More on Nokia N73 update problems

Rating: One reader thinks he has the answer

Here @ GoMobile Towers we are constantly inundated with questions concerning how to update the OS [operating system software] in a Nokia N73. It appears that this little smartphone enjoys a thriving ecosystem in the India subcontinent and parts of Africa. That’s even though the model has long been discontinued and Nokia has stopped providing support for this handset. What we still don’t quite understand is exactly why so many people want to update the OS in this handset. Well, one reader seems to think it is because that a persistent bug keeps appearing and has provided his solution. We’ve also decided to publish the specifications for this handset.

One possible reason for wishing to update is a problem whereby the handset comes up with a ‘memory full’ error.

Bijuk Chetikaram has a solution. He says, “First turn off your phone. Then hold the Green, 3, and * keys.”

“Next start up your phone and hold the keys until it comes to the point to select time zone. Then select time zone and set it to what you like.”

This compliments another solution whereby Abdur Rasel describes how to overcome this obstacle in the Comments below this particular article.

One assumption which is frequently made is that N73 fanatics have access to a PC – which is, of course, not always the case.

The solution which is taken from our previous story on ‘How to update the Nokia N73′s OS‘ is to force an update from within the handset.

To do so go to the N73′s Menu button; select the option marked ‘Applications’; and from the next menu which appears select ‘SW Update’.

There is actually a section on the Nokia support site for India here which outlines how to update the software and also has hints on the cheapest way to do so (use Wi-fi).

There’s also a video here on YouTube outlining how to do the software update. (See below).

The one thing which you cannot do, of course, is update the N73′s OS to Android. The hardware inside an N73 simply won’t support it.

So you are stuck with a handset which comes with the S60 3rd edition of the Symbian OS 9.1.

Even though the handset is discontinued, there are still web sites based in India offering to sell you a handset for around Rs.11392.

One of these is Price of Mobiles.com here.

Here in Europe the last update number we know of for the N73 is 4.0839.42.0.1.

We know there are different builds of the Indian subcontinent but no-one has supplied us with an update number higher than V 4.08 12.4.2.1 (RM-133) yet.

So, if you handset says the number is V 4.07, then YES there is an update to 4.08.

We’ve also had enquiries about running current apps like Whatsapp. That’s not possible. Take a look at the Whatsapp support page here.

However, if you are after free N73 apps try Freeware Symbian.net here.

To make like easier for readers we have created a special subcategory devoted entirely to the N73. It should contain four other stories besides this one.

The last one was 2012′s Top Stories: Nokia N73 Software Update. There’s also ‘Another update for Indian Nokia N73 owners’ here.

Happy reading.

Nokia N73 Specifications (courtesy Priceofmobiles.com)