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Verizon LG G2 Android 4.4 KitKat Update Finally Arrives

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The LG G2 Android 4.4 KitKat update release in the United States is finally arriving today for the last major carrier, and that’s Verizon Wireless. After weeks of waiting and no details from LG or the carrier, the update is finally available today, although not through traditional means.

After LG promised an update before the end of March to Android 4.4 KitKat for the LG G2, we saw almost every major US carrier slowly issue updates throughout the end of February and the month of March, but Verizon was MIA.

Read: LG G2 Android 4.4.2 KitKat Update: What You Need to Know

The LG G2 Android 4.4 KitKat update started in February with AT&T, and eventually arrived for both Sprint and T-Mobile, and now Verizon users are finally getting the same treat. It isn’t currently rolling out as an over-the-air update, but we’re expecting that to arrive any day now. Instead, users can get KitKat right now for the LG G2 using the Verizon Software Upgrade Assistant PC software tool.

LGG2_002-575x383

For whatever reason the Verizon LG G2 Android 4.4 KitKat update has been delayed almost an entire month, and even now that it’s available it isn’t rolling out in the method most updates arrive. Instead of getting a notification right on the device to easily download and install KitKat, users are finding the Verizon Software Upgrade Assistant tool had KitKat ready and waiting.

Multiple users over at the popular XDA Developers have confirmed this is indeed Android 4.4 KitKat for the LG G2 on Verizon, and have already installed it themselves. The software upgrade assistant tool is something most Verizon smartphones have, but many users don’t even know about it.

G2-kk

We’ve yet to hear any confirmation from Verizon Wireless about the LG G2 KitKat update, but it is clearly available now, and we’re expecting the regular software update to commence sometime before the end of the week. For those who’d rather not wait and want it now, the process is fairly straightforward as you can see in the photo above.

Instructions

While we don’t have the Verizon LG G2 here to confirm the exact steps, all Verizon smartphones have built-in software for easy manual software updates. Connect the LG G2 to a Windows PC and you’ll be prompted by an auto-run window to install software from the device. This set of software includes the “Verizon Software Upgrade Assistant Tool”

Essentially users need to connect their LG G2 to a PC, follow the prompts to install the Verizon and LG software tools and drivers for the smartphone, then run the software upgrade assistant. This will check for updates, and install the latest Android 4.4.2 KitKat for the LG G2 on Verizon Wireless. Below is a screenshot from users at XDA Developers confirming the update.

VerizonG2-kk

Verizon Wireless usually posts changelogs for each and every software update, but so far there’s no additional details here for the LG G2. Again the update is currently only available through the upgrade tool, but we’re expecting a standard over-the-air software update to arrive sometime this week.

What’s New

The LG G2 Android 4.4 KitKat update has a host of new features, improved fonts and fullscreen support, emoji keyboard tweaks, and severely improved performance throughout the device. For those curious the changelog will likely be nearly the same as the AT&T LG G2 KitKat update, and for all other carriers. However, once we see the details from Verizon we will confirm the carrier specific tweaks or improvements that may be includes.

Earlier this year the LG G2 KitKat update arrived overseas, and LG released a quick software tour showing users what to expect, and just how much faster the device would perform. Below is a quick look at what all owners can expect once they update to Android 4.4 KitKat on the LG G2.

This video was provided by LG and mainly focuses on the faster performance of the device, but that isn’t all owners can expect. Android 4.4.2 brings a smoother experience, fullscreen immersive mode where apps can use the full 5.2-inch LG G2 display, new white font, a better camera experience, and improved security.

Read: LG G3: 6 Things We Know So Far

This update is taking the LG G2 from Android 4.2 to Android 4.4.2 KitKat, skipping Android 4.3 entirely. This means owners will experience a noticeable improvement in performance.

LG G2 Android 4.4.3 Update

Lately there’s been news circulating that Google is preparing to release Android 4.4.3 KitKat. First up will be the LG Nexus 5, but we can expect that update to quickly arrive for other Nexus and Google Play Edition devices, and then possibly for the LG G2.

That being said, with the Verizon LG G2 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update taking so long to finally arrive, there’s no word on when we can actually expect Android 4.4.3 for the device, let alone from Verizon Wireless.

Most Android updates include key new features, software tweaks and performance updates, so we’ll have to wait and see. For now though, LG G2 owners should focus on Android 4.4.2 KitKat which is now finally available for those on Verizon Wireless.

