Android 4.4 KitKat is here for the Google Play edition HTC One, and as usual it's slowly rolling out to certain handsets via an over-the-air update. But as tends to be the case with some OTAs, not all devices are receiving the update right away. Fortunately there's a relatively easy way to manually load the update onto your device — we've got a step-by-step guide after the break, and the process is actually a bit easier than the usual method of "sideloading" updates. The entire process can be done on the device itself, without connecting it to a computer.
Check past the jump to get started.
A few prerequisites...
- You'll need a Google Play edition HTC One running 100 percent stock Android 4.3 firmware — build JWR66Y.H1 — check under Settings > About phone > Build number.
- This won't work on the HTC One with HTC Sense UI, so don't try it on that device.
- Make sure you have a reasonable amount of battery charge remaining — at least 50 percent.
- Although this is easier than the usual sideloading method it's still worth exercising some caution, and remember that you proceed at your own risk.
Ready to go? Here's what you need to do.
-
From your phone, click the link below to download the over-the-air update package directly from Google.
- Download Android 4.4 KitKat OTA for HTC One Google Play edition (320MB)
- When it's done, shut down your phone and disconnect any cables.
- Hold your volume down and power keys until the bootloader starts up. (You should see colored text on a black screen.)
- Using the volume keys, navigate down to RECOVERY and press power.
- Wait until the icon has stopped spinning and you see the android with the red exclamation mark above it.
- First hold volume up, then (with volume up held down) press power to enter the main recovery menu.
- Navigate down to "apply from phone storage" and press power to select
- Navigate down to "0/", then "Download/", then select the file you downloaded in step 1 (the one starting "545beb")
- Let the updater do its thing — it may take a few minutes — then when you see the message "Neet (sic) to Reboot to flash firmware.zip", select "Reboot system now" from the menu and press the power button.
- Wait for the update to finalize and enjoy Android 4.4 KitKat on your Google Play edition HTC One!
Review: Outriders on PS5 is a fun game saddled with a forgettable story
Outriders' gameplay is enjoyable and fast-paced, but it insists on tacking on a boring story, dull voice-acting, and a number of design flaws. It's a good looter shooter, but maybe not a great game in general.
Facebook bringing audio chats and podcasts to Android this summer
Facebook has announced a suite of new audio features that it's bringing to the platform this summer, including its Clubhouse-like Live Audio Rooms.
HTC EVO 3D: Revisiting a decade-old technological dead-end
Right as HTC was peaking in popularity, so was one of the oddities of 2011 tech: 3D. I picked up the phone that combined the two to see why it ultimately failed.
Protect your Galaxy A51 in glitter and glam with the best cases
It's tough when you end up scratching or dropping your new phone, especially when you have a phone as great as the Galaxy A51. These are the best cases that you can get to help assist against any potential damage.