Update [June 18, 2018]: Samsung has released the Android Oreo update for the Galaxy A3. Available for the latest A3 model, SM-A320F, released in the year 2017, the software version of the Android 8.0 update starts with C (4th last character in the software version below) while Android 7.0 started with B.

The first Oreo update for the Galaxy A3 2017 came out as A320FXXU3CRD4 version, which was later succeeded by A320FXXU3CRE5, both of which are available for download below.

Note that both of the Galaxy A3 2015 (SM-A300) and Galaxy A3 2016 (SM-A310) do not have Oreo update available, and probably will never have.

Samsung Galaxy A3 Firmware

Galaxy A3 2017

Model Date Software version | Android version Free Download Link
SM-A320F 31 May 2018 A320FXXU3CRE5 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo A320FXXU3CRE5_A320FOXY3CRD4_SER.zip
SM-A320F 16 Apr 2018 A320FXXU3CRD4 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo A320FXXU3CRD4_A320FOXY3CRD4_SER.zip
SM-A320F 11 May 2018 A320FXXU3BRE1 | Android 7.0 Nougat A320FXXU3BRE1_A320FOJV3BRE1_TUR.zip
SM-A320F 09 Feb 2018 A320FXXU3BRB1 | Android 7.0 Nougat A320FXXU3BRB1_A320FOXY3BRB1_SER.zip
SM-A320F 26 Jan 2018 A320FXXU3BRA1 | Android 7.0 Nougat A320FXXU3BRA1_A320FOXY3BRA1_SER.zip
SM-A320F 10 Nov 2017 A320FXXU2BQK2 | Android 7.0 Nougat A320FXXU2BQK2_A320FOXY2BQK2_SER.zip
SM-A320F 22 Sep 2017 A320FXXU2BQI4 | Android 7.0 Nougat A320FXXU2BQI4_A320FOXY2BQI4_SER.zip
SM-A320F 22 Sep 2017 A320FXXU2BQI3 | Android 7.0 Nougat A320FXXU2BQI3_A320FOJV2BQI3_TUR.zip
SM-A320F 30 Aug 2017 A320FXXU2BQH6 | Android 7.0 Nougat A320FXXU2BQH6_A320FOXY2BQH6_SER.zip
SM-A320F 26 Aug 2017 A320FXXU2BQH4 | Android 7.0 Nougat A320FXXU2BQH4_A320FOXY2BQH4_SER.zip
SM-A320F 11 Jun 2017 A320FXXU2BQG5 | Android 7.0 Nougat A320FXXU2BQG5_A320FOXY2BQG5_SER.zip
SM-A320F 07 Jun 2017 A320FXXU2AQF2 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A320FXXU2AQF2_A320FOJV2AQF1_TUR.zip
SM-A320F 18 Apr 2017 A320FXXU1AQD1 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A320FXXU1AQD1_A320FOJV1AQC5_XSG.zip
SM-A320F 13 Mar 2017 A320FXXU1AQC2 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A320FXXU1AQC2_A320FOXY1AQC2_SER.zip
SM-A320F 19 Jan 2017 A320FXXU1AQA3 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A320FXXU1AQA3_A320FOJV1AQC3_XSG.zip
SM-A320F 10 Jan 2017 A320FXXU1AQA1 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A320FXXU1AQA1_A320FOXY1AQA1_CAC.zip
SM-A320F 25 Dec 2016 A320FXXU1APLD | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A320FXXU1APLD_A320FOJV1APLC_TUN.zip
SM-A320FL 30 May 2018 A320FLXXU2CRE3 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo A320FLXXU2CRE3_A320FLATO2CRD4_ATO.zip
SM-A320FL 17 Apr 2018 A320FLXXU2CRD4 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo A320FLXXU2CRD4_A320FLATO2CRD4_ATO.zip
SM-A320FL 05 Oct 2018 A320FLXXU2BRB5 | Android 7.0 Nougat A320FLXXU2BRB5_A320FLVFR2BRB2_TCL.zip
SM-A320FL 11 Jun 2018 A320FLXXS2BRAA | Android 7.0 Nougat A320FLXXS2BRAA_A320FLBTU1BQI5_BTU.zip
SM-A320FL 23 May 2017 A320FLXXS1AQE2 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A320FLXXS1AQE2_A320FLOXX1AQD2_ROM.zip
SM-A320Y 30 Nov 2017 A320YDXU1BQL1 | Android 7.0 Nougat A320YDXU1BQL1_A320YVNZ1BQL1_VNZ.zip
SM-A320Y 03 Aug 2017 A320YDXU1AQH1 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A320YDXU1AQH1_A320YTCE1AQH1_TCE.zip
SM-A320Y 07 Apr 2017 A320YDXU1AQD2 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A320YDXU1AQD2_A320YNZC1AQD2_NZC.zip
SM-A320Y 18 Jan 2017 A320YDXU1AQA5 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A320YDXU1AQA5_A320YUUB1AQA5_COO.zip

