KitKat update ?'s...nervous

[glasswave]

Hello,
My Razr Maxx HD (not rooted) has downloaded KitKat (183.43.10) from Verizon and wants to install.

I was not very happy after the last big auto update. They removed progressive volume from the alarm app (^&&*%$#$#@). Also, I was not very happy about the forced google bar or how they separated people/contacts from the phone app (or the phone app in general). Finally, I don't like not being able to view my apps by "my installed apps."

I have gotten used to the new way and have settled for the buggy Alarm Clock plus to get progressive volume.

I am getting ready to go on 2.5 months vacation and am very worried that the update will mess up my phone or cause my apps not to work. When traveling, I rely heavily on FoxFi 2.12.7, Tiny flashlight, and Winamp.

Am I being worried for nothing? Will the update mess up my foxFi. Can I disable the update? If so how? I am fairly technically inclined with Windows and Mac osX, but have never taken much interest in my phone. I'd be happy to unlock/root, if that's what everyone suggests. I'd like to clear off a bunch of these junk apps it comes with if I did.

Any advice appreciated.

 

[splat10]

Most of the complaints so far are battery life, no longer wiring to sd card, and just the new appearance. I haven't heard if any compatibility issues but maybe someone else has. Over real I'm happier with kit Kat than without even tho there are some negatives

 

[Big_ed]

I will tell you as a victim of the kitkat update, STAY AWAY unless you want to re-learn a bunch more stuff...

I haven't yet found a way to get it back to 4.2 where it was at.

And I am actively searching this weekend for someone who may have found a way..

Once you do the update, you can not go back without rooting and re-flashing your phone. I know that much.

I spent 45 minutes on the phone with Verizon tech support arguing and griping and complaining of all the stuff that was changed that should have been left alone.

Tech support informed me that after a certain period of time, it will automatically install it even if you have told it not to. How true this is, I don't know. But my signal strength is lower than what it used to be, speeds are WAY slower than they were on 4.2, even in the 4gLTE areas with 5 bars... I have had it drop calls where it almost never used to.

The same tech also informed me he spends an AVERAGE of 25 minutes per call now because of the update and how it has messed up so many people's phones.

I told Verizon if they could not send me a phone that had 4.2 on it, I was going to find out how many people I have to tick off before they pay for my now almost worthless phone that does all the stuff I never wanted it to do.

 

[glasswave]

Thanks for the replies. Is there any way to prevent the upgrade from installing?

 

[Thom]

It downloads onto your phone and asks permission to install. IT keeps asking until you grant permission.

The way to prevent installation is to not grant permission.

... Thom

 

[bolski]

I will tell you as a victim of the kitkat update, STAY AWAY unless you want to re-learn a bunch more stuff...

I haven't yet found a way to get it back to 4.2 where it was at.

And I am actively searching this weekend for someone who may have found a way..

Once you do the update, you can not go back without rooting and re-flashing your phone. I know that much.

I spent 45 minutes on the phone with Verizon tech support arguing and griping and complaining of all the stuff that was changed that should have been left alone.

Tech support informed me that after a certain period of time, it will automatically install it even if you have told it not to. How true this is, I don't know. But my signal strength is lower than what it used to be, speeds are WAY slower than they were on 4.2, even in the 4gLTE areas with 5 bars... I have had it drop calls where it almost never used to.

The same tech also informed me he spends an AVERAGE of 25 minutes per call now because of the update and how it has messed up so many people's phones.

I told Verizon if they could not send me a phone that had 4.2 on it, I was going to find out how many people I have to tick off before they pay for my now almost worthless phone that does all the stuff I never wanted it to do.

BTW, Verizon is not the one that made the changes. This comes from Google as well as Motorola who implemented the changes.

KitKat is different, but overall, it's a much more efficient version of Android.

A lot of the changes for KitKat have been well documented out on the web.

Any time there is a major upgrade in versions like this (GB to ICS to JB and now to KK), there are bound to be differences people don't like.

Also, Motorola does like to add their own "enhancements", but even with this, they seemed to stick with the Google defaults on a lot of things.

 

[Rxpert83]

BTW, Verizon is not the one that made the changes. This comes from Google as well as Motorola who implemented the changes.

KitKat is different, but overall, it's a much more efficient version of Android.

A lot of the changes for KitKat have been well documented out on the web.

Any time there is a major upgrade in versions like this (GB to ICS to JB and now to KK), there are bound to be differences people don't like.

Also, Motorola does like to add their own "enhancements", but even with this, they seemed to stick with the Google defaults on a lot of things.

Googles AOSP update has nothing to do with the radios/reception though.

That's all between Motorola and the carriers

 

[oaklane]

Both my phone and my husband phone has been updated to KitKat. I'm tech savvy he isn't and we haven't had any problems with the upgrade. I did notice that the battery life is less, instead of getting 60 hours I'm getting like 36 to 40 hours on a charge depending if my bluetooth is on.

 

[tanware]

Both my phone and my husband phone has been updated to KitKat. I'm tech savvy he isn't and we haven't had any problems with the upgrade. I did notice that the battery life is less, instead of getting 60 hours I'm getting like 36 to 40 hours on a charge depending if my bluetooth is on.

I had bad battery at first too. I now am back where I was but it took a lot of time and tweaking. I just got to 3 day with 76% left on the battery. I was getting 7 to 10 days before the update. Also the transparent whether widget was eating huge battery.

Now with everything leveling out it is much better.

As far as calls dropping etc. If you FDR be sure to reupdate roaming. I think with the smart phones it is supposed to eventually auto update but with the old flip phones you used to have to force it. That was *228 and option 2.