Galaxy S4 I9505: Update XXUBMEA Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Official Firmware

Elvind Anderson June 6, 2013 Galaxy S4, Samsung

We heard a lot of feedback and issues from Galaxy S4 users after nearly a month. Samsung noticed the issues and now push out the first batch of firmware release to fix bugs and improve the overall performance. The official firmware is available for only Galaxy S4 I9505 LTE version with Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. We may need to wait longer for firmware release to international Galaxy S4 I9500. The firmware fix coded as XXUBMEA and rolling out in Germany. In this post, we will guide you how to update your Samsung Galaxy S4 I9505 to the latest XXUBMEA firmware.

In this firmware fix, there were several significant improvement and fix. One of the main improvement is the usable internal storage. As we know, Galaxy S4 comes with 16GB internal storage but only 9GB usable to users. Samsung heard complaints from S4 users and has given out additional 100MB+ free space back to users by moving apps to SD card. The additional space is minimal yet we see improvement. Besides that, Samsung also fixed issues below:

New Features: XXUBMEA Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean firmware on Samsung Galaxy S4 I9505

  • New Camera firmware
  • Smearing issue has been fixed (Purple effect while scrolling)
  • Smart Pause Toggle
  • Move Apps to SD Card
  • HDR Video (Can record HDR video)
  • Semi-transparent status bar
  • New Icons in Settings
  • Secure boot status (About Phone)
  • Increase legibility (Display) (New feature)

How To Update Samsung Galaxy S4 I9505 to XXUBMEA Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Official Firmware

We have total 3 ways to update your devices officially. They are update via OTA (Over-The-Air), update via Samsung Kies and manual update via Samsung Odin. Update via OTA and Samsung Kies are the easiest ways for update yet you have to wait the release from Samsung (It could takes up to a month of waiting). Manual update with Odin is the fastest way to get latest update yet need some additional manual installation steps. We will cover all 3 update methods in our tutorial.

Disclaimer: It’s always a risk to modify your device. We, Android Teen are not responsible for any damage or bricks on your device. Your device warranty may void with any mod. Check your devices warranty’s term & conditions before start. (HTC, Samsung, LG, Sony, Motorola). Use this guide on your own risk, contact us for help if you face problem.

Pre-requisites & Requirements

  1. Samsung Galaxy S4 I9505 (Ensure correct device model and firmware; Check device model – Go to Settings -> About Device -> Model Number)
  2. Windows-based computer or laptop
  3. Download Samsung Galaxy S4 USB driver for Windows and install in your computer. Connect device to computer with USB cable to complete installation. Skip this step if you have installed the USB driver.
  4. Enable USB Debugging on your device. How to Enable USB Debugging Mode on Android Devices.
  5. Make sure your phone is charged to 60% 80% to avoid battery blackout and interruption during this tutorial.
  6. We recommend you make a backup on your data and media files before the tutorial. You may restore the data and files if necessary.

Reminder: Firmware upgrade should not delete your device data yet you may experience inconsistent performance after upgrade. Optionally, we recommend you to make a backup and do a clean upgrade. Ensure you meet the requirements before proceed. Contact us if you face problem.

Choose Your Update Methods:

Instructions: How To Update Samsung Galaxy S4 via OTA

  1. Ensure you have stable internet connection (Wifi or data network) on your devices.
  2. Power up your device, go to android apps drawer, select Settings.
  3. Under Settings menu, select About device under System.
  4. Select Software update under About device.
  5. Select Update (Check for updates).
  6. You should see an update available (365.67MB) , press OK to download and install. (Caution: Download with 3G will incur additional charges to your phone bill!)
  7. Your device will reboot automatically and complete installation.
  8. If you see “The latest updates have already been installed”, you have to wait for Samsung to release the OTA update.
  9. Check out manual updates which give you the fastest and latest firmware update.

Instructions: How To Update Samsung Galaxy S4 via Samsung Kies

  1. Ensure you have stable internet connection on your computer.
  2. Download and install Samsung Kies on your computer.
  3. Power up your device and connect it to computer with USB cable.
  4. Open up Samsung Kies on your computer.
  5. Wait for Samsung Kies to detect your device.
  6. You should able to see New Firmware Upgrade is available at the home of Samsung Kies.
  7. Press on Firmware Upgrade button to proceed.
  8. Check the box to agree all the T&C about the upgrade and Press Start Upgrade to proceed.
  9. Wait download and installation to run. Do not disconnect your device at this moment.
  10. You should see your device running upgrade and reboot automatically.
  11. Upgrade is complete. (Check device firmware – Go to Settings -> About Device –> Android & Baseband version)
  12. If you see “This is the latest firmware” in Samsung Kies, you have to wait for Samsung to release the update via Samsung Kies.
  13. Check out manual updates which give you the fastest and latest firmware update.

Instructions: How To Manual Update Samsung Galaxy S4 via Odin

If both OTA and Samsung Kies updates do not work for you, follow tutorial below to manual update your device with Samsung Odin. The firmware information is listed as below:

Firmware details:
Model: GT-I9505
Country: Germany
Version: Android 4.2.2
Changelist: 768421
Build date: Wed, 29 May 2013 16:05:23 +0000
Product Code: DBT
PDA: I9505XXUBMEA
CSC: I9505OXABMEA
MODEM: I9505XXUBMEA
Download: XXUBMEA firmware for Galaxy S4 I9505 (I9505XXUBMEA_I9505OXABMEA_DBT.zip | 1598.2 MB)

  1. Download and extract Odin3.07.zip in a folder in computer.
  2. Download and extract I9505XXUBMEA_I9505OXABMEA_DBT.zip to get *.tar or *tar.md5 in a folder in computer.
  3. Power off your device.
  4. Enter Download Mode by pressing and hold the Volume Down key, Home button, and Power button.
  5. You should see a warning triangle sign, press Volume Up to continue.
  6. You should see Odin Mode at the top and Downloading… , Do not turn off target!!
  7. Launch Odin executable file by double-clicking on Odin3 v3.07 exe.
  8. Connect your device to your computer with USB cable.
  9. Wait until Odin to show an “Added” message at the lower-left message box.
  10. After your device is detected by Odin, click on the PDA button and select the *.tar or *.tar.md5.
  11. Make sure the Repartition option is not checked under Options & checked on Auto Reboot.
  12. Click Start button to flash *.tar or *.tar.md5 to your device. Monitor the flash progress on Odin.
  13. A green “PASS” message should show for a success flashing.
  14. Your device shall reboot automatically.
  15. Upgrade is complete. (Check device firmware – Go to Settings -> About Device –> Android & Baseband version)
  16. If you fail to flash *.tar.md5 firmware, remove the extension of *.md5 with only *.tar and try to re-flash again.

us or give us a if it works for you.

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By Elvind Anderson
A 18 years old young android enthusiast who loves Android (Big fans of David Beckham too). He enjoys learning, testing and sharing on Android latest technologies. He likes to play around with custom ROM flashing, customize theme, discover new applications, system tweaking and more. Now, he owns Galaxy Note 2, HTC One, Nexus 7, Nokia Lumia 520 and iPhone 5.