Samsung Galaxy S III is equipped with ARM Mali-400 MP GPU (overclocked version of Samsung Galaxy S II). So Samsung Galaxy S3 can play Tegra, Snapdragon and PowerVR games with Chainfire3D’s help just like Samsung Galaxy S2. However, Chainfire3D was not updated for quite sometimes. So it does not support the latest NVIDIA Tegra 3 games. Or maybe it does? Anyway, if you have old Tegra 2, Snapdragon and PowerVR games and want to play them on Samsung Galaxy S3. Feel free to install Chainfire3D on Samsung Galaxy S3. Note – root access is required.

Not yet root Samsung Galaxy S3? No worry, just follow this guide to do so ~ How to root Samsung Galaxy S3 with CF-Root? (Video). And be sure to make a full system backup with CWM before install Chainfire3D ~ How to backup Samsung Galaxy S3 with ClockworkMod Recovery (CWM)? (Video). A fail safe for anything bad happen.
Step by Step Installation Guide
- Install Chainfire3D from Android Market here.
- Download libGLEMU_NVIDIA.zip here, libGLEMU_QUALCOMM.zip here and libGLEMU_POWERVR.zip here.
- Put these plugin zip files at SD card.
- Launch Chainfire3D.
- Grant Superuser request access when prompted.
- Select CF3D driver ~ Install / upgrade / install CF3D driver.
- Then select Install ~ Install CF3D driver and reboot.
- After SGS3 rebooted, select Install plugins / shaders ~ Install plugins and shaders from SD card.
- It will scan sdcard and extSdCard for libGLEMU_NVIDIA.zip, libGLEMU_QUALCOMM.zip and libGLEMU_POWERVR.zip plugins.
- Select each of them to install.
- That’s all.

How to use Chainfire3D?
- Launch Chainfire3D.
- Select Default OpenGL settings ~ Configure default OpenGL settings.
- Go to Use plugin ~ Load a plugin.
- Select NVIDIA for Tegra games, or POWERVR, QUALCOMM.
- Exit Chainfire3D.
- Launch the games that you want.
- That’s all.
Hopefully, Chainfire will update Chainfire3D to make it compatible with all NVIDIA Tegra 3 games. Then Samsung Galaxy S3 is the best Android gaming smartphone out there. Better than HTC One X…
Is that same steps to install on HTC HD2?
Yes, installation steps are the same.
Hello, im just did this to my galaxy s3, if i wanted to go back to the mali drivers what do i have to do?
Uninstall CF3D driver.
Can’t we just disable the plugin used at step 3 when using chainfire?
Can also.
Cool thanks!
is that mean swap to “None”?
Yes serdx.
How do you Configure default OpenGL settings for a Samsung Galaxy S3?
Can’t configure it. Samsung did not provide such tool.
WOW, your very fast and Thanks for such a quick response!! Im sorry, what I meant was after you Select Default OpenGL settings there are check boxes to choose things like (Reduce texture or unroll textures or reduce textures etc). Do I have to check any boxes for it to run properly? I have a galaxy s3 and im playing Riptide GP but Im not getting that splash effect on my phone screen? Thanks Again for such a super fast response!!
Oh, just select NVIDIA plugin will do.
Oh OK! Thanks, I will try this ASAP!
Can’t complete the 7th step! it says you “could not write to/system”! please help!
Hi demoleez, do you have root access on your SGS3?
Hey Jayce, yeah i finally did it! completed all these steps succesfully! but i still can’t seem to install games like GTA III and Batman rises! i wanna play those on my samsung s3! can you please help me??
Both of the games do not need Chainfire3D to install. Please consult Gameloft and Rockstar Games Support.
Any luck running Splashtop GamePad THD using chainfire3d?
My sgs3 is rooted and the screen stay black…
well just like the sonic4epII, in this game i see 2 superusers requests but forceclose.
Splashtop GamePad THD is not supported in my region. No luck to try it.
Hi, how are you doing? I still can’t seem to get Riptide GP to show those water splashing effect,or blur during the speed burst or any other effect on my SGS3. I have Riptide GP version 1.3.2. Do I need a different version or something? I saw it being played on a SGS3 on YouTube and XDA and it has all the effects but they give no details. So can you help me. Thanks
Hi Shawn, if you can’t enable those effects after selected NVIDIA plugin, I have no idea too.
hello my SGS3 unresponsive after step 7. stuck on the screen to install it encendido.ayudame please as well when this happens
Try to reboot it see.
