Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Any way to get updates on note 8 purchased from AT&T?

Dec 28, 2014 10:24AM PST

I love my Samsung products. I'm on my second smart phone from Samsung. I also bought the Note 8 when I purchased my Note 3. At&t loaded even more crap on both devices.
The Note 8 is still running 4.1.2 software. The battery drains very fast. Airplane mode is my only savior.
It came with over 6 GBS already filled up.
I have managed to disable or uninstall a few apps I have no use for. I would really like to be able to control what is on my device. I paid for it. ( I will never buy through a carrier again. )
Any chance someone can lean on At&t and get my update?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Remember this is/was well discussed.
Dec 29, 2014 1:58AM PST

So I'll skip the pleasantries and head for what some do. They jump ship and look up XDA Developer Forums to see if other firmwares are out. Most are what some call True Android without the bloatware.
Bob

- Collapse -
Thanks, another reminder not to buy from carrier.
Dec 29, 2014 3:31AM PST

I made the mistake of getting the Note 8 at the carrier (AT&T ). I should rephrase. I bought the Note 3 phone all cash up front and the carrier GAVE me the note 8 with cellular. So I really have no reason to complain other than the $10 a month I pay on my share plan. I have tried rooting more than once, the last time this week. They fail, I'm convinced, because AT&T locked the boot loader.
Then they forgot they sold a bunch of these tablets to customers. It took 6 months to get the Note 3 update. At&t is still screwing around with the 4.4.4 update to make their added crapware work with it.
My fall back is to harass them in person, which I will do this week.

Sorry I didn't take the direct route as you did. Typical woman, venting with no expectation of a solution.
Thanks anyway.

- Collapse -
I'd head back to XDA one more time
Dec 29, 2014 3:37AM PST

I recall discussions about locked boot loaders and more.

But back to ATT. EVERY carrier I know has months to year long delays and some NEVER release an update. Why this is, is pretty well discussed and while I have been in meetings about this (not ATT but some Rogers' folk in Canada) when it comes to consumers they don't want to know why but just want it now.

For this reason I like the Google Nexus line.
Bob

- Collapse -
Nexus is next..
Dec 31, 2014 11:17AM PST

Agreed. I've been looking at the Nexus as an alternate. But the Note is a beautiful screen and I use the S pen.

As luck would have it...
I called AT&T and the next morning when i turned on the tablet it started the update.
My tablet is running better than even. Not all is forgiven, but I am distracted again by the shiny screen for now.