Another Kit Kat complaint thread

[laura3773]

I am so, so upset about the recent update. It has made my phone practically unusable during my working hours. No data, no texting, unless I trick it by turning airplane mode on and off. I get that updates don't always go well, but the thing I am most upset by is Verizon's customer service agent's lack of knowledge of the issue. I have chatted online with 3 agents, been to the store twice, and been on the phone several times as well for help. I factory reset my old phone. I got a new SIM card. I got a refurbished phone - which worked well enough to download the new update - that stopped working after updated. Then I had an agent make me factory reset that phone - despite the fact that it was straight from Verizon with NOTHING synced onto it. Then she sent me ANOTHER phone to give me the chance to use it without the update, except it force downloaded the update and when I went to choose to install it later I was basically forced to pick a time in the next 24 hours to install it.  So basically, my phone will work until tomorrow at noon, and then it won't work again. Until there is a fix to the update, there is nothing Verizon can do to fix my service. I've turned things off and on, and reset the phone taking out the SIM card, and switched to LTE and back to Global, and turned on wifi and turned it off a million times. As much as I would be upset to be told "We're aware there's a problem with the update and we don't yet have a patch to fix it, we're sorry," it would have been better than resetting a phone, setting it up again, getting a new phone, getting another new phone, and getting put through all the "steps" to "fix" your problem when you complain. I don't need to wait for you to "push updates" on your side, or be instructed to do a factory reset - at this point I know it won't work because the problem isn't MY device, it's the OS update.

[#2]

And the problem is with Samsung since they are the maker of the device and they get the update from Google.

So you are getting mad at Verizon for absolutely nothing.

Call Samsung Tech Support. However they are aware of the issues and they will tell you that they are working on it.

Once Samsung gets the fix, Verizon and other providers will get it to push out to the owners.

You pay for connectivity to Verizon's Cellular and Data Network. ONLY

Verizon does not make any devices. Your gripe is with Samsung USA  http://www.samsung.com

Good Luck

[laura3773]

Did you even read what I wrote? (Yes, it was a wall of text, and I'm sorry.)

I'm mad that I reset my phone and got a new one and reset that one and got another new one per the instructions of Verizon reps who should, at this point based on the number of complaints on here and elsewhere, be aware that those fixes are not fixes. Especially the last person who sent me a phone and told me not to update it, when that is not an option because the update downloaded immediately and would only let me push installation out 24 hours.

Fine, Google and Samsung broke my phone, but when I could not connect to Verizon and contacted them about that, they should know - especially on the late go rounds two weeks after rollout - that they could not help me and should have just been honest with me.

[Klue]

Laura what you should have done was hit the back key instead of selecting a time. The promp for update goes away until the next time you wake the phone.  I've been doing that for months until the update is finally forced to the phone.

[#5]

I agree they should have been aware. But Verizon reads from a script. They take an issue and then plug that into their data base. Then they have you follow what has worked in the past or what they think the steps should be to correct the issue. However in many cases the screen reading produces nothing but frustration.

I don't believe even Samsung would know how to stop an update from occurring. They should but it is built into the device to update in that manner. Please remember Verizon is not the tech support it once was. There are many more devices than in past years, the phones are mini computers today when in old times it was a simple device to make calls and a few text messages.

I hope it all gets sorted out.

Good Luck

[Patience_Gone]

Calling Samsung is a waste of time.  I spent an hour with Samsung.  They sent me to a store to see the agent.  First they said they would flash the phone back to Jellybean.  Then after they wiped the phone clean and right before they hit the button,  they said, there is no way we can put Jellybean back on your phone because Kit Kat changed the Knox kernel and that kernel is not compatible with Jellybean and it can't be undone. I was in disbelief, then I got angry...there was cursing, I tried bargaining and reasoning with them, I pleaded, and offered money,  there was name calling, and after the police showed up I calmed down a bit, and went home and mourned the lost of my beautiful Galaxy S4.   

You see I was so happy with my S4 before the upgrade.  It was me and my wonderful Galaxy S4 [birds chirping]. We were so happy together. It was fast...and responsive. Completely customized for me. We made calls together night and day...from everywhere....we sent out 100s of text messages, everyone i talked to was able to hear me....and when people wanted to talk to me, the phone would ring...there was so much laughter.  We were happy everyday. Until  I hit the yes button to upgrade my phone....oh why!!! [agonizing moaning]. If only I had done my research first and I would have known how unhappy so many other S4 owners now were with the Kit Kat upgrade.  If I could only do it over again it would be different.  I would Root my phone while it had Jellybean on it before installing Kit Kat. I would turn off the OTA update reminders and I would say Kit Kat go back to the pit of hell from whence you came....   

You see now with Kit Kat I can no longer make outgoing calls and only about 20% of my text messages arrive. Kit Kat has killed the network connectivity for calls and texts.  Samsung has a fix, but come on now.  I have so many other problems as well...but the biggest for me is my text messaging application.  There is no fix for that. 

