Samsung Galaxy S3 Problems

waynegalway

kaimera wrote: »

betterbatterystats.

search xda for the free apk

see what's causing the battery drain.

Got that, and its mostly a media server wake lock that seems to be doing the damage. One thing finding out what's doing it, but it's another thing completely to solve it.....

duploelabs

Vego wrote: »

the stock predictive text its utter garbage .

try swiftkey

acurno

waynegalway wrote: »

Got that, and its mostly a media server wake lock that seems to be doing the damage. One thing finding out what's doing it, but it's another thing completely to solve it.....

Knocked off Google now and that seems to have done some of the job.

Vego

had swift key then they wanted to charge .....i paid enough money for the phone ...and it was grand untill 2 updates ago !!! now when I try and spell anything with an "o" like now always comes out niw or giid ...WTF

Melion

For the last 2 days my phone has been freezing, honestly it froze at least 20 times yesterday. I had to take the battery out to get it back on again. It started again this morning but since turning off the Wifi connection it hasnt happened. Any ideas?

omar21cu

as mentioned previously my SIII problem with 3G connection (unable to reach internet) is sorted

the phone was bought from Dubai maybe this is the reason why its not reconizing the 3G networks configuration here in Ireland (my conclusion)

I tried everything last thing i was advised to do is contacting Lycamobile to send me the Network configuration file, applying it many times but no use!

I asked in Moore Street a Chinese guy told me i can fix that, and the only thing he did is modifying some details in the network carrier configuration (couldn't say what he did exactly) but just a code which he modified and DONE! the phone was working perfectly

certainty knowledge is POWER

moleary20

ronkmonster wrote: »

Yes mine started freezing in the last few weeks. Still happened after a factory reset and now after restarting phone today it doesn't get any further than boot logo

Mine is freezing constantly now as in a ridiculous amount of times per day at random different times, its an absolute disaster!!!

Vego

same here .....screen wont turn on buy led still blinking had a frozen screen today as well ....I havent downloaded any apps in the last 2 weeks so cant be them

touts

I had a problem with it freezing. I uninstalled some of the more recent apps I had installed. But that didnt seem to help. So I suspected it wad an app that had recently been updated in the backround. I looked at what RAM I had available and found it was little or nothing. So I looked at the apps that were running and uninstalled some of the apps that were starting by themselves even though I didnt use them (e.g. sky news). That seemed to help but not fully. I then went into developer options in the settings menu and tried limiting the number of running apps to 4 (the standard was unlimited). That helped a lot but after a while the system would reset it back to standard and the phone would start freezing again. FINALLY I set the option to immediately kill apps when I leave them. From what I can see it doesnt really kill them as I can still go back into them where I had left them BUT since I did that the phone is running much smoother again.

Thats my experience with fixing the freezing problem. Its possible that whatever was causing the problem was fixed by an automatic update in the background but either way I'm very happy with the S3 again for the last week or ten days since I did all that. I should probably add the same warning that was on the youtube video I watched about using the developer options. You mess with the developer options at your own risk.

PogMoThoin

Killing apps immediately is completely going against the way Android works. Do a factory reset, if you still have problems you have a hardware fault.

moleary20

PogMoThoin wrote: »

Killing apps immediately is completely going against the way Android works. Do a factory reset, if you still have problems you have a hardware fault.

This is prob a stupid q but if i do a factory reset will i lose all my apps etc??

Riesen_Meal

moleary20 wrote: »

This is prob a stupid q but if i do a factory reset will i lose all my apps etc??

Of course, but did you back up your Google account to your phone?

It should just reinstall everything if ya do....

PogMoThoin

moleary20 wrote: »

This is prob a stupid q but if i do a factory reset will i lose all my apps etc??

Yes, but they'll download again once you login if you have the setting "back upto Google account" selected. Also, back up your contacts to your Google account, there are plenty of videos online on how to do this

Knine

I did the factory reset and unfortunately I'm still having some freezing problems. Not near as severe as it was though.

PogMoThoin

Knine wrote: »

I did the factory reset and unfortunately I'm still having some freezing problems. Not near as severe as it was though.

Then you either need a format and re-partition or have a hardware fault, it's best you get that done under warranty

kenyard

Could be a specific app either. Facebook causes my phone to lag when it updates. No idea why.
When I reenable data I always get a few second lag.
Overclocked the phone now so it lasts much less

danniemcq

Anyone doing a factory reset and worried about losing apps/data use Carbon backup.

