Unlocked phones and security / OS updates

[anon(40376)]

Anyone have any problems using a factory unlocked phone on an MVNO and receiving security and/or OS updates? I see some threads in regard to unlocked phones not receiving updates from ATT, Verizon, T-Mobile with the phone running off that provider. However, I'll be coming from a Pixel 4XL to a S21 (when it is delivered) and never had a problem getting an update of any kind. However, I am running on a MVNO using Verizon towers.

Just curious, will I have problems?

TTA

 

[Gary02468]

I'm not sure about your OTA updates. But you can download firmware yourself from Samsung servers (via Frija app for Windows, or at sammobile.com for other OSes) and flash it via Odin (Windows, Mac, or Linux).

 

[mustang7757]

Anyone have any problems using a factory unlocked phone on an MVNO and receiving security and/or OS updates? I see some threads in regard to unlocked phones not receiving updates from ATT, Verizon, T-Mobile with the phone running off that provider. However, I'll be coming from a Pixel 4XL to a S21 (when it is delivered) and never had a problem getting an update of any kind. However, I am running on a MVNO using Verizon towers.

Just curious, will I have problems?

TTA

Unlocked on T-Mobile and Att never had issues

 

[anon(40376)]

Thanks, I was just curious. Read some posts about delay or failures of update on unlocked phones directly On ATT and other providers. So just wondering. This will be my second samsung (the first one, S20, was returned after three days). Personally, never had a problem on my Pixel with the MVNO I receive service from.

 

[mustang7757]

Thanks, I was just curious. Read some posts about delay or failures of update on unlocked phones directly On ATT and other providers. So just wondering. This will be my second samsung (the first one, S20, was returned after three days). Personally, never had a problem on my Pixel with the MVNO I receive service from.

Thats Att on carrier models not unlocked, your welcome.

 

[anon(40376)]

Looking throughout the internet it does not appear to be a big problem with unlocked S-series on major providers in the USA. Was never a problem with my Pixel 4XL on an MVNO, so I guess just getting antsy waiting for email from Amazon saying the phone is ready for PU. Should be tomorrow; however, some storm warnings in the area south of here could delay UPS; something they are good at doing...delay.

 

[mustang7757]

Looking throughout the internet it does not appear to be a big problem with unlocked S-series on major providers in the USA. Was never a problem with my Pixel 4XL on an MVNO, so I guess just getting antsy waiting for email from Amazon saying the phone is ready for PU. Should be tomorrow; however, some storm warnings in the area south of here could delay UPS; something they are good at doing...delay.

Yeah should be ok on unlocked, hopefully you get it soon.

 

[anon(40376)]

Hopefully, I get to pick it up at an Amazon Hub Locker about 1.5-2 hours from where I live. UPS and snow does not mix and UPS, snow, mountain roads gives a new meaning to the brown pants the driver wears.

 

[anon(40376)]

It appears it can be difficult to get an update for a Samsung phone when connected to Tracfone. Maybe due their being purchased by Verizon or just due to the fact they are screwed up.
Samsung tells me they (provider) is holding it up, they (tracfone) basically says Samsung is full of it. I, am getting hotter and hotter every minute and close to sending this back to Amazon and staying with a 4XL till hell freezes over.

 

[Trees]

When my Note 20 Ultra (unlocked) is on WiFi and without a SIM, I have been able to download updates. When using a SIM (Verizon), and on WiFi, I have been able to download updates. So one potential workaround, should it be needed, could be to temporarily remove the Tracfone SIM, update via WiFi, and when done reinsert the SIM.

Samsung Smart Switch also has a feature where you can download updates and apply to the phone when it is connected to your computer (that is running Smart Switch) via USB. The Smart Switch feature may be another workaround.

