Thunderbolt updated without consent

[AreUPokey]

I'm so blown away by what just happened to my Thunderbolt I had to join a forum just to post this thread. My Thunderbolt just automatically downloaded and applied an update (the one that got rid of the free hotspot).

Here's the thing... since the update started rolling out I have gotten a pop-up usually once a day that asks if I want to update the phone, but I've always just rejected the update. That's been going on for weeks with no problems. Then on Wednesday, apparently it happened overnight, I pick up my phone and find a message on it confirming that it had just applied the update. I double-checked the settings and sure enough, it had installed the update that I'd said no to multiple times. And the craziest thing about it is that I had turned off my mobile network overnight (I always do that to preserve battery) and it somehow ignored all that and installed the update. Goodbye free hotspot,

Now I wasn't expecting the hotspot to be free forever, so I'm not upset about that. But I was hesitant to update due to some people mentioning that their LTE service declined after that particular update. My Tbolt had been working just fine so I had no real motivation to update. Now everything is still working just fine for me, so no harm, no foul (except for the hotspot of course).

But here for Verizon to force an update like that is extremely irritating because of the future possibilities. We've seen plenty examples of updates causing more problems with phones that they solve, including one with the Tbolt itself. I always want to have control over what and how my phone changes and Verizon just took that away from me in this case.

 

[chuckh0308]

Yeah, they started forcing it about a month ago to shut off the hotspot. You can root and go back or just deal with the craptastic radio for awhile and hope it gets fixed later. And yes, I wish I could have stayed on the older firmware too.

 

[dpham00]

mine forced the mr1 update on my phone without consent probably back in May? The only way that i know of to block requires root.

 

[silverbow]

same thing to me last night no more hot spot

 

[Kronko]

People should not complain about it. I believe we should be more than happy of having a few extra weeks with it.

Sent from out of space.

 

[anon(394005)]

The update file had already downloaded to your phone, so it didn’t need mobile data. As to the installation of the update, it’s part of your customer agreement with Verizon (Customer Agreement | Verizon Wireless). See My Wireless Device section. Forcing updates is also an attempt to standardize the software on a majority of phones for support purposes and to also ensure the best compatibility/performance of the phone on their network.

 

[iLLusive]

They do not ever need your consent to update their software, do not be confused that since you normally get a prompt or a choice that they can not go around that to push an update to a device. As fustrating as it may be you have to realize that is just a simply fact of how things are. You can try to claim you have all these rights and whatever not...end of the day it is their service...their network...and you are just renting space and own the phone NOT the software on it. Pretty much everytime you get upset as something VZ does just say to yourself 10 times "Terms and Conditions" and yep they suck but hey so is life.

 

[obidos]

this happened to my wifes Tbolt - she had not had any problems so I bit the bullet and accepted the update after weeks of declining.

I have to say I've had ZERO problems since and I actually left my phone unplugged overnight and there was still 52% of batter when I got up!

before the update I would have NEVER relied on my battery to keep long enough for my alarm to go off if it wasn't plugged in.

 

[FrankXS]

I'm so blown away by what just happened

Just so you won't be blown away in the future, here is some text from the VZW website regarding this update.

-------------------
ThunderBolt™ by HTC Software Upgrade
Overview
To help you with the mandatory system update for your ThunderBolt by HTC, this page contains the following information:
•
System Update Instructions
•
System Update while You Are Roaming
Here are a few hints to make the process quick and easy:
•
It will take you approximately 12 to 15 minutes to download the software, depending on network conditions.
•
Once you download the software, the next step is to install it onto the device. Installation should take up to 7-10 minutes additional. Keep in mind that during the installation you will be unable to make or receive calls, including emergency calls.
Note: The size for this software upgrade is 73.5MB.
System Update Instructions
1.
You will be notified that a system update is available on your device. Select “OK” and download will begin. Standard charges may apply. ? 2011 Verizon Wireless.
ThunderBolt™ by HTC Software Upgrade
2.
Select "OK" and software update will begin.
3.
After you've received first notification of the system update you can manually initiate by going to "Home" > "Menu" > "Settings" > "Software Update" > "Check New". Press "Restart & install". Your device will power off and back on and the installation process will begin.
System Update While You Are Roaming
1.
If you are roaming you will not receive a system update notice. You will need to enable Wi-Fi and wait for the update notice to appear or as mentioned above you can manually update by add steps.
2.
To enable Wi-Fi go to "Settings" > "Wireless & networks". Press "Wi-Fi" to enable.
If the system update fails to install you will get an error screen. However, this only means the software did not install properly. Remove and re-insert the battery and power the device back on. The device will power back on with original software and will prompt you once again to install the system update.
If the update fails again please contact Verizon Wireless Customer Care at (800) 922-0204.
Standard charges may apply. ? 2011 Verizon Wireless.
-------------------

-Frank