Download Sprint Galaxy S4 Lollipop Update: L720VPUGOD2 Stock Firmware [Odin TAR]

Samsung released the Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update for Sprint Galaxy S4 back in May as an OTA, but now the full firmware in TAR format is available for download that you can install yourself to manually update the device, no matter what you have currently installed on your device. Build no. is exactly same, L720VPUGOD2 .

You could not take the OTA if you were rooted, or didn’t have a stock recovery, but with this stock firmware, you only need to follow the guide below and update your Sprint Galaxy S4 (SPH-L720) to Android 5.0 Lollipop right away. That is why we love the stock firmware that is Odin flashable!

Do note that you will lose root access when you install the stock firmware using Odin, because it will re-write everything on your device. Custom recovery and custom ROM will be uninstalled too, and you will be back to stock on your Sprint Galaxy S4. We know that is what you want when you are looking for .TAR stock firmware, but it’s still to warn beforehand. You must be able to get both root access and TWRP/CWM recovery back, though, by installing them again.

Btw, do not that this is not compatible with Sprint Galaxy S4 Tri-band edition, for which, the Lollipop update is available here.

Sprint Galaxy S4 Android 5.0 Lollipop Update L720VPUGOD2

Downloads

Supported devices

  • SPRINT GALAXY S4 (model no. SPH-L720)
  • Don’t try this on Sprint’s other Galaxy S4 Tri-band. whose model no. is SPH-L720T
  • Don’t try on any other device whatsoever.

Instructions

Disclamer: Installing an official firmware through Odin doesn’t void your device’s warranty, but it remains an unofficial process and thus you need to be cautious of it. In any case, you only are responsible for your device. We won’t be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components.

Backup important files stored on your device before proceeding with the steps below, so that in case something goes wrong you’ll have backup of all your important files. Sometimes, Odin installation may delete everything on your device!

  1. Download Odin and firmware file from above.
  2. Install Galaxy S4 drivers (method 1 there!) first of all. Double click the .exe file of drivers to begin installation. (Not required if you have already done this.)
  3. Extract the firmware file now. You can use a free software like 7-zip for this. Install 7-zip, then right click on firmware file and under 7-zip, select ‘Extract here’.
  4. You should get the a file in .tar.md5 format now (L720VPUGOD2_L720SPTGOD2_L720VPUGOD2_HOME.tar.md5). We will be loading this file into Odin, to be installed on your Galaxy S4 (in step 10 below).
  5. Extract the Odin file. You should get this file, Odin3 v3.10.6.exe (other files could be hidden, hence not visible).
  6. Disconnect your Galaxy S4 from PC if it is connected.
  7. Boot Sprint Galaxy S4 into download mode:
    1. Power off your S4. Wait 6-7 seconds after screen goes off.
    2. Press and hold the three buttons Volume Down + Power + Home together until you see warning screen.
    3. Press Volume Up to continue to download mode.
  8. Double click on extracted file of Odin, Odin3 v3.10.6.exe, to open the Odin window, as shown below. Be careful with Odin, and do just as said to prevent problems.
    Odin 3.10.6
  9. Connect your Galaxy S4 to PC now using USB cable. Odin should recognize your S4 . It’s a must. When it recognizes, you will see Added!! message appearing in the Log box in bottom left, and the first box under ID:COM will also show a no. and turn its background blue. Look at the pic below.
    • You cannot proceed until Odin recognizes your device and you get the Added!! message.
    • If it doesn’t, you need to install/re-install drivers again, and use the original cable that came with device. Mostly, drivers are the problem.
    • You can try different USB ports on your PC too, btw.
      Odin 3.10.6 Added message
  10. Load the firmware file into Odin (that you got in step 4 above). Click the AP button on Odin and the select the file: L720VPUGOD2_L720SPTGOD2_L720VPUGOD2_HOME.tar.md5
    • Info: When you load files, Odin checks the md5 of firmware file, which takes time. So, simply wait until that’s done and the firmware file is loaded. Don’t worry if Odin gets unresponsive for a while, it’s normal. Binary size will also show up in Odin.
      Odin 3.10.6 Firmware loaded after md5 check
  11. Make sure Re-partition checkbox is NOT selected, under the Options tab. Don’t use PIT tab either. Go back to Log tab btw, it will show the progress when you hit start button in next step.
    Re-partition Remains Off
  12. Click the Start button on Odin now to start flashing the firmware on your Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4 . Wait till installation is finished, after which your Galaxy S4 will reboot automatically. You’ll get PASS message as show below upon successful installation from Odin.
    • If Odin gets stuck at setup connection, then you need to do steps 6 to 12 again. For this, close Odin, disconnect your S4 , remove battery, insert it back after 5-6 seconds and then start from step 6 again.
    • Or, if you get FAIL in the top left box, you need to try flashing again, as stated just above.
      Odin 3.10.6 Pass Message Appears
  13. First start of the device may take time, so wait patiently again. Check the Settings > About phone to confirm new firmware.

