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Samsung Galaxy Android 4.4 KitKat Updates: 10 Things You Need to Know

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With Samsung Galaxy Android 4.4.2 KitKat updates still flying around and Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat details swirling, we want to breakdown the Samsung Galaxy Android 4.4 KitKat update situation for Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 3, and Galaxy Note 2 users.

Almost a year ago, Google made a surprise announced ahead of the iPhone 5s launch and the iOS 7 release. The company, in an effort to draw attention away from Apple, announced Android 4.4 KitKat last September ahead of its release later in the year in November. And since November, we’ve seen Android 4.4.2 KitKat push out for a number of users including owners of Samsung’s popular Galaxy smartphones.

Android 4.4.2 KitKat first started rolling out to Samsung users back in January when the update touched down for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Several weeks later, the update landed for the Galaxy S4 and soon, Samsung and its carrier partners were off to the races. We’ve seen the update touch down for the Galaxy Note 2, the Galaxy S3 and a number of other Galaxy-branded devices including the Galaxy S4 Active, Galaxy Mega, and the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini to name a few.

In the midst of Samsung’s Android 4.4.2 KitKat push though, Google released two new Android KitKat updates in the forms of Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat. The updates, while small, are essential bug fixers and tackle a number of the important Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems that emerged back in November.

As we’ve pointed out, Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 3, and Galaxy Note 2 users, users of Samsung’s most popular smartphones, have been complaining about an assortment of Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems, problems they hope will be solved by the latest Android 4.4 KitKat updates.

With Android 4.4.2 KitKat updates still missing in action and attention now on Google’s latest Android updates, we want to take a look at the 10 most important things Galaxy users need to know, right now, about Android 4.4.2, Android 4.4.3 and Android 4.4.4 KitKat.

Galaxy Note 3 Roll Out Continues

Samsung Galaxy S5 vs Galaxy Note 3 -  005-XL

Believe it or not, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update is still active. In fact, it’s still very active. The Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update recently started rolling out for the Galaxy Note 3 on Vodafone Australia and for users on Telstra and Optus, two other carriers in Australia. These updates were confirmed months ago so it’s nice to see them finally roll out,

We’ve also heard that the SM-N900 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update has pushed to users in Hong Kong, Taiwan and to users in Russia. As for the SM-N9005, it has been pushed to users in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. We’ve seen a major slow down in the month of July which leads us to believe that Samsung’s Android 4.4.2 KitKat push is coming to an end.

As it should be. This is an update that has been pushing out for seven months. That may be a new record.

Galaxy Note 2 Roll Out Continues

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update is behind the Galaxy Note 3’s but its still making progress worldwide. In recent weeks, we’ve seen the update push out to T-Mobile users in Germany and Austria, to users in the United Kingdom, to users on Orange in France, and to Vodafone users in Portugal to name a few. There are also a number of updates that appear ready to go.

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French carrier SFR says that its update will begin rolling out today and that it will deliver a number of big time enhancements.Vodafone says that it should push out the update in July though a specific date remains uncertain and Telstra, in its latest update. Of course, the news isn’t all good. Telstra says that delayed the test version of the update and that the update is TBC or “To Be Confirmed.”

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 Update MIA

AT&T, Sprint, U.S. Cellular and Verizon have all pushed out Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4.2 KitKat updates. T-Mobile, on the other hand, has not. T-Mobile’s Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update is the only missing U.S. update and unfortunately, we still don’t know when the carrier plans on pushing the firmware out.

The update still hasn’t shown up on Samsung’s product pages, updates will typically show up there before their release, and it hasn’t emerged in Samsung’s Open Source site for developers. Updates will typically show up there hours before they roll out. So, it’s not clear when T-Mobile plans to get the ball rolling for Galaxy Note 2 users.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Video -  020

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 users should know that T-Mobile very rarely announces updates ahead of time. So, we should find out when the update is rolling out on the day the update rolls out. That’s just how U.S. carriers roll.

In other words, stop asking T-Mobile about the update. It’s not going to get you anywhere. It’ll be ready

Galaxy S4 Android 4.4.2 Updates Still Missing

Samsung Galaxy S5 vs Galaxy S4 vs Galaxy S3 - Features

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update is still making significant progress with recent Android 4.4.2 KitKat roll outs in Turkey, Kenya, and South Africa. We’ve also seen the GT-i9505 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update push to regions like Germany, Bulgaria, the Baltic, and even in Macedonia. Samsung’s Galaxy S4 Android 4.4.2 KitKat push has been furious in July.

