Samsung Galaxy S3 4.3 update issues and more

[maliciousbuthot]

Ok here goes.

I started with the HTC Droid Incredible after a year it started acting up freezing, shutting down on it's own etc etc. I then upgraded and brought the Droid Incredible 2 renewed my contract ( 2 more years ) and still paid $200 with a mail it rebate ( which got declined because I brought the phone and had one day to mail it to them even with the sales manager's note on the paperwork I sent in ) so after 7 months the phone I did the software update- the phone started dropping called, wouldn't let me connect to the internet, died randomly even with a new battery and would get over 101 degrees ( which tech support saw because they used remote log in to mess with the phone ).

I went back to the store they wouldn't do any but upgrade my phone again BUT this time they used the free upgrade that was on my son's phone  ( I have 3 phones on my account and that was the only one with a free upgrade ) I once again had to buy a new phone this time it was the Samsung Galaxy S3 and once again I had to pay $200 and got a $50 mail in rebate. So, Now 8 months later - today exactly- my galaxy down loaded this new update and the battery drains ridiculously example - I turned the phone on it was at 87% I swiped to unlock it and the battery drained to 57%.......... I text a friend and again the battery drained but this time down to 23%. I put the phone back on charger at 23% leave it alone for 47 mins and checked on it to see the battery actually drained down to 18% while CHARGING!!!!!  so forced stopped a lot of useless crap and turned off even more useless crap didn't help. I did a factory (HARD)  reset, hoping it would go back to the off version or at least see if it was apps draining my battery.

I will be taking the phone to the Verizon store in the morning, I will not be doing yet another upgrade to re new my contract, I do have insurance on the phone however, I am not going to paid the $100 brand new phone when the past two times I've done this I have gotten screwed over. I have been a loyal customer for over 8 years now my bill every month isn't cheap roughly $200 a month for 3 phones. ( I know I can do WAY better with a different company ) It seems to me that Verizon makes a LOT of money on this people this happens to.  I think Verizon selling phones that seem to have update issues is very bad for their business.  This problem needs to be resolved.

In their statement posted on the Verizon site -  According to the statement dated 18 November 2013 at 15:37

the link- http://www.sammobile.com/2013/11/18/samsung-delivers-official-statement-regarding-galaxy-s3s-android...

Samsung has temporarily suspended the upgrade service and the Android 4.3 update (I9300XXUGMG9) has been pulled from FOTA and Samsung KIES. So you won’t be able to update your Galaxy S3 to Android 4.3 at the moment.

----

IF this was actually pulled from the FOTA how was my phone able to download it today Jan 13, 2014 and how did it install? Where is Verizon in this mess? Since Samsung's statement why hasn't Verizon made sure this wasn't pushed to their loyal customers? Why is Verizon pushing Faulty updates?

If you can answer this questions that would be fantastic. I am loading this messing along with videos of my issues  to my blog and facebook page ( in case someone on this site removes this or ignores my questions  😉  ) so that these issues and the questions I have asked do not get brushed to the side. I am also added a video displaying all of these issues.

[maliciousbuthot]

So every one here goes again. After I posted this the next day I went to the Verizon store they said the update is sent from Samsung, Google then Verizon. I stated I would be recording the conversation for quality assurance 3 times to the sales person. He kept saying it's not Verizon's fault. That I had a choice of updating the phone software by downloading the software update or by clicking install the update "after I downloaded the update" I mentioned the phone get's VERY hot well over 101 degrees at times (( enough heat to cause the phone to blowup or eve catch fire )) he said there was nothing he could do for me and to call tech support. I mentioned a few times that Verizon pushes the software update even after Samsung retracted the update. So, I left and called customer support. I mentioned the problems and the over heating he said to take it to the nearest Verizon Corporate Office and that since it is overheating it's a HARDWARE problem and that they would give me a brand new phone right there and then. I said ok and He texted me the address of the nearest one 

14031 Hubbell Dr

Jacksonville, FL 32218                                           mind you I live in GA.

I said that's all I have to do and he said yes and that he would note my account so that they knew why I was coming. I said great and drove to that store he texted me from my house in GEORGIA when I got there the worker said they don't do that and that he should have ordered me a new phone but that he would go ahead and do that for me and he also noted it wouldn't be a NEW phone that it would be a refurbished one. I was upset because I took time to drive from GEORGIA down to Florida and apparently for NO reason. That's fine I dealt with it. The new phone came in the mail on Jan 16th, 2014  I started it up went through the start up process right after I finished the setup- the phone  automatically started downloading the new software update- I didn't have a choice to stop it or anything. Which makes sense since it started over from stretch.

