Samsung software iu7

[KD914]

Hello, I got my Samsung Galaxy s23 ultra a year ago Dec 2025 and it is currently on the ui6 software. I still haven't received the ui7 update. I've done a manual check many times and it always says your software is up to date with the ui6. Everyone I know has already gotten the ui7 and the ui8 is already coming out. Why isn't my phone updating and yes I've called Samsung and my carrier several times. They always blame the other, Samsung blames cricket and cricket blames Samsung. Will I ever get the software update? 

[KD914]

Not sure for sure where it was bought but I'm thinking back market, which we've had success before.

[Mujibar]

When buying Samsung phones from third-party vendors such as Back Market, you want to verify (and ask for proof) that the phone you're purchasing is a factory unlocked model, where the model name ends in U1. That will prevent situations such as this. See my above reply for more information.

[KD914]

And did you see something on my screenshot that made you realize that it is a locked phone? What was it that you saw?

[Mujibar]

Look at the codes under service provider software information. XAA corresponds to an unspecified carrier. ATT corresponds to AT&T. If it said XAA where it says ATT, it would be a factory unlocked (U1) model, as in my screenshot.

Also, the device model code is SM-S918U, meaning carrier-locked model.

[KD914]

Ok so technically I don't know what carrier it would be connected to if it was bought locked. I know I'm using cricket wireless and they are connected to at&t so that might be where you thought it would be an at&t phone 🤷

[Mujibar]

I think I was editing my reply as you were responding. I just explained how I know it's an AT&T carrier model.

The easiest option is to try Smart Switch. If that doesn't work, you could try borrowing an AT&T SIM from someone or buying a cheap AT&T prepaid SIM. This would be a one-time expense, but you would need to insert it for every update. The permanent solution is to get unlocked firmware flashed.

[KD914]

Thanks so much for your help and I will try and figure out how to unlock it. I've had a year and it works just fine but I am wanting to make sure I am secure with software updates

[Mujibar]

You're very welcome. Good luck with the process.

If you wouldn't mind, please mark the appropriate comment as the solution to this post, so that it can help others with the same issue. Thanks!

[KD914]

I will and thank you! I've never posted anything on here before! So do I go to an at&t store to get the fireware "flashed"? Or if I got a cheap sim, I just keep putting it in for updates and they keep working like that or do I buy a new sim every time? Also does that reboot my phone when I change Sims? Sorry for my questions I'm really uneducated on this matter!

[Mujibar]

No worries. If you go the SIM route, it's one-and-done as far as purchase. You don't even need to keep the service active. The SIM will confirm to the phone that it should use the AT&T update servers. When you swap SIMs, you should do it with the phone turned off, so there will naturally be a reboot involved.

If you want to get the unlocked firmware flashed, it will have to be done at an authorized service center. The link I provided above will help you find one near you.

Hope that helps clarify! Feel free to ask any more questions you think of.