How to install Google Wallet on the T-Mobile Galaxy S III running TouchWiz Jelly Bean

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One thing that deterred many folks from trying out the leaked TouchWiz Jelly Bean builds for the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S III was the lack of support for Google Wallet. While no official builds for the phone include support because T-Mobile still isn’t on board with the service, there was at least a workaround for devices running Ice Cream Sandwich.

Thanks to XDA Senior Member joemagistro, those of us running Frosty JB, LiquidSmooth, or any other TouchWiz-based Android 4.1 ROM can now join in on the action, too. All credits go to Joe here, who dug through Sprint’s latest leak and compiled a flashable zip file to make the app work on our phones.

This may or may not work with other carriers — I can only vouch for the Magenta Galaxy S III, and I can say the install was pretty simple, as long as you don’t mind editing your buildprop file. If you don’t feel comfortable using a text editor to edit the file, there’s a handy app available for free on the Google Play Store, called BuildProp Editor, that makes it a simple task.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

Open your buildprop in text editor and edit these fields:

  • ro.product.model  to Galaxy Nexus
  • ro.product.name to yakju
  • ro.product.device to maguro

Save your buildprop file, then reboot into recovery and flash the JMJellyBeanWalletFix.zip (head to the source link to download the file. Reboot your phone again.

Now, head over to the Play Store and download Google Wallet, install it, and you’re good to go. You’ll see an “unsupported device” warning at the top of your screen, but you can disregard it — it’s only because you’re running a rooted device.

Thanks again, Joe! Now it’s time for me to hunt down some places here in Des Moines that will let me pay for my tab with my Galaxy S III!

Source: XDA-Developers

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Tony is a mobile enthusiast with a passion for Android smartphones and tablets. He is the Site Founder and Editor-in-Chief, and can typically be found lurking in an Android development forum near you.
  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Scott-Harwell/1350875539 Scott Harwell

    Where do i find the buildprop file?

    • NoobKiller

      You should not be editing your phone if you don’t know something as simple as this…………..

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Scott-Harwell/1350875539 Scott Harwell

    First it’s build.prop. You shouldn’t be offering instructions if you can’t even get the name of the file correct. You could be helpfull, but i see you’ve chosen to be so much more…

    • Joe Schmoe

      You could be nice, but you choose to be a dick instead…

    • http://omgdroid.com/ Tony Simons

      You’re right. I could be “helpfull”. I could also be “helpful” too. No reason to be a toolbag over a minor error.

      I also clearly stated in my post a straightforward way of editing the file, which needs absolutely no guesswork at all, nor does it require you to know where the build.prop file is located on your device.

      If I had to place a bet, you’re probably the same guy who rages out in the forums because you didn’t read the directions for whichever modification it is you’re blindly going about trying to install.

      Just sayin’

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Scott-Harwell/1350875539 Scott Harwell

    I followed these instructions and installed google wallet. Problem is on my tmobile s3 it completely deletes the nfc section of liquid smooth. I did this twice, same results. I get google wallet but it’s useless without nfs. I appreciate the work but I’m going back to my backup…

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Scott-Harwell/1350875539 Scott Harwell

    Left you a message on your google wallet instructions. Thanks for your help.

  • Saahir

    Does this work with Canadian S3, I’m on FrostyJB v5