How to Downgrade Verizon Galaxy S3 SCH-I535 to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean [Back To Stock]

STOCK FIRMWARE INFO
Firmware Version I535VRBMF1
Android Version Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2
Is this Official? Yes!
Release Date June 2013
Credits SamMobile

  WARNING!

Warranty may be void of your device if you follow the procedures given on this page.

You only are responsible for your device. We won’t be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components.

  VERIZON GALAXY S3 SCH-I535 OFFICIAL JELLY BEAN 4.1.2 FIRMWARE

Before you begin with guide instructions below, make sure your android device is adequately charged — at least 50% battery of the device.

  STEP 0: CHECK DEVICE MODEL NO.

To make sure your device is eligible with this, you must first confirm its model no. in ‘About device’ option under Settings. Another way to confirm model no. is by looking for it on the packaging box of your device. It must be SCH-I535!

Do not use the procedures discussed here on any other Galaxy S3 (including the Galaxy S3 variant at T-Mobile, US-Cellular, AT&T, Verizon and other International variants) or any other device of Samsung or any other company. You have been warned!

  STEP 1: BACKUP YOUR DEVICE

Back up important data and stuff before you start playing around here as there are chances you might lose your apps and app-data (app settings, game progress, etc.), and in rare case, files on the internal memory, too.

For help on Backup and Restore, check out our exclusive page on that linked right below.

► ANDROID BACK UP AND RESTORE GUIDE: APPS AND TIPS

  STEP 2: INSTALL LATEST DRIVER

You must have proper and working driver installed on your windows computer to be able to successfully flash stock firmware on your Verizon Galaxy S3. In case you’re not sure, follow the link below for a definitive guide for installing driver for your Galaxy S3 on your computer.

► SAMSUNG GALAXY S3 DRIVERS INSTALLATION GUIDE

   STEP 3: INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

  DOWNLOADS

Download the Odin zip file and firmware file given below. Transfer both Odin and firmware file to a separate folder on your computer just to keep things tidy.

  ODIN ZIP FILE

DOWNLOAD LINK | File name: Latest Odin3 v3.09.zip (951 KB)

  FIRMWARE ZIP FILE

DOWNLOAD LINK | File name: I535VRBMF1_I535VZWBMF1_VZW.zip (798.7MB)

  STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

  Example video: If you haven’t used Odin before to install a stock firmware or anything else, then we suggest you first watch a video of that to get familiar with the process. The video demonstrates flashing of CWM Recovery on Galaxy S3, but since the procedure is same for flashing stock firmware also, the video will help: Click here to watch the video

Important Note: Backup important files stored on internal SD card of your device, so that in case a situation arises requiring you to do a factory reset after flashing stock firmware, which might delete internal sd card too, your files will remain safe on PC.