Galaxy A3 2016

Model Date Software version | Android version Free Download Link
SM-A310F 08 Dec 2017 A310FXXU3CQL2 | Android 7.0 Nougat A310FXXU3CQL2_A310FPRT3CQL2_PRT.zip
SM-A310F 21 Jun 2017 A310FXXU3CQF5 | Android 7.0 Nougat A310FXXU3CQF5_A310FOJV3CQF6_XSG.zip
SM-A310F 23 May 2017 A310FXXU3CQE6 | Android 7.0 Nougat A310FXXU3CQE6_A310FOLB3CQE6_XSP.zip
SM-A310F 10 May 2017 A310FXXU3BQE3 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A310FXXU3BQE3_A310FVFG3BQE1_CYV.zip
SM-A310F 20 Mar 2017 A310FXXU3BQC8 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A310FXXU3BQC8_A310FOJV3BQC8_AFR.zip
SM-A310F 03 Mar 2017 A310FXXU3BQC2 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A310FXXU3BQC2_A310FTSI3BQC2_TSI.zip
SM-A310F 03 Feb 2017 A310FXXU2BQB6 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A310FXXU2BQB6_A310FTMS2BQB6_TMS.zip
SM-A310M A310MUBU2CQL5 | Android 7.0 Nougat A310MUBU2CQL5_A310MPSP2CQL4_PSP.zip
SM-A310M 27 Jun 2017 A310MUBU2CQF2 | Android 7.0 Nougat A310MUBU2CQF2_A310MUUB2CQF2_UPO.zip
SM-A310M 23 May 2017 A310MUBU2CQE6 | Android 7.0 Nougat A310MUBU2CQE6_A310MUUB2CQE6_COO.zip
SM-A310M 15 Mar 2017 A310MUBU2BQC1 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A310MUBU2BQC1_A310MUUB2BQC1_CHO.zip
SM-A310M 21 Feb 2017 A310MUBU2BQB3 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A310MUBU2BQB3_A310MTFG2BQB3_EBE.zip
SM-A310M 31 Jan 2017 A310MUBU2BQA1 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A310MUBU2BQA1_A310MUUB2BQA1_UPO.zip
SM-A310M 22 Sep 2016 A310MUBU2BPI4 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A310MUBU2BPI4_A310MUUB2BPI4_ARO.zip
SM-A310M 01 Sep 2016 A310MUBU2BPI1 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A310MUBU2BPI1_A310MUUB2BPI1_ARO.zip
SM-A310M 06 Jul 2016 A310MUBU2APG1 | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop A310MUBU2APG1_A310MZTO2APG1_ZTO.zip
SM-A310M 10 May 2016 A310MUBU2APE2 | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop A310MUBU2APE2_A310MUUB2APE2_ARO.zip
SM-A310M 27 Apr 2016 A310MUBU2APD4 | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop A310MUBU2APD4_A310MUUB2APD4_CHO.zip
SM-A310M 12 Feb 2016 A310MUBU1APB2 | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop A310MUBU1APB2_A310MUUB1APB2_ARO.zip
SM-A310N0 08 Jan 2017 A310N0KOU1CQL2 | Android 7.0 Nougat A310N0KOU1CQL2_A310N0OKS1CQL2_KOO.zip
SM-A310N0 15 Feb 2017 A310N0KOU1BQB1 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A310N0KOU1BQB1_A310N0OKL1BQB1_KOO.zip
SM-A310N0 13 Jun 2016 A310N0KOU1APF6 | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop A310N0KOU1APF6_A310N0KOO1APF6_KOO.zip
SM-A310Y A310YDVU4CRA3 | Android 7.0 Nougat A310YDVU4CRA3_A310YPNG4CRA3_PNG.zip
SM-A310Y 23 May 2017 A310YDVU3CQE2 | Android 7.0 Nougat A310YDVU3CQE2_A310YNZC3CQE2_NZC.zip
SM-A310Y 16 Feb 2017 A310YDVU2BQB2 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A310YDVU2BQB2_A310YNZC2BQB2_NZC.zip
SM-A310Y 28 Apr 2016 A310YDVU2APD4 | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop A310YDVU2APD4_A310YVNZ2APD4_VNZ.zip