 

[anon(40376)]

After 30 minutes on the phone with Samsung tech support and their using some app to look at my phone, it has been concluded; it goes back. They cannot understand why it will not upload the latest software 4.0 (Android 12). I certainly have a fast enough internet connection and this person told me (as was confirmed by Tracfone) it is not a problem with a provider, it is a problem with the phone. What problem; they do not know.
I could take it to one of their places in Pocatello ID and they can manually load it; however, that is close to a two hour trip, and they could not confirm this might not be a scenario I would have to do with any update; even a monthly security update. Not a great idea!

I like the look and feel of the phone; however, I have no patience for this crap anymore.

Maybe if they get the problems fixed in the Pixel 6 pro; I'll give it a try; otherwise, I'll just remain with the tried and true 4XL.

 

[Gary02468]

I like the look and feel of the phone; however, I have no patience for this crap anymore.

Sorry you're having that difficulty. If you like the phone sufficiently, it's really only slightly more work to download an update via Frija, and install via Odin, than to get the update over the air. (But I agree you shouldn't have to do that.)

 

[ironass]

Sorry you're having that difficulty. If you like the phone sufficiently, it's really only slightly more work to download an update via Frija, and install via Odin, than to get the update over the air. (But I agree you shouldn't have to do that.)

For the last 4 days there has been an issue with Samsung servers only showing Android 11 firmware worldwide. Hope the situation is resolved soon.

 

[Gary02468]

For the last 4 days there has been an issue with Samsung servers only showing Android 11 firmware worldwide.

Weird. In the meantime, Android 12 firmwares can still be downloaded from Sammobile (though it's very slow).

 

[anon(40376)]

It was shipped back to Amazon this AM. Personally, I liked the phone but too early to have problems like this. Fed up with this idea of a new phone now. Google couldn't deliver; the Samsung was a lemon; possibly not my time.

Possibly if I was not coming from a phone with Android 12 and really liked the features, I might have just sent it back for an exchange. However, in most cases it would have been a used phone sent vs another brand new phone and would have opened a new can of crap with me.

For the next few months, I'll stick with my two year old 4XL that still works great and take stock in the new Samsung S22 and reviews and see if google gets the bugs ironed out in the Pixel 6.

I have not ruled Samsung out, in fact, I was impressed with the technical help on the phone, the time they took, the app they had me download allowing them to link directly to the phone and take over and their honestly when they finally gave up and said; yes something is wrong with that phone.

 

[J Dubbs]

Thanks, I was just curious. Read some posts about delay or failures of update on unlocked phones directly On ATT and other providers. So just wondering. This will be my second samsung (the first one, S20, was returned after three days). Personally, never had a problem on my Pixel with the MVNO I receive service from.

We've had a perfect record with AT&T for updates on every unlocked phone me and my wife have ever had... always right on time. Also had no problems instantly getting all the available updates for my unlocked Moto Z3 play, as soon as I put my backup line TracFone sim in it (TracFone runs off Verizon's network). Visual Voicemail is also working perfectly with TracFone.... which was the MVNO you were using if I remember right.

 

[Gary02468]

For the last 4 days there has been an issue with Samsung servers only showing Android 11 firmware worldwide.

It looks like we can request specific Android 12 firmware versions from Frija if we specify the version manually. But if we ask for the automatic latest firmware, it's still showing only Android 11.

 

[ironass]

It looks like we can request specific Android 12 firmware versions from Frija if we specify the version manually. But if we ask for the automatic latest firmware, it's still showing only Android 11.

Try downloading it. It will stick on, "Checking CRC32".

 

[Gary02468]

Try downloading it. It will stick on, "Checking CRC32".

For me, it hung there for only a few seconds, then proceeded to "Decrypting Firmware", and then finished with "Download Complete". (This was for G998U1UEU4BUKF/G998U1OYM4BUKF/G998U1UEU4BUKF, CSC=XAA.)

 

[ironass]

I am trying to download the latest, 17th December, BUL6 release for the Exynos, international, S21's and keep getting, "Checking CRC32".