Why AT&T makes it so hard to update their phones? - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S8 Questions & Answers

Hi,
I really love my G892A S8 Active that I've purchased used in Canada.
But for some reason AT&T don't want their phone to be updated while on another network. This is the first carrier I've seen that does that (blocking OTA updates). Any real reason for this?
I've even tried with a prepaid SIM card from AT&T and paid the 35$ plan to later found out that you really need to be on the AT&T network (US) instead of a roaming network with a working ATT plan.
Even the attcompute.com site where I used to get OTA updates looks it is now blocked from any Canadian ISP.
xdmd.sl.attcompute.com/agents/48974/1488/SS-G892AUCS2ARA1-to-U2BRA3-UP
This used to work 3 weeks ago with the phone user agent. Now, all attempts return DNS look-up failed..
I had other carriers unlocked phone OTA successfully on another carrier network.
This is crazy... why block people from updating their AT&T unlocked phones????
And yes I know about XDA OTA source but it is not always up to date and depends on user base to upload OTA and make it available to general public.
Last security update is G892AUCS5CSH1 but I cannot find it anywhere... not even on xda.
Thanks!
Laurent

I have the exact same problem. I was able to find the pie update but not the last G892AUCS5CSH1 security patch.

they don't do it, because it will broke the sin unlock

The latest baseband for the AT&T version of the Galaxy S8 Active (a.k.a. the G892A) is G892AUCS5CTL1. You can find it linked from this post or this one and install with Odin 3.14.1.

Related

[Q] Focus re-locked to AT&T after NoDo Update

I unlocked my Focus back in December through NCKZone. Installed the Feb and March updates without a hitch. Now my phone is locked again to AT&T, when I try enterning the unlock code I got from NCKZone I get an error message that says SIM Error. Also, if I try to access the SIM through Phone Settings, it says the SIM is locked. I never had a lock on the SIM card, so I tried the default of 1111 to no avail. Only way to have access to the SIM is after a soft reset. Weird thing is phone is now locked to AT&T, and whenever I try the unlock code from NCKZone, I get a SIM error and it locks the SIM....anyone else experience this? Yesterday I called AT&T, they were useless, they also transferred me to Samsung and all they could suggest is a hard reset.......
I called AT&T this morning, this time the person said the subsidy unlock code changed and they can't give it to me until May 9th, sounds fishy to me. Any one else have this problem?
May 9 is about right date from all the responses from AT&T so far. Officially, AT&T won't give you the unlock code until 10-month after the release of exclusive phones (seems all new phones are exclusive phones now).
But this is the first time that I saw unlock code changes after a firmware update.
did you install the official at&t Nodo? or did you do it with the VPN trick and only install the Samsung specific update?
roudiare said:
did you install the official at&t Nodo? or did you do it with the VPN trick and only install the Samsung specific update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Official AT&T Nodo update.
ok then i'll hope that the samsung specific update isn't responsible for this mess
roudiare said:
ok then i'll hope that the samsung specific update isn't responsible for this mess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too, hard to believe the subsidy unlock codes would change due to a firmware update, I've never heard of that before. It would be great if someone could confirm if they are experiencing the same thing with the official update and had their phone subsidy unlocked prior to Nodo.
I 'unbranded' my phone before applying the update, and am still carrier unlocked.
Unlocked my phone months ago using code from my longtime friend at Samsung. Phone was just updated, turned on and off a few times including battery removal and still is unlocked. Please do not ask me to get codes for your phone, my friend does me favors and do not want to abuse that.
Hi.
Unlocked one Samsung Focus today with the official NoDo update from ATT, and still unlocked and working fine in Costa Rica, I can still make calls, text sms, mobile internet, etc.
I ended up doing a hard reset and now it is fine, go figure. I now see ATT and AT&T using the Samsung Network Profile tool. Doing this from Connecticut.
So the Samsung dude was right after all. Lol

