Hi everybody...!
I'm new here. I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-i9300, but unfortunately bought in China....! (no Google, Baidu only) Now my warranty period is over and I'm struggling with this phone since one month to install an international ROM on it. Eventually I came to know that the bootloader of this variant is locked and then I tried the method introduced by one of the members of this forum. Link http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2406482
I used the appropriate UK firmware with existing Chinese one to make a custom ROM and flashed it via Odin. But unfortunately I lost my IMEI and found my serial number changed...! Anyhow I managed to recover both of them by re-flashing my original Chinese ROM. (I know that his method is working, but not for each and every international ROM and what I want to do is flashing a stock ROM which can be updated officially)
So I would like to ask if anybody knows how to unlock the bootloader of this variant. So we can flash international ROMs and those who wish to flash custom ROMs will also be able to do so with no problem.
Further more I'd like to say that if anybody could reveal a method that can be used to unlock the bootloader of this variant, it would be a great help to the users of this GT-i9300_CHN-CHN. (I only found an unlocked bootloader for Samsung Galaxy S3 Verizon variant, non for this GT-i9300 CHN_CHN)
Thank you.
Questions go in the q&a forum, report your own post and ask a moderator to move it.
The i9300 bootloader is not locked, you have a very common problem posted hundreds of times already.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
boomboomer said:
Questions go in the q&a forum, report your own post and ask a moderator to move it.
The i9300 bootloader is not locked, you have a very common problem posted hundreds of times already.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply. I know that GT-i9300 is the international version of Galaxy s3 and its bootloader is not locked. But not here in China. This is the China mainland version (not Hongkong or Taiwan made) I'm referring to this particular variant. I assume that this phone is only to be used in China and you will not find this unless you buy it from China. This variant doesn't have any Google applications and they have installed Baidu instead of Google. These Chinese applications are very unstable and they crash frequently and make the phone stuck. I have tried so many times to flash Jelly Bean 4.3 international ROMs on this phone via Odin but always it failed, The only Jelly Bean ROM what is capable of flashing via Odin is the same Chinese Jelly Bean ROM what I have.
So if the bootlaoder of this GT-i9300_CHN_CHN is not locked why Odin fails with any other ROM exceptional to the Chinese one...?
Tencen said:
Thank you for your reply. I know that GT-i9300 is the international version of Galaxy s3 and its bootloader is not locked. But not here in China. This is the China mainland version (not Hongkong or Taiwan made) I'm referring to this particular variant. I assume that this phone is only to be used in China and you will not find this unless you buy it from China. This variant doesn't have any Google applications and they have installed Baidu instead of Google. These Chinese applications are very unstable and they crash frequently and make the phone stuck. I have tried so many times to flash Jelly Bean 4.3 international ROMs on this phone via Odin but always it failed, The only Jelly Bean ROM what is capable of flashing via Odin is the same Chinese Jelly Bean ROM what I have.
So if the bootlaoder of this GT-i9300_CHN_CHN is not locked why Odin fails with any other ROM exceptional to the Chinese one...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If its rooted, maybe try mobile odin, get it in the apps section of the forum and sideload it. Mobile odin doesn't touch bootloader, so it might work, or it might not work, or it may brick your phone. Don't really know about the chinese bootloader variant of the s3, but still it might be worth a shot.
delete
JJEgan said:
Search before posting .
Tutorial: How to flash International rom on Galaxy S3, GT-I9300_CHN_CHN (From CHINA) [ 1 2 3 ]
Its below your post .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please read the post carefully before you reply. At the beginning of this thread I've mentioned that I've already tried that method and what results I got. What I want to do is flashing a stock ROM on it what can be updated officially...!
Tencen said:
Please read the post carefully before you reply. At the beginning of this thread I've mentioned that I've already tried that method and what results I got. What I want to do is flashing a stock ROM on it what can be updated officially...!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please the rules careful and post in the correct forum .
Tencen said:
But unfortunately I lost my IMEI and found my serial number changed...! Anyhow I managed to recover both of them by re-flashing my original Chinese ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your problem has nothing to do with the bootloader, you have the same issue as hundreds of others posting in identical threads -your efs folder is incompatible with the rom you have flashed.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
JJEgan said:
Please the rules careful and post in the correct forum .[o
Ofcourse this is the correct forum, what else could be the correct one.....?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
boomboomer said:
Your problem has nothing to do with the bootloader, you have the same issue as hundreds of others posting in identical threads -your efs folder is incompatible with the rom you have flashed.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, in that case we can assume my efs folder is incompatible with those custom roms I flashed (made using the method introduced by an XDA memberhttp://http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2406482). But what about the GT-i9300 stock Jelly Bean 4.3 roms those I tried to flash via Odin and failed ? Are you sure that the bootloader of this Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-i9300_CHN_CHN ( China mainland version, what has no Google apps) is not locked ? Why do you think my efs folder is incompatible with stock Jelly Bean 4.3 international roms ..?
Jeez, just try reading the hundreds of other identical threads -search for imei and serial number lost after flashing. You are not unique, if the bootloader was locked you would not be able to flash, everything worked for you except 'no service' which is the same as everyone else with an incompatible efs -which includes stock roms.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
boomboomer said:
Jeez, just try reading the hundreds of other identical threads -search for imei and serial number lost after flashing. You are not unique, if the bootloader was locked you would not be able to flash, everything worked for you except 'no service' which is the same as everyone else with an incompatible efs -which includes stock roms.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate your help. But I'd like to mention that my problem is not with this IMEI or serial number change, but with flashing stock android roms on this phone. At the beginning of this thread I have mentioned that I was able to recover my IMEI and serial number. So it's no further a problem.
