Rooting your Samsung Galaxy S3 gives you amazing benefits such as full administration rights, remove applications you do not want and allows installation of custom ROMs. However, using custom ROMs can trip the flash counter built inside device which could affect the device's warranty.

Flash Counters by Samsung

Samsung created the "flash counter" inside their devices to track down how many times a user customised or changed the stock ROM by flashing custom ones. If your Galaxy S3 has a warranty and you installed a custom ROM, the flash counter goes up and the warranty is void.

Restoring the Flash Counter to Zero

Warning: The following tutorial is designed to remove the root access and reset the flash counter on your device. We are not liable for any errors which may damage your handset. Read and follow the instructions carefully to avoid damaging your smartphone. Do this at your own risk.

Prerequisites:

- Rooted Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-I9300

- Create a backup of all your personal information and data files on your device

- Make sure that the handset has at least 50 per cent battery level

- Install the necessary Samsung Media Drivers or Samsung Kies PC Suite to your computer

- Download the official firmware from SamMobile or Samsung Updates

- Download the Odin tool to your computer

- Download and install the Triangle Away to your smartphone

Unrooting and Resetting Flash Counter Instructions:

1. Open the Triangle Away app on your Galaxy S3 and confirm root permission.

2. Triangle Away will confirm the device model number, select continue to proceed.

3. Allow the app to download add-ons on your smartphone.

4. Select the "reset flash counter" option and then continue.

5. The device will restart into "special mode." Press Volume up to reset counter and status.

6. While rebooting QUICKLY remove the battery and put it back.

7. Now boot into "download mode" by pressing volume down, home and power keys altogether.

8. A warning will prompt you regarding the effect on your custom ROM. Press Volume up to continue.

9. Now open the Odin tool on your computer.

10. Plug the Galaxy S3 to your computer using a USB cable.

11. Flash the official firmware you have chosen via Odin tool for your Galaxy S3.

12. After the installation, QUICKLY unplug the USB cable and remove the battery on your Galaxy S3 then put it back again.

13. Reboot into recovery mode by pressing and holding volume up, home and power keys.

14. In the recovery mode, select "wipe data/factory reset" and "wipe cache partition."

15. After the full wipe, select "reboot system now."

Done! Your device should be normal now with flash counter back to zero and unrooted.

Note: Triangle Away app does not work on all stock firmware and may always display 1 which should be re-checked in actual download mode.

If you have any issues, problems and questions about resetting the flash counter, send your feedback to Wolf Droid main page.