How to install firmware on Samsung Galaxy S3 with Odin? (Video)

By
Jayce Ooi
-
Last modified on

How to install firmware on Samsung Galaxy S III? There are several ways to install firmware on Samsung Galaxy S3 no matter official or custom firmware in tar (or .tar.md5) format. Personally, I still prefer to install Samsung Galaxy S3 firmware with Odin. No need to wait for official firmware release through OTA and Samsung Kies. I can install leaked Samsung Galaxy S3 firmware with Odin. Or try out other region firmware.

Prerequisites

  • Odin3
  • Firmware

Note – You should not face any issue when upgrading to newer official firmware. Your applications and data will be intact. However, you will need to factory reset when you downgrade firmware to older version because you might face boot loop issue. Therefore, make sure you make a backup before install new firmware.

Step by Step Guide

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select About device.
  3. Find out your Build number version.
  4. Then power off Samsung Galaxy S3.
  5. Press and hold down Volume Down + Home + Power buttons at the same time.
  6. Press Volume Up button when warning prompt.
  7. Odin download mode will be loaded.
  8. Connect USB cable to your phone.
  9. At PC, extract firmware .tar (or .tar.md5) file that you downloaded to Firmware folder.
  10. Then bring up Odin3.
  11. Click on PDA.
  12. Select the .tar (or .tar.md5) at Firmware folder.
  13. Click Start then.
  14. Remove USB cable from your phone when you see green PASS! at Odin3.
  15. That’s all and enjoys new firmware.

Download Odin3 v3.04 here.
Download official Samsung Galaxy S3 firmware here.

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157 COMMENTS

  2. -At PC, extract firmware .tar (or .tar.md5) file that you downloaded to Firmware folder.
    which firmware i should download ?? i really not understand 🙁
    this is 1st time to use android ~

  4. Will installing new firmware unlock my phone, (its currently locked to O2), or do I need to do that as well??

  5. found update on kies for my new samsung galaxy s3 but after download and at step of installing mob. dose not accept and stuck on the screen of downloading with out showing that blue bar
    and by using odin v3 it give message fail 2 times even after removing batteries and returned back

  6. Hi,

    I’m a bit confuse for step no 3 “Find out your Build number version”, because i tried to find the same Build Version in Check Fus Downloader but unable to find any similar . Can I take Singapore Version if im from Malaysia…?

  7. Hi Jayce,

    I already checked my CSC using S Kies…Thank god my firmware is XME

    PDA : LG1 / PHONE : LF3 / CSC : LF1 (XME )…… 🙂

    Now what should I do to clear all custom binary download counter ?
    Currently yes I have no issue to go to Samsung to claim anything, but I afraid might be in future i do need and by that time I unable to clear all those thing.
    Really appreciate you assist how to clear the counter.

    Thanks a lot.

  8. Hello Jayce,

    I recently got a 32gb S3 Phone. Upon bootup, before the samsung animation, a “YES” Optus logo appeared. So I got the impression that the phone was under Optus (Australia). It works with my local sim so yes, I guess it’s already factory unlocked. Its also preloaded with OPTUS apps in w/c is useless since I live in the Philippines.

    I Verified it thru kies and it showed:
    PDA: LF2 / PHONE: LF2 / CSC: LF1 (OPS)

    Is it possible to replace (flash) it’s kernel AND/OR firmware into an UNBRANDED version? If it is, what firmware/kernel version do you recommend (unbranded) and what are the possible risks aside from voiding my warranty (which is actually just fine for me).

    Thanks in advance 😉

    • Hi Dom, I have no much info about Optus SGS3. It should be able to install I9300 firmware if Optus SGS3 also I9300 model.

      Try to consult others with Optus SGS3 at XDA website to double confirm.

      • Thanx for the immediate reply Jayce 😀 Anyu, yes I’ve verified it that it’s
        an official i9300. It’s baseband, XXALF2 is even at sammobile. So as long
        as I have a backup of my current firmware, is it worth a try to flash an
        unbranded carrier? And by doing this, it’ll remove the carrier’s bootscreen
        logo and it’s pre installed apps right? 😀

  11. im quite confuse, is it the official android 4.1 jb is for all sgs3 without care the build number? i just download the firmware from the link…

  13. Hi Jayce,

    Was wondering does the Poland XXDLIB Firmware have the latest USSD issue?