To make the things clear I'll describe what exactly I did...
First I tried to flash UK Jelly Bean 4.3 rom for GT-i9300 ("BTU"-not operator locked) via Odin. It failed.
“Firmware update start...
SingleDownload.
sboot.bin
NAND Write Start
FAIL !"
Then I tried the same UK rom, but only "sboot.bin, modem.bin and tz.img files replaced by those of my current Jelly Bean 4.3 CHN rom ( not operator locked either) This is the method I found on XDA . Link : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2406482
This time it worked - I could flash the rom via Odin, but ended up with loosing both my IMEI and serial number.
Further more I'd like to say that I've already tried GT-i9300 Jelly Bean 4.3 roms (not operator locked) of some other countries too and got the same results.
So my question is if the bootloader is not locked why odin fails to flash stock roms and why it succeeds when sboot.bin, modem.bin and tz.img files are replaced and how to unlock the bootloader ?
(this is the China mainland version of GT-i9300 and this is not operator locked. This doesn't have any Google apps, even Google Play Store...I don't know that feature is unique or not and this phone is only to be used in China, so you will not find this variant unless you buy it in China !)
Thank you.
Tencen said:
I appreciate your help. But I'd like to mention that my problem is not with this IMEI or serial number change, but with flashing stock android roms on this phone. At the beginning of this thread I have mentioned that I was able to recover my IMEI and serial number. So it's no further a problem.
To make the things clear I'll describe what exactly I did...
First I tried to flash UK Jelly Bean 4.3 rom for GT-i9300 ("BTU"-not operator locked) via Odin. It failed.
“Firmware update start...
SingleDownload.
sboot.bin
NAND Write Start
FAIL !"
Then I tried the same UK rom, but only "sboot.bin, modem.bin and tz.img files replaced by those of my current Jelly Bean 4.3 CHN rom ( not operator locked either) This is the method I found on XDA . Link : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2406482
This time it worked - I could flash the rom via Odin, but ended up with loosing both my IMEI and serial number.
Further more I'd like to say that I've already tried GT-i9300 Jelly Bean 4.3 roms (not operator locked) of some other countries too and got the same results.
So my question is if the bootloader is not locked why odin fails to flash stock roms and why it succeeds when sboot.bin, modem.bin and tz.img files are replaced and how to unlock the bootloader ?
(this is the China mainland version of GT-i9300 and this is not operator locked. This doesn't have any Google apps, even Google Play Store...I don't know that feature is unique or not and this phone is only to be used in China, so you will not find this variant unless you buy it in China !)
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no different versions of GT-I9300. IT IS A VARIANT ITSELF. STOP CONFUSING URSELF. Its just the rom the seller put tat he didn't flash gapps. Nand write fail means ur NAND memory is bad. For god's sake. Research first.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
JellyYogurt said:
There is no different versions of GT-I9300. IT IS A VARIANT ITSELF. STOP CONFUSING URSELF. Its just the rom the seller put tat he didn't flash gapps. Nand write fail means ur NAND memory is bad. For god's sake. Research first.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
O.k, if my NAND memory is bad, how could I flash that GT-i9300_CHN Jelly Bean 4.3 firmware and other custom firmwares created using modem.bin, sboot.bin and tz.img of that firmware ? I can also flash JB 4.1.2_CHN and ICS 4.0.4_CHN via Odin without any problem.
It's not "just the rom the seller put tat he didn't flash gapps]" as you say, but the official Samsung ICS 4.0.4 rom for GT-i9300 China. The latest version of android available for this GT-i9300 China variant is the following one.
Model: GT-I9300
Model name: Galaxy S III
Country: China
Version: Android 4.3
Changelist: 2222515
Build date: Wed, 04 Dec 2013 03:06:42 +0000
Product Code: CHN
PDA: I9300ZCUBML1
CSC: I9300CHNBML1
MODEM: I9300ZCUBML1
Here I'd like to mention that I've already done enough searches regarding to the problem of flashing Android stock roms on this variant and found nothing. ( beside the fact that the bootloader of this variant is locked) . So, please, please do read my post completely and carefully before giving your idea and please try to give the information you know regarding to this particular problem of this particular variant. I repeat the fact that this phone* is only available in Chinese market.
* GT-i9300 , installed stock Android what has gapps replaced by Baidu apps and with a locked bootloader, thus can be called a variant of GT-i9300.
Thank you.
Tencen said:
O.k, if my NAND memory is bad, how could I flash that GT-i9300_CHN Jelly Bean 4.3 firmware and other custom firmwares created using modem.bin, sboot.bin and tz.img of that firmware ? I can also flash JB 4.1.2_CHN and ICS 4.0.4_CHN via Odin without any problem.
It's not "just the rom the seller put tat he didn't flash gapps]" as you say, but the official Samsung ICS 4.0.4 rom for GT-i9300 China. The latest version of android available for this GT-i9300 China variant is the following one.
