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Samsung Galaxy S4 Lollipop Update: 5 Things to Know Now

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As we push deeper into the month of April, we continue to see new Samsung Galaxy S4 Lollipop update details emerge for users in the United States and elsewhere. With those details in mind, we want to take a look at what Galaxy S4 users in the US and elsewhere need to know now about the Galaxy S4 Lollipop release.

Two years ago, Samsung took the stage in New York City and announced the Galaxy S4. At the time, the Samsung Galaxy S4 was running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. These days, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is running a totally different version of Android thanks to a series of big time Android updates from Google and Samsung.

In the two years since its release, the Samsung Galaxy S4 has received a number of new software upgrades including Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, Android 4.4 KitKat, and now Android 5.0 Lollipop. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Lollipop update started rolling out back in late January and since then, it has struck several different variants in several different countries including the United States.

Like all of Samsung’s Android updates, the Galaxy S4 Lollipop release continues to take its time and there are still a number of devices and owners on Android 4.4 KitKat. In the past few days, we’ve seen the company and its carrier partners continue to make progress and today, we want to help fill in some of the blanks for Galaxy S4 users. Here are a few things Galaxy S4 users should know now about their Android 5.0 Lollipop release.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Lollipop Release Continues

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Lollipop release continues to make strides as we head deeper into April toward the summer months. Samsung still isn’t announcing every single success though we’ve seen the update hit a number of different carriers in recent days.

Samsung Galaxy S5 vs Galaxy S4 vs Galaxy S3 -  Build Quality

According to SamMobile, a site that tracks Samsung’s software updates, the Galaxy S4 Lollipop update recently hit international models in Greece, Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore. The update also recently hit a number of carriers in Canada.

Samsung’s Galaxy S4 Lollipop upgrade will continue to emerge for the international community and users will want to keep an eye out for information from their service providers. Samsung’s Android roll outs are typically random and unpredictable though carriers will often release pertinent information ahead of a release.

Galaxy S4 Lollipop Update Spreads in US

Today, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Lollipop update is rolling out to another big name device, the AT&T Galaxy S4 Active. The update, which comes a few days after AT&T became the first carrier to release the Galaxy S4 Lollipop update in the United States, should become available to some users today as AT&T works to get its key Galaxy smartphones upgraded with Samsung’s latest firmware.

The Galaxy S4 Active Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update on AT&T will mirror the update that pushed out for the regular model just a few short days ago. This means that it comes with:

  • Android 5.0 Lollipop Highlights
    • Songs, photos, apps, and even recent searches from one Android device can be immediately enjoyed across all of your Android devices.
    • New User Interface look and feel, more fluid motions
    • Priority mode to only allow certain notifications to get through
    • Battery saving features and remaining time left to charge or deplete indicators
    • Smart Lock to secure phone or tablet by pairing it with a trusted device like a wearable or car
    • Most frequently used settings available with just two swipes down from the top screen
    • Details at: https://www.android.com/versions/lollipop-5-0/

AT&T notes that the update must be downloaded over a Wi-Fi connection. The file size is between 974GB and 1GB which means that it could take some time to download and install Over-the-Air.

Still Missing for Most US Carriers

The Galaxy S4 Lollipop update is still missing for most US carriers though and several, including T-Mobile, have yet to confirm anything for their versions of the Galaxy S4 Lollipop.

Samsung-Galaxy-S4-Micro-SD-Card-Worthless

Earlier this year, T-Mobile rolled out a new Android upgrade page that outlines many of its key Android updates in the pipeline. And while the page covers the upcoming Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge Lollipop upgrades, the Galaxy S4 Lollipop update is nowhere to be found.

This doesn’t mean that the update isn’t coming but it does mean that T-Mobile users (and perhaps users on other carriers as well) will have to wait awhile for their upgrade. T-Mobile’s updates typically pass thru two stages before they are delivered to the public.

