The latest firmware for the Bell Mobility variant of the Galaxy S3 is the MVLALH1 firmware, based on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, most people have probably updated to it over the air on their device. However, those who haven’t or would like to manually update their Bell Galaxy S3 to the latest Android 4.0.4 firmware can do so by following the step-by-step instructions in this guide.

Now, let’s take a look at how the Bell Galaxy S3 (i747M) can be updated to the MVLALH1 Android 4.0.4 firmware.

Compatibility

This guide below is compatible only and only with the Bell Galaxy S3, model number SGH-i747M. It’s not compatible with any other Galaxy S3, it only works for T-Mobile variant. Check your device’s model 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 Update to MVLALH1 Android 4.0.4 Firmware on Bell Galaxy S3 i747M

  1. [Important] This method might need you to wipe data, so backup all your apps, data and settings (though there’s a very less chance of that).  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 3.04, the software that we will use to flash recovery.
    Download Odin  |  Filename: Odin3-v3.04.zip
  4. Extract the Odin3-v3.04.zip file to a convenient location on the computer.
  5. Download the firmware.
    Download MVLALH1  |  Alternate Link  |  Filename: I747MVLALH1_I747MOYCALH1_BMC.zip 
  6. Extract the I747MVLALH1_I747MOYCALH1_BMC.zip file to get a file named KIES_HOME_I747MVLALH1_I747MOYCALH1_20120814.100513_REV04_user_low_ship.tar.md5. This is the firmware file that needs to be flashed.
  7. 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.
  8. Now, open Odin by clicking on the Odin3 v3.04.exe file which you obtained after extracting Odin3-v3.04.zip in step 4.
  9. 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.
  10. In Odin, click on the PDA button, then select the KIES_HOME_I747MVLALH1_I747MOYCALH1_20120814.100513_REV04_user_low_ship.tar.md5 file that you obtained in step 6.
  11. Important! Do not touch any other button or make any other changes in Odin except selecting the required file as given in step 10.
  12. 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 7.
  13. [Important] After you get the PASS message and the phone reboots, the phone might get stuck at the booting animation. If that happens, perform the following steps to make it boot. Remember that these steps will wipe your personal data like contacts, apps, messages, etc.
    (NOTE:If your phone has already booted, skip these steps, your phone has been updated successfully):
    1. Boot to recovery mode — for which, first power off phone (by removing battery and reinserting it), wait for 5-6 seconds, and then press and hold Home + Volume Up + Power keys together for about 5 seconds, then let them go to boot into recovery. Once you are in recovery mode, use volume keys to move the selection up and down and home/power key to select the option.
    2. Go to Wipe data/Factory Reset and select it. Select Yes on next screen.
    3. Then, select reboot system now to reboot the phone, which will now boot properly.
  14. If you encounter any roadblocks while flashing the firmware, let us know and we’ll help you out.

Your Bell Galaxy S3 SGH-i747M has been successfully updated to the MVLALH1 Android 4.0.4 firmware. Let us know how it works!