Help Upgrading Samsung Galaxy S4 (1545) Tracfone

[relytgerg]

I'm soon to receive my used S4 replacement for the one that just died. I had been thinking about trying to upgrade to Lollipop, but I wasn't sure how to go about it. It's a Verizon based cell phone that is being switched to Tracfone under their Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) program.

It looks like Verizon has already updated this model to Lollipop, but I suspect my replacement phone (like the dead one) won't be there yet.

Has anyone successfully updated a Tracfone?

Has anyone successfully manually updated a Galaxy S4 (preferably 1545) to Lollipop?

Any advice and guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Greg

 

[nahoku]

It's a little premature to be asking this question, but I guess it's on your mind. Who's replacing the phone? Verizon, Tracfone, Samsung? According to Sammobile, the latest version of LP is 5.0.1 for your phone. There are several ways to update it if it's still on Kitkat when you get it. You could use Kies or Odin to do it yourself, or, you could also take it to Verizon (since it's their phone) and ask them to update it for you.

 

[relytgerg]

The dead phone had Gingerbread. It was switched to Tracfone under their BYOP program. It retained the Verizon splash screen, but otherwise, Verizon apps did not work, including upgrade. The replacement is a used phone I bought on eBay, also a Verizon 1545. We'll see what version it is when it arrives. I may simply be able to move Tracfone's SIM. The worst case is that I have to order a new free SIM from Tracfone.

 

[nahoku]

The dead phone had Gingerbread. It was switched to Tracfone under their BYOP program. It retained the Verizon splash screen, but otherwise, Verizon apps did not work, including upgrade. The replacement is a used phone I bought on eBay, also a Verizon 1545. We'll see what version it is when it arrives. I may simply be able to move Tracfone's SIM. The worst case is that I have to order a new free SIM from Tracfone.

I see. Yes, any time you change carriers from the original, updates won't work because the phone is not in service with the original carrier. However, there are many people who do this (change carriers) and have had the original carrier update their phone for them. If the replacement comes with Gingerbread, take it to a Verizon store to see if they can update it for you. If one store won't help you, go to another. Try to find someone who you think will be helpful.

 

[relytgerg]

Thanks.

 

[nahoku]

You're welcome. I hope your phone comes withe LP installed for you. Good luck!

 

[relytgerg]

Many thanks to nahoku, and I'm still looking for feedback from anyone who has manually upgraded an S4 (preferably 1545) and/or a BYOP Tracfone.

 

[nahoku]

Here's a video showing how to flash your phone (S4) using Odin. Note that it's a different model S4 and so the firmware is different, but the steps are correct. You need to download the correct firmware from the Sammobile link I posted above... or search Sammobile if for some reason the new phone is a different model. The version of Odin I use is 3.09 (works for a lot of people), but the latest version can also be gotten from HERE. I've flashed several phones using Odin and have had no trouble at all. But... as a warning... any time you flash a phone, you take a chance of bricking it should something go terribly wrong. Using Odin requires that your phone be connected to your computer, so you may need to install the Samsung usb drivers as well. Search HERE for the correct drivers.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulz-1UYzHBA


If you don't want to use Odin, I recommend you take it to Verizon to see if they can do it for you. You can also attempt to use Kies, but, I don't know if Kies can manually update a phone using a .md5 file. It might only try to download via OTA, but if it does, it won't find one since you're on a different carrier. I've never used Kies.

Anyways, all this info is mute if your new phone is already on LP!