Model: GT-I9300
Model name: Galaxy S III
Country: China
Version: Android 4.3
Changelist: 2222515
Build date: Wed, 04 Dec 2013 03:06:42 +0000
Product Code: CHN
PDA: I9300ZCUBML1
CSC: I9300CHNBML1
MODEM: I9300ZCUBML1
Here I'd like to mention that I've already done enough searches regarding to the problem of flashing Android stock roms on this variant and found nothing. ( beside the fact that the bootloader of this variant is locked) . So, please, please do read my post completely and carefully before giving your idea and please try to give the information you know regarding to this particular problem of this particular variant. I repeat the fact that this phone* is only available in Chinese market.
* GT-i9300 , installed stock Android what has gapps replaced by Baidu apps and with a locked bootloader, thus can be called a variant of GT-i9300.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one is gonna help u much if u think ur phone is a 'variant' of GT-I9300. GT-I9300 itself is a variant for god's sake. Hey I just flashed a custom rom on my gt-i9300. Thus I can call it a variant of gt-i9300. Wat logic.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
JellyYogurt said:
No one is gonna help u much if u think ur phone is a 'variant' of GT-I9300. GT-I9300 itself is a variant for god's sake. Hey I just flashed a custom rom on my gt-i9300. Thus I can call it a variant of gt-i9300. Wat logic.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is true, I know you are having a hard time getting your head around it, but the i9300s sold in China have issues. The bootloader is different. I spoke before with a dev on here, odia, who suggested ways to fix the issues. I suggest the OP have a look at odia's threads.
To make something clear, using dd commands to re-write my bootloader does not work, but some have claimed success. Worth a shot, as it also has not bricked my phone. I have tried using dd to re-write sboot, param, and tz, but have had no success.
On this phone, mine is CHU, these seem to be locked. It seems the providers of the phone in China reworked the partitions in some way. Unless you have a gt-i9300 with a CHU or CHN product code, I would suggest you refrain from claiming the problem does not exist.
Tencen said:
I appreciate your help. But I'd like to mention that my problem is not with this IMEI or serial number change, but with flashing stock android roms on this phone. At the beginning of this thread I have mentioned that I was able to recover my IMEI and serial number. So it's no further a problem.
To make the things clear I'll describe what exactly I did...
First I tried to flash UK Jelly Bean 4.3 rom for GT-i9300 ("BTU"-not operator locked) via Odin. It failed.
“Firmware update start...
SingleDownload.
sboot.bin
NAND Write Start
FAIL !"
Then I tried the same UK rom, but only "sboot.bin, modem.bin and tz.img files replaced by those of my current Jelly Bean 4.3 CHN rom ( not operator locked either) This is the method I found on XDA . Link : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2406482
This time it worked - I could flash the rom via Odin, but ended up with loosing both my IMEI and serial number.
Further more I'd like to say that I've already tried GT-i9300 Jelly Bean 4.3 roms (not operator locked) of some other countries too and got the same results.
So my question is if the bootloader is not locked why odin fails to flash stock roms and why it succeeds when sboot.bin, modem.bin and tz.img files are replaced and how to unlock the bootloader ?
(this is the China mainland version of GT-i9300 and this is not operator locked. This doesn't have any Google apps, even Google Play Store...I don't know that feature is unique or not and this phone is only to be used in China, so you will not find this variant unless you buy it in China !)
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did this method before... after that i rebuild the efs folder with z3x. Mine was flashing wrong stock rom. Accidentally flashed CHN stock rom. No way i could flash other stock rom besides CHN but i could only do it with the method you described above.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
wangdaning said:
It is true, I know you are having a hard time getting your head around it, but the i9300s sold in China have issues. The bootloader is different. I spoke before with a dev on here, odia, who suggested ways to fix the issues. I suggest the OP have a look at odia's threads.
To make something clear, using dd commands to re-write my bootloader does not work, but some have claimed success. Worth a shot, as it also has not bricked my phone. I have tried using dd to re-write sboot, param, and tz, but have had no success.
On this phone, mine is CHU, these seem to be locked. It seems the providers of the phone in China reworked the partitions in some way. Unless you have a gt-i9300 with a CHU or CHN product code, I would suggest you refrain from claiming the problem does not exist.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for your reply. Actually it's a great pleasure to find somebody who really understand the situation. I was bored and tired replying to those who say all GT-i9300 are same and none has a locked bootloader
GT-i9300 is the international variant of galaxy s3. Even though officially there are no variants of GT-i9300 ( except GT-i9300T) they have simply made this GT-i9300_CHN a variant of GT-i9300, by flashing a stock rom in which gapps have been replaced with Baidu and putting a locked bootloader in order to make it the only usable rom with this phone. My phone GT-i9300_CHN is not operator locked or country locked. It's really unfair that they have made this phone useless. They really have no right to do such thing to this international variant of Galaxy S3. I hate this, what's the use of an android smart phone (specially one like Galaxy S3) with no Google apps? Baidu can never replace Google in android. (at the time I bought this phone I was new to android and this is my first android smart phone. So I wasn't aware of this difference before before buying)
Ok. So what do you think if I flash a different bootloader on this phone ? I found a small collection of GT-i9300 bootlaoders on XDA. Linkhttp://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2189063. (I'm new here, so pardon me if I'm asking a stupid question)
hierarchy666 said:
I did this method before... after that i rebuild the efs folder with z3x. Mine was flashing wrong stock rom. Accidentally flashed CHN stock rom. No way i could flash other stock rom besides CHN but i could only do it with the method you described above.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply. According to your post I think your GT-i9300 was not bought in China and it's not this GT-i9300_CHN firmware what was installed by the company. It was you who flashed the Chinese firmware and now you cannot get rid off this firmware. Is that accurate ? If so , please let me know which firmware you got pre-installed when you bought it.