That’s it enjoy the L720VPUGOD2 Lollipop firmware on your Sprint Galaxy S4!

If you need any help with this, let us know via comments below.

Posted by
Kapil Malani

A die-hard Liverpool FC fan, Kapil is a big fan of Batman, Android and street Cricket. In that order, probably. Email: [email protected]

93 Comments

  1. screw this file hosting BS. 9 hours for 1.5gb download? This isn’t 1999 anymore, i shouldn’t have to pay a server to send me data.

    1. Dang! Let me help you. Visit this page back in 15 mins for a direct download link that would be anytime better than 1999-ish speeds what you are getting. Oks.

    2. Post updated with a direct link.

    3. much appreciated, thank you.

  2. screw this file hosting BS. 9 hours for 1.5gb download? This isn’t 1999 anymore, i shouldn’t have to pay a server to send me data.

    1. Dang! Let me help you. Visit this page back in 15 mins for a direct download link that would be anytime better than 1999-ish speeds what you are getting. Oks.

    2. Post updated with a direct link.

      1. much appreciated, thank you.

  3. screw this file hosting BS. 9 hours for 1.5gb download? This isn’t 1999 anymore, i shouldn’t have to pay a server to send me data.

    1. Dang! Let me help you. Visit this page back in 15 mins for a direct download link that would be anytime better than 1999-ish speeds what you are getting. Oks.

    2. Post updated with a direct link.

      1. much appreciated, thank you.

  4. Everytime I try to extract the tar file I get this: SPR-L720VPUGOD2-20150612101411.zip: Unexpected end of archive

    1. yeah, its either a failed zip or a virus. Same thing happened to me. Just delete it.

    2. Hey, don’t extract the tar file. You have to load the tar file only in Odin, as explained in the guide above. If you didn’t get any error while extracting the tar from zip, you are good.

  5. File only gets to 1gb, and nothing is in zip folder when I try to open.

    1. That problem arises sometimes when download gets stuck at 1GB. Are you download manager like EagleGet, better use it if not.
      And if you are using a vpn or like service maybe avoid that.

  6. Everytime I try to extract the tar file I get this: SPR-L720VPUGOD2-20150612101411.zip: Unexpected end of archive

    1. yeah, its either a failed zip or a virus. Same thing happened to me. Just delete it.

    2. Hey, don’t extract the tar file. You have to load the tar file only in Odin, as explained in the guide above. If you didn’t get any error while extracting the tar from zip, you are good.

  7. Everytime I try to extract the tar file I get this: SPR-L720VPUGOD2-20150612101411.zip: Unexpected end of archive

    1. yeah, its either a failed zip or a virus. Same thing happened to me. Just delete it.

    2. Hey, don’t extract the tar file. You have to load the tar file only in Odin, as explained in the guide above. If you didn’t get any error while extracting the tar from zip, you are good.

  8. File only gets to 1gb, and nothing is in zip folder when I try to open.

    1. That problem arises sometimes when download gets stuck at 1GB. Are you download manager like EagleGet, better use it if not.
      And if you are using a vpn or like service maybe avoid that.

  9. File only gets to 1gb, and nothing is in zip folder when I try to open.

    1. That problem arises sometimes when download gets stuck at 1GB. Are you download manager like EagleGet, better use it if not.
      And if you are using a vpn or like service maybe avoid that.

  10. what makes the download stop at 1gb

    1. That’s problem with server providing the download link. happens sometimes… are you using a VPN network? And would suggest you to download using a file manager, like, IDM, or EagleGet (free).

