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Think Android 4.4 KitKat (released in late 2013) is no longer usable? That's incorrect in most cases. Android 4.4 KitKat is still surprisingly usable in most cases. This wikiHow shows how to make the most of your device running Android 4.4 KitKat in {{CURRENTYEAR}}.
== Steps ==
== Steps ==
=== Setting Up Your Device ===
=== Setting Up Your Device ===
# Power on your device. Press and hold the power button until a boot animation appears.
# Power on your device. Press and hold the power button until a boot animation appears.
#* The power button is typically found at top or right of your device.
#* The power button is typically found at top or right of your device.
# Set up your device as normal. This includes connecting to Wi-Fi, setting the date, and agreeing to the terms and conditions.
# Set up your device as normal. Follow any on-screen instructions. This includes connecting to Wi-Fi, setting the date, and agreeing to the terms and conditions.
#* Optionally, you can log into your Google Account. In the "Got Google?" screen, tap {{macbutton|Yes}} and follow [[#Logging Into Google Account|these instructions below]].
#* Optionally, you can log into your Google Account. In the "Got Google?" screen, tap {{macbutton|Yes}} and follow [[#Logging Into Google Account|these instructions below]].
#* Disapprove any online services other than Google.
#* Disapprove any online services other than Google. Most are defunct.
=== Logging Into Google Account ===
=== Logging Into Google Account ===
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# Tap {{macbutton|Google}}. This list is sorted alphabetically, so it is at middle of screen. The icon resembles a blue square with a white "g" letter.[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 5.png|center]]
# Tap {{macbutton|Google}}. This list is sorted alphabetically, so it is at middle of screen. The icon resembles a blue square with a white "g" letter.[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 5.png|center]]
# Tap {{macbutton|Existing}}. This is at the bottom of the screen, just above the {{macbutton|New}} button. [[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 6.png|center]]
# Tap {{macbutton|Existing}}. This is at the bottom of the screen, just above the {{macbutton|New}} button. [[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 6.png|center]]
#* You cannot create an account directly on your device running Android KitKat. You have to do this in your mobile browser, or on a newer device.
#* You cannot create an account directly on your device running Android KitKat. You have to do this in your mobile browser, or on a newer device.<ref name="android-4-4-create-account">''Create accounts on Android 4.4 and lower versions - Android Help''. (2019). Google.com. https://support.google.com/android/answer/14080051?hl=en-GB</ref>
# Select to sign in via browser. On your device, tap the dropdown button at top-right corner to open the menu, and tap {{macbutton|Browser sign-in}}. This will open a popup.[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 7.png|center]]
# Select to sign in via browser. On your device, tap the dropdown button at top-right corner to open the menu, and tap {{macbutton|Browser sign-in}}. This will open a popup.[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 7.png|center]]
#* If you cannot see the dropdown button, tap the Menu button at bottom of your device.
#* If you cannot see the dropdown button, tap the Menu button at bottom of your device.
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=== Updating Apps ===
=== Updating Apps ===
# Download the necessary APKs to a computer or a newer device. Go to both links and click {{macbutton|DOWNLOAD APK}} on each to download Google Play Store and Google Play Services.
# Download the necessary APKs to a computer or a newer device. Go to both links and click {{macbutton|DOWNLOAD APK}} on each to download Google Play Store and Google Play Services.[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 13.png|center]]
#* Here are some links compatible with Android 4.4.
#* Here are some links compatible with Android 4.4.
#** Google Play Store (version 33.1.16-19)
#** Google Play Store (version 33.1.16-19)
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#* Make sure you download the right variant for your device.
#* Make sure you download the right variant for your device.
#** If you have an ARMv7 device as found in most Android devices, download the ARMv7 variant.
#** If you have an ARMv7 device as found in most Android devices, download the ARMv7 variant.
#** If you have an x86 device as found in a few Android devices, eg. Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 and Tesco Hudl 2, download the x86 variant.
#** If you have an x86 device as found in a few Android devices, eg. Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1<ref name="tab-3-10-1">''Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 P5220 - Full tablet specifications''. (2023). Gsmarena.com. https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_tab_3_10_1_p5220-5491.php</ref> and Tesco Hudl 2<ref name="hudl-2">Pearce, J. (2014, November 5). ''Tesco Hudl 2 - Review - Coolsmartphone''. Coolsmartphone. https://www.coolsmartphone.com/2014/11/05/tesco-hudl-2-review/</ref> (both using Intel Atom CPUs), download the x86 variant.
