T-Mobile started distributing the Android 7.0 Nougat update for all Samsung Galaxy Note 5 units on its network on Monday, several users have confirmed. The rollout was initiated shortly after T-Mobile’s Senior Product Manager Desmond Smith confirmed that the third largest wireless carrier in the country approved a new major software upgrade for the Galaxy Note 5, adding how all owners of the device on T-Mobile’s network can expect to receive Nougat over the course of this week. T-Mobile’s build of Android 7.0 Nougat for the Galaxy Note 5 can already be downloaded using the Samsung Smart Switch program, though the company is also expected to start distributing an over-the-air (OTA) software update soon, possibly even today.
Owners of the Galaxy Note 5 who aren’t willing to wait for an update notification to hit their device can install the Samsung Smart Switch program on their computer and update their Android device using a dedicated update manager that ships with Samsung’s software that’s compatible with both Windows and macOS devices. Alternatively, they can also try manually triggering the update by launching the Settings app on their Galaxy Note 5, opening the “About phone” section and tapping the “Download software updates” option on the following screen. The latest software package for the Galaxy Note 5 ships with the March Android security patch and is well over 1GB in size, so make sure you have enough free storage space on your device before you initialize the download. Likewise, those who opt to install the upcoming OTA update should connect their devices to a Wi-Fi network and either plug them into a charger or make sure they have at least 50 percent of battery left before they start the installation process.
Seeing how the Galaxy Note 5 was originally released in 2015 running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, the upgrade to Android 7.0 Nougat is likely the last major software update that this phablet will officially receive. Regardless, the new software package will ensure that the Galaxy Note 5 is running the same software that’s powering Samsung’s latest flagship duo — the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus — and the 2015 device should still continue receiving Android Security Updates over the course of this year.