diff --git a/DeviceAdapters/CNCMicroscope/RAMPSStage/XYStage.h b/DeviceAdapters/CNCMicroscope/RAMPSStage/XYStage.h
index c8d671de3..a340f38c8 100644
--- a/DeviceAdapters/CNCMicroscope/RAMPSStage/XYStage.h
+++ b/DeviceAdapters/CNCMicroscope/RAMPSStage/XYStage.h
@@ -66,7 +66,6 @@ class RAMPSXYStage : public CXYStageBase<RAMPSXYStage>
 
   int IsXYStageSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const;
 
-
   // action interface
   // ----------------
   int OnPosition(MM::PropertyBase* pProp, MM::ActionType eAct);
diff --git a/DeviceAdapters/Cephla/Squid.h b/DeviceAdapters/Cephla/Squid.h
index 9de90b272..b1bf35020 100644
--- a/DeviceAdapters/Cephla/Squid.h
+++ b/DeviceAdapters/Cephla/Squid.h
@@ -284,6 +284,7 @@ class SquidXYStage : public CXYStageBase<SquidXYStage>
 
    int IsXYStageSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const { isSequenceable = false; return DEVICE_OK; }
 
+   int UsesOnXYStagePositionChanged(bool& result) const { result = true; return DEVICE_OK; }
 
    // action interface
    // ----------------
@@ -354,6 +355,8 @@ class SquidZStage : public CStageBase<SquidZStage>
    }
    bool IsContinuousFocusDrive() const { return false; };
 
+   int UsesOnStagePositionChanged(bool& result) const { result = true; return DEVICE_OK; }
+
    int OnAcceleration(MM::PropertyBase* pProp, MM::ActionType eAct);
    int OnMaxVelocity(MM::PropertyBase* pProp, MM::ActionType eAct);
 
diff --git a/DeviceAdapters/ChuoSeiki_MD5000/ChuoSeiki_MD_XYZ.h b/DeviceAdapters/ChuoSeiki_MD5000/ChuoSeiki_MD_XYZ.h
index d8e5c3aba..83ad90796 100644
--- a/DeviceAdapters/ChuoSeiki_MD5000/ChuoSeiki_MD_XYZ.h
+++ b/DeviceAdapters/ChuoSeiki_MD5000/ChuoSeiki_MD_XYZ.h
@@ -119,6 +119,7 @@ class MD_SingleStage:
 // Checking device functions
 	int IsStageSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const {isSequenceable = false; return DEVICE_OK;}
 	bool IsContinuousFocusDrive() const {return DEVICE_OK;}
+	int UsesOnStagePositionChanged(bool& result) const { result = true; return DEVICE_OK; }
 	bool SupportsDeviceDetection(void);
 	MM::DeviceDetectionStatus DetectDevice(void);
 
diff --git a/DeviceAdapters/DemoCamera/DemoCamera.h b/DeviceAdapters/DemoCamera/DemoCamera.h
index f6fc343ed..eb238f008 100644
--- a/DeviceAdapters/DemoCamera/DemoCamera.h
+++ b/DeviceAdapters/DemoCamera/DemoCamera.h
@@ -498,6 +498,8 @@ class CDemoStage : public CStageBase<CDemoStage>
 
    bool IsContinuousFocusDrive() const {return false;}
 
+   int UsesOnStagePositionChanged(bool& result) const { result = true; return DEVICE_OK; }
+
    // action interface
    // ----------------
    int OnPosition(MM::PropertyBase* pProp, MM::ActionType eAct);
@@ -578,6 +580,7 @@ class CDemoXYStage : public CXYStageBase<CDemoXYStage>
 
    int IsXYStageSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const {isSequenceable = false; return DEVICE_OK;}
 
+   int UsesOnXYStagePositionChanged(bool& result) const { result = true; return DEVICE_OK; }
 
    // action interface
    // ----------------
diff --git a/DeviceAdapters/ESP32/esp32.h b/DeviceAdapters/ESP32/esp32.h
index 60101a955..892f58995 100644
--- a/DeviceAdapters/ESP32/esp32.h
+++ b/DeviceAdapters/ESP32/esp32.h
@@ -389,6 +389,8 @@ class CESP32XYStage : public CXYStageBase<CESP32XYStage>
 
     int IsXYStageSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const { isSequenceable = false; return DEVICE_OK; }
 
