Galaxy Note 7 on T-Mobile among first to recieve Samsung update that disables charging

With all US carriers now falling in line, the first updates to permanently disable the Galaxy Note 7 are rolling out. Beginning with T-Mobile, the Samsung device will no longer be able to hold a charge in hopes that errant consumers will finally follow the recall and return the device.

The update carries Baseband Version N930TUVU2APL2 and comes in at 113.75 MB. Install requirements include having 30% or higher battery life and a data connection. Besides preventing future charging, the update will display an “on-screen notification about the recall with action steps to take.”

Of note, the T-Mobile release notes do not make reference to eliminating the cellular capability of the device as previously mentioned by Samsung.

Despite the publicity and frequent updates warning users to return the phablet, some are still stubbornly hanging on to and even using the device. As of December 9th, Samsung reports that only 93% of recalled Note 7 devices in the US have been returned.

AT&T and Verizon will be next to release the update on January 5th, with Sprint following suit on the 8th. Hopefully, these round of patches will largely put to rest the Note 7 saga from a consumer safety point of view.

However, it is imperative that Samsung eventually release a technical explanation of what caused their flagship device to explode. At the moment, we only have theories pointing to an aggressive stance taken by Samsung during design and production.