How to reinstall stock firmware without flashing by...

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How to reinstall stock firmware without flashing by using KIES

How to reinstall stock firmware without flashing by using KIES

How to reinstall stock firmware without flashing by using KIES

A lot of people these days like to play safe with their ROMs. While they like keeping their devices rooted, they also want to be able to use a very stable ROM. Of course, there are also moderately stable custom ROMs out there for your device, many developers tell you one thing when you ask for a stable firmware – “If you want completely stable ROMs, then use the stock ones”

Flashing Stock ROMs through the OTA can sometimes result in some issues with the installation. After all, you are trying to force the update on the device itself. If something goes wrong, what can we do to fix it? OTA updates do not offer a way to reinstall but Samsung developed a program that will allow you to do that without manually flashing the ROM to your device.

Samsung KIES has indeed been met with a lot of disdain due to its efforts to be Samsung’s own iTunes. While it may not be the media manager of your choice, it does offer an update and firmware retrieval service which is more stable than the OTA in my opinion.

Today’s guide will make use of the Samsung Galaxy S3 as a sample unit to reinstall the latest version of Jelly Bean for its region.

Preparation

Samsung Kies

First, we need to make sure that we have the right program we need. Samsung’s KIES program can be installed in Windows and MACs. The guide will make use of the Windows Version of the Program.

To get the Windows version of Kies 2.0 from this page:

Simply click on the Download button and wait it out. Follow the instructions on the same page for the first time set up.

Many of you who have tried to root their Samsung devices may have had to install this program at some point since it is the most reliable program to provide the necessary drivers for our Samsung devices to connect with the PC.

MTP or Samsung Kies Mode

If you checked out our previous guide, you should know that if you want to make any changes within the smartphone, you would need to make sure that it is connected on MTP mode or Samsung Kies Mode.

You can check the “USB Mode” guide on our previous work here:

Backing up the EFS on Samsung Devices

Power levels

Updating your device may leave it in a vulnerable state for a time. Any interruption in the connection or power supply may just land you with an expensive brick. To prevent that, make sure you keep the power levels at least above 50% before starting the procedure.

Backup

As with every procedure that modifies your device’s data and firmware, a backup is a necessary precautionary step. There have been reports of people who have been able to keep their data after the process, while others claim to have lost data during the reinstallation of the firmware through Kies.

Firmware Reinstallation

First, run the Samsung Kies application and wait for the home screen to load. It should look something like this:

Kies 7

At this time, you would need to connect your smartphone to your computer on the specified mode. The Application should pick up the connection and identify the device. Some information about your smartphone would be placed on the screen such as memory status and of course, the firmware available.

Kies 5

If we are simply reinstalling a firmware, it should say “This is the latest Firmware”. Otherwise, you may have to consult a different guide.

On the top of the application, you should see an option that says “Tools”. Place the mouse cursor on that option and a drop down box of options should become visible. From here, choose the option that says, “Firmware Upgrade and Initialization”

Kies 4

A prompt should pop up indicating that it will reinitialize to the original factory settings. The process would also reinstall the official Stock ROM into your device. If you wish to go through with it, choose “Ok”.

Kies 3

After that, another prompt will inform you of the firmware that will be installed into your smartphone. If you are ready, go ahead and choose “Ok”.

Kies 2

It should take you to a screen that would be familiar to you if you have updated a firmware through KIES before. It will detail a few basic precautionary information about the process that you are about to undergo. Once you are ready, Place a check mark on the “I have read all the above information” box and choose the “Start Upgrade” button.

Kies 1

The process will take a while especially if you don’t have a copy of the firmware on your PC yet. It will download a fresh copy of the update and automatically do the rest. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and make sure the process is not interrupted.

14 Comments

  1. nonyetsays: May 5, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    what if kies gives you a message like this

    Your device’s current firmware version is not supported to update
    firmware via Kies

    samsung galaxy s3 running 4.1.2 jellybean

    how to update the fw?

  2. deepanksays: October 26, 2013 at 6:50 pm

    If phone is rooted can it be possible
    Or device is rooted then unrooted, can update the firmware

  3. Damgeesays: December 24, 2013 at 6:02 am

    What if the phone doesn’t boot up and you can not get into recovery mode as well…
    Any help can be sent to my mail: [email protected]
    Thanks

    • dAMOsays: September 1, 2014 at 7:55 am

      YEAH, YOU CAN’T DO THIS WITH A ROOTED PHONE.

  4. Cosminsays: March 7, 2014 at 7:21 am

    How about phones that does not support initialization? Like GT-N7000, Samsung Galaxy Note

  5. haristonsays: July 31, 2014 at 1:56 pm

    it says your cell phone version cant be upgraded

    whats the problem now

  6. farjad ali khansays: August 27, 2014 at 8:18 pm

    IF THE MODEL INFORMATION THAT WE ENTERED CANNOT BE VERIFIED; THE DEVICE INITIALIZATION CANNOT PROCEED THEN WHAT WE HAVE TO DO?

  7. matthewsays: April 23, 2015 at 7:04 am

    Is using kies, rooting your phone

  8. Premsays: May 28, 2015 at 5:40 am

    History-: I had flashed the samsung galaxy core i8262 and install the different country kernal rom (Netherland).

    Now i want to restore the stock version of the rom and kernal (Released along with my phone in india)

    Q1: From where can i downlod this rom/kernal.
    Q2: How to install it without third party tool.

    Thanks for any help on the above in advance,

  9. Tonisays: August 4, 2015 at 9:25 pm

    This process assumes that the device can be powered on and connects to Kies automatically. What about if Kies does not recognize the device when connected since the tablet does not get past the initial Samsung Tab S logo screen? I also cannot get it to go into recovery mode, either. I thought flashing or reinstalling the firmware through Kies might help? Samsung support was a bust since I am currently out of the country and cannot ship it to get it fixed at the moment. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    • CSxKINGsays: October 25, 2015 at 7:04 am

      Try getting into Download mode. You may be able to use Kies from there.

      For the Samsung Galaxy S4, the Key Combination for Download mode is Power + Volume Down + Home

      You’ll know download mode when you see it, as it’ll warn you about Custom OSes and things.

  10. Aloksays: September 28, 2015 at 3:10 pm

    I am also struggling to connect my device to Kies, I am using Samsung Note II
    (MODEL SGH-I317) and it hang on boot screen (i.e. Samsung Logo Screen), when i tried to factory reset it, it throws error like recovery log not found or /efs not found.

    Can anyone suggest the possible solution so that i can get my device working.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated
    Thanks,
    Alok

  11. Tilly Wilsonsays: November 1, 2016 at 11:17 am

    Great Guideline.Can I flash Huawei Y3II in this way?
    Thanks in advance

  12. Herbertsays: December 8, 2016 at 11:13 am

    can this program work on none Samsung smartphones if so don’t hesitate to email me or even call me 0619806623

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