Update Software in Samsung Galaxy S3

Edited by Timbuktu, Charmed, Leomar Umpad, Sushi123 and 4 others

7 Parts:
Update Software Directly (Marshmallow)
Update Software Directly (Jelly Bean 4.3, Kitkat, Lollipop)
Update Software Directly (Jelly Bean 4.2 or older)
Find out the Software Version of your S3 (Jelly Bean 4.2 or older)
Update Samsung Galaxy S3 from 4.2 to 4.3 using ODIN
Questions and Answers
Comments

Keeping your mobile device up-to-date with the latest software/firmware will ensure you get the absolute most out of your phone. Everything from security through to basic functionality is improved and enhanced with updates. Failing or ignoring to install them, could have adverse effects on performance. In the following article, we cover how to upgrade a Samsung Galaxy S3's software, on Jelly Bean, Kitkat, Lollipop, and Marshmallow.

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"Remember, if possible, to always use a WiFi connection when downloading updates. It's also a good habit to have a decent charge left on your battery before upgrading any software on your mobile device.

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Update Software Directly (Marshmallow)

  1. 1
    On the home screen, tap the "Apps" icon.
    How to update galaxy s3 01m.png
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  2. 2
    From the apps screen, tap "Settings".
    How to update galaxy s3 02m.png
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  3. 3
    Inside settings, scroll all the way to the bottom and tap, "About device"
    How to update galaxy s3 03m.png
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  4. 4
    On the About device screen, tap "Download updates manually".
    How to update galaxy s3 04mm.png
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  5. 5
    Your device will scan for new updates.
    How to update galaxy s3 05m.png
    If your phone is not up-to-date, tap "OK" when prompted to download and installs the software upgrade.
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Update Software Directly (Jelly Bean 4.3, Kitkat, Lollipop)

  1. 1
    From the home screen, tap the "APPS" icon.
    How to update galaxy s3 01.png
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  2. 2
    Inside Apps, locate and tap "Settings".
    How to update galaxy s3 02.png
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  3. 3
    While on the settings screen, tap "MORE".
    How to update galaxy s3 03.png
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  4. 4
    Scroll to the bottom of MORE and tap, "About device".
    How to update galaxy s3 04.png
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  5. 5
    On the About device screen, tap "Software update".
    How to update galaxy s3 05.png
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  6. 6
    From the Software update screen, tap "Update now".
    How to update galaxy s3 06.png
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  7. 7
    An alert box about downloading and data usage will pop-up, tap "OK".
    How to update galaxy s3 07.png
    Your phone will check for the latest updates.
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  8. 8
    If you see the following message, your device's software is fully up-to-date. Tap "OK" to close the message box.
    How to update galaxy s4 08.png
    If your device isn't running the latest software, you will see an alert box asking you to download and install. Tap "OK" to begin the upgrade.
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Update Software Directly (Jelly Bean 4.2 or older)

  1. 1
    Tap the 'Apps' which is located on the lower right corner of your mobile.
    Apps.png
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  • 2
    From your Apps tap the 'Settings'
    S3settings.png
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  • 3
    Under settings scroll down and tap 'About Device'
    S3abt.png
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  • 4
    Then Tap 'Software Update'
    S3soft.png
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  • 5
    Then tap 'Update'
    S3update.png
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  • 6
    Then tap to select 'OK'
    S3okay.png
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  • 7
    Then follow the onscreen instruction if there is an available update, if there is no available update then a popup window will appear and just tap 'OK'
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    • Find out the Software Version of your S3 (Jelly Bean 4.2 or older)

    1. 1
      Tap the 'Apps' which is located on the lower right corner of your mobile.
      Apps.png
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    2. 2
      From your Apps tap the 'Settings'
      S3settings.png
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    3. 3
      Under settings scroll down and tap 'About Device'
      S3abt.png
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    4. 4
      You should the see the software version and your mobile information.
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    Update Samsung Galaxy S3 from 4.2 to 4.3 using ODIN

    You can update your Samsung Galaxy S3 to the latest version by flashing the latest firmware using ODIN. To update Samsung Galaxy S3 via ODIN follow the instructions on this section.

    Requirements for ODIN update

    • Updated drivers for your phone on your computer. You need to have the updated drivers for Samsung phones on your computer. You can download Samsung Kies on your computer and connect your phone to your computer via USB cable. Kies should download the right drivers for your phone once it detects your device. You can also download a separate executable file that installs the drivers for Samsung phones. Download and install Android USB drivers for Samsung phones and connect your phone to your PC via USB cable to install the right drivers for your S3.
    • USB connecting cable. You will be using the USB connecting cable to connect your Galaxy S3 to your computer's USB port.
    • The latest firmware version for Galaxy S3. You need to download the latest firmware version for your phone. As of February2014, the latest available and official firmware for Galaxy S3 is Jelly Bean version 4.3. You can download the official and country-specific firmware for your Galaxy S3 at trusted sites.
    • ODIN v3.07 or any later versions. You will use ODIN to flash the firmware to your Galaxy S3. You can get Odin v3.07 at trusted sites.
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    Instructions on updating S3 via ODIN

    1. 1
      Go to the location of the downloaded firmware and extract the file using Winrar. Once extracted you will see a file with a .TAR extension on the extracted folder. This will be the file that we will use for updating.
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    2. 2
      Make sure that you have the updated drivers for Galaxy S3. You can check this by connecting your S3 to your computer via USB cable. Your computer should detect it without any problems or install the right drivers as long as you have Samsung Kies or the Samsung USB Driver for Android.
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    3. 3
      Disconnect your phone from your computer. If you have connected both via USB, disconnect the cable from the phone.
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    4. 4
      Make sure that your battery is at least 50% level. This is to ensure that your phone will not turn off during flashing. Disconnections during flashing/updating may cause problems on your phone.
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    5. 5
      Turn off your Galaxy S3 by pressing and holding the Power button. Wait for your phone to vibrate after the screen has been turned off. This is an indicator that your device has been completely shut down.
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    6. 6
      Boot your Galaxy S3 into Download mode. You can do this by pressing your Power button + Home button + Down button until your phone starts. When the phone starts, release the three buttons.
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    7. 7
      Your phone will tell you that you are in Download Mode and would ask you to confirm, or cancel, by pressing Volume Up or Volume Down respectively. Press Volume Up to proceed to Download Mode.
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    8. 8
      After pressing Volume Up, your phone will now be in Download Mode, connect your phone to your computer via USB connection.
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    9. 9
      Open ODIN and you will see that one of the squares in ID:COM is lighting. This indicates that your computer is detecting your cellphone. If none of the squares lit up, reconnect your USB cable. Again, make sure that you have installed the right USB drivers for your device.
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    10. 10
      On ODIN, make sure that only "Auto Reboot" and "F. Reset Time" is checked under options. By default, these two options are the only ones that are checked but just to be sure, see to it that indeed, no other option has been checked.
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    11. 11
      On ODIN, click on PDA and choose the .TAR file that you have just extracted. Double check that you have the correct file selected.
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    12. 12
      Once everything are checked, click on Start button to start the flashing process.
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    13. 13
      Wait for the process to be done. It will be indicated on the Message box that flashing has been successful.
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    14. 14
      Once flashing is successful, your phone will automatically restart. You can now remove it from the USB cable and wait for your device to boot.
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    15. 15
      You can check on Home > Menu key > Setting > More > About device > Android version, to see that your device has been updated to the Android Jelly Bean version 4.3.
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    Questions and Answers

    If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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    Article Info

    Categories : Samsung Galaxy

    Recent edits by: Eng, MBaleilabasa, VisiHow

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