Samsung Galaxy S3 General Information and Troubleshooting FAQ

[jerofld]

Friends, anyone found out the fix for facebook status update that was not working? It still does not. Whenever I try to update status, the app hangs and shuts.

Stock Facebook apps always are terrible. I suggest using Facebook Lite (in GPlay) or FriendCaster (also in GPlay).

I must be missing this somewhere, but is there a setting to default the Gallery app to my camera pictures folder only? There's the Device Only option, but that also shows ALL pictures on the device. I really don't need to see ALL my album art. I only want to see the camera pictures folder when I start the app. Thanks.

Not that I know of, sorry

 

[brownitus]

I must be missing this somewhere, but is there a setting to default the Gallery app to my camera pictures folder only? There's the Device Only option, but that also shows ALL pictures on the device. I really don't need to see ALL my album art. I only want to see the camera pictures folder when I start the app. Thanks.

I had this same question as all my icon pack and random images scattered throughout folders on the internal and external memory were clogging up my Gallery, so I just asked on the XDA forum and was recommended the Quick Pic app, link here to Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alensw.PicFolder&hl=en

I've just installed and been using it for a few minutes and it's great! Just go into the Settings > Browse and you can choose to include or exclude folders, I've thus far gone into the Include menu and simply added my camera and pictures folders, and now just have 3 albums showing that I want to regularly view It's now my default gallery app, hope this helps!

 

[red5ive]

Stock Facebook apps always are terrible. I suggest using Facebook Lite (in GPlay) or FriendCaster (also in GPlay).



Not that I know of, sorry

Thanks jerofld, and no biggie. As long as I know it's NOT there I don't have to drive myself insane looking for it!

I had this same question as all my icon pack and random images scattered throughout folders on the internal and external memory were clogging up my Gallery, so I just asked on the XDA forum and was recommended the Quick Pic app, link here to Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alensw.PicFolder&hl=en

I've just installed and been using it for a few minutes and it's great! Just go into the Settings > Browse and you can choose to include or exclude folders, I've thus far gone into the Include menu and simply added my camera and pictures folders, and now just have 3 albums showing that I want to regularly view It's now my default gallery app, hope this helps!

Exactly! I have my music in individual folders by Artist - Album, and each folder has album art. Each folder shows up separately as an album in the gallery. Drives me crazy.

Anyway, I was hoping there'd be an app for this if the option isn't built-in. Thanks for the tip, I will check it out.

 

[EHsANLMS]

hi all
i have s3 for about 2 days
i installed some small games (e.g. "where is my whater?" & "Lane Splitter"..) and they run without any problem.
but today when i try to play these game or some other games (Not all of games!), they don't run correctly! when i open them, the screen goes black and nothing to display and i must close the app by going to home screen.. (or they can open, but with no touch screen support, i cant touch "Play" to start playing on the game or something!)
after i tried to find the problem on my phone, i discovered that is some problem with Wi-Fi! when wi-fi connected to the network, this issue is appeared! when i disconnect wi-fi, the games run correctly!

android version: 4.0.4

whats the problem? and what can i do?

 

[Roundeye]

Has anyone tried to connect samsung's DVD drive se-218bb to the S3 via otg cable? I have a feeling it will work, but I can't confirm it.

 

[dannyfky]

Hi,

I have a problem with my samsung galaxy s3. Whenever I charged my phone which is in low power, all incoming and out going calls will be disconnected if the charger is connected. Has anyone have this problem as well?

 

[eabouchard]

I had an LG Optimus S where I was able to add shortcuts to a URL or to a phone number on my home screen, but when I click on Add to Home Screen on the Galaxy S3 my only choices are an app, a folder or a page. How can I get a shortcut to a URL?

 

[jerofld]

hi all
i have s3 for about 2 days
i installed some small games (e.g. "where is my whater?" & "Lane Splitter"..) and they run without any problem.
but today when i try to play these game or some other games (Not all of games!), they don't run correctly! when i open them, the screen goes black and nothing to display and i must close the app by going to home screen.. (or they can open, but with no touch screen support, i cant touch "Play" to start playing on the game or something!)
after i tried to find the problem on my phone, i discovered that is some problem with Wi-Fi! when wi-fi connected to the network, this issue is appeared! when i disconnect wi-fi, the games run correctly!

android version: 4.0.4

whats the problem? and what can i do?

Are you rooted with ad-block enabled? This would be my guess. If not, then I'm unsure.