Galaxy S4 Lollipop Problems Emerge

Samsung Galaxy S4 Lollipop problems continue to emerge as more AT&T users download and install the new firmware. AT&T Galaxy S4 users are complaining about random crashes, lag, battery drain, cellular data issues, reboot problems, weird Play Store problems, stock app problems, and more. We haven’t seen widespread complaining about the update though the Galaxy S4 Lollipop roll out is still young in the United States and in other parts of the world.

Fixes for Galaxy S4 Lollipop Problems

Samsung and its carrier partners continue their rigorous testing behind the scenes which should kill off some of the early Galaxy S4 Lollipop problems we heard about in the weeks after the initial Galaxy S4 Lollipop release.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Hidden Features

That said, as a reminder, we’ve put together several resources that should help those of you dealing with Lollipop problems on the Galaxy S4. We’ve put together a list of common Galaxy S4 Lollipop problems and fixes that could help users iron out their kinks ahead of their roll out. We’ve also pieced together some tips on how to fix Galaxy S4 battery life issues after moving to Lollipop.

Some of these fixes have worked for AT&T Galaxy S4 users and we expect these fixes to work for owners of the Verizon Galaxy S4, T-Mobile Galaxy S4 and others.

24 Comments

24 Comments

  1. debbie mcleod

    04/21/2015 at 10:21 am

    Three network in uk told me on twitter today that the s4 mini will get lollipop bu they don’t know when

  2. Dean

    04/21/2015 at 7:26 pm

    Again nothing about verizon lollipop and galaxy s4. Stupid articles about nothing new….lame

  3. shittu

    05/15/2015 at 7:18 am

    have upgarded my samsung galaxy s4 to the new android operating system(5.0 lollipop) and ever since then my phone is always hot whenever i’m using it and i think the os consumes battery more

    • Ranjith

      06/12/2015 at 12:28 am

      I have the same problem with my phone. Now preparing to go back to its old version. I don’t know how, but will try to go back once when I got time.

      I couldn’t find anything special. And so not happy at all.

  4. Munkeee

    05/23/2015 at 4:57 am

    The newest update came last week and 5.0.1. seems to have vastly improved charging. It’s now really fast and charges to 100% from 0 in about 90 minutes compared with a full nights charging only reaching 80-90% before.

  5. Paul

    05/23/2015 at 7:04 am

    Hello, I had updated my Samsung galaxy S4 a few months ago and it is currently at version 5.0.1. My phone has been running fine however I noticed some apps can no longer be accessed/notified on the lock down screen which was useful. One app for instance is my music which used to be able to be played, paused, and switched on the lock down. Is this an issue with the update or a settings problem?

    • Anthony

      07/10/2015 at 3:01 pm

      I got the same problem! I don’t know how to fix it. Help us please!

  6. Ranjith

    06/12/2015 at 12:19 am

    Upgraded my s4 to android 5.01. I don’t like anything in it. My phone was working fine before but now it’s very hot and while typing, I need to wait for two three seconds to see things on screen after typing it.
    Somebody pls tell me how can I go back to the old Version.
    I don’t want the security features or synchronizing feature where everybody is focusing as its highlights. But it’s a total waste for me.
    More than that, I don’t understand the term more user-friendly. . . . Bcos I couldn’t find anything Friendly. At the same time I could see many things which is not friendly.

    I need my phone back. With its old operating system.

    • Vicki

      07/22/2015 at 10:05 am

      Ditto. Did a live chat with Samsung customer service and he told me that there is no way to return to the old version. I could do a factory reset to try to correct the problems and if that didn’t work, I should send my phones (we have 3 of them and are having tons of issues with all 3 since the “update”) to Samsung repair. Of course, that would cost me a lot of money since the phones are no longer under warranty. Sounds like a SCAM to me. Why should I pay to “repair” my phones that worked perfectly fine before the update fixed? If I’m going to spend more money on my cell phones, it’s going to be to purchase a new iPhone!

  7. Tracy

    06/13/2015 at 8:51 am

    Is it worth it and will I lose all my contacts, ext?