  11. will this work with a custom rom current loaded on the device

    1. i mean not with but will it replace the custom rom i have currently loaded on my s4

    2. Yes, this will remove custom ROM. It will also remove root if you had it.

  12. what makes the download stop at 1gb

    1. That’s problem with server providing the download link. happens sometimes… are you using a VPN network? And would suggest you to download using a file manager, like, IDM, or EagleGet (free).

  13. what makes the download stop at 1gb

    1. That’s problem with server providing the download link. happens sometimes… are you using a VPN network? And would suggest you to download using a file manager, like, IDM, or EagleGet (free).

  14. will this work with a custom rom current loaded on the device

    1. i mean not with but will it replace the custom rom i have currently loaded on my s4

      1. Yes, this will remove custom ROM. It will also remove root if you had it.

  15. will this work with a custom rom current loaded on the device

    1. i mean not with but will it replace the custom rom i have currently loaded on my s4

      1. Yes, this will remove custom ROM. It will also remove root if you had it.

  16. how long is it spose to hang on samsung it been like that for 20 minutes

  17. it went through the all process of setting up apps and stuff but now it just keeps hanging on the samsung logo

    1. If it’s having trouble getting past Samsung logo, then reboot into recovery mode, and then do a factory reset. It shall work all fine then. Your apps, data, games and game progress, and internal storage will be wiped off upon doing a factory reset.

    2. should i wipe the caches to?

  18. so it booted up but wifi wont turn on at all

    1. There was some odd problem with Galaxy S4’s WiFi. Was there on my international Galaxy S4 too. One needs to flash the non-hlos.bin talked about here. I think one should flash the modem of the same firmware again, in fact twice, before booting up the phone.

      See this page – http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2324667
      But I couldn’t find this for your Sprint S4. Please try to find it yourself. And you need to flash the modem of the firmware currently installed on your device, not that of any other firmware.

      Plus, there was another variant of S4 launched by Sprint, under the Spark program. It’s model no. was SPH-L720T.
      The above post is for normal Sprint S4, SPH-L720.
      Do check on the phone’s box, what model no. your device is.

    2. do i need to re flash the firmeware to or just the modem

    3. Flashing full firmware can work too. Don’t check auto reboot, keep it unticked. Once firmware flash is done. Close Odin. Disconnect device and reboot into download mode again. Then flash the firmware again, but keep auto reboot checked this time. Good luck!

      Btw, power off, remove battery 4-5 seconds, place it back, and then reboot into download mode for first of the two flashes.

    4. i tried flashing the MF9,tar but it just fails everytime

    5. What’s the error? Can you provide a pic?

    6. nvm using the double flashing the stock firmware thing worked
      thank you for all your help

    7. Ah, cool. It’s 1AM here in India. Would sleep more comfy now 🙂

    8. Kapil… I have tried all the software and flashed now my WIFI is totally not working…..
      Before flashing my WIFI was frequently disconnecting….
      Plz help me…

  19. how long is it spose to hang on samsung it been like that for 20 minutes

  20. how long is it spose to hang on samsung it been like that for 20 minutes

  21. it went through the all process of setting up apps and stuff but now it just keeps hanging on the samsung logo

    1. If it’s having trouble getting past Samsung logo, then reboot into recovery mode, and then do a factory reset. It shall work all fine then. Your apps, data, games and game progress, and internal storage will be wiped off upon doing a factory reset.

      1. should i wipe the caches to?

  22. it went through the all process of setting up apps and stuff but now it just keeps hanging on the samsung logo

    1. If it’s having trouble getting past Samsung logo, then reboot into recovery mode, and then do a factory reset. It shall work all fine then. Your apps, data, games and game progress, and internal storage will be wiped off upon doing a factory reset.

      1. should i wipe the caches to?

  23. so it booted up but wifi wont turn on at all

    1. There was some odd problem with Galaxy S4’s WiFi. Was there on my international Galaxy S4 too. One needs to flash the non-hlos.bin talked about here. I think one should flash the modem of the same firmware again, in fact twice, before booting up the phone.

      See this page – http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2324667
      But I couldn’t find this for your Sprint S4. Please try to find it yourself. And you need to flash the modem of the firmware currently installed on your device, not that of any other firmware.

      Plus, there was another variant of S4 launched by Sprint, under the Spark program. It’s model no. was SPH-L720T.
      The above post is for normal Sprint S4, SPH-L720.
      Do check on the phone’s box, what model no. your device is.

