Update and Upgrade Samsung Galaxy S4 Update Samsung Galaxy S4 Software Directly vs Update Samsung Galaxy S4 using Samsung Kies

Edited by Leomar Umpad, Lynn, Eng, Alma and 13 others

This is part of the VisiHow series on how to use the Samsung Galaxy S4. You can visit the main VisiHow on how to USE SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 for a full list of S4 VisiHow Articles

Software updates are the manufacturers' way of continually improving their products. These updates are often needed because of newly implemented features, to correct any bugs, or to respond to customers' requests and complaints. It's always a good habit to keep your Samsung Galaxy S4's software up-to-date.

Method 1: Update Samsung Galaxy S4 Software Directly

  1. 1
    From anywhere on your device, pull down from the very top edge of the screen, until you see the notification panel, then tap the gear.
    How to update galaxy s4 01.png
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  2. 2
    On the settings screen, in the upper-right corner, tap "MORE".
    How to update galaxy s4 02a.png
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  3. 3
    Scroll down to the bottom and tap, "About device".
    How to update galaxy s4 03a.png
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  4. 4
    Tap, "Software update", the first option on the About device screen.
    How to update galaxy s4 04a.png
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  5. 5
    Here on the Software updates screen, tap "Update now".
    How to update galaxy s4 05a.png
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  6. 6
    A message box will pop-up stating that downloading updates via your data plan will deduct from your monthly bandwidth usage
    .
    Tap "OK" when you're happy with your connection settings.
    How to update galaxy s4 06a.png
     
    1. turning Auto update on will ensure software updates get installed as they are released. Turning this off and you'll have to manually check for updates periodically.
    2. It is advised to download software updates while connected to WiFi. To make sure you're connected, check your WiFi settings.
    3. Leaving the WiFi only option turned on will ensure you never use any data during software updates.
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  7. 7
    Your device will now search for the latest software version.
    How to update galaxy s4 07.png
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  8. 8
    If you see the following message window pop-up, your Android is fully up-to-date
    .
    Tap "OK" to close the pop-up. If your device isn't updated, you will see a similar pop-up, only it will ask to install the latest version. Tap "OK" to continue through the process.
    How to update galaxy s4 08a 1.png
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Method 2: Update Samsung Galaxy S4 using Samsung Kies

If for some reason you're not able to update your phone via WiFi or data, you can use Samsung Kies to check and download updates for your phone's software. Just follow the procedures below to update your Samsung Galaxy S4 using Kies:

  1. 1
    Download and install the latest Samsung Kies to your computer.
    Kies dl page.png
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  2. 2
    Using a USB cable, connect your Samsung Galaxy S4 to your computer
    .
    Samsung Kies connect and sync with your phone.
    10 how to update samsung galaxy s4 using OTA using KIES and ODI.PNG
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  3. 3
    Once a connection has been established, Samsung Kies will now display your device name
    .
    If Kies does not detect your phone, try to disconnect and reconnect the USB cable, and restarting the program.
    11 how to update samsung galaxy s4 using OTA using KIES and ODI.PNG
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  4. 4
    Under "Firmware information", Samsung Kies will inform you if a new update is available
    .
    It will also show your current firmware and the latest firmware version for your phone.
    12 how to update samsung galaxy s4 using OTA using KIES and ODI.PNG
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  5. 5
    Tap on the "Firmware upgrade" button to start upgrading your device's software.
    13 how to update samsung galaxy s4 using OTA using KIES and ODI.PNG
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  6. 6
    You'll be prompted with a warning that the firmware upgrade for your S4 will start
    .
    Disconnect any other devices connected to your computer, except your Samsung Galaxy S4.
    14 how to update samsung galaxy s4 using OTA using KIES and ODI.PNG
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  7. 7
    Review the warning and make sure you understand it
    .
    Tap on the check box beside the "I have read all of the above information" to confirm that you've read the warnings.
    15 how to update samsung galaxy s4 using OTA using KIES and ODI.PNG
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  8. 8
    Tap on the "Start upgrade" button, located in the lower part of the prompt to start the software upgrade.
    16 how to update samsung galaxy s4 using OTA using KIES and ODI.PNG
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  9. 9
    Your update will begin downloading
    .
    This may take up to a few hours depending on the size of the update and your internet connection.
    17 how to update samsung galaxy s4 using OTA using KIES and ODI.PNG
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  10. 10
    When the update has finished, a prompt will tell you the upgrade is complete
    .
    It will ask you to restart your Samsung Galaxy S4, then disconnect and reconnect the cable.
    18 how to update samsung galaxy s4 using OTA using KIES and ODI.PNG
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  11. 11
    Click "OK" button when you have completed the instructions.
    19 how to update samsung galaxy s4 using OTA using KIES and ODI.PNG
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  12. 12
    You should be able to see that the update on your device has been successful, and you now have the latest firmware on your phone.
    20 how to update samsung galaxy s4 using OTA using KIES and ODI.PNG
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Tips, Tricks and Warnings

  • Updating may take several hours, so make sure that you have enough battery juice to prevent your phone from turning off before the update is successful. It is advisable that you charge your phone during this process. An incomplete update may create problems with your phone.
  • Updating your device using the official firmware will not invalidate your phone's warranty.
  • Make sure to back up your device, as software updates may delete data on your phone.
  • Make sure you do not press any buttons while updating, as it can mess up the process.
  • If your phone has customized software, it is advisable that you flash it with the original software before updating to prevent upgrade failures and other problems.
  • Do not disconnect your cable (update through Kies) or your internet connection (over-the-air update) while the update is ongoing.