You see I use to use multiple text messaging applications, ( the stock app for fast picture mail, Handcent for all the great customizable features,  Text + for my overseas friends that use that text messaging app, And if I was on a video call using Tango and wanted to send a text message I could use Tango to send a text without having to leave my video call ) 

Sadly....NOT WITH KIT KAT.  KIT KAT is designed so that you can only use ONE text messaging application, and if you want to insure that any of your texts go out, you need to uninstall those other apps as soon as possible, because they run in the background and they confuse Kit Kat.  I could go on as to why i hate Kit Kat, but i thank Verizon for having mercy and sending me a new phone without Kit Kat.  I get it tomorrow. 

Now I will have to root my new JellyBean S4 I get from Verizon right away, which is going to void my manufacuter warranty (no big deal that only lasts a year any way. It will still be covered under my insurance) and with it rooted, I will do whatever I need to do, not to get Kit Kat again.   If this fails it will be hard for me to find a smart phone, with a removable battery, a removable SD card, and an operating system as great as Android Jellybean,   I use to be so happy. 

[BigRedGonzo]

Hey Laura,

I read a lot of these forums and I would say that 99% of the update issues are taken care of my a factory reset.  I understand that didn't work for your device, so I'm not even going there.  I have been carrying an Android phone since the beginning and this has been one of the smoothest, most uneventful upgrades that I have been witness too.  That would lead me to suspect that maybe some app that you are using may be the issue.  Have you tried using the phone in "Safe Mode?"  I would assume you had with all the troubleshooting that you have had VZW do with you, but I have to ask that question.  If you haven't, try booting into Safe Mode and run the phone for a while and see if you still have the issues.  If you do and the issues vanish, then you have an app that is causing the issue.  If you get no love from Safe Mode and the issues persist, then I am at a loss as to what the issue could be.  Let us know how things go.  I hope you can get the issue resolved.  Good luck and may the Force be with you!!

BigRedGonzo

[laura3773]

BigRedGonzo,

I have not run it in safe mode; however, I did not sync the phone I got yesterday (and sent back today) so it had nothing on it (not even contacts) but what it came with at the time the system update occured. The issue still happened.

[mudlark]

I am having calendar and contact sync issues after Kit Kat on my S4.  I had absolutely no notice of choice when the phone updated.  Unlike the past, where a message appeared and I could decline until later, my phone suddenly rebooted.  When it came back up I was informed that it was completing the software update.  Sure enough, I checked and I was on Kit Kat.  I still have not solved the sync issues despite two phone calls to Verizon.  However, they are checking with Samsung.

[Scoobyshack]

Big Red Gonzo, I have done the Factory Data Reset.  I have read the forums and have not seen one person say "problems fixed"  Mine certainly are not.  Curious, who are these people who are in the "99% of the update issues are taken care of my a factory reset".  I can't find one.

[steelyrick]

I have been to the Verizon store twice and still have problems. I went to a Best Buy with a Samsung tech rep there and he "doesn't have the update for my particular phone". It's an S4! Two days ago my phone was working beautifully and now it is totally worthless. Reboots about every 20 minutes, drains the battery in about an hour (of no usage). Some of you have suggested a Samsung problem and not Verizon. Ridiculous. I am into a two year agreement with VERIZON and it appears I'm going to have to buy a new phone. If I have to buy a new phone, it won't be with Verizon and I WILL NOT PAY AN EARLY TERMINATION FEE. I will also invoice Verizon for the burner phone I am being forced to buy because of I cannot be without a phone. If more people feel like me, Verizon won't think that is only a "Samsung problem".

[#12]

Use your head!

Samsung made your device, Google makes the operating system, Verizon just like Best Buy, Walmart, Costco or any other retailer sells the devices. You have an issue with Samsung & Google

You will pay your early termination fees, or your credit will be ruined. That decision will be yours. Verizon is not going to give you a free phone, they are not going to buy it back they are just going to warranty the device as per the terms of service you agreed to. That is it.

If you think you have a case against Verizon take them to court.

Good Luck

[Patience_Gone]

Hey steelyrick...Here's what Verizon did for me.  This solution my save your credit and help you enjoy your phone again.  I'm loving mine. My GS4 is working better than ever.

2 days ago, Verizon sent me a replacement phone, because...well because Kit Kat turned my phone into a useless piece of crap.  When I got the new phone it still had Jellybean on it, before installing the Kit Kat upgrade, (removed)

Rooting discussion removed as required by the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service

Message was edited by: Admin Moderator

[piccolotsk]

The Kit Kat upgrade turned my awesome S4 into a barely mediocre phone that I no longer love! After the upgrade, the life is being sucked out of my battery and S voice no longer works. I can no longer make calls or send texts using a bluetooth device, a bad thing when you live in Illinois and now hands-free is the law! Verizon told I can't remove the upgrade so I am stuck! I have done the wipe cache partition several times and turned off almost every app except the absolutely necessary ones. Verizon accused me of adding new apps to my phone after the upgrade, which I didn't do. If anyone finds a solution, I would love to know about it! Considering ditching both Verizon and Samsung!

[Skyke101]

Duplicate post - please see:

Re: Battery drain/charging issues, not sending texts, and no 4g network after system update?

Message was edited by: Admin Moderator