How to install custom firmware on Samsung Galaxy S III with ClockworkMod Recovery (CWM)? Yeah… We don’t want to stay on stock official firmware all the while, right? Try out the latest and greatest custom firmware which loaded with newest stuffs and better tweaks and hacks. And lots of fine tuned custom Android ROM are available for Samsung Galaxy S3. But before install a new custom firmware with CWM, be sure to make a full system backup with CWM first. Because the new firmware will replace your existing firmware.
Prerequisites
- ClockworkMod Recovery
- Firmware
In order to install firmware in CWM zip format, you need to have ClockworkMod Recovery on Samsung Galaxy S3 first. Follow this guide to install CWM ~ How to install ClockworkMod Recovery (CWM) on Samsung Galaxy S3? (Video)
Step by Step Guide
- First of all, copy the firmware zip file that you want to install into SD card.
- Turn off Samsung Galaxy S3.
- Press and hold Volume Up + Home + Power buttons at the same time.
- Release all buttons when you see SGS3 Logo.
- ClockworkMod Recovery will be loaded then.
- Select wipe data/factory reset with Volume Up / Down buttons. (You can skip this step if upgrade from same firmware)
- Select it with Power (or Home) button.
- Then select Yes — delete all user data.
- Select wipe cache partition. (You can skip this step if upgrade from same firmware)
- Then select Yes — Wipe Cache.
- Go to install zip from sdcard.
- Then select choose zip from sdcard.
- Select your zip file (HyperGalaxy_v0.3.zip in my video).
- Select Yes – Install your zip file.
- After installation finished, select +++++Go Back+++++.
- Then select reboot system now.
- That’s all.
Enjoy your new installed custom firmware.
your one X still unrooted?
why so fast root S3 and install custom roms.
you have one X so long but no bother with custom roms.
is it because HTC harder to root?
Not rooted yet.
HTC One X not hard to root but unlock bootloader void warranty. And S-OFF is not yet available.
Hi Jayce
Do you install custom kernel and/or ROM? If yes which one do you prefer, i found so many it’s confusing..
Thanks
Still on stock firmware now. Will try custom ROM soon…
my galaxy S3 cannot ON, when I push the power button it will displayed samsung logo and wait for a while then it blanks the screen. After that service led(blue) lights periodically. I could not start it all. Why and what is the solution?
Hi Abdulla, what had you done until you face this issue?
Hy Jayce, thanks a lot for all its really good. I got a question. So after I install the ROM, what would happen to my apps? do i have to save it somewhere else or what?
All your applications and data will be deleted. Do backup them first.
Hello Jayce! 🙂 Is it also possible to transfer .zip rom galaxy s3 to my old but very stable HTC HD2? I think it is possible but i still don’t know.
Hope to get answer back!
Friendly greats, Bertus
Hi Bertus, do you mean using SGS3 ROM on HTC HD2?
Hi Jayce. Yep. I mean the rom (look a like) SGH3. I’m using now the rom milestone 5 version Android 4.0.4 what working perfect and stable onto my old HTC HD2. I’ll hope SGH3 rom shall works onto my phone.
Greatings Bertus.
No, SGS3 ROM can’t be used on HTC HD2.
Help when I try to install from zip in recovery mode it says failed to verify whole-file signature. What do I do now?
Hi TH, redownload your zip file.
How to update your Android version if you have a installed a custom ROM?
Download new version of custom ROM. Then install it.
Hi jayce, how are you?
If i flash the custom, could i restore all contact using kies?
No, Samsung Kies only workable with official firmware.
so how i can restore my contact ? im about to flash omega, but still thinking how i can get back my contacts…..
Use Titanium Backup to backup all apps and data first. Install Omega ROM. Restore it then.
hehe…guess i need root 1st right? so, do root 1st > install titanium backup (where can i get it?) > backup > flash Omega ROM > install titanium backup > restore. Am i right or I miss any step ? sorry jayce for asking many question, today got my heart opened to root and flash custom my s3. hope u don’t mind at all…
https://www.jayceooi.com/2012/06/09/how-to-root-samsung-galaxy-s3-with-cf-root-video/
https://www.jayceooi.com/2011/08/24/how-to-backup-restore-all-apps-and-settings-when-upgrade-android-rom/
How can I restore my data after installing a new ROM? What should I use to backup my data?
Marcus, https://www.jayceooi.com/2011/08/24/how-to-backup-restore-all-apps-and-settings-when-upgrade-android-rom/
I’m unsure about this process as I just a Galaxy S3 from 4.0.4 to 4.1.2 using ODIN and it seems to have worked fine without having to wipe the data.
Is this a safe step to carry out as I don’t understand whether this is the same firmware.. I was assuming it is a different firmware so please can you clarify the step I have listed below and perhaps give an example.
“Select wipe data/factory reset with Volume Up / Down buttons. (You can skip this step if upgrade from same firmware)”
Thank you
Hi Asif, what are you trying to do?
