New S3 wont update after unlocking

clearlyn2

Hi Guys, firstly I am a total novice. Two weeks ago I bought a prepay Galaxy S3 in the O2 phone shop in the square(now reduced for €475 as the S4 is due shortly).

I have always used the 3 network so I decided to get the S3 unlocked in the Square at the shop opposide McDonalds on the same day. The unlock worked fine however I only after discovered a few days later that the phone software would not update to 4.1.2! I have been back to the unlocker guy he said that he cannot help. I really want to be able to get the S3 software updates and am desperate to resolve the situation.

I have decided that there must be a method of getting the phone to update or indeed to re-lock it back to O2. There is so much info on the internet for self help but I dont know where to start!!

Could somebody please assist or point me to self help web site that would help me solve my problems?

Gorilla Rising

It's difficult without knowing exactly what they did.

Try this:

This would be my first port of call (I'm no expert now!). There are also instructions on rooting in case you need to in order to change CSC. There was a recent enough Samsung update which means it needs root (depending).

Let us know how you get on...

clearlyn2

Thanks for your suggestion fortune W.

However it looks like I need to be rooted to use the app you suggested. I am hesitant to try rooting as I never have before. Do you know a method of factory resetting that will restore the phone to the condition it was when I bought it at the o2 store. I tried the regular factory reset but it does not restore the phone to it original store condition.

Gorilla Rising

clearlyn2 wrote: »

Thanks for your suggestion fortune W.

However it looks like I need to be rooted to use the app you suggested. I am hesitant to try rooting as I never have before. Do you know a method of factory resetting that will restore the phone to the condition it was when I bought it at the o2 store. I tried the regular factory reset but it does not restore the phone to it original store condition.

Rooting is very simple. There is a link to another video in that youtube clip that will show you how to root:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XPVQOILOKw

Also, see this thread :

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1695238

It sounds like they've put on a different version of firmware so you can't get it back to 'store condition' unless you flash the original firmware to it yourself.

My advice - root it. Update the CSC as shown in the original video and then try updating the device.

clearlyn2

Thanks so much for all the advice and links, I will try the rooting route when back at work and let u know what happens, (scared slightly of bricking!)

Gorilla Rising

clearlyn2 wrote: »

Thanks so much for all the advice and links, I will try the rooting route when back at work and let u know what happens, (scared slightly of bricking!)

Just make sure you download the right CF root for your model. It explains it at the start of the xda thread.

Best of luck.

irishpancake

eh....I don't think simple SIM unlock will stop updates....you sure you are not rooted??

That will, also having non stock recovery.

I'm on 4.1.2, and it has the little red hyphen COLOR="Red"]![/COLOR to show it is customised, as it is rooted, and has a custom recovery. [rooted with GS3 Toolkit].....

if you look at Settings/about device/status/device status....probably shows "Modified"??

That's why no updates, you can get f/w and flash with odin, or oin mobile, if ya want.....

wouldn't go changing CSC, it will factory re-set phone.

I am probably going to have to continue with custom roms, shucks!!

Gorilla Rising

Depending on what firmware was flashed, the CSC needs to be updated to the correct region for updates as it defaults to another region.

That was the case with mine. Got updates working again.

irishpancake

fortune wookiee wrote: »

Depending on what firmware was flashed, the CSC needs to be updated to the correct region for updates as it defaults to another region.

That was the case with mine. Got updates working again.

I get what you are saying, but why was firmware flashed to achieve SIM Unlock??

OP only says he got phone unlocked, it would still have all the VODA bloat, and the update should not be affected as CSC should not be changed by SIM unlock.....

after all Voda will Network/SIM unlock phone for a charge, or for free, in certain circumstances, depending on spend, I think.

This will not stop OTA updates, will it??

I think more was done than simple Network Unlock....

BTW, you can get GalaxSim Unlock for free, for your own use, from the dev, on XDA, here:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1846451

Apk is there for download, and no payment within app,as there is in the Play App, here:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spocky.galaxsimunlock&hl=en

Something else was done, imo, perhaps check what f/w you have....

*#1234#

and post results.

Gorilla Rising

Ah right.

I was assuming they may have flashed a different firmware first...

clearlyn2

Guys many thanks for all the pointers, I am now almost ready to start my rooting & modding.

One question, if I root my S3 I presume there is then some way to update it to 4.1.2?

Second question I presume that every time there is an S3 update I will have to wait until a new XDA update is released? Is that how it works?

Last question (please) when the phone is rooted it then will be possible to restore the phone to the original state it was in when I bought it at the O2 store?

Please note I have read all of the guides but am still a little confused and afraid of bricking my phone. Thanks for your patience with me!