After seeing the update hit BlackBerry Priv units on a number of other carriers, as well as unlocked models, Priv owners on AT&T are finally getting their update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. While the wait was not all that much longer than that of other carriers, it should be taken into account that each different carrier’s Priv has different software that all has to be prepped for the update without losing the security and stability that the BlackBerry Priv is known for and has been sold on. AT&T’s unit in particular included a number of AT&T exclusive apps that had to be retooled to make the jump between Android versions.
The update brings Priv users up to Android version 6.0.1 Marshmallow, with a build number of AAF355, baseband version of MPSS.BO.2.6.2.c2-00007-M8994FAAAANAZM-1.55185.2., and the kernel version 3.10.84-perf-gdf13c1fec_agent@br628cnc #1. The usual bits and bobs of Marshmallow are all here, such as Doze Mode and Google Now On Tap, along with some user interface tweaks and better battery life. The update is a bit on the bare bones side feature-wise, aside from the normal things that one would expect from an update to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow on any handset. This is mostly due to the near-stock implementation of Android featured on the BlackBerry Priv, leaving a very small number of non-stock features to upgrade, improve upon, or add to. Some camera upgrades are on board, and the security patch level is brought up to June 2016.
The update can be taken over the air for AT&T customers, and weighs in at up to 1.4GB depending on which version of Android on the Priv you happen to be coming from. Being such a large update, Wi-Fi is recommended. It can be obtained in the same way as just about any update for stock-ish Android devices, through settings, then “About Phone”, then “System Updates”. As with any other update, if your phone does not pull the update when you ask it to, a reboot may do the trick. As for owners of AT&T-branded Priv units that are unlocked, who got a promise of an update being worked on by BlackBerry, there was unfortunately no official word on availability of this update.