55 Comments

55 Comments

  1. chapman1969

    04/17/2014 at 12:44 pm

    has Verizon finally gave us LG G 2 owners Kit Kat that we’ve been waiting. please let this be true

  2. chapman1969

    04/17/2014 at 1:01 pm

    I am downloading the update right now I hope its Kit Kat

  3. luis

    04/17/2014 at 1:10 pm

    Im not home right now does anyone know if this is true?!

    • chapman1969

      04/17/2014 at 1:47 pm

      Yes it’s true working just fine

  4. chapman1969

    04/17/2014 at 1:34 pm

    this is true I just downloaded 4.4.2 Kit Kat on verizon LG g2 finally have Kit Kat the update is 2.0.8 gigabyte and it takes about 30 min to download

    • Daniel

      04/18/2014 at 6:14 am

      i cant get my computer to show my g2 in the Software Update Assistant list to choose. is there something I have to do to get it to show up?

      • Brett

        04/18/2014 at 7:30 am

        Put your phone in MODEM mode, keep Upgrade Assistant open, it will install a couple more drivers and then automatically recognize your phone and you can start the download. I just had to do this.

        • Daniel

          04/18/2014 at 8:33 am

          unfortunately, I did that with no luck..is it possible that its just not available in my area yet?

  5. fiddlestix

    04/17/2014 at 2:16 pm

    cant get past the cloud step. it keeps demanding a cloud subscription. cant figure out what I’m missing here, any help?

    • Josh

      04/17/2014 at 4:39 pm

      I have the white g2, when I try to update via this method I am either met with LG’s support saying my device is up to date or the VZW utility just takes me to a cloud download web page. can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong?

  6. Kevin DeVocht

    04/17/2014 at 2:25 pm

    Just tried it and it said I was up to date. No KitKat for me today

    • chapman1969

      04/17/2014 at 2:28 pm

      You have to plug your phone in to the computer then download the drivers then open it up and run it

      • Kevin DeVocht

        04/17/2014 at 2:30 pm

        chapman,
        I did that. The Software Upgrade Assistant on my computer checks for updates and says that my phone is up to date. What do you mean by open it up and run it?

        • chapman1969

          04/17/2014 at 2:47 pm

          so Kevin try this un plug the USB from your phone then plug it back in then right click on Upgrade Assistant then click Run and that should help that’s what I had to do to get it

    • Josh

      04/17/2014 at 3:23 pm

      same here. do you have the white model?

      • chapman1969

        04/19/2014 at 9:28 am

        Yes I do have the white lg g2

  7. Milan

    04/17/2014 at 2:39 pm

    It also said for me phone was up to date.

  8. Kevin DeVocht

    04/17/2014 at 3:04 pm

    chapman,
    Is the program called BYRLauncer.exe?

    • chapman1969

      04/17/2014 at 3:13 pm

      I believe so Kevin

  9. Kevin DeVocht

    04/17/2014 at 3:16 pm

    OK that’s what I have been using. I guess its not available for everyone yet

  10. chapman1969

    04/17/2014 at 3:33 pm

    So Kevin did that work for u

    • Luis

      04/17/2014 at 3:46 pm

      got home downloading the update now. It’s 2GB pretty pumped finally.

      • chapman1969

        04/17/2014 at 3:59 pm

        I was to Luis works just fine so far so good

    • Kevin DeVocht

      04/18/2014 at 2:16 pm

      Nope it never did

  11. Luis

    04/17/2014 at 4:17 pm

    it works. it’s 4.4.2

  12. whamrick

    04/17/2014 at 4:33 pm

    Its true. Working fine after download (approx 2100 mb). Hard to notice much in the way of aesthetic differences, but performance seems quicker/smoother. I’ll take it big red.

    • snn5

      04/18/2014 at 10:39 am

      mine was only 669 megabytes

  13. Josh

    04/17/2014 at 4:38 pm

    I have the white g2, when I try to update via this method I am either met with LG’s support saying my device is up to date or the VZW utility just takes me to a cloud download web page. can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong?

  14. Daniel

    04/17/2014 at 5:31 pm

    Mine is sticking at 49%. Any suggestions?

