AT&T Tabs: How do I update my SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB™ 8.9 to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich?

Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 8.9 Android 4.0 ICS Upgrade

Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade is available for the Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 8.9 (SGH-i957). Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) builds on the things people love most about Android — easy multitasking, rich notifications, customizable home screens, resizable widgets, and deep interactivity — and adds powerful new ways of communicating and sharing. Follow these download instructions carefully. Android 4.0 Explained* *Please note: not all features on your device will have the ICS features explained in this article.

Back Up Your Information

This software update was designed to apply an update to the operating system of the device while leaving certain types of user data intact, including pictures, videos, and contacts. To be safe, it is best practice to always back up all data in the event that your information is lost.

Please refer to the Kies Backup/Restore FAQ to learn more about backing up your personal data. Certain settings, such as wallpaper and music settings, will be reset back to factory default (see list below).

What to Expect after the Update

• Home screens: Items that have been added to the home screen, such as applications, widgets, and wallpaper (if the current wallpaper is not supported by ICS) are reset to default. Lock screen images will be preserved.
• Application Menu: The application menu sorting, folders and home keys will be reset. Downloaded applications will be preserved.
• Contact Groups: All Contacts and Contact groups will remain. However. contacts within the contact groups will be removed.
• Email: Email accounts that were added as a Social Hub or Samsung premium account will be removed.
• Music: Music playlists and settings (Equalizer,Sound effect, Music menu) will be reset during the update.
• Bluetooth: Paired bluetooth devices will be removed during the reset.

Note: Your SIM card and any external microSD™ memory card may remain installed during this update. You may remove either or both prior to beginning the process, if desired. Remember to re-install both after the update process has completed.

How Do I Check My Current Software Version?

1. From any home screen touch Menu > Settings > About Device.
2. Scroll to the bottom and look for Baseband Version. It should be I957UCKJ7 before updating. It will be I957UCLK4 after the update.

What Will This Update Do?

This update will address the following:

• OS upgrade to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

Android 4.0 Explained

• Device stability improvements

How Do I Get This Update?

This update is available through Windows and Mac computers using the Samsung Kies software application only. This update will not be made available over-the-air.

Samsung Kies

Click the button below to go to the Samsung Kies page.

After you download Kies for your platform, switch back to this article and follow the appropriate steps below.

Requirements

• Windows Operating System
  • Microsoft® Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8
  • CPU: Intel Pentium 1.8 GHz or greater (Intel Core 2 Duo 2GHz recommended)
  • Memory (RAM): 1GB (Recommended)
  • Hard Drive Space: At least 500MB
  • Screen Resolution: 1024 x 768
  • Required software: Microsoft .Net Framework v3.5 SP1 or later, Windows Media Player 11 or later DirectX v9.0 or later,
• MacOS
  • OSX 10.5 and up
  • Processor: 1.8GHz
  • Memory (RAM): 512MB Free
  • Hard Drive Space: At least 100MB

• Fully Charged Battery

Note: The upgrade process may not complete if the charge level is less than 50 percent.

• USB Data Cable (Included In Retail Box)

  Note: This is the same cable used to charge your device.

How Do I Update My Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 8.9?

1. After the download is complete, launch the installer and allow Kies to install on your system. If you are prompted to reboot the system, do so before proceeding.
2. Connect your device to your PC or laptop using the supplied USB cable.
3. Ensure that Kies recognizes your device by looking in the upper section of the left-bar navigation menu. Your device should be listed.

   
   

4. Once Kies recognizes the device you will see the following pop-up.

   
   

Firmware versions shown may vary.

5. Click Update.
6. Read through the Caution pop-up and, if you agree, click to populate the I have read all of the above information checkbox.
7. Read the Allow saving of information statement and select Allow saving or Proceed without saving and then click Start upgrade.

   

8. Kies will begin downloading firmware upgrade components from Samsung servers. This will take a few minutes depending on the speed of your Internet connection.
   Note: The time to upgrade your device will vary. Dependent upon your computer and network connection, you may experience some idle time or slow response in Kies. Do not close any programs on your PC, disconnect or turn off your device until the upgrade process is complete.

   

9. After a few minutes, Kies will then begin transferring the firmware binary to the device.

During the upgrade process, you will see the Android logo on your devices screen.

On your computer, you will see the Kies screen below.

10. After a few more minutes, the firmware upgrade will be completed.

Versions shown will vary.

11. Click OK. You can now disconnect your device from the PC. Once the device has rebooted it will be ready to use.

Personal Data Restoration From Kies

If you performed a data backup from your device to Kies prior to performing the update, you can now restore that data back to the device under the new Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.

Refer to the Kies Backup/Restore FAQ to learn how to restore your personal data.

Common Questions

General Questions:

• Does the I957UCLK4 upgrade contain an operating system upgrade to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)?
  • Yes. LK4 contains the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade.
• Can I upgrade directly to LK4 from any previous released software for the Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 8.9 (SGH-i957)
  • Yes, Kies will automatically upgrade to LK4 from I957UCKJ7 previously released official software version.
• Will Kies work on my Mac?
  • Yes,. Mac OS Minimum Requirements are:
    • OSX 10.5 to 10.7
    • Processor: 1.8GHz
    • Memory (RAM): 512MB Free
    • Hard Drive Space: At least 100MB
• Can I take my phone to an AT&T store for the upgrade?
  • No, stores do not have the proper tools to perform the software upgrade.
• What are the capabilities of Kies?
  • You can manage music, movies, and photos. Manage music, movies and photos, backup precious contacts and calendars; or download apps and podcasts and automatically upgrade device firmware. Kies conveniently syncs your life across all your devices.

    Troubleshooting Kies Connection

Troubleshooting the Kies Connection on your Windows PC

If you are having trouble connecting, follow these steps.

1. Disconnect the device from computer and launch Kies.
2. Click "Troubleshoot connection error".

   

3. Please make sure your device is disconnected from Kies and click Start to run the troubleshooting process.

   

4. Kies is now initializing the Connection history and reinstalling device drivers (The time may be longer depending on your PC performance.)

   

5. Connection error troubleshooting process is complete. Click complete.

   

6. Connect your device to your PC.

If you are still having connecting issues please try the following:

1. Disconnect the device from computer. Power cycle your device by holding the power button until your device turns off (8 to10 seconds), your device will now restart. After the restart, reconnect your device to the PC.
2. Please remove all previously installed Samsung software or drivers.

   

Click the appropriate Windows version for information to uninstall software and drivers from your Windows PC.

Windows XP

Windows Vista

Windows 7

2. Make sure you are using an official Samsung USB cable.
3. Try a different USB port.
4. Reboot computer after installing Kies.
5. Uninstall & Reinstall Kies.

Troubleshooting the Kies Connection on your Mac

1. Disconnect the device from computer and launch Kies.
2. In the Menu bar click Tools,

   

3. Click Install driver

   

4. Click Yes, to proceed with installation.

   

5. The drivers required for connection will be reinstalled.
6. Connect your device to Mac.

If you are still having connecting issues please try the following:

1. Make sure you are using an official Samsung USB cable.
2. Try a different USB port.
3. Reboot computer after installing Kies.
4. Uninstall & Reinstall Kies.

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