Updates though network providers

[Brooklin]

Hey Samsung Members! Love yall and Happy new years eve.

If anyone here is using a phone on a finished phone contract, how do updates work? Does the network providers you bought the phone off still provide updates for your phone or is it transfered back to Samaung/Apple? 

I'd love to know as I am using a S24 Ultra on contract and don't think I'm going to upgrade phones anytime soon (S25 Ultra doesn't catch my attention 😕 )

[lminvti]

Hi @Brooklin, have a happy New years Eve 👍

Typically, by the end of your contract (10-40 days before ending), your network provider has to inform you could be via post, email, phone call, etc, to check if you still want to stay with their network, offer deals and so on as if you stay you will be paying for new sim plan as your device will be paid, or you can choose to switch networks or upgrade. You will still receive all regular updates as usual even if you switch or or stay with same network till your device is no longer eligible for updates. You can find a bit more here:
https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/guides/end-of-contract-notifications-broadband-and-mobile/

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi @Brooklin 

Software and security patches are always sent by Samsung. Some networks however ask Samsung to hold off on sending them out to network supplied phone's so they can test it. 

[Brooklin]

Yeah ik but is that the same after the Contract is fully paid off or do they just send the update right to those who've finished paying

[keith30]

I'm with O2 and normally when your contract expires they usually ask you if you want to upgrade or keep the same device but on less fee to pay for the air time only as the device fee part would have been pay off in full. Just leaves you paying for the air time like phone calls, texts etc

[Brooklin]

Yeah I gathered as much however are the updates for the phone still provided by O2 or are they done via Samsung?

[keith30]

You'll still receive updates as they come straight from Samsung.

[Brooklin]

Alright. I just never understand what happened with that as while on the contract updates are provided though the network providers bit with their own twists.