Oreo update on unlocked ATT S8 with T-Mobile sim

I have an unlocked S8 and I have not got the Oreo update Every time I go to check, it says your software is up to date. Is it because I am using a T-Mobile SIM? If yes, do I need to use ATT sim to get the update?
fordfulkerson said:
I have an unlocked S8 and I have not got the Oreo update Every time I go to check, it says your software is up to date. Is it because I am using a T-Mobile SIM? If yes, do I need to use ATT sim to get the update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you need an AT&T sim. Otherwise you will not receive ota updates.
Try it now
When I unlocked my AT&T S8, and stuck in a MetroPCS Sim, MetroPCS updated the phone to Oreo. This also results in the boot logo changing to MetroPCS which I think is unfortunate. And it installed a couple of Metro PCS apps including the voicemail app. This was all interesting since this means a carrier will update an OS on a phone that was originally sold for a different carrier. Seems that could run into problems but maybe not.
Did you figure it out?
fordfulkerson said:
I have an unlocked S8 and I have not got the Oreo update Every time I go to check, it says your software is up to date. Is it because I am using a T-Mobile SIM? If yes, do I need to use ATT sim to get the update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an AT&T unlocked S8 Active with a t-mobile sim. I tried using an old AT&T sim with no plan, but it did not work. Do I need a sim with a plan to do the stupid update?
Take it to a Samsung Experience in a Large Best Buy and get them to Update it.
http://www.samsung.com/us/samsung-experience-shop/
Is there any way to manually update it to the latest version? Caz I am stuck on Android 7.0 as well, it won't update.
martyh1 said:
When I unlocked my AT&T S8, and stuck in a MetroPCS Sim, MetroPCS updated the phone to Oreo. This also results in the boot logo changing to MetroPCS which I think is unfortunate. And it installed a couple of Metro PCS apps including the voicemail app. This was all interesting since this means a carrier will update an OS on a phone that was originally sold for a different carrier. Seems that could run into problems but maybe not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How long after putting in your metropcs sim did the phone update? I just unlocked an att s8 active today registered on my metropcs account but as of this moment it says it is up to date when it is clearly not.
Thank you

Future software updates after switching from ATT to Tmobile

Hi guys,
Needed your help in understanding how software updates on my S10+, which I initially purchased from AT&T locked paid it off and got it unlocked, will work after I switched to Tmobile. I do get the tmobile splash screen now but under 'Software version' I do see that the service provider version has 'att' in it.
Here are my observations after unlocking and switching to Tmobile so far :
- I now get the tmobile startup splash screen and ringtones
- Default ATT apps gone and now replaced with Tmobile ones
- Previously hidden/disabled apps while on ATT are now accessible on Tmobile like Call & Message continuity, connect to windows
- When I press check for software updates it says 'Tmobile update service: connecting to server ' so it does seem its checking against tmobile server
But I'm still not sure if I will get future updates. Does anyone have a similar experience or information reg this situation pls? Worst case is there any way to flash my phone with tmobile firmware officially? I do not want to void warranty by rooting or side loading. Thanks
The service provider will always show AT&T even if you flash the U1 (carrier free) firmware or T-mobile firmware since the phone originally shipped as an AT&T branded device. That won't stop you from receiving updates.
It sounds like your firmware completely reprovisioned after you switched SIM cards so you should get OTA updates from T-mobile.
When I bought my S10+ the AT&T firmware didn't reprovision so unlocked users needed to flash non-AT&T firmware in order to receive OTA updates.

