Samsung has responded to the inadvertent disabling of local search functionality in the Android 4.0.4 update for the international version of its Galaxy S3 smartphone.

"The most recent software upgrade for the Galaxy S3 in the UK included the inadvertent removal of the universal search function. Samsung will provide the correct software upgrade within the next few days," Samsung representatives were quoted as saying in a BBC report.

Samsung Galaxy S3
Samsung promises that the local search function will be back to Galaxy S3 soon. Trusted Reviews

The new firmware - XXBLG6 - for the Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) software was released a few days ago and, in keeping with legal requirements for patent infringement issues, Samsung disabled local search functions for the US update. Unfortunately, the block was also transferred to the update meant for the smartphone's international version.

Samsung Galaxy S3
The Galaxy S3 can be now updated with Android 4.0.4 I9300XXBLG8 ICS. Sammobile

True to their word, Samsung, SamMobile reports, has offered a third firmware update - I9300XXBLG8 - for the Android 4.0.4 software. The update, it is believed, restores local search functionality. The Over The Air (OTA) update is 5MB in size and can also be installed through Samsung Kies and with Odin.

Steps to Install Android 4.0.4 I9300XXBLG8 ICS

  • Download and install Samsung Kies (32 bit (x86) Windows, 64-bit (x64) Windows)
  • Download firmware and extract contents from I9300XXBLG8_ I9300OXABLG8_BTU.zip
  • Download and open Odin 3 v3.04
  • Switch Galaxy S3 off and place device in Download Mode (Simultaneously press and hold Volume Down, Home and Power buttons till screen switches on and then press Volume Up to enter Download Mode
  • Connect Galaxy S3 to computer
  • Click on PDA in Odin and select the .tar.md5
  • Click Start to install firmware

Congratulations... the Samsung Galaxy S3 is updated with Android 4.0.4 I9300XXBLG8 ICS.

Samsung Android