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wearywillie's profile

Tutor

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6 Messages

Tuesday, May 28th, 2019 7:17 PM

Device Software Update: Samsung Galaxy S5 Active (SM-G870A)

I have a used unlocked S5A that I'd like to upgrade to marshmallow. I purchased a prepaid talk and text plan and sim which is activated and paid for. Requests to update the software are still met with "your software is up to date". It's at 5.1.1. Do I have to be in an area of the US with an active phone connection as well as a wireless data connection. My plan has no data. I live in Canada. I have a cottage in Point Roberts which has a very weak ATT cell service although it is OK for messaging.  I thought I knew what the base requirements are for updating. What am I missing?

Accepted Solution

Official Solution

ACE - Sage

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116.4K Messages

5 years ago

You will need a data plan and reliable WiFi connection.  Unfortunately, there is no way to assure you will get an update that should have come almost 3 years ago.  

https://www.att.com/devicehowto/tutorial.html#!/stepbystep/id/stepbystep_KM1135275?make=Samsung&model=GalaxyS5G900A&gsi=ep51ff

ACE - Sage

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116.4K Messages

5 years ago

Sorry, but At&t won’t even have the update in the server anymore.  

@GLIMMERMAN76 any ideas or is he on his own. 

 

ACE - Expert

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23.9K Messages

5 years ago

@wearywillie 

 

@lizdance40 could be right.  BUT you do need a data plan and to be on WiFi for a update do work.

ACE - Sage

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116.4K Messages

5 years ago

I’m pretty sure the OP must be in the USA and I think that the OP is still in Canada.

 

Tutor

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6 Messages

5 years ago

Yes I am in Canada but just 30 minutes from the US so I can drive there to
do this. Do I need wifi and or cell data to do this or can I update in the
US over the air with just my prepaid talk and text plan?
Thanks, Daryl

Tutor

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6 Messages

5 years ago

My S5 is a G870A. Not sure what difference that makes. Still, since I have
the active plan, I think I'll drive down to Blaine to see if the update can
be done. I don't think there's technically any reason why ATT couldn't do a
software update OTA to a phone with no data plan. All the facilities to do
this are under their control. Why would they want to diminish the value of
equipment they owned and are now reselling? Of course I'll let you know of
anything achieved.

Thanks again, Daryl.

Tutor

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6 Messages

5 years ago

As of June 3 2018 it is still on the server. I bought and activated an AT&T
$30 prepaid talk and text plan with no data. I bought the plan online from
AT&T and had it shipped to Point Roberts. I was able to activate the plan
and sim from Canada using just an internet connection on my desktop
connection.
I went back to Point Roberts Wa which has very weak AT&T service ( their
coverage map shows 'none') I swapped in the AT&T sim and connected the
phone to WiFi. When I requested a software update it started to download
and 907 Mb later I now have Marshmallow (6.0.1) So yes Virginia, there is a
Santa Claus. Thanks to lizdance40 for pointing me to AT&T's device support
pages. Just go to ATT.com and search for g870a.

ACE - Sage

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116.4K Messages

5 years ago

Nice!  Hope you got some sight seeing in to.  

Tutor

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6 Messages

5 years ago

Actually I got my small sailboat cleaned up and ready to take some young
friends cruising in the San Juan and Canadian gulf islands so a very
productive day,thanks

Contributor

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2 Messages

5 years ago

So my phone is a galaxy s5 active . It tell me that I have the latest operating system but I don't. I have 4.4.4 or somethkng.    4 I had the phone sitting in my dresser from 2015 untillb%*"by&jhJrhhhe

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