AT&T Galaxy Note 2 Finally Gets KitKat with Android 4.4.2 Update

I’ve been running KitKat on my trusty old Samsung Galaxy Note 2 for some time now, but the day has finally arrived for AT&T to release the official 4.4.2 KitKat update to the public.  AT&T is just about the last of all the carriers to release the update, but at least they did.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is still an awesome device and upgrading to KitKat either through the stock updates or using third party firmware by developers in the Android community takes you to another level.

This update is available to customers to download via Firmware Over the Air (FOTA) and Wi-Fi is required.

The software update includes:

• Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) offers improved performance and new features, highlights include:
  • New platform support for secure NFC-based transactions through Host Card Emulation (HCE).
  • Camera icon on the lock screen.
  • Printing support for apps.
  • New storage access framework – Simple for users to browse and open documents, images, and other files, across most customer preferred document storage providers.
  • Improved user experience when multiple messaging apps are installed – All SMS and MMS messages are together in the same app, alongside other conversations and video calls.
  • Visual content such as photos, videos, maps, books, and games are even better with full-screen immersive mode. The UI stays hidden while interacting with the content.
  • Better accessibility experience across apps with system-wide preference for closed captioning and subtitles support.
  • To turn on closed captioning go to Settings > Accessibility > Captions.
  • See beautiful full-screen album and movie art on the device lock screen if listening to music or watching movies. Users can play, pause, or seek to a specific moment.
  • See http://www.android.com/versions/kit-kat-4-4/ for more information.
• The Beats Music App is also included in this update.

If the pre-releases I’ve been running are anything to go by, the update should bring substantial performance and battery improvements to the AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

If you haven’t received the update, you can always manually initiate the check and update using the following steps:

1. From the Home screen, press the Menu key.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Tap the More tab.
4. Tap About Device.
5. Tap Software update.
6. Tap Check for updates.
   • The phone displays: Software update process will not delete any personal data on your phone. Check the AT&T server for new software update?
7. Tap OK.
   • A status message displays: Processing&The download for the software update will begin in a moment. The software download may take several minutes. Downloading&
   • The phone displays: Software Update: A software update is available for your device that requires Wi-Fi connectivity for download progress to begin. Connect to a Wi-Fi network? For a list of free Wi-Fi networks click here AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots.
8. Select Continue or remind me later.
   • The phone displays: A new software update from AT&T is available for our device. This download will occur over Wi-Fi. Please make sure that you stay within the Wi-Fi coverage area while the download takes place. This could take several minutes.
9. Tap Continue.
   • A status message displays: Downloading software update, please do not leave Wi-Fi coverage area.
   • A new software update from AT&T is available for your device. This software update will take several minutes and will not delete any personal data on your device. All service (including emergency calls) will be suspended during the install.
   • The device will automatically restart once the new software has successfully installed.
   • Update Complete. The software has been successfully installed. Your device is now ready to use.
10. Tap Done.

Did you update your device to the stock AT&T KitKat release or are you running modded firmware from another developer?  Let us know in the comments below.