Samsung Galaxy S4 Gets Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Firmware Update, Allows Moving Apps To SD Card (Manual Installation Tutorial)

Samsung has started rolling out a new Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean firmware update for its latest Galaxy S4 smartphone (GT-I9505), allowing users to move apps to external storage.

It was observed recently that the 16GB version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 offers only 9.15GB of accessible memory to its users. However, the issue has been addressed in the new firmware update by increasing the available storage to 9.23GB and allowing users to move apps to the SD card.

The Android 4.2.2 firmware update also brings a set of other features that include a new camera firmware, HDR video recording, improved legibility (display), Smart Pause Toggle, a semi-transparent status bar and secure boot status. The update also fixes the smearing issue that some users reported earlier.

The firmware update -- 365.67 MB in size -- is currently available for the Snapdragon-powered Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505) in Germany. However, the update is expected to come to the Exynos-powered Galaxy S4 (GT-I9500) in other countries as well, SamMobile reported.

Take a look at the firmware details here:

Model: GT-I9505

Country: Germany

Version: Android 4.2.2

Changelist: 768421

Build date: Wednesday, 29 May 2013 16:05:23 +0000

Product Code: DBT

PDA: I9505XXUBMEA

CSC: I9505OXABMEA

MODEM: I9505XXUBMEA

The “I9505XXUBMEA” firmware update is available via Samsung Kies or via FOTA (Firmware-Over-The-Air). However, users can also manually install the new firmware on their devices, in case they encounter any difficulty while updating officially. Such issues may occur if the handset is running a custom ROM or if the country has not yet received the firmware update.

Check out the manual installation tutorial for updating the Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505) to the new firmware below. Although the update is only for Germany, it can be installed on any GT-I9505 model if the device is unlocked.

Vital Points To Note

- Make sure that you have proper backup for data. This is important for users residing outside Germany as they may need to perform a factory reset to reboot the phone.

- Ensure that your Samsung Galaxy S4 has at least 80 percent battery power.

- You must have the USB drivers for your device installed on your computer. [Download]

- Enable USB Debugging.

- After flashing the firmware, you will lose custom ROMs such as CM10, Paranoid Android or AOKP installed in your device.

- You will also lose custom recovery such as ClockWorkMod Recovery or TWRP Recovery if you have any.

- After installing it on your Galaxy S4, you will lose the root if you have any.

- The process is meant only for the Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT- I9505).

NOTE: IBTimes cannot be held responsible for anything that goes wrong. Users should proceed at their own risk.

Tutorial

Step 1: Download the updated firmware package (1.5GB) and extract the zip file. You will get a .tar.md5 file.

Step 2: Download Odin v3.07 and extract the zip file. You will get Odin3 v3.07.exe and some other files.

Step 3: Switch off the phone and put it on the Download Mode. To do this, press Volume Down + Home + Power buttons and then press Volume Up when the warning message appears.

Step 4: Run Odin v3.07.exe as an Administrator.

Step 5: Connect the Galaxy S4 to your computer via the USB cable while in the Download mode.

If the phone is connected properly, you will see that the ID:COM section turns Yellow and a message will appear in Odin’s message box, saying “Added!!” If not, check whether the USB drivers are installed properly on your computer.

Step 6: In Odin, click on PDA and select the .tar.md5 file that you have extracted from the Firmware Package in Step 1.

Step 7: In Odin, make sure that the re-partition checkbox is not selected.

Step 8: Now click on the Start button in Odin to begin the installation process.

Step 9: After the installation is complete, the device will reboot on its own. Once you get the Samsung logo on the home screen, unplug the device from the computer and close Odin.

What If The Phone Doesn’t Boot After Updating?

- If the phone is powered on, remove the battery and re-insert it. But don’t turn the phone on. Now let it boot into recovery mode by pressing the Volume Up + Home + Power buttons till the screen turns on.

- Use the volume buttons to scroll and the home or power button to select the “wipe data/factory reset” option. After that, confirm the data wipe on the next step.

- Once it’s done, select the “reboot system now” option to reboot.

After the Galaxy S4 boots up into the new firmware successfully, users can restore all the backups taken before installing the update.