    And thanks a bunch on your tutorial, i updated to JB with no problems at all. Thanks!

    Regards,
    Terry.

  14. Hey Jayce,

    I have purchased my SGS3 from Pakistan, its not rooted nor i have tried it. Can I still upgrade it to JB with the firmware and ODIN as described by you on this page? Details of my device as under

    Model # GT-I9300
    Baseband Version I9300XXLFB
    Build # ——.I930XXBLFB.

    Thanks in advance.
    Aamer.

  15. Hey Jaycee,
    I have upgraded the firmware to JB via ODIN process as explained by you, but the Device Status is showing as Normal instead of Modified.
    1: My question is is it normal to have such status after you have modified.
    2: Can i reverse it back to stock firmware if yes how?
    3: Kies does allow now to upgrade it. Is this normal too?

    Would appreciate if detailed answers are provided or if you have already written on this pls. provide the links.

    Thanks and regards,
    Aamer.

  16. Dear Jayce,

    After installing firmware through ODIN and rooting via Odin3-v3.04 and CF-Root-SGS3-v6.4, following are the messages i receive while installing apps and opening CWM.

    “App cannot be installed, free up some space and try again”

    “This version of CWM Manager should be used wit CF-CWM v1.1 or newer, it appears you are running different recovery. Various features have been disabled.”

    Pls. tell me what I have done wrong. And a remedy will be highly appreciated.

    Regards,
    Aamer.

  18. Hi Jayce,
    I downgraded my phone from Jellybean to ICS. I forgot to do factory reset on my phone prior to downgrading it. My S3 is now stuck in a boot loop. Please help!!

  20. Hello Jayce,

    I have Samsung Galaxy S3 (US) CDMA service.
    I try to unlock, first I try to Root with following website
    http://www.androidmobilesphone.com/2012/06/root-your-samsung-galaxy-s3-know-how-to.html

    and my phone took first .tar file and did not
    reboot. I try with other .tar file to re root but now phone does not start. It just show samsung logo and blank (black) screen.

    Can you help to reset original setting and suggest me to how to unlock.

    Thank you.

  21. Also screen reads

    ODIN MODE
    PRODUCT NAME SCH-R530U
    CURRENT BINARY DOWNLOAD: YES (2 COUNTS)
    CURRENT BINARY: CUSTOM
    SYSTEM STATUS: OFFICIAL
    QUAL COMM SECUREBOOT: ENABLE

  23. Hi, I’m not getting the official JB update, I think it may be because my CSC code does not match my firmware.

    When I run *#1234#

    it gives

    AP: I9300XXALF2
    CP:I9300XXLF2
    CSC:I9300OJVALF2

    but my CSC code shown in KIES says MWD.

    I’ve tried CSC selector but it doesn’t show the BTU CSC code.

    Is it possible to update the CSC codes so I can get official UK JB update?

    Thanks.

  25. will this firmwire for the galaxy s3 unlock my phone, my phone is lock on a romanian carier Orange, if i install this firmwire, will it unlock the phone?

  27. I bought my phone in UAE. Then i updated my software to jellybean. Then after that i can’t send msgs and some of my friends texts are delayed for hours. My phone keeps on lagging. I tried to remove the battery, sd card and placed it all but it’s still the same. Do i have to downgrade back to ICS? My phone is from UAE.

  29. Hi I try installing the firmware on my S3 in keeps on failling I tried downling diff firmwares it still the same thing I tried this using odin I’m quite frustrated

  31. Hey Jayce.

    Great website, info and tutorials! 🙂
    Quick question…what music was used in the above “How to install firmware on Samsung Galaxy S3” video?
    I think it is really nice/good.
    Thanks. 🙂

  32. I have followed all of your instructions for using Odin to upgrade firmware. Started Odin and see a small slice of green in the progress bar. Has not moved in a long time. How long should it take to upgrade the firm ware?

  37. Eu tenho um S3 e está fui colocar o firmware so que deu fail e dai ta dando um erro!!!
    Atualização de firmware encontrou um problema!
    meu
    product name: GT-I9300
    Custom binar download: yes ( 1 counts )
    current binary: samsung official
    system status: Custom
    por favor meu celular nem liga mais e fica aparecendo assim
    firmware upgrade encountered an issue. please select recovery mode in kies & try again

  38. Hi jayce…

    I guess I make a mistake for not doing a factory reset when I do a firmware downgrade…

    Now my phone one show the Samsung logo screen and stuck there..

