Question Can't update SM-G998U att unlocked - Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

I posted in wrong area hopefully this is right spot...
Hello, new to forum. I have a Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Model number SM-G998U It's from at&t unlocked I'm using mint mobile When I try to update I get a software Update Interrupted message try again in 24 hours. I backed up and reset phone but it didn't fix this issue. Probably because I need an at&t Sim card, not sure.
Second related question is there a non at&t neutral rom that I can download and install ? So that I'm not relevant on at&t and that hopefully won't Include at&t bloatware.
I've modified a few phones before with different roms though it's been awhile.
I'm Learning the hard way, the difference between a truly unlocked phone and a carrier unlocked one.
I just can't afford a $1,200 new phone.
Any help would be greatly appreciated and thank you.

Welcome to XDA
Personally I wouldn't worry about updates. AT&T updates can update over wifi or a special AT&T update cell tower. If the AT&T firmware is intact using wifi OTA updates might work. Otherwise a Samsung Experience center at Best Buys can do it. Or you could do it yourself.
I avoid touching the firmware on my N10+'s, this one in my hand is still running happily on Pie... lol, Samsung upgrades/updates can and do break things. Once bitten, twice shy.

having the same issue with a used unlocked ATT device that I bought recently in India. Unable to update it. Is possible to load the stock ROM and remove the AT&T one from this phone? will that help?

blackhawk said:
Welcome to XDA
Personally I wouldn't worry about updates. AT&T updates can update over wifi or a special AT&T update cell tower. If the AT&T firmware is intact using wifi OTA updates might work. Otherwise a Samsung Experience center at Best Buys can do it. Or you could do it yourself.
I avoid touching the firmware on my N10+'s, this one in my hand is still running happily on Pie... lol, Samsung upgrades/updates can and do break things. Once bitten, twice shy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, sounds like best option is best buy for me...

You can always download the latest unlocked firmware from https://samfw.com/ and flash it with Odin

Related

[Q] A few questions regarding GT-N7000

So I bought the Galaxy Note international for my wife for her birthday. I full well knew that I wont be getting any official support from Samsung US. Those people are so incompetent anyways that its not really a loss. So I have a few questions for those of you who are using this device in USA.
1. Have you guys in US gotten the ICS update yet?
I ask because I am getting conflicted information everywhere.
2. If the hardware is international version, why does the country matter?
Very confused about this. I thought the good thing about having international version is that I wont need to wait for ATT to get off their backside to release updates.
3. Is there any way I can make my device simply talk to German or Indian servers to get the update?
I have rooted android devices before, so I am no stranger to the process. I would rather not do it on a device I am not using, simply because I want to keep getting official updates, without having to keep up with news on the device. So rooting to German ROM is the option only if Samsung has its head up its arse and update doesn't arrive this year at all.
Thanks for your help guys!
mandeep1803 said:
So I bought the Galaxy Note international for my wife for her birthday. I full well knew that I wont be getting any official support from Samsung US. Those people are so incompetent anyways that its not really a loss. So I have a few questions for those of you who are using this device in USA.
1. Have you guys in US gotten the ICS update yet?
I ask because I am getting conflicted information everywhere.
2. If the hardware is international version, why does the country matter?
Very confused about this. I thought the good thing about having international version is that I wont need to wait for ATT to get off their backside to release updates.
3. Is there any way I can make my device simply talk to German or Indian servers to get the update?
I have rooted android devices before, so I am no stranger to the process. I would rather not do it on a device I am not using, simply because I want to keep getting official updates, without having to keep up with news on the device. So rooting to German ROM is the option only if Samsung has its head up its arse and update doesn't arrive this year at all.
Thanks for your help guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your beat bet is to get a device from a region where ics is already released. It doesn't matter what country you're in, only if the country your device is from gets ics I believe. Not only is the updates better than ATT but I specifically got it for the hardware/ devs
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA
Thanks for the reply man. How do I find out what region the device was made for? It came with what I believe Russian documentation. Is there any way to know 100% sure? Using some serial number or something like that?
I want to say you can tell by the stock Baseband version that phone has, but I'm not 100% sure. Where did you buy this Note from? Amazon sells Brazil and Germany based ones for the most part I have heard. I bought mine on eBay and I THINK it is Germany, but not sure totally and I'm already custom and everything.
On the other hand, there might not be a way to tell what country you are on and how to get updates since you live in the states. I'm in the US too on ATT but ATT will have nothing to do with this Note. (They couldn't even recognize the IMEI number when I went into the store when I first bought it). Didn't know about the different model Notes until I got home and looked on XDA.
Andrew, I am on ATT as well but as my wife doesn't need a data plan (Wifi available everywhere we go), ATT doesn't even know that her line has a smartphone. Else they would push a useless data plan on us. Also, I got it from a third part seller at Amazon. Those people were as useful as a stick. Asked them where they get their stock from and never heard back.
If there is a way to find out country of origin, I would like to know. I've spent countless hours doing research on this, and for the first time, I have not been able to figure out a cellphone problem.
Also, I take it you already got your ICS update if your phone is German?
mandeep1803 said:
Andrew, I am on ATT as well but as my wife doesn't need a data plan (Wifi available everywhere we go), ATT doesn't even know that her line has a smartphone. Else they would push a useless data plan on us. Also, I got it from a third part seller at Amazon. Those people were as useful as a stick. Asked them where they get their stock from and never heard back.
If there is a way to find out country of origin, I would like to know. I've spent countless hours doing research on this, and for the first time, I have not been able to figure out a cellphone problem.
Also, I take it you already got your ICS update if your phone is German?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I didn't do an OTA update or Kies. I just PC Odined ICS, but now I'm on a CM9 build. If you are comfortable flashing and stuff, I would say just use PC Odin.

