Update Galaxy S4 (Exynos 5) to I9500XXUFNE4 Android 4.4.2 KitKat Stock Firmware

Recently Samsung has released a latest stock update based on Android 4.4.2 KitKat with build number I9500XXUFNE4 for the Exynos 5 octa-core variant of Samsung Galaxy S5 bearing model; number GT-I9500. The firmware is available for a number of Asian countries such as Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Below are the firmware details for I9500XXUFNE4 build.

Firmware details

Model: GT-I9500

Model name: Samsung Galaxy S4

Version: Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Changelist: 1424588

PDA: I9500XXUFNE4

CSC: I9500ODDFNE1

MODEM: I9500DDUFNA4

Users can grab the stock firmware via OTA update and through Samsung Kies. Those who have failed to get the OTA notification or unable to access the update via Samsung Kies server for being region specific, may follow our step-by-step guide to install the same manually using Odin flashing too.

Note that the I9500XXUFNE4 is an unbranded version of firmware, therefore, it can be installed on any unlocked GT-I9500 unit, irrespective of country and region.

IBTimes UK reminds its readers that it will not be held liable for any damage to the device. Before installing the stock firmware, users are advised to verify their devices meet following requirements.

Pre-requisites

1) Install USB Drivers for Samsung Galaxy S4 to connect the Android device with the computer.

2) Enable USB Debugging Mode on phone to connect it with the computer and use Android SDK with it. [Navigate to Settings>> Developer Options to enable USB Debugging Mode.]

3) As the tutorial is likely to wipe out all data of the phone, create a backup. If the device is having any custom recoveries such as CWM/TWRP then backup data using the same.

4) If the Android phone powers off due to lack of battery while the installation process, it could damage the device. Therefore, the Galaxy S4 should have charge above 80% battery charge.

5) The device should be factory unlocked and not locked to a particular carrier.

6) The phone will lose custom ROM with the installation of official firmware. Also, the custom recovery will be replaced by the stock version.

7) The device will no longer belong to a rooted version with the installation of official firmware.

8) I9500XXUFNE4 Android 4.4.2 KitKat official firmware works only with Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9500. As flashing this on any other variant might brick the device, verify the model number of Galaxy S4 by navigating to Settings>> About phone>> Model number.

Download files

I9500XXUFNE4 [Bangladesh]

Or, I9500XXUFNE4 [Nepal]

Or, I9500XXUFNE4 [Sri Lanka]

Odin v3.09

How to install I9500XXUFNE4 Android 4.4.2 KitKat on Galaxy S4 LTE (GT-I9500)

Step-1: Extract the downloaded firmware zip using winrar/7zip/winzip or any other extracting tool to get a .tar.md5 file with few other files, which are optional

Step-2: Extract the Odin zip to get Odin3 v.3.09.exe with few other files

Step-3: Power off Galaxy S4

Step-4: Boot the phone into Download Mode by pressing and holding Volume Down, Home and Power buttons together until a construction Android robot icon with a warning triangle appears on the phone screen. Now press the Volume Up button to enter Download Mode

Step-5: Run Odin on the computer as an Administrator

Step-6: Connect the Galaxy S4 to computer using USB cable while it is in Download mode. Wait for some time until Odin detects the device. When the phone is connected successfully an Added message will appear under Odin. Also, the ID: COM box in Odin will turn light blue with COM port number, indicating successful connection

Note: If the Added message does not appear, then try to re-install USB derivers or change the USB port on the computer.

Step-7: In Odin, click the AP button and select the .tar.md5 file which was eaxtracted earlier

Step-8: In Odin enable Auto Reboot and F.Reset Time checkboxes. Click the Re-Partition checkbox if a .pit file has been chosen in the previous step

Step-9: Verify everything then click the Start button in Odin. The installation process should begin now and take about few minutes to complete

Step-10: When the installation process is completed, the phone will restart automatically. Once the home screen appears, disconnect the phone from the computer

I9500XXUFNE4 Android 4.4.2 stock firmware should now be installed on Galaxy S4. Navigate to Settings>> About phone to verify the new firmware version running on the device.

How to fix bootloop issue

If the Galaxy S4 gets stuck at booting animation (after step-10), go to recovery mode by pressing and holding Volume Up, Home and Power and buttons together. Now perform Wipe data/Factory reset then Wipe Cache Partition. Once the action is completed, reboot the phone by selecting reboot system now. In recovery mode, use Volume keys to scroll between options and Power button to select the desired option. Note that performing wiping task will erase the phone's internal memory data.

[Source: Sammobile]