Right now you can only download an old beta version of Nougat for the GS7 — and unless you’re in the beta program, you won’t be able to get OTAs.
With the arrival of Android 7.0 Nougat in beta form for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, many GS7 owners are eager to try out the new software, and with it the updated Samsung Experience 8. After all, there’s a lot of great new stuff to see. But there’s one big limitation right now that may give you pause if you’re thinking about manually flashing one of the leaked ROMs.
If you want over-the-air updates for your Nougat beta, you’ll need to play by Samsung’s rules.
Right now, because Samsung likes to keep its cards close to its chest, only the first beta build — build ZPK1 — has made its way out into the wild. That’s the build with the light-blue (as opposed to white) quick settings, and a crashy Facebook app. None of the subsequent three builds — including the most recent ZPL3 — have leaked. So if you’re flashing any of the leaked GS7 or GS7 edge builds via the ODIN utility, you’re getting an older version.
And that’s kind of a problem, because in order to receive over-the-air beta updates, you need to be a member of Samsung’s Galaxy Beta program. No beta program membership? You’ll be stuck on the first beta, and you’ll need to manually update to the final Nougat build once it’s available, or flash the latest Marshmallow firmware for your phone to downgrade.
The first beta still works relatively well — Facebook crashes notwithstanding — and gives you a decent preview of many of the features we’re expecting to see in the final GS7 Nougat update.
But if you’re looking for a steady path through the GS7 beta program, you’ll need to play by Samsung’s rules.