Samsung Galaxy S4 OS update Help.

[worir4]

I am trying to update my S4 (GT-I9505) from android version 4.3 to 5.0 (or the latest one). I have installed Samsung Kies but it says that i already have the latest version. I have tried the software updater on the phone settings also but it also says i have the latest. My Mum recently got an s4 also but she has the latest android so i know it is possible. Not sure if it is relevant but i am on the 3 network.

Can any one help me update my phone?

[Elthy]

No idea what "3 Network" means but if your phone is branded by your mobile network provider it means your provider also has to approve every update, which can take months or wont happen at all. NEVER buy branded phones!!!

[worir4]

My network is 3. My phone is not locked to a provider but my sim card is from 3.

[jimjun]

My network is 3. My phone is not locked to a provider but my sim card is from 3.

I also have a Samsung S4, but it is unbranded and unlocked, the update was smooth and troubleless.

[steve_v]

My approach would be: Flash ClockworkMod recovery -> download appropriate ROM image -> flash ROM from recovery, but I ditched kies about 5 minutes after getting the device. You could try grabbing the official image for your model / country and flashing it manually with kies or from (stock?) recovery though, looks like 5.0.1 is available for most models now.

Edited August 25, 2015 by steve_v

[Nibb31]

If your phone is branded, then updates need to be made available by your network, which is rarely the case.

Your best bet is to root the phone and flash a new ROM manually. It's pretty technical and beyond the scope of this forum. I suggest looking at xd-developers.com, which is the most extensive site on the subject.

[steve_v]

Short version of "flash firmware from a non-rooted ROM/stock recovery":

Get firmware files and Odin (not my upload, YMMV).

Reboot into 'download mode' by, IIRC, holding 'volume down', 'home' and 'power' buttons from a cold (battery out) shutdown.

Kill any open kies and ensure appropriate USB drivers are loaded on PC. Then Open Odin, connect phone and wait for detection.

Select appropriate firmware files and proceed with flash. When complete, reboot phone into new OS.

More to be found by searching xda. Spot on Nibb31, but you did miss that all-important 'a'

Also, you should be able to do this even with a 'branded' phone, but you will want to ensure you have a backup of the stock ROM, and trawl xda for any special software you may need for your carrier.

Edited August 25, 2015 by steve_v

[worir4]

Yeah, I suppose I wjll do the odin thing, I was hoping there was an easier way like through kies. Is there a way to un-brand the phone?

Also if I get the Three version of the firmware for my phone, will my phone be locked to only Three sim cards?

[steve_v]

The answer to both questions depends on whether it's just a cosmetic / stock app loadout 'branding' or a full sim-lock.

As you stated you aren't locked to '3' sim, you should be good to flash any compatible rom you please. This also opens possibilities well beyond the stock firmwares... Again, search xda for your model. I personally like an AOSP or CyanogenMod based rom with minimal bloatware.

There probably is a way to do it with kies, but I've no experience with (or use for) that particular application.

[worir4]

I will give it a try (after backing up my phone:sticktongue:) I'll let you know what happened when i'm done

- - - Updated - - -

The download speed is limited on SamMobile. It is going to take a painful 4 hours. I am downloading this one http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/51507/I9505XXUHOE3_I9505BTUHOG1_BTU/ for my phone which i think is correct as it doesn't specify a title.

[steve_v]

As long as no pitchfork-wielding occurs if it goes horribly wrong, though this is pretty unlikely.

Can't really help with finding correct firmware though, as I don't have that phone.

I should also note that flashing a non-samsung ROM will break kies... which is one of the reasons I don't use it.

Edited August 25, 2015 by steve_v

[worir4]

Thanks for the help

[worir4]

Okay, download of the firmware done, i am now using Odin to put it on my phone.

Edit: thanks for the help, i have successfully updated. It gave me a bit of a scare as it stayed on the booting screen for a while so i thought it had been bootlooped but it is fine now.

Edited August 25, 2015 by worir4
Done!

[steve_v]

Cool.

[tiffanyfinger]

If you want to update the OS of your Samsung Galaxy S4, it is possible to apply Samsung Kies which can manage phone data with ease,but the version of Kies on the official website cannot work with what it said on my device. Thus, I found Android Manager to replace it to back up my data with one click and the backup files an be previewed.

[KerbMav]

Since we are breathing new wind into this older thread:
Any chance to get a newer Android version for my Galasy S3 or is it hopelessly out of date for that?