Samsung S23 Ultra won't update, any suggestions?

Jon_01

S23 Ultra on EE, hasn't ever updated. 

OS and security patches are from Jan this year.

One UI is on 6.1, Android is v14

Updating though the option in settings says no updates. There are, it should be on One UI 8 and Android 16.

Updated all apps, nothing.

Rebooted, nothing.

Booted in safe mode, no.

Tried the Samsung Smart Switch program, no option there to update.

The CSC code is correct for EE (EVR).

Tried EE 'tech support' they have no idea...

Can anyone suggest something I've not tried?

Thanks.

Vitor

 - Can anyone suggest something I've not tried -

Backup and factory reset

flaneurs_lobster

Could you post the full 'Service provider software version' string.

Uriziel

What makes you think there is an update? Because you saw a YouTube video saying Android 16 is out?
Older phones get the new update later. Unless you are extremely sure that your phone is meant to have this update and it has definitely been released because a verified source is telling you that your phone has this you are not going to get the update.

This is from Google:
The Android 16 (One UI 8) update for the S23 Ultra was released in late September 2025 but is currently on hold due to a rollout pause. While the update initially began rolling out to devices, Samsung has temporarily suspended it, and it is unclear when the rollout will resume. 

flaneurs_lobster

The phone is on Android 14, would a hold on the Android 16 rollout stop the phone going from 14 to 15?

Is this a refurb that's been sat somewhere for a year and not powered on?

glennevis

Uriziel said:

What makes you think there is an update? Because you saw a YouTube video saying Android 16 is out?
Older phones get the new update later. Unless you are extremely sure that your phone is meant to have this update and it has definitely been released because a verified source is telling you that your phone has this you are not going to get the update.

This is from Google:
The Android 16 (One UI 8) update for the S23 Ultra was released in late September 2025 but is currently on hold due to a rollout pause. While the update initially began rolling out to devices, Samsung has temporarily suspended it, and it is unclear when the rollout will resume. 

There was a posting yesterday
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81701693#Comment_81701693
The OP had upgraded to android 16 and One UI 8 and it broke biometrics.

My research suggests that there have been a number of reported problems, so it's no wonder Samsung have halted the update until they root out (pun intended) the cause.

Jon_01

flaneurs_lobster said:

The phone is on Android 14, would a hold on the Android 16 rollout stop the phone going from 14 to 15?

Is this a refurb that's been sat somewhere for a year and not powered on?

Bought new in Feb/March this year for my wife.  Been used every day since.  I only found out this week, it's not been updating !

Jon_01

glennevis said:

Uriziel said:

What makes you think there is an update? Because you saw a YouTube video saying Android 16 is out?
Older phones get the new update later. Unless you are extremely sure that your phone is meant to have this update and it has definitely been released because a verified source is telling you that your phone has this you are not going to get the update.

This is from Google:
The Android 16 (One UI 8) update for the S23 Ultra was released in late September 2025 but is currently on hold due to a rollout pause. While the update initially began rolling out to devices, Samsung has temporarily suspended it, and it is unclear when the rollout will resume. 

There was a posting yesterday
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81701693#Comment_81701693
The OP had upgraded to android 16 and One UI 8 and it broke biometrics.

My research suggests that there have been a number of reported problems, so it's no wonder Samsung have halted the update until they root out (pun intended) the cause.

Interesting... But doesn't explain why it didn't update to Android 17/One UI 7 around the middle of the year? Or why it's never had a security update??

MattMattMattUK

Jon_01 said:

glennevis said:

Uriziel said:

What makes you think there is an update? Because you saw a YouTube video saying Android 16 is out?
Older phones get the new update later. Unless you are extremely sure that your phone is meant to have this update and it has definitely been released because a verified source is telling you that your phone has this you are not going to get the update.

This is from Google:
The Android 16 (One UI 8) update for the S23 Ultra was released in late September 2025 but is currently on hold due to a rollout pause. While the update initially began rolling out to devices, Samsung has temporarily suspended it, and it is unclear when the rollout will resume. 

There was a posting yesterday
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81701693#Comment_81701693
The OP had upgraded to android 16 and One UI 8 and it broke biometrics.

My research suggests that there have been a number of reported problems, so it's no wonder Samsung have halted the update until they root out (pun intended) the cause.

Interesting... But doesn't explain why it didn't update to Android 17/One UI 7 around the middle of the year? Or why it's never had a security update??

Who did you buy it from?

Can you post the answer to Lobster's message, it might be a grey import or provider locked.

Jon_01

flaneurs_lobster said:

Could you post the full 'Service provider software version' string.

Sure, SAOMC-SM-918B_OXM_EUX_14_0185 EUX/-/EUX/EVR

Jon_01

MattMattMattUK said:

Jon_01 said:

glennevis said:

Uriziel said:

What makes you think there is an update? Because you saw a YouTube video saying Android 16 is out?
Older phones get the new update later. Unless you are extremely sure that your phone is meant to have this update and it has definitely been released because a verified source is telling you that your phone has this you are not going to get the update.

This is from Google:
The Android 16 (One UI 8) update for the S23 Ultra was released in late September 2025 but is currently on hold due to a rollout pause. While the update initially began rolling out to devices, Samsung has temporarily suspended it, and it is unclear when the rollout will resume. 

There was a posting yesterday
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81701693#Comment_81701693
The OP had upgraded to android 16 and One UI 8 and it broke biometrics.

My research suggests that there have been a number of reported problems, so it's no wonder Samsung have halted the update until they root out (pun intended) the cause.

Interesting... But doesn't explain why it didn't update to Android 17/One UI 7 around the middle of the year? Or why it's never had a security update??

Who did you buy it from?

Can you post the answer to Lobster's message, it might be a grey import or provider locked.

Bought from a dealer, sealed box and phone in shrink.  Branded EE.

Posted the service provider info.