An official Android 4.3 firmware I9505XXUEMI8 for the Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 has leaked on the internet and is available for download for everyone.

Android 4.3 was released by Google in the last week of July and this first leak of Android 4.3 for Galaxy S4 is coming after 2 months of Google’s announcements. We weren’t expecting it any time sooner than now, but considering the fact that Android 4.3 was actually an small update to Android OS, it’d have been better if Samsung had prepared the firmware quicker and earlier. Because it’s going to take Samsung another month now to officially release Android 4.3 firmware for Galaxy S4 devices across the globe and by that time the release of Android 4.4 would be closer, which is far more important update than Android 4.3.

Anyway, coming back to the topic, this Android 4.3 firmware ─ I9505XXUEMI8 which got leaked may not be perfect for everyone to install. Although majority of users are reporting smooth operation of the firmware but some users also encountered issues with WiFi connectivity and phone’s performance in general.

If you’d like to flash this firmware on your Samsung Galaxy S4 I9505, then below is a helpful guide that you can follow along with download links for the firmware. However, before you proceed know that flashing a leaked firmware is a serious business and your phone’s warranty may get voided.

WARNING!

Warranty may be void of your device after rooting!

If anything given on this page damages your device and its components — you only will be held liable for it. theAndroidSoul.com takes no guarantee for the safety of your device.

CHECK DEVICE MODEL NO.

You must check your device’s model no. in ‘About device’ option under Settings. OR, you can also check the model no. on the packaging box of your device.

This page is meant only for the Samsung Galaxy S4, model no. GT-I9505. Do NOT follow the procedures provided on this page for any other device, than GT-I9505, as this could damage that device.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN..

You must do this pre-installation stuff before attempting to install the firmware on your Galaxy S4 in order to avoid any complications later, and have a smooth and successful process.

BACK UP YOUR DEVICE

Back up important data and stuff before you start playing around here as there are chances you might lose your apps and app-data (app settings, game progress, etc.), and in rare case, files on sd card, too.

For help on Backup and Restore, check out our exclusive page on that linked right below.

► ANDROID BACK UP AND RESTORE GUIDE: APPS AND TIPS

INSTALL GALAXY Galaxy S4 DRIVER

You must have proper and working driver installed on your windows computer to be able to successfully install a firmware on your Samsung Galaxy S4. In case you’re not sure, follow the link below for a definitive guide for installing driver for your Galaxy S4 on your computer.

► SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 DRIVERS INSTALLATION GUIDE

CHARGE YOUR DEVICES

If either phone or your PC powers off due to lack of battery, it could damage the phone. So, make sure both your android device and PC are charged, 50% is what we would recommend.

OTHER THINGS TO TAKE CARE OF:

└ Use original USB cable to connect your phone to PC.

└ Do not use the procedures given below on Mac (using VMWare) as it works best on proper Windows PC only.

SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 FIRMWARE INSTALLATION GUIDE

DOWNLOADS

Download the files given below and save them in a separate folder on your computer (just to keep things tidy)

  • I9505XXUEMI8 firmware file →  Download link    |     (mirror)
    File name: I9505XXUEMI8_I9505OXAEMI8_I9505XXUEMI8_OXA.zip
    File size: 1.53 GB
  • Odin v3.09 → Download link
    File name: odin3.09.zip
    File size: 951 KB

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Once you’ve finished downloading the files given in downloads section above, follow the instructions below for installing Android 4.3 on your Galaxy S4 I9505

