Galaxy S21 series not receiving new security updates

[Bouncing_Slime]

Hi all,

I bought an S21 Ultra last year and have realized that it's last security update was January 2024, however, when I try to update it's security patch the phone claims to be up to date, ive tried smart switch but that didn't help. I have researched this and have found that my ISP can block updates until they add their own software, I don't know wether that may be the issue? I realize this is a big security risk so I'd like to fix it as soon as I can, does anyone know of a similar issue or a fix? Thanks.

[Piper123]

Hey there and welcome to the Samsung UK and EU Community Forum

It is almost certain that you're device is not from this region.

Which retailer did you buy your device from?

What is your csc code?

Are you in the UK?

[arianwen27]

That device should still be getting updates, just quarterly not monthly.

Since it's over a year out of date, that's definitely an issue.

Now, I've seen this issue before, and you're partially right, 99% it's the cell provider or sim card. Though not for the reason you think.

Decent chance the country the phone is originally from doesn't match the country the sim card is from. That usually makes updates stop. I'll save you the technical explanation as to why but the phone needs to match the sim country for things to work well.

Try to find out the original country of your phone. A serial or IMEI lookup site should tell you that.

Don't post those codes here as I kinda recently found out that's private and not allowed. So I can't look it up for you.

If you do find the phone country is different, get a cheap pay as you go sim for that country, put it in now and again, reboot, update, swap sims back, reboot.

If the phone country matches the sim country. Well then things get annoying and complicated. There is a mostly guaranteed method to force an update, but it wipes your data and involves a computer. That's a last resort as if it goes wrong it goes very wrong

[Bouncing_Slime]

Thanks

[MNas04]

Where did you buy your S21 ultra from? If it's not from the UK. Then it's mostly likely that it was bought outside the UK. It's worth bearing in mind that all S21 series have been updated to Android 15 recently with the most recent security update.

[JSmit2408]

Hi guys, I'm in the UK, bought my phone directly from Samsung and I haven't received an update since last year and no one UI 7 yet. Has the software been released in the UK and if so, any ideas as to why I haven't got it, could it still be rolling out? People are mentioning the CSC code, where do I find it and how is it relevant? Thanks in advance

[JSmit2408]

Update, my phone is csc BTU

[JSmit2408]

I've got an s21 ultra in the UK and I haven't received one UI7, it's it still rolling out or is there something I can do to download the update. My phone is csc BTU A and I've checked for updates?

[Bouncing_Slime]

Its from the US, how would that change my update cycle?

[MNas04]

You bought your device outside the uk region. Which is causing it to not get updates. If it says EUX then it's Uk. Try using Smart Switich to see if any updates are available or use a vpn to see if its helps.