Samsung Galaxy S4 users who wish to work with Android 4.4.2 no longer have to wait for the official release in their regions. SamMobile just posted an Android 4.4.2 leak which S4 users can use to update their devices. Specifically, Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505) users can use the Android 4.4.2 test firmware I9505XXUFNA1 for their update.

According to recent reports, Samsung will roll out the Android 4.4. KitKat update to Galaxy S4 officially around February or March. SamMobile reported that its team has been testing the provided build for five days. According to initial results, the build appears stable. Users should expect a number of bugs but these should be natural for a test build.

The Android 4.4.2 KitKat Update offers a few UI changes. The most prominent of these changes is the status bar icons. Instead of the Gingerbread style green, users should expect white icons. The white icons look impressive together with the transparent status bar.

Benchmark scores show improvement as well. The keyboard layout for Samsung has also improved. It looks and functions well against the landscape orientation. This offers users more typing comfort.

  • Model: GT-I9505
  • Country: Open Europe
  • Version: Android 4.4.2
  • Changelist: 276328
  • Build date: Thu, 2 Jan 2014 23:30:51 +0000'
  • Product Code: OXA
  • PDA: I9505XXUFNA1
  • CSC: I9505OXAFNA1
  • MODEM: I9505XXUFNA1
  • Download: I9505XXUFNA1_I9505OXAFNA1_I9505XXUFNA1_OXA.zip

Important Note: Users must understand that the provided firmware is just a test build. It is the not the official update. Providers of the test build cannot be held responsible for what happens to the device following the update. Users can update at their own risk.

Installation instructions:

1. Extract or unzip the firmware file.

2. Download Odin3 v3.09 from this link or this alternate link.

3. Extract Odin .ZIP file.

4. Open Odin3 v3.09.

5. Restart the Samsung Galaxy S4 handset. To do this, press and hold the following buttons simultaneously: Volume down, Power and Home.

6. Connect the phone to the computer via USB. Wait for the blue sign under Odin.

7. Add I9505XXUFNA1_I9505OXAFNA1_I9505XXUFNA1_HOME.tar.md5 to AP.

8. Uncheck the re-partition option.

9. Press start and wait for a few minutes.

10. Boot into recovery mode. Press Home, Power and Volume up buttons.

11. Do a factory reset of the device.

12. Reboot again.

The device should be running the update successfully.