Force update from Windows 7.5 to 7.8 on Nokia Lumia 610

Since I'm in the Philippines, I thought I'd probably have to wait a while as the Windows 7.8 update rolls out to other regions. WRONG! You can update your Windows Phone right now! Even if Zune keeps saying your phone is updated, when you're sure you're still on Windows 7.5.

Try this:

1. Enable Airplane mode
2. Connect your phone to your computer and go to the update tab in Zune
3. Wait a certain period while it says "checking for updates" (I counted 25 seconds since my internet is rather slow) then disconect your internet by disabling wifi on your computer or removing the network cable
4. Zune should say an update is available for your phone. If it displays something else, repeat steps 2 and 3 but experiment with the waiting time. This is the tricky part.
5. Re-enable your internet and proceed with the update.
6. You might have to go through steps 2-5 about three times as you install a series of updates eventually leading to Windows 7.8.

My steps 1-6 are similar to what you will find elsewhere in the internet about force update to Windows 7.8. But for Philippine users, I just want to assure you that it works for us here too. You just need to adjust a longer waiting time (Step 3) if your internet is slow, and shorter if your connections is fast.

Now excuse me, I need to experiment with my resizable live tiles! Yey!

Note: I'm using a Lumia 610 that's not locked to either Smart, Globe, or Sun. I think the network doesn't really matter with this method.