Help Galaxy S3- Problems reinstalling deleted apk files

[Jfalls63]

Reflashing the firmware should have returned you to fresh out of the box condition. The data you restored with Kies should be the only thing added.
Rooting is not for everyone depending upon what you are trying to accomplish. To get rid of/disable bloat so you don't see it or have it pester you for updates or run in the background, I would recommend Package Disabler Pro from the Play Store.
Its a paid app but worth the low price. It works as a device administrator to disable apps that normally you can't through the app manager.
It has a automatic option that will take care of most bloat with one click.
Also the ability to let you disable or enable things as needed.
Glad you got it sorted, happy to help.

 

[Madmax22]

It's not completely returned to fresh out the box condition. The alarm app still doesn't work (yesterday I deleted the alarm apk ((clockpackage.apk)) by mistake, then downloaded it again off a website, but it wouldn't open. Perhaps I downloaded a bad/incorrect version and that's affecting things).
I also no longer get the choose if I want to open pdfs with pdf viewer or polaris. It just opens in Polaris. I may have deleted an apk that allows pdf viewer to work.

But I'm very happy that everything else is working.

For now I'll leave the phone as it is. If I decide to root it in a week's time or so then I'll post here again to find the best way of going about it. Otherwise I'll download Package Disabler Pro.

 

[Madmax22]

"On another note- Yesterday when trying to retrieve my deleted apk files, I used a programme called EaseUS mobilsaver. I quit the process half way through, after reading bad reviews. But as the software scanned my phone, it brought up around 1800 images that I have previously deleted and can no longer see on the phone. Is it possible that these are still on the phone, and can I permanently delete them and other information in order to improve my phone's performance?"

Do you have any tips for this?

 

[Jfalls63]

Images/ pictures should be found in the DCIM folder. Try looking for it with the stock file manager. If images are still there, see if you have option to delete.

 

[Madmax22]

Oh and I just thought, with regards to it being fresh out of the box- All of the apps that I downloaded after rooting the phone are still on the phone now, and the settings (ring phone, screen lock etc) were as I had set them to be, not as they are when the phone is brand new. Does this sound strange?

 

[Jfalls63]

If you have things set to backup to your Google account, they will restore automatically when you log back in during setup.
You should have a option when setting up the device.
Could also be results of what you backed up and restored with Kies.

 

[Slug]

OH MY GOD it actually worked!!!

Of course it did. @Jfalls63 is an officially-certified genius.

With regards to rooting again, I'm open to the idea, but I wonder if it's necessary/recommended for someone like me? It would be nice if my phone ran as well as possible, with less lag, no bloats and improved battery power.

There's a dedicated sub-forum here devoted to rooting the Galaxy S3. Have a read of the various stickies and FAQs in the Root - Samsung Galaxy S3 forum to get an idea of what's involved.

I used a programme called EaseUS mobilsaver. I quit the process half way through, after reading bad reviews. But as the software scanned my phone, it brought up around 1800 images that I have previously deleted and can no longer see on the phone. Is it possible that these are still on the phone, and can I permanently delete them and other information in order to improve my phone's performance?

They're still on the phone in the sense that the file data still exists, but as you have already deleted them then the space they occupy will be overwritten as required. That's how file deletion works - the storage blocks used by deleted files are marked as "available" and reused.

 

[Madmax22]

Thanks again. I'm very grateful! It's people like you that make the world a better place. Sharing your knowledge without wanting anything in return

No more questions from me for now.