This page describes how to install CWM recovery on all variants of SGS3 LTE. This is the first step to enable you to root and customize your phone. It is important that you carefully read these directions to reduce the risk of problems. Thanks to noobnl for this recovery image! Follow us on Google+ or Facebook for the latest development news! Join us in IRC Chat on Freenode channel #gs3-sprint.
Supported Phones
This recovery should theoretically work on all LTE variants of SGS3. Do not flash on other phones!
Supported Phones
This recovery should theoretically work on all LTE variants of SGS3. Do not flash on other phones!
- v5 tested on Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile, Rogers SGS3.
- If you test it on other SGS3 LTE variants, please let us know if it works for you.
Disclaimer
We are not affiliated with Sprint or Samsung. By using this software or following these instructions you run the risk of damaging your phone. We are not responsible for what you to to your phone. You may be violating the warranty.
**Important Note about exFAT
Team Epic's CWM cannot support exFAT. Read this page why, and how you can easily avoid this problem with a one-time conversion of your sdcard.
Upgrade Only - Using CWM Recovery to Upgrade CWM Recovery
Use this method if you already have a previous version of CWM and would like to upgrade. This is a CWM Recovery flashable zip, currently only supported for Sprint SGS3 devices.
Download
Install Fresh - Using Odin
Use this method if you are a new user with stock recovery, or are upgrading from a previous version on a Non-Sprint device.
Team Epic's CWM cannot support exFAT. Read this page why, and how you can easily avoid this problem with a one-time conversion of your sdcard.
Upgrade Only - Using CWM Recovery to Upgrade CWM Recovery
Use this method if you already have a previous version of CWM and would like to upgrade. This is a CWM Recovery flashable zip, currently only supported for Sprint SGS3 devices.
Download
Install Fresh - Using Odin
Use this method if you are a new user with stock recovery, or are upgrading from a previous version on a Non-Sprint device.
QBKing77's video demonstrates this first-time install method
Download
- CWM-Recovery-LTE-SGS3-v5.tar.md5 [1] [2]
- md5sum eee0df0af811b91630b1f2f088f082f1
- Changelog
- TODO list
- Fix backup datestamp.
- v5 released 7/9/2012
- Adds kexec support using source built Sprint kernel
- v4 released 6/30/2012
- Located the bug preventing /data/media from being exluded. The internal sdcard will no longer be included in nandroid backups, so you may freely use the space without creating excessively large backup files.
- v3 released 6/29/2012
- Rebuilt and backups re-tested
- Built from Sprint SGS3 binary kernel
- Adds volume key scrolling
- Adds support for external sdcards
- v1 released 6/22/2012
- Built from AT&T SGS3 I747UCALEM binary kernel.
- Samsung USB drivers for Windows
- Odin v3.04 [1] [2]
- md5sum a6e2cfce68b6caf91d29edbb888fa370
Currently the only way to flash the SGS3 is the Odin utility on Windows. Heimdall (for MacOS X and Linux) does not yet work on SGS3.
Step by Step Instructions
- Install USB driver on Windows.
- Put SGS3 into Download mode.
- Power off.
- Power on, immediately hold down Volume Down, Home and Power buttons until a Warning message appears. Press the Volume Up button to proceed.
- Unpack the Odin .zip and run Odin on Windows.
- Plug USB cable into phone and computer. If your drivers are setup properly, Odin should recognize the phone by turning the COM box on the left blue with a message "Added!!"
- Uncheck the Auto Reboot option.
- Click on PDA, select the CWM-Recovery-LTE-SGS3-v*.tar.md5 file.
- Click Start to begin flashing. If it succeeded the box on the left should turn green and say "PASS!"
- Unplug USB cable. Remove the battery to ensure power off.
- WARNING: Do not boot into Samsung's ROM without first applying our Root .zip. Samsung's OTA updates install /system/etc/install-recovery.sh and /system/recovery-from-boot.p, which cause Samsung's ROM to replace the recovery image you had just flashed with the stock recovery. Our Root .zip removes these files, thus preserving your custom recovery. Follow the directions below to boot directly into CWM recovery.
How to Boot into Recovery on SGS3
- Unplug USB cable.
- Power off. (Removing the battery is the best way to ensure complete power off.)
- Power on, immediately hold Volume Up, Home and Power buttons. Let go when you see tiny blue text near the top of the screen.