I chose install drive and reboot and sgs3 dont work…stay in ” samsung galaxy s3″
Restore to your previous CWM backup then.
Hi!
Did all the steps but now stuck at SGS3 Bootlogo.
Is CF 3D compatible with CM10?
Chris
No idea, Chrizzle. I did not try it on CM10. Just restore to your previous CWM backup if fail.
I tried it this morning on AOKP based off CM10 and I’m stuck at the boot logo screen (not boot animation screen). Considering doing it on a leaked JB rom but I’m pretty sure I’d get the same results lol but ignorance is bliss and knowledge is power, so let curiousity kill the cat so he can become immortal.
I also tried on my US Cellular SGS3 running CM10 and I’m frozen on the SGSIII Boot screen. Time to restore from backup.
Where do i download these tegra games?? is it available in playstore? is it for free??
Yes at Google Play Store. Some are free.
is there way root for samsung galaxy note 2 and this nvida method for note 2 ?
thanks in advance .
Yes for rooting, but no idea Chainfire3D will work or not…
where can i find root tool and how can i use it please guide i am new here before this i was used iphones sins 2008 .
You can find guides at XDA Forum. Else wait for my step by step video guide…
i am not in hurry i will wait for your guide .
many many thanks my friend wish you good luck .
i am waiting for you and please tel me about more forums for samsung galaxy note 2 jailbreak app ?
https://www.jayceooi.com/2012/10/25/how-to-root-samsung-galaxy-note-2-with-cf-auto-root-video/
thanks D
rá raktam a progit htc hd2-re és azota csak a logo jön be a telon nem kapcsol be mit tegyek
Hi jani, restore to your previous CWM backup.
Hi. I have also a galaxy s3 and I want to play a game called fibble. When i start game the screen is black. So found in forums something with chainfire but i also read if you root your access you will not have anymore the warranty? So what should I do now?
Yes, rooting voids warranty. But you can always restore back to stock firmware to recover warranty.
https://www.jayceooi.com/2012/06/14/how-to-restore-stock-firmware-on-samsung-galaxy-s3-video/
my is brick it stuck at the samsung galaxy s3 logo after i install chainfire 3d. what should do??
Hi pushead, restore back to your CWM backup.
the other problem is i forget to back up my cwm
Try to restore back to stock firmware then.
https://www.jayceooi.com/2012/06/14/how-to-restore-stock-firmware-on-samsung-galaxy-s3-video/
did that already flashing back to stock btw thanks jayce for the help
hey nice job there,
I just installed the CF3 driver and its booting up what should I do??
Please reply ASAP
it is not booting up and it is stuck on the SGS3 logo
*
Hi Haseeb, restore back to your CWM backup.
Thank you Jayce,
I got my firmware back, I tried the second time and it would still stuck in the logo so does that mean I will never be able to use other games in my SGS3? Or please tell me a way to install the CF3D driver without getting stuck in the logo.
thanks again
Are you using Jelly Bean firmware now?
Yeah…
I don’t think CF3D supports Jelly Bean. Do consult Chainfire for help.
okay so I have to degrade to ice cream sandwich, if I wanted to use CF3D right..
Yes Haseeb.
after i install cf3d my S3 doesnt reboot, meaning it gets stuck in the Samsung Galaxy S3 boot screen
Hi Carlos, restore back to previous CWM backup then.
when i installing plugins it shows no plugins found
Hi suresh, are you using Android 4.1 Jelly Bean?
I’m using jellybean on Note 2 N7100. I installed chainfire driver, and now the device is stuck on boot, i tried reflashing CWM using odin but no use :'(
Hi Sujay, Chainfire3D does not support Galaxy Note 2. Please restore back to your previous CWM backup. Not install CWM again.
hey jayce installed it worked but no change in the graphics still the same why???
What do you expect to change in graphics?
Hi, i installed it but then i accidently pressed to update the app and reboot my phone but now it wont start up.. The white letters with samsung galxy s3 keep on standing in the middle of my screen and it wont start, help?
Hi Kevin, restore to your previous CWM backup then.
