I'm seeing loads of threads lately that all hint at the same thing:
"...broken since update", "...battery drain since update", "...wakelock since update"
So here is my advice. Do a factory reset*. This does not just apply to the S3, but to all android devices.
Some may say this is drastic. Some people ask "why is everyone so quick to suggest a factory reset?"... well, this is s good question and often I have asked that. Many do quite easily throw out the factory reset solution uneccessarily. Sure, it will resolve all but hardware issues so is almost a sure fire way to resolve issues. Given how annoying setting everything up can be, we should all try and look at less invasive solutions first.
HOWEVER, the above said, there are 2 situations where a factory reset should be the advice given. It should be the first thing tried. These are:
1- before reporting a bug to a custom ROM or kernel developer (not relevant for today's topic)
2- when things don't look good after an official update.
Although 1 isn't really relevant today, the reason is the same...
We've all been there when we want to download an app but its not compatible with our device because our android version is too new... its annoying. But then what if the app was installed then you upgraded? It may stop working if its not compatible. It may stop other things working.
But we're not just looking at apps here. All your apps and settings are stored in the /data partition along with your data. Every setting you make from your ringtone, alarm times, wallpaper, homescreen layout are all there. Even the smallest, most inconsequential setting can break things if its incompatible. I once had an issue where sound settings would force close and managed to locate the issue (with MANY hours trial and error) to wallpaper storage. Its not always intuitive as to what breaks something.
So, everything works, you upgrade and something is wrong. First instinct is "well it must be the update". Its a fair assumption as that's all that's changed. Sometimes there may be a bug in the update. Usually though, everyone with the update will have a bug. If most people don't have the "bug", then it's unique to you and what makes you unique is what's in /data. 95/100, upgrades go fine. For some though - not so much. There is always going to be a chance something will break but usually a factory reset will fix it. Knowing that it could take hours to realise wallpaper broke your sound menu is reason enough to suggest this, but also accumulated data may cause problems down the line too. When you upgrade your android version, you expect all the settings to work. Sometimes, with certain settings - they no longer exist. You end up with a setting set in /data that is orphaned. This is rubbish data and only gets in the way of data that should exist. For the fastest, cleanest upgrade I would recommend a reset everytime as best practice but I'm not here to talk you into that.
Sure, its annoying that you have to set up your ring tones again or put all your widgets back. You "shouldn't have to..." do this to facilitate a clean upgrade. Sorry, but not everything goes to plan. Hopefully Google has your contacts (if not, there are apps to backup contacts) and you can use sms backup+ to save your sms to Gmail. Copy your internal sd card to pc (as factory reset wipes this too) and you're good. .just apps to re-download and if you allowed Google to backup your device (default option when going through the setup wizard) most of those will install automatically.
So yes, it can be a bit of work but its better than having to downgrade, put up with a "bug" or get frustrated looking for the answer so please consider a factory reset...
*if you changed any settings after the upgrade, first change them back. If you havecan issue with a single application, try clearing data on that application first. Android settings > applications manager > all > application make > clear data
"...broken since update", "...battery drain since update", "...wakelock since update"
So here is my advice. Do a factory reset*. This does not just apply to the S3, but to all android devices.
Some may say this is drastic. Some people ask "why is everyone so quick to suggest a factory reset?"... well, this is s good question and often I have asked that. Many do quite easily throw out the factory reset solution uneccessarily. Sure, it will resolve all but hardware issues so is almost a sure fire way to resolve issues. Given how annoying setting everything up can be, we should all try and look at less invasive solutions first.
HOWEVER, the above said, there are 2 situations where a factory reset should be the advice given. It should be the first thing tried. These are:
1- before reporting a bug to a custom ROM or kernel developer (not relevant for today's topic)
2- when things don't look good after an official update.
Although 1 isn't really relevant today, the reason is the same...
We've all been there when we want to download an app but its not compatible with our device because our android version is too new... its annoying. But then what if the app was installed then you upgraded? It may stop working if its not compatible. It may stop other things working.
But we're not just looking at apps here. All your apps and settings are stored in the /data partition along with your data. Every setting you make from your ringtone, alarm times, wallpaper, homescreen layout are all there. Even the smallest, most inconsequential setting can break things if its incompatible. I once had an issue where sound settings would force close and managed to locate the issue (with MANY hours trial and error) to wallpaper storage. Its not always intuitive as to what breaks something.
So, everything works, you upgrade and something is wrong. First instinct is "well it must be the update". Its a fair assumption as that's all that's changed. Sometimes there may be a bug in the update. Usually though, everyone with the update will have a bug. If most people don't have the "bug", then it's unique to you and what makes you unique is what's in /data. 95/100, upgrades go fine. For some though - not so much. There is always going to be a chance something will break but usually a factory reset will fix it. Knowing that it could take hours to realise wallpaper broke your sound menu is reason enough to suggest this, but also accumulated data may cause problems down the line too. When you upgrade your android version, you expect all the settings to work. Sometimes, with certain settings - they no longer exist. You end up with a setting set in /data that is orphaned. This is rubbish data and only gets in the way of data that should exist. For the fastest, cleanest upgrade I would recommend a reset everytime as best practice but I'm not here to talk you into that.
Sure, its annoying that you have to set up your ring tones again or put all your widgets back. You "shouldn't have to..." do this to facilitate a clean upgrade. Sorry, but not everything goes to plan. Hopefully Google has your contacts (if not, there are apps to backup contacts) and you can use sms backup+ to save your sms to Gmail. Copy your internal sd card to pc (as factory reset wipes this too) and you're good. .just apps to re-download and if you allowed Google to backup your device (default option when going through the setup wizard) most of those will install automatically.
So yes, it can be a bit of work but its better than having to downgrade, put up with a "bug" or get frustrated looking for the answer so please consider a factory reset...
*if you changed any settings after the upgrade, first change them back. If you havecan issue with a single application, try clearing data on that application first. Android settings > applications manager > all > application make > clear data
