Samsung update bricks phones, giving harsh reminder of data backup importance | usagoldmines.com

Samsung issued a software program replace on October 2 that bricked some older Galaxy smartphones. Whereas Samsung has stopped the replace from rolling out additional, these with damaged telephones have acquired a harsh reminder of the significance of information backups.

On Wednesday, quite a few folks on-line began complaining about their Samsung telephones being caught in a bootloop (you’ll be able to see examples here, here, and in newer feedback here).

A Samsung spokesperson confirmed to Ars Technica that an replace to Samsung’s SmartThings Framework app for managing good gadgets brought about the issues:

We’re conscious {that a} restricted variety of Galaxy smartphones working on Android 12 are rebooting constantly throughout an replace to the most recent model of the SmartThings app.

Samsung “instantly suspended the replace” after studying of the issue and is “working to resolve the problems,” the corporate’s spokesperson stated. In line with person studies on-line, Samsung has issued a brand new replace that folks can obtain with out their telephones breaking.

Nonetheless, house owners of older affected telephones, particularly the Galaxy S10 collection, Galaxy Be aware 10 collection, Galaxy M51, and Galaxy A90, have been unable to energy their gadgets on to roll again the replace. Many customers who already manually or robotically put in the replace are nonetheless coping with bricked gadgets.

A harsh reminder

Customers with bricked Galaxy telephones have been initially met with a troublesome alternative: Go with out their cellphone or carry out a data-erasing manufacturing facility reset.

Samsung’s assertion to Ars suggested prospects to “contact the Samsung Contact Middle” for help, nevertheless it’s unclear if a repair could be employed that does not wipe the cellphone.