Latest news with #LGBridge
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Major mobile brand is shutting down after 15 years – users warned to take action NOW as urgent deadline nears
A HUGE mobile brand is preparing to shut down for good at the end of June. Users now have less than 30 days to take action if they want to receive the 1 LG has been Credit: Getty LG announced in 2021 that it was closing its smartphone division. Its first Android phone was released more than 15 years ago - although LG's roots in mobile go back even further. LG once held the crown as the world's third-bestselling mobile brand. But the South Korean tech giant struggled to keep up as new rivals emerged including Oppo and Xiaomi, as well as long-established competitors like Samsung . Read more on mobiles Despite the closure, the company continued to push out important Android updates to existing users. Bosses committed to do it for three years. But that time is now up with the last update due to come out on June 30, marking the very end for LG's mobile business. Affected users will no longer be able to download or install Android updates after that date, making their device more susceptible to cyber attacks. Most read in Tech "We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude towards our customers who have loved and supported LG Electronics mobile products," LG said. "After the termination date, you will no longer be able to use the software upgrade services. Goodbye Android Lollipop Time to Upgrade! "If you wish to use the services, we strongly recommend upgrading your software before June 30, 2025. "Furthermore, as we will no longer provide application updates, you will not be able to download default applications deleted upon initialization." The company's last phone product was the LG Wing 5G which featured a unique two display design with one that swivels. LG's final nail in the coffin also spells the end for the LG Bridge, a piece of software allowing mobile users to update via their PC instead. People have reacted with sadness at the final curtain call for LG's mobile devices. "The loss of HTC and LG phones really stagnated the market," one user wrote on Reddit. "I loved the different things they tried. A leather back to a phone!" Another commented: "Time to upgrade my LG Wing!" Time to upgrade? Analysis by Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun LG's mobiles have all long been discontinued so you can no longer buy them. And now you won't get software updates either. Security updates are the key part, as experts at LG will no longer plug any loopholes that are uncovered, meaning hackers will be on the look out to exploit them. So, the safest option is to upgrade to a newer handset.
Daily Mail
02-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Major mobile brand confirms it is shutting down within weeks - as it reveals urgent deadline for its millions of users
It was once one of the biggest mobile brands in the world. But LG has confirmed that it is shutting down its mobile business within weeks. The South Korean tech giant first announced that it was closing its mobile division back in 2021, amid stiff competition from rivals including Samsung and Oppo. Now, it has confirmed the final date for users to update their devices. 'We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all customers who have always supported LG Electronics mobile phone products,' LG explained. 'Termination date', as LG calls it, has been set for June 30, 2025. After this date, software upgrades will no longer be provided. Worryingly, this could leave LG devices vulnerable to any security issues or bugs. Back in April 2021, LG announced its decision to close its mobile business unit. This, it claimed, would allow it to focus its resources on 'growth areas' such as electric vehicle components and robotics. Writing at the time, it said: 'LG will provide service support and software updates for customers of existing mobile products for a period of time which will vary by region.' Now, it seems that 'period of time' is drawing to an end. 'We hereby announce the termination of LG Electronics' mobile software upgrade (FOTA), Update Center and LG Bridge services,' LG said. 'After the termination of this service, software upgrade service will no longer be provided. 'If necessary, please upgrade the software before the service ends on June 30, 2025.' If you still use an LG smartphone, that gives you just 59 days to upgrade your software. If you still use an LG smartphone, that gives you just 59 days to upgrade your software While software upgrades might seem pointless, they're actually incredibly important. 'Device manufacturers and app developers will usually release software updates regularly until they decide their product is unsupported,' the National Cyber Security Centre explains on its website. 'These updates will often contain new features, fixes for bugs and performance improvements. 'They will often also contain security patches and new security features, both of which it's important to install. 'Patches matter because they fix known flaws in products that attackers can use to compromise your devices. 'New security features make it harder for attackers to successfully compromise your devices. 'Attackers who succeed in compromising your devices could potentially steal data, encrypt your files or prevent your device from working at all. 'Many devices and apps can install updates automatically, but sometimes they'll need a bit of help from the device user, so you'll need to keep an eye on updates in case they stop working.'
