Security and privacy can be improved as well through Marshmallow. Instead of your choices being either to A) surrender your privacy and be forced to accept permissions the app demands, or B) forgo the installation of the app altogether, Marshmallow allows you to fine-tune permissions. Payments are also more secure because you can validate the transaction using a virtual card number or your fingerprint. You might be thinking, “Okay, this all sounds great, but the J3 doesn’t currently have Marshmallow, has no set date to receive Marshmallow, and may never get it OTA.” There are some ways around it. There’s no reason your J3 shouldn’t have looks and brains, at least, eventually.
Method 1: Update Over-the-Air
The fact of the matter is that the Marshmallow update may never be available OTA for the J3. But that’s not to say that others won’t be, or that it’s outside the realm of possibility.
Step 1: Stabilize Internet
Ensure that you have a stable Wi-Fi connection.If your Wi-Fi connection is unreliable, it might be best to use Methods 2 or 3 instead. They contain ways to update Samsung J3 without Wi-Fi. Using Wi-Fi guarantees there won’t be any carrier data fee.
Step 2: Stabilize Internet
Ensure that you have a stable Wi-Fi connection.If your Wi-Fi connection is unreliable, it might be best to use Methods 2 or 3 instead. They contain ways to update Samsung J3 without Wi-Fi. Using Wi-Fi guarantees there won’t be any carrier data fee.
Step 3: Check Notifications
Sometimes updates will show up on your phone like magic. If so, lucky you!
Check the Notification bar to see if there’s an update alert.If you see the alert in your notification bar, tap on it and confirm that you want to download the update. If it isn’t available, proceed to Step 4.
Step 4: Visit Settings
From your J3’s menu, tap on Settings.Note: Don’t shut off your phone during an update.
Step 5: Choose More
Step 6: Select About Device
Step 7: Choose System
Look for any new notifications here.
Step 8: Update
If available, select the update to install.Your phone should take it from here.
Method 2: Update Using Smart Switch
Even if you decided to root your J3, you can still update your phone using Smart Switch. There is a good chance, however, that you will lose root during the process.
Step 1: Connect Phone
Connect your J3 to your computer via USB cable.
Step 2: Launch Smart Switch
Take advantage of the Setup Wizard to finish installation. Smart Switch should detect and recognize your J3 and install drivers automatically. You can use Smart Switch to create a convenient backup and restore option.
Click the Backup button near the bottom of your screen.
Step 5: Update
Smart Switch will display a message indicating that a new update is available if that is the case.
Click on Update.
Step 6: Confirm
Confirm the update by pressing the Update button again.Then choose OK.Wait until all the new files are finished downloading. When the update is done you will be notified via confirmation message.
Step 7: Disconnect Phone
Disconnect the USB cable.
Step 8: Reconnect Phone
Reconnect the USB cable.If you J3 doesn’t automatically reboot, do so manually. It will probably take longer than usual.
Step 9: Disconnect Phone to Enjoy!
Method 3: Update with Odin
This method is a little more complex than those preceding it, but we will make it easy for you. The Odin method can also be crucial for rooted devices that can’t be updated OTA. It is, however, riskier than the previous methods. The worse-case scenario—you could brick your phone. However, it is also a method that can restore order to your phone by returning it to official firmware (but not unbrick it).
Step 1: Download Drivers
Make sure the proper USB drivers are installed before using Odin. Usually this automatic installation takes place when you plug the USB cable into the PC. You should also be able to find the appropriate driver for your cable by searching the Internet or we have a download link below for you to use.
Step 2: Download Odin
Download Odin
Extract or unzip the contents to your computer.
Step 3: Enter Download Mode
With the device turned off, hold the Power, Volume Down, and Home buttons simultaneously.When a warning message pops up, release all of the buttons.Immediately press Volume Up
Step 4: Connect Phone
Connect your J3 to your computer via USB cable..
Step 5: Download Update
Updates can be found on Samsung’s website. It contains the latest update Samsung software.
Choose Cell Phones under the Mobile section.Using the drop down menu, click on your carrier.Select your specific model for the Samsung J3.
Be sure that you are using firmware that matches your model, or you could risk your phone being bricked. Note that currently Samsung is only offering Lollipop 5.1.1 for this model.
Step 6: Run Odin
Right-click and run as administrator.
The ID:COM section should now turn blue and an Added message should display. If your phone is not recognized, ensure you have installed the proper drivers.
Press the AP button.
Press the AP button. The button could also say PDA if you are using Odin 3.07.
Step 8: Choose Update
Select the file you downloaded earlier to use for your update.Browse your computer for the firmware .tar.md5 update and load it to Odin.
Step 9: Click Start
Wait until the file is done loading. It’s usually unnecessary to make any other changes because the options that are ticked by default are best.Do not select Re-Partition.There is no need for there to be anything present in the PIT section.
Step 10: Be Patient
When you are done a Pass message will display. You will also get a green light from the ID:COM section, meaning you are ready to go.
Don’t remove the USB cable until it finishes. Your J3 should reboot automatically.
Method 4: Using M Launcher
For this method, there’s no need to root or install a custom ROM. And there’s also no reason to wait, spend any money, or lose any data. It doesn’t give you every single feature of Marshmallow, but it does transform your UI.
Step 1: Download M Launcher
M Launcher
Conclusion
If you want a rooted phone and you are interested in a custom ROM with Marshmallow, some ROMs that tend to work well with Samsung include crDroid and CM13. This build of OS isn’t available specifically for the Samsung J3 at the time of this writing, but they are rolling out more builds for more devices soon, so it could prove worthwhile to keep an eye on CyanogenMod’s website. In the meantime, OTA updates are going to be the easiest option, but you may grow old before you receive Marshmallow. Should anything go wrong with a custom ROM, or with rooting, Odin and/or Smart Switch can, at least, get you back to where you were before. Or if you want to play it safe, but still enjoy Marshmallowy features, Method 4 is the way to go. Hopefully more ported Marshmallow ROMs, or better yet, official updates will be available soon. Tell us how you like your new update in the comments section below. If you are still having difficulty installing the update, tell us about your troubles. Featured Image Credit