Its free, doesn't need root access and is very easy to use. it will save your save games or any data you have created in the app.

sham69

I have been having major battery problems since i got my phone.
Coming from an iphone (since 1st one launched) i thought I just need to get to grips with managing the battery.
I was barely getting a full day out of it.
I installed gsam battery monitor and have to say its helping me sort through my issues.
First thing I noticed was temple run 2 was eating the battery and didnt seem to close properly?
SInce i uninstalled that I am getting about a day out of it which is fine.
The only thing that is annoying me now is when I go to bed.
I leave it on the locker, turn the wifi off but I am losing about 20% in 10 hours or so?

It seems that "phone radio" is using nearly 20% and showing as 15 hours active?
Wifi active is showing 4:46:13 and held awake is the same?

I assume phone radio is 3g or something?
Can someone explain how I can save a bit more battery.
Many thanks
Sham.

danniemcq

a day is about usual for an s3 unless you have implimented some hefty battery saving options.

I recommend turn off wifi and your 3g/data connection.

even when you aren't using the 3g some apps will be (either looking for updates or feed updates or just sending stats to the app developer.

as for phone radio have you listened to the radio on the phone (stupid question i know but it like temple run might not have closed properly either) even if you accidently opened it and quickly closed it.

Are you just backing out of apps or using the home button?

for a lot of apps use the menu button in app and then choose exit

sham69

I never use the phone radio thats why I assumed it was something to do with the wifi or 3g aor something.

I usually back out of apps I suppose but then I will close them all by swiping once a few are open.
I will try turning the 3g and wifi off and see how I go.
Cheers for the advice.

darragh o meara

Im getting my hands on a S3 this week from the brother, He has had a problem with the microphone working intermittently, Is this a known issue?

The phone is still under warranty so was thinking of sending it back for repair however the glass has a crack on it> Does the crack invalidate the warranty?

irishpancake

sham69 wrote: »

I have been having major battery problems since i got my phone.
Coming from an iphone (since 1st one launched) i thought I just need to get to grips with managing the battery.
I was barely getting a full day out of it.
I installed gsam battery monitor and have to say its helping me sort through my issues.
First thing I noticed was temple run 2 was eating the battery and didnt seem to close properly?
SInce i uninstalled that I am getting about a day out of it which is fine.
The only thing that is annoying me now is when I go to bed.
I leave it on the locker, turn the wifi off but I am losing about 20% in 10 hours or so?

It seems that "phone radio" is using nearly 20% and showing as 15 hours active?
Wifi active is showing 4:46:13 and held awake is the same?

I assume phone radio is 3g or something?
Can someone explain how I can save a bit more battery.
Many thanks
Sham.

Hi sham

you need to do a bit of tweaking in Android to save Battery, like turning off Synchronisation, Notifications, use 2G instead of 3G until needed, allow phone to go into deep sleep mode at night, etc, etc.

I posted this before:

irishpancake wrote: »

Ahh yes K, but comparing apples with oranges, vis-à-vis Ancient Nokia vs Modern Android Smartphone...I think you would agree.:D

There are things ppl can do to prevent Battery Drain,

like turning of synchronisation in Google Gmail, G+, FB, and other apps

using 2g instead of 3g until you need 3g,

probably keeping GPS off until needed,

allowing phone to go into deep sleep at night,

Keep screen at low brightness in Display settings, don't use auto brightness setting

Most ROM's have easy access toggles to change these settings.

by auto turning off WiFi when screen goes off [going into Settings/WiFi/Advanced from menu/Keep WiFi on during sleep/ set to never]..... this setting should work, but on some custom ROM's does not....

so use Better Wifi On/Off.

It is very useful and is free.


Also, get CPUSpy+ App, free from XDA as a member....

CPUSpy+ XDA

Also, Better Battery Stats, also free from XDA as a member, but if you like, support the dev, buy it!!!

Better Battery Stats XDA


These tools will help find what is keeping your phone awake, and there is support from the devs.

So, if you like any or all of the above apps, do try to support the Devs.

Open for more suggestions!!!

There is also a relatively new App, Optimus Battery Saver free version....could also be worth a try....

but, no matter what you do, S3 will be Battery greedy with the Stock Battery, and the huge high quality screen, so 1 day is all I ever expect!!!

You can get Batteries with higher capacity, but they ruin the shape and feel, and not all are as good as advertised. [NFC is missing on some, and those with it are more expensive]

crazygeryy

lads i want to sell my samsung galaxy s phone to someone in england so i can buy a samsung s 3.will samsung galaxy s work for them in england?as in can you put a uk sim into it and will it work?
by the way its rooted unlocked etc etc

thanks.