  1. Extract/Unzip the Odin zip file, Latest Odin3 v3.09.zip on your computer (using 7-zip free software, preferably) to get this file: Odin3 v3.09.exe
  2. Extract/Unzip the Firmware zip file, I535VRBMF1_I535VZWBMF1_VZW.zip on your computer (using 7-zip free software, preferably) to get this file: KIES_HOME_I535VRBMF1_1152558_REV09_user_low_ship.tar.md5
  3. Move the firmware file, KIES_HOME_I535VRBMF1_1152558_REV09_user_low_ship.tar.md5, in the same folder in which you extracted Latest Odin3 v3.09.zip (Just for your convenience, that is). So, now you’ll have the following files in that folder:
    • Odin3 v3.09.exe
    • KIES_HOME_I535VRBMF1_1152558_REV09_user_low_ship.tar.md5
  4. Disconnect the Verizon Galaxy S3 from PC if it is connected.
  5. Double-click the Odin3 v3.09.exe file to open Odin.
  6. Boot your Verizon Galaxy S3 into Download Mode:
    • Power off your phone first and wait for 6-7 seconds after display is off
    • Press and hold these 3 buttons together until you see Warning! screen: Volume Down + Power + Home
    • Press Volume Up now to continue to Download Mode
      galaxy-s3-download-mode
  7. Connect your Galaxy S3 to PC. Odin window will show an Added!! message in bottom left box. Odin’s screen would look like this:
    Odin 3.09 - Samsung-Galaxy-Odin-Device-Added-Screenshot
    If you don’t get the Added! message, here are some troubleshooting tips:
    • Make sure you have installed driver for Galaxy S3 as said above in ‘Before you begin..’ section.
    • If you have already installed driver, then uninstall them and re-install back.
    • Connect using a different USB port on your PC.
    • Try a different USB cable. The original cable that came with your phone should work best, if not, try any other cable that’s new and of good quality.
    • Reboot phone and PC and then try again.
  8. Load the firmware file (extracted in Step 1) into Odin as instructed below:
    • Click on the AP button on Odin and select the KIES_HOME_I535VRBMF1_1152558_REV09_user_low_ship.tar.md5 file (from step 1). Your Odin window should look like the screenshot below:
      Verizon Galaxy S3 stock fw odin
  9. Now in the Option section of Odin, make sure that Re-Partition box is unchecked. (Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time boxes remain checked, while all other boxes remain unchecked.)
  10. Double check the above two steps.
  11. Click the Start button to begin flashing stock firmware on your Verizon Galaxy S3 SCH-I535, and wait until you see a PASS! message in Odin’s top left box.
  12. When you get PASS! message, your phone will restart automatically. You can then disconnect your phone from PC.
    Odin 3.09 - Samsung-Galaxy-Odin-PASS-screenshot

If you see FAIL message instead of the PASS in Odin’s top left box, that’s a problem. Try this now: disconnect your Galaxy S3 from PC, close Odin, remove phone’s battery and put it back inside in 3-4 seconds, open Odin and then repeat from Step 3 of this guide again.

Also, If device is Stuck at setup connection or on any other process, then too, try this: disconnect your S3 from PC, close Odin, remove phone’s battery and put it back inside in 3-4 seconds, open Odin and then repeat from Step 3 of this guide again.

FEEDBACK US!

It was easy to downgrade your Verizon Galaxy S3 to stock Jelly Bean 4.1.2, right? Let us know in comments below.

Your suggestions and queries, if any, are most welcomed!

31 Comments

  1. Hi, When Following this guide, I get the fail over and over. Everything I have tried doesn’t work. Could I get some help with this?

    1. Did Odin show FAIL or PASS? Are you on Android 4.3? If on 4.3, you can’t downgrade because of the KNOX security.

    2. It showed fail. I guess it’s because I’m on 4.3 Will there possibly be a work around soon?

    3. Ya.. 4.3 doesn’t downgrade to 4.1.2. Blame KNOX! Will let you know if we find a way thru it. Sure. Why you looking to downgrade, btw?

    4. Mostly because I wanted to get a custom Rom. Thinking that KNOX only kept from installing a custom Rom. Tell me if a bypass is made.

    5. Hey, just found this:http://www.w0lfdroid.com/2013/12/Safe-Root-Android-4.3-Galaxy-S3-S4-Note-No-Warranty-Void.html
      I was able to get my phone rooted and install CMW recovery via Rom Manager, but when I go to recovery I get an error message saying System software no authorized by Verizon Wireless has been found on your phone. It won’t let me do anything from there.

    6. Yes, Installing Root is possible and easy, despite of KNOX. Though, KNOX gets triggered and warranty is broken. But, recovery is an issue. You need safestrap recovery for your Verizon S3. Normal way (via ROM Manager), it won’t work.

  2. Hi, When Following this guide, I get the fail over and over. Everything I have tried doesn’t work. Could I get some help with this?

    1. Did Odin show FAIL or PASS? Are you on Android 4.3? If on 4.3, you can’t downgrade because of the KNOX security.

      1. It showed fail. I guess it’s because I’m on 4.3 Will there possibly be a work around soon?

        1. Ya.. 4.3 doesn’t downgrade to 4.1.2. Blame KNOX! Will let you know if we find a way thru it. Sure. Why you looking to downgrade, btw?

