Should I Update or Can I update?

[MandiB2010]

I just got a Thunderbolt. Admittedly, I bought a used one. I'm also a newbie to updates and such on my own. My last phone was the original Droid and I was happy with it for what features I made use of.

Everything really is working good, except I don't have visual voicemail, can't figure out what to do or how to get it, but I guess I can live without it.

I was wondering about updating to Gingerbread. Seems to be a lot of complaints. I definitely don't want a decline in performance by any means.

The thing is...my phone is running software number 1.66.605.2, baseband version 1.39.00.0508w, 0.01.69.0510w_3

I read on the HTC site and it states I have to be running  1.70.605.0 or 2.11.605.3 to update to GB via the OTA route

When I check for upgrades through the software settings on my phone, it says there are none available. I found a way online to update to the 1.70.605.0, but I see a lot of complaints. I'm unsure if my phone will automatically then be prepared for an OTA update to GB or if it is another I will have to do manually. Seems like a lot of work if I have to download it on my computer and transfer it on my own as well...especially if it isn't worth it.

Because of the way I found online to update to 1.70.605.0, it is a large file and I'm scared of it slowing down my phone.

Can anyone tell me if all this time I'm putting into trying to update is worth it and if I am going about it the right way and/or what to expect.

[Wildman · Accepted solution]

If you want to update you need to install 2.11.605.5 to be on the latest build, if you cant get the official release pushed to your device just do a search for 2.11.605.5 Official RUU since your device isnt under warrenty anyway and install it.

In my opinion this method is safer than having the update pushed and take a chance of having a corrupt update file.

[PJNC284]

yeah, looks like whoever had it before installed the initial leaked MR2 update so the manual install is pretty much the only way. 

[MandiB2010]

I hope this isn't overlooked...I'll need an additional answer.

Will I still need the 1.70.605.0 first or can I go straight from my current software to the newest?

[Wildman]

If you have the latest firmware you should be able to flash it without doing anything else, as long as you have the official update not a modified version..

[MandiB2010]

Now I feel dumb and confused. I'm assuming I don't have the latest firmware since I'm running an outdated software, but I really have no clue. How do I find out?

[Wildman]

Sorry, basicaially I meant the RUU that you are going to install...   Installing from a RUU is a bit diffrent than from the OTA, as long as you have the 2.11.605.5 Official RUU it can be installed without having to upgrade the software on the device.

The best suggestion i can give to you is to make sure you read the instructions completely and any questions should be directed to the developer that released the installation file you have...   You should be good without installing any other updates before the 2.11.605.5 update.

I normally do not encourage users to go this route because it can be against TOS (Terms of Service) but I believe as long as you research the file you should be ok...

[PJNC284]

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MandiB2010 wrote:

Now I feel dumb and confused. I'm assuming I don't have the latest firmware since I'm running an outdated software, but I really have no clue. How do I find out?

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You may want to post this topic at one of the other forums like Android Central since we're kind of limited on what we can say here and anyone here that's actually from Verizon most likely won't be of any help since you're on unofficial firmware.   The RUU method is fairly straight forward and you should be able to find the file you need by googling "thunderbolt 605.5" and using the droid-life or android police link. Then you'll be back in line with what Verizon officially supports.

[MandiB2010]

nevermind. I found my own answer for that part. Thanks for the help.

I hope all this is worth it. I'm satisfied with the phone so far...except the visual voicemail & I knew from the start the battery wouldn't last so I can't be disappointed about that.