      1. do i need to re flash the firmeware to or just the modem

        1. Flashing full firmware can work too. Don’t check auto reboot, keep it unticked. Once firmware flash is done. Close Odin. Disconnect device and reboot into download mode again. Then flash the firmware again, but keep auto reboot checked this time. Good luck!

          Btw, power off, remove battery 4-5 seconds, place it back, and then reboot into download mode for first of the two flashes.

          1. i tried flashing the MF9,tar but it just fails everytime

          2. What’s the error? Can you provide a pic?

          3. nvm using the double flashing the stock firmware thing worked
            thank you for all your help

          4. Ah, cool. It’s 1AM here in India. Would sleep more comfy now 🙂

          5. Kapil… I have tried all the software and flashed now my WIFI is totally not working…..
            Before flashing my WIFI was frequently disconnecting….
            Plz help me…

  24. so it booted up but wifi wont turn on at all

    1. There was some odd problem with Galaxy S4’s WiFi. Was there on my international Galaxy S4 too. One needs to flash the non-hlos.bin talked about here. I think one should flash the modem of the same firmware again, in fact twice, before booting up the phone.

      See this page – http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2324667
      But I couldn’t find this for your Sprint S4. Please try to find it yourself. And you need to flash the modem of the firmware currently installed on your device, not that of any other firmware.

      Plus, there was another variant of S4 launched by Sprint, under the Spark program. It’s model no. was SPH-L720T.
      The above post is for normal Sprint S4, SPH-L720.
      Do check on the phone’s box, what model no. your device is.

      1. do i need to re flash the firmeware to or just the modem

        1. Flashing full firmware can work too. Don’t check auto reboot, keep it unticked. Once firmware flash is done. Close Odin. Disconnect device and reboot into download mode again. Then flash the firmware again, but keep auto reboot checked this time. Good luck!

          Btw, power off, remove battery 4-5 seconds, place it back, and then reboot into download mode for first of the two flashes.

          1. i tried flashing the MF9,tar but it just fails everytime

          2. What’s the error? Can you provide a pic?

          3. nvm using the double flashing the stock firmware thing worked
            thank you for all your help

          4. Ah, cool. It’s 1AM here in India. Would sleep more comfy now 🙂

  25. @kapil please help. i followed your instructions and it finished with a pass but i cant find IMEI nad BASEBAND info. my network isnt working. no network. what should i do since i cant downgrade?

    1. I’ll look into it and get back to you soon.. could take moe than few hours.

  26. @kapil please help. i followed your instructions and it finished with a pass but i cant find IMEI nad BASEBAND info. my network isnt working. no network. what should i do since i cant downgrade?

    1. I’ll look into it and get back to you soon.. could take moe than few hours.

  27. my wifi and mobile network is not working….also my camera becomes blur…it can only focus on near objects….focusing is not working…plz help me.

  28. my wifi and mobile network is not working….also my camera becomes blur…it can only focus on near objects….focusing is not working…plz help me.

  29. kapil,

    is there *any* way to slash modems without odin? i’m used to flashing roms like cm11/12 and other customised touchwiz roms but i need to flash the od2 modem otherwise wifi/phone do not work.

    otherwise, how do i flash the above on ubuntu (heimdall instructions are not the same as odin)?

    thanks.

  30. kapil,

    is there *any* way to slash modems without odin? i’m used to flashing roms like cm11/12 and other customised touchwiz roms but i need to flash the od2 modem otherwise wifi/phone do not work.

    otherwise, how do i flash the above on ubuntu (heimdall instructions are not the same as odin)?

    thanks.

  31. hey i need help idk if this thread is still active but i recently did this stock flash. I got the pass from ODIN but my phone wont get passed the sprint screen when loading up. I hope this thread is still active and someone can help me.

    1. nvm i got it to work all i hadto do was flash it again date 31/7/16

  32. hey i need help idk if this thread is still active but i recently did this stock flash. I got the pass from ODIN but my phone wont get passed the sprint screen when loading up. I hope this thread is still active and someone can help me.

    1. nvm i got it to work all i hadto do was flash it again date 31/7/16

  33. thanks a lot brother ,had a old favorite phone ,fixed ,appreciate your help

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