    • ryan

      05/05/2014 at 8:40 am

      Don’t do it wait for 4.4.3 kit Kat 4.4.2 kit Kat is shit it stuffed my phone too many bugs

  15. Teresa

    04/17/2014 at 7:05 pm

    About done, success KitKat Ver 4.4.2 FINAL:LY

  16. Mandi

    04/17/2014 at 7:17 pm

    Has any one with the white LG G2 gotten the update yet. My assistant won’t even list my phone when I plug it in.

    • chapman1969

      04/17/2014 at 7:35 pm

      Hey mandi I do have the white lg g2 and I had no problem getting the update u might try to unplug it from your phone then plug it back in and see if that helps

      • Mandi

        04/17/2014 at 7:42 pm

        I plug it in and look at my computer, it shows up for a second then goes away.

        • chapman1969

          04/17/2014 at 7:59 pm

          It should be on the bottom right hand side of your computer then it should ask u to download. The drivers. I hope that helps out

  17. Brad Berg

    04/17/2014 at 8:20 pm

    mine won’t complete the “checking the device information” statusvbar progresses varying amounts, but doesn’t complete. hmmm.

    • Daniel

      04/17/2014 at 8:23 pm

      I deleted the update for from my computer (saves to a file in the C drive) and reinstalled and got it to work.

      • Daniel H

        04/17/2014 at 10:41 pm

        Daniel could you elaborate more on the process mine is doing the same thing i am going to leave it over night and see if that works i would really like to know how you got yours to work.

        • Daniel

          04/18/2014 at 5:21 am

          I unplugged my phone from the usb, the restarted it by holding down the power button for a while. I closed out of the update program on my computer (I had to go into my task manager and end the process to get it to fully stop, the process was called “VZW……..” I think) and deleted the file from the C drive (file is names something that starts with “LG”). Then I plugged my phone back in and started the whole process over. It worked perfectly the second time around.

          • Daniel H

            04/18/2014 at 5:58 am

            ok i followed what you did and now it gets up to 49% on the phone and then restarts back at 1% did yours do that during the upgrade or did it just go straight through?

          • Daniel

            04/18/2014 at 6:00 am

            Yeah, mine did that the first time. Try the same process again.

      • Brad Berg

        04/18/2014 at 2:59 pm

        Just had to restart computer…nailed it! thx

  18. G2 help!

    04/18/2014 at 5:20 am

    I can NOT get this to work. Unplug/plug back in…..it doesnt even show up in the in the upgrade assistant…and let me tell you this as I’m typing this it finally recognized my g2!

    Yes typing to this site helps you upgrade :P

    Honestly I have no clue why it suddenly worked for me….but I have my phone set to ask which type of connection when plugged in via usb. Initially I was selecting all the options (charge, mtp, camera, internet) and then checked for upgrade.

    The last few times I did NOT select anything…..and checked for upgrade. It took two unplug/plug in but that’s about when i noticed it worked. Oh and typing to this site :)

  19. Cory Gunther

    04/18/2014 at 9:34 am

    haha glad we could be of service man

  20. joshuak3nth

    04/18/2014 at 10:25 am

    My device just did it OTA. I got a notification…downloading right now!

    • rpmullins

      04/18/2014 at 11:15 am

      I did not get a notification but it is available via the phone. I went to settings, about phone, software update and it is there. Downloading now.

  21. chapman1969

    04/18/2014 at 12:19 pm

    Hey just want to thank Cory Gunther for getting the information out on that kit-kat update thanks gotta be mobile

  22. Kevin DeVocht

    04/18/2014 at 2:30 pm

    Never could get it to work through the software updater application but just downloaded it OTA and it is updating right now

  23. Kevin DeVocht

    04/18/2014 at 2:31 pm

    The update just failed

    • chapman1969

      04/18/2014 at 2:55 pm

      Was it the ota that failed Kevin

      • Kevin DeVocht

        04/18/2014 at 3:24 pm

        yes it was the ota

        • chapman1969

          04/18/2014 at 3:33 pm

          Hey Kevin I hope u get the update soon if there is anything I can do let me know

  24. J R Ferguson

    04/18/2014 at 9:26 pm

    The battery icon in the status bar is bigger.

  25. grandpa22

    04/18/2014 at 9:49 pm

    can you be rooted and do this?

  26. Dr. Funkenstein

    04/19/2014 at 9:22 am

    Did the OTA last night after many unsuccessful attempts online.

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