Has anyone tried to connect samsung's DVD drive se-218bb to the S3 via otg cable? I have a feeling it will work, but I can't confirm it.

A number of units work through USB OTG, but I don't have that DVD player.

Hi,

I have a problem with my samsung galaxy s3. Whenever I charged my phone which is in low power, all incoming and out going calls will be disconnected if the charger is connected. Has anyone have this problem as well?

I had it, as well, with some other features. I do not know why it's an issue. It may be due to something in the proprietary power connector Samsung developed.

I had an LG Optimus S where I was able to add shortcuts to a URL or to a phone number on my home screen, but when I click on Add to Home Screen on the Galaxy S3 my only choices are an app, a folder or a page. How can I get a shortcut to a URL?

Open the browser, hit menu and then 'Add Shortcut to Home'.

 

[EHsANLMS]

Are you rooted with ad-block enabled? This would be my guess. If not, then I'm unsure.

No, I didn't root!

 

[acjohnson55]

My brother and I both bought this phone and were initially both disappointed by perceived lagginess. I've come to realize that this has two main causes: S Voice home button activation and window transitions. When you tap the home button, by default, the phone waits for a possible second tap, which would activate S Voice. If you don't use this feature, turn it off by doing the following:

Open S Voice app -> hit Menu button -> hit Settings -> uncheck "Launch S Voice"

Additionally, the window transition causes a little bit of lag when switching apps. I find this not to be much less significant, but you can disable/reduce it by doing the following:

Go to the launcher -> hit Menu button -> hit Settings -> hit Developer options -> hit Window animation scale -> choose either "Animation is off" or "Animation scale 0.5x"

 

[dannyfky]

Is it a safety features developed by them to prevent us from talking while the phone is charging? But then again, my other friends who own the same phone doesn't have this problem.

 

[blunder1]

hi all,

My new Galaxy s3 is getting really annoying...

During a call if i recieve a text the notification alert comes on, over and above my conversation... Surely this isn't right!?

Anyone know a setting or something!? i need the alert but surely it shouldnt happen mid call??

 

[KeithSr]

Stock Facebook apps always are terrible. I suggest using Facebook Lite (in GPlay) or FriendCaster (also in GPlay).

I loaded both and now I have my FB friends in my contacts 3 and 4 times... oye!

 

[viks07]

Friends, anyone found out the fix for facebook status update that was not working? It still does not. Whenever I try to update status, the app hangs and shuts.

This did happen to me. I did the following:
1) Un-installed the application
2) Restarted the handset
3) Re-install the application

Hope it works

 

[viks07]

No, I didn't root!

May be a reset is required??

I woudl first un-install the apps and then try again first.

 

[jerofld]

No, I didn't root!

May be a reset is required??

I woudl first un-install the apps and then try again first.

I was thinking the same, actually.

I loaded both and now I have my FB friends in my contacts 3 and 4 times... oye!

Go to Contacts > Accounts > and un sync the accounts you don't wish to show up in your contacts. Then go back to Contacts and link the duplicates together. That should fix the problem.

 

[Rolo42]

Hi,

I have a problem with my samsung galaxy s3. Whenever I charged my phone which is in low power, all incoming and out going calls will be disconnected if the charger is connected. Has anyone have this problem as well?

Do you mean your battery is low (like, single-digit percentage) and it drops calls? That's likely due to either not having enough power to operate or overheating.

Charging a low battery (<10-20%) generates more heat since there's more current flow. Placing a phone call also generates more heat. I would hope that isn't the case but I'm trying to think of all possibilities. You can get an app that tells you the battery temperature but I think its simply that the phone lacks the power to maintain the phone call (you're consuming power faster than it can charge the battery).

 

[lilychef]

Hey there! Two issues with my brand new Sprint S3, not sure if related or not, but both involve bluetooth:

1. The S3 will not recognize a new pair of bluetooth headphones that my Epic recognized just fine. When the S3 scans, it simply doesn't see them.
2. I was able to pair the S3 with my car's telephone feature (through the stereo), and it worked just fine (I received and placed a call or two), but now, after trying to connect the dots, I'm 99% certain that the phone shuts down completely shortly after pairing with the car.

Ideas? Any help is, in advance, greatly appreciated!