+    int UsesOnXYStagePositionChanged(bool& result) const { result = true; return DEVICE_OK; }
+
     int OnXStageMinPos(MM::PropertyBase* pProp, MM::ActionType eAct);
     int OnXStageMaxPos(MM::PropertyBase* pProp, MM::ActionType eAct);
     int OnYStageMinPos(MM::PropertyBase* pProp, MM::ActionType eAct);
diff --git a/DeviceAdapters/OpenFlexure/OpenFlexure.h b/DeviceAdapters/OpenFlexure/OpenFlexure.h
index c72e8bd81..103139cb8 100644
--- a/DeviceAdapters/OpenFlexure/OpenFlexure.h
+++ b/DeviceAdapters/OpenFlexure/OpenFlexure.h
@@ -165,6 +165,7 @@ class ZStage : public CStageBase<ZStage>
 	int GetLimits(double& lower, double& upper) { return DEVICE_UNSUPPORTED_COMMAND;} // nah 
 	int IsStageSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const { isSequenceable = false;  return DEVICE_OK;}
 	bool IsContinuousFocusDrive() const  { return false; }
+
 	bool Busy() { return false; }
 
 	// Helper functions
diff --git a/DeviceAdapters/PriorPureFocus/PureFocus.h b/DeviceAdapters/PriorPureFocus/PureFocus.h
index 5e94fd27a..bdb901d55 100644
--- a/DeviceAdapters/PriorPureFocus/PureFocus.h
+++ b/DeviceAdapters/PriorPureFocus/PureFocus.h
@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ class PureFocusOffset : public CStageBase<PureFocusOffset> {
    bool IsContinuousFocusDrive() const {
       return false;
    };
+
    void CallbackPositionSteps(long steps);
    void RemoveHub() { pHub_ = 0; };
 
diff --git a/DeviceAdapters/PyDevice/PyStage.h b/DeviceAdapters/PyDevice/PyStage.h
index dc0fa9430..4ac22f728 100644
--- a/DeviceAdapters/PyDevice/PyStage.h
+++ b/DeviceAdapters/PyDevice/PyStage.h
@@ -118,6 +118,11 @@ class CPyXYStage : public PyXYStageClass {
         return DEVICE_UNSUPPORTED_COMMAND;
     }
 
+    int UsesOnXYStagePositionChanged(bool& result) const override {
+        result = false;
+        return DEVICE_OK;
+    }
+
 protected:
     double origin_x_ = 0.0;
     double origin_y_ = 0.0;
diff --git a/DeviceAdapters/StandaStage/StandaStage.h b/DeviceAdapters/StandaStage/StandaStage.h
index ae20308cc..d5feac1da 100644
--- a/DeviceAdapters/StandaStage/StandaStage.h
+++ b/DeviceAdapters/StandaStage/StandaStage.h
@@ -266,7 +266,6 @@ class CStandaXYStage : public CXYStageBase<CStandaXYStage>
 
    int IsXYStageSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const {isSequenceable = false; return DEVICE_OK;}
 
-
    // action interface
    // ----------------
 
diff --git a/DeviceAdapters/WieneckeSinske/ZPiezoCanDevice.h b/DeviceAdapters/WieneckeSinske/ZPiezoCanDevice.h
index 889e6c613..c22daaf05 100644
--- a/DeviceAdapters/WieneckeSinske/ZPiezoCanDevice.h
+++ b/DeviceAdapters/WieneckeSinske/ZPiezoCanDevice.h
@@ -77,7 +77,6 @@ class ZPiezoCANDevice : public CStageBase<ZPiezoCANDevice>
 	int SetOrigin();
 	int IsStageSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const {isSequenceable = false; return DEVICE_OK;}
 
-	
 	// action interface                                                       
 	// ----------------                                                       
 	int OnPort(MM::PropertyBase* pProp, MM::ActionType eAct); 
diff --git a/DeviceAdapters/WieneckeSinske/ZPiezoWSDevice.h b/DeviceAdapters/WieneckeSinske/ZPiezoWSDevice.h
index e99c444a7..1a47c3b1d 100644
--- a/DeviceAdapters/WieneckeSinske/ZPiezoWSDevice.h
+++ b/DeviceAdapters/WieneckeSinske/ZPiezoWSDevice.h
@@ -77,7 +77,6 @@ class ZPiezoWSDevice : public CStageBase<ZPiezoWSDevice>
 	int SetOrigin();
 	int IsStageSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const {isSequenceable = false; return DEVICE_OK;}
 