Thank you.
If you can flash thru odin, ur bootloader is definitely not locked.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Related
Hey guys, can any expert help me please
i have a samsung i9300 from china and i want to flash to normal rom
i did so but it failed. and now i when i turn it on it say "Firmware upgrade encountered an issue. Please select recovery mode in kies and try again"
and at the bottom of this message it have Chinese writing.
i still can go on download mode.
i downloaded several flash files and always failed when i flash, its always stuck on at the modem bit. .
please help me. http://forum.xda-developers.com/images/icons/icon9.gif
Having the the same problem with an american version. Is there any way to restore????????????????:crying:
Same problem here, may God have mercy on our souls.
Please someone give us a light of what we should do... This chinese rom is terrible, I can't even use GApps.
Go too this website http://www.sammobile.com/firmware/?page=3 and download the firmware for your correct phone model and country and then flash it with Odin.
Your phone should work 100% again after that :good:
hin83 said:
Go too this website -- and download the firmware for your correct phone model and country and then flash it with Odin.
Your phone should work 100% again after that :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone is from China but i don't want to use theirs room, I could just install the firmware from my country? It's the same model.
Breakyourfists said:
My phone is from China but i don't want to use theirs room, I could just install the firmware from my country? It's the same model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure your phone is a I9300 and not a I9308, since Galaxy S3 in China have model number i9308 and Hongkongs model is i9300. And ofcouse if you dont want or like the stock firmware for your phone, you can always try out those customs rom here in XDA
hin83 said:
Are you sure your phone is a I9300 and not a I9308, since Galaxy S3 in China have model number i9308 and Hongkongs model is i9300. And ofcouse if you dont want or like the stock firmware for your phone, you can always try out those customs rom here in XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure it's l9300. I'm going to try my country firmware for l9300 first. What room would you recommend?
i tried that already bro, i downloaded like 5 different rom but always get stuck on the modem party. it failed at the end like almost finish.
thi phone is i9300 100% but it has chinese logo when it first start. also when i put it on download mode it shows chinese characters instead of english.
any idea anyone?
thanks!
chhay said:
i tried that already bro, i downloaded like 5 different rom but always get stuck on the modem party. it failed at the end like almost finish.
thi phone is i9300 100% but it has chinese logo when it first start. also when i put it on download mode it shows chinese characters instead of english.
any idea anyone?
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please make a screenshot of your devices info and the download mode screen, then i can help you too locate the problem. Are you using Odin 1.8 for flashing??
---------- Post added at 11:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 AM ----------
Breakyourfists said:
I'm sure it's l9300. I'm going to try my country firmware for l9300 first. What room would you recommend?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Friend. You can try Omega rom same as me, its a very updated and stable rom. There is many users from all around the world, incl Chinese using it.
Here is the link with info and download: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1663656
chhay said:
i tried that already bro, i downloaded like 5 different rom but always get stuck on the modem party. it failed at the end like almost finish.
thi phone is i9300 100% but it has chinese logo when it first start. also when i put it on download mode it shows chinese characters instead of english.
any idea anyone?
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try a 3 part flash if its available on sammobile.com
jje
I have the I9300 from mainland china as well. The one that boots up with the China unicom logo. I've managed to get everything working by flashing a stock china unicom rom, and then using mobile odin to flash a UK rom. Mobile Odin doesn't replace the bootloader, so even though I can now run stock UK firmwares and even custom roms such as CyanogenMod 9, the phone always boots up with the china unicom logo. Is this an indicator of a locked bootloader? If not, what else is preventing the flash from completing? the Partition Information Table? The CSC? If it's anything else other than the bootloader, then in theory shouldn't it be possible to flash a three part firmware? Repartition, and update the bootloader? I would think that this would result in a successful flash. I myself have not tried this as there is always the inherent risk of hard bricking the phone when playing around with the bootloader and PIT. If there are any more experienced xda members here, it'd be great to know what you think would work in this case.
Another Problem with Chinese Firmware
I appreciate the links. I'm downloading one of the firmware files now. Hope it works.
There's another reason why I don't like the Chinese firmware. The authorities have clumsily sabotaged VPN. If you try to turn on VPN service, the phone instantly crashes, allowing only emergency calls until you do a factory reset. Happened twice before I caught on.
Gary
hin83 said:
Please make a screenshot of your devices info and the download mode screen, then i can help you too locate the problem. Are you using Odin 1.8 for flashing??
---------- Post added at 11:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 AM ----------
Friend. You can try Omega rom same as me, its a very updated and stable rom. There is many users from all around the world, incl Chinese using it.
Here is the link with info and download: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1663656
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Appreciate the link, and downloaded it. But it contains all the files in a .zip file, and Odin requires a .tar file. How can I convert .zip to .tar, and will Odin work if I do?
Thanks.
gwrussell said:
Appreciate the link, and downloaded it. But it contains all the files in a .zip file, and Odin requires a .tar file. How can I convert .zip to .tar, and will Odin work if I do?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that zip is for CWM Recovery, so you'll have to get a stock Chinese ROM running first, and then install CWM, turn off signature check and then flash CWM through odin, then you can load the other roms into the SDcard using your computer and flash it through the recovery.
