Galaxy Note 4 Android 5.1.1 Update - VZW FAIL

[emlspencer]

I am beyond irritated that as the flagship of exactly one year, Verizon continues to provide less than vague answers as to when we will be receiving this update.  I used to laugh at Sprint as a provider and swore that I'd never consider AT&T again as an option.  However, I have been awaiting Android 5.1.1 since June this year and have watched carries such as Spring and AT&T release 5.1.1 to their customers.  At this point, considering I pay about $125/month, I have been investigating other carriers and their service records and can honestly say, I am considering paying the fee to break my contract with Verizon to receive support and tech that keeps current.  In my estimation, Verizon should be offering credit to those of us that have been waiting months to receive this update to our [removed] devices which haven't worked properly since 5.0.1 was released.  I've been a customer with Verizon for 10+ years and can honestly say I have never been so disappointed with the service or lack thereof.   Get with it Verizon.  Stop treating your customers, whom are probably paying the highest bills based on the handset of their choice, like second rate piles of [removed].

I'm rather curious how much time and money was spent on Verizon creating their fancy new logo - perhaps the developers, designers and others on that team should have focused their energy on testing and releasing the update for their note 4 customers.

VERIZON FAIL!!!!!

[Removal required by the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service]

[Toxicle]

Finally just got fed up, and instead of waiting a little bit longer so that the cost of me leaving would be less, I just said screw it - got a Nexus 6p on top of what I pay for this line, and landed a new carrier. Sorry Verizon, you really are just terrible, and I regret that I kept giving you excuses - poor service, worst upgrade schedule, and overpriced.

I spent the day talking to both Samsung, and Verizon (well, *trying* with Verizon, because yet again, they barely want to talk about something wrong). I've dealt with both many times, but I figured I'd give it one last shot.

Speaking with Samsung, they asked the usual water damage, all of the apps updated, etc etc. And once again, we went over I had done all of that before, and after going over I'm on my third battery, and second Note 4, that I've done everything they could think of, that yes, it was an OS issue, and that unfortunately other than having my phone sent in for over a week for evaluation, there was nothing they could do. The service person flat out said that Verizon at this point in time had the update, and they unfortunately, any real attempts at looking into that would have to be answered by Verizon. We knew this.

I tried Verizon on twitter, since I was already on my laptop - and after trying to tweet their help account, specifically designed for questions and help, for *months*, at the very least a few dozen times, I still have never had them answer me. Probably one of the absolute worst jokes ever made, and today was no different - no answer from them. I tried the live chat here on the website, and while I got someone, they as usual 'had no answer'. Again, no surprise, although they did clearly state that Verizon was still 'working on the update'.

I called Verizon, and while the person I landed was very nice, she knew nothing other than to recite the standard 'Water damage, updated apps, etc'. Since I'm on my third battery and second Note, and after talking about how late they are with the update, I was offered nothing but a gift card, which I did not want - and was then encouraged to buy a Note 5 since I was 'unhappy with my Note 4 experience' - which means I would have to pay off the rest of my buggy Note 4 (which was still $350+), and get a Note 5 at full price + gift card. Hooray.

All in all, exactly what I expected, but pointless nonetheless. The point of this? If you're disgruntled with Verizon, just leave. They don't care - that much is obvious. And while *some* of the employees are trying to be helpful, nobody knows anything, and none are really trained to do jack. Especially in this case - all signs point to Verizon having the update, and just dragging their heels testing their own bad apps.

So just leave. For your own sanity, if you're on here complaining, just leave. Every other carrier offered me deals and better phones within seconds of inquiring online, yet my own carrier that I've been with for *years* did nothing.

To those sticking up for Verizon - why? This forum isn't the only place that Verizon has been proven to be bad at treating loyal customers, and are your lives really that pathetic that if you don't have any issues, you need to sit here, trying to get on the case of those that do? People here are frustrated, and understandably so - even if posting here does nothing, which yes, we all know it most likely will do nothing, there is a *chance*, and at least people can vent to other with the same problems. Which is sadder - posting on a forum with a slight chance someone will take notice when you have issues, or hassling people, for no reason, who are upset they are mistreated. Verizon has the resources to have been the first carrier with this out, but as shown with other phones they have neglected, they couldn't care less as long as they have our money - glad to see you sticking your neck out for a proven neglectful company.