AT&T model and lack of updates

Hello. I wanted to ask about a problem that I have experienced with the S10+, which I know others have experienced as well, and hope there is a solution out there for it. I purchased the S10+ directly from Samsung, as they were offering a much better trade-in deal. However, I did purchase the AT&T version.
That being said..aside from the 2 fingerprint reader updates Samsung has issued, I have never received an OTA update from AT&T. Not a single one. I've had to come here to XDA, hope that someone posts the latest update files, and update using Odin. It appears that those files are being posted less and less. I'm "stuck" on ASGB update, with the July 1 Security patch.
Does anybody have any advice, or suggestions on how I could go about getting regular OTA updates? Or is there other recommendations on what to do here? I know there are many others that have this same problem.
Thanks in advance
Lavman72 said:
Hello. I wanted to ask about a problem that I have experienced with the S10+, which I know others have experienced as well, and hope there is a solution out there for it. I purchased the S10+ directly from Samsung, as they were offering a much better trade-in deal. However, I did purchase the AT&T version.
That being said..aside from the 2 fingerprint reader updates Samsung has issued, I have never received an OTA update from AT&T. Not a single one. I've had to come here to XDA, hope that someone posts the latest update files, and update using Odin. It appears that those files are being posted less and less. I'm "stuck" on ASGB update, with the July 1 Security patch.
Does anybody have any advice, or suggestions on how I could go about getting regular OTA updates? Or is there other recommendations on what to do here? I know there are many others that have this same problem.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using an AT&T SIM card? If you purchased an AT&T model AT&T sends OTA updates whether you got it from AT&T or Samsung. If you aren't using an AT&T SIM they won't send you any OTA updates and Samsung only sends OTA updates to the carrier free versions of the phones.
Yes, using an AT&T SIM card. In fact, I went to the local store and requested a brand new sim, just in case. That obviously didn't work either.
Lavman72 said:
Yes, using an AT&T SIM card. In fact, I went to the local store and requested a brand new sim, just in case. That obviously didn't work either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All US S10+'s are the same. There is no such thing as a AT&T or Verizon phone on the S10+. That being said you can load any rom from any vendor on your phone. If you want to stick with AT&T and don't mind their bloat apps you can go to www.sammobile.com and download the latest AT&T rom and load it with Qdin. Make sure your sim card is installed when you reboot and you will have an AT&T phone when it is done.
HolyHog said:
All US S10+'s are the same. There is no such thing as a AT&T or Verizon phone on the S10+. That being said you can load any rom from any vendor on your phone. If you want to stick with AT&T and don't mind their bloat apps you can go to www.sammobile.com and download the latest AT&T rom and load it with Qdin. Make sure your sim card is installed when you reboot and you will have an AT&T phone when it is done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Prior to August or September firmware on the S10+ was not all-inclusive. If you used an unlocked AT&T S10+ with a different carrier's SIM the AT&T firmware stayed rather than updating to accommodate the inserted SIM card. AT&T doesn't send OTA updates to phones running AT&T firmware if a non-AT&T SIM is inserted and as long as the AT&T firmware is installed AT&T is the only place you can get an OTA update from. You can't even update with SmartSwitch because it will show that you have the latest firmware regardless of how old it is.
I purchased an unlocked AT&T S10+ in early July that was on the February security patch and have a T-mobile SIM. The only way I could get software updates was to manually flash the U1 carrier free firmware with Odin. Immediately after flashing that firmware multiple OTA updates showed up for my phone.
---------- Post added at 01:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:10 AM ----------
AT&T offers a modded version of SmartSwitch that you can download from their website. You might be able to update to the most current AT&T firmware using their software which is called AT&T SmartSwitch. The standard Samsung SmartSwitch program doesn't access AT&T servers and won't update phones with AT&T firmware.
HolyHog said:
All US S10+'s are the same. There is no such thing as a AT&T or Verizon phone on the S10+. That being said you can load any rom from any vendor on your phone. If you want to stick with AT&T and don't mind their bloat apps you can go to www.sammobile.com and download the latest AT&T rom and load it with Qdin. Make sure your sim card is installed when you reboot and you will have an AT&T phone when it is done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why did I have to pick the carrier when purchasing the phone via Samsung? I could have selected the unlocked version, or any of the american carriers. I have the AT&T model. I see the logo when I boot up, and have all their bloatware apps. So that's not the issue. The issue is why haven't I received an OTA update, ever?