After it installed I started getting the annoying "install now or later" message. I clicked install later.  I did a factory reset I started the start up process again but hit skip and put the phone in airplane mode so it wouldn't try to download the update again. I force stopped unless programs and made sure to force stop two main programs that have to do with the update that the tech guy told me about. 1 was FWUpgrade  and the other was SDM. I also force stopped a program called

Verizon Remote Diagnostics - which I have personally called tech support and seen how they use this software to gain FULL access to my cell phone and were able to actually use my phone, change settings, applications etc etc -

I didn't link my google account I took the phone out of airplane mode and clicked about phone then went to software to CHECK for updates (( I didn't click install )) instead I clicked "decline" to download the software update. Even took a photo of my screen after I declined it which I will add in this post.  (( it clearly says user rejected the software download look close it says software download NOT software install )) the software it was wanting to download would have changed my software from MF1 to ML1 which is the version 4.3. Remember the software update that Samsung said they retracted

I didn't get anything else about it so I started using my phone like normal.

Now here's the kicker- today Jan 18th, 2014 I woke up to find that my phone downloaded the software update (( BY IT SELF ?????? )) I didn't have the phone off, I didn't have it in airplane mode or anything. I put it on the charger when I went to sleep. Once again I started getting the "install now or defer for a latter time"  (( every 5 minutes )) there was only a time not a date to choose from. I did NOT install the software and unless my phone came to life on it's own that means some how OR some one did it. I immediately went to applications and saw that the programs

FWUpgrade,  SDM and Verizon Remote Diagnostics were running again.  Which means if I didn't install the update then Verizon did and that's a HUGE invasion of privacy. So, which is it Verizon, is the world in danger of they phones coming to life and taking over the world or did you invade my privacy to download a software update? The phone is NOT able to download software update with out my permission in which I clearly rejected and have physical proof that it was rejected.

My proof - a photo of my phone saying "user rejected" software update download-  ( the option to download the software update )

[aka-neo]

See here:

https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/812849

https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/814362

[maliciousbuthot]

I think it's odd that Verizon is still pushing the update knowing the issues going on. A worker for Verizon clearly stated that first the update goes through Samsung then Google then Verizon. The only reason I can think of that Verizon is still pushing this update is to boost more sales. The first time this happened I brought a new phone to avoid it and paid a lot of money and had to renew my contract after signing a new one 8 months earlier. So, push a faulty update and hope people will get upset with it enough to buy a new phone and renew their contracts again. Makes sense if you ask me.  It's driving a lot of people nuts and the fact that this has been viewed well over 8000 times in 5 days says a lot. It also says that Verizon is doing nothing about the issues.

[gels1111]

Update happened while I was using data (not during wifi). Had to use mobile data to use the map. Even though I stopped the update, it would later update on its own and use my mobile data. Now, map does not work well. GPS takes at least 5 to 10 minutes to "find" me even though there is no clouds in the sky. Then, GPS would say that I'm somewhere I'm not. There is now Map app only and no longer Navigation app. I loved the Navigation app and relied on it heavily to get to places. The new Map app doesn't function well (takes several minutes to find me on the map and then it doesn't indicate the path the way Navigation app did). There's now a button on the new Map app that says "start".  Not sure what it's suppose to start because when I click on it, it takes me to some other map functions, instead of starting to show the path I'm taking. The message system also doesn't work properly. I've received a text message and read it, but it still shows that I have one unread message. Serious battery drain. Phone lasts for a few hours instead of more than a day on a full charge. Phone call problem, too, my voice not being able to carry through the system to the receiver. Tried the mic and found that it has no problem recording sounds/voices. Most of the updates were not important anyway - including fancier images for the camera and calculator icons. Am curious whether these fancier icons take up more space then the previous icons. I want my old system back!