I have not this phone but found some info may be helpful.Goodluck.
http://www.chinaecarts.com/samsung-...nch-mtk6577-android-41-16gb-phone-p-3095.html
keng_never_die said:
http://www.chinaecarts.com/samsung-...nch-mtk6577-android-41-16gb-phone-p-3095.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That phone is NOT A GENUINE Galaxy S III. It is a chinese knock off, a fake.
This is what gave it away:
- MTK MT6577 1.2GHz processor
No genuine S III device use this processor.
therefore, you do NOT have a real S III device and none of the S III roms will work with your phone.
Besides, since your phone has Android 4.1.5 (sic, according to the page you posted), why the hell do you want an older Android?
If you're in doubt about your phone, use this app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alxdroiddev.gs3identity
It will tell you if your phone is real or not.
Still Need rom?
GaryLiao said:
I have the I9300 from mainland china as well. The one that boots up with the China unicom logo. I've managed to get everything working by flashing a stock china unicom rom, and then using mobile odin to flash a UK rom. Mobile Odin doesn't replace the bootloader, so even though I can now run stock UK firmwares and even custom roms such as CyanogenMod 9, the phone always boots up with the china unicom logo. Is this an indicator of a locked bootloader? If not, what else is preventing the flash from completing? the Partition Information Table? The CSC? If it's anything else other than the bootloader, then in theory shouldn't it be possible to flash a three part firmware? Repartition, and update the bootloader? I would think that this would result in a successful flash. I myself have not tried this as there is always the inherent risk of hard bricking the phone when playing around with the bootloader and PIT. If there are any more experienced xda members here, it'd be great to know what you think would work in this case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you still need the rom for the i9300_chn_chn, i can help you, with a mixed room, fussion betwen PHE ( spain) and CHN (China).
Works very well, the problem is the bootloader i locked so, you olny can install moden, and sboot, from china.
Hi all,
I recently bought a Galaxy S3 I9300 International through a coupon (like groupon) and they sent me a Phone with CSC "COA" (cosmote, Romania)
Iinstalled my Italian sim without any issue, so i think the phone is unlocked or similar.
I noticed that the phone has the firmware XXEMC2 (March 2013?) and i want to install all new updates... but i think that Romania doesn't update regularly the official firmware (i don't see custom icons for the romanian firmware)
Is it advisable to flash the Italian Firmware (maybe the latest XXEMF6, or the actual XXEMC2), and change the CSC code to ITV to get newer updates soon?
Or i'm approaching to an unnecessary procedure that may brick my phone (or voiding the warranty?)
Thanks in advance!
Having the right CSC and unmodified status will allow you receive OTA updates, which will probably be six months behind those posted on xda.
Go to sammobile and download the latest rom for the country where you will be using the phone, flash using odin on your pc. This gives you the right modem and won't brick your phone.
Thanks for the reply.
Now i'm downloading the latest ITV firmware I9300XXEMG4_I9300ITVEMG2_ITV.zip from the site you specified (seems to be the one that Kies tries to install, since it has the icon highlighted.
Then, i need to flash the firmware twice in order to change the CSC Code, right?
Do i need to do other task, in order to have the "unmodified" status ?
Remember that the latest MG4 firmware alters the format of your efs folder. Have a look in the general section for more info.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
radixon said:
Remember that the latest MG4 firmware alters the format of your efs folder. Have a look in the general section for more info.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, i'll download the same firmware i'm using now, but with CSC ITV (XXEMC2, March 2013)
Best go read the stickies in general before you flash anything, your logic on updating seems confused. The CSC code makes almost no difference to how you use the phone.
boomboomer said:
Best go read the stickies in general before you flash anything, your logic on updating seems confused. The CSC code makes almost no difference to how you use the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes i'm aware that the CSC makes no differences to the phone, but now i'm actually bound to the Cosmote carrier, and i think he doesn't release updates regularly; am I wrong?
smala said:
Yes i'm aware that the CSC makes no differences to the phone, but now i'm actually bound to the Cosmote carrier, and i think he doesn't release updates regularly; am I wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the firmware is irrelevant to the carrier. Only simlock is carrier specific, if your sim works then you can use any firmware.
smala said:
Yes i'm aware that the CSC makes no differences to the phone, but now i'm actually bound to the Cosmote carrier, and i think he doesn't release updates regularly; am I wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does make a difference that's why it exists .
jje
JJEgan said:
It does make a difference that's why it exists .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think i'm confused now
That's my noob point of view:
I unboxed the phone and installed my sim without any issue, so i think it's not simlocked.
I think that the Cosmote - Romania carrier (CSC "COA") doesn't release updates often (I don't see firmware XXEMF6 or the latest XXEMG4 (/efs issue apart)
I'm sticky with stock/original/samsung firmware XXEMC2 (march 2013)
if i flash the exact revision, but ITV, (since i'm italian) Firmware i can obtain all the fresh, unbranded, updates.
now... i don't know exactly the roll-out date policy for every firmware /country, and if any carrirer can/has to "customize" a firmware in order to release (with a delay, of course) And/Or if it's interested to release an update.
What i'm thinking now is "nice. an update... let's install." but i want to be more-than-sure that this simple procedure won't brick my phone.
Please be patient with me.
smala said:
I think i'm confused now
That's my noob point of view:
I unboxed the phone and installed my sim without any issue, so i think it's not simlocked.
