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Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 KitKat Update Arrives With a Twist

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The Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 KitKat update release is finally here though Verizon’s latest Android 4.4 KitKat update roll out has arrived with a bit of a twist.

In January, Samsung started pushing out the Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 KitKat update. The update started off slowly before it started pushing out for a number of carriers in February. Sprint was among the first carriers to push out Android 4.4 KitKat for the Galaxy Note 3. Soon after, it was joined by the likes of U.S. Cellular, T-Mobile and AT&T. Those roll outs left the Verizon Galaxy Note 3 as the only Galaxy Note 3 variant in the United States without the Android 4.4 KitKat update.

Verizon is notorious for being slow to major Android upgrades. That, combined with the fact that it doesn’t announce release date information ahead of time often makes for a grueling wait. The wait for the Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 KitKat update was no different.

Verizon did not release any information, it didn’t even confirm the update, and that left Verizon Galaxy Note 3 owners in the dark. And while we did see the Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 KitKat update leak ahead of schedule, the leak appealed only to those adept at installing leaked software. Finally, after a long wait for the update, all Verizon Galaxy Note 3 owners got the light that they’ve been waiting for.

The Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4.2 update is worth installing for most users.

The Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4.2 update is worth installing for most users.

The Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 KitKat update is here and it’s available to those that wish to get off of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. However, the roll out comes with a bit of a twist. It’s not rolling out Over-the-Air for the moment and those that want it today will need to download it through Samsung Kies or the Verizon Software Assistant.

Both require Verizon Galaxy Note 3 owners to plug their device into their PC to initiate the upgrade. Those who aren’t interested in updating through Samsung Kies or the Verizon Software Assistant will simply have to wait it out. It’s not clear if Verizon is going to offer an update Over-the-Air though historically this has been an option available to Galaxy owners.

It’s also not clear what’s on board the update given that we haven’t seen a change log released just yet. We are expecting an update that’s extremely similar to the Verizon Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat update that rolled out several weeks ago. That update was dominated by the changes that come with all Galaxy Android 4.4 KitKat updates.

Changes should include a change to the look of the status bar, a new way to switch between the default messaging application and Hangouts, performance upgrades, and more. Verizon typically adds its own spin on its major Android updates which means that Galaxy Note 3 owners should expect bug fixes and unique enhancements.

Keep in mind, Android 4.4 KitKat also delivers a microSD card problem that is directly associated with Android. As in it’s an issue that is plaguing owners of other Galaxy Note 3 models as well. There are some workarounds for the problem but they are all extremely tedious. Verizon Galaxy Note 3 owners are advised to take a look at the problems before installing the new software.

This Android 4.4 KitKat update follows Verizon’s Galaxy S4 update and its Galaxy Note 10.1 Android 4.4 KitKat update. It does not, however, serve as the carrier’s final Galaxy Android 4.4 deployment.

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Days ago, both the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat updates started rolling out. Sprint has already rolled out the Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update and the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat update is expected to land in the United States in May or June. Sprint already confirmed it for arrival in the future but neglected to offer a specific date.

Verizon has yet to confirm either update though it, along with other U.S. carriers, is expected to push the update out sometime in the weeks ahead. Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 owners will likely get the same treatment that Galaxy Note 3 owners got. The updates likely won’t be confirmed ahead of time and we’ll likely see them roll out on an unpredictable date of Verizon’s choosing.

That predicament is much better than the predicament that some Galaxy S3 owners find themselves in. Samsung recently confirmed that it would not be upgrading the 1GB version of the Galaxy S3, also known as the GT-i9300, with Android 4.4 KitKat. It claims that the decision is based on performance.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat update remains unaffected and it should be deployed to users across the globe including in the United States.

Samsung also announced that it canned the Galaxy S3 mini Android 4.4 KitKat update for the same reason. The company still owes several Android 4.4 KitKat updates to its user base and today, it made good on another promise.

The company’s Galaxy Note 8.0 Android 4.4 KitKat roll out has begun though the update remains limited at this point. The update’s roll out should take several months and timing will vary based on region and service provider.

28 Comments

28 Comments

  1. Mike

    05/12/2014 at 4:25 pm

    They must have already pulled the update because both methods (Verizon upgrade assistant and Samsung software are saying that my android 4.3 is the latest firmware

    • Dimitrije Taylor

      05/12/2014 at 4:36 pm

      Same here…

    • hatesverizon

      05/13/2014 at 3:05 am

      same here, been tryin sence I found out and nothing sence yesterday morning, and still nothing

  2. Greentiger

    05/12/2014 at 4:52 pm

    Downloaded it earlier. Everything works fine so far except my visual voicemail isn’t working.

  3. The Hi Tech Nomad (@thehitechnomad)

    05/12/2014 at 4:59 pm

    Don’t sweat it guys…its a big yawn….

    1. No Tap and Pay from Google Wallet (I am seeing that the issue is on Google’s end but either way still years later no tap and pay on my expensive phone)

    2. Transparent Status bar – But since I’m using Nova Launcher I’ve had that for months.

    3. Wireless printing – But as I have been using PrinterShare for years nothing new here.

    4. Full screen Album art….on lock screen…meh…

    5. Change default SMS….hate to say it but I like the default…however I do sometimes use HelloSMS

    6. Can change the GPS accuracy.

    7. No new apps except something called Alerts…

    Still no Knox…etc…

    I download and ran the Nexus Camera….but I think I could have still done that with out loading KitKat…

    So at the end of the day..yawn…I still can only use IsIs wallet….