Hi jayce, I have a problem with instlling chainfire 3D.After installed it rebooted and it just stop there.Stopping at Samsung logo.My Model is gt i-9300T Jellybean 4.1.1
Hi Yaw, Chainfire3D does not support Jelly Bean. Please restore to your previous CWM backup.
Thanks jayce, I did restored my backup.Another one I still want to know is then how can I play some games that are not support in SGS3 without using Chainfire 3D,something Like Need For Speed Shift.Thanks Jayce.
You can downgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich firmware to play it with Chainfire3D. But I don’t think it worth that.
Yeah Jayce, I don’t think so.However, thanks alot for spending time for me.And I hope you will find out and solve this problem by some other way.Merry Christmas Bro.
Merry Christmas, Yaw.
hi,i rooted the device bt still cant install…..it gives “coundt write to sytem……..plzzzz help
Try CWM method see.
I reboot my devise but cudnt open..
Plz halp me…
What can i do…
Hi hiren, restore back CWM backup.
where is CWM??
How i do backup?
Hi hiren, please take time to study my guides. They are there.
PLEASE HELP !! it stuck in Samsung logo and i didnt made a backup in the start i was hurry a bit !!
Please dont tell me all my data will be erased !!
am using GT I9300 international version and 4.2.1 android system
please help as soon as possible
@ andy just do a dirty flash of whatever rom you are running and you probably will be fine you might do a back up first since you can xtract data from that backup if need be.
thats what i just did , i flash it again to 4.2.1 its working , but am confused now should i back up my stuff and format the phone from the beginning so i dont face errors ?
and please can this Chainfire3D works for me
as far as I know CHainfire has no support yet for Jellybean. i haven’t seen much going on with it for a while So I am hoping its not abandonware. I have been looking to the hacks that enable tegra effects 🙂
and did u found anything new , i was upset to know that S3 doesent support the new nvida tegra 3 thats why i came to try this chainfire3d , i really hope i can modify my s3 to be in a great performance
Anyway thanks a lot D4RK 4NG3L for ure support :))
What if when my phone reboots the Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-19300 logo appears and nothing happens? Is it bad or do i have to wait?
ok , i’ve read the last comment, i’m just gonna flash it back
PLEASE HELP !! it stuck in Samsung logo and i didnt made a backup in the start
am using GT I9300 international version and 4.2.1 android system
please help as soon as possible
Hi Waleed, install your current firmware with Odin.
https://www.jayceooi.com/2012/06/22/how-to-install-firmware-on-samsung-galaxy-s3-with-odin-video/
i want cf3d plugin for 2.3.6..
jayce my s3 is not turning on then how can i go to settings… when i hit install CF3D driver and reboot then it stucked on samsung galaxy s3 logo and not going forward plz jayce only u can help me… plz do something.. i have no backup data
i also format the sd card, cache, restore factory settings but still stucked. plz jayce dont ignore me… i m very tense
Calm down. Did you install your current firmware with Odin back?
no
firmware is downloading..
hi jayce bro… tnx 4 helping but i have another problem.. sory i dont know which version is it my samsung galaxy s3 because my dad brought it from qatar for me, but i guess its international version because when i update my samsung galaxy s3 on wifi then it become 4.1.2.. now i have installed 4.2.1 but i want to install the older version i mean official 4.1.2 if possible so kindly tell me the installation step and also taking its backup..
You can backup with Titanium Backup (but root access is needed). Or do CWM backup.
Factory reset in recovery first. Then install firmware with Odin.
Reply Me ASAP.. thnx in advance bro
Ok so send me a suitable link so that i can download an official 4.1.2 jelly bean firmware exactly 4 my version of sgs3 i got confused while checking out version 4 dwnload like there was one file of different sizes nd i hv already told u abt my mb specs so kindly guide me . Tnx
Sorry Waleed, I have no idea which firmware is yours. But you can try to find it at SamMobile based on your country.
will chainfire 3D work on jelly bean??
Sorry Alex, no.
hi guys… i need a hand please.
how to uninstall cf3d driver in my samsung galaxy grand duos?
cos i’ve been found my phone zoom when i click the screen a few time.
Hi hyovika, restore to your previous CWM backup.
unfortunately… my phone hasn’t CWM yet.
how i can install it?
please suggest me…
Sorry hyovika, you need to backup before install CF3D. No point to do so now.
this chainfire can i install in my s3 v andorid 4.3?
Nope. It does not support Android 4.3.