14 DAY TRIAL // Samsung has started the official rollout of a new software update for the Galaxy Note 7 that turns the battery icon to green for “safe” units that were shipped following the recall program.
Specifically, replacement units and new Galaxy Note 7 models that do not come with the faulty batteries which prompted Samsung to start a global recall will receive a software update that makes the battery icon in the status bar green in order to reflect that they’re “safe” to use.
The software update is delivered in partnership with carriers, Samsung explains, so that’s why it could take longer to receive it, but eventually, all new Note 7 units should have a green battery icon on the right hand of the screen.
New safety recommendation on recalled phones
Furthermore, the Korean firm is also pushing a new update on devices that are included in the recall, prompting users to bring their handsets back in stores to get a new model that’s safe to use. The software update brings a warning prompt on the screen of affected Note 7 units that informs of the recall and urges users to turn them off as soon as possible.
“Your safety is our highest priority. Power down and stop using this phone. The battery may overheat posing a fire or burn risk,” the notification sent to phones with faulty batteries reads.
Samsung says that it had to issue such a software update because some customers were still unaware of the recall and this was pretty much the only way to inform them that the Galaxy Note 7 overheats and catches fire in certain conditions.
“For those not heeding that advice or are still not aware of the recall notice, a software update will be pushed to all recalled devices. Once installed, users will be prompted with a safety notice that urges owners to power down and exchange their recalled device. The notice will appear every time a user powers up or charges their device,” Samsung explains.
The “safe” Note 7 is already available for purchase from the majority of US carriers, and soon after powering up these new phones, the green battery icon software update should show up too.