[emlspencer]

Toxicle, what number did you call?  I'd like to try calling them, if it was a number other than the one I have already called.

[Jason_Nipp]

I'm just hoping I get enough tax return to buy a phone that works.   I went to pay with a Nexus today, while it lacks many of the advertised features the Note 4 was supposed to provide, it does work and it's fast.   So when my contracts are up I can have options.  It's unfortunate I will have to pay $600 for a Nexus 6p, and continue paying edge plan payments on a $700 paperweight.  I blame Samsung as much as I blame Verizon.   At this point the Note 3 and 4 have never lived up to the advertised functionality.  Too much emphasis on tablet, not enough on making phone calls.   Samsung failed all of us.  My home is literally filled with their products.  TVs, BluRays, Appliances... My smart TV keeps having apps removed and features turned off because they don't want to support the features anymore...   nope my Samsung loyalty is done.    Verizon is next on my cancelled loyalty list.  Thanks for selling us lemons.  The independent dealerships licensed to sell Ford, Chrysler, or GM vehicles would have had to buy back the lemons buy now.

[Bigsteelguy]

Tax Return? I don't pay taxes, and havn't for years. It means much more money on my paychecks. No the IRS can go [removed] themselves in my opinion. They are a criminal agency and don't even deserve a penny. Anyway i do agree, Verizon sells us lemons, and updates it 3 times and then stops. I can't blame Samsung, as they released it for other carriers and they all updated their phones, but Verizon never did. AS this update solves many of the bugs and issues with Android 5.0.1.

So technically you can't blame Samsung for everything, If i were you, i would blame Google for pushing out an unfinished buggy OS. Verizon is also to blame as they rather wait to the last minute to update their phones. I think my last update was August of 2015 and that was 6 months ago. That is far too long without some sort of update. That is why many of us Note4 users are [removed]. We expect far better support for our phones on a monthly basis. I mean apps get updated like twice a week at times, but they can't update our phones once a month?

Samsung does make some great products, and the Note4 is my most favorite one, i'm just using the wrong carrier. I don't mind Touchwiz, as there are better launchers you can get, that are fast and smooth. If you want pure Android experience on the Note4, just download KK Launcher. Truly an awesome app. L Launcher is pretty decent as well.

I thought about getting a Nexus 6 last year instead of the Note4, but i prefer to have that pen, and i loved my Note2 at the time. I plan on getting the Note6 with a different carrier this year, or maybe even the new Windows Surface phone. It all depends on time frame and deals. I heard great things about the 6P, but don't have the money for a new phone at the moment, as other things in my life are set as priority to get. Also i received a Galaxy Gear Fit for Christmas and am loving it so far, so that means i will have to give my phone another year, or get the Note6 for it to work.

[Removal required by the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service]

[dexman]

My Samsung Galaxy S4, isn't scheduled for an update until late 2016. I'm waiting to see if Microsoft releases a Surface Phone, and, if the phone(s) is/are compatible with Verizon Wireless. Microsoft's 3 newest phones, 550, 950 and 950XL were released as GSM only devices so they won't work with Verizon Wireless, Sprint and their resellers.

[Zacharee1]

So I called the VZW executive number I got today. After about 10 minutes on hold, someone picked up. I told them about my issues and asked if they knew anything about the update. I got a response similar to the other person on this thread who said they called the executive line. I was told that Verizon has received the update and it is in the testing phase. They said that they didn't know whether or not it would be released and said they didn't know if Verizon is just going to skip it. I just got a recommendation to search Google daily.

I was then asked a bunch of questions about what I had done to troubleshoot my device. I told them how I had factory reset twice, tried a new phone, gotten a new battery and how I have a rather minimal installation. Since this troubleshooting was to "the extent" that the CSR could help me, I was transferred to Tech Support and, honestly, I think they were worse than normal tier 1 tech support. They ran that diagnostic thing on my phone and told me what apps I had running. Each one they listed was either stopped (not running) or didn't even exist. I was told that "having a lot if stuff on the phone can bog it down." DUH! I asked why, if that was the reason, had the other Note 4, purchased in August had the same issues right out of the box, and they didn't have an answer.

