Debrand Galaxy s3...

[Anonymous]

Is their any (easy) way to debrand the s3, ie remove the splash screen and start to receive OTA updates in the unbranded batch rather than the o2 batch?

[version7point0]

Hi LogicCS.

You can de-brand the device but in doing so will void your warranty - make a backup of your current ROM and / or read up on how to reset your ROM counter and reflash the stock O2 ROM.

There are lots of great sites out there on how to achieve this, start at xda developers.

OTA updates are set by your phones serial number if I recall correctly, meaning no matter how good
you are at making your phone a similar to the standard S3 it is still logged as an O2 branded one, therefore you may find yourself not getting updates at all.

Hope this helps.

[MI5]

That's the Official O2 response

O2 won't touch you if you attempt a warranty claim but Samsung won't bother as long as you flash the generic BTU firmware from www.sammobile.com Flash counter will not increase either as only custom ROMS effect this. You need to download the firmware from Sammobile and Odin and read the guides. Its easy once you've done it once. Sammobile will always list the firmware updates first so you'll never have to wait again.

[version7point0]

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@MI5 wrote:
That's the Official O2 response

O2 won't touch you if you attempt a warranty claim but Samsung won't bother as long as you flash the generic BTU firmware from www.sammobile.com Flash counter will not increase either as only custom ROMS effect this. You need to download the firmware from Sammobile and Odin and read the guides. Its easy once you've done it once. Sammobile will always list the firmware updates first so you'll never have to wait again.

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Lol, yeah you caught me there.

There are some great support tools<<<<triangle.away>>>>>available on the android app market and for a small amount of cash you can reverse the process, or so ive heared.

[macblank]

hmmmmmm

it was only a few months ago, O2, unlocked my SGS3 to use on any network?

[MI5]

O2 will still unlock your S3 but unlocking is not the same as debranding....

[Anonymous]

think i might just wait till this contract us up then move over to nexus... I just love dem updates  

[MI5]

Just flash it with Odin (but get unlock code first). It won't effect anything and no one will ever know as you will still be on stock Sammy firmware.... 4.2.1 has just been leaked for the S3 too

[Anonymous]

stop tempting me m15, I am trying so hard to resist!

If the 4.2.1 firmware has been leaked, does that mean it will eventually reach the s3 by official means anyway?

[MI5]

It will be but not until the S4 is released.