Galaxy A3 2015

Model Date Software version | Android version Free Download Link
SM-A300F 04 Apr 2017 A300FXXU1BQD1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXXU1BQD1_A300FOXE1BQD1_CAC.zip
SM-A300F 21 Feb 2017 A300FXXU1BQB2 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXXU1BQB2_A300FAUT1BPL2_AUT.zip
SM-A300F 21 Dec 2016 A300FXXU1BPL5 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXXU1BPL5_A300FODD1BOK1_SLK.zip
SM-A300F 17 Oct 2016 A300FXXU1BPJ2 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXXU1BPJ2_A300FROM1BPJ3_ROM.zip
SM-A300F 07 Sep 2016 A300FXXU1BPI1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXXU1BPI1_A300FAUT1BPI2_AUT.zip
SM-A300F 24 Mar 2017 A300FXXS1BQC1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXXS1BQC1_A300FOJV1BOI1_KSA.zip
SM-A300F 15 Feb 2017 A300FXXS1BQB1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXXS1BQB1_A300FODD1BOK1_SLK.zip
SM-A300F 14 Dec 2016 A300FXXS1BPL1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXXS1BPL1_A300FOLB1BPF1_XME.zip
SM-A300F 28 Nov 2016 A300FXXS1BPK3 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXXS1BPK3_A300FOJV1BOI1_KSA.zip
SM-A300F 15 Sep 2016 A300FXXS1BPI1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXXS1BPI1_A300FOJV1BOI1_XSG.zip
SM-A300F 22 Aug 2016 A300FXXS1BPH5 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXXS1BPH5_A300FODD1BOK1_SLK.zip
SM-A300F 16 Aug 2016 A300FXXS1BPH2 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXXS1BPH2_A300FOLB1BPF1_XME.zip
SM-A300F 19 Jul 2016 A300FXXS1BPG2 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXXS1BPG2_A300FAUT1BOJ1_AUT.zip
SM-A300F 24 Mar 2017 A300FXCS1BQC2 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXCS1BQC2_A300FOJV1BPB2_MID.zip
SM-A300F 24 Mar 2017 A300FXCS1BQC1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXCS1BQC1_A300FOJV1BOI1_XFA.zip
SM-A300F 28 Nov 2016 A300FXCS1BPK4 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXCS1BPK4_A300FOJV1BPB2_MID.zip
SM-A300F 28 Nov 2016 A300FXCS1BPK3 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXCS1BPK3_A300FOJV1BOI1_XFA.zip
SM-A300F 15 Sep 2016 A300FXCS1BPI2 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXCS1BPI2_A300FOJV1BPB2_MID.zip
SM-A300F 15 Sep 2016 A300FXCS1BPI1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXCS1BPI1_A300FOJV1BOI1_AFR.zip
SM-A300F 19 Jul 2016 A300FXCS1BPG3 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXCS1BPG3_A300FOJK1BOK1_ILO.zip
SM-A300F 19 Jul 2016 A300FXCS1BPG2 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXCS1BPG2_A300FOJV1BOI1_XFA.zip
SM-A300F 19 Jul 2016 A300FXCS1BPG1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300FXCS1BPG1_A300FOJV1BPB2_MID.zip
SM-A300FU 18 Apr 2017 A300FUXXU1CQD2 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A300FUXXU1CQD2_A300FUORS1CQD2_ORS.zip
SM-A300FU 07 Apr 2017 A300FUXXS1CQD5 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A300FUXXS1CQD5_A300FUTSI1CPI1_TSI.zip
SM-A300G 29 Jun 2016 A300GXXU1BPF1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300GXXU1BPF1_A300GOLC1BPF1_XSP.zip
SM-A300G 03 Jul 2015 A300GXXU1BOG1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300GXXU1BOG1_A300GOLC1BOF1_XSP.zip