Meesared

Yep, it will work fine, given its unlocked

James Forde

Anyone here having experience with "sudden death syndrome"

Phone randomly turning off and or freezing?

WexIan

Hi, need some help please. Recently bought an unlocked S3 and am unable to update to JellyBean either through Kies or OTA. It is running 4.0.4.
Baseband version: 19300XXLE8
Build number: IMM76D.19300XXALE8
CSC: 19300XAALE8 KOR
Thanks

Sitec

My Gmail phonebook won't sync, when I try and sync it in phonebook nothing happens. Anyone come across this?

MonkstownHoop

the brightness on my screen randomly changes itself when locked, the screen will be very bright even though its set to low

whizbang

Battery will give me 2.5 days with stock bat saver settings, low brightness, wifi off.
Problem is in Email list view, brightness goes to minimum, almost impossible to read daytime, so i end up turning the brightness up, then i forget its up!

The real question: I have saved some files on the phone, as downloads, also saved from dropbox.
- where the hell are these files? (.txt .doc .pdf)

danniemcq

James Forde wrote: »

Anyone here having experience with "sudden death syndrome"

Phone randomly turning off and or freezing?

Is your data all backed up? if not do it now using either titanuim backup pro (needs root and either paid or free version) or Carbon backup (free and no need for root)

Did you get an update in january or so, about 40mb?

WexIan wrote: »

Hi, need some help please. Recently bought an unlocked S3 and am unable to update to JellyBean either through Kies or OTA. It is running 4.0.4.
Baseband version: 19300XXLE8
Build number: IMM76D.19300XXALE8
CSC: 19300XAALE8 KOR
Thanks

by unlocked do you mean you bought it from retailer unlocked or some guy?

you might be better getting the firmware from sammobile and using Odin to flash it yourself

Sitec wrote: »

My Gmail phonebook won't sync, when I try and sync it in phonebook nothing happens. Anyone come across this?

have you set it up in the settings to sync (silly question i know) but gotta rule out the obvious first

whizbang wrote: »

Battery will give me 2.5 days with stock bat saver settings, low brightness, wifi off.
Problem is in Email list view, brightness goes to minimum, almost impossible to read daytime, so i end up turning the brightness up, then i forget its up!

The real question: I have saved some files on the phone, as downloads, also saved from dropbox.
- where the hell are these files? (.txt .doc .pdf)

you can access them in the dropbox app and download them to your phone. some files are stored in sdcard0/android/com.dropbox.android but probably not the ones you are looking for

WexIan

Thanks danniemcg, yes phone bought privately (methinks I may have been sold a pup) and no info found on SamMobile

danniemcq

http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/1/

is the link you are looking for (i think, i'm at work so can't check site right on ie6)

Look for the correct OS for your phone by choosing make/model and carrier and you should get a download link,

Download the file and then apply it through Odin i believe.

I'll check later on if nobody else jumps in with an easier guide

Riesen_Meal

danniemcq wrote: »

http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/1/

is the link you are looking for (i think, i'm at work so can't check site right on ie6)

Look for the correct OS for your phone by choosing make/model and carrier and you should get a download link,

Download the file and then apply it through Odin i believe.

I'll check later on if nobody else jumps in with an easier guide

Just looking through these for a friend, he is an Emobile customer and there is no dropdown for them - should I use a UK BTU Firmware? I think thats sim free firmware, which his phone is, any ideas?

EDIT - It's cool - found this one which should sort out his issues - http://androidadvices.com/xxellc-galaxy-s-3-jellybean-4-1-2-firmware/

Sitec

danniemcq wrote: »

have you set it up in the settings to sync (silly question i know) but gotta rule out the obvious first

Yep it's set up for sync but just doesn't sync at all

sham69

irishpancake wrote: »

Hi sham

you need to do a bit of tweaking in Android to save Battery, like turning off Synchronisation, Notifications, use 2G instead of 3G until needed, allow phone to go into deep sleep mode at night, etc, etc.

I posted this before:



There is also a relatively new App, Optimus Battery Saver free version....could also be worth a try....

but, no matter what you do, S3 will be Battery greedy with the Stock Battery, and the huge high quality screen, so 1 day is all I ever expect!!!