I use this threadhttps://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s10/how-to/att-ota-ota-updates-t3909697 to manually update. The OP hasn't posted any new versions in a while.
jhs39 said:
Prior to August or September firmware on the S10+ was not all-inclusive. If you used an unlocked AT&T S10+ with a different carrier's SIM the AT&T firmware stayed rather than updating to accommodate the inserted SIM card. AT&T doesn't send OTA updates to phones running AT&T firmware if a non-AT&T SIM is inserted and as long as the AT&T firmware is installed AT&T is the only place you can get an OTA update from. You can't even update with SmartSwitch because it will show that you have the latest firmware regardless of how old it is.
I purchased an unlocked AT&T S10+ in early July that was on the February security patch and have a T-mobile SIM. The only way I could get software updates was to manually flash the U1 carrier free firmware with Odin. Immediately after flashing that firmware multiple OTA updates showed up for my phone.
---------- Post added at 01:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:10 AM ----------
AT&T offers a modded version of SmartSwitch that you can download from their website. You might be able to update to the most current AT&T firmware using their software which is called AT&T SmartSwitch. The standard Samsung SmartSwitch program doesn't access AT&T servers and won't update phones with AT&T firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
happen to have remember the thread which had the carrier free firmware?
Lavman72 said:
Why did I have to pick the carrier when purchasing the phone via Samsung? I could have selected the unlocked version, or any of the american carriers. I have the AT&T model. I see the logo when I boot up, and have all their bloatware apps. So that's not the issue. The issue is why haven't I received an OTA update, ever?
I use this threadhttps://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s10/how-to/att-ota-ota-updates-t3909697 to manually update. The OP hasn't posted any new versions in a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your OTA updates come from AT&T since you are their customer and purchased the AT&T model instead of the carrier free one. You should really be asking AT&T why you aren't receiving OTA updates.
You might be able to update using AT&T SmartSwitch which you can download from AT&T's website.
jhs39 said:
Your OTA updates come from AT&T since you are their customer and purchased the AT&T model instead of the carrier free one. You should really be asking AT&T why you aren't receiving OTA updates.
You might be able to update using AT&T SmartSwitch which you can download from AT&T's website.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried contacting AT&T numerous times. They have no idea what the issue is. A quick google search shows the Smart switch tool in AT&T, but when you try and click on the link, it just takes you to a blank page.
Newer firmware is all-inclusive so you could download firmware with Frija and flash it with modified Odin even if it isn't AT&T firmware. The problem is that if you flash a build number AT&T didn't actually use on their devices you still won't get OTA updates from AT&T because their servers won't recognize the software version you are running.
---------- Post added at 02:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:58 AM ----------
Lavman72 said:
I've tried contacting AT&T numerous times. They have no idea what the issue is. A quick google search shows the Smart switch tool in AT&T, but when you try and click on the link, it just takes you to a blank page.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried the standard Samsung SmartSwitch program? Maybe it can update AT&T firmware now but it didn't in the past.
---------- Post added at 02:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:03 AM ----------
If your phone is not carrier locked you could flash the U1 firmware and then you would get OTA updates from Samsung instead of AT&T. But you might not have access to some AT&T services like visual voicemail without AT&T firmware. AT&T also hates unlocked phones so it's possible Volte and Wi-Fi Calling will stop working. Some AT&T customers with unlocked phones were able to get the services activated by calling AT&T but success with AT&T Customer Service is hit or miss at best as you already discovered.
I have the same problem I have been able to update my S10 + AT&T through ODIN, because I cannot update using FOTA, I have the September security patch specifically "G975USQS2ASI6", I want to update to the October patch, but I do not receive the update via FOTA, because I do not use AT&T SIM but I am abroad using with another SIM.
I can Flashear with ODIN to the U1 version that is unlocked, I will not have any problem, I am not interested in losing any AT&T service because I do not use any, I just want to have my S10 + free of Bloatware and always receive updates via FOTA.
