Help Install Android Security Updates without Updating OS???

[LarrySAZ]

Hi,

BACKGROUND:
I have a Samsung Galaxy S5 (SM-G900V). About a month ago I was excited to receive the OTA update to Android 6.0, but then I started experiencing battery and Bluetooth issues, so I downgraded back to 5.0 - what a pain to wipe my phone and then install all of my apps and settings.

ISSUE:

I understand Google just released their July security updates which fix some critical security flaws.

QUESTION:

Is it possible to install the security updates without upgrading the OS to 6.0???

Thank you

 

[scary alien]

Hey Larry, welcome to our AndroidForums .

It's possible only if the security updates OTA was sent-out in a completely separate package--i.e., not wrapped-up in the 6.x release/fileset.

The security updates, like any OTA (over-the-air) update often come in / as patch files that update existing (and version-dependent) files. So, they can't patch files that were built and meant for a different version of the OS since they would likely be different.

For a non patched-based OTA (i.e., a block-based one), you're basically getting a "big bang" of changes all in one file (i.e., that ultimately represents many files/directories/partitions) and are also OS and firmware-specific/dependent.

So, short answer is probably no, I'm afraid.

 

[LarrySAZ]

Hi scary alien,

Thank you for the reply. I was hoping there was some apk or zip file I could flash or something. I guess I'll keep declining the updates. I swore I'd never get an Iphone, but the issues with Android updates has me reconsidering that, or perhaps I'll choose a Nexus for my next phone.

 

[Jfalls63]

Did you try a factory reset after the update to 6.0? Usually helps after a large update to get rid of anything left behind in the data and cache partition from the previous version. Most just boot into recovery and wipe the cache partition but I prefer a full reset. Devices seem to run a lot smoother with less glitches.