• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Need to update from 5.1.1 but am a bit confused...

Jul 29, 2011
55
20
Hello All,

I have an unlocked ATT Note 4 which I use with my T Mobile account. I realized that Chase's app, for example, won't work unless I update to something 6. or newer for security reasons.

I went to settings:aboutdevice:search for updates, etc, but there are none on the ATT server it says... and I have T Mobile remember.

How can I go about downloading an update for this thing? Can I do it on a PC from some site and then install it from there via USB? Lastly, what should I be running???

Thanks in advance!

Andy
 
Android version upgrades get determined by the manufacturers and the carriers, not by the latest version available. If your carrier isn't providing you with a newer OTA upgrade that leaves you with very few options. An even more limiting factor in your case is you have an AT&T model, with AT&T being very stingy about making ROMs for their phones freely available (something you noticed in your search, it's not just a Note 4 matter). But the bottom line is older Android phones tend to be left unsupported so upgrading the firmware is either a hobbyist/tinkerer's project or a matter of just buying something newer(er).

You might want to try and install Samsung's Smart Switch utility and see if that will allow you to upgrade your SM-N910A. Not likely given the circumstances but something to try. And it provides you with a good way to at least create a backup of your phone.
https://www.samsung.com/us/smart-switch/
A last resort option is to root your Note 4 and then flash a non-stock, third-party ROM (flashing stock ROMs on your Note do not require rooting, custom ROMs do). Although that's also an issue though too depending on the availability of custom ROMs for your model.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dannydet
Upvote 0
AT&T is stingy with their software and updates.
The easiest way to receive a Software update for a AT&T Samsung is to borrow someone's AT&T Sim card, reboot the phone, then check for the update.
AT&T doesn't release their software so unless someone makes a leaked copy available or captured the OTA zip files that you can install through the stock recovery, not much you can do.
Not sure if the Samsung reps at Best Buy are still flashing AT&T updates but if one of their stores are nearby, worth checking out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: svim
Upvote 0
AT&T is stingy with their software and updates.
The easiest way to receive a Software update for a AT&T Samsung is to borrow someone's AT&T Sim card, reboot the phone, then check for the update.
AT&T doesn't release their software so unless someone makes a leaked copy available or captured the OTA zip files that you can install through the stock recovery, not much you can do.
Not sure if the Samsung reps at Best Buy are still flashing AT&T updates but if one of their stores are nearby, worth checking out.

Forgive me if this is a dumb question, but since I have T Mobile as a provider, can I get them or get an update from them somehow? The phone was originally an ATT, but I bought it unlocked and threw in my sim card when my original Note 4 died after 4 years
 
Upvote 0
Upvote 0
Sorry for the ambiguous phrasing. Yes, that answers it exactly. I didn't want to purchase another phone and run into the same issue of being unable to update it. Thanks again for all of your help!

Avoid any carrier customised variant phones in the future, such as AT&T apparently? Although I've never seen or had to deal with US carrier version phones of course.
 
Upvote 0
Deffi
Avoid any carrier customised variant phones in the future, such as AT&T apparently? Although I've never seen or had to deal with US carrier version phones of course.
Definitely. My last experience with a carrier branded phone was a AT&T S5 Active. Locked bootloader and their control over software had me swear, never again.
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones