Secret Verizon Cell Phone software updates

[ALS]

It's really not a secret. It's just that Verizon doesn't tell you about the upgrades. One of my friends was having trouble with his Verizon phone and took it in to a Verizon store. They told him the reason for his problems was that he was 2 updates behind.
This is not the *228 roaming update, this is a software download that is done at the store through their PC. I got my done today and it took about 30 minutes. The customer service rep told me that I should stop in every few months and check for software updates. It's real nice of them to tell their customers about this free service after the fact.

 

[JustinH]

sprint does this also, there is an update function right in their phones.

 

[Gary Allan]

When you dial the *228 it asks you if you want to program your phone or update the roaming features. So this is a separate thingy

 

[Razl]

Gary, my guess is the *228 programming is a digital handshake between your phone and your account on Verizon's database so you can get service. The *228 update roaming is so your phone can detect new towers in your calling area for better reception. No new towers in your calling area = no better reception.

The instore updates are probably a firmware flash upgrade released by the phone manufacturers only to Verizon dealers. They don't tell you about it because in your words, "it took about 30 minutes". It would be nice if we common folk had to new releases.

 

[Gary Allan]

Yes ..you're probably right. I sure doesn't take 30 minutes for the over the air version ...that would be way too easy

 

[brianl703]

I would guess that *228 is not so much for allowing your phone to use new towers as it is for allowing your phone to use existing towers with carriers that Verizon didn't previously have a roaming agreement with.