Should I update my S4

codyandroid · Apr 29, 2014

Hi all I have a Verizon Galaxy S4 running Android 4.2.2. My question is should I upgrade to the newest version Android 4.4.2 (I think). If I did what would I lose and gain? Right now I am able to use Foxfi and I am rooted.

Would I lose both of these and if an unlocked bootloader were to come out is it more likely to happen to an older or newer version?

Basically what does the community think I should do and what problems would I run into if I tried to update a rooted phone?

Thanks!

shmn · Apr 29, 2014

I'm of the opinion that if it ain't broke...don't try to fix it.

There isn't much you are missing and if you have to ask if there is anything to gain with Kit-Kat...then that answers your question. There aren't any huge improvements.

I would much rather have a phone that I know works then go through the hassle of an update. Newer is not necessarily better.

codyandroid · Apr 29, 2014

shmn said:
I'm of the opinion that if it ain't broke...don't try to fix it.

There isn't much you are missing and if you have to ask if there is anything to gain with Kit-Kat...then that answers your question. There aren't any huge improvements.

I would much rather have a phone that I know works then go through the hassle of an update. Newer is not necessarily better.

Thanks Yeah I agree just wanted to see what the benefits are. I'll leave the thread open to see what any one else thinks.

anoniemouse · Apr 29, 2014

Well myself i am sitting at 4.3, kitkat ruins the freedom you have with your sd card.(unless you are prepared to root, & with the locked bootloader i am hoping it can be cracked).
If you lok at the many threads where people have said about KitKat & the problems, you are better off waiting.

kratos · Apr 29, 2014

anoniemouse said:
Well myself i am sitting at 4.3, kitkat ruins the freedom you have with your sd card.(unless you are prepared to root, & with the locked bootloader i am hoping it can be cracked).
If you lok at the many threads where people have said about KitKat & the problems, you are better off waiting.

I updated to 4.4.2 and have full access to the extSDcard just like before! Please see this thread (towards the end) for more details about it: http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s4/841499-verizon-kit-kat-update-anyone-heard-eta-2.html

Kratos

codyandroid · Apr 29, 2014

Oh wow I had no idea that there was an issue finding the external card. Thanks for the info.

EddieE · Apr 29, 2014

codyandroid said:
Hi all I have a Verizon Galaxy S4 running Android 4.2.2. My question is should I upgrade to the newest version Android 4.4.2 (I think). If I did what would I lose and gain? Right now I am able to use Foxfi and I am rooted.

Thanks!

You can find some changes on the following link.

Which version of the Android™ platform does my Samsung Galaxy S® 4 use? : Verizon Wireless Cell Phones | Samsung

Goodspike · Apr 29, 2014

codyandroid said:
Oh wow I had no idea that there was a lot of bad information on the Internet about finding the external card. Thanks for the info.

Fixed your post. ;-)

electricpete · Apr 29, 2014

Hi all I have a Verizon Galaxy S4 running Android 4.2.2. My question is should I upgrade to the newest version Android 4.4.2

One factor: how much time have you invested in setting up your phone. If you upgrade you should back up all your stuff and be prepared for factory reset and start all over again Not so big a deal if you just got the phone and have a few programs. Bigger deal if you've spent a lot of time customizing to get it just the way you want.

Another factor: how much time will you have this phone. If another three months, why bother. If another 24 months, that's a lot longer time for the "benefits" of an upgrade to pay back the initial investment in time.

Me: I've got at least another 18 months. Sitting on 4.3 for now. If I don't upgrade in the next 6 months, I probably won't do it at all.

if an unlocked bootloader were to come out is it more likely to happen to an older or newer version?

older version. Each new version has tighter security

Goodspike · Apr 30, 2014

electricpete said:
One factor: how much time have you invested in setting up your phone. If you upgrade you should back up all your stuff and be prepared for factory reset and start all over again Not so big a deal if you just got the phone and have a few programs. Bigger deal if you've spent a lot of time customizing to get it just the way you want.

I've never had to do a factory reset on either my S4 or my wife's. I see some here do it immediately as a matter of course after an update. Seems somewhat bizarre to me to do something as a precautionary measure that is exactly the same as the measure you're trying to avoid, but whatever.

djclemon · Apr 30, 2014

I have not had one singal issue with mine or my wifes s4 since updating, I have also been able to move files back on forth between internal memory and sd card without any issues, and lastly, yes fox fi is now working with kit kat

Goodspike · May 1, 2014

Goodspike said:
I've never had to do a factory reset on either my S4 or my wife's. I see some here do it immediately as a matter of course after an update. Seems somewhat bizarre to me to do something as a precautionary measure that is exactly the same as the measure you're trying to avoid, but whatever.

After having just set up my wife's replacement phone I now consider the "matter of course" factory reset to be even more crazy. Maybe I just have more apps that require signing in and setting up than other people, but a factory reset is not something I would do prior to actually having some problem after an OS update.

GalaxyS2Kent · May 1, 2014

My phone automatically updated to 4.4.2 and I'm not in love with it. I now have something that changed the way my home screen looks (a "standard" mode and an "easy" mode, no way to make changes to these settings that I can see) and my home screen, which took me forever to get set the way I wanted it, was changed beyond recognition. Ugh! How do I set my software to NOT upgrade automatically?

Funderbolt · May 1, 2014

GalaxyS2Kent said:
My phone automatically updated to 4.4.2 and I'm not in love with it. I now have something that changed the way my home screen looks (a "standard" mode and an "easy" mode, no way to make changes to these settings that I can see) and my home screen, which took me forever to get set the way I wanted it, was changed beyond recognition. Ugh! How do I set my software to NOT upgrade automatically?

Sorry that happened to you. I haven't noticed any change at all like that.

shmn · May 1, 2014

The bottom line is what does Kit-Kat give you that your current version doesn't? I could not find one thing that I need/want in Kit-Kat.

Also I see many of you posting that you've had no problems with the update and didn't need to do a factory reset. However, a quick perusal of the forums will show many who have had problems. I'm sure the vast majority of people have no problems...but the possibility is always there that something may go wrong.

Personally, I have never taken any system updates for my phone (other than the occasional app update). The only update I do is if I purchase a new phone.

jejb · May 3, 2014

Goodspike said:
After having just set up my wife's replacement phone I now consider the "matter of course" factory reset to be even more crazy. Maybe I just have more apps that require signing in and setting up than other people, but a factory reset is not something I would do prior to actually having some problem after an OS update.

If you're rooted and have done some system level changes, like the Free Hot Spot Mod, you will likely have to do a factory reset before the upgrade will run. If you're not rooted at all, you should not have to do that step.

electricpete · May 3, 2014

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Should I update my S4

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