-	
 	// action interface                                                       
 	// ----------------                                                       
 	int OnPort(MM::PropertyBase* pProp, MM::ActionType eAct); 
diff --git a/DeviceAdapters/ZeissCAN29/ZeissCAN29.h b/DeviceAdapters/ZeissCAN29/ZeissCAN29.h
index 79ef67051..f251d11d3 100644
--- a/DeviceAdapters/ZeissCAN29/ZeissCAN29.h
+++ b/DeviceAdapters/ZeissCAN29/ZeissCAN29.h
@@ -836,6 +836,8 @@ class Axis : public CStageBase<Axis>, public ZeissAxis
    int IsStageSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const {isSequenceable = false; return DEVICE_OK;}
    bool IsContinuousFocusDrive() const {return false;}
 
+   int UsesOnStagePositionChanged(bool& result) const { result = true; return DEVICE_OK; }
+
    // action interface
    // ----------------
    int OnPosition(MM::PropertyBase* pProp, MM::ActionType eAct);
@@ -890,6 +892,8 @@ class XYStage : public CXYStageBase<XYStage>, public ZeissAxis
   double GetStepSizeYUm() {return stepSize_um_;}
   int IsXYStageSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const {isSequenceable = false; return DEVICE_OK;}
 
+   int UsesOnXYStagePositionChanged(bool& result) const { result = true; return DEVICE_OK; }
+
    // action interface
    // ----------------
    int OnMoveMode(MM::PropertyBase* pProp, MM::ActionType eAct);
diff --git a/MMCore/Devices/StageInstance.cpp b/MMCore/Devices/StageInstance.cpp
index 666f8f9b0..d620f7116 100644
--- a/MMCore/Devices/StageInstance.cpp
+++ b/MMCore/Devices/StageInstance.cpp
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ StageInstance::SetFocusDirection(MM::FocusDirection direction)
    focusDirectionHasBeenSet_ = true;
 }
 
+int StageInstance::UsesOnStagePositionChanged(bool& result) const { RequireInitialized(__func__); return GetImpl()->UsesOnStagePositionChanged(result); }
 int StageInstance::IsStageSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const { RequireInitialized(__func__); return GetImpl()->IsStageSequenceable(isSequenceable); }
 int StageInstance::IsStageLinearSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const { RequireInitialized(__func__); return GetImpl()->IsStageLinearSequenceable(isSequenceable); }
 bool StageInstance::IsContinuousFocusDrive() const { RequireInitialized(__func__); return GetImpl()->IsContinuousFocusDrive(); }
diff --git a/MMCore/Devices/StageInstance.h b/MMCore/Devices/StageInstance.h
index b94b1e6bf..b4e2cff93 100644
--- a/MMCore/Devices/StageInstance.h
+++ b/MMCore/Devices/StageInstance.h
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ class StageInstance : public DeviceInstanceBase<MM::Stage>
    int GetLimits(double& lower, double& upper);
    MM::FocusDirection GetFocusDirection();
    void SetFocusDirection(MM::FocusDirection direction);
+   int UsesOnStagePositionChanged(bool& result) const;
    int IsStageSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const;
    int IsStageLinearSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const;
    bool IsContinuousFocusDrive() const;
diff --git a/MMCore/Devices/XYStageInstance.cpp b/MMCore/Devices/XYStageInstance.cpp
index 56f06844a..0b18bce63 100644
--- a/MMCore/Devices/XYStageInstance.cpp
+++ b/MMCore/Devices/XYStageInstance.cpp
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ int XYStageInstance::SetYOrigin() { RequireInitialized(__func__); return GetImpl
 int XYStageInstance::GetStepLimits(long& xMin, long& xMax, long& yMin, long& yMax) { RequireInitialized(__func__); return GetImpl()->GetStepLimits(xMin, xMax, yMin, yMax); }
 double XYStageInstance::GetStepSizeXUm() { RequireInitialized(__func__); return GetImpl()->GetStepSizeXUm(); }
 double XYStageInstance::GetStepSizeYUm() { RequireInitialized(__func__); return GetImpl()->GetStepSizeYUm(); }
+int XYStageInstance::UsesOnXYStagePositionChanged(bool& result) const { RequireInitialized(__func__); return GetImpl()->UsesOnXYStagePositionChanged(result); }
 int XYStageInstance::IsXYStageSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const { RequireInitialized(__func__); return GetImpl()->IsXYStageSequenceable(isSequenceable); }
 int XYStageInstance::GetXYStageSequenceMaxLength(long& nrEvents) const { RequireInitialized(__func__); return GetImpl()->GetXYStageSequenceMaxLength(nrEvents); }
 int XYStageInstance::StartXYStageSequence() { RequireInitialized(__func__); return GetImpl()->StartXYStageSequence(); }
diff --git a/MMCore/Devices/XYStageInstance.h b/MMCore/Devices/XYStageInstance.h
index 9dd21a46e..b6819359f 100644
--- a/MMCore/Devices/XYStageInstance.h
+++ b/MMCore/Devices/XYStageInstance.h
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ class XYStageInstance : public DeviceInstanceBase<MM::XYStage>
    int GetStepLimits(long& xMin, long& xMax, long& yMin, long& yMax);
    double GetStepSizeXUm();
    double GetStepSizeYUm();
+   int UsesOnXYStagePositionChanged(bool& result) const;
    int IsXYStageSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const;
    int GetXYStageSequenceMaxLength(long& nrEvents) const;
    int StartXYStageSequence();
diff --git a/MMCore/MMCore.cpp b/MMCore/MMCore.cpp
index 0ac29080a..a73b32827 100644
--- a/MMCore/MMCore.cpp
+++ b/MMCore/MMCore.cpp
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ namespace mmi = mmcore::internal;
  * (Keep the 3 numbers on one line to make it easier to look at diffs when
  * merging/rebasing.)
  */
-const int MMCore_versionMajor = 11, MMCore_versionMinor = 11, MMCore_versionPatch = 0;
+const int MMCore_versionMajor = 11, MMCore_versionMinor = 12, MMCore_versionPatch = 0;
 