  8. Sian lewis

    06/17/2015 at 3:30 pm

    Upgraded my Samsung galaxy s4 and i can’t find the settings button anywhere. Does anyone know. Help.

    • tim

      06/17/2015 at 4:02 pm

      This lollipop update is crap. Do not update. I hate the new software wish i had my old system back.
      The new lollipop update you loose some functionallity

  9. Robert

    06/18/2015 at 10:43 am

    Hi. i updated my s4 and i have some problems calling people. When i call people they can’t hear me and i can’t hear them. i think is all the update problem because before updating it it was working fine. i don’t know what to do can any one help me?

  10. Robert

    06/18/2015 at 10:55 am

    I fixed. It was something with the google app.If you have the same problem just follow this steps… Go on your google app then go settings then voice then ok google then turn every thing that its there off and then reset your fun and that’t what i did and it work fine for me.

  11. judy

    06/24/2015 at 6:17 pm

    I had the organs mother board changed in my s4 and got a new system which I hate also n with this system my call waiting does not work I wish samsung would have informed me about installing an upgraded or different operating system.
    Totally disappointed

  12. sharon basile

    07/07/2015 at 9:30 am

    Hate this upgrade !!!! Give me back my old system!! Ugh!

  13. Sushil Bhosale

    07/08/2015 at 5:59 am

    Hiiiii
    My samsung galaxy s4 in is very problem are now.Very hot are using time .using time my s4 are very heated .what I can do plz help me

  14. Gal

    07/10/2015 at 2:25 am

    I upgrade MY s4 TO LOLLIPOP the Bluetooth not recognize my ub speaker and the connection with the car going on and off when turning of the unit and then on the open application still coming on like it never been switch off. I don’t feel my unit getting Hot but it going Banana not happy at all

  15. Tim K

    07/20/2015 at 8:23 am

    I do not like the look n feel of lolipop. Less features…. etc. How do I go back? If I can’t go back, I am rooting my phone. Very dissatisfied with the upgrade!

  16. Carl

    08/12/2015 at 5:41 pm

    This lollipop upgrade is the pits. Messed up my settings, colors and it doesn’t work as well as the old software. This is the last android I’ll ever own. Switching to Iphone so I will control what and when it gets upgraded. Another example of big brother controlling the masses. Very dissatisfied.

  17. Eric VandePol

    08/15/2015 at 12:01 pm

    I just uploaded lollipop the other day and I’m very disapointed. I no longer like the phone with the white background and the bright colors. It is difficult to read the tool bar and the words are not bold enough…I want my kit kat back. The black back ground is way better. Should start using my S2 again

  18. Becky

    08/19/2015 at 3:00 am

    I could have cried when I saw my phone following the update.

    I am visually impaired and the colour schemes used with the previous software really suited me – black background with bold text. The new white backgrounds are dazzling and the lack of contrast with the bright colourful headers makes for difficult reading. The keyboard and num pad are also harder to see. The text is far too faint and difficult to read, even with the magnification and largest font settings. For me, this is far more than an issue with aesthetics – it’s basic functionality.

    The developers do not take these simple things into account when making wholly superficial changes. I realise that there’s little commercial gain to be had in improving accessibility functions, but it would be good to have some user control over how the device looks. The only option which comes close involves inverting the colours for the whole system, which then affects everything, including photo & video function!

    I’ve had Galaxy phones for a few years now and have really liked them. However, this latest update has now made it very difficult for me to use the device and I have to consider the rather expensive option (I don’t have a contract) of changing phones.

  19. Hally

    09/17/2015 at 10:19 am

    I updated my S4 to 5.0.1 2 days ago. now 70% of my apps Crash. i even cant open message!! looks more like my old nokia 3310. pls help.

  20. emmanuel

    12/29/2015 at 11:05 am

    After update my s4 is no longer able to connect to wifi and also Network problem…
    Is there any solution?

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