 

[viks07]

Hey there! Two issues with my brand new Sprint S3, not sure if related or not, but both involve bluetooth:

1. The S3 will not recognize a new pair of bluetooth headphones that my Epic recognized just fine. When the S3 scans, it simply doesn't see them.
2. I was able to pair the S3 with my car's telephone feature (through the stereo), and it worked just fine (I received and placed a call or two), but now, after trying to connect the dots, I'm 99% certain that the phone shuts down completely shortly after pairing with the car.

Ideas? Any help is, in advance, greatly appreciated!

Hi
I have been using Bluetooth in my car, and have noticed similar issues
For point 1), I would reset the headset, to clear all paired devices, to allow it to connect to devices. I think the device list on the headset may be full and can not accept any new connections. I have not used this headset before, but worth a try.
For point 2), when I had a similar/ same issue, I restarted my S3, which resolved the issue every time. A point to note, I am not experienced this issue in some time, in currently have stock version 4.04, and have not rooted.

Hope this helps

 

[viks07]

Do you mean your battery is low (like, single-digit percentage) and it drops calls? That's likely due to either not having enough power to operate or overheating.

Charging a low battery (<10-20%) generates more heat since there's more current flow. Placing a phone call also generates more heat. I would hope that isn't the case but I'm trying to think of all possibilities. You can get an app that tells you the battery temperature but I think its simply that the phone lacks the power to maintain the phone call (you're consuming power faster than it can charge the battery).

Has this always happened since you first received the device, or has it just started?
Is the S3 doing anything else in the background... app downloading files, or navigation running?

If the S3 is getting hot, it will start cutting off or even shutting down.

 

[lilychef]

Hi
I have been using Bluetooth in my car, and have noticed similar issues
For point 1), I would reset the headset, to clear all paired devices, to allow it to connect to devices. I think the device list on the headset may be full and can not accept any new connections. I have not used this headset before, but worth a try.
For point 2), when I had a similar/ same issue, I restarted my S3, which resolved the issue every time. A point to note, I am not experienced this issue in some time, in currently have stock version 4.04, and have not rooted.

Hope this helps

Well, now I think I need to backtrack a bit. Apparently I wasn't putting the headphones into "pairing mode" correctly. Duh. And now I figured out that the shutdown issue isn't related to bluetooth, but rather to the car charger. The phone shuts down when I use the car charger. (????)

 

[viks07]

Well, now I think I need to backtrack a bit. Apparently I wasn't putting the headphones into "pairing mode" correctly. Duh. And now I figured out that the shutdown issue isn't related to bluetooth, but rather to the car charger. The phone shuts down when I use the car charger. (????)

Well its good that some progress is made

I have only had my S3 shut down when the handset got very hot, when using it with Copilot on a long trip (which uses GPS, screen on all the time, and charging). I have never experienced my S3 shut down as soon as I plug in the car charger.

I wonder if there is something wrong with the car charger, it is made for the S3 or S2? Can you try another car charger?

 

[blunder1]

Anyone have any advice??

hi all,

My new Galaxy s3 is getting really annoying...

During a call if i recieve a text the notification alert comes on, over and above my conversation... Surely this isn't right!?

Anyone know a setting or something!? i need the alert but surely it shouldnt happen mid call??

 

[lilychef]

Well its good that some progress is made

I have only had my S3 shut down when the handset got very hot, when using it with Copilot on a long trip (which uses GPS, screen on all the time, and charging). I have never experienced my S3 shut down as soon as I plug in the car charger.

I wonder if there is something wrong with the car charger, it is made for the S3 or S2? Can you try another car charger?

I have heard that chargers can be different, but I never understood why... I've never had a problem with this one. In fact, this charger belonged to my Palm Treo, and I'd been using it for my Epic for two years with no issues whatsoever.... so I guess I'll try another one and report back the results.

 

[jerofld]

Well, now I think I need to backtrack a bit. Apparently I wasn't putting the headphones into "pairing mode" correctly. Duh. And now I figured out that the shutdown issue isn't related to bluetooth, but rather to the car charger. The phone shuts down when I use the car charger. (????)

I have heard that chargers can be different, but I never understood why... I've never had a problem with this one. In fact, this charger belonged to my Palm Treo, and I'd been using it for my Epic for two years with no issues whatsoever.... so I guess I'll try another one and report back the results.

The pinout on the S3 is slightly different than most phones, but I've been able to use my very old car charger to charge my S3 without issue. But it looks like you may have to get a replacement.

Anyone have any advice??

Unfortunately, I do not know how to get around this without silencing the phone during a call. This will not mute the call, just silence the notifications (if you use the 'Sound' toggle on the notification bar).