However, the download is just the beginning. The user must unlock the bootloader (a security feature Samsung deliberately makes difficult), install a custom recovery like TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), and then wipe the system partition. The act of downloading the update is inseparable from the act of jailbreaking. The user must become the system administrator of their own device. The deep truth here is that a "software update" for a legacy device is no longer a passive service but an active skill. It transforms the user from a consumer into a curator.

However, if you are looking to update an old S4 to the latest possible official version, or if you are interested in custom software (ROMs) to modernize the device, the information below will be useful.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is a classic device, and while it no longer receives official support, you can still update its software to various versions depending on whether you want the final official build or a modern custom operating system.