how to update old phone 2025

[andwan0]

I have an old mobile phone with specs:

• Samsung Galaxy S5
• Model: SM-G900F
• Android 4.4.2

I want to update and tried Settings, About device, Software update. But I get error:

Unable to download update

Unable to update software. A network or server error occurred. Try again later or go to Samsung Kies on your PC to update your device.​

So I try to connect the phone to my PC / laptop using dozens of mini-USB cables. There is only one that seems to make Windows 10/11 react. However Windows says Unrecognised/malfunction USB device.

I worry that the (ifixit) daughterboard replacement isn't good enough - though battery charging via USB works fine.



Is there an exact way to update my phone firmware via storage sdcard? I tried googling but all I got was "should be possible with update file" but no exact steps/tutorials.



I am able to boot phone in both Recovery Mode & Download Mode. Both not recognisable by Windows 10/11.

 

[B. Diddy]

You can try using the old Samsung Kies program to update it manually: https://www.samsung.com/au/support/kies/. Bear in mind that it's possible the servers responsible for those updates have been deactivated due to how old (11 years) the phone is.

Also, the highest official Android version that phone ever got to was Marshmallow 6.0.1. It may have trouble with modern apps or websites. Is there a reason why you want to use such an antiquated phone, or is this more of a project for fun?