Change Datasource in the Service

I'm working at a client site that doesn't have the fastest connection. I'm developing my report against a local database but once its deployed want to switch it to an Azure database. If I change the data source on the local file to Azure of course Power BI wants to do a full refresh which (even with the timeout pumped up) is hours and not effectively useful. Even saving it with the change and cancelling the refresh it still publishes with the local database as the source. Surely there must be a way to change the source on the published report. That seems like a gimmie!

I've seen the same question posted but time has passed and wondering if there have been changes - or additions in the API...