Tips and tricks for the Samsung Galaxy S3

If you want to try a new keyboard on your Galaxy S3, it's very simple to change. Go into Settings, tap on Language and input and then tap on Default. Depending on which new keyboard you've downloaded, you'll be able to make that the standard input method on your Galaxy S3. 

How to take a screen shot on the Samsung Galaxy S3

We're always taking screen shots to use for our reviews but you'd be surprised at how often it can come in handy. Maybe you want to preserve a picture of your high score in Angry Birds Friends or share an image of how your phone is freaking out. Luckily, this is a very simple thing to do: simply hold down the power and home button at the same time and a screen shot animation will take place.

You'll then get a notification at the top of your screen and the screen shot will be saved to your gallery. You can share it via your social networks by going into your Gallery, clicking on it and then hitting the Share button. 

There's another way to take a screen shot on the Samsung Galaxy S3. Go into the Settings, tap on Motion, go down to find Hand Motion and then click on Palm Swipe to Capture. Now, whenever you want to take a screen shot, do a swiping motion across the screen with your hand and you should take a screen shot.

How to select a screen lock on the Samsung Galaxy S3

Putting a screen lock will help secure your Galaxy S3 and this can be done by going into the Settings and then tapping on Security. Tap Screen Lock and you'll then have the option to put in Swipe, Motion, Face unlock, Face and Voice, Pattern, PIN or Pinword. 

How to customize your lock screen on the Samsung Galaxy S3

If you've set up a screen lock, you'll also be able to control what info appears on it.

To add your own apps to the lock screen simply follow our short step-by-step guide below:

1. From the Galaxy S3 home screen, navigate to and open the Settings app.
2. Now scroll down the settings menu and tap Security, then Lock screen options.
3. Once inside, confirm that the shortcut button is turned on and then tap Shortcuts.
4. Now you will be presented with four icons. Drag to the trash those that you want to remove from the lock screen and use the + symbol to add new app shortcuts.

How to encrypt device, SD card on the Samsung Galaxy S3

If you encrypt your Samsung Galaxy S3, go into Settings, tap on Security and then tap on either Encrypt device or Encrypt SD card. Once you've tapped these, you'll go through the on-screen instructions for securing your device further. 

How to use Share Shot on the Samsung Galaxy S3

The Galaxy S3 has an amazing camera and one of the coolest features is called Share Shot, which enables you to quickly share shots with nearby Samsung users in real time. In the Camera app, tap on the shooting mode button (in the middle) and then scroll down and check Share shot. Have your other Samsung-toting friends do the same and as long as you're within 100 meters of each other, shared images will be stored in a Share Shot album on the device. 

This can come in handy in a variety of situations and one of the most obvious is when you're taking a group photo. We've all been in that situation where we're posing and the shooter then has to take photos with various people's phones. If everyone has a compatible Samsung device, you can just take it with one Galaxy S3 and then Share Shot it. 

How to use Group Cast on the Samsung Galaxy S3

The Group Cast feature on the Galaxy S3 lets multiple users interact with the same image at once - including the ability to have real-time markups on an image or PDF file. To launch this with other devices on the same Wi-Fi network, open an image, tap on the Share button and then tap on Group Cast. 

How to use AllShare Play on the Samsung Galaxy S3

The Samsung AllShare Play lets you use DLNA to "automagically" transmit content from your Galaxy S3 to other devices like a television or a computer. You have to sign up for an AllShare account but once you do, launch the AllShare Play app and then follow the on-screen instructions for adding other devices or for utilizing Web storage. 

How to take HDR photos on the Samsung Galaxy S3

You can set a variety of shooting options on the Galaxy S3. To turn on things like HDR or Panorama, open up the Camera app and then tap on the Shooting mode button. From there, you'll be able to choose from Single shot, Burst shot, HDR, Smile shot, Beauty, Panorama, Cartoon, Share shot and Buddy photo share. 

How to take better shots on the Samsung Galaxy S3 This is probably the one aspect that will take the most time to learn but it's definitely worth it. Basically, when you're taking photos with your iPhone 4S, keep in mind the lighting, composition and angles. We've dedicated multiple sections to helping you take better smartphone photos, so go ahead and check out how to capture light and how to properly compose your pictures.

