Samsung S23 Ultra won't update, any suggestions?

JSmithy45AD

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??

16, not 17 (unless you mean 15?). The S23 Ultra update wasn't released until this September and has an issue on Samsungs, so has been held for now. They tend to release in batches rather than all at once to ease congestion, by the sounds of it you've been lucky (especially if you use it for banking and authorisation apps). Wait until they've sorted the problems out.

Meanwhile I would first try the factory reset.

Jon_01

JSmithy45AD 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??

16, not 17 (unless you mean 15?). The S23 Ultra update wasn't released until this September and has an issue on Samsungs, so has been held for now. They tend to release in batches rather than all at once to ease congestion, by the sounds of it you've been lucky (especially if you use it for banking and authorisation apps). Wait until they've sorted the problems out.

Meanwhile I would first try the factory reset.

Yes, sorry, 15 not 16... Posted before second coffee this morning... Never a good idea!

It should have updated to 15 mid year, yet nothing. And, no security update ever??

MattMattMattUK

Does the Google Play system update show a recent update? The current version is 1 September 2025. Can you post the Build Number as well? Both are on the same page that shows the Android version in settings. 

Jon_01

MattMattMattUK said:

Does the Google Play system update show a recent update? The current version is 1 September 2025. Can you post the Build Number as well? Both are on the same page that shows the Android version in settings. 

Shows 1st Sept.

Build UP1A.231005.007.S918BXXS7CXL2

I'm leaving for a work thing in a few minutes, I won't be able to reply until Saturday now.  Thanks for all the help so far.