Verizon rolled out the VRALG7 update for the Verizon Galaxy S3 a few weeks ago, that was supposed to fix the issue of the phone showing a “No SIM card” error message. But later reports indicated that the error was still present on the few devices, and now a newer update – VRALHD – has been leaked for the devices, which should fix the SIM card error completely.

The update has been made available as both a stock ROM flash-able via Odin and should be used by those on a completely stock firmware, as well as a custom rooted version that can be flashed via ClockworkMod recovery for those who have an unlocked bootloader. Both of the two versions can be flashed by using the guides below.

Keep in mind that this is a leaked update, so it may have a few issues and may not be completely stable. If you aren’t comfortable with trying out leaked pre-release firmware, you should wait for the official update.

Now, let’s take a look at how the VRALHD firmware can be installed on the Verizon Galaxy S3.

Compatibility

This guide below is compatible only and only with the Verizon Galaxy S3, model number SCH-i535. It’s not compatible with other US variants or other devices. Check your device’s model number in: Settings » About phone.

Warning!

The methods and procedures discussed here are considered risky and you should not attempt anything if you don’t know completely what it is. If any damage occurs to your device, we won’t be held liable.

How to Install VRALHD Firmware on Verizon Galaxy S3

Procedure I: Using Odin

This procedure should be used by those who have a completely stock Verizon Galaxy S3 and don’t have a custom recovery installed. Those that have an unlocked bootloader and ClockworkMod recovery installed should following Procedure II instead.

  1. [Optional] Just to be safe, backup all your apps, data and settings.  Backup your Apps and important data — bookmarks, contacts, SMS, APNs (internet settings), etc. This Android backup guide would help you.
  2. Download and install the drivers for the phone on the computer.
    Download Drivers
  3. Download Odin 3.07, the software that we will use to flash ClockworkMod (CWM) recovery.
    Download Odin  |  Filename: Odin307.zip
  4. Extract the Odin307.zip file to a convenient location on the computer to get a folder named Odin307 with 4 files inside.
  5. Download the VRALHD firmware.
    Download VRALHD Firmware  |  Filename: COMBINATION_I535VRALHD_I535VZWALHD_1092717_REV09_user_low_ship.tar.md5
  6. Turn off your phone. Then boot into download mode. To do so, hold down the Volume Down, Home and then the Power buttons together until a Warning!! message is displayed on the screen. Here, press Volume Up to enter download mode. A green Android and the text Downloading will be displayed on the screen.
  7. Now, open Odin by clicking on the Odin3 v3.07.exe file in the Odin307 folder which you obtained after extracting Odin307.zip in step 3.
  8. Then, connect the phone to the computer with the USB cable and wait for Windows to finish installing drivers. Odin will say Added!! in the message box on the bottom left if the phone is detected successfully. If not, make sure the drivers are installed and also try using a different USB port – preferably a USB port on the back if using a desktop computer.
  9. In Odin, click on the PDA button, then select the COMBINATION_I535VRALHD_I535VZWALHD_1092717_REV09_user_low_ship.tar.md5 file that you downloaded in step 5. Do NOT touch any other option in Odin. Make sure Re-partition option is NOT selected.
  10. Now, hit the START button to start flashing the firmware on the phone. When the flashing is complete, your phone will automatically reboot — and when you see the Samsung logo, you can safely unplug the cable. Plus, you’ll get a PASS message (with green background) in the left-most box at the very top of Odin.
    What to do if Odin gets stuck: If ODIN gets stuck and doesn’t seem to be doing anything, or you get a FAIL message (with red background) in ODIN, disconnect the phone from the PC, close ODIN, remove battery, re-insert it, then repeat the procedure from step 6.

Procedure II: Using ClockworkMod recovery

This procedure should be followed by those that want a rooted version of the firmware, have an unlocked bootloader on the phone, and also have ClockworkMod recovery installed. This procedure will wipe all installed apps and settings.

  1. This procedure will wipe all your apps, data and settings (but it will NOT touch your SD cards, so don’t worry about those). Backup your Apps and important data — bookmarks, contacts, SMS, APNs (internet settings), etc. This Android backup guide would help you.
    NOTE: Don’t forget to at least note down your network’s APN settings, which are required to make mobile data work. Go into Settings » More » Mobile Networks, click on the APN that is in use, then note down the setting for each field. While APN settings should be automatically restored from network, you can enter them manually if needed to make mobile data work. You can also find your APN details → here.
  2. [Important!] Make sure you have unlocked the bootloader on the phone. If not, unlock the bootloader on your by following this guide. This is necessary and will void your phone’s warranty, however it can be relocked when needed to get warranty back.
  3. Make sure ClockworkMod recovery is installed on the phone. If not, install it by following the guide → here.
  4. Download the ROM.
    Download Link  |  Filename: Stock Root – VRALHD – DE-ODEX.zip
  5. Copy the ROM file to the internal SD card. Do not extract them.
  6. Now, boot into ClockworkMod recovery. To do that, turn off your phone. Then, hold down Volume Up, Home and then the Power buttons together until the screen turns on, then let them go. The phone will boot into ClockworkMod recovery in a few seconds.
  7. Perform a Nandroid Backup of your existing ROM, so that you can always restore it from recovery if something does not work out with this ROM. To perform a backup, select Backup and Restore –> On the next screen, select Backup again. Go back to main recovery menu after backup is complete.
  8. Select wipe data/factory reset, then select Yes on next screen to confirm. Wait a while till the data wipe is complete.
  9. Select install zip from sdcard, then select choose zip from sdcard. Scroll to the Stock Root – VRALHD – DE-ODEX.zip file on the SD card and select it. Confirm installation by selecting Yes on the next screen. The ROM will start installing.
  10. After the ROM finishes installing, select go back then select reboot system now to reboot the phone into the VRALHD ROM.
    NOTE: If you want to go back to your previous ROM, boot into recovery (the same way you did in step 6), select backup and restore then restore your previous ROM by selecting it from the list.

The VRALHD Android 4.0.4 firmware is now running on your Verizon Galaxy S3. Do let us know what changes you notice in it, and whether the no SIM error gets fixed for you if the previous update didn’t do it.