topic Re: Firmware update does not work on mobile data in Pay Monthly

Firmware update does not work on mobile data

Loblyk — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 07:48:01 GMT

I got a SIM only deal that has 20GB of data, I barely use it. However, the other day whilst I was around town I got a notification of a firmware update for my phone, an android S22 Ultra SIM free with no association to any network. I tried to download the firmware but I could not. The phone says that I should wait for a wifi connection.

Is this a restriction from O2? Has anyone had this problem with downloading firmware?

Re: Firmware update does not work on mobile data

pgn — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 08:10:55 GMT

A firmware update can be quite sizeable, so the manufacturer errs on the side of caution. Imagine what would happen if, 70% through, you ran out of data allowance (bad download, possibly bricked phone, etc), @Loblyk

You are perfectly entitled to proceed, "caveat emptor".

Re: Firmware update does not work on mobile data

Loblyk — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 09:18:46 GMT

Thanks for the reply.

I understand the logic of what you explained, but even if the firmware is downloaded partially, it would not start updating until the phone is told to do so. The downloading could not brick the phone, that would happened if a corrupt downloaded firmware is flash to the phone. I assume that before a firmware is flashed into the phone the update system will do some integrity check and abort the process if not passed. Otherwise someone might even flash a firmware for the wrong device.

I agree with you that firmware can be sizeable, but 20 GB should more than plenty for any firmware and my problem is that I could not proceed to download the firmware.

I could not find any logical option on my mobile for stopping this. So, I was thinking that O2 has some restrictions on downloading firmwares. Do you know how I could proceed to download the firmware if I wish to do so?

Re: Firmware update does not work on mobile data

pgn — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 09:47:24 GMT

Looks like you're restricted to ota updates via WiFi only in the Samsung S22 model, @Loblyk - see this article from Samsung website here (which is about the Note, but talks to your S22 model further down the response):

https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/galaxy-note20-series/how-to-download-updates-without-wifi/td-p/5733733

Re: Firmware update does not work on mobile data

Loblyk — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 09:55:05 GMT

Thanks again for your reply. I have been to those threads and several searches. I have tried different workarounds but all suggestions were already enable on my phone. I will see if I can check with a different mobile to see if it is SIM or phone issue.

Re: Firmware update does not work on mobile data

pgn — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 10:40:53 GMT

It looks, based on my link above, to be specific to the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra - but if you wish to try the SIM Swap to see if it works on a different carrier, that would be an interesting test, @Loblyk:

Me? Assuming I had a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, I'd go take a leisurely coffee in Costa or somewhere, latch to their customer WiFi for a while, and catch up on the news and have a nice coffee and a piece of Millionaire's Shortbread to boot, whilst letting my phone download the OTA update on WiFi 😂

Re: Firmware update does not work on mobile data

jonsie — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 13:03:38 GMT

My Samsung won't download updates unless on wifi. This is a manufacturer restriction, I'm on EE with this phone, and I have found no way of by-passing this

I have 150GB available and downloads of 100+Mbs so I can only presume it's a restriction to prevent any download error to stop corruption due to any interuption of the download

But there again, that's only my theory...

Re: Firmware update does not work on mobile data

Loblyk — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 12:11:57 GMT

@Breanna

How is this case marked with a solution? It is not a solution.

@pgn @jonsie

Thank you for your input. However, it is not a restriction from the phone. O2 is imposing the restriction. I had to wait for the new firmware release to do further testing. It finally came around the 200MB. I tried on two phones, mine and my partner's. I was not able to download the firmware. I got the same message to connect to wifi.

I tried an EE SIM and the firmware was downloaded faster that I could say download. So the phone does download firmware via mobile data. The restriction is imposed by O2.

So the question is why O2 is restricting the download of the firmware.

Re: Firmware update does not work on mobile data

Breanna — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 12:27:31 GMT

Thanks for giving us an update @Loblyk. Great info to have.

Re: Firmware update does not work on mobile data

2btb — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 05:38:59 GMT

@Loblyk - did you manage to get this resolved? Doesn't look like it based on the last feedback on this thread. I've got the same issue affecting my S22 Ultra. My Note10+ does not have the same restriction so curious as to why O2 chose to restrict the S22 line. As expected, I got nowhere with O2 customer service so reached out directly to Samsung support who confirmed that it is O2 who impose the restriction.

O2 should let users decide if they want to use their data for OTA updates rather than impose a universal outright block. Even if it means one or two pop-up messages asking for confirmation before allowing the download!

Re: Firmware update does not work on mobile data

pgn — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 07:05:41 GMT

It could be the manufacturer, as O2 stopped putting custom firmware on phones sold by them back in 2018 or thereabouts, @2btb

https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/galaxy-s22-series/samsung-galaxy-s-ultra-gt-software-updates-not-available-over/td-p/5089225

So check the Samsung boards to seek a workaround, if any.

Good luck!

Re: Firmware update does not work on mobile data

Loblyk — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 08:15:35 GMT

@2btb

No, I have not got anywhere with O2. Their customer support is appalling. They keep blaming Samsung. The situation is simple, my phone a S22 Ultra with an EE SIM cards downloads the firmware within seconds. As soon as the O2 SIM is inserted all hell breaks loose.

The level of knowledge from their customer support is none. They are pretty much useless. Beware of their recommendation, which will make you reset your network settings and mess your phone and will remain without a solution.

Calling O2’s customer support is literally a waste of time. I will definitely change network at the end of my contract. So far dealing with O2 has been torturous. My O2 keeps showing the wrong date of birth even though O2 tells me that they have the right one on records.

I got a 20GB plan which I can barely use. Their mobile data speed is painfully slow, whether using 4G or 5G, in the city centre, I am not referring to some isolated location in a rural area.

Their integration with wearable is as appalling. The smart watch can only receive/make calls if the phone is connected to the network, which defeats the whole purpose of a second device. If you phone ran out battery, it is on plane mode or any reason for it not to be connected to the network, the watch won’t work.

Indeed, they should allow us to use our data as we see it fit. What is the point of having a large data plan if it cannot be used.

Re: Firmware update does not work on mobile data

Loblyk — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 08:23:13 GMT

It is not a manufacturer issue, all works as it is meant to do with an EE SIM card. If it were a manufacturer issue, it would not work with any SIM card.

Re: Firmware update does not work on mobile data

pgn — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 12:16:23 GMT

Reading support forums, T-Mobile allows updates to S22 Ultra over mobile data, AT&T does not.

And your experience is EE in the UK allows the update to proceed on their mobile data network.

Have you tried it on O2's 4G or 3G rather than 5G, @Loblyk?

Or this:

Go to Settings >>

Search for "Wifi" in the settings search bar >> tap on wifi

Tap on advanced settings then toggle on "Switch to mobile data automatically" (use mobile data when wi-fi has no internet access.)

Enable this option.

Once enabled, swipe down from the top of the phone and turn off wifi and download the update.

Failing that, it looks as if O2 fall into the AT&T camp wrt to ota updates of S22 Ultra 5G phones - do it on WiFi only, not over the cellular network using mobile data.

Not much else to do, I guess 🤷