[Q] Bought 2 unlocked SG4's

Received 2 Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Google Android 4.4 Quad-Core 1.9GHz 16GB 5" Smartphone - GSM Unlocked
Model: SGH-I537
Current phone was/is ATT version of SG3 but as far as I can tell, it's just a matter of SIM card swap and all should continue to work as normal
ATT of course can no longer push updates but plan on updating via Kies
Anything else to consider ?
nobody else on forum with an unlocked SG4 Active ?
any words of wisdom, suggestions, comments on device itself or how best to deal with carrier (ATT) ?
picked also up couple Otterbox Defender cases for the phones.
xdafly said:
nobody else on forum with an unlocked SG4 Active ?
any words of wisdom, suggestions, comments on device itself or how best to deal with carrier (ATT) ?
picked also up couple Otterbox Defender cases for the phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A few things:
The phone is not waterproof, if you submerge it in water you have a high likelihood of getting water damage. Water damage is not covered under the warranty and Samsung will reject your claim. Some people have mentioned that they will do a one-time replacement for water damage, but why risk it.
The bootloader is locked so you cannot flash custom ROMs. You can flash TouchWiz-based ROMs with SafeStrap, but that's it.
You cannot use Kies to update the phone, you have to use Odin to flash stock firmware, and stock recovery to flash OTA updates.
Once you update from 4.2.2 to 4.3 or 4.4.2 you cannot downgrade to a previous version of Android, the locked bootloader prevents you from doing so.
Other than that just search for answers to your questions, it's all here in the forums.
The phones are already running 4.4 as that is how they were delivered. My assumption is/was that ATT doesn't or can't push any updates as the SIM is pegged to a SG3 device on their system side but that I could do home WiFI (not ATT) connected updates including apps from Google store.
At least that is how my Samsung tablets work
Perhaps too many assumptions on my part
xdafly said:
The phones are already running 4.4 as that is how they were delivered. My assumption is/was that ATT doesn't or can't push any updates as the SIM is pegged to a SG3 device on their system side but that I could do home WiFI (not ATT) connected updates including apps from Google store.
At least that is how my Samsung tablets work
Perhaps too many assumptions on my part
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have an AT&T sim card in the phone then you will receive AT&T updates. Also, the updates will only download over WiFi, presumably because their so large and AT&T didn't want to take up bandwidth on their towers.
Devo7v said:
If you have an AT&T sim card in the phone then you will receive AT&T updates. Also, the updates will only download over WiFi, presumably because their so large and AT&T didn't want to take up bandwidth on their towers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just received 2 more unlocked, unrooted, ATT SGH-i537 SG4A phones, completely ATT stock image.
They are running Android 4.3 I537UCUBML2 and both find just fine the ATT update file, 444 MB using System Update.
After download, they reboot, start Update process and fail at 29 percent *Update failed* but no other diagnostics.
So, these can not be updated via Kies and can not be updated via ATT WIFI Update.
What next ? Would a manual Stock recovery update make it worse ? I have the I537UCUCNE3 file sitting on a microSD card. Just contemplating what may be best as these are still under full warranty.
Don't need root, just wanted to update to 4.4

Updating unlocked ATT Galaxy S5 now on T-mobile network

I assume my idea would work but here is the issue:
My wife has an unlocked ATT Galaxy S5 that we are now using on T-Mobile. Obviously she can't get the recent security updates and marshmallow when it comes out. I don't really want to go the odin route with her phone and risk our marriage (lol) with wiping her data. If I put a sim card from ATT from a friend in her phone, it should then allow it to receive updates correct? I assume our old sim card, which is not associated with a number on the ATT network would not work.
I'm not sure. I'm on AT&T and I can't get the last two or three updates to even register on my phone. Usually someone uploads an OTA zip that you can boot into recovery mode and install, but the latest ones have been neglected. Hopefully someone with more knowledge of the situation can give you a better answer, though.
I'm currently using Net 10 service on my Att S5 active and seem to get OTA updates.
Pajar0913 said:
I'm currently using Net 10 service on my Att S5 active and seem to get OTA updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmmmm that's interesting. Maybe, then, we don't need to worry about them coming eventually.
Unfortunately not seeing the Marshmallow update via my ATT S5 running on T-Mobile. The phone says it is "up to date"......
Redhawk2000 said:
Unfortunately not seeing the Marshmallow update via my ATT S5 running on T-Mobile. The phone says it is "up to date"......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. It's really a bit of a shame. I'm thinking of selling line on swappa just to turn around and buy the t-mobile variant so I can root
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If I can I'm going to try a friends att sim card in it to see if it can then download it.
If you throw an AT&T sim in, make sure its from an android device with LTE. Cruise the web a little a make a phone call. reboot after 15 minutes so AT&T's systems recognize your model and software before trying the software update.
Although the best bet would be taking it either to a AT&T service center or a Samsung shop in Best Buy, they can flash the update for you w/o wiping it
you can backup the device with Samsung smart switch on a laptop and keep most of everything just in case anything happens.
Flash PA2 firmware through ODIN and then these through recovery:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/att...les-tested-update-to-marshmallow-ph2-t3450223