- In recovery you can flash new ROM's or customization to your current ROM. If your SGS3 is new, you may want to flash Team Epic's Root from Recovery tool, the easiest way to root the stock Samsung ROM.
Troubleshooting Odin
The #1 cause of Odin flash failures is a bad USB cable. USB cables that come with phones are often not good enough. It is hit or miss with retail USB cables, you might try two seemingly identical cables but only one consistently works. Find a USB cable that works for Odin and stick with it.
Installation Instructions
If you appreciate our work, please consider supporting Team Epic with a tiny contribution!
- Copy the CWM-Recovery-LTE-SGS3-Sprint-v*.zip to your phone's internal storage.
- Power off. (Removing the battery is the best way to ensure complete power off.)
- Power on, immediately hold Volume Up, Home and Power buttons. Let go when you see tiny blue text near the top of the screen.
- Flash CWM-Recovery-LTE-SGS3-Sprint-v*.zip.
Those drivers for the sprint one do not seem to allow ADB to work through recovery on the AT&T Variant. Couldn't even find them manually to install them.
ReplyDeleteOn my Japanese DoCoMo SGS3 it appears to work, but once it says "Booting Recovery...." then just loads the operating system.
ReplyDeleteWorks for me (AT&T). Works for people in this thread as well - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=27994793
ReplyDeleteWork for me on my Canadian Rogers Galaxy S3 LTE
ReplyDeleteI posted this in a few threads on xda, but the backup dates are all 1979-01-01 ...
ReplyDeleteAlso, any chance for a touch version?
Peter
Sorry, I had the date wrong.
DeleteThe backups are all prefixed with: 1970-01-01
Peter
Could not get it to nandroid on a T999...Error while making a backup image of /data! Same error on External and Internal w/ 23GB and 3.7 GB free respectively.
ReplyDeleteI just flashed v3 on AT&T i747 and still get 'Error occurred making backup image of /data' when trying to backup to external SD.
ReplyDeleteI can confirm that the USB driver posted works for AT&T. I tried doing an advanced /data restore from a V2 backup, no luck. V3 flashes okay though.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteStill no go on backup to external sd card. Mine is 64GB formatted with exfat.
ReplyDeleteDick
There are several versions of CWM for the Acer Iconia Tab A500 on XDA and TegraOwners.com that allow toggling the backup and restore of /data/media on or off. That way you can choose to backup, wipe, or restore the internal "sdcard" on your own. You don't necessarily have to backup everything. You should take a look at them.
ReplyDeleteI can't seem to get into cwm, just takes me to the android recovery
ReplyDeleteVersion 4 is now working perfectly on my Rogers SGH-I747.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the great work.
Hi Peter I just got a Galaxy S3 from rogers and I want to root it. I am confused on which files I need and the proper instructions. I noticed oyu said you got it working. would you mind sharing with me your instructions and guiding me.
DeleteI am not technically challeged and I can do this, if I know I have the right files and step by step instructions.
Thanks
Robert
robert@bsdnetworks.com
Question...just rooted my at&t sgs3, got titanium back up all running with busybox, the full bit......now...in this thread--http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1739426--i used the root access directions they gave and worked like a charm, but for recovery they directed me here...although they used ADB to install recovery...just was curious if i could use this method as well with my already rooted phone without tripping counter?
ReplyDeletelol...nvm...owned
ReplyDeleteAt&t sgs3 working fine.
So did you end up using Odin or ADB?
Deletehow do you install the root.zip file if you dont have cwm?
ReplyDeleteThe time stamp on the back up shows 1970-01-10.06.44.59. way off on the current date and time
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSo, as long as I flash this using Odin, and then flash the root zip(even though I'm already rooted), then this will give my Tmobile gs3 a fully working cwm that will read and write to my sd card? I'm sorry for asking, but I like to ne very sure that things are compatible before I just jump in!
ReplyDeleteUsing Rogers 16GB SGH-I747 and it won't boot. Tried twice now using v4.
ReplyDeleteWas however able to flash the Root zip as per instructions, from my external SD card no less. So something worked. But I wish I could use my phone. What am I doing wrong?
Found this via XDA thread.
Any way to get ADB working?
ReplyDeleteWhy does it fail when it's trying to install the root zip file it says fail getting signature something like that why???????
ReplyDeleteIs there a way to root this on Ubuntu? If there isn't , could you guys please try to make a method?
