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Help Installing English Android OS

E

Eldy

Newbie
I purchased a Samsung Galaxy S3 off Ebay and it was a French product. Never had any problems with it but recently had a software update to version 4.04. It has now installed a few french apps which i have disabled but cant get rid off.

Is there anyway I can install the English OS to this phone?
 
Thanks for your reply is the only way to do it by rooting my phone then? Can't I download it legally?
 
Flashing firmware with Odin won't root your phone. It is done using the same procedure but the firmware is official stock and won't increase your flash counter.
 
Sorry I don't really understand as all this is new to me. It would affect my warranty wouldn't it? Also can it mess your phone up and would I still get automatic updates to new software?
 
Eldy said:
Sorry I don't really understand as all this is new to me. It would affect my warranty wouldn't it? Also can it mess your phone up and would I still get automatic updates to new software?
Click to expand...

It's not technically the official way, but it works just the same. There is no 'official' way of doing what you want to do, as a Samsung rep will probably just tell you to buy one from the UK and return the French one.

Your warranty is still valid, you will not be rooted, and it's the stock Android that Samsung put on phones that they sold to the UK.
 
Looks quite tricky to do and does it take a long time? Also it won't mess my phone up will it?

Will it still automatically update new android software or will that still be French?
 
It looks more complicated than it actually is. If you read the instructions carefully and follow them to the letter it's safe enough. The long part is reading up on the procedure, once you have read and confident what you are doing and downloaded the firmware the actual installation should only take a few minutes.

You probably wouldn't get any updates automatically after so you would have to repeat the procedure when new firmware is released.
 
So if I install the latest 4.04 software will it over write the French version and get rid of the apps.

Also will I be able to install jelly bean in the same way when it's out for the galaxy. Sorry all the questions
 
No need to apologies for asking questions, it's what we're here for:)

Yes and yes. It will remove the French bloatware and you will be able to update to jellybean using the same procedure.
 
Ok cool thanks for all your help

Final question do I have to install the drivers? not sure what this kies is?
 
Kies is Samsung's own update program, although you won't be able to use it to upgrade your phone as it will recognise it as French so will only give you French firmware. You won't have to use kies after you have installed it you just need the drivers which get installed at the same time so Odin will recognise your phone.
 
Happy I found this thread, so I will stick my question here which is quite similar to Op question.

I bought my phone of Internet too and it's Korean Model. I want to get rid of Korean apps too so is it ok for me to flash unbranded international firmware to my phone or will it cause complications because of different model number? Thanks in advance :)
 
Thanks so the drivers automatically install with the firmware?

Do I just need to open the first link you sent and install the firmware then? What about the kernel and modem? Thanks for all your help so far
 
Darkax said:
Happy I found this thread, so I will stick my question here which is quite similar to Op question.

I bought my phone of Internet too and it's Korean Model. I want to get rid of Korean apps too so is it ok for me to flash unbranded international firmware to my phone or will it cause complications because of different model number? Thanks in advance :)
Click to expand...

Firmware for the international won't be compatible with the Korean version. If it's not possible to disable the apps using the built in application manager I think you will have to root and remove them manually.
 
Eldy said:
Thanks so the drivers automatically install with the firmware?

Do I just need to open the first link you sent and install the firmware then? What about the kernel and modem? Thanks for all your help so far
Click to expand...

You need to install the drivers to your pc before you flash the firmware. You can download them from the second link I gave you without having to install kies. So download the firmware to your pc from the first link and then follow the instructions in the second to install to your phone. You don't have to worry about the kernel and modem, it will be all inclusive in the firmware.
 
Think I got it then. So install the drivers from near the top of the second link Then download the English firmware which is at the top of the first link and install it using the instructions in the second link. This will overwrite the french version with the UK. Is that correct?

Can I do this on a mac?
 
Eldy said:
Think I got it then. So install the drivers from near the top of the second link Then download the English firmware which is at the top of the first link and install it using the instructions in the second link. This will overwrite the french version with the UK. Is that correct?

Can I do this on a mac?
Click to expand...

I'm afraid Odin is windows software, so you cannot do it on a mac. If you are on a windows pc, then yes, in theory you can obtain the drivers from the second link, although I have not downloaded those drivers from that source and cannot therefore vouch for them.

I would suggest, as has already been suggested, that you can install Kies which will automatically install the drivers you need.

Another way to obtain the drivers you need is to plug the phone into the windows pc, let it search online and install drivers. Remove from pc, turn on USB debugging in the phone, reconnect and let the pc find and install more drivers. And finally when you connect to the phone in download mode it will find and install the third set of drivers you need.

Or you can install Kies.

Shotgun84 said:
You won't have to use kies after you have installed it you just need the drivers which get installed at the same time so Odin will recognise your phone.
Click to expand...
 
Cool thanks I will just do it on my parents pc then. Where do I install kias from? The other poster said kias wouldn't work because my phone is French model.

Is the firmware listed at the top of the first link definitely the one I need?
 
You can download kies from here, however I'd say the drivers in the second link are legit as the guy who wrote the thread knows what he's talking about. Sorry I probably wasn't clear before. Kies would work with your phone if you wanted to upgrade to French firmware but it can't be used to install firmware from a different carrier or country.
http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/usefulsoftware/KIES/JSP

And yeah that's the firmware you need. It's the latest unbranded uk release.
 
Ok so don't meant round use kiers then as I want to get rid of the French firmware. I will just install the drivers at the top of the second link
 
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