SM-A300G 08 Jun 2015 A300GXXU1BOF1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300GXXU1BOF1_A300GOLC1BOF1_XSP.zip
SM-A300G 13 Dec 2016 A300GXXS1BPL1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300GXXS1BPL1_A300GOLC1BPF1_XSP.zip
SM-A300G 16 Aug 2016 A300GXXS1BPH1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300GXXS1BPH1_A300GOLC1BPF1_XSP.zip
SM-A300G 10 Mar 2015 A300GDXU1AOC2 | Android 4.4.4 KitKat A300GDXU1AOC2_A300GOLC1AOC1_XSP.zip
SM-A300G 10 Feb 2015 A300GDXU1AOB1 | Android 4.4.4 KitKat A300GDXU1AOB1_A300GOLC1AOB1_XSP.zip
SM-A300G 27 Jan 2015 A300GDXU1AOA4 | Android 4.4.4 KitKat A300GDXU1AOA4_A300GOLC1AOA1_XSP.zip
SM-A300G 22 Jan 2015 A300GDXU1AOA3 | Android 4.4.4 KitKat A300GDXU1AOA3_A300GOLC1AOA1_XSP.zip
SM-A300G 04 Jan 2015 A300GDXU1AOA1 | Android 4.4.4 KitKat A300GDXU1AOA1_A300GOLC1ANK3_XSP.zip
SM-A300H 12 Oct 2016 A300HXXU1BPJ3 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300HXXU1BPJ3_A300HODD1BPJ2_INS.zip
SM-A300H 07 Oct 2016 A300HXXU1BPJ2 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300HXXU1BPJ2_A300HQTURBPJ1_TUR.zip
SM-A300H 10 Apr 2017 A300HXXS1BQD2 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300HXXS1BQD2_A300HOLB1BOJ1_XSE.zip
SM-A300H 06 Apr 2017 A300HXXS1BQD1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300HXXS1BQD1_A300HOXYBOK5_CAC.zip
SM-A300H 23 Mar 2017 A300HXXS1BQC2 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300HXXS1BQC2_A300HOJVBPB2_MID.zip
SM-A300H 23 Mar 2017 A300HXXS1BQC1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300HXXS1BQC1_A300HOJVBOL2_THR.zip
SM-A300H 17 Feb 2017 A300HXXS1BQB3 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300HXXS1BQB3_A300HODD1BPJ2_INS.zip
SM-A300H 09 Feb 2017 A300HXXS1BQB1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300HXXS1BQB1_A300HUUBBPA1_UPO.zip
SM-A300H 07 Dec 2016 A300HXXS1BPL3 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300HXXS1BPL3_A300HOJVBOJ3_KSA.zip
SM-A300H 06 Dec 2016 A300HXXS1BPL2 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300HXXS1BPL2_A300HOLB1BOJ1_XSE.zip
SM-A300H 01 Dec 2016 A300HXXS1BPL1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300HXXS1BPL1_A300HODD1BPJ2_INS.zip
SM-A300H 19 Sep 2016 A300HXXS1BPI4 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300HXXS1BPI4_A300HOJVBPB2_MID.zip
SM-A300H 16 Sep 2016 A300HXXS1BPI3 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300HXXS1BPI3_A300HOJVBOL2_THR.zip
SM-A300H A300HXXS1BPI1 | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop A300HXXS1BPI1_A300HOXYBOK5_CAC.zip
SM-A300H 16 Aug 2016 A300HXXS1BPH3 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300HXXS1BPH3_A300HODD1BPF1_INS.zip
SM-A300M 10 Jan 2017 A300MUBU1BQA1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300MUBU1BQA1_A300MCOL1BQA1_COL.zip
SM-A300M 16 Feb 2016 A300MUBU1BPB2 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300MUBU1BPB2_A300MTFG1BPB1_UFU.zip
SM-A300M 01 Feb 2016 A300MUBU1BPB1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300MUBU1BPB1_A300MUUB1BPB1_ARO.zip
SM-A300M 15 Feb 2017 A300MUBS1BQB5 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300MUBS1BQB5_A300MCOL1BQB5_COL.zip