ReplyDeleteNot working on Verizon version. Odin fails.
ReplyDelete"Camera Failed" error after successful root. Error occurs when attempting to run the Camera and Camcorder applications on Sprint SGSIII.
ReplyDeletefail message in odin on sgs3 sprint, tried 2 different cables, usb drivers are installed, i'll try installing again
ReplyDeleteWorked perfect first time I used it. Then installed a new version so that i can try out CM10. Now trying to flash back to this recovery, but no matter what, I can't get Odin to recognize "see" the zip file after clicking "PDA." Shows many other files I have in the same folder, but absolutely does not show the CWM-Recovery-LTE-SGS3-Sprint-v5. Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteI am having the same problem with Odin
DeleteHow would I remove this CWM-Recovery-LTE-SGS3-v5.tar from my phone & restore to old recovery mode?
ReplyDeleteI have ODIN 3.07; does this matter when rooting as you have a link for v 3.04? I was able to load the tar file using v3.07; however, I am not able to get the TeamEpic-Root-from-Recovery-v5.zip file moved to my phone. I had to create a file first and then move the file, but when I try to go into recovery, it shows stock recovery....
ReplyDeleteI've successfully got CWM recovery installed, but when trying to choose a zip from my sd card, it states "E: Can't mount /sdcard/" but works fine for internal memory - is there a quick fix for this? Thanks
ReplyDeleteI'm having this same issue? I can't access the extSdCard directory to view files or select a ROM. I get the same error as Jordan when in CWM Recovery: E: Can't mount /sdcard/. Using a class 6 32gb Sandisk microSD card (Radio Shack).
DeleteThoughts?
I am having the same problem as matt. I am using v 3.04 with the link you provided. Odin picks up the phone and I get a pass status after following directions; however I cannot open into the cwm recovery, only the stock recovery. Any ideas on what I might be doing wrong? I just purchased phon 7/31/12 and its sprint's version.
ReplyDeleteI followed all the steps on flashing cwm through oden (auto boot checked off), was able to install su and root but when trying to access cwm a day later it just goes to stock recovery. Over attempted to install cwm multiple times now and I'll get it the first I flash it but next time around just get stock recovery again
ReplyDeleteI have attempted* sorry for all the typos
ReplyDeleteNever rooted anything before, just upgraded from Gs, worked the first time I tried it on my 3 day old GS3 on u.s cell...Whew! Sure feels good to breathe again! Hats off to all involved in making this possible on this GS3 variant. Now, need to figure out the goodies...
ReplyDeleteI've been getting a signature verification failure....please help this is after the flash through odin program.
ReplyDeletei roote my sgs 3 tmobile and after reboot from recovery it did an upfdate and the root was gone what to do?
ReplyDeleteIt works on US Cellular.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to flash the Team Epic Root onto phone and it keeps saying that signature verification failed..the Install was aborted, what do I need to do?
ReplyDeleteThis worked great for my phone and my gf's (both sprint). But when trying to root 2 friend's phones (one sprint and one t-mobil) everything seems to go fine but when I select the zip file from internal card in recovery, the text that pops up is significantly shorter than what is shown in the video and I don't get root access.
ReplyDeleteAny ideas?
I am using the LI3 version on my phone and I was able to install CWM Recovery without issues. After removing the battery and flashing the TeamEpic Root, I received errors. Is anyone else having the same problem after updating the latest update?
ReplyDeleteWorks on Us Cellular GS3 R530. Thanks for the video and files.. Phone is now rooted.
ReplyDeleteWill this work on sprint Galaxy SIII official jelly bean stock?
ReplyDeleteYes it should
Deletewill this work in Asia?
ReplyDeleteI love the tutorial but I have windows 8 and it does not recgonize the CMW-Recovery file. Does anybody know of a solution around this problem
ReplyDeleteWhich rom's can I flash using this cwm? Ive seen where there is cynagen and cwm10 roms. I am a newbie to android. I have my att s3 rooting using the above method. Works great! Just need to know what kindnof roms I can flash?
ReplyDeleteDOES THIS WORK WITH VERIZONS?????????????
ReplyDeleteThanks Team Epic for your works and QBKing77 for video instruction. I was successful installing CWM-Recovery-LTE-SGS3-v5.tar.md5 and root on my T-Mobile SGS3 SGH-T999.
