The following is the update detail to which already covers all Galaxy Note 5 SM-N920W8 from major carrier's like Telus, Bell, Roger, Wind, and among others to which the firmware build version were all the same.
Device name: Galaxy Note 5
Model number: SM-N920W8
Android version: 5.1.1
Baseband version: N920W8VLU1AOI1
Kernel version: 3.10.61-5388899
Build number: LMY47X.N920W8VLU1AOI1
How to manually check the software info on Galaxy Note 5 (SM-N920W8)
To manually check the firmware build details of your device just simply touch on Apps > Settings > then touch About device under the System tab. Lastly, touch the Software Info to view the installed Android version, Baseband version, Kernel version, Build number, and among other system information. Following is the technical details of the software information that was found on Bell’s Galaxy Note5.
If your Galaxy Note 5 still runs on the exact firmware details above, it simply means that your device hadn’t got any update yet. So make sure to update your device to the latest software version as the above firmware build is the initially released one and your device OS might have been outdated.
How to update the Galaxy Note 5 (SM-N920W8) to the latest build version
Prepare the following recommendations before you update your device, to keep it safe as possible. There is a risk involved upon updating, so make sure to follow this steps before you proceed.
- Check the remaining power percentage of the battery, it should be at least 50% or higher before you take the update. If it is lower to the recommended level, the device must be charged first. Insufficient battery power may cause a fatal error if and when the update failed to initiate.
- Ensure that your device is connected to a strong Wi-Fi connection. Some firmware update may take long enough to install and it will depend on how small or large the update file size is.
- Check the remaining storage space of your device memory if it still enough and can still store the file size of the incoming update. You can easily determine the incoming update’s file size as it prompts you the exact details. The size may vary, some minor updates usually varies from 100MB to 200MB while major updates also usually varied from 300MB up to 500MB.
- Ensure to create a backup of your stored data in the device memory. You can easily backup your Galaxy Note 5 data by using Smart Switch. This process is very important and it is highly recommended before taking an update. You should secure you data first beforehand. If ever something might go wrong during the update process, and you might encounter a failure, you will not lose your data. Some fatal errors while performing the software update usually forces you to perform the factory reset in recovery mode. Doing so, will bring the device back to its original factory default settings but it deletes your stored data as it technically wipes and cleans out the device memory cache.
- Do not ever touch your phone if the updating process is already initiated. Just let the phone sit on top of your table and make sure it could not be interrupted on any part. You should not press any keys, nor turning the power off and or removing the battery. Do not disconnect the USB cable if you’re performing an update using a computer.
- Make sure you Galaxy Note 5 has no root in it, and or running on any unofficial firmware. Keep in mind that a rooted and a modified phone will no longer receive any official firmware update from the dealer. Doing so, you will only receive the advisory message that says something like this;
“The operating system on your device has been modified in an unauthorized way. Try downloading software updates using Smart Switch on your computer or visit a customer service center.”
Update your Galaxy Note 5 via Over The Air (OTA Update)
The Over The Air (OTA) update requires you to connect your Galaxy Note 5 to a Wi-Fi network to ease your burden on high data charges.
- From the device Home screen, simply tap Apps.
- Tap the Settings (gear icon).
- Tap the System tab.
- Tap About device.
- Tap Software update.
- Tap Check for updates.
- Tap the Install button, then OK.
Wait until the phone completely reboot before touching it. It may reboot (turn on and off) multiple times as the update might still at its finalization stage.
If the update is available, it will just prompt you the update’s technical details including on how to download and install it. If somehow the update isn’t available yet, it will also tell you that that your device software is up to date. However, even if the update is already rolled out and you’ve already knew that it is officially released in your country and or network provider, you should also consider that the released usually take in stages and may also take days before it arrives on some areas. So you may have to wait and keep on checking until you get the update.
Update your Galaxy Note 5 using your PC or Mac computer via Smart Switch
This method is always handy on some part, especially if you have missed the update and you’re left behind to the update’s scheduled dates that usually only took place and runs in weeks. You can still easily update your Galaxy Note 5 using your PC or Mac. All you need is a USB cable and then the Smart Switch firmware update tool. Smart Switch is similar to the before Kies that have been used to older devices. Also, Smart Switch has the capability to backup and restore your data in just a few clicks away.
- Download Smart Switch for PC and MAC computers version and then install it on your computer.
- Connect your Galaxy Note 5 on your computer using the USB cable.
- Run Smart Switch, then wait until it recognizes the connection of the device. If the update is available it will automatically prompt you to update your device.
- Click on the Update button. Some other steps like on how to backup and restore your data is included in the instructions.
Again do not touch the phone like disconnecting the USB cable if the software update has started. You may need to wait much longer while updating via Smart Switch as your firmware is being served by Samsung itself. The Smart Switch firmware file is a much larger to the ones released via Over The Air but were still the same file.