However, there is still work to be done. Carriers in Australia either have no dates like Telstra or very vague dates like Optus and Vodafone, both of which say they’ll push in July.

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In the U.S., it’s the former. Smaller carriers like C Spire Wireless and MetroPCS still haven’t announced plans for the Galaxy S4 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update, six months after its initial release. It’s extremely strange, to say the least.

Galaxy S4 users on these two carriers should know that there is a good chance their devices won’t get left behind on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean but at this point, it’s not clear what’s going to be rolling out. Given that we’re still seeing Android 4.4.2 KitKat push, there’s reason to believe that it will be the update that reaches these two devices in the coming weeks.

Most Carriers Silent on Galaxy S3 Android 4.4.2 Updates

We still have not see any significant Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update action outside of the United States. The Galaxy S3 LTE Android 4.4 KitKat update has emerged in the U.S. and in Canada but it still hasn’t shown up internationally. And from where we’re sitting, it appears that only one major international carrier has confirmed the update.

Vodafone Australia is one of the only carriers, outside North America, that has confirmed the Galaxy S3 LTE Android 4.4 KitKat update for arrival. It won’t say when it will roll out or what version but it’s clear that it has plans for the Galaxy S3.

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Android KitKat continues to roll out.

Vocal carriers like SFR, Telstra, Optus and others have not relayed their plans and it’s unclear if they plan to deliver Android 4.4.2 KitKat, another version of KitKat or nothing at all.

The Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update is at a standstill and Samsung, for whatever reason, still hasn’t cleared the situation up. Users will need to remain patient as the company rarely issues significant details regarding major Android upgrades.

U.S. Galaxy S3 Updates MIA

In the U.S., we’ve seen several carriers push out the Android 4.4.2 KitKat update including AT&T and Sprint. However, there are still several updates missing in action including the T-Mobile Galaxy S3 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update.

We still don’t have any details regarding the missing updates, which include U.S. Cellular’s, MetroPCS’ and others, and these U.S. carriers likely won’t spill the beans until release day. We fully expect all of these updates to push out at some point down the road but it’s clear that carriers simply aren’t going to offer any concrete details about the testing process.

They don’t want to set any expectations.

Android 4.4.3 KitKat Update Update

So, in summary, Android 4.4.2 KitKat is alive in well in the land of Samsung. But what about Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat, the latest updates from Google? Well, in true Samsung fashion,the company hasn’t confirmed anything for its devices. Galaxy users are likely going to be flying blind as we head deeper into the year.

Here’s the overall skinny for those that missed it. Android 4.4.4 KitKat has replaced Android 4.4.3 KitKat and it’s clear that companies have shifted to Android 4.4.4 KitKat. In other words, going forward, it’s likely that we’ll see Samsung and other manufacturers skip over Android 4.4.3 KitKat updates for Android 4.4.4 KitKat.

Android 4.4.4 KitKat will deliver the same bug fixes as Android 4.4.3 and it will have a patch on board for an OpenSSL vulnerability. Android 4.4.3 KitKat does not have that patch and that, to our knowledge, is the only key difference between the two.

There is a good chance Samsung will tack on its own fixes and enhancements for its TouchWiz user interface but that remains unconfirmed at this point. Manufacturers often load up these updates with fixes and as we’ve pointed out, Android 4.4.2 KitKat is riddled with problems that are both Android and TouchWiz related.

Galaxy S5 & Galaxy S4 Android 4.4.4 KitKat Updates?

A Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.3 KitKat update was rumored for June while a Galaxy S4 LTE-A Android 4.4.3 KitKat update was rumored for July. Since that rumor emerged several weeks ago, we’ve heard nothing in regard to these two updates.

Galaxy S5 Review - 1

That’s not to say that they aren’t coming but it does hint at a shift to Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Companies like Motorola and Sony skipped Android 4.4.3 KitKat in favor of Android 4.4.4 KitKat and it would certainly be strange if Samsung pushed out the older Android 4.4.3 KitKat update to its flagship smartphone and one of its newer Galaxy S4 variants.

