HTC 8XT and Samsung ATIV S Neo. Their only Microsoft phone is the 635.
They pulled both of those months ago. In fact for a month or two, they had none.
I'm hoping for a HTC M9 for Windows on Sprint...but alas, if it does come, it'll be shipped on the SS Minnow and we'll never see it.
Allegedly Sprint will be getting the M9 with Windows. The M9 Windows has already been confirmed. Sprint will be allegedly getting it too.
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