KitKat S4 Battery Life, Overheating, & Hands Free Mode

[LoonaC]

Every since the KitKat update on my S4 (Not Mini) my battery life has plummeted.  I have turned off Global mode and set it to CDMA/LTE.  When I'm in my car with my Bluetooth radio, Hands Free mode pops up twice, even though I've disabled all the features and turned it off multiple times.  It turns itself back on.  When I use Navigation, which is almost daily, the phone gets really hot and the overheating icon appears.  It then starts shutting down applications to "Cool the phone down".  Today it tried to shut the phone OFF to cool it down while I was using navigation.  I have to hold my phone up to the A/C vent to cool it down so I can use it again.  All this happened after the KitKat update.  Nothing else has changed.  I haven't installed any new apps.  The only thing that has changed it KitKat.

KitKat was not tested very well.  They say Verizon is always last to release updates because they do extra testing before the release.  I'm not believing that one bit.

[vzw_customer_support]

Let's explore options to resolve these issues LoonaC! I had similar issues after the latest software update to my phone, and I was able to resolve all post software update issues by doing a hard reset! Give it a try http://vz.to/1mZotDR and keep us posted.

AntonioC_VZW
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VZWSupport

[LoonaC]

Why is it that all phone companies "FIX" for every issue with any phone, is to do a "Hard Reset"?  There is Never an actual FIX for anything, just Hard Reset the phone.  If I told every client of mine that had issues with their network that I had to format their servers and reload everything instead of actually Fixing a problem, I'd have no clients.  "Oh, we can't fix it, so wipe it and reload it from scratch".  Such a cop-out answer, and always the same answer for every issue.  Verizon's support site should be nothing but instructions on how to wipe and reload every phone they sell.  No need for actual support that actually fixes anything.

[vzw_customer_support]

I understand your concerns regarding a hard reset LoonaC! I can certainly provide instructions on options to extend battery life http://vz.to/1ktGTt8 and I can also recommend to visit a store http://bit.ly/3SdsA as this is the best option to check the temperature of your phone, as overheating requires a hands on evaluation. However, based on personal experience I recommend doing a hard reset to resolved post software update issues because it a troubleshooting step that often resolve such issues. I apologize if this step is to much of an inconvenience.

AntonioC_VZW
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VZWSupport

[LoonaC]

This is NOT a "Troubleshooting Step".  Hard Resetting is not troubleshooting anything.  Hard Resetting is "we don't know how to fix the problem, so try this."  Troubleshooting would entail actually doing some research and digging to find out what's causing the issue and applying a fix for it.  Do you wipe your computer every time you have an issue with it?

[rfd177]

fyi, I did a hard reset to fix my battery issue and lost the apps and data configurations that were moved to the sd card, i.e. 4.4 removes write access to sd on some apps/to some locations.

[stef7]

Hard Reset probably initializes all memory to a known state before the various programs expand out and start accessing these locations. There's too much user-user / device variation for them to design the updates to work perfectly for everyone.

You're actually lucky if you can update WITHOUT doing a FDR. It's sad, but it's not a problem unique to VZW, or any particular device, but generic I think to the way the operating system and software layers are implemented.

[tjb1022]

Along with other issues I have posted about the white icons, my battery life has also plummeted. I have a Droid Razr Maxx HD. I have to agree with LoonaC about doing a hard reset. A hard reset should be the LAST resort! Something done to your old phone when you buy a new one.

Perform a factory data reset only if absolutely necessary as it removes all data including:

• Google^TM account
• System and app data
• App settings
• Downloaded apps
• Music, pictures and videos (It is recommended to backup this data).

Notes:

• Personal data (e.g. Wi-Fi passwords, browser bookmarks, etc.) can be backed up to Google's servers.
• An alternate reset method is available if the device is unresponsive or won't power on.

If I am going to go through all this and have to refer to initial activation & set-up I might as well trade my phone in and get a new one. None of my family/friends I have spoken to have had to do this after an update. It is extremely aggavating!! At least when an app affects your phone you can just uninstall it and go on your merry way.  I think someone needs to develop a device where when a hard reset is needed you take your phone to the Verizon store the attach your phone to the device it transfers your phone set-up to it, the reset is done, your phone is re-attached, your 'stuff' is transferred back to your phone and your phone is handed back to you with all your apps, pics, music, etc. in tack and you don't have to do any thing else!   ***A girl can dream can't she***

[paulwblair]

I just updated my S4 to Kit kat and I also have this issue.  My phone is now next to useless in my car thanks to the phone overheating and killing all of my car mode apps. Samsung needs to fix this.  I did not have this problem with JB.

[BklyQnsExpway]

Well it looks like I am in a very large club of unhappy S3 Verizon subscribers. The update ruined my phone. The only way it will take a charge is on a slow USB from laptop. This morning after charging it all night via AC it showed 100%. It was down to 95% by the time I put on my slippers. What I see here and all over the internet (Googled it) are a lot of similar problems and no good fix. New batteries, factory resets, updating hardware etc. don't work in most of the instances that I see. I am cynical enough to understand that no one will tell us exactly what is going on, but it's appalling that Verizon does not have the corporate clout to make Samsung issue a software fix. This is cost me and my company a lot of working hours and that means money. Class action anyone?

[stgmngr210]

Same problem here. Reps (on phone, and in person...NOT in writing...of course) have TOLD me S4 overheating is ABSOLUTELY a problem. One rep (in a store) told me upon replacing my FIRST S4 for overheating...to get an extended warranty because IT WILL happen again. Sure enough, 20 minutes after activating the NEW S4, overheated to 104.6 degrees. Rep I called (from my husband's phone...SINCE I CAN'T MAKE CALLS ON MINE) told me she is on HER second S4 because of overheating.

VZW says to take it up with Samsung. Samsung says it's on VZW.

[#12]

[quote]

VZW says to take it up with Samsung. Samsung says it's on VZW.

[/quote]

The VZW rep told you the truth. Go into your owners manual and read the warranty details. it is a 1 year manfacturers warranty, not a 1 year Verizon warranty. Verizon did not make your device or the battery.

It is a Samsung issue. Read the manual and then think about it. Makes sense huh?

Good Luck

[stgmngr210]

Nope.

[#14]

No?

You are joking right?

You buy a phone I care not where, you sign up for service to the cellular and data network at Verizon Wireless.

at that time of sale (No matter where you purchased it make no difference) the device comes with a one year MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. Following me so far?

You can also purchase supplemental insurance from Asurian to cover things not covered like water damage, or loss or theft or physical damage of which you pay a monthly fee for. Still following me?

Under the MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY the device is covered for defects in materials and workmanship. again read your warranty that came with your device. You can send back to device maker or call Verizon and they as a courtesy will do a warranty exchange. Now in certain situations the batteries can be faulty and then neither party is going to cover the battery. You would pay out of pocket. However once you buy a new battery from any vendor that sells them, you have a warranty on the battery. Read that warranty as well.

The original battery on the device may be covered by the device maker.

So again Verizon is not your issue it is Samsung

[lybra975]

The manufacturer warranties do come in handy.....when these issues arise within the first year. Unfortunately I got my phone may 2013 and didn't need my navigation but a couple months later.  That's when I knew something was wrong.  I put the problem aside thinking it was just a one time issue.  Nope, happened again last month. Of course my manufacturer warranty is expired.  So instead of going through the hassle of reloading all my stuff on a new phone, I'll just use my Garmin. ...

[#16]

I also use a NavQ or Tom Tom much easier