Phone to Be Blocked Due to Lack of Software Update

LICountCents on 30/09/2025 - 13:16
Last edited 30/09/2025 - 15:59 by 1 other user

Hi guys, I’m currently using a Samsung S20+ for the past two weeks while my Fold 5 is in for a screen repair with Samsung Care.

I keep receiving the message shown below, and I also hear the same message before making calls. I’m not sure what to do in this situation and was wondering if switching to a physical SIM might fix it. For context, I’m with Lebara and using an esim. Any thoughts for what I should do would be appreciated.

Urgent, act now - Your device will be blocked by 7th October if you fail to update to the latest software, as it is identified as currently being unable to make emergency 000 calls. Please urgently update your software in your device settings to be able to make emergency 000 calls on your handset, and to avoid your device being blocked.

Thanks

Mobile Mobile Phone Samsung Android

Comments

  • ICountCents on 30/09/2025 - 13:21

    I also called Lebara to see if they can extend the date by a week or so but was told this is enforced by the government.

  • ThithLord on 30/09/2025 - 13:35
    +7

    Can you update the firmware…?

  • Costanza on 30/09/2025 - 13:36
    +10

    Sounds like your S20+ IMEI is not on Vodafones list of mobiles that make Australian emergency calls over VoLTE(4g) correctly. Foreign model I assume. Upgrade the firmware/carrier settings/make sure VoLTE is enabled, reboot. Probably still get warnings.
    Put your IMEI in these checks and see if another network will take you in the meantime:-
    https://www.telstrawholesale.com.au/3G-Network-Closure-Block…
    https://www.optus.com.au/support/checkdevice
    https://amta.org.au/3g-closure-old/check-my-device/

    • ICountCents on 01/10/2025 - 15:42

      Thanks for that. I checked my IMEI on telstra and Optus and its not blocked.
      But the thing is, I’m currently on a prepaid 365-day SIM with over 5 months remaining, so I’d be at a loss if I switched now. If I wait until October 7th, do you think I’ll still be able to get a new eSIM from Lebara and transfer my old number when my fold 5 is back from repairs? Or would the process be difficult without having SMS access on my old phone due to it being blocked?

      • Costanza on 01/10/2025 - 15:58

        If the repair isn't going to be done by the 7th I would either get/borrow another temp phone (checking IMEI first of course and Australian variants) and get your SIM/eSIM on it OR port to another network. If tech minded you could try flashing Australian firmware on S20+ (looks like Vodafone approve SM-G985F and SM-G986B). Expect the S20+ as it is not to work at all on Vodafone network come 8th October.

  • Kail on 30/09/2025 - 13:40
    +1

    The message is telling you to update your phone in the device settings… have you tried doing that?

  • WatchNerd on 30/09/2025 - 13:43

    Um yeah, so call me crazy but maybe try updating your software.

    I'm using an S20 FE with up to date software on Belong Mobile & never had that issue.

  • ICountCents on 30/09/2025 - 14:10
    -2

    I have tried updating but it says device is up to date. I bought the phone from Kogan when it came out about 5 years ago.

    • MS Paint on 30/09/2025 - 14:11
      +2

      Reset network settings.

    • Nillionaire on 30/09/2025 - 15:12
      +17

      bought the phone from Kogan

      found the cause of your problems

      • GordonD on 30/09/2025 - 16:11

        found the cause of your problems

        Yep.

      • adamn86 on 30/09/2025 - 19:19

        What's the cause of the problem?

        • brendanm on 30/09/2025 - 21:39
          +3

          kogan

          • adamn86 on 30/09/2025 - 21:56

            @brendanm: Kogan?!!!. How?!!!. I'm with Lyca mobile network

            • brendanm on 30/09/2025 - 22:40

              @adamn86: What on earth are you talking about.

            • Bruceflix on 01/10/2025 - 15:13
              +2

              @adamn86: Kogan have sold you an import model. lesson learned.

    • bazingaa on 01/10/2025 - 16:54
      +1

      probably a grey import

  • 87percent on 30/09/2025 - 15:33

    Could you download latest firmware, and then manually flash it?

    What firmware are you actually on now?

  • Devastator0 on 30/09/2025 - 15:56
    +5

    So yeah since it was purchased from Kogan, no doubt it's a grey import/overseas model so doesn't have an appropriate update that is compliant with the AU standards.

    • Franc-T on 30/09/2025 - 16:09

      could OP flash it to the right firmware?

      • Muppet Detector on 30/09/2025 - 17:33

        Is that legal?

        • 87percent on 30/09/2025 - 18:36
          +3

          No, cops will come knocking on your door and you’ll be barred from buying any telco product forever

          • Muppet Detector on 30/09/2025 - 18:44
            +2

            @87percent: Might not be able to live near schools in the future either.

            • Bruceflix on 01/10/2025 - 15:14
              +2

              @Muppet Detector: Yep, I bought a TV from Kogan once. Am now required to inform my neighbours of my status as a registered idiot.

      • Devastator0 on 30/09/2025 - 19:20

        Yeah they could but very easy to brick the device if it's not something you have direct experience in doing. Other than tech heads and enthusiasts, I'd hazard a guess that most people with an Android device just rely on the built in OS' auto update feature and have never done a manual firmware flashing.

        • Franc-T on 30/09/2025 - 19:54

          Oh absolutely, but worth looking into if they dont want to buy a new phone.