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Last Update Opportunity! LG to Permanently Shut Down Smartphone Servers
In 2021, LG exited the smartphone market. Now, the company is finally parting with the last remnants of its mobile phone history. For many, LG is now just a manufacturer of TVs and household appliances. However, it was once considered a traditional company in the mobile phone and smartphone market. The South Koreans were not afraid of innovations and wild experiments (see LG Wing in the picture). Nevertheless, LG never really established itself in the global market. Four years ago, it discontinued its struggling smartphone division but promised continued updates. Now, even that is coming to an end. The company will shut down its update servers on June 30, 2025, as reported by 'Android Authority.' In a press release on the South Korean support site, LG announced the discontinuation of Over-the-Air (OTA) updates, Update Center, and LG Bridge. In the future, users will no longer be able to download or install Android updates for their smartphones. Despite the withdrawal from the smartphone market, the company made an update promise in 2021 for a range of then-current models. Premium devices like the Velvet, Wing, and V60S were to receive three version updates, and mid-range devices like the Stylo were to receive two years of version updates. These models have not received new Android versions or security patches since 2023. However, LG's update servers remain online so users can still install the last available updates. But that will also end as of the deadline, as LG will completely shut down the update servers. LG advises users to install the latest available software version on their devices before the deadline is reached. Those who miss this opportunity will have to forgo updates entirely in the future. The shutdown also affects the PC software LG Bridge. This application was used not only for installing software updates but also for backing up and restoring data on LG smartphones. The decision is not surprising. It is rather remarkable that LG offered software support for its last models for so long after exiting the smartphone race. Updates have always been a sore point in LG's history — and one of the many reasons why customers turned away from the company. LG never firmly established itself in the smartphone market. Although it had a global market share of more than five percent in 2014 (source: Statista), ahead of HTC and Sony, growing competition from China — Xiaomi and Oppo — put increasing pressure on the company. It last claimed seven percent of the U.S. market in 2021 (source: Statista). By that time, the decision to exit the smartphone business had already been made. The post Last Update Opportunity! LG to Permanently Shut Down Smartphone Servers appeared first on TECHBOOK.
Scottish Sun
01-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Huge mobile brand shuts down after 15 years & warns phone owners over urgent deadline to update before permanent closure
Find out what to do with your phone before it's too late HANG UP Huge mobile brand shuts down after 15 years & warns phone owners over urgent deadline to update before permanent closure Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR tech firm is warning users they must update their phones before the final part of its mobile business is closed down forever. The South Korean giant gave up on making smartphones after 15 years. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A number of popular phones will be affected Credit: Getty 2 Check now before it's too late Credit: Getty Existing device owners have been able to carry on receiving important Android updates. But that all comes to an end in just over two months. LG announced in 2021 that its mobile division was shutting up shop due to poor sales. The firm had struggled to compete with new rivals such as Oppo and Xiaomi, as well as long-established brands like Samsung. Its last phone release was the LG Wing 5G, with a unique design featuring two displays - one of which swivels. At the time LG revealed it was quitting mobiles the firm said it would continue to offer eligible devices software updates for three years. Those three years are now coming to an end. Bosses are planning to switch off their update servers on June 30, according to Android Authority. After that date, it will no longer be possible to download and install Android updates of any kind. So, if you are still using an LG smartphone, or have one stored somewhere, it's important to get updating before it's too late. Google reveals surprise Android upgrade including AI that answers phone for you "We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude towards our customers who have loved and supported LG Electronics mobile products," LG said. "After the termination date, you will no longer be able to use the software upgrade services. "If you wish to use the services, we strongly recommend upgrading your software before June 30, 2025. "Furthermore, as we will no longer provide application updates, you will not be able to download default applications deleted upon initialization." The move also spells the end for the LG Bridge software for PCs which allowed mobile users to update too.
News18
01-05-2025
- News18
LG Phones Will Lose Software Updates After July 2025: What You Should Know
Last Updated: LG phones have been available in various markets but the company exited the business in 2021 after which users got software support. LG exited the smartphone business back in 2021 but the company assured that its users will get support in all forms for three years. Well, that ends now, and the company is informing its consumers about the big news, which comes into effect from July 2025. LG has announced that its official server which pushes software updates will be shutting down in the next few months, which will put an end to any further security patches from the company. Most people might have already moved on to other phones but in case you are still using an LG phone, now is the right time to upgrade. LG's big news talks about shutting down the LG Bridge and Update server. The Bridge is a tool that LG users can rely on to back up their data, and install updates for their devices. Ending support for these services means the LG phones will soon become vulnerable to big security threats and make them prime targets for hackers. Going by these timelines, it seems like the company feels assured about its current user base who should have moved to other brands by now. So Long, LG Mobiles LG's track record was similar to Sony in the country, even though its phones were available across different price ranges but lacked the versatility of the Chinese brands. Having said that, LG did spring a surprise with phones like the LG Wing that offered a rotating multi-screen experience. First Published: May 01, 2025, 13:00 IST