You can get Batteries with higher capacity, but they ruin the shape and feel, and not all are as good as advertised. [NFC is missing on some, and those with it are more expensive]

Thanks , turned off wifi and 3g before going to bed and woke up with 75% battery from yesterday last charge at 4:30pm.
Happy enough now,
I know the screen is a bit of a hog but expected to get a day out if it.
Now that I know what to turn off and when i will easily get 1.5 days out of it.
Thanks all for the tips and advice.
Sham

thekooman

James Forde wrote: »

Anyone here having experience with "sudden death syndrome"

Phone randomly turning off and or freezing?

im experiencing this as well. did a factory reset 2 weeks ago and it happened once up until today and then it happened twice this morning. have it hold down the power button for 10 seconds to reset it. am on v 4.1.2 of android. Think im going to leave it back to Vodafone once i get my nano sim adapter off ebay. it only started happening since end of Jan / begin of Feb.

elderlemon

that's not the "sudden death" problem - your phone will simply not wake up ever as the motherboard dies.

thekooman wrote: »

im experiencing this as well. did a factory reset 2 weeks ago and it happened once up until today and then it happened twice this morning. have it hold down the power button for 10 seconds to reset it. am on v 4.1.2 of android. Think im going to leave it back to Vodafone once i get my nano sim adapter off ebay. it only started happening since end of Jan / begin of Feb.

thekooman

elderlemon wrote: »

that's not the "sudden death" problem - your phone will simply not wake up ever as the motherboard dies.

um ok... well "Phone randomly turning off and or freezing?" its doing so.

danniemcq

elderlemon wrote: »

that's not the "sudden death" problem - your phone will simply not wake up ever as the motherboard dies.

they were the symtoms before mine died

danniemcq

Fieldog wrote: »

Just looking through these for a friend, he is an Emobile customer and there is no dropdown for them - should I use a UK BTU Firmware? I think thats sim free firmware, which his phone is, any ideas?

EDIT - It's cool - found this one which should sort out his issues - http://androidadvices.com/xxellc-galaxy-s-3-jellybean-4-1-2-firmware/

yeah that should work fine and also the meteor firmware i think would work too

WexIan

Hi thanks for info, but I am not techie to do this. Where could I bring phone to get update done?

danniemcq

WexIan wrote: »

Hi thanks for info, but I am not techie to do this. Where could I bring phone to get update done?

any techie friends?

honestly its not that hard to do there are several places online with full instructions.

• Download and install Odin on your computer.
• Download and install KIES for getting the proper drivers for your device.
• From here download the update file on your computer.
• Extract the update file and on your computer open Odin.
• Turn off the Galaxy S3 and reboot in download mode.
• For download mode press and hold Home, Power, and Volume Down buttons at the same time.
• Connect the handset with the computer via USB cord.
• Once the devices are connected, on Odin the “added” message should be displayed, and the ID:COM section should be yellow.
• If not re-install the drivers on the computer and redo the above steps.
• From Odin select “PDA” and pick the update file.
• Don’t make any other changes on Odin; just click on “Start”.
• In the end, the “pass” messages should be displayed.
• Also, the phone will reboot meaning that you can finally unplug the USB cord as you are done.

from

http://www.android.gs/update-galaxy-s3-official-android-4-1-2-jelly-bean-xxellc/

another guide

http://androidadvices.com/xxellc-galaxy-s-3-jellybean-4-1-2-firmware/

WexIan

Thanks danniemcq will give it a try:)

danniemcq

WexIan wrote: »

Thanks danniemcq will give it a try:)

welcome to the world of customization!

you'll be rooted and rommed before you know it!

just ensure that you always use stuff suited for the i9300 international versions otherwise you might run into issues! Remember there is always a very minor chance something could go wrong but android users are always here to help!

dcr22B

The GPS on my S3 seems to be not working at the moment.

Have tried switching it on and switching it off, any other suggestions?

dcr22B

Simple solution to the problem, switch phone off and back on again! :rolleyes::P

danniemcq

dcr22B wrote: »

The GPS on my S3 seems to be not working at the moment.

Have tried switching it on and switching it off, any other suggestions?

by not working do you mean not turning on, not finding a signal or not being accurate?

dcr22B

danniemcq wrote: »

by not working do you mean not turning on, not finding a signal or not being accurate?

Just wouldn't find a signal.

All sorted now.

kenyard

Ah the good ole turn the phone off and then back on fix. Works a charm

darragh o meara

Does anyone know if either the following invalidates the warranty?

Cracked screen, not bad enough to be a problem in fact they are barely visible looking at the screen.
It was rooted briefly to unlock it while I was waiting for an unlock code, Its now back in an un-rooted condition.