    So I guess I’ll wait for Lemon Pie or Note 4

    But honestly if Verizon holds to this form I may just start buying the unlocked International Version…as one of the Grandfathered Unlimited Data Plan’ners I have to pay full price for my phone anyways to keep my plan…I might as well by-pass this foolishness and get it from the source….instead of constantly having to wait to be disappointed.

    • Steven Campbell

      05/13/2014 at 7:41 am

      If by nexus camera you mean google camera no. No that requires kitkat, and you can side load this to JB but it does not work.

      Also not working is the google nexus launcher that gives you the fastest launcher out there.
      The apps again cab be side loaded, but then just give a parsing error when trying to install.

  4. Dimitrije Taylor

    05/12/2014 at 5:01 pm

    Did you leave it connected to your computer for a longer amount of time… or did it update as soon as you connected it..

  5. TP

    05/12/2014 at 5:24 pm

    No update on 2 Note 3’s in my family. They pulled it already??? FUBAR!

    • Mike

      05/12/2014 at 5:40 pm

      I tried two note 3’s as well…

  6. greg goode

    05/12/2014 at 5:46 pm

    Not working for me either

  7. Alex

    05/12/2014 at 6:13 pm

    No update listed in Kies or VZW UA for me either. Seems they pulled it already because of the visual voice mail bug. So that’ll take them another 4 months to fix. I’m done with VZW, the slow crawl speed to release KitKat for this phone was the last straw. I’ll be switching as soon as my contract is up.

    • Skyla Cowan

      05/12/2014 at 7:17 pm

      prove it, you don’t have the heart bro

      • Steven Campbell

        05/13/2014 at 7:39 am

        wtf is your problem? i am actually switching as well when my contract is up. This is what you do when you do not like the company you deal with.

        What stupid comment is “you dont have the heart?”
        Really…

  8. hatesverizon

    05/12/2014 at 7:34 pm

    wow can’t even update my phone, says there’s no update, nice really verizon

  9. pranesh

    05/12/2014 at 7:42 pm

    after installing kitkat 4.4.2 on my note 2 mobile internet browsing will take more time to open the web site and battery is draining like hell plz fix this all bugs

  10. KJM

    05/12/2014 at 10:45 pm

    I have it… It looks nicer but it’s no sweat… However the vvm bug is annoying

  11. Greentiger

    05/13/2014 at 6:19 am

    Found a fix for the visual voicemail issue. Have someone call and leave you a voicemail. When the voicemail notification comes up… Long press the notification and then choose “App Info”. Force stop Visual Voicemail. After that it should work. Worked for me!!

  12. Steven Campbell

    05/13/2014 at 7:38 am

    So yeah, it appears these bastards pulled the update for certain. It would probably have something to do with the visual voicemail not working because it is indeed a subscription service that makes verizon money.

    The joke is that I use google voice for that service, for free.

    This company is so terribly EVIL, and I am just disgusted by them.

    Side note, for all of you saying “there is not much new.”
    THIS UPDATE BRINGS YOU TO ANDOID 4.4.x, which means that you get to actually use some apps that require this update like the google camera, and some samsung services.

    Just because YOU DO NOT SEE A NEED for it does not mean one does not exist.

    • crazyoldman

      05/13/2014 at 9:54 am

      Verizon just pushed 4.4 OTA. Downloading now…

  13. Cory Wright

    05/14/2014 at 4:55 am

    Just downloaded KitKat over the air for my Note 3 (Verizon), it’s running SLOW…texts not coming in when sent to me…and the thing is heating up heavy…emanating mostly from where the SD card is located…what can I do? This has made the phone run worse!

    • Essence Simmons

      05/14/2014 at 10:39 am

      I’m having the same problem i’m not receiving snapchats when they are sent to me and the same 5 apps have been updating since 7 this morning and its 1:30pm and i’m on wi-fi… AND ITS EATING MY BATTERY i haven’t even been on my phone today and i’m at 49%

    • Michael

      05/21/2014 at 7:41 am

      Same thing is happening on my phone! 4.4 downloaded OTA while I was sleeping and now there’s no way to go back to a working phone

  14. kiwan

    05/14/2014 at 1:02 pm

    They must have already pulled the update because both methods (Verizon upgrade assistant and Samsung software are saying that my android 4.3 is the latest firmware.any idea why ??????????????

  15. LyndaMarlena (@LyndaMarlena)

    05/18/2014 at 5:37 am

    My battery is draining like crazy too and phone lags bad now. Wish I would have not updated

  16. jake

    06/06/2014 at 6:09 pm

    Well the new upgrade puts bloatware headache to a new level.. cant disable alot of them Massive battery drain. going back to Apple

  17. Casey

    07/21/2014 at 8:54 am

    This update and the “free” basic visual voicemail deal has had my voice mail account reset every month since May. Just got off the phone with them, have to wait for their “network” team to work the ticket… 72 hours.

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