An over-the-air (OTA) platform of a wireless carrier network may be used to update a companion user device that is associated with a primary user device. The OTA platform receives a request from an entity to provide an OTA update to a companion user device that is registered with a wireless carrier network. The OTA platform identifies a primary user device associated with the companion user device based on subscriber account information for the companion user device. The OTA platform then sends a termination command to the primary user device to direct the primary user device to terminate an active short-range wireless communication link between the primary user device and the companion user device. This termination triggers the companion user device to establish a cellular communication link with the wireless carrier network. Subsequently, the OTA platform sends an OTA update to the companion user device via the cellular communication link.