Samsung Galaxy S4 official Android 4.4 KitKat isn't out yet and may have been delay due to several reasons. Fortunately, anxious owners can now get Android 4.4.2 KitKat version by only installing the firmware manually.

Unofficial Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Unofficial Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware for Samsung Galaxy S4 include several changes in addition to the obvious default improvements such as:

1. Green system bar icons to white theme

2. Transparent status bar

3. Transparent navigation bar

4. Improved Samsung keyboard in landscape mode

5. Enhanced gesture typing

6. Camera shortcut on lock screen

7. Stability and performance improvements.

Requirements

Before starting the manual installation of the firmware, Samsung Galzxy S4 owners need to take note of the following.

1. The firmware is available to Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 only

2. Create a backup of all personal files and settings stored on the Galaxy S4.

3. Make sure that the battery life is at least 50 per cent before flashing the firmware.

4. Enabled USB debugging mode on the device. It is found under the Developer Options.

5. Download the necessary USB drivers for the mobile device to the computer.

6. Download the Android 4.4.2 KitKat and Odin tool on the computer.

Warning: This is an unofficial Android 4.4.2 KitKat build for the Galaxy S4 that requires manual installation. IBT Media is not responsible for any damages or errors which may occur on your smartphone. Read and understand the instructions carefully to prevent any problem to happen. Do this at your own risk.

Flashing Procedure:

After fulfilling the requirements above, S4 owners can now start the installation process. The step-by-step procedure is as follows:

1. Unzip the Android 4.4.2 zip file to get two different files with ".tar.md5" and ".tar" extensions.

2. Unzip the Odin tool.

3. Turn off the Galaxy S4.

4. Launch the Odin tool.

5. Reboot the smartphone into recovery mode by pressing and holding volume down + power + home keys at the same time.

6. Connect the Galaxy S4 to the computer using a USB cable and then wait till Odin detects it, indicated by a blue notification.

7. Add the "I9505XXUFNA1_I9505OXAFNA1_I9505XXUFNA1_HOME.tar.md5" file extracted earlier to the AP box on the Odin tool.

8. "Re-partition box" on the Odin tool should be UNCHECKED.

9. Click the Start button to begin installation.

10. Wait until the procedure completes and Galaxy S4 restarts.

In case the device gets stuck into a boot loop, remove the battery and then re-insert it and reboot into recovery mode. Select "wipe data/factory reset" and "wipe cache partition" in the recovery mode and then "reboot system now."

Congratulations! The Galaxy S4 is now running the latest version of Android KitKat 4.4.2 with Samsung's Touch Wiz UI and apps.