PART 1. Extract downloaded files and start Odin
  1. Extract/Unzip the firmware file → “I9505XXUEMI8_I9505OXAEMI8_I9505XXUEMI8_OXA.zip” on your computer. You’ll get the following four files:
    • AP_I9505XXUEMI8_1715731_REV06_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5
    • BL_I9505XXUEMI8_1715731_REV06_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar
    • CP_I9505XXUEMI8_1715731_REV06_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5
    • CSC_OXA_I9505OXAEMI8_1715731_REV06_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5
  2. Extract/Unzip “Odin3.09.zip” file on your computer to get this file: Odin3 v3.09.exe
  3. Double-click (run) to open the “Odin3 v3.09.exe” file to start Odin.
    Odin3 v3.09
PART 2. Put phone in Download Mode and connect to computer
  1. Boot your Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 into Download Mode:
    • Power off your phone first. Wait for 6-7 seconds after display is off.
    • Press and hold these 3 buttons together until you see Warning! screen: Volume Down + Power + Home.
    • Press Volume Up now to continue to Download Mode.
      Smasung Galaxy S4 Download Mode
  2. Connect Galaxy S4 to PC. Odin window will show an Added!! message in bottom left box.
    Odin’s screen would look like this:
    Odin Added!! message
    If you don’t get the Added! message, here are some troubleshooting tips:
    • Make sure you have installed driver for Galaxy S4 as said above in ‘Prepare Yourself’ section.
    • If you have already installed driver, try uninstalling it and then reinstalling it.
    • Try a different USB cable. The original cable that came with your phone should work best, if not, try any other cable that’s new and of good quality.
    • Connect using a different USB port on your PC.
    • Reboot phone and PC and then try again.
PART 3. Flash the firmware
  1. Load the firmware files (extracted in Step 1.1) in Odin as instructed below:
    • Click on “BL” button on Odin and select the “BL_I9505XXUEMI8_1715731_REV06_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5” file
    • Click on “AP” button on Odin and select the “AP_I9505XXUEMI8_1715731_REV06_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5” file
      └ The Odin window may freeze and show “(Not responding)” alert but that’s only because of the large size of  the AP file. Nothing to be worried about, it’ll get back to normal by itself.
      If possible, don’t use your PC for other tasks when loading the file.
    • Click on “CP” button on Odin and select the “CP_I9505XXUEMI8_1715731_REV06_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5” file
    • Click on “CSC” button on Odin and select the “CSC_OXA_I9505OXAEMI8_1715731_REV06_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5” file
  2. Now in the “Option” section of Odin, keep only the “Auto Reboot” and “F. Reset Time” boxes checked. All other boxes in the “Option” section should be kept unchecked.
  3. Double check the above two steps carefully. You must not make any mistake with the steps above or else you may brick your device. Your Odin window’s “Option” section should look like the screenshot below:
    Click Start on Odin
  4. Click the ‘Start’ button to begin flashing I9505XXUEMI8 firmware on your Galaxy S4 GT-I9505, and wait until you see a ‘PASS!’ message in Odin’s top left box.
  5. When you get PASS! message, your phone will restart automatically. You can then disconnect your phone from PC.
    Odin Pass Screen
    └ If you see FAIL instead of PASS in Odin’s top left box, disconnect Galaxy Note 3 from PC, close Odin, remove phone’s battery and put it back in 3-4 seconds, open Odin and then repeat PART 2 and PART 3 of this guide again.
Enjoy Android 4.3 on your Galaxy S4!

Your device will automatically reboot and boot into Android 4.3 firmware version I9505XXUEMI8. Have fun!

Having issues after successfully flashing the firmware?

It may happen that you get any of the following issues after flashing I9505XXUEMI8 firmware:

  • Phone stuck on Boot animation, Bootloop issue
  • Phone running slow
  • Apps force closing
  • WiFi and Sound not working

If you’re having any of the issues given above on your phone, then you need to factory reset your phone using recovery to resolve these issues. Here’s how:

Wipe data/Factory reset using recovery

By performing a Wipe data/Factory Reset through recovery all your phone’s data will be deleted including internal SD Card. So make sure to backup your phone before proceeding.

  1. Boot into recovery mode:
    • First power off your phone.
      └ If phone gets stuck at Samsung logo and reboots again and again, then remove and then re-insert the batter back into phone.
    • Press and hold Home + Volume Up + Power key together until the screen turns on, then release the keys to boot into recovery.
      Once you are in recovery mode, use Volume keys to move the selection up and down and Power key to select an option.
  2. Go to Wipe data/Factory Reset in recovery and select it. Then select Yes to confirm factory reset on next screen.
  3. Select Reboot system now.

This should fix bootloop on your Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 and other firmware related issues.

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