SM-A300M 14 Feb 2017 A300MUBS1BQB3 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300MUBS1BQB3_A300MTFG1BPB1_UFU.zip
SM-A300M 06 Dec 2016 A300MUBS1BPL3 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300MUBS1BPL3_A300MTFG1BPB1_UFU.zip
SM-A300M 25 Aug 2016 A300MUBS1BPH7 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300MUBS1BPH7_A300MTFG1BPB1_UFU.zip
SM-A300M 19 May 2016 A300MUBS1BPE3 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300MUBS1BPE3_A300MUUB1BPB1_COO.zip
SM-A300Y 07 Apr 2017 A300YDVU1CQD1 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A300YDVU1CQD1_A300YTLP1CQD1_TLP.zip
SM-A300Y 28 Feb 2017 A300YDVU1CQC1 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A300YDVU1CQC1_A300YXSA1CQC1_XSA.zip
SM-A300Y 10 Oct 2016 A300YDVU1CPJ1 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A300YDVU1CPJ1_A300YXSA1CPK1_XSA.zip
SM-A300Y 30 Aug 2016 A300YDVU1CPH5 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A300YDVU1CPH5_A300YTLP1CPH5_TLP.zip
SM-A300Y 08 Aug 2016 A300YDVU1CPH3 | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow A300YDVU1CPH3_A300YXSA1CPH3_XSA.zip
SM-A300Y 14 Jul 2016 A300YDVU1BPG1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300YDVU1BPG1_A300YTNZ1BPG1_TNZ.zip
SM-A300Y 01 Dec 2015 A300YDVU1BOL1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300YDVU1BOL1_A300YNZC1BOL1_NZC.zip
SM-A300Y 13 Nov 2015 A300YDVU1BOK1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300YDVU1BOK1_A300YPNG1BOK1_PNG.zip
SM-A300Y 31 Oct 2015 A300YDVU1BOJ4 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300YDVU1BOJ4_A300YXSA1BOJ4_XSA.zip
SM-A300Y 17 Sep 2015 A300YDVU1BOI3 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300YDVU1BOI3_A300YTLP1BOI3_TLP.zip
SM-A300Y 09 Sep 2015 A300YDVU1BOI1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300YDVU1BOI1_A300YXSA1BOI1_XSA.zip
SM-A300Y 28 Aug 2015 A300YDVU1BOH5 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300YDVU1BOH5_A300YTNZ1BOH5_TNZ.zip
SM-A300Y 23 Jan 2015 A300YDVU1AOA7 | Android 4.4.4 KitKat A300YDVU1AOA7_A300YXSA1AOA7_XSA.zip
SM-A300YZ A300YZUJU1BPD1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300YZUJU1BPD1_A300YZUUB1BPD1_CHO.zip
SM-A300YZ 02 Oct 2015 A300YZUJU1AOJ2 | Android 4.4.4 KitKat A300YZUJU1AOJ2_A300YZUUB1AOC1_CHO.zip
SM-A300YZ 05 Mar 2015 A300YZUJU1AOC1 | Android 4.4.4 KitKat A300YZUJU1AOC1_A300YZUUB1AOC1_CHO.zip
SM-A300YZ 13 Feb 2015 A300YZUJU1AOB1 | Android 4.4.4 KitKat A300YZUJU1AOB1_A300YZUUB1AOB1_CHO.zip
SM-A300YZ 21 Jan 2015 A300YZUJU1AOA5 | Android 4.4.4 KitKat A300YZUJU1AOA5_A300YZUUB1AOA5_CHO.zip
SM-A300YZ 03 Feb 2017 A300YZUJS1BQB1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300YZUJS1BQB1_A300YZUUB1BPD1_CHO.zip
SM-A300YZ 01 Dec 2016 A300YZUJS1BPL1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300YZUJS1BPL1_A300YZUUB1BPD1_CHO.zip
SM-A300YZ 17 Aug 2016 A300YZUJS1BPH1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300YZUJS1BPH1_A300YZUUB1BPD1_CHO.zip
SM-A300YZ 24 May 2016 A300YZUJS1BPE1 | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop A300YZUJS1BPE1_A300YZUUB1BPD1_CHO.zip