I think that the Cosmote - Romania carrier (CSC "COA") doesn't release updates often (I don't see firmware XXEMF6 or the latest XXEMG4 (/efs issue apart)
I'm sticky with stock/original/samsung firmware XXEMC2 (march 2013)
if i flash the exact revision, but ITV, (since i'm italian) Firmware i can obtain all the fresh, unbranded, updates.
now... i don't know exactly the roll-out date policy for every firmware /country, and if any carrirer can/has to "customize" a firmware in order to release (with a delay, of course) And/Or if it's interested to release an update.
What i'm thinking now is "nice. an update... let's install." but i want to be more-than-sure that this simple procedure won't brick my phone.
Please be patient with me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anytime you flash anything you Risk bricking your phone and or voiding your warranty. The. Only official procedures for updating your firmware are kies and ota updates.
allright.. i flashed the ITV firmware adn it went OK
but now i see the correct CSC, and Kies says that my phone doesn't support updates.
I correctly flashed a second time, but with no result.
Any tips?
You can still update your firmware with kies. To do so you need to manually input model and serial numbers . also you have to put phone in download mode before connecting to computer.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
ashraf sharif said:
You can still update your firmware with kies. To do so you need to manually input model and serial numbers . also you have to put phone in download mode before connecting to computer.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i did this procedure (i told to Kies my model and S/N ) to factory reset the phone and Kies downloaded a Firmware.
it downloaded I9300XXEMC2 (the same) but with CSC I9300QXFEMA2 :silly:
Now my phone has a UGLY splash boot of "La Fleur" carrier!
Before this madness i had a, as far i know, a International S3 (CSC EMC1 (COA))... now i have a branded Phone!
(though my sim still works without issues)
What the hell has happened?
If you want ota updates or want to update by using kies than stay with this firmware. If you want the newest unbranded firmwares than flash with Odin any firmware you like that is compatible with I 9300. Make sure CSC matches your region. The lafleur screen is the boot animation which can be replaced manually if you root. You may be able to change csc with CSC changer app. Probably need root for that too. You can always reflash the firmware update you initially flashed and were happy with. Whatever kies gives you is what the phone was programmed initially for your phone. I think. I prefer to use sammobile and Odin as you can get more current firmwares
if you want to customize your phone by changing csc or flashing firmwares even official firmwares than do not use kies or ota for updating for updating. also since customization always risky it is best to back up your EFS. this too requires Root. PLEASE READ THE STICKIES . and the FAQs . before you proceed with flashing anything else. Right now your phone is official and upgradeable through kies.If you are not happy with what samsung gives you than I suggest you ROOT
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Hello,
long time no see!
Just want to confirm if it's still the same case or anything changed.
I have a Galaxy S3 GT-I9300 ( I9300XXUGMK6 "4.3 Android" ) from Germany. Now i want to flash a firmware from another country for example "I9300XXUGML3" 4.3 Android for GT-I9300 from Singapore. Is it possible or has SAMSUNG changed anything in their policies that makes it impossible? Used to be possible with Odin.
thanks mates !
Shadowspsp said:
Hello,
long time no see!
Just want to confirm if it's still the same case or anything changed.
I have a Galaxy S3 GT-I9300 ( I9300XXUGMK6 "4.3 Android" ) from Germany. Now i want to flash a firmware from another country for example "I9300XXUGML3" 4.3 Android for GT-I9300 from Singapore. Is it possible or has SAMSUNG changed anything in their policies that makes it impossible? Used to be possible with Odin.
thanks mates !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bump. Anyone?
Shadowspsp said:
bump. Anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes.. but the radio.img/baseband version are different for other country. just reflash your baseband after rom installed.
* u can try which baseband work well with u, try in error wt your local provider connection
At first, its the wrong section. This must go in Q/A section.
Second, Yes you can!!
Shadowspsp said:
Hello,
long time no see!
Just want to confirm if it's still the same case or anything changed.
I have a Galaxy S3 GT-I9300 ( I9300XXUGMK6 "4.3 Android" ) from Germany. Now i want to flash a firmware from another country for example "I9300XXUGML3" 4.3 Android for GT-I9300 from Singapore. Is it possible or has SAMSUNG changed anything in their policies that makes it impossible? Used to be possible with Odin.
thanks mates !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have done it all the time, with other countries baseband and all working fine
I never skipped firmware baseband flash procedure. Anyway, I always flashed European firmwares...
Shadowspsp said:
Hello,
long time no see!
Just want to confirm if it's still the same case or anything changed.
I have a Galaxy S3 GT-I9300 ( I9300XXUGMK6 "4.3 Android" ) from Germany. Now i want to flash a firmware from another country for example "I9300XXUGML3" 4.3 Android for GT-I9300 from Singapore. Is it possible or has SAMSUNG changed anything in their policies that makes it impossible? Used to be possible with Odin.
thanks mates !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
!ALL QUESTIONS GO IN THE Q&A FORUM!! OR THEY MAY BE DELETED
Please use the red triangle report button and ask a mod to move the post.
PedroMedeiros said:
I have done it all the time, with other countries baseband and all working fine
I never skipped firmware baseband flash procedure. Anyway, I always flashed European firmwares...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
may i know the steps to make it? i'm a beginner and i unrooted my gt-i9300 with a stock firmware from diff country and i want to change it. Do i have to re-root my gt-i9300?? Thanks
Eugene97 said:
may i know the steps to make it? i'm a beginner and i unrooted my gt-i9300 with a stock firmware from diff country and i want to change it. Do i have to re-root my gt-i9300?? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no need to re-root, just need a pc, just download a new unbranded firmware for your i9300, flash it with odin and wipe data!
there are tons of flash guides for our samsung, search for it here on xda
PedroMedeiros said:
no need to re-root, just need a pc, just download a new unbranded firmware for your i9300, flash it with odin and wipe data!
there are tons of flash guides for our samsung, search for it here on xda
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
why do you need a version from another country?