ReplyDeleteHere what I did
1.Used Samsung Kies to Upgrade ICS 4.0.4 to JB 4.1.1
2.Installed CWM-Recovery-LTE-SGS3-v5.tar.md5
3.Then Installed TeamEpic-Root-from-Recovery-v5 (This file must place in Root SD Card (Phone)
Thanks.
I Can't install TeamEpic-Root-from-Recovery-v5.
ReplyDeleteI Passed odin and everything. When I go into clockwork, I hit ''apply update from cache'', and I get the following folders: Lost&found, Recovery and FOTA (or something), Every single one of those folders is empty. When I try to ''apply update from external memory'' I get a console error saying E: Failed to mount sd card (Invalid argument). Any pointers?
i have the same issue my phone wont turn on though
DeleteIdk what i did wrong but i tried and now my phone will not turn on at all after it powers up it will make the noise of the phone coming on but the screen is just black with led light on and nothing else happens please help me i dont know what else to doo..
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem on my new S3. Finally got the CWM to work, but first time through it failed because my tar.md5 file downloaded as a tar.tar file. Tried to power off and go back in but got the blue light and blank screen. Finally untared the tar.tar file to just a .tar file and was able to download it with ODIN, and get into CWM. Then was able to flash the rooted rom and that worked too. but still the blue light and blank screen. Finally tried the unroot procedure, and again everything wokred as expected exceptthe reboot.
DeleteHELP!
Worked with my C-Spire S3. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me which one you used? I have the c spire gs3 and have been trying to find compatible files. I'm new at this, so I want to make sure I use the correct file. Thank you for any help!
DeleteI see the .zip file but both the video and Odin want a .tar file. What am I missing?
ReplyDeleteTo samsung galaxy s 3 progre scl21 work’s?
ReplyDeletethis shit really fucking worked oh hell yea life saver
ReplyDeleteit works on T-mobile dualcore (not i9300 or what ever) ^_^ THANKS A LOT! btw this guy gave a cristal clear instructions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoEVDgjTTdg)
ReplyDeleteENJOY PPL! <3 This phone btw already ordered the 4300 battery and accesories :D
google wallet say unsupported device.how do I fix it?
ReplyDeleteOh man I hope you can help me! The tutorial was great and everything seemed to go well... untill... It all worked and I was using my phone as normal. I check that I had root access; I did. I went in to the regular phone settings and a popup message appeared saying the "System wants SuperUser access. If you did not initial this click deny, etc.."
ReplyDeleteI was unsure what to do since I hadn't yet done anything. And I also thought if the System needed Root access it would have already had that. I clicked deny; probably the wrong choice. The phone imediately rebooted and got to the Samsung splash screen on boot up and just hung there. No matter what I did from that point on that's all the phone wanted to do.
I could get the phone to boot into Download mode. I tried re-installing the CWM Recovery Zip with Odin and booting into Recovery mode (volume up botton book). I got the option to install off the internal memory. That seemed to work, then reboot. This time the splash screen lead to and "Android is updating... starting apps..." screen (or something like that) for a very long time. Then it booted again, and it hung on the Samsung splash screen again.
If it matters I was going off the video. I only now noticed in the written instructions it mentions installing a root.zip file in step 9. The video didn't mention this so I missed it. Could that be part of the problem?
I found your Restore instructions:
http://www.epiccm.org/2012/06/sprint-sgs3-stock-restore.html
But they require files to be installed on the internal memory, which I can't access without the phone booting (unless there's a way to push them with Odin). Can I install off the external SD card? Do I have any hope to fix this?
Any help you can offer is MUCH appreciated!
Great write up and MUCH appreciated. BUT, if you want to ensure that I apply root.zip before booting back into Samsung mod, you should tell me to DL the file to my phone in step 1. Had to run the Odin process twice. Not a big deal, but just a suggestion.
ReplyDeleteQuick question.. Will this work for sprint 4.1.2????
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy galaxy s3 connected to Odin but when I press start it says this: Please wait..
ReplyDeleteMD5 hash value is invalid
CWM-Recovery-LTE-SGS3-v5.tar (1).md5 is invalid.
End...
What does this mean and how can I fix it? Thanks!
This worked on my SCL S21 AU Phone, thank you very much. It is ROOTED
ReplyDeleteThe Sprint_L710_GSIII_Samsung_USB_Driver_v1_4_6_0.exe link is dead. Do you plan fixing that?
ReplyDelete