Hello all, I created this thread to give everyone that is just now getting around to taking advantage of their devices, a chance to do it right the first time. I'm a huge advocate of reading up on the entire rooting/flashing process and I'm assuming that you have done so before you even thought about proceeding. This is not meant to be a thread where I have done all the homework for you. If you come across an acronym or process and you don't know what it means or how to apply it, please study up before you continue. Know what you're doing. Know what device you have. Know you and your devices limits.
If followed correctly, this thread can be a very useful tool. It's purpose is simply to bring together all the processes, via their XDA links, for safely and (hopefully) flawlessly making the most out of your device. These steps are listed in the order in which they should be completed. The intent is to seamlessly backup, and root, leaving as little room for error as possible. All steps are assuming you have backed up your contacts, pictures, videos, etc. I do not take credit for any of this material or it's information. This is all the hard work of good people that I have simply brought together in one location. Cheers!
If followed correctly, this thread can be a very useful tool. It's purpose is simply to bring together all the processes, via their XDA links, for safely and (hopefully) flawlessly making the most out of your device. These steps are listed in the order in which they should be completed. The intent is to seamlessly backup, and root, leaving as little room for error as possible. All steps are assuming you have backed up your contacts, pictures, videos, etc. I do not take credit for any of this material or it's information. This is all the hard work of good people that I have simply brought together in one location. Cheers!
**WARNING!** All information and attached links are for the I747 and I747M ONLY! No one here is responsible for bricking your device. Proceed at your own risk. Ready. Set. Go!
STEP 1: Backing up your IMEI/EFS/NV
Having a corrupt IMEI can be a real pain. It seems to happen randomly to flashaholics, and having the radio go down on a cell phone really defeats the purpose of owning a cell phone. Thankfully it is not a problem that is overly common. Unfortunately, it does still happen. Since it is simplest to be on stock for this attached method, I have listed it as step number 1.
STEP 2: Rooting your device
For those of you who want to get most out of your Galaxy S3, you will certainly want to root it. Rooting your I747 gives you lots of benefits like full control over your phone, ability to install custom ROMs, and much, much more...that's why you're here right now reading this. You want it all.
STEP 3: Installing a custom recovery
A recovery image is the system level software for your Android that lets you perform several maintenance and recovery tasks. The stock recovery image is quite limited in what it allows you to do and therefore, flashing a custom recovery image is required to gain full control of your device’s administration. A custom recovery image allows you to perform the following tasks:
- Wipe your phone’s data (Factory reset) and cache,
- Make, restore and manage backups of your phone’s operating system and sotware.
- Mount, unmount and format your phone’s internal as well as external storage partitions.
- Install a custom ROM or application from a zip file to your phone,
- Wipe Dalvik cache and battery statistics, and
- Make logs for error reporting and debugging.
The 2 most common custom recoveries are listed here. Everyone has a preference but they both work well. Take your pick and download from the Play Store.
**ClockworkMod (CWM)**
1. Open Rom Manager and tap on Flash ClockworkMod Recovery option in the app.
2. You’ll be asked to select your device, select your device name.
3. As soon as you select the model, it should begin installing the recovery.
4. When it has done installing the recovery, you will get a message for the same on your screen.
*Note: I do not recommend Rom Manager as a tool to do anything but just install and update ClockworkMod Recovery Do not flash ROMs from Rom Manager.
**Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP)**
1. Once the download is complete launch Goo Manager.
2. On the top right of the screen there is the “options” menu.
3. Tap on options.
4. Then, click or choose the “Install OpenRecovery Script” option.
5. Select “yes” on the prompts that will follow.
Now, the app will download and install TWRP Recovery on your S3
STEP 4: Making a Backup (Nandroid)
Making a nandroid will allow you to try out new ROMs while still keeping a safe backup in the event you experience issues during or after the OS installation.
1. Power off your device.
2. Press and hold Volume Up + Home + Power buttons at the same time.
3. Release power button when you see Samsung logo.
4. You are now in custom recovery.
5. Go to backup and restore with Volume Up / Down buttons.
6. Select Backup with Power button.
7. After backup finished, select reboot system now.
STEP 5: Flashing a custom ROM
- A stock ROM is the version of the phone's operating system that comes with your phone when you buy it. There are also stock TouchWiz-based ROMs that have been debloated and tweaked but still generally retain the original look and feel.
- A custom ROM is a fully standalone version of the OS, including the kernel (which makes everything run), apps, services, etc - everything you need to operate the device, except it's customized by someone in some way. So what does the "customized" part mean? Since Android is open source, developers are free to take stock ROMs, modify them, strip them of garbage, optimize them, add things, and pretty much do whatever their imagination and skills allow. We, Android users, benefit greatly. Be sure to thank a developer.