It is nothing but pain for Samsung Galaxy S3 users after learning that they have been cut-off from receiving any further software updates from the device manufacturer. This means that the users will have to co-exist with the many bugs in the S3 until the end of time.
Well, that seems to be the case until OmniROM came out to give S3 users a second chance at getting their devices fixed. The team of independent developers had just created a custom Android 4.4 KitKat ROM for the S3 GT-i9300 variants.
Of course, installing the ROM will require the S3 users to root their device. While it may be a long and stressful process, the reward is an operating system that is free of bugs and glitches. Although, OmniROM did give a warning whereby the KitKat OS has two issues and they are a malfunctionaing camera app and choppy video playback.
If you are a Galaxy S3 GT-i9300 user and don’t mind the issue, you can refer to the installation guide below.
Pre-requisite
1. Use the Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-I9300 international model only. Flashing this with other variants may cause unforeseen consequences.
2. Root the smartphone and install the ClockworkMod Touch 6.0.32 or later on your Galaxy S3.
3. Create a backup of all your personal information, settings and data files stored on the Galaxy S3. Perform a manual backup instead of using the Samsung Kies PC suite.
4. Make sure that battery life is at least 50 percent to avoid power interruption during the flash.
5. Enable USB debugging mode on your smartphone. Go to ‘Settings > Applications > Development > USB ‘debugging’ or ‘Settings’ > Developer Options > USB ‘debugging.’
6. Install all necessary USB drivers on your computer for the Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-I9300.
7. Download the OmniROM 4.4 and PA Gapps to your computer.
Flashing Instructions
1. Connect your Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-I9300 to the computer using a USB cable.
2. Copy the OmniROM 4.4 and PA Gapps then paste it on the SD card of your Galaxy S3. Do not extract the zip files.
3. Disconnect the smartphone then switch it off.
4. Reboot into recovery mode by pressing and holding ‘volume up + home + power’ keys at the same time until the Samsung logo appears.
5. You may use touch controls or hard keys to navigate inside the recovery mode.
6. Perform an Android backup of the current ROM used by Galaxy S3. Select ‘backup and restore > backup’ to save the ROM. You may restore it anytime you wish.
7. Install the firmware and Google apps by selecting ‘install zip from SD card > choose zip from SD card > look for the OmniROM 4.4 you have pasted earlier > confirm installation.’ Apply the same method with the PA Gapps.
8. After the installation, go back to the main menu then select ‘wipe data/factory reset.’
9. Reboot your device by selecting ‘reboot system now.’ Wait up to five minutes for your Galaxy S3 to reach the home screen.
Congratulations! Your Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-I9300 is now running the latest Android 4.4 KitKat OS with the help of OmniROM 4.4.
In case the device goes on boot loop, reboot into recovery mode then perform the following:
– ‘wipe data/factory reset’
– ‘wipe cache partition’
– ‘advanced > wipe Dalvik cache’
– ‘install zip from SD card
– ‘reboot system now’
If the update has gone to plan you will now be running KitKat on your device.
