Android 4.4.2 KitKat Update: Sprint Variant Of Samsung Galaxy S3 Gets New OS, OTA Captured [Download Link]

The Sprint variant of the Samsung Galaxy S3 has begun receiving the latest Android 4.4.2 KitKat update. The new firmware was made available Thursday, only a day after Samsung released the KitKat kernel source code for the device, indicating that the update was around the corner.

As expected, the KitKat firmware update for the Sprint Galaxy S3 comes with the version L710VPND8, which takes the Android version to 4.4, according to Sprint’s update support page. In addition to the increase in Android version number, the update also incorporates Linux kernel 3.4.

Although it is unclear what features the update brings along, it is expected that the new firmware includes the same features and improvements tseen on other KitKat updates for Samsung devices, XDA Developers reported.

A broad list of information about the latest Android 4.4 KitKat can be found here. Before installing the update, users should ensure that the phone has at least 50 percent of battery life left, and then they can get on Wi-Fi to check for the update over the air (Settings > More > System Update > Update Samsung Software > Check Now).

While the update is rolling out to customers via an over-the-air, or OTA, update, not every device is expected to receive it in the initial phase. However, a forum member at the XDA Developers has managed to capture the OTA update link directly on Google’s servers.

But, before a manual flash, there are a few aspects that users must know.

“For starters, ND8 brings a new Knox-enabled bootloader. Furthermore, this update has not yet been rooted. But if these issues aren’t a big deal for you, flash away. Just make sure that you’re on a stock, unmodified MK3 ROM first, and that you are running stock recovery,” an XDA Developers report said.

To download the OTA file, click here.