# Transfer the APKs to your device running Android KitKat. Connect your computer to your device or use Bluetooth to transfer.
# Transfer the APKs to your device running Android KitKat. Connect your computer to your device or use Bluetooth to transfer. [[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 14.png|center]]
#* '''USB:''' Connect your device to your computer. Open a file manager and drag these downloaded APKs from your computer to the Downloads folder on your device.
#* '''USB:''' Connect your device to your computer. Open a file manager and drag these downloaded APKs from your computer to the Downloads folder on your device.
#* '''Bluetooth:''' Open a file manager on your newer device and select both APKs. Tap the share button and select the other device. On your other device, approve the requests in popups. The transfer will take around 10-15 minutes.
#* '''Bluetooth:''' Open a file manager on your newer device and select both APKs. Tap the share button and select the other device. On your other device, approve the requests in popups. The transfer will take around 10-15 minutes.
# Allow installing APKs through unknown sources.
# Allow installing APKs through unknown sources. Go to Settings app, tap {{macbutton|Security}} and enable {{macbutton|Unknown sources}}.[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 15.png|center]]
# Install both APKs.
# Install both APKs. Open a file manager app on your device and navigate to downloads folder, entitled "Download". Tap the Google Play Store APK (com.android.vending_33.1.16.19...) and tap {{macbutton|Install}} to install the new version of Google Play Store APK. Repeat with Google Play Services APK (com.google.android.gms_23.30.13...).[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 16.png|center]]
# Open Play Store {{android|googleplaystore}}.
# Open Play Store {{android|googleplaystore}}. This can be found in the app drawer and resembles a multicolored triangle.[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 17.png|center]]
# Tap the profile icon.
# Tap the profile icon. This is to the right of the search bar, at the top. This will open an account and settings popup.[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 18.png|center]]
# Tap {{macbutton|Manage apps and device}}.
# Tap {{macbutton|Manage apps and device}}. It's the first option below the account section.[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 19.png|center]]
# Tap {{macbutton|Update apps}}.
# Tap {{macbutton|Update apps}}. It's below "Updates available" and "X updates pending".[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 20.png|center]]
# Approve the permissions for apps if prompted.
# Approve the permissions for apps if prompted. Some apps will ask for permissions, so if prompted, tap {{macbutton|ACCEPT}} for each app to approve.[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 21.png|center]]
# Finished.
# Finished.[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 22.png|center]]
=== What Can You Still Do on Android KitKat? ===
=== What Can You Still Do on Android KitKat? ===
# Email to other users. Though the Gmail app no longer supports Android KitKat since November 2019, it still works and you can email to other users on Gmail.
# Email to other users. Though the Gmail app no longer supports Android KitKat since November 2019, it still works and you can email to other users on Gmail.[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 23.png|center]]
# Chat to other users. One of the chatting apps which support Android KitKat is Telegram. Compatible with Android 4.4 and above
# Chat to other users. One of the chatting apps which support Android KitKat is Telegram. Compatible with Android 4.4 and above, it has lots of useful features, like editing sent messages and send GIFs.<ref name="telegram">Chong, F. (2021, January 5). ''Top 20 Telegram Features and Why I Love Them!'' Novochat.co. https://novochat.co/blog/telegram-features/</ref>[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 24.png|center]]
# Use your device as a media player.
# Use your device as a media player. You can install VLC on your device. It is compatible with Android 4.2 Jellybean or later. It has lots of useful features, including decoding for all common video and audio formats.<ref name="vlc">''VLC - Features - VideoLAN''. (n.d.). Www.videolan.org. https://www.videolan.org/vlc/features.html</ref>[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 25.png|center]]
# Use your device to instruct anything. wikiHow app still supports Android 4.4 and later, so you can still use your device running Android 4.4 to browse wikiHow. Just search wikiHow on Play Store and install the app.
# Use your device to instruct anything. wikiHow app still supports Android 4.4 and later, so you can still use your device running Android 4.4 to browse wikiHow. Just search wikiHow on Play Store and install the app.[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 26.png|center]]
#* wikiHow can install on Android 4.1 Jellybean and above, however on Android 4.1-4.3 it cannot connect to wikiHow due to TLS 1.2 requirements.
