Do Cricket Phones receive OTA updates?

[algz]

I'm thinking about buying a Galaxy S6. My two options are to either buy it from AT&T and switch to Cricket after the $100 bill credit is used, or to buy the phone directly from Cricket. If I buy directly from Cricket, will I receive OTA updates at all? Or will they just take a longer time?
As for the first option, if I bought it from AT&T I would have the inactive sim, and I see that people have been able to get updates by inserting the sim into their phone.
Has anyone experienced this? If so, which is the better (more reliable) option?

 

[mrsmumbles]

I would not buy a phone from Cricket. I'd buy it unlocked or on eBay, whatever. Yes if you insert an AT&T sim you'll have a better chance of getting the update.

 

[algz]

I would not buy a phone from Cricket. I'd buy it unlocked or on eBay, whatever. Yes if you insert an AT&T sim you'll have a better chance of getting the update.

Any specific reasons why I shouldn't? And as for the AT&T Sim, do you mean for BYOD? Thanks for your reply.

 

[mrsmumbles]

Yes, an inactive AT&T sim in an (byod) AT&T branded phone. I wouldn't buy a phone from Cricket because it's locked to them for 6 months of use and if you decide you want to switch you're stuck. Also the bootloader will be locked and you won't be able to root or ROM the phone if you're into that.

 

[cgardnervt]

Not to high jack the thread here but with new US laws don't they have to unlock the phone from its network now whenever you call?

 

[mrsmumbles]

Not to high jack the thread here but with new US laws don't they have to unlock the phone from its network now whenever you call?

No, for example Sprint still won't domestically unlock their phones most of the time. It's still a matter of individual policy. What the law did was make it legal to unlock the phone using third party unlocks where available.

 

[cgardnervt]

No, for example Sprint still won't domestically unlock their phones most of the time. It's still a matter of individual policy. What the law did was make it legal to unlock the phone using third party unlocks where available.

I guess thats why I buy my phones all unlocked and network free! Thanks for the reply.

 

[elcheapodeluxe]

I took a Blackberry Classic which had been purchased unlocked and used previously on T-Mobile, then put a Cricket SIM in it. My phone presented an OTA update, which upon installation brought the device to the latest AT&T build of software - including the AT&T splash screen on startup and the unwanted AT&T phone book extension.

 

[mrsmumbles]

I took a Blackberry Classic which had been purchased unlocked and used previously on T-Mobile, then put a Cricket SIM in it. My phone presented an OTA update, which upon installation brought the device to the latest AT&T build of software - including the AT&T splash screen on startup and the unwanted AT&T phone book extension.

Wow, that's strange. I wonder how that happened.

 

[elcheapodeluxe]

It happened because it's essentially an AT&T network SIM, and the phone recognizes it as such.

Further adding to the good news - my BB Classic with Cricket SIM got the OTA update to 10.3.2 today. So yes - OTA updates are definitely present. I suspect that current Cricket SIM holders receive exactly the same updates as regular AT&T customers.

 

[John-Smith]

Jesus, I've been searching for an answer to this for months now.. Thank you for giving your first hand experience on the matter. Makes me optimistic that I will receive 5.1.1 for my Cricket Galaxy S6 when At&t finally releases the update.

 

[imurrx]

I just got my 5.1.1 on my Nexus 6. So yes, but tardy.

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