Unlocked vs Sprint Galaxy Note 8

Can the unlocked Note 8 have access to Sprint's High Performance User Equipment (HPUE)
Can anybody answer quick, in same dilemma, prob goin to get the unlocked cause can flash sprint stuff backon and g-d forbid sprint is taken over by tmobile or someone else the phone can just be simmed to the new carrier, no new 900$ phone
MakinMoney said:
Can the unlocked Note 8 have access to Sprint's High Performance User Equipment (HPUE)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Online specs say yes...some users have had 4g+ speeds
Hardware is same...if you have issues firmware wise, unlocked can be flashed to Sprint firmware and you will get updates from Sprint...I've tested this and even model number changed
Can I flash unlocked software on a carrier phone. I bought the Sprint variant because I wanted to avoid all the BS and now I think I'll be going over to At&t in a month and obviously would like to take my phone. I thought flashing unlocked firmware would trip Knox and really don't want to F that up.
I just tried to order from sammy site and the damm promotion for the card/charger ended last sunday, had to call them and complain that their system was down during last weekend and now i have a ticket # hoping to get the promo code when i order, there site said the promo for note 7 owners is til 10-3 but in tiny print the other is til 9-24, ****ty
TeCKNeiC said:
Can I flash unlocked software on a carrier phone. I bought the Sprint variant because I wanted to avoid all the BS and now I think I'll be going over to At&t in a month and obviously would like to take my phone. I thought flashing unlocked firmware would trip Knox and really don't want to F that up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can flash unlocked firmware on carrier device. Flashing factory official firmware does not trip knox...only custom flashing does

Question CARRIER SAYS PHONE IS LOCKED BUT IT'S STILL USABLE

So I posted earlier about not getting OTA updates. Turns out apparently my phone is locked by Verizon as both they and Samsung have confirmed. What's weird for me however, is that I can still use my phone. I don't get any regional lock errors when I place my new simcard in. It works perfectly actually. Only problem I'm having is with the OTA updates. Does anyone know if it's possible to have your phone locked by a carrier but still be able to use it? If so, is it possible to unlock the phone without going through Verizon's 60 day period of network use? Looking online, all these sites keep talking about sending an unlock code. My phone doesn't request one so don't know what to do.
aliasajm said:
So I posted earlier about not getting OTA updates. Turns out apparently my phone is locked by Verizon as both they and Samsung have confirmed. What's weird for me however, is that I can still use my phone. I don't get any regional lock errors when I place my new simcard in. It works perfectly actually. Only problem I'm having is with the OTA updates. Does anyone know if it's possible to have your phone locked by a carrier but still be able to use it? If so, is it possible to unlock the phone without going through Verizon's 60 day period of network use? Looking online, all these sites keep talking about sending an unlock code. My phone doesn't request one so don't know what to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
I'm not an expert on this but I did see this (for S20 but looks a similar situation):
Sim unlocked but OTA updates not
Hello everyone. I just bought what I thought it was an unlocked S20 Ultra over the internet and, nevertheless my sim card form my country works well (Im from México) the OTA updates dont work. The last security update it has is from March 2020...
forum.xda-developers.com
Mike
MikeChannon said:
Hi
I'm not an expert on this but I did see this (for S20 but looks a similar situation):
Sim unlocked but OTA updates not
Hello everyone. I just bought what I thought it was an unlocked S20 Ultra over the internet and, nevertheless my sim card form my country works well (Im from México) the OTA updates dont work. The last security update it has is from March 2020...
forum.xda-developers.com
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply Sir. I looked into it and yeah that is my exact issue. So I'll just go with the option to flash the latest update. What I wanted to know now is, since I've missed SOOOOOOO many of the previous new software updates, should I just fast forward to the latest or start one at a time?
Mine's also the Verizon model. I can't find the firmware update for SM-G998U but I read somewhere that it's alright to flash the SM-G998U1 Verizon update. Only problem is I'll lose all my data. Do you happen to know anything about that?
aliasajm said:
Thanks for the reply Sir. I looked into it and yeah that is my exact issue. So I'll just go with the option to flash the latest update. What I wanted to know now is, since I've missed SOOOOOOO many of the previous new software updates, should I just fast forward to the latest or start one at a time?
Mine's also the Verizon model. I can't find the firmware update for SM-G998U but I read somewhere that it's alright to flash the SM-G998U1 Verizon update. Only problem is I'll lose all my data. Do you happen to know anything about that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I don't know but maybe someone in this Galaxy S21 Ultra forum will know.
Mike
Thanks for the help

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