To get the best out of your smart phone, a little maintenance may be needed from time to time. This is especially true for one of the most valued Android devices, the Samsung Galaxy S4. For the S4, the occasional update to Android OS will allow for a more sleek interface, a slightly longer battery life, and of course access to the newest features and security the operating system has to offer. Here we will take a look at how to update your Samsung to the newest OS available to it. This article will be focusing primarily in Android Marshmallow or Lollipop upgrades.
A quick note before updating
As is suggested in any tutorial for software updates for any phone, be sure to back up your contact, photo and file information to a secure location in case the data is deleted by the OS update. While this will almost never happen, even a one in a thousand risk is still a risk and given the raw number of android users out there, it is simply bound to happen to someone. So, before we get into properly updating your device, we’ll cover a few quick tricks to backing up your phone.
Backup Method 1: Use Google Servers
By far the most common method, Google Server backup is secure, and very easy to do. First, go to Menu, and tap Settings. Next, tap on accounts, and tap on Backup and Reset. Lastly, you will be taken to a screen that has a check box for “Back up data”, be sure to select this check box. Thereafter, wait a few moments until your data has been properly saved to the servers, and you’ll be properly set to update.
Backup Method 2: Transfer data to SD/SIM card
If you’re slightly wary about explicitly giving your data over to company servers, investing in an SD or SIM card may be the best option for you. Most retailers sell these for $10-15 per 32GB card, and even when not used as back-up can be handy if you’re app download or selfie inclined. To transfer contacts to either card, simply tap on the Contacts icon in the main menu. Then, tap the menu inside the contacts screen, and select “Import/Export”, and then select which card you want to export to. After confirming, wait just a moment as your contacts are fully copied over. For media, it is a slightly more intensive process. First, hit the apps icon on the lower right hand side of the screen of the home menu. Then, tap on “My Files”, and then “All Files”. Tap on the menu here, and select all files and folders, then tap once more on the menu icon and select copy. Thereafter, you can select the card of your choice as the copy location from the same menu, and select “Paste here” to complete the process.
Updating to the newest Android OS
With back up out of the way, let’s take the 4 simple steps to updating your Galaxy S4.
Step One: Ensure your data connection is through a local wi-fi network and your phone is plugged into a power source. Typically an update of Operating System is very data intensive (typically over 1 GB) and can also drain power at a surprising rate.
Step Two: Tap on your settings icon on the bottom right hand corner of your home screen.
Step Three: Next, near the bottom of the window, there should be an “About Device” button, which should be tapped. Next, there will be a Software Update option. Press that option, then press the update button thereafter.
Step Four: The system will run a quick diagnostic to ensure that an update is needed. If not, a message will appear indicating this. Otherwise an update will begin that will require several restarts and a bit of patience. Thereafter, your device should be ready.
There is a secondary method for updates, if you are so inclined. Samsung has a software package for your phone to update itself via your PC through the Kies software system. This can be useful if there is an update you are aware of but the typical cell installation won’t recognize it, or it’s simply too bit to easily download any other way. The following steps will aid you in updating through this method.
Step One: Download Samsung Kies, and open the program.
Step Two: Connect your phone via USB port to your local PC, and give it some time to install the needed drivers to properly communicate.
Step Three: Typically, updates will appear as a pop-up within the program. To install them, click update, then confirm after acknowledging the warning statements. Then hit the upgrade button one last time and finish the installation.
After either method, you will have a fully upgraded system. As per usual, it is in best practice to regularly check for updates and patches as the newest operating systems typically have some quirks to work out.