[joe473]

I have 2 S3's on my account both with almost all of the issues and no easy method to contact Verizon for support.  The fact that Verizon continues to point the finger at Samsung is disturbing. Our contract for service and purchase of the device is with Verizon not Samsung. .  Verizon clearly modified the Android update and added to it.  I was also not able to refuse the update and wait for the stability to be determined or continue with my old software.  In my opinion by "breaking" the originally advertised features and limiting/denying service in this case Verizon has breached it's contract with users and should waive cancellation fees if other carriers are not experiencing the same issues as Verizon customers are. the issues I am seeing as unresolved on both S3's on my account are:

1. Extreme battery usage
2. battery discharging while on charger if phone is on!!!
3. Wi-Fi stability issues on network stable for all other devices
4. noticeably higher data usage (My account is double where it should be for the month with no change in habits._
5. Loss of blue tooth connectivity for ford Edge and Ford Escape
6. Dropped calls
7. Completely missed calls
8. Calls answered with no voice
9. Extremely slow keyboard response
10. Phone freezing and requiring a reset
11. Phone resetting spontaneously
12. Additional Verizon background software with no user notification or acknowledgement
13. Also last night received a notification message I was Roaming globally and should call for a plan while inside the Boarders of New Jersey. 

Again in my opinion Verizon has changed the service and terms of service with no user acknowledgement and has breached the contract with users unless the deficiencies are corrected in a timely manner.  Data usage and roaming control appear flawed and may have direct changes/impact on user billing I am sure other users such as myself would be satisfied with a method to restore the device to the previous software version and reliable service.  I would forego the additional features on a user approved basis.

If someone has an email for Verizon to accept the complaints let me know.  I saw no options on the site to email Verizon directly on this issue to facilitate an official response and advanced support.  Verizon has all of our emails,  Please step up, acknowledge the issues and possible fixes in the interest of customer service.  If I wanted this lack of support from my provider I would go with a much cheaper access methods now available in the US.

[I_Want_Choice]

My wife's phone downloaded the update and she installed it and has had multiple problems all of which have been listed in previous posts.  I got on this trying to find a way to stop if from happening to my phone.  From what I'm reading so far, there is no escape?!  Feels like I've become part of the BORG collective "Resistance is futile"  "You will be assimilated". 

If someone from Verizon is actually reading this, please tell us how to stop the update permanently.  There should be a simple process for rejecting software updates.  All the money we pay for the phones and the service, shouldn't WE get to decide what is and isn't done to our phones?!

[Ann154]

gels1111 wrote:

Update happened while I was using data (not during wifi). Had to use mobile data to use the map. Even though I stopped the update, it would later update on its own and use my mobile data. Now, map does not work well. GPS takes at least 5 to 10 minutes to "find" me even though there is no clouds in the sky. Then, GPS would say that I'm somewhere I'm not. There is now Map app only and no longer Navigation app. I loved the Navigation app and relied on it heavily to get to places. The new Map app doesn't function well (takes several minutes to find me on the map and then it doesn't indicate the path the way Navigation app did). There's now a button on the new Map app that says "start".  Not sure what it's suppose to start because when I click on it, it takes me to some other map functions, instead of starting to show the path I'm taking. The message system also doesn't work properly. I've received a text message and read it, but it still shows that I have one unread message. Serious battery drain. Phone lasts for a few hours instead of more than a day on a full charge. Phone call problem, too, my voice not being able to carry through the system to the receiver. Tried the mic and found that it has no problem recording sounds/voices. Most of the updates were not important anyway - including fancier images for the camera and calculator icons. Am curious whether these fancier icons take up more space then the previous icons. I want my old system back!

The Navigation app (blue arrow icon) is now a part of the Maps app and functions exactly the same as it did before.

[cindersu814]

>>Duplicate post removed to comply with the .  See <<

Message was edited by: Verizon Moderator

[derekforce]

Well, since Verizon decided to close the other thread where we were complaining, I guess I'll post to this one.
Same problems here on SG3.  A couple of emails to Samsung were useless, receiving nothing but canned responses.
Speaking to Verizon is just as useless.  All the 'fixes' they offer are also canned responses, or Factory Reset, which i've only seen has helped a few people.  Most have the same problem.

Not to mention the fact that I cannot find anyone at Verizon or Samsung to even acknowledge that there is any sort of problem with the update.  Everyone is playing dumb.

Your move Verizon.  My move will be to find another carrier and another phone.

[lear71]

Had the same issues after the update.  Main issue was WiFi instability that caused the phone to keep dropping off of WiFi  (saying the network was too slow) and then continuing to search and signing back on.  That cycle would continue and rapidly drain the battery.  Also had issues w/ the phone freezing and requiring hard resets.

