Android 4.4 KitKat Update Arrives: Manual Download Available For Sprint And Canadian Carriers [VIDEO]

Though HTC recently reported a delay of its Android 4.4 KitKat rollout for HTC One U.S. carrier models, several handsets in North America are now able to receive the new operating system.

Sprint is the first U.S. carrier to update its HTC One model to Android 4.4 KitKat. The Now Network announced via its community page on Friday that the Android 4.4 build version 4.06.651.4 will be available to HTC One users who prompt the update manually by accessing Settings> About Phone> Software Update. Despite a small hiccup, in which users reported on Friday that they weren't able to access the update, Sprint assures that as of Saturday the update is available through manual download.

Sprint reports that the Android 4.4 KitKat over-the-air update will be available starting Feb. 11. In the absence of a change log, Sprint only lists the Android 4.4 operating system and HTC Sense 5.5 UI among the update’s enhancements. A change log will likely be made available upon the OTA update. An on screen change log detailing the update's main enhancements can be accessed once the firmware is downloaded.

Notably, the Sprint HTC One was the first U.S. model to update to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean in October 2013 after HTC similarly announced a short rollout delay due to carrier certifications. Other carriers began to update soon after Sprint pushed Android 4.3 onto its HTC One model, which could mean that updates for AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon HTC One models may not be far off.

For step-by-step instructions on how to install Android 4.4 KitKat on your Sprint HTC One, refer to HTC’s software update introductions. Tech enthusiast @wwjoshdew has also put together an instructional video for installing the Android 4.4 KitKat on the Sprint HTC one.

The HTC One Android 4.4 KitKat update is also available for several Canadian carriers including Bell, Rogers, Telus, Virgin, SaskTEL and Wind. Several Canadian HTC One users began reporting the update on Friday. The Android 4.4 build version 4.19.631.9 for Canadian HTC One models also appears to be available only through manual prompt by accessing Settings> About Phone> Software Update. There's no indication of OTA updates. The on-screen change log includes the cloud print service, security enhancements, and new Bluetooth profiles among the enhancements on Android 4.4.

Are you a Sprint or Canadian HTC One user? Have you updated to Android 4.4 KitKat? Let us know in the comments below.

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