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -2265,6 +2265,24 @@ void CMMCore::loadExposureSequence(const char* cameraLabel, std::vector<double>
       throw CMMError(getDeviceErrorText(ret, pCamera));
 }
 
+/**
+* Queries whether this stage uses callbacks to signal position changes
+* When false, use polling to stay updated about the positionf of the stage
+*/
+bool CMMCore::isStageUsingCallbacks(const char* label) MMCORE_LEGACY_THROW(CMMError)
+{
+   std::shared_ptr<mmi::StageInstance> pStage =
+      deviceManager_->GetDeviceOfType<mmi::StageInstance>(label);
+
+   mmi::DeviceModuleLockGuard guard(pStage);
+
+   bool result;
+   int ret = pStage->UsesOnStagePositionChanged(result);
+   if (ret != DEVICE_OK)
+      throw CMMError(getDeviceErrorText(ret, pStage));
+   return result;
+}
+
 
 /**
  * Queries stage if it can be used in a sequence
@@ -2417,6 +2435,26 @@ void CMMCore::setStageLinearSequence(const char* label, double dZ_um, int nSlice
       throw CMMError(getDeviceErrorText(ret, pStage));
 }
 
+
+/**
+* Queries whether this XYStage uses callbacks to signal position changes
+* When false, use polling to stay updated about the positionf of the stage
+*/
+bool CMMCore::isXYStageUsingCallbacks(const char* label) MMCORE_LEGACY_THROW(CMMError)
+{
+   std::shared_ptr<mmi::XYStageInstance> pStage =
+      deviceManager_->GetDeviceOfType<mmi::XYStageInstance>(label);
+
+   mmi::DeviceModuleLockGuard guard(pStage);
+
+   bool result;
+   int ret = pStage->UsesOnXYStagePositionChanged(result);
+   if (ret != DEVICE_OK)
+      throw CMMError(getDeviceErrorText(ret, pStage));
+
+   return result;
+}
+
 /**
  * Queries XY stage if it can be used in a sequence
  * @param label    the XY stage device label
diff --git a/MMCore/MMCore.h b/MMCore/MMCore.h
index b8d68e056..302255505 100644
--- a/MMCore/MMCore.h
+++ b/MMCore/MMCore.h
@@ -499,6 +499,7 @@ class CMMCore
    void setFocusDirection(const char* stageLabel, int sign);
    int getFocusDirection(const char* stageLabel) MMCORE_LEGACY_THROW(CMMError);
 
