AT&T is rolling out a new firmware update for the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus, weighing in at 480MB and pushing the build number to G950USQU2BQK5 and G955USQU2BQK5, respectively. The new firmware comes is still based on Android 7.0 Nougat and ships with the November security patch, improves some existing features while introducing new ones, and also includes the BlueBorne fix for units running the September patch.
According to the official changelog, the latest update adds support for a new Mobile Hotspot APN and includes an HDR API for DirectTV, while providing various other minor improvements and bug fixes such as a patch for the BlueBorne vulnerability targeting virtually every Bluetooth-enabled device. As for what existing features are being changed, the network performance and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) experience has been enhanced, as a Factory Data Reset will no longer be required to bring a device onto the carrier’s network, and instead users will only need to insert the SIM card and reboot the smartphone. This will also result in the disabling of preloaded apps and services from the previous network carrier, with AT&T’s own apps and features now being loaded prior to the reboot.
AT&T’s latest firmware update for the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus is currently being distributed over the air, meaning that owners of the said device(s) should receive an update notification within the next few days and weeks as the firmware expands gradually, assuming they haven’t already. As usual, eligible Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus owners can also attempt to trigger the update process manually by accessing the main settings screen, navigating to the ‘Software update’ section, and tapping the ‘Check for updates’ button. Regardless of which method will be used, it’s highly advised to download and install the update over an active Wi-Fi network to avoid possible slow transfer rates and extra charges. Lastly, make sure the smartphone has at least fifty percent battery charge left — though a full recharge is the safest way to go — in order to avoid unwanted reboots during the installation process. This should be avoided at all cost as random restarts during firmware updates can lead to various issues and even hard-brick your device.