All I got were answers and steps that I had already tried in February, when 5.0 was released for the Note. I got nothing new, except that Verizon does have the update. We just don't know whether or not it's ever going to be released and, since it's almost January, I'm guessing we'll be waiting until mid-February at the earliest.

[Chapman1969]

Well I don't think us note 4 owner's will get the update in February.

Because by then the gs7 will be out and again they will forget the note 4

once again

[Doing_work_son]

If the Marshmallow 6.0 update schedule that was leaked goes as schedule and

Note 4's start receiving it around February, we can be sure that Verizon

will not be pushing it out OTA in that time frame. It will most likely be

unlocked and international Note 4's and perhaps Sprint or T-Mobile that

will get it pushed out OTA around then. But I'm sure the Note 4 on Verizon

will once again lag months behind and won't see the Marshmallow update

until late June or July. Hopefully we will have received 5.1.1 prior to

that point, but at this rate it doesn't look promising, apparently 5.1.1 is

a massive, major overhaul from 5.0.1 and needs more than 5 months of prep

time and testing to push out....maybe after a good half year has passed

since the last minor security update, maybe then we will finally get thrown

a bone and get anorher bug fixer / security update.

[Daniyarm]

The problem is not only Verizon, it's Samsung. Not only do they have hundreds of devices out in the world, they also make carrier specific versions which breaks it up even more. This is why I am done with them. They are the masters of bloatware whether it's a phone, a TV or a laptop. And the online reviewers enable them by rating products based on how much crap they load into a device. I was just reading a review of a blu-ray player that smokes Samsung in audio and video, but got rated lower because it only had 5 apps. I guess this is the world we live in.

[emlspencer]

For those of you whom have walked away to this point empty handed feeling [removed] by verizon, here's what I was offered:  Go to the play store and download the app GO90, register an account and you will get 2G of free data added to your plan for the next 3 months. 

They offered to send me a refurb unit to replace my current Note 4 and I told them to keep it.

I actually had a CSR tell me that 5.1.1 was released back in November and that all I had to do was run the Software Upgrade Assistant from my PC to get the software update.  I stated word for word:  "I guarantee you that your information is inaccurate.  However, if you assure me %100, I will take a long lunch at work here and drive home to run the SUA on my computer.  If however, this does not work, I'd like to speak with your supervisor."

I called back after running the SUA and spoke with a supervisor that promised they would look into the matter and call me back the following day. Two hours passed after the time I was to receive a return phone call. I spoke with another supervisor whom sent a message to the supervisor that I spoke with the previous day whom was supposed to call me back.  That supervisor whom was supposed to call me back then called me 4 hours after the time he indicated he would call and told me that he apologized and due to a cardiac issue, he was not able to call me at the time he promised.  I was then told that the call had been reviewed between myself and the CSR that guaranteed me 5.1.1 would update through my SUA and that corrective action was taken with that CSR.  I said "GREAT, but what exactly does that do for me. . . .?"

Nothing . . . . VZW truly has sunken to the bottom of the pack as far as cellular carriers in the customer service department. And so quickly - I would have sworn by VZW 6-8 months ago and sent any friend or family member to them.  Now, I cant warn people away from them quickly enough and can truly not wait for my contract to be up so that I can move to a carrier with timely software support and a customer service team that doesnt live with their [removal required by the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service]

Thank you,

Verizon Wireless Moderator

[bitkahuna]

wow, can't believe how long this thread got.  a lot of venting at verizon, but they don't have a great deal of control over the situation either, although they make things worse with their bloatware and change on top of any new release.  but i think the even bigger issue is samsung, who adds all their crap on top of android, most of which is just that, crap.

i really think samsung would be even more popular on their flagship phones if they had a closer to straight android experience.

i can sympathize with everyone here but i eventually bailed and got a nexus 6p.  it's awesome.  note 4 is also and awesome phone, hobbled with crap outdated android with a big pile of crap on top of it.

on a positive note, i do love verizon's network, and think their recent plan/pricing changes are GREAT.

[Jason_Nipp]

Can't say I have heard people state that they are happy with their plan costs before... With any carrier for that matter.