How to install apps on the Samsung Galaxy S3

In order to install a free Android application on the Samsung Galaxy S3, proceed with the following:

1. From the Galaxy S3 home screen, select the Google Play Store app.
2. From the main Google Play Store screen, select the Apps panel on the left.
3. Here, any mobile app can be accessed and installed. You can either browse or conduct a search using the magnifying glass icon in the top right of the screen.
4. After you find a free app that interests you, tap Download.
5. Then tap Accept & Download to accept the permissions for the app (or press Back if you change your mind) -- your item will start downloading immediately.
6. After downloading it will install in the background and will be instantly available for use.
7. That's it! You're now well on your way to using apps and games.

To install a paid Android application on the Samsung Galaxy S3, proceed with the following:

1. From the home screen, select the Google Play Store app.
2. From the main Google Play Store screen, select the Apps panel on the left.
3. Now go ahead and find any paid app you want. You can either browse or conduct a search using the magnifying glass icon in the top right of the screen.
4. After you find a paid app that interests you tap on the blue box with the price.
5. You will then be brought to a screen with the total and payment method. If no credit card is shown it should allow you to add a card.
6. When finished confirming or adding a payment method tap Accept & Buy to accept the permissions for the app (or press Back if you change your mind) -- your item will start downloading immediately.
7. After downloading it will install in the background and will be instantly available for use.

You can also download free and paid apps directly from your computer. Just go to play.google.com and search for the app you want to download. Click on the Install button and if it's compatible with your device, the app will be installed over the air automatically.

How to install apps from your computer on the Samsung Galaxy S3

You can install apps on your Galaxy S3 directly from your computer. Go to play.google.com when you're signed into your Google account, choose the app you want to download, click Install and there will be an option that says "Send To Another Device…" Tap on the "Choose another device on which to install," scroll down to the Samsung Galaxy S3 option and the app will be automatically installed a few seconds later. 

How to install apps from non-Play Store on the Samsung Galaxy S3

The Google Play Store is a great way to add apps but so is the Amazon Appstore or GetJar. To install apps from third-party markets on the Galaxy S3, go into Settings, tap Security and then check the "Unknown sources" box. This does come with some security risks, so be sure you want to do this.  

How to put an app on your home screen on the Samsung Galaxy S3

After you've downloaded an app, you can easily put it on your home screen of the Galaxy S3. Open the app tray and simply hold down on an app icon for a second or two. You'll then be able to drag it to the home screen you want it to be on.

How to delete apps on the Samsung Galaxy S3

If you want to get rid of an app, it's pretty easy to do on the Galaxy S3. Open the app menu and then tap and hold an app icon like you were going to place it on the home screen. Drag it to the App info icon on the bottom of the screen and then click on the Uninstall icon.

How to root your Galaxy S3

Note: This guide is for the AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and international variants of the Galaxy S3.

Requirements

1. A Samsung Galaxy S3
2. A Windows PC
3. Galaxy S3 USB drivers installed
4. A fully charged battery

Part I - Setting up your Galaxy S3

1. Download CMW_SuperUser_v3.07.zip and transfer it to your Galaxy S3's internal storage.
2. Download Odin3-v3.04.zip , extract it and install it. You will also need to download clockworkmod.tar. AT&T models of the Galaxy S3 will be required to download fixboot.tar.
3. It is now time to put your Galaxy S3 in download mode. You can do this by holding down the volume and home buttons together until a warning message appears. When you see this warning message appear press the volume up button. If you entered download mode correctly your Galaxy S3 should be displaying a green Android and say Downloading.
4. Now navigate to and open the Odin program from step 2.

Part II - Flashing recovery

1. Once your Galaxy S3 is connected to your PC via a USB cable and Odin is open, click on PDA and then select the clockworkmod.tar file you downloaded in step 2. If you have the AT&T Galaxy S3, choose fixboot.tar.
2. Next you will need to ensure that Auto Reboot and Reset Time options are selected in Odin and then you can click go.
3. Next up, you will boot into ClockworkMod Recovery. To do this you will simply need to shut down your Galaxy S3, press and hold Volume Up, Home and Power buttons at the same time.

Part III - Rooting your Galaxy S3

1. Once you are inside ClockworkMod, make sure to flash CMW_SuperUser_v3.07.zip that you copied to the Galaxy S3 earlier. Once this is flashed, your will be rooted.
2. Finally, reboot and and you are good to go!

Your Galaxy S3 is now rooted and ready for custom ROMs! Now head on over to XDA-Developers and start flashing some awesome ROMs and mods. The Galaxy S3 already has an awesome development community, so you should find plenty of ROMs to mess around with.

Enjoy, but flash with caution, Android fans!