Samsung update will prevent the Note 7 from charging

Samsung has already made it abundantly clear that you should return your Galaxy Note 7, offering refunds and exchanges as a consolation. But in case you haven’t taken advantage of the Korean company’s exchange program, you’ll soon have no choice.

Starting on Dec. 19, Samsung says it will roll out a software update in the U.S. that will essentially render the Note 7 useless. In addition to stripping the device of it ability to connect to wireless networks, the update will also prevent the Note 7 from charging.

The move comes after Samsung introduced another update that capped charging of Note 7 units to 60 percent. Merry Christmas!

Since Samsung issued an official recall a few months back, the company has tried to do right by its customers by introducing an exchange program meant to take the sting out of the Note 7’s failure. But even after repeated warnings, some customers still refuse to turn the device in, which is why Samsung is resorting to such drastic measures.

More than 93 percent of all recalled Note 7 devices have been returned, according to Samsung—those remaining devices will soon be nothing more than pretty paper weights.

Here’s Samsung’s statement in full:

Consumer safety remains our highest priority and we’ve had overwhelming participation in the U.S. Note7 Refund and Exchange Program so far, with more than 93 percent of all recalled Galaxy Note7 devices returned.

To further increase participation, a software update will be released starting on December 19^th and will be distributed within 30 days. This software update will prevent U.S. Galaxy Note7 devices from charging and will eliminate their ability to work as mobile devices. Together with our carrier partners, we will be notifying consumers through multiple touchpoints to encourage any remaining Galaxy Note7 owners to participate in the program and to take advantage of the financial incentives available.

Anyone who has not yet returned their device should immediately power it down and contact their carrier to obtain a refund or exchange, or visit our website at Samsung.com/us/note7recall for more information.

Return your device if you haven’t

As part of Samsung’s exchange program, customers have several different options. If you exchange your Note 7 for another Samsung device, you’ll get a $100 bill credit from select carrier or retails outlets. If you decide you want a full refund, you’ll get a $25 bill credit.

Heck, even if you exchange the Note 7 for a competing smartphone, you’ll still get a $25 bill credit. So, although you’ll have to give up your recalled device, you’re really winning out in the end. And with the Galaxy S8 reportedly on the horizon, it might be worth it to wait the extra few months and forget this whole Note 7 thing ever happened.