Does removing SIM card prevent OTA updates?

[generic username]

If you want to prevent an OTA update without rooting the phone, will removing the SIM prevent the OTA update?

If so, what are the negative consequences of removing the SIM card? Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

[codesplice]

I'm not sure if removing the SIM will disable the OTA update (I'm inclined to say no, but I'm sure that also largely depends on the particular device), but removing the SIM would cut you off completely from accessing the mobile network. You'd be stuck with wifi-only.

 

[lunatic59]

Most OTA's are designed to download over WiFi only because they are generally large. There would be outcries from irate customers if they blew through all of the mobile data and then we charged overages. Customers tend to be irate enough without that.

As Codesplice said, removing a sim card from a GSM device will prevent your ability to connect to any mobile network meaning no phone or mobile data. It may prevent the OTA if the updates come from the carrier and they need to authenticate your device, but you'd have a glorified media player at that point. For CDMA devices (Verizon or Sprint), the only thing removing the sim card will do is prevent connections to LTE networks. You'd still have data, just at 3G or lower speeds.

 

[mamawm]

if you are on verizon, they use the sim to verify that the phone is still in service on their network. if the sim has been removed the update is a no go. but you also don't have any PHONE service either. verizon only updates phones still active on their network.

 

[zuben el genub]

If you have a TMO branded phone - it does have wifi calling but needs the SIM. If you don't want OTA downloads, disconnect wifi or use airplane mode. I have apps that use wifi only - they are huge. How about an 800m database? I can get downloads on a wifi only Android tablet. No carrier involved.