If these devices do get Android 4.4 KitKat updates in the near future, we’d expect them to be Android 4.4.4.

Android 4.4.4 KitKat Details for Others Non-Existent

As for devices like the Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 2, regular Galaxy S4, and Galaxy S3, we’ve heard nothing. Again, it’s clear that users are struggling with Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems on these devices but we’re not sure if Android 4.4.4 KitKat is going to be the update that emerges as the savior.

For now, users dealing with issues must try and find temporary solutions for their Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems and hope that Samsung does push out Android 4.4.4 KitKat updates in the near future.

Future is Wide Open

Samsung still hasn’t confirmed any details beyond Android 4.4.2 KitKat. Android 4.4.3 and Android 4.4.4 KitKat details are non-existent and it still isn’t talking about Android L. This means that the future for all of these devices is still very wide open.

Google recommends 18 months of software support. Samsung typically provides 24 months. With those time frames in mind, the Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, and Galaxy Note 3 will almost certainly get any Android 4.4 KitKat update that Samsung decides to roll out be it Android 4.4.3 KitKat or Android 4.4.4 KitKat.

Android-L-Nexus5

These devices will also probably get the upcoming Android L update, a major Android update that’s set to arrive later on this year. Samsung hasn’t confirmed but they’re new enough that one is likely.

As for the Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3, their situation is extremely gray. It’s possible that they’ll get Android 4.4.3 KitKat or Android 4.4.4 given how small they are but Android L is another story.

The Galaxy S3 is now two years old and the Galaxy Note 2 is closing in on its second birthday. There are no guarantees when it comes to Android L and Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 users will need to temper expectations going forward.

30 Comments

30 Comments

  1. Joe Futero

    07/14/2014 at 3:55 pm

    It’s beyond a joke my note 3 sucks with all these bugs it cost me more than my brothers S5 i’ll never buy another Samsung product or recommend one either where I work, I alone will lose them thousands in sale, afterall my job is recommending phones/tablets. Stay away from Samsung and their useless customer support.

    • Joe futero

      07/14/2014 at 7:00 pm

      Joe is obviously an iPhone user pretending to have a Samsung. Lol

      • bill

        07/14/2014 at 10:17 pm

        I one hundred percent agree with him and yes I’m a galaxy s5 user who will as well never buy another Samsung product again

        • Sam

          07/15/2014 at 7:54 am

          The Galaxy S5 isn’t another nick name for the Iphone 5 :D . Another Apple user…

  2. Miguel Rodriguez

    07/14/2014 at 7:45 pm

    It seems that Samsung sucks!!!

  3. Shannon Jacobs (@shanen0)

    07/14/2014 at 10:41 pm

    The 4.4.2 upgrade was just released in Japan, at least for NTT docomo. Not sure what phone I actually have, however. The Japanese numbering calls it a SC-02F, but I don’t know what model that is in Samsung terms.

    For whatever it’s worth, I’ve had the phone for a month now, and I’m mostly satisfied with the hardware in comparison to two prior smartphones and two tablets, all Android. Lots of remaining questions, but I mostly blame the google (of ever increasing EVIL) and NTT (of limited English support, but you can’t really blame them). The English manuals from Samsung are actually a pleasure to read, if a bit on the shallow side. The problem there has already been mentioned. I’m not sure what manual to read.

    Too early to say if I want to endorse Samsung, but HTC seriously annoyed me with bad manuals and battery problems. My Toshiba tablet and Huawei smartphone are pretty satisfactory as hardware, though of course those models are both obsolete now. In general I’ve had good luck with other hardware from Toshiba and Huawei, but I will take a year or two before I decide about Samsung. My other tablet was so annoying and unsupported that I can’t even remember the brand name to say bad things about them.

  4. Shalini Dixit

    07/15/2014 at 12:23 am

    I am using Samsung galaxy note 2. I have received all updates successfully. Its nice phone with superb features. You can check all at samsung official site
    https://www.samsung.com/in/consumer/mobile-phone/mobile-phone/galaxy-note/GT-N7100TADINU

    • Sandra Lee

      07/15/2014 at 4:13 pm

      I also am a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 owner and love it. Have no probs. with updates. Waiting
      anxiously for the Note 3 to upgrade to next Nov.

