The newest version of Android, 4.4.2 KitKat, is making its way onto AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4s right now. Itching to try out the latest that Google has to offer? Keep an eye on your status bar for a notification letting you know that a system update is ready.
Some of changes you can expect, aside from an upgrade to KitKat, are Samsung Galaxy Gear compatibility, the ability to drag and drop to uninstall or disable apps, and call reliability improvements.
If You Don't See the OTA 4.4.2 Update Yet
If you don't see the notification yet, you can manually fetch the over-the-air (OTA) update. Head to your GS4's Settings -> More -> About device -> Software update -> Check for updates, then press OK at the bottom.
You'll need to be on a Wi-Fi connection (you can't update over mobile data), and as the update can use 412 MB to 842 MB of storage (depending on your current Android version), have at least 850 MB of free space on your device.
It also wouldn't hurt to have a fully charged battery, or just keep your phone plugged in, so it doesn't run out of juice in the middle of the update.
How to Bypass the 24-Hour Waiting Period
It may tell you that your software is already up to date, and to check back in 24 hours. While you're limited to checking for updates once every 24 hours, you can use a little softModder trick to get around that. Head to your GS4's Settings -> More -> Date and time.
Uncheck the box for Automatic date and time, and you'll be able to set the date manually. Simply forward the clock a day and you'll be able to run the software check again. Just don't forget to set it back to automatic time once you're done getting the update.
Have a Rooted GS4? Some Things You Should Know
If you're rooted (most likely on 4.3 or 4.2.2), you might not want to update to KitKat quite yet. For one, OTAs and modded phones don't play well with each other. If you do download the OTA, it'll probably fail during installation. Secondly, on the off chance that you do get the update to work on your GS4, you'll lose root.
My advice? Hold off on updating until this build of KitKat has been rooted. It's only a matter of time until developers find a way to root, and we should be able to get some flashable Odin files to manually upgrade to KitKat.
But stay tuned—when the rooted version of the update is released, we'll have your download link and instructions here.
Just updated your iPhone? You'll find new emoji, enhanced security, podcast transcripts, Apple Cash virtual numbers, and other useful features. There are even new additions hidden within Safari. Find out what's new and changed on your iPhone with the iOS 17.4 update.
21 Comments
Hi
i have a problem i updated to 4.4.2 kitkat on my s4 but now the eye that suppose to be on the notification panal is gone everything in smart screen is highlighted but it is not working can you help me
I assume you're talking about the Smart Scroll feature? Is it working even without the icon there?
The new update changed the way the icon is displayed, so that it's only seen when the feature is active.
Hi
i have a problem i updated to 4.4.2 kitkat on my samsung galaxy s4 gt i9505 now smart stay and smart scroll on in notifications panal but not show in status bar sign eye plz help me
hi i am having a problem installing 4.4kitkat update when all the reboot procedures are done at the end it says unable to install firmware try installing using kies ??
plus recently i had unrooted my phone to get update but that doesnt seem to work for me please help :(
Are you sure that you are unrooted? The official update is coming out today, but they tend to come in waves. Keep checking...
Hey, i need some help my theme hasn't changed after upgrading to kitkat in my galaxy S4 , how can i change it? thanks
The status bar and it's icons should have changed automatically. Is that what you're referring to?
Yes that is what should usually happen, but im not getting it? help?
Are you sure the update went through? What is the software version you are on? You can check in Setting -> More -> About Device.
yes this is a picture of my phone
Hmm...looks like the white status bar icons are there. When you're in the lock screen, does your status bar blend into the background?
Those are really the only two cosmetic changes, as well as a new lockscreen when playing music or watching videos.
actually i'm talking about this it's look the same
Okay I see. The home screens and widgets actually didn't change.
Any solution, pls .
Well there isn't a solution because you're not missing anything. There were no changes to the home screens, icons, or widgets in the last update.
You can try home screen replacement or a new icons packs as well as new widgets, all available with tons of free options from Google Play.
Ok thanks :)
Yeah exactly
Galaxy S4 owner from Netherland are the lucky one, they get first update of Android 4.4.2 KitKat Update,, while the other countries will get in coming days....
every time AT&T forces an update I lose a feature I like. They should not force these updates on people if they are happy with the way their phone performs.
I am on Verizon, and have rooted my 4.3 and verizon keeps trying to push 4.4 on me and I know it won't work. Is there a way to get it to work or stop bugging me?
To hide the notification, you can long-press it, tap App info, then uncheck the Show notifications option.
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