        • adamn86 on 30/09/2025 - 20:50

          So is that "block emergency" message real or not?. I'm confused. Thanks

    • ColtNoir on 01/10/2025 - 11:36

      It could also be that the device doesn’t have the appropriate antenna to use the 4G/5G networks for voice.

  • Sinnerator on 30/09/2025 - 17:04

    https://www.reddit.com/r/GalaxyS20FE/comments/1k2wef1/what_a…
    I know yours is s20plus, but consider a new OS ?

  • adamn86 on 30/09/2025 - 19:18

    Hi I have the same problem as well. Is that a real thing or is it a hacker trying to do bad stuff?. I use Samsung Galaxy A20 on a Lyca mobile network and never had any problems in the past. I'm very confused, what's going on?

    • Costanza on 30/09/2025 - 20:58

      Let me guess, foreign/grey model/version, see my post above and do the checks to see if another network will let you continue to use that phone with an Australian carrier.

      • adamn86 on 01/10/2025 - 11:59

        I have a Samsung Galaxy A20

        • Costanza on 01/10/2025 - 12:23

          I think the Australian variants are SM-A205GN & SM-A205YN so that is the Australian official/approved firmware you would want to be running.

    • Costanza on 01/10/2025 - 06:13

      If you are tech minded you could try flashing the official firmware for the Australian variant of your phone and hoping Vodafone(lebara/lyca/kogan/etc) are doing a more complex check than just IMEI.

      Anyway doing the IMEI checks above will give you more info on the chances of that working.

  • jonkvh on 01/10/2025 - 07:10

    Kogan rears it's ugly head.

  • CascadeHush on 01/10/2025 - 13:14

    Assuming this is actually a thing, it would be typical government logic - your phone can't call our special number so we'll block you from being able to call anybody. Tell me you are evil and don't have any idea what its like to live in the real world.

  • StingyBritches on 01/10/2025 - 13:33

    Change to Optus? Then you’ll have no worries with 000…

  • Universal Constant on 01/10/2025 - 13:46

    For what it is worth -
    My understanding is that all approved Australian phones SHOULD be available to call 000 without any SIM, either physical or eSIM. The phone will select the network ie T,O,V that gives the strongest signal.

    My guess is your's does not?

    With a sim the phone just uses the sim's network?

    So with all the 000 failures lately maybe Lebara (Vodafone) is a bit touchy if you need to make a 000 call and cannot?

    So is it an Australian approved model?

    If it was a physical sim I would just put it in a cheapie that is approved, until the main phone is repaired, but with esim I don't know.

    • Bruceflix on 01/10/2025 - 15:15

      From Kogan so would have been a grey import.

    • sam-1966 on 01/10/2025 - 17:08

      My understanding is that all approved Australian phones SHOULD be available to call 000 without any SIM, either physical or eSIM. The phone will select the network ie T,O,V that gives the strongest signal.

      I've always believed the same. If that is the case, why has the Optus network failed and why didn't the calls just switch over?

      Just curious. I've made sure my husband and I have different carriers to prevent something like this.

      • Universal Constant on 01/10/2025 - 19:18

        My guess is that it was a failure internal to optus. So the 4G signal was there and strong so no switch over. I think if these people had of turned off their phone and removed the sim card (?esim) then turned it on and :
        A) if Optus was not the strongest signal, then the 000 would have gone via Telstra or Vodafone.
        B) if Optus was the strongest signal it would have got caught up in the internal fault and failed again.
        That is my guess anyhow.
        Of course it opens up the argument in case B) that Telstra and Vodafone networks were substandard in their signal and played a part in no 000 call.

        We both have diferent provider sim's also. Don't forget that you can now get dual sim phones and a second sim with pay as you go Aldi (Telstra) or Lebara (Vodafone) is really cheap for a whole year, like $15. Just use it for emergencies only.

  • Webber000 on 01/10/2025 - 19:31

    I doubt they will actually "block" you.
    I think that's to scare you to make you do the update quickly.
    I think all that will happen is after that date MAYBE you won't be able to make 000 emergency calls.
    I think all your normal calls and texts will work fine (and actually your 000 calls MAY work too but its a risk that they may not).

  • barrybarrybarry on 02/10/2025 - 16:31

    I am getting the same message - Australian Samsung Galaxy S20 5G (originally bought from Voda) with a Kogan physical SIM.

    I initially thought I was getting texts about 3G shutting down because the phone is normally on wifi for calls and SMS when at home/work, but now I'm getting this recorded message about October 7 even when on the 4G mobile network - with the VoLTE icon showing.

    If the 3G network shut down a year ago, why is this an issue now - why is there a new date of October 7? My phone can connect to the network and uses VoLTE - if it couldn't make calls on 4G/5G then I wouldn't have been able to use it for the last year, right?

    I can't find any newer information online post-shutdown talking about the October 7 date - would love to know where I can see some info from the government to understand what is happening and why now, a year after the shutdown.

    • Costanza on 02/10/2025 - 16:43

      Interesting, so it is a SM-G981B model (Settings/About phone/Model or similar menu)? Could you give the TAC (the first 8 digits of the IMEI)? You have the latest firmware(system) software installed (what specific version G981BXXSNHYB1 maybe? Settings/About/Software/Android Version or similar)? You have tried checking/resetting SIM/carrier/network settings and rebooting? What does Kogan say? What does it say if you SMS 3 to 3498?

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