Steroiddev said:
why do you need a version from another country?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am from Portugal and here, like other counties, the updates have a delay... So, I always download the latest European Firmware available when it comes out in other country!!
The only noticable difference is the CSC version, each country has a different CSC and thus different bloatware, but that doesn't mean you can't flash another country's firmware that will work except with different preloaded software.
Apart from that try to pay attention to the "Changelist" number which is the build number (So higher means newer). When Samsung releases a firmware for a specific device some countries get a new build number while the others won't. So flash a firmware which has the highest "Changelist" number.
How can I check the "Changelist" number of the firmware?
Saad_ said:
The only noticable difference is the CSC version, each country has a different CSC and thus different bloatware, but that doesn't mean you can't flash another country's firmware that will work except with different preloaded software.
Apart from that try to pay attention to the "Changelist" number which is the build number (So higher means newer). When Samsung releases a firmware for a specific device some countries get a new build number while the others won't. So flash a firmware which has the highest "Changelist" number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can I check the "Changelist" number of the firmware?
Yes, You Can.
It isyn't problem
Hi,
i turned my s3 in to samsung repair because it was dead. I got it back today.
They fixed my dead memory and updated my firmware to 4.3.
I lost root and the sim is locked now.
How do I root it and unlock sim?
Preferably i'd love to flash unbranded and unlocked german firmware over it but
i dont remember how and i dont know if it'd kill the phone.
GT-I9300
Android Version 4.3
Basebandversion I9300BUUGNB1
Need any other info?
thanks a lot
cassinni said:
Hi,
i turned my s3 in to samsung repair because it was dead. I got it back today.
They fixed my dead memory and updated my firmware to 4.3.
I lost root and the sim is locked now.
How do I root it and unlock sim?
GT-I9300
Android Version 4.3
Basebandversion I9300BUUGNB1
Need any other info?
thanks a lot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont own this but can you use a kdz or odin to downgrade. Im not to good with this stuff but maybe its a start
Sent from my LG-P760 using XDA Free mobile app
cassinni said:
Hi,
i turned my s3 in to samsung repair because it was dead. I got it back today.
They fixed my dead memory and updated my firmware to 4.3.
I lost root and the sim is locked now.
How do I root it and unlock sim?
Preferably i'd love to flash unbranded and unlocked german firmware over it but
i dont remember how and i dont know if it'd kill the phone.
GT-I9300
Android Version 4.3
Basebandversion I9300BUUGNB1
Need any other info?
thanks a lot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you have a backup of your original efs before upgrade then I don't think this is possible..You would need to downgrade to 4.1 stock rom then restore efs from 4.1 backup then unlock.. Unfortunately you cannot sim unlock 4.3 firmware..( although there is a link floating about somewhere linking to a paid site saying they have solved the issue) but I have not seen any reports on here saying they have solved it..
tallman43 said:
Unless you have a backup of your original efs before upgrade then I don't think this is possible..You would need to downgrade to 4.1 stock rom then restore efs from 4.1 backup then unlock.. Unfortunately you cannot sim unlock 4.3 firmware..( although there is a link floating about somewhere linking to a paid site saying they have solved the issue) but I have not seen any reports on here saying they have solved it..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I managed to flash unbranded german 4.3 to it via odin. now i got
Model Country/Carrier Date Version PDA CSC Kies
GT-I9300 Germany 2013 December 4.3 I9300XXUGMK6 I9300DBTGMK2
So its confirmed that site is bogus?
UPDATE: I actually just found my backups on an old hdd. I got a "Nandroid Backup" and "EFSProBackup" folder with file(s).
I do not know which android version i used back then.
thanks a lot.
cassinni said:
I managed to flash unbranded german 4.3 to it via odin. now i got
ModelCountry/CarrierDateVersionPDACSCKies
GT-I9300 Germany 2013 December 4.3 I9300XXUGMK6 I9300DBTGMK2
So its confirmed that site is bogus?
UPDATE: I actually just found my backups on an old hdd. I got a "Nandroid Backup" and "EFSProBackup" folder with file(s).
I do not know which android version i used back then.
thanks a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess make a nandroid backup now then try em out(even though i wouldent do that to my phone)
Sent from my LG-P760 using XDA Free mobile app
Hi
Hoping someone can help!
I'm wondering if I can flash the unbranded official S6 edge firmware over my carrier firmware on a carrier locked device? I'm not rooted if it makes any odds.
Reason I want to do this is that I'm with EE who take an age to release firmware updates and I'm struggling with the RAM management issue that the latest firmware seems to have fixed. Flashing the official unbranded firmware would obviously get me access to the updates in a more timely fashion.
I had a search around and i thinks the amswer is not but i got conflicting reports as to whether this is possible!
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my SM-G925F using XDA Free mobile app
Yes I did it. Will post instructions later.
kamson said:
Yes I did it. Will post instructions later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, that'd be great!
We're you unrooted and carrier locked as well?
Sent from my SM-G925F using XDA Free mobile app
My phone was branded but not sure if it was locked. I didn't have root neither.