Update the firmware to the latest official release.
Update it with Samsung Kies or Odin then.
I done it with Odin successfully.. Wasn’t sure I was doing it right but everything seems fine and I have rooted my phone again too.
Samsung Kies was just telling me I already had the latest meaning it didn’t have an update for me to go from 4.0.4 to 4.1.2 so I downloaded the official latest stock ROM and used ODIN to update it and then rooted it again.
HI Jayce I have a galaxy s3.. and over the past 2 months my phone tells me that its ready for an update… when it shuts off and turns on it goes to the clockworkmod recovery screen. its has options then it says “install untrusted zip” when i do that the process its aborted and there are all these command lines at the bottom of the screen like e: failed to verify whole-file signature, then e: signature verification failed. “installation aborted. is my software corrupt? do you know what I can do to get it to update? thanks for your time! Erik
Hi erik, if its not a custom ROM but an official update you are trying to do then I would recommend doing what I did.
First ensure you have done the following:
Tick USB DEBUGGING in the Developer options under Settings
Tick Uknown sources in Security under Settings
Download and extract ODIN3 V1.85:
https://www.jayceooi.com/2011/07/27/download-odin3-v1-85/
Download and extract Official Latest ROM based on your country/region which can be found here except their instructions aren’t so clear:
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/417877/20121223/samsung-galaxy-s2-xxell4-android412-official-premium.htm
Ensure you have installed the USB DRIVERS for your phone on the computer either using Samsung Keis or downloading the official drivers for your S3.
Now simply hold VOL DOWN, HOME and POWER BUTTON till the download screen appears.
Plug your USB cable into both the phone and computer open ODIN.
Make sure you have a yellow box on the top left below ID:COM. This simply means your phone has been connected successfully.
Click on PDA.
Browse to the folder where the ROM was extracted to and double click it.
Click on Start Button and your phone should be updated in no time!
Follow on screen instructions from that point on..
Hope this gets the job done and if it was a custom ROM you were trying to install then I hope this help someone else if needed.
Official update might not work with CWM. You can try to upgrade with Odin manually.
https://www.jayceooi.com/2012/06/22/how-to-install-firmware-on-samsung-galaxy-s3-with-odin-video/
Hi Jayce, can i install a custom ROM if i do not have SD card in my phone?
Sure Alex.
Hi Jayce, sorry to bother you but I have a doubt I don´t seem to clarify despite reading everything I can.
I have succesfully installed leaked stock rom 4.2.2 on my S3 (GT-I9300 factory unlocked) with Odin. Previous to that I rooted the phone too. So, as for that procedures I know how to do them.
My doubt is: after installing a custom ROM with CWM, can I eventually reinstall the stock ROM of the S3 with Odin, that I´ve already downloaded and used in my phone?
(Don´t mind about backups, my only concern are contacts and they are all in google account).
Thanks a lot!
Hi Alejandro, no need to sorry. Just ask and I will try my best to answer. 😉
Yes, you can install back stock firmware with Odin. Or better do it this way. Make a CWM backup of your existing firmware before trying new custom ROM. You can revert back to previous firmware easily by just restore it.
I am now using a stock rom on my S3. If I switch to Android Revolution HD v32.0, and then a new version of this ROM comes out, let’s say v33, how can I upgrade to that version?
Do I need to wipe data in order to upgrade, or will it be a smooth update with everything (apps, settings) untouched.
Thank you!
Hi lupixxx, just install on top of it. No need to wipe data.
hi,jayce it is possible to update samsung galaxy y 2.3.6 to 4.0
Yes, for custom ROM.
pls tell me the trusted website to download the firmware
XDA Forum.
pls post the video on how to update
Sorry irfan, I don’t have Samsung Galaxy Y to make that video. But the installation process is about the same as this one.
Hi i was wondering what is the benchmark score with this custom rom ?
And how smooth games are ? For example n.o.v.a 3 . 🙂
I’m talking about Android Revolution HD 32.0 for S3 (GT-I9300)
Should i use a new kernel if yes which one ?
I didn’t run benchmark on this version. But it is running smoothly. Default kernel will do.
OK thank you .
You are welcome, Gabriel.
hey hi jayce,
Recently i have installed Android Revolution HD 29.0 for S3 (GT-I9300). Its working fine.
However, yesterday i have updated it to Android Revolution HD 32.0 for S3 (GT-I9300).
i m facing network issue. imei number changed please help me out…
waiting for your reply eagerly
Thanks
Sandeep
Hi sandeep, I did not face this issue before. Not sure how to fix it. But you can try to install back v2.9 see.
I have revert back to 29, its working fine…
Please suggest how to solve network problem in 32
If we direct update 32 over 29 without wipe, will this resolve the issue
I don’t think so. This is more toward the modem version that you use. Try to use the latest modem see.
could u please send me the link for latest modem
Sandeep, https://www.jayceooi.com/2012/07/06/download-official-samsung-galaxy-s3-modem/