How do unlocked devices receive updates?

[rockitdog23]

I'm considering purchasing a factory unlocked Galaxy S6 from Best Buy. I've never had a device that factory unlocked out of the box. Since carriers are the ones who push updates to devices how do unlocked devices receive updates? If I will be using the device on AT&T, will the updates still come from AT&T or what is the process for receiving updates?

Thanks!

 

[PapaGary]

It will update through WiFi. On my Moto X XT1053 without a SIM in it it updated to Lollipop last year by just leaving in on with WiFi turned on and BINGO!

 

[rockitdog23]

It will update through WiFi. On my Moto X XT1053 without a SIM in it it updated to Lollipop last year by just leaving in on with WiFi turned on and BINGO!

But who pushes the updates? I get that it can update over WiFi but where does the update come from? The manufacturer? For instance, when the Galaxy S6 gets the 6.0 update will Samsung just push it to my unlocked device on AT&T even before AT&T has approved the update?

 

[anon(632115)]

It depends on what firmware is already on your device. If it ha carrier tied firmware it will be from that carrier or Samsung if unbranded

 

[PapaGary]

But who pushes the updates? I get that it can update over WiFi but where does the update come from?

Don't know, don't care.

The manufacturer?

Probably.

For instance, when the Galaxy S6 gets the 6.0 update will Samsung just push it to my unlocked device on AT&T even before AT&T has approved the update?

Yes, because you don't have an AT&T branded device with all the AT&T bloat.

 

[rockitdog23]

I care. I read some place that you have to load updated software in via ROMs which I don't want to do and unless you do that you won't get updates. Trying to arm myself with knowledge. Unlocked S6 is $180 cheaper than the AT&T branded version.

 

[Rukbat]

If the phone is unlocked, it can still have a carrier-branded ROM in it. In that case, the carrier will update it. If it has generic S6, Samsung will update it.

BTW, flashing a Samsung isn't difficult, it's almost boring enough to kill. Read [Samsung] How to flash Stock ROM via ODIN. By the fifth time you flash a Samsung phone, you're going to wait for prime time, so you don't sit and watch paint dry. It's REALLY boring. Click the Start button and you're in for about 15 minutes of twiddling your thumbs. (Check out the S6 section of XDA Forums too. If the phone is a G920A, you can't flash anything but stock ROMS. If it's a G920F, you can flash any G920 ROM to it - and custom recoveries, like TWRP (which you really should do, so you can keep complete backups).

 

[rockitdog23]

Sm-g920tzkaxar

 

[anon(632115)]

Sm-g920tzkaxar

Your updates will come from Samsung

 

[vineydhiman]

Simple, you need to flash the stock firmware on your device and you're ready to roll