Spoke w/ Verizon and the two recommendations were a factory reset on my phone (an S3) and if that did not work they would send me a replacement phone.  Had nothing to lose w/ the reset.  Did that after backing everything up to google and the cloud.  Was very painless as everything automatically reloaded on the phone after the reset.  So far the phone is working great w/ no further issues. 

[emf1]

>>Duplicate post removed to comply with the .  See <<

Message was edited by: Verizon Moderator

[emf1]

>>Duplicate post removed to comply with the .  See <<

Message was edited by: Verizon Moderator

[Newsman2010]

I'm having the WiFi and battery issues as well. I got an S3 about 6 months ago and my phone downloaded the update and I allowed it to go through. Now, despite having excellent signal strength on WiFi, I can't maintain a connection. I get the error that the internet connection is slow (it really isn't) and it won't stay on WiFi. Prior to upgrading to Jellybean, my WiFi was working perfectly, now it won't connect or stay connected! C'mon, Verizon... get this fixed! We pay YOU for the phone and the service, not Samsung or Google. YOU are the responsible party. Get this fixed so we can use our phones!!!

[mdbullet]

I have had my SIII for almost a year. at the end of last month I started losing a lot of battery power and I have a problem with the phone locking up to the point I have to take the battery out so I can reboot it. took it to the Verizon store and the sales person said " oh that's normal" and that I should pull the battery out atleast once a month. I just shook my head and walked out the door. no use talking to a IDIOT. I called Verizon and talked to CS and they sent me to tech support and that did nothing. This is getting real bad. It seems that Verizon does not want to keep a 10 customer happy. All they want is the MONEY.   I hope they do something to take care of your phone.

[MetDetDJ]

If you can afford to upgrade now with the new Verizon promotion do so to a

S4 (which is what I am doing). Yes, Verizon screwed this up MAJOR yet I had

to think about it a bit more calmly.

On a scale of 1 to 10 Verizon earns a solid 9 from me. My calls never drop,

I have coverage everywhere and seldom do I have problems of any kind. I had

a modem from T-Mobile that rarely brought in a signal so I'm leery of

switching to them even if they are cheaper. AT&T, Sprint and MetroPCS?! Not

a chance - Sprint doesn't have a 4G network in the tri-county Metro Detroit

area (and cannot say when they will) and has the worse network of the major

providers. AlwaysTellingTales isn't getting more of my money with their

poor customer service. MetroPCS has awful network coverage.

So while I am not happy with Verizon with this disastrous 4.3 update I'm

overall a satisfied customer. Onto a new S4 for me.

[Newsman2010]

I, unfortunately, am not eligible for an upgrade, as I have about 18 months left before I can upgrade. I'm trying the trick about removing the battery and SIM card for 60 seconds and then trying it. If that doesn't work, I guess I'll try the factory reset... hopefully I don't lose my paid apps!

[vzw_customer_support]

Newsman2010- After resetting your device, the paid applications will need to be reinstalled with the same email account that was used when you first set up your device. MOst of the time you don't have to repurchase paid apps but ths is at the discretion of the app developer. Please keep us posted.

sheritah_vzw
Follow us on Twitter
@VZWSupport

[MetDetDJ]

Not true about your upgrade eligibility... my eligibility wasn't up until November 2104 but this new Verizon promotion allows you to upgrade NOW.  I ordered a new Galaxy S4 Monday morning via the website with online Verizon live chat support.  I asked if everyone was eligible and she replied yes.

The phone will arrive Wednesday.  I received a $50 discount immediately.  I will receive at least a $100 Verizon gift card once I turn in my old phone which brings the price of the S4 to $99.  Yes, you will be agreeing to a new 2 year contract.

[aka-neo]

You might also be eligible for the new Edge program which you can only do in store as your current phone gets traded in. All you pay is the first monthly charge up front. Essentially it's the cost of the phone divided by 24 months added to your monthly plan. Then you can trade in as early as 6 months to get another new phone. It costs more, but allows you to get the latest and greatest. Or in this case get rid of a phone that worked great prior to the 4.3 update.

[MetDetDJ]

The promotion is called Trade In & Trade Up.  All Verizon customers are eligible regardless of your remaining length on your contract.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/

[mattyshore]

And if this is the case will I loose the unlimited data plan that I currently was able to keep?