I found this Firmware is Sammobile "https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/galaxy-s10-plus/firmware/SM-G975U1/ATT/download/G975U1UEU2BSIP/298471/"
It is the most recent update of AT&T that they have on the official website, but it is G975U1 unlocked and not the G975U. If Flash this version will I have any problem freezing or ruining my phone?
rodix_t said:
I have the same problem I have been able to update my S10 + AT&T through ODIN, because I cannot update using FOTA, I have the September security patch specifically "G975USQS2ASI6", I want to update to the October patch, but I do not receive the update via FOTA, because I do not use AT&T SIM but I am abroad using with another SIM.
I can Flashear with ODIN to the U1 version that is unlocked, I will not have any problem, I am not interested in losing any AT&T service because I do not use any, I just want to have my S10 + free of Bloatware and always receive updates via FOTA.
I found this Firmware is Sammobile "https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/g...M-G975U1/ATT/download/G975U1UEU2BSIP/298471/"
It is the most recent update of AT&T that they have on the official website, but it is G975U1 unlocked and not the G975U. If Flash this version will I have any problem freezing or ruining my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No G975U1 and G975U firmware are interchangeable. If your phone was still carrier locked you might get a message asking for the unlock code but you aren't using an AT&T SIM so your phone obviously isn't network locked. I went from AT&T G975U firmware to U1 firmware with no problems.
Im glad I'm not the only one experiencing this. My wife and I did a bogo deal for the Galaxy s10+ back in March. My phone has recieved updates regularly, while my wife's phone is still on the March patch and security. She hasn't even recieved the fingerprint update fix. Tried calling AT&T about it and they were totally unhelpful. Told me I had to contact Samsung about that and that they couldn't help with the issue. Im debating on calling them back and trying to speak with someone more knowledgeable, but it might just be easier for me to update her phone manually. I haven't had to do something like that in ages, so I wanted to ask for some guidance on here.
Would i need to do each consecutive update she's missed manually? Or would just updating to the newest firmware outright do the trick?
rodix_t said:
I have the same problem I have been able to update my S10 + AT&T through ODIN, because I cannot update using FOTA, I have the September security patch specifically "G975USQS2ASI6", I want to update to the October patch, but I do not receive the update via FOTA, because I do not use AT&T SIM but I am abroad using with another SIM.
I can Flashear with ODIN to the U1 version that is unlocked, I will not have any problem, I am not interested in losing any AT&T service because I do not use any, I just want to have my S10 + free of Bloatware and always receive updates via FOTA.
I found this Firmware is Sammobile "https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/galaxy-s10-plus/firmware/SM-G975U1/ATT/download/G975U1UEU2BSIP/298471/"
It is the most recent update of AT&T that they have on the official website, but it is G975U1 unlocked and not the G975U. If Flash this version will I have any problem freezing or ruining my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey do you have the G975USQS2ASI6 ODIN files? I have been looking all over for it to flash it to my phone.
I just want to note, I am also in the same boat and it's INCREDIBLY frustrating. Both phones purchased in March with the BOGO deal, both phones stuck on the July 1st security patch. Supposedly what I've found after reading quite a bit is you can bring the phone to a local samsung repair center and they can flash the newest firmware, once you're up to date SUPPOSEDLY that resolves the OTA stuff. I don't believe it though.

Latest firmware/ROM to use for Verizon on Tmobile S7E (root preferred)

I have an old Tmobile S7E on old ass firmware (Android 7.0 BQE1) and it's already rooted. I just went through Tmobiles Device Unlock process and I believe the phone was unlocked successfully. I'm looking to upgrade to the latest firmware that still allows rooting. I've looked through the Custom Roms threads and can't tell which one is the latest. I am also wondering if I need to use Verizon firmware or stay on Tmobile firmware.
For instance, this thread here: by jrkruse, he mentions to another user in the comments "This one or verizon one? This one just has the Tmobile csc stuff added and a build.prop for gsm carriers thats it" so it made me wonder if I'm using Verizon service but it's a Tmobile phone if this would work. I know Verizon is CDMA so him saying gsm carriers made me think it may not work.
I know this device is old and this thread doesn't get browsed as much anymore so hopefully I can get some answers. If I can't get this working I guess I'll just be getting a new 2020 model phone :highfive:
Thanks guys!

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