  5. Constance

    07/15/2014 at 12:33 am

    I am a Galaxy S4 user and I am FURIOUS! My phone does not work the way it use too. I use to love my phone and now I am hating on it! What we are just suppose to sit here and deal with this problem. I honestly believe technology is evil.

  6. hitasoft

    07/15/2014 at 3:03 am

    hi love this post ,

    As some of my regulars already know, I don’t focus on money. I put all my attention on writing and promoting. Those are my success indicators.

    thank you for posting.

  7. Rex

    07/15/2014 at 3:56 am

    Same here with Note 3. Stay away. Or at least stay away from updates. Phone is rebooting all time, customer support and service say it’s all fine!

  8. Moos

    07/15/2014 at 10:26 am

    Dear Samsung,

    I loved my Samsung Galaxy S3.
    You always worked and I enjoyed your company for the last two years.

    But update 4.4.2 have been bad news. You become lazy and rebellious!

    Samsung Galaxy S3 get your sh*&$@t together or you will get dumped.

    Thank you

  9. AndrewB

    07/15/2014 at 2:20 pm

    Interesting about all the bad press re the Note 3 and Samsung in general. So far my Note 3 on 4.4.2 has been okay, not great, but okay. Still crashes too many apps, and loses the phone connections occasionally, esp when using Google Maps (but that seems also to be a Maps issue). After reading these comments seems as if other mfg also are lacking in some area or another. No perfection in phoneland yet. So far, I’m still happy with 95% perfection.

  10. Will

    07/16/2014 at 12:43 am

    have 4.4.2 on Note 2 and am very happy. My only complaint is that Samsung have not updated touchwiz to get the premium features of note3. Id be willing to pay for them. Same with Note Tablet. 2012 edition went 2 years with no update and when it came it was old touchwiz not the note 2014 version. Im no apple lover but at least when they do upgrades there is no difference on the models they upgrade.

  11. Filip

    07/16/2014 at 5:06 am

    I have a Samsung s4 mini and I am still waiting for the update to happen . I have no idea why it is taking so bloody long to come to Samsung. It only seems to arrive on the newer models such as s5 and Note 3.
    Get your act together Samsung and get it sorted.

  12. T. L. Clayton

    07/16/2014 at 5:58 am

    These are software issues. Don’t blame the phone makers. HTC on Kitkat would have the same issues. Once they get the new 4.4.4 update, it’ll be back the way it was before. The big question is… When will that be.

  13. Will781

    07/16/2014 at 12:13 pm

    Galaxy S4 user here and I’ve been having major issues relating to failed text messaging and overheating since the last update. However, Verizon wireless seems to have only pushed out to version 4.4.2 with no mention of 4.4.3 or 4.4.4. The list of complaints is growing on the verizon customer forum; https://community.verizonwireless.com.

    In addition to the issues stated above, Google Maps sporadically just closes! No error message – just closes and reverts to the phone’s home screen.

    Like many, up until this most recent update, I was quite pleased with my Galaxy S4. So…VERIZON…if you’re reading this, PLEASE FIX OUR PHONES!!

    Thank you!

  14. Dick Wols

    07/16/2014 at 12:50 pm

    For many Verizon customers including myself, the 442 update has essentially crippled the native texting app. Verizon will not formally acknowledge a problem and continues (since the May rollout) to ask users to try a myriad of useless actions including a hard reset which simply is a time consuming and frustrating task which does nothing to fix the problem. Not sure if this is a Samsung or Verizon problem but please can someone say something publicly and officially acknowledge this and provide a time frame for an upcoming fix???? Losing faith in Samsung and Verizon quickly !!

    • Dick Wols

      07/16/2014 at 12:52 pm

      The above post applies to the Galaxy S4

  15. Chris

    07/16/2014 at 5:14 pm

    Where do I start….my phone did not update as planned so I have to reboot it all the time just to get it to work. I need to find time in my busy schedule to go to a sprint store for them to help me fix this crappy update that screwed up my phone…how nice is that. Glad I do not travel a lot and depend on this phone for my life because I would be dead!

