Lollipop update (5.0.2) - missing Smart Lock & Guest/User accounts

[johnstoneg]

Hi All

My Galaxy A5 has just arrived, and like a good Tech I upgraded the OS before I did anything else. It's currently running Lollipop (5.0.2), and according to everytning I can see on the Android website, the core 'Lollipop' OS should provide the Smart Lock option (assuming a pattern or passcode is enabled on the device), and the Guest/User Account options. Both of these very useful options are missing from the 5.0.2 update I have just installed...

Does anyone know if this is a build variation specifically for Vodafone (i.e. they have opted to disable these core functions as part of their core Android 5.0.2 build), or is there some small print somewhere, detailling hardware limitations/requirements for these services to be enabled?

Thanks in advance - Glenn

[johnstoneg]

Vodafone CSRs (and their dedicated Tech Support staff), do not have an answer to this question, so I've dropped Samsung Support the same query, and will update this thread with their response - once I have it.

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi

The network does hold back a firmware and test it to ensure it and it's features do not clash with the network and the branded phones they release it from.

Hopefully another user will report their findings here for you.

https://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Vodafone-products-services/Firmware/m-p/831995

[johnstoneg]

Discussed the missing OS Compnents with Samsung Support this afternoon, and I was advised that Samsung made a decision NOT to install the Smart Lock & Guest User services on their phones. There are no current plans to make these Lollipop 5.x services available on their devices.

So there's the answer...

I must say I'm disappointed. I've been running Android for 6 years now on my mobile devices, and have shied away from Apple - due to more convoluted/expensive ways of doing things on their devices that are free/simpler on Android. With the growing 'divergence' of core OS builds on Android being adopted by phone manufacturers - and their blatant lack of dissemination of OS/policy updates (and what they will be adopting/rejecting as part of their Software Update provision) - I'm beginning to look at Apple as a possible 'better' long term soultion. After all, all their handsets get the same OS (hardware/firmware dependent)... In essence, ou get what it says on the tin!

[SimonWilding]

I have the Smart Lock function on my S4 running 5.0.1........