T-Mobile Galaxy S3 gets Jelly Bean Update ported from Sprint variant

The Samsung Galaxy S3 has already received/is receiving the official update to Android 4.1 – Jelly Bean in various parts of the world. However, the story is a bit different stateside, with Sprint being the only carrier which has pushed out the update over a week ago. Users on other major carriers like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile are still waiting anxiously to get Jelly Beaned.

However DocHoliday77, a senior member from XDA forums, decided to get busy while waiting around for T-Mobile to drop the update, and has created a port of the official Jelly Bean release from Sprint patched with the leaked UVDLI8 JB build for T-Mobile. His objective was to create a fast and stable build which would be at par with what T-Mobile will eventually release, and provide a fully-working, daily driver ROM to folks who just can’t wait for the official build to arrive.

DocHoliday77’s remixed ROM is pre-rooted, but is as close to Samsung stock as can be. Everything seems to be working fine and smoothly, except for two things – 1) TMO WiFi calling, which is not surprising considering this is a Sprint build for the most part and 2) 4G Reporting – 4G works just fine, but it’s just that the on-screen status icon says 3G. The dev has been able to confirm HSPA+ 21 speeds only, as he does not have +42 coverage in his area, but looks like that should work fine too.

Here’s how you can install the Sprint official JB release port on your T-Mobile Galaxy S3.

Compatibility

This guide below is compatible only and only with the T-Mobile Galaxy S3. It’s not compatible with any other variants of the Galaxy S3. Check your device’s model in Settings» About phone.

Warning!

The methods and procedures discussed here are considered risky and should not be attempted unless you know exactly what you’re doing. If any damage occurs to your device, we won’t be held liable.

How to Install the Official Sprint Jelly Bean Update on the T-Mobile Galaxy S3

  1. You need to be rooted, and have Clockworkmod recovery installed. You can root your device as well as install CWM recovery by referring to this handy guide here.
  2. This method will work best if you wipe data, so backup all your apps, data and settings.  Backup your Apps and important data — bookmarks, contacts, SMS, APNs (internet settings), etc. This Android backup guide would help you. Also make a backup of the files on your internal storage. External storage (microSD) will not be affected in any way.
  3. Download the ROM file to your PC.   Mirror 1  |   Mirror 2  Filename: T999_Sprint_VPBLJ7_Port3.zip
  4. Copy the T999_Sprint_VPBLJ7_Port3.zip file downloaded in Step 3 to the internal SD card on the phone. Do not extract the zip file, copy it as it is to the internal SD.
  5. Turn off the phone and boot into Clockworkmod recovery. To do so, hold down Volume Up, Home and then the Power buttons together until the screen turns on, then let them go. The phone will boot into recovery in a few seconds. In recovery, use the volume buttons to scroll up/down and the home button to select an option
  6. Perform a Nandroid Backup of your existing ROM, so that you can always restore it from recovery if something does not work out with this ROM. To perform a backup, select Backup and Restore –> On the next screen, select Backup again. Go back to main recovery menu after backup is complete
  7. Select wipe data/factory reset, then select Yes on next screen to confirm. Wait a while till the data wipe is complete.
  8. Now Select Wipe Cache Partition, and then Yes-Wipe on the next screen. Once done, select Advanced from the main menu, then scroll to Wipe Dalvik cache, and confirm the wipe on the next screen.
  9. Go back to the main menu and Select Install zip from sdcard, then select choose zip from sdcard. Scroll to the T999_Sprint_VPBLJ7_Port3.zip file you copied to the SD card in Step 4 and select it. Confirm installation by selecting Yes – Install T999_Sprint_VPBLJ7_Port3.zip on the next screen. The ROM will start installing.
  10. After the ROM finishes installing, select Go back and then select Reboot system now to reboot the phone into Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean

If you’re on T-Mobile and can’t wait any longer for the official update to arrive, you may want to try this out. And if you like it, don’t forget to visit DocHoliday77’s thread on XDA and thank him for his great work.