What I did:
1) Download latest Odin
2) Download any software
3) Extract it (for example with 7zip)
4) Copy system.img and boot img to new folder
5) Download script from this post
6) Put script files in the same folder
7) Run ImgToTar.MD5
8) Flash system.md5 and boot.md5 with Odin
You can also flash recovery and radio with this method.
Why not just download the unbranded firmware from sammobile, use Odin to flash it and be done?
What does the extracting of image files and so forth do?
Odin instructions can be found on the sammobile site where you pick up whatever firmware version you choose (my guess is unbranded UK firmware is a good place to start)
Sent from my Galaxy S6 Edge
Unfortunately I couldn't get the flash to work. Just keep getting a fail about quarter of the way through, which then needed an emergency recovery using smart switch.
Must be due to the fact that the phone is carrier locked but there are plenty of conflicting reports online as to whether it's possible to flash a locked phone so who knows!
Sent from my SM-G925F using XDA Free mobile app
I followed those steps exactly, got succeeded for all the flashes, and I still have all the carrier bloatware. What happened?
kamson said:
My phone was branded but not sure if it was locked. I didn't have root neither.
What I did:
1) Download latest Odin
2) Download any software
3) Extract it (for example with 7zip)
4) Copy system.img and boot img to new folder
5) Download script from this post
6) Put script files in the same folder
7) Run ImgToTar.MD5
8) Flash system.md5 and boot.md5 with Odin
You can also flash recovery and radio with this method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only system file in my tar.md5 in called system.img.ext4 is this the same thing or do I have a corrupt firmware?
I flashed over my carrier (O2) firmware with the unbranded firmware, but since i did that a while back (round about device launch), i've had to keep flashing any updates that come out rather than being able to get them OTA - is this normal behaviour?
It's normal behaviour if you didn't factory reset after unbranding your phone.
If you factory reset it you'll find that it re-registers with the unbranded CSC and you'll start to get ota updates properly.
Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk
Hey guys great thread I too want to give this a try but want to make sure I don't brick my s6 edge. I have a branded s6 edge from Japan softbank carrier model 404SC but it's actually SMG925Z. Can I use a unbranded SMG9250 firmware from Hong Kong on my Japan branded s6?
primod808 said:
Hey guys great thread I too want to give this a try but want to make sure I don't brick my s6 edge. I have a branded s6 edge from Japan softbank carrier model 404SC but it's actually SMG925Z. Can I use a unbranded SMG9250 firmware from Hong Kong on my Japan branded s6?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried any new Roms yet?
I Also have the Sm g925zz s6Edge from japan softbank.
I have not tried any roms yet.
RecIV said:
Have you tried any new Roms yet?
I Also have the Sm g925zz s6Edge from japan softbank.
I have not tried any roms yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not yet but the smg925z has been rooted.
primod808 said:
Not yet but the smg925z has been rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you root the device?
Please reply with link for the root files and procedure.
It will be great help..
Thanks
kamson said:
My phone was branded but not sure if it was locked. I didn't have root neither.
What I did:
1) Download latest Odin
2) Download any software
3) Extract it (for example with 7zip)
4) Copy system.img and boot img to new folder
5) Download script from this post
6) Put script files in the same folder
7) Run ImgToTar.MD5
8) Flash system.md5 and boot.md5 with Odin
You can also flash recovery and radio with this method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can this be done on any model S6 edge? i have the canadian version 928W8 and I would like to cross flash it
Flashing carrier firmware
Along the same lines I have a galaxy s6 that was locked to "carrier a" i had it unlocked and am using it with "carrier B" both carriers use the same model number device SM-G920W8 . carrier a has not released android 6 yet and carrier b has can i flash carrier b firmware as is or do i have to change a bunch of things?
Flashed stock rom
Hey, i just flashed the stock rom of the galaxy s6 (not edge) over my carrier rom. I was using a sim from a different carrier than the one from the rom and it worked fine, meaning my phone was unlocked. I decided to remove the bootanimation and bloatware from my device so I flashed the stock rom via odin. Everything went right except that my network operator is not available. Could you help me, its the only thread that I am sure i will get help.
search about kernal backup and restore. im not sure about it. but you may need to return to , or restore your first kernal. i think wifi stops working if ypu use an incorrext kernal. each model has its own kernal.
which means, i think ypu can use the samsung kies tool to return to stock rom and kernal to fix it... but im not sure.
there are other harder ways pethaps.. but i dont think anyone has our version of 6.1.1 kernal atm. i dont thibk samsung released it.
i really am not sure. i flashed a new 5.0 rom, but not 6.0.1 yet.
i dont know how
RecIV said:
search about kernal backup and restore. im not sure about it. but you may need to return to , or restore your first kernal. i think wifi stops working if ypu use an incorrext kernal. each model has its own kernal.
which means, i think ypu can use the samsung kies tool to return to stock rom and kernal to fix it... but im not sure.
there are other harder ways pethaps.. but i dont think anyone has our version of 6.1.1 kernal atm. i dont thibk samsung released it.
i really am not sure. i flashed a new 5.0 rom, but not 6.0.1 yet.
i dont know how
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I havent been able to get a stock kernel neither to kies work with my SM-G920i. Anybody help me.
Hey guys I brought s6 from eBay year ago I am trying to unroot my phone model no sm-g920f for that I have to install firmware I am confused about the country/ carrier do you guys have any idea??