If you’re still using a Galaxy Note 7 on T-Mobile despite the device’s recall, it’ll soon be a bit more difficult to continue using it.
T-Mobile has announced a new software update for its Galaxy Note 7 that’ll begin rolling out tomorrow, November 5. The update will limit the Note 7’s battery charge to 60 percent, meaning that anyone still using the Note 7 will only be able to recharge it to a little more than half its battery capacity.
In addition to limiting the Note 7’s battery charge to 60 percent, this update will make a recall pop-up notification appear more frequently. This pop-up will urge you to return your Note 7.
Finally, this update will change the phone’s battery indicator from green to gray.
We’ve heard of Samsung releasing battery-limiting updates to Note 7s in other countries around the globe, and now the update is coming to T-Mobile. It’s no surprise that this is happening, because while any Note 7 could catch fire at any time, some folks insist on continuing to use it. With this update, the hope is that they’ll be nagged by a limited battery charge and regular pop-up notifications and eventually decide to turn the phone in.
It’s also worth noting that Samsung and New Zealand are taking things one step further by totally cutting off network access for all Note 7 devices. Samsung says that on November 18, all Note 7 phones in New Zealand will be blocked from mobile networks, meaning that they’ll be unable to make calls, send texts, or use data. It remains to be seen if such a move will be made in the US, but it’s certainly possible.