My S21 ultra hasn't received a software update since 2023

[Chikn]

I have had the s21 ultra for several years and I have never been able to update past one ui 5.0 and Android 13. Every time I scan for new updates it says that my software is up to date even though the software information clearly indicates otherwise. Even Samsung smart switch doesn't acknowledge this. I checked compatibility and it says that the s21 ultra will even support one ui 7. Is there a simple way of fixing this?

[Piper123]

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

Your device is most likely not from the region you're in.

Where did you buy your device (retailer) and which country are you in?

[Sonora]

I just received second May security OneUI 7 patch (350 MB) and Google Play System May patch (101 MB) on my S21 ultra 

[Chikn]

I bought the phone second hand from cex and I'm in the UK. I did a bit of research and I have the snapdragon version which I think is the US one if that helps.

[johnz237]

Settings- About phone- Software information- Service provider software version- what does it say? If it doesnt match your region thats why

As you said you got it from CEX and may be US version- samsung phones are region locked, meaning you wont get updates. You could try on smart switch on a pc but I doubt it. Thats the sad reality sometimes

[Chikn]

Yep it's definitely the US one thanks for the help though

[johnz237]

Sad yeah- not much you can do. I would suggest looking at trying smart switch on a pc

[arianwen27]

That'd explain why you aren't getting updates. American phones won't receive updates out of the US (usually).

A solution I've seen is to get a pay as you go american sim card, put it in your phone once a month to update. You can also use a pc and smart switch to update. It might won't work, meaning you'd have to do an emergency update with smart switch, which wipes your data