How to download the correct firmware file

This is an important part!

Be sure to check and find the correct model no. of your Galaxy A3. Then, based on your device’s model no., look for the appropriate firmware build from above.

You can identify the model no. using an app called Droid Info, or simply check it on its packaging box, or under Settings > About. Another solid trick would be to look at the packaging box of your device (in case you can’t power on the device because it is bricked).

Now that you know the model no., download the latest firmware from above for that model no. exactly.

Next, install the firmware on your Galaxy A3 by following the guide linked right below.

How to install a firmware

First, read our disclaimer, then take backup and then follow the guide below to install the firmware.

Disclaimer: Installing an official firmware through Odin doesn’t void your device’s warranty, but it remains an unofficial process and thus you need to be cautious of it. In any case, you only are responsible for your device. We won’t be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components.

Backup, backup, backup! Create an appropriate backup of contacts, pictures, videos, songs and other important files stored on your device before proceeding with the steps below, so that in case something goes wrong you’ll have a backup of all your important files. Sometimes, firmware installation may delete everything on your device! Like, when you change the CSC of your device, knowingly or not.

Step-by-step Firmware Installation Guide

Let’s see how to install the firmware on your Galaxy A3. Make sure you have more than 30% battery on your device.

Step 1. Make sure you have downloaded the correct firmware file on your PC. See above for how to download correct firmware file for your Galaxy A3 and download links.

Step 2. Install Samsung USB driver (method 1 on the linked page) first of all. Double-click the .exe file of drivers to begin the installation. (Not required if you have already done this.)

Step 3. Also, download Odin PC software (latest version).

Step 4. Extract the firmware file now. You can use a free software like 7-zip for this. Install 7-zip, then right click on firmware file and under 7-zip, select ‘Extract here’. You should get a file in .tar.md5 format now. (You may get 4 or more files, with AP, BL, CP or CSC etc. written at the beginning of those files.) We will be loading this file into Odin, to be installed on the device (in step 10 below).

Step 5. Extract the Odin file. You should get the Odin exe file (other files could be hidden, hence not visible).

Step 6. Disconnect your Galaxy A3 from PC if it is connected.

Step 7. Boot into download mode:

  • Power off your device. Wait for 6-7 seconds after screen goes off.
  • Press and hold the three buttons Volume down + Home + Power together until you see the Warning screen.
  • Press Volume Up to continue to download mode.

Step 8. Double click on Odin .exe file (from step 5) to open the Odin window as shown below. Be careful with Odin, and do just as said to prevent problems.

