Windows 10 Mobile Creators Update releases with new features

Microsoft releases the Windows 10 Creators Update for mobile devices to everyone with new features and improvements — Here's what you need to know.

Windows 10 Mobile handset at the Microsoft Store NYC

The Windows 10 Mobile Creators Update is now officially available for phones, and it’s now slowly rolling out to the masses. The new update comes out about three weeks later after the Windows 10 Creators Update released for PCs.

Originally, Microsoft was supposed to ship the new version on April 25th, but it took the company a bit longer to decide and make the third major update available for mobile devices.

However, it’s not all good news, because unfortunately, not every Windows phone will be getting the new version. The company recently announced that only a few Windows 10 Mobile phones will be getting the Creators Update (version 1703).

Windows 10 Mobile Creators Update supported phones

Here’s the list of phone compatible with the Windows 10 Mobile Creators Update:

  • HP Elite x3
  • Microsoft Lumia 550
  • Microsoft Lumia 640/640XL
  • Microsoft Lumia 650
  • Microsoft Lumia 950/950 XL
  • Alcatel IDOL 4S
  • Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL
  • SoftBank 503LV
  • VAIO Phone Biz
  • MouseComputer MADOSMA Q601
  • Trinity NuAns NEO

Phones that are not in this list won’t officially receive the Windows 10 Creators Update. Furthermore, they won’t receive future builds from the Development Branch. However, users who have devices not on this list can still keep these devices on the Creators Update at their own risk knowing that it’s unsupported.

What’s new on the Windows 10 Mobile Creators Update

As for new features, this release for mobile device doesn’t include significant changes, but you’ll find new features on Microsoft Edge, such as a “Snooze” button for tabs to remind you of the page you haven’t read in a long time.

The browser is also getting an e-book reader, just like the desktop version of the OS. Clicking a website link can open its respective app (the feature is known as Apps for Websites). Edge for mobile also supports Microsoft Wallet to speed up the checkout process buying goods online, and more.

The Settings app has been updated to align the design and options found in the desktop version of the app. As such, you’ll see a new “Apps” section, an updated “Devices” settings page with a new Bluetooth experience. The settings page for Wi-Fi has also been updated, and now looks the same as the PC version.

Windows 10 Mobile Creators Update brings the ability to reset apps on phones, improves legibility of apps in high contrast, and more.

Cortana on the Creators Update works in more music apps, such as iHeartRadio and TuneIn Radio. You can use voice commands to control volume, playback, and you can ask Cortana to recognize music in Chinese. In addition, Cortana Reminders feature now has more recurrence options.

On the Creators Update for phones is now possible to encrypt SD cards, you can pause updates, notifications are more customizable, and while using Continuum, you can turn off any screen you’re not using.

In addition, there are new keyboard improvements, including option to prevent auto correction, option to remove works from the user dictionary, and there is more language support to expand text prediction.

Mobile devices will now find Skype as their default messaging app, the ability to work with simple 3D content, view the Glance screen while charging, and a lot more.

How to get the Windows 10 Mobile Creators Update

Windows 10 Mobile Creators Update is available starting April 26th, but it’ll arrive slowly to all supported devices. It’ll download and install automatically on your device, but you can always force the update from Settings > Update & security > Phone Update and clicking the Check for updates button.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.