    Anyway I can get my phone back to service ?

    Thx

  40. Hi Jayce

    I currently have
    Model Number
    GT-I9300
    Android Ver
    4.1.2
    Baseband Ver
    I9300XXELLA
    Build Number
    JZo54K.I9300XXEMA2

    i want to upgrade to I9300XXELLB_I9300OJVELL3_I9300XXELLA_HOME.tar.Md5 i live in South Africa just want confirmation this is the correct FW ver please

    Thanks

  41. Hello, Jayce.

    I have a bit of a problem:

    I installed Samsung Kies and followed your instructions in your video on downloading and extracting Odin. However, when I got to actually starting Odin, the little blue bar that appears just before the download starts did not appear. Did I miss a step?

    -Xy

  43. Trying to upgrade gs3 to latest official 4.3 uk version, while my samsung belongs to India. Should I leave out the CP part in the odin, so as to avoid problems with my local wi-fi connection. Please advise.

  44. What is the difference between stock firmware vs. stock rom? I am attempting to unroot my i535 (version 4.1.2, baseband versioni535vrbmf1)
    A link directly to the stock rom would be excellent.

  46. Hi sir ive tried to root my s3 using KINGO ROOT,after 4 hours the application said that my unit was rooted but when i open it i didn’t see the SUPERUSER apps,then when i check my setting option the DEVELOPERS OPTION lost?ADB too,i try to reboot my unit using the method of turnoff then holding volume up,home,switch same time after than i notice chinese character in my unit,what i want to know,what will i do to bring back the abd Option at DEVELOPERS OPTION is theres a way to hard reset my unit to bring the original system? Hope you have answer in my problem thanks

  47. When i use the method of TUNROFF the unit,hold volumeup,switch at power button same time i so chinese character CWM-based recovery v6.0.4.5 xiaolu (201301124) failed to open/system/build.prop! ..once i open my s3 it always stock on samsung galaxys3 gt-I9300 ..what should i do?

  49. Hi everyone, I have tried this method, but mine says “failed, there is no PIT partition”, what do I do, what am I doing wrong here?? Any help would be nice.

      • Thanks for the reply. My phone says built in China so I have tried two different China firmwares but both times it said “failed, no PIT partition”, so what firmware do you exactly recommend? Also I just want to say I cant access recovery mood because the phone gets stuck on the samsung logo when you try to turn it on or access recovery mood. Any advise will much appreciated. Thanks

          • Hey. How would you fix this problem on other models…like say any other country model if it wasnt chinese model. What would you do…just try different firmwares?? Can you use firmware from any country to put on your phone…or not.
            Also how do you fix such a problem that when you turn the phone on it is just stuck on the samsung logo. Lets just ignore the fact that it is a chinese model.
            Sorry if iam asking too much its because im not very pro at these things and i dont what xda forum is :/

            • Install another firmware should fix on international model. Yes, you can install any other country firmware as long as the model is the same.
              Normally, I factory reset then install a new firmware if I face this kind of issue.

  50. hye jayce,

    i’ve update my sgs3 to jelly bean 4.3 from 4.0.4. the only problem i have is mobile network. my emei is correct, got signal, network detect , but it says the selected network unavailable, n not registered on network. i’ve downgrade to 4.1.2, my emei turn to 0049xxxxxx. reflash 4.3, everything back to the same state i’ve appointed. any suggestion or solution?

  51. hi i install chain fire 3d on my galaxy s3mini after installing i select install(driver,…) and it turned off and stuck on samsung logo.plz help me.it dosnt work. with samsung tolkit i flash recovery cwm. i dont know what should i do

  54. Sir please help me , im installing a custom rom but the install bar is not moving , i waited for 5 hours and its still on the same spot, please help me sir 🙁 🙁 Im kinda frustrated right now and dont know what to do. I see videos that install custom roms and they install it fast , why mine is not installing fast, it doesnt even move at all 🙁 please help me ASAP 🙁 🙁

  55. hi..
    i tried to install s3 firmware. failed due to no pit partition. again do with a pit file but isuue is still their..! now what will i do.? pls help me

  60. my s3 is just displaying logo on start up.
    I don’t know the problem. Any suggestion what to do with it?
    Thanks.

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