Step 9. Connect your device now using the USB cable. Odin should recognize your device. It’s a must. When it recognizes, you will see Added!! message appearing in the Log box in the bottom left, and the first box under ID:COM will also show a no. and turn its background blue. Look at the pic below.

  • You cannot proceed until you get the Added!! message, which confirms that Odin has recognized your device.
  • If you don’t get Added!! message, you need to install/re-install drivers again, and use the original cable that came with the device. Mostly, drivers are the problem (look at step 2 above).
  • You can try different USB ports on your PC too.

Step 10. Load the firmware file into Odin. Click the AP button on Odin and the select the .tar.md5 file from above.

Load the firmware files(s) on your device. This depends on how many files you got in step 4 above upon extracting the firmware .zip file.

Case 1: If you got a single .tar/.tar.md5 file, then load this into AP tab of your Odin software. Then go to next step.

To load the file, click on AP tab, select the single firmware file starting with AP text, wait for it to load, and then skip to step 11, ignoring the rest of the part of this step.

Case 2: If you got more than one .tar/.tar.md5 file, then you must be having files starting with AP, CSC, Home_CSC, BL, CP, etc. stuff. In this case, choose the files as follows. Select the firmware files as follows.

  • Click on BL tab, and select the file beginning with BL text.
  • Click on AP tab, and select the file beginning with AP text.
  • Click on CP tab, and select the file beginning with CP text.
  • [Different] Click on CSC tab, and select the file beginning with HOME_CSC text. If HOME_CSC file isn’t available, then select the file beginning with CSC text.

About CSC file: Using the HOME_CSC file won’t reset your device, and data on the phone shouldn’t be deleted. However, when we select regular CSC file, and it results in CSC on the device being different than that in CSC file, your phone will be formatted automatically. You can even choose to ignore loading the CSC file, that may do alright too. But if it doesn’t work out, repeat the whole process and select CSC file this time around.

  • Info: When you load files, Odin checks the md5 of firmware file, which takes time. So, simply wait until that’s done and the firmware file is loaded. Don’t worry if Odin gets unresponsive for a while, it’s normal. Binary size will also show up in Odin.

Step 11. Click on Options tab, and make sure Re-partition checkbox is NOT selected. Don’t use PIT tab, ever.

Go back to Log tab now, as it will show the progress of firmware installation when you hit the start button in next step.

Step 12. Verify that everything is okay as mentioned above. When satisfied, click the Start button on Odin now to start flashing the firmware on your device.

Wait till installation is finished, after which your device will reboot automatically. You’ll get PASS message as shown below upon successful installation from Odin.

Some errors you may run into, and with respective solution.

  • If Odin gets stuck at setup connection, then you need to do this all again. Disconnect your device, close Odin, boot device into download mode again, open Odin, and then select the file and flash it again as said above.
  • If you get FAIL in the top left box, then also you need to flash the file again as stated just above.

That’s it. Let device restart automatically.

The first start of the device may take time, so wait patiently again. When it has, verify the installation. Check the Settings > About device, to confirm new build no. based on the firmware you just installed.

Need help? Be sure to let us know via comments below.


Firmware Benefits

You can use the firmware for a variety of purposes, which includes:

  • Fix your Galaxy A3 if it’s giving you force closes errors and restarts randomly.
  • Unbrick your Galaxy A3 if it’s bootlooping and stuck at logo when restarting.
  • Go Back to Stock on your Galaxy A3 — helps when looking to sell the device, or fix installing OTA updates if broken.
  • Restore Galaxy A3 to factory state.
  • Upgrade your Galaxy A3 to newer Android version.
  • Downgrade your Galaxy A3 to lower build no. at same Android version.
  • Unroot your Galaxy A3.
  • Remove custom recovery like TWRP and CWM, if installed, on your Galaxy A3.

To perform any of the above, simply install the firmware meant for your device, as per its Galaxy A3 firmware in Settings > About device.