[Ollie_h19]

Both myself and my girlfriend have a Samsung Galaxy S3. Hers regularly updates itself with the latest Android Firmware and is now running 4.1.2. Mine is running on v4.0.4 and won't update; I have tried Home > Settings > About Device but the option to update my software isn't there (its first on the menu on my girlfriend's phone) and it also doesn't update via Samsung Kies.

Any help in updating my phone's software would be much appreciated!

[Anika Hanson]

My OH has the same problem. His S3 also wouldn't update.

[Scotty2012]

Originally Posted by Ollie_h19

Both myself and my girlfriend have a Samsung Galaxy S3. Hers regularly updates itself with the latest Android Firmware and is now running 4.1.2. Mine is running on v4.0.4 and won't update; I have tried Home > Settings > About Device but the option to update my software isn't there (its first on the menu on my girlfriend's phone) and it also doesn't update via Samsung Kies.

Any help in updating my phone's software would be much appreciated!

Is your S3 on the same network as your girlfriends and was it bought from the same shop?

The reason I ask this is because the software updates are sometimes dependent on the phone network. For example, if you bought an S3 on Orange from an Orange store or EE store as they are now known, then your updates will be available when Orange release them. If on the other hand you bought your S3 from The Carphone Warehouse, then that means the handset is an unlocked factory model and will receive updates when Samsung release them. Does this make sense?

[Ollie_h19]

Both came from Carphone Warehouse.

We're both now on EE, but I was previously on T-Mobile and she was on Orange, if that makes a difference.

[Scotty2012]

Originally Posted by Ollie_h19

Both came from Carphone Warehouse.

We're both now on EE, but I was previously on T-Mobile and she was on Orange, if that makes a difference.

It might make a difference but as far as I'm aware, The Carphone Warehouse sell unlocked, unbranded handsets which means yours and your girlfriends phones should have exactly the same software, firmware etc.

Have a look at this thread, it allows you to download the latest firmware and also included is the software (Odin) to flash it to your phone.
It's really easy to do but if you have any questions let me know.

[Kriskiki89]

Is it as easy as the instructions on the first post of that thread?

[platelet]

I'd try uninstalling Kies, reinstalling the latest version - then running the firmware update from there

[Scotty2012]

Originally Posted by Kriskiki89

Is it as easy as the instructions on the first post of that thread?

In my opinion, yes it is.

Here is a tutorial video I found on YouTube which gives a step by step guide.

Remember: Before you start, make sure the battery is fully charged and back up all of your data and files as this may be wiped during the upgrade.

[Ollie_h19]

Originally Posted by platelet

I'd try uninstalling Kies, reinstalling the latest version - then running the firmware update from there

I've updated Kies to the newest version (rather than un- and re-installing) and it still says I'm running the latest Firmware.

I've emailled Android Support and I'll see what they say. That Odin thing looks a bit complicated.

[Dai13371]

Trust me, Odin is the easiest thing in the world. Very important to read the instructions carefully though before proceeding.

[finbaar]

Originally Posted by Ollie_h19

I've updated Kies to the newest version (rather than un- and re-installing) and it still says I'm running the latest Firmware.

I've emailled Android Support and I'll see what they say. That Odin thing looks a bit complicated.

Completely uninstall Kies and all drivers and start again. If that fails use Odin.

Now things can go wrong when updating your phone - OTA, Kies or Odin and honestly using Odin is not a risky thing to do at all. Should the worst happen and your device bricks and you need a warranty repair do not tell them you were updating using Odin as they will not fix it under warranty. There is no way they can tell how you were updating.

[Ollie_h19]

I've uninstalled and re-installed Kies and now it recognises it can update the Firmware, at last!

However it doesn't seem to get past 'Downloading Firmware Upgrade Components'. It gets to 100%, stays there a while, then it freezes. Once or twice I get an error message about 'administrative rights' so I run Kies as admin but still nothing. Rubbish isn't it?

[Anika Hanson]

Originally Posted by Ollie_h19

I've uninstalled and re-installed Kies and now it recognises it can update the Firmware, at last!

However it doesn't seem to get past 'Downloading Firmware Upgrade Components'. It gets to 100%, stays there a while, then it freezes. Once or twice I get an error message about 'administrative rights' so I run Kies as admin but still nothing. Rubbish isn't it?

Yep Kies is a pile of poo. I've tried to update three different devices and I didn't have any luck with any of them. It was one thing or another, Kies stuck on an updating loop, software never completes download, Kies cannot connect to device etc I've uninstalled and reinstalled it but it makes no difference.


I just wait for the OTA updates now. You have to wait longer but it works.

[platelet]

Originally Posted by Ollie_h19

I've uninstalled and re-installed Kies and now it recognises it can update the Firmware, at last!

However it doesn't seem to get past 'Downloading Firmware Upgrade Components'. It gets to 100%, stays there a while, then it freezes..

Slim hope but I had something like this, and thought it had hung but it came back to life after a long time, maybe 5-10 minutes. Whole upgrade too about half hour to run from what I remember

[Scotty2012]

You could of had it updated by Odin within 20 minutes.

[Ollie_h19]

Finally managed to update over Kies! You just need to be patient, which I'm not very.

And the even better news is, the Software Update option has appeared in the "About" menu so hopefully I won't have to go through this rigmarole again!

Thanks for all your help.

[Scotty2012]

Originally Posted by Ollie_h19

Finally managed to update over Kies! You just need to be patient, which I'm not very.

And the even better news is, the Software Update option has appeared in the "About" menu so hopefully I won't have to go through this rigmarole again!

Thanks for all your help.

Good to hear

[tosha43]

Originally Posted by Scotty2012

You could of had it updated by Odin within 20 minutes.

any good tutorials on this

[Scotty2012]

Originally Posted by tosha43

any good tutorials on this

Tutorial Samsung Galaxy S3 : How To Flash Official Firmware with Odin

[kpfarmer1]

I tried to update my S3 last night. Kies crashed and now my phone has got a Firmware update error message and to connect to kies in safe mode. My computer does will not connect to my phone now. So I have got a brick. Thanks kies.

[Ollie_h19]

You know what I find amazing? Samsung is such a popular, impressive manufacturer, the smartphones are so amazing as to be a credible rival for the iPhone yet the software for it is slow, unreliable and clumsy.

Its odd isnt it?

[Scotty2012]

That's why I have the Nexus 4. No bloatware and other stuff to slow the OS down.

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by Ollie_h19

You know what I find amazing? Samsung is such a popular, impressive manufacturer, the smartphones are so amazing as to be a credible rival for the iPhone yet the software for it is slow, unreliable and clumsy.

Its odd isnt it?

Think a lot of software is quite poor from different companies...I know that I've never been impressed with software from different camera makers or even Logitech who I swear by their products but not keen on the software.