          1. Mostly because I wanted to get a custom Rom. Thinking that KNOX only kept from installing a custom Rom. Tell me if a bypass is made.

          2. Hey, just found this:http://www.w0lfdroid.com/2013/12/Safe-Root-Android-4.3-Galaxy-S3-S4-Note-No-Warranty-Void.html
            I was able to get my phone rooted and install CMW recovery via Rom Manager, but when I go to recovery I get an error message saying System software no authorized by Verizon Wireless has been found on your phone. It won’t let me do anything from there.

          3. Yes, Installing Root is possible and easy, despite of KNOX. Though, KNOX gets triggered and warranty is broken. But, recovery is an issue. You need safestrap recovery for your Verizon S3. Normal way (via ROM Manager), it won’t work.

  3. Hi, When Following this guide, I get the fail over and over. Everything I have tried doesn’t work. Could I get some help with this?

    1. Did Odin show FAIL or PASS? Are you on Android 4.3? If on 4.3, you can’t downgrade because of the KNOX security.

      1. It showed fail. I guess it’s because I’m on 4.3 Will there possibly be a work around soon?

        1. Ya.. 4.3 doesn’t downgrade to 4.1.2. Blame KNOX! Will let you know if we find a way thru it. Sure. Why you looking to downgrade, btw?

          1. Mostly because I wanted to get a custom Rom. Thinking that KNOX only kept from installing a custom Rom. Tell me if a bypass is made.

          2. Hey, just found this:http://www.w0lfdroid.com/2013/12/Safe-Root-Android-4.3-Galaxy-S3-S4-Note-No-Warranty-Void.html
            I was able to get my phone rooted and install CMW recovery via Rom Manager, but when I go to recovery I get an error message saying System software no authorized by Verizon Wireless has been found on your phone. It won’t let me do anything from there.

          3. Yes, Installing Root is possible and easy, despite of KNOX. Though, KNOX gets triggered and warranty is broken. But, recovery is an issue. You need safestrap recovery for your Verizon S3. Normal way (via ROM Manager), it won’t work.

  4. If you attempt to flash anything other than the stock 4.3 firmware after taking the OTA update you will brick your phone. Period. The bootloader is protected and even though you can flash and it will look like everything is ok, on the first reboot the system will lock you out. Flashing blows an internal Qualcomm fuse and when the system boots it checks that fuse.
    Good fuse = reboot into phones OS.
    Bad fuse = terrorist attack on your phone and Knox kicks in.

  5. If you attempt to flash anything other than the stock 4.3 firmware after taking the OTA update you will brick your phone. Period. The bootloader is protected and even though you can flash and it will look like everything is ok, on the first reboot the system will lock you out. Flashing blows an internal Qualcomm fuse and when the system boots it checks that fuse.
    Good fuse = reboot into phones OS.
    Bad fuse = terrorist attack on your phone and Knox kicks in.

  6. If you attempt to flash anything other than the stock 4.3 firmware after taking the OTA update you will brick your phone. Period. The bootloader is protected and even though you can flash and it will look like everything is ok, on the first reboot the system will lock you out. Flashing blows an internal Qualcomm fuse and when the system boots it checks that fuse.
    Good fuse = reboot into phones OS.
    Bad fuse = terrorist attack on your phone and Knox kicks in.

  7. Hey how to downgrade samsung galaxy s3 sch i535 kitkat to jelly bean.

  8. Hey how to downgrade samsung galaxy s3 sch i535 kitkat to jelly bean.

  9. Hey how to downgrade samsung galaxy s3 sch i535 kitkat to jelly bean.

  10. hi how to install a costum rom in sch-i535 4.4.2 kitkat using safestrape?

    1. No need safe traps for 4.4.2 …just download 4.4.2 offical stock rom and boom it through odin in ap simple…

  11. hi how to install a costum rom in sch-i535 4.4.2 kitkat using safestrape?

    1. No need safe traps for 4.4.2 …just download 4.4.2 offical stock rom and boom it through odin in ap simple…

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