+   bool isStageUsingCallbacks(const char* stageLabel) MMCORE_LEGACY_THROW(CMMError);
    bool isStageSequenceable(const char* stageLabel) MMCORE_LEGACY_THROW(CMMError);
    bool isStageLinearSequenceable(const char* stageLabel) MMCORE_LEGACY_THROW(CMMError);
    void startStageSequence(const char* stageLabel) MMCORE_LEGACY_THROW(CMMError);
@@ -536,6 +537,7 @@ class CMMCore
          double newXUm, double newYUm) MMCORE_LEGACY_THROW(CMMError);
    void setAdapterOriginXY(double newXUm, double newYUm) MMCORE_LEGACY_THROW(CMMError);
 
+   bool isXYStageUsingCallbacks(const char* xyStageLabel) MMCORE_LEGACY_THROW(CMMError);
    bool isXYStageSequenceable(const char* xyStageLabel) MMCORE_LEGACY_THROW(CMMError);
    void startXYStageSequence(const char* xyStageLabel) MMCORE_LEGACY_THROW(CMMError);
    void stopXYStageSequence(const char* xyStageLabel) MMCORE_LEGACY_THROW(CMMError);
diff --git a/MMDevice/DeviceBase.h b/MMDevice/DeviceBase.h
index 8fb7aab1e..055dbda33 100644
--- a/MMDevice/DeviceBase.h
+++ b/MMDevice/DeviceBase.h
@@ -1893,6 +1893,15 @@ class CStageBase : public CDeviceBase<MM::Stage, U>
       return DEVICE_OK;
    }
 
+   /**
+   * @brief Return true when your device adapter uses OnStagePositionChanged callbacks.
+   */
+   virtual int UsesOnStagePositionChanged(bool& result) const
+   {
+      result = false;
+      return DEVICE_OK;
+   }
+
    virtual int IsStageLinearSequenceable(bool& isSequenceable) const
    {
       isSequenceable = false;
@@ -2103,6 +2112,15 @@ class CXYStageBase : public CDeviceBase<MM::XYStage, U>
       return this->SetPositionSteps(xSteps+x, ySteps+y);
    }
 
+   /**
+    * @brief Return true when your device adapter uses OnXYStagePositionChanged callbacks.
+   */
+   virtual int UsesOnXYStagePositionChanged(bool& result) const
+   {
+      result = false;
+      return DEVICE_OK;
+   }
+
    virtual int Move(double /*vx*/, double /*vy*/)
    {
       return DEVICE_UNSUPPORTED_COMMAND;
diff --git a/MMDevice/MMDevice.h b/MMDevice/MMDevice.h
index 0027736ea..23eb2c4bd 100644
--- a/MMDevice/MMDevice.h
+++ b/MMDevice/MMDevice.h
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 // Header version
 // If any of the class definitions changes, the interface version
 // must be incremented
-#define DEVICE_INTERFACE_VERSION 74
+#define DEVICE_INTERFACE_VERSION 75
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 // N.B.
@@ -603,6 +603,17 @@ namespace MM {
       virtual int SetOrigin() = 0;
       virtual int GetLimits(double& lower, double& upper) = 0;
 
+      /**
+      * @brief Stages can use the OnStagePositionChanged callback to signal
+      * updates about their position.  Some adapters do so, others do not,
+      * in which case the UI code should use polling.  This function signals whether
+      * the device adapters uses callbacks, so that the UI knows it does not need
+      * to poll this device. It is best practice to not change the result of this
+      * function (i.e. use a const value) as the UI will query the function 
+      * only once.
+      */
+      virtual int UsesOnStagePositionChanged(bool& result) const = 0;
+
       /**
        * @brief Return the focus direction.
        *
@@ -709,6 +720,17 @@ namespace MM {
       virtual int Home() = 0;
       virtual int Stop() = 0;
 
+      /**
+      * @brief XY stages can use the OnXYStagePositionChanged callback to signal
+      * updates about their position.  Some stage adapters do so, others do not,
+      * in which case the UI code can use polling.  This function signals whether
+      * the device adapters uses callbacks, so that the UI knows it does not need
+      * to poll this device. It is best practice to not change the result of this
+      * function (i.e. use a const value) as the UI will query the function 
+      * only once.
+      */
+      virtual int UsesOnXYStagePositionChanged(bool &result) const = 0;
+
       /**
        * @brief Define the current position as the (hardware) origin (0, 0).
        */