#* wikiHow can install on Android 4.1 Jellybean and above, however on Android 4.1-4.3 it cannot connect to wikiHow due to TLS 1.2 requirements.<ref name="wikihow-4-1">wikiHow. (2025, March 18). ''wikiHow not working on Android 4.1.2 Jellybean''. WikiHow. https://forums.wikihow.com/t/wikihow-not-working-on-android-4-1-2-jellybean/15997</ref>
# Customize your devices. While developers no longer support KitKat, you can still customize your device by using launchers and widgets. Here are some APKs that are compatible with Android KitKat:
# Customize your devices. While developers no longer support KitKat, you can still customize your device by using launchers and widgets. Here are some APKs that are compatible with Android KitKat:[[Image:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 27.png|center]]
* [https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/teslacoil-software/nova-launcher/nova-launcher-5-5-4-release/nova-launcher-5-5-4-android-apk-download/ Nova Launcher (5.5.4, May 2018)]
#* [https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/teslacoil-software/nova-launcher/nova-launcher-5-5-4-release/nova-launcher-5-5-4-android-apk-download/ Nova Launcher (5.5.4)]
Think Android 4.4 KitKat (released in late 2013) is no longer usable? That's incorrect in most cases. Android 4.4 KitKat is still surprisingly usable in most cases. This wikiHow shows how to make the most of your device running Android 4.4 KitKat in 2025.
Power on your device. Press and hold the power button until a boot animation appears.
The power button is typically found at top or right of your device.
Set up your device as normal. Follow any on-screen instructions. This includes connecting to Wi-Fi, setting the date, and agreeing to the terms and conditions.
Optionally, you can log into your Google Account. In the "Got Google?" screen, tap Yes and follow these instructions below.
Disapprove any online services other than Google. Most are defunct.
You cannot create an account directly on your device running Android KitKat. You have to do this in your mobile browser, or on a newer device.[1]
Select to sign in via browser. On your device, tap the dropdown button at top-right corner to open the menu, and tap Browser sign-in. This will open a popup.File:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 7.png
If you cannot see the dropdown button, tap the Menu button at bottom of your device.
Some users have reported problems logging into Google Account directly instead of via browser.
Download the necessary APKs to a computer or a newer device. Go to both links and click DOWNLOAD APK on each to download Google Play Store and Google Play Services.File:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 13.png
Make sure you download the right variant for your device.
If you have an ARMv7 device as found in most Android devices, download the ARMv7 variant.
If you have an x86 device as found in a few Android devices, eg. Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1[2] and Tesco Hudl 2[3] (both using Intel Atom CPUs), download the x86 variant.
USB: Connect your device to your computer. Open a file manager and drag these downloaded APKs from your computer to the Downloads folder on your device.
Bluetooth: Open a file manager on your newer device and select both APKs. Tap the share button and select the other device. On your other device, approve the requests in popups. The transfer will take around 10-15 minutes.
Install both APKs. Open a file manager app on your device and navigate to downloads folder, entitled "Download". Tap the Google Play Store APK (com.android.vending_33.1.16.19...) and tap Install to install the new version of Google Play Store APK. Repeat with Google Play Services APK (com.google.android.gms_23.30.13...).File:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 16.png
Chat to other users. One of the chatting apps which support Android KitKat is Telegram. Compatible with Android 4.4 and above, it has lots of useful features, like editing sent messages and send GIFs.[4]File:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 24.png
Use your device as a media player. You can install VLC on your device. It is compatible with Android 4.2 Jellybean or later. It has lots of useful features, including decoding for all common video and audio formats.[5]File:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 25.png
Use your device to instruct anything. wikiHow app still supports Android 4.4 and later, so you can still use your device running Android 4.4 to browse wikiHow. Just search wikiHow on Play Store and install the app.File:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 26.png
wikiHow can install on Android 4.1 Jellybean and above, however on Android 4.1-4.3 it cannot connect to wikiHow due to TLS 1.2 requirements.[6]
Customize your devices. While developers no longer support KitKat, you can still customize your device by using launchers and widgets. Here are some APKs that are compatible with Android KitKat:File:Use a Device Running Android KitKat Step 27.png
