Update 02/25 2:25 PM: A user reported their Verizon Galaxy S25 Ultra is failing to update despite multiple restart attempts. Smart Switch also couldn’t detect the device, though the computer recognized its files.
Annoyingly, some users can’t seem to install the latest Samsung update on their Galaxy S25 Ultra. Samsung began rolling out the February 2025 security update for unlocked Galaxy S25 units in the US in mid-February. The update now appears to be gaining traction, with more and more users receiving it. However, when trying to install the update, a “Couldn’t update” pop-up appears, asking users to either “try updating using Smart Switch” or contact customer service.
Have you seen this on the new update? I’m unlocked on at&t pic.twitter.com/FrHa7ABswd
— Rambo (@ARambo21) February 24, 2025
How to fix the “couldn’t update” issue when installing an update on Galaxy S25 Ultra?
Are you experiencing this issue as well? Here are some quick troubleshooting steps you can try to install the latest update on Galaxy S25 Ultra before resorting to Smart Switch or contacting customer service.
1. Free up your device’s storage by deleting apps
If you’re unable to install the update, storage might be the issue. The easiest fix is to remove apps you don’t regularly use. Keep an eye on your apps section and delete anything unnecessary. Follow these steps:
- Open Settings > Apps.
- Tap the Filter icon on the right side of Your apps.
- Under Sort by, select Size and tap OK.
- Tap the app you want to uninstall.
- Select Uninstall, then tap OK.
Additionally, you can clear cache files by following the same steps (1-4) and then tapping Storage > Clear Cache. These steps help free up storage, which might be preventing the update from installing.
2. Turn off your Galaxy S25, wait, and turn it on again
If storage isn’t the problem, there might be minor system issues that a quick restart can fix. Here’s how to refresh your device.
- Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button to power off your phone.
- Let it sit idle for about 5 minutes.
- Turn your device back on.
There’s a good chance this will help when you try installing the update again on your Galaxy S25, S25+, or S25 Ultra. Additionally, you can try resetting your network settings, which isn’t a guaranteed fix but is worth a shot when unexpected errors occur.
3. Close the Settings app and reopen it
One quick suggestion is to just close the Settings app (the app where the update screen lives) and reopen it. Some users have reported that this fixed their issue, and is a relatively quick fix without any settings or data loss.
4. Reset All Settings on Your Galaxy S25 Device
Some users have reported that resetting all settings on their S25 device solved this common problem with the OTA. This does not erase any data, but it will reset any factory settings you’ve changed out of the box for many important categories, make sure you understand this before trying it. Here’s how to reset all settings.
- Go to Settings.
- Scroll to General Mangement.
- Choose Reset.
- Choose Reset all Settings as seen below.
Note: Do not perform a factory reset or it will erase all of your data!
5. Use Smart Switch to manually update your Galaxy S25
If nothing else works, you can try updating your device using Smart Switch. This tool is available for both Windows and Mac, so no matter which operating system you use, you can install it. Follow these steps:
- Download and install Smart Switch from Samsung’s official website (for Windows, Mac).
- Connect your Galaxy S25 to your Windows PC or Mac using a USB cable.
- Open Smart Switch and wait for your device (Galaxy S25/S25+/S25 Ultra) to be recognized.
- If an update is available, click Update and follow the on-screen instructions.
We hope one of these troubleshoots helps you update your Galaxy S25, S25+, or S25 Ultra. Let us know which one helped. We’ve reached out to Samsung for comment on this issue and we will update the article if they respond.