  16. Joey Smith

    07/20/2014 at 7:50 pm

    Let’s leave Samsung, they don’t respect their customers. When it comes to update, they’re really very slow. My T Mobile S4 is a piece of crap after it was updated to kitkat 4.4.2, I hate the phone and I’m willing to update it to 4.4.3 or 4.4.4 in order to see if it improves. I wish I could downgrade it to the oldest android version it had when I bought it. We have to move to Motorola, Nexus, HTC or whatever other phones, but Samsung SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

  17. Joey Smith

    07/20/2014 at 7:55 pm

    Dear people, I’m really upset, very frustrated. I’m hating Samsung, they don’t respect their customers. When it comes to update, they’re really very slow. My T Mobile S4 is a piece of crap after it was updated to kitkat 4.4.2, I hate the phone and I’m willing to update it to 4.4.3 or 4.4.4 in order to see if it improves. I wish I could downgrade it to the oldest android version it had when I bought it. We have to move to Motorola, Nexus, HTC or whatever other phones, but Samsung SUCKS and people will switch to other makes.

  18. Don Goodwin

    07/26/2014 at 8:20 am

    I did the update to 4.4.2 on my S4 first, That was a trial in and of itself. That had to be done using my computer as the download version would always fail. I noticed that I was getting many text send failures and did some looking about on the Verizon forum. I found out that I was not alone. My wife had been avoiding the update and one day inadvertently answered the prompt to update. Now she has the same issue with occasional text send failures. The only fast ??? fix I have found is to turn on the airplane mode for 10-15 seconds then restore to normal mode. This not acceptable.

    I would like to know if there is a procedure to go back to the previous version of Android?

    Looking around at the forums, it appears that the head in the sand attitude of both Samsung and Verizon is Modus Opporandi. That or they are afraid of the bad press. Guess what, I will be starting to raise my voice often on this issue and will be pointing fingers at both as both seem to be accomplices in trying to keep us in the dark.

    • constance

      07/26/2014 at 1:18 pm

      Mr. Goodwin
      I am so upset over this update. My carrier is TMOBILE. I informed a CSR that I felt TMOBILE is responsible for their customers dissatisfaction. They are promoting and selling the Galaxy phones for Samsung, I am paying for mine in monthly installments and what once was my “apple of my eye” is now “mud in the water”. It is TMOBILE’s obligation to do something for me. Samsung should be giving something to TMOBILE to offer their customers. How are they going to promote this wonderful device and screw it up and not offer the consumer anything. If you raise your voice I will be right with you.

      • PKimThomas

        08/01/2014 at 7:47 pm

        Constance,

        I will be raising my voice. I am a small business owner with 4 phones through AT&T, two of which are Galaxy Note 2. The very reason I purchased the two Notes was for business purposes. Since this last update, our Bluetooth earpiece will not connect and or stay connected, the battery life is about 25% of its original life and even worse, my assistant and I have missed multiple online meetings because the phone will not connect to any wi-fi we’re near and the AT&T has been unstable. Not to mention the damage this is doing to my business data plan.

        According to Samsung, their in store associates can correct this problem but the Samsung representatives in two different Best Buys stated that there is nothing that they can do and would only suggest that I send my phones to Samsung for them to fix the problem and return it to me within 7 – 10 business days of their receiving the phones. What the heck am I suppose to do with my business? This is crazy.

  19. Debra

    08/15/2014 at 6:18 am

    Loved my Samsung Note 3 until kit kat update. Short battery life now with 4 new programs running ALL the time. Can’t save docs to SD card. Had to totally wipe phone. Can’t go back to jelly bean. Hate my phone now. Still have 18 more moths of payments to at&t. At won’t let me out of my payment contract to get rid of this paper weight. Samsung blames google. No one takes responsibility for chappy kit kat. I want my old windows phone back.

  20. Jaci Riorden

    08/20/2014 at 6:53 am

    I am having a problem with sending texts messages since the most recent update. This is ridiculous – I see there are hundreds if not thousands of customers with this problem. A corrective update needs to be send out immediately or I will get a different phone and it won’t be a Samsung!

  21. siti balqis

    11/06/2014 at 2:51 am

    wow beatiful..i really wish that u can give me one free

  22. suraj kumar

    11/20/2014 at 3:21 am

    How to convert my jeallybean Samsung galaxy note2 GTN7100 into kitkat

  23. ryno

    04/19/2015 at 5:23 am

    I have an s4 its 2015 19 april and still on 4.4.2 in south africa.samsung what the hell is going on??? My wifes galaxy a5 allready has 4.4.4

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