[Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers] Leonardo2:
Hello everyone,

I am looking for some advice on what started as a question about a firmware update problem, but has now become a more general question on recommended course(s) of action for a handful or problems. I’ve tried to be as detailed as possible, since I don’t know exactly what is relevant. That said, for the sake of “manageability”, I first included a brief overview, followed by my questions, before adding the details. Any help, suggestions, or advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

-Leonardo

Phone information:

Galaxy S7 (SM-G930P) (Sprint) (not rooted)

Android 7.0

Software version: G930PVPS5BRA1

Android security patch level: January 1, 2018

Summary

A couple weeks ago, I downloaded and attempted to install the latest update (G930PVPU6BRD2); however, the installation failed numerous times (always at around the 27% mark). I’ve tried numerous troubleshooting attempts (found here on XDA, on Google, and suggested to me by Sprint), but nothing worked. I also checked sammobile for the latest update, but it is not listed.

Originally, I was going to ask for help with this issue; however, my phone has been having other problems – random reboots, sporadic slowdowns, strange sounds while I’m making calls (I’m not crazy, I promise).

Questions

-Is it possible that these problems are caused by some kind of malware/spyware? If so, what is the best way to check? I’ve scanned my phone with both Malwarebytes and Kaspersky; neither one turned up anything.

-Is there else anything I can/should do to verify the phone’s integrity?

-Any ideas as to what might be the problem(s)?

-Is there a “nuclear” option that might resolve all of these problems? If so, would it be appropriate in this case, or is that overkill?

Details

Regarding the firmware update, I can successfully download the file, but the installation fails at around the 27% mark every time. I’ve implemented numerous troubleshooting suggestions, including (1) updating with the phone at least 80% charged, (2) updating with the phone at least 80% charged and plugged in, (3) wiping the cache partition, (4) downloading the update via mobile web, or on a different WiFi network, (5) booting in Safe Mode before downloading and attempting to install, (6) trying to update via Samsung SmartSwitch, (6) killing all running apps prior to downloading and attempting to install, (7) making sure I have at least 3 GB of storage space (I do). None of these worked.

As I mentioned, there are a few other problems, including (1) the phone randomly freezes and reboots, (2) the phone sometimes lags for a few seconds, then returns to normal; (3) when I’m making calls, the phone makes intermittent beeping noises – sometimes the noises sound like the person on the other end is dialing while on the line (I always ask, and they say they are not), and other times it’s a loud, more sustained beep (similar to when a truck is reversing). I’ve tried to identify a pattern to these noises (e.g. if they happen at specific intervals, or when I’m talking to specific people, or when I’m connected to certain networks, or using speaker/headphone/Bluetooth), but there does not seem to be any.

These problems initially started in June 2017. A few months after they started, I did a factory reset on my phone as an attempted fix. However, the problems have all returned. That said, before the reset, I used Samsung’s SmartSwitch to back up my personal files, which I then restored to the phone. I don’t know anything about Android malware, but it has just occurred to me that, if that’s the problem, then the factory reset may not have worked because I may have inadvertently transferred the problem(s) back to my phone.

I don’t have any games installed on my phone, and the apps that I do have are few in number, are denied permissions that are not relevant to their functions, and are all from the Play Store (not foolproof, I know). I’ve removed (or disable, when not removeable) all the apps that came preloaded on my phone (courtesy of Sprint). Finally, for what it’s worth, I have Malwarebytes for security (scans do not turn up any problems), I use Prey Panel for tracking, and Lockwatch for added security. I’ve had these three since before the problems started, so I don’t know that they could be to blame. I also installed Kaspersky for a while (it also did not identify any problems), but have since removed it.