My vzw bill is the single highest utility bill I have.  In fact it's higher than my satellite tv, cable internet, and electricity (not summer) bills combined.

In fact charting out all my monthly expenses, I often have a hard time justifying a cellular bill at all.  I already killed my landline.

[bitkahuna]

can't see how your verizon bill is bigger than your satellite, cable and electricity combined unless you're paying for a bunch of lines on verizon.

my monthly total for satellite, internet and electricity is about 5 times what i pay verizon!

[Jason_Nipp]

bitkahuna..

Ok, so let's do the math on my current month utilities..

Dish = $81.99, Internet = $19.99, ComEd = $43.56, For a total of $145.54... For grins, let's add my only other utility bill in, Natural gas = $35.86. For a grand total of all my utility bills this month = $181.40.

Now my two line family plan, 10Gb, Unlimited, 1 Edge payment, 2 Assourion, 1 Family Companion, This month = $230.86.

So indeed, other than my rent and car payment, my cell phone bill is higher than all my other monthlies combined.

Thanks for playing, glad you think your bill is great.

[ftlng]

How does this sound:

Same signal as VZ, 6GB high speed data 4G LTE then unlimited throttled

thereafter, unlimited talk & text, 3 lines $119/mo or 2 lines $99 /mo

with no contract.

[Ripley2k]

I am fed up with Verizon.  Their solution was for me to upgrade my Note 4 paperweight to solve my problems.  I am going to take their advice and upgrade my phone to a Nexus and go with Google's Project fi.

Buh Bye, Verizon

[Zacharee1]

So I think Lollipop may have actually damaged my hardware. The default file manager on my Note tells me that I have 32GB internal storage and that 18GB is used. Most of that 18GB is used by "Other." I downloaded an app to see what might be using my space, and did find some stuff I could delete or move to my SD card, but I also noticed something strange. The app told me I had about 9.5GB used and 14GB free. That's 24GB total storage. Just to make sure, I downloaded another disk usage app and got the same result: my internal storage has been reduced to 24GB total. Now, maybe the missing 8GB is system, but that's hard to believe, and why would the default file manager say I still have 32GB? I think I may have to actually use my insurance and get another Note 4 and go through the hassle of transferring my stuff.

[Tidbits]

Formatting. Storage us displayed as 1GB =1024MB and trickle down. While memory manufacturer displays as 1GB =1000MB and trickle down. Then also some space is reserved and often never displayed even by two system for boot and encryption keys for example.

[Zacharee1]

I understand that manufacturers like to count with 1000 instead of 1024, but either way, I have much less space than I should. The actual MB count is 23,916, which is either 23.916GB (using 1000), or 23.355GB (using 1024). Neither one comes close to 32GB, and the difference between them is less than 1GB. My 32GB SD card which, because of long-term usage, has been reduced somewhat to 30.417MB, shows as 30GB in the default file manager. If it counts in 1000s, that's 30GB. If it counts in 1024s, it's also rounded to 30GB (29.7GB).

Why would the file manager tell me I have 32GB available and then just fill in the system and reserved with "Other?" No other phone I've had has done that. They just tell me the actual total storage. I find it extremely hard to believe that Samsung needs 8GB+ for /system and /boot, when the firmware download is less than 1GB. For comparison, Ubuntu is around 1GB for most distros, and only uses around 3-4GB upon installation. Samsung must have an amazing compression algorithm for their firmware package to expand 16x. Reserved space makes no sense, since the partitions can just be resized upon an upgrade.

[Tidbits]

Touchwiz is LARGE... Why do you think people complained they didn't give the S5 more base Storage 16GB mobile. They gave apps2sd in an update shortly after.  Even now they did thin out touchwiz, but it is still very large.

You can think your phone is broken, but it is actually normal. Shoot the Z5 line takes up over 10GB out of the box.

[Zacharee1]

I'm not saying I have 24GB free, I'm saying I have 24GB total internal storage. Even if TouchWiz is large, it's still an app, and thus falls under that category. "Other" seems to be applying to anything not under the default locations. Even so, I know for sure that I am not using 20GB+ of space. I'm using closer to 14GB. I don't think you're understanding what I'm saying.