Update / Upgrade Samsung Galaxy S4

Questions and Answers

Update for Galaxy S4 via Kies not working, message showing up on computer screen?

I've used Kies to install the latest software update for my S4, it's now telling me to restart the device and disconnect then reconnect the cable, I've done this numerous times, and the message will not disappear from my computer screen, and I don't think the update has been put into action on my device.

  • Download the official Jelly Bean 4.3 firmware for your country and carrier.
  • Download and install Odin 3.07
  • Install the right drivers for your phone. Download Samsung USB Drivers on Samsung's official site.
  • Extract the downloaded firmware.
  • Open ODIN 3.07.
  • Turn off your phone and put it into Download mode by pressing the Home + Volume Down +Power button.
  • Connect your phone to your computer via USB cable.
  • Click the PDA on ODIN and choose the extracted firmware file.
  • Click on Start and wait for the process to be done.
  • Your phone will reboot and you are now on Android version 4.3.

You can check a more detailed discussion on upgrading Galaxy S4 to the official Jelly Bean 4.3 Update and Upgrade Samsung Galaxy S4

The best way to tell if the update went through is by going into settings>about phone and check the Android software version number.

If Kies is not getting the update through, try the update option on the phone. Connect to your WiFi network to avoid data charges and go into settings>about phone>check system updates.

I just upgraded it but it still shows 4.1.2 not 4.3?

I just upgraded it but it still shows 4.1.2 not 4.3?

Make sure the download is complete, either from your phone's over the air update process or through Kies. Use your WiFi connection if you are in a spotty 3g/4g area. You may also be required to do a reboot on the phone for the upgrade to take effect.

I cannot download firmware neither my device is recognized in Kies. What to do?

I have tried rooting the device in the morning but there was a problem and I have got an error as 'Firmware upgrade error. Update with Kies and try again' but since morning I am trying everything but I am not able to download Firmware from sammobile.com, nor Kies, and Kies 3 recognizing my device. I am in a big trouble now, what should I do. please help

Make sure in settings that you have turned off the USB debugging under Settings > Applications > Development. If you have and Kies is still not responding, hard reset your device. Then try again to update the firmware. Hopefully, your device is not bricked. You want to look into using ADB tools instead of Kies to put on the ODIN software.

Failed to connect the device, The connection to this device has timed out. Please disconnect the cable and try connect again?

Http://prntscr.com/9hmvls help me please

  1. 1
    Disconnect the USB cable from your device.
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  2. 2
    Dial the following number sequence
    :
    *#7284# to launch the PhoneUtil application of your device.
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  3. 3
    Choose USB -> Modem and then USB -> PDA mode.
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  4. 4
    Restart your device and connect to Kies again.
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Samsung S4 Incomplete Software Update?

Received software updates 3 weeks ago, according to Vodafone store today, updates are incomplete, I am unable to access the internet, WiFi or messaging outside of my home WiFi, advised to check online on how to solve this Put your phone into Recovery Mode and choose Wipe Cache Partition. When the device reboots, check to see if you can connect to WiFi. If not still, then hard reset your device and update the APN settings. Go to a Vodafone location if you are unsure of what the APN settings should be.

I've just updated firmware. It says successfully completed but won't finish?

It says successfully completed. Restart the device. Disconnect and reconnect the cable. I've done that 3 times and when I press OK, it says Restart the device. Disconnect and reconnect the cable. What do I do now?

Instead of clicking the "Restart" button, shut it down completely. When completely off, remove the cable(USB). Turn the device back on, and once you see that the screen is on (device name/Samsung), immediately plug the cable(USB) back in. Then press OK in Kies until the window vanishes and Kies reloads the main program. If this last step does not work, you may have waited too long before pressing the OK button after plugging in the cable.

Device is rooted and I can't update it over OTA?

Please help. I installed Xposed installer to update over OTA. It downloads the update but fails to install it. Now I'm trying with Kies, will my device update? You cannot use XPosed Framework to update Lollipop or Marshmallow OTA. It can possibly brick your device. Disable it or uninstall it. Then hard reset your device and try again with a USB cable connection. If you do not have a USB then put your phone into Recovery and Wipe Cache Partition. Then attempt the OTA again. Hopefully, you did not brick your device using the XPosed in the first place. Next time, do some further research on a suggested method as there are numerous posts online about how the Xposed bricked people's devices with Lollipop attempts because it was unsupported for that OS.

How to update my cell and how to speed up my cell?

My Korean cellphone is running very slow and Android is very slow, please help me

Free Up Internal Storage Memory on Android Devices is a VisiHow article that will show you how to erase unnecessary storage on your device. You can also use apps like Google Photos to backup pictures and videos in a cloud and then delete them from your device. Apps like Clean Master will delete old call logs and you should set your messaging to delete after a maximum set point automatically.

Is this free or is there a payment?

Please see above thank you.

VisiHow is a community of authors and regular people like yourself. The website is free to use and we ask that you pay it forward if you wish by submitting an article or answering a question.

I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 and am trying to upgrade it to Nougat. But it says I have the latest updat?

I need to have a stronger version. I have a 4.3 version now and it is not enough to run certain things.

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