can you switch between phones when you want - Thunderbolt Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

my thunderbolt similar just went bad when switching between my thunderbolt and incredible. I did not hit *228 on my thunderbolt which makes your similar bad. the tech support Guy said once you activate another phone, the similar goes bad. is this true? if not l, what's the easiest method to do this?

What's a similar
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1234567188 said:
What's a similar
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
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My guess is he means Sim [card] and it's autocorrecting to similar
To OP: You're stuck, at least as it comes to your 'bolt, for the time being. You CAN activate another phone on your plan (like your inc) but the only phone on VZW that uses a sim right now is the 'bolt, so you will have to take it in and get a new SIM card, or have VZW send you one.
I don't have personal experience, as I haven't switched back from the 'bolt to a non-LTE phone yet.

So with the new SIM card, it is my understanding there is no need for activation anymore, correct? I had to have my first 'bolt replaced due to mic issue, and when I popped the SIM in the new phone, it just worked. I have never activated it. Any info if this is the case with all phones that will have a SIM. If it is I am so totally getting an Xperia play, if it has a SIM slot.

madfatter said:
So with the new SIM card, it is my understanding there is no need for activation anymore, correct? I had to have my first 'bolt replaced due to mic issue, and when I popped the SIM in the new phone, it just worked. I have never activated it. Any info if this is the case with all phones that will have a SIM. If it is I am so totally getting an Xperia play, if it has a SIM slot.
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Right - the SIMs, as they stand, are interchangeable between 'bolts. No more activation or other things, but it won't work with just any phone - it has to be a Verizon network phone because the tech for 4G is different (it's not like when people could swap sims between ATT and TMo phones) - so, right now, since the Thunderbolt is the only 4G phone on Verizon, swapping SIMs will only work with other Thunderbolts

VZW explained it to me this way .... when going from a 4G LTE device to another 4G LTE device there is no activating anymore, you simply drop in your sim card. But, if you activate a non 4G LTE phone on your account that will deactivate your sim card and will require you to return to the store for a new sim card. This was in response to me asking them if I could switch between my Droid and Bolt.
For once VZW was very helpful in store. I normally don't go to the brick and mortars but being new to 4G I had questions I needed answerd.

The SIM doesn't get "destroyed" and can be re-used.. but... you have to call Customer Service for them to enter the SIM number...
here is what I did...
When I first got my TB, VZW was having network issues, and it took well over an hour for my "activate device" request to "clear the switch" and the TB to become active.
Having intermittent data issues over the next week, I decided to swap back to my INC, wait, and later return to the TB... I thought maybe due to the network issues, the TB didn't get all its programming info "over the air" or something.
When trying to return to the TB via the Activate Device link on the My Account web site, after entering the MEID/IMEI... I got prompted about needing a SIM... so I enter the SIM number and got...
"The SIM associated with the SIM ID you entered cannot be activated at this time. Please contact Customer Service at 800-922-0204 for assistance."
CS rep couldn't help... she had me on hold while she got Tech Support...
They had to manually add the SIM number back on the account.
Moral of the story... if you activate an LTE device and remove it from your account to use a 3G device.. you'll have to call back in and manually switch devices if you want to go back to using the 4G device.

spyderman09 said:
Right - the SIMs, as they stand, are interchangeable between 'bolts. No more activation or other things, but it won't work with just any phone - it has to be a Verizon network phone because the tech for 4G is different (it's not like when people could swap sims between ATT and TMo phones) - so, right now, since the Thunderbolt is the only 4G phone on Verizon, swapping SIMs will only work with other Thunderbolts
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Click to collapse
The real reason you can't put your SIM in an ATT or Tmo phone would be the tech. ATT and Tmo use the GSM/UMTS/HSPA (3GPP) family for "2G"/"3G"/"3.5G" where as Verizon uses CDMAone/CDMA2000/EVDO (3GPP2). SIM cards are only on Verizon now that they're using LTE which is the next step in the 3GPP family but not quite 4G. Any phone made for AT&T or Tmobile is a "GSM" phone using the 3GPP family radios which are incompatible with Verizon's 3GPP2 network (towers). On top of that, they all use different frequencies. That's why unlocked iPhones can only use "2G" on Tmobile.

KidJoe said:
The SIM doesn't get "destroyed" and can be re-used.. but... you have to call Customer Service for them to enter the SIM number...
here is what I did...
When I first got my TB, VZW was having network issues, and it took well over an hour for my "activate device" request to "clear the switch" and the TB to become active.
Having intermittent data issues over the next week, I decided to swap back to my INC, wait, and later return to the TB... I thought maybe due to the network issues, the TB didn't get all its programming info "over the air" or something.
When trying to return to the TB via the Activate Device link on the My Account web site, after entering the MEID/IMEI... I got prompted about needing a SIM... so I enter the SIM number and got...
"The SIM associated with the SIM ID you entered cannot be activated at this time. Please contact Customer Service at 800-922-0204 for assistance."
CS rep couldn't help... she had me on hold while she got Tech Support...
They had to manually add the SIM number back on the account.
Moral of the story... if you activate an LTE device and remove it from your account to use a 3G device.. you'll have to call back in and manually switch devices if you want to go back to using the 4G device.
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Thanks for your help, looks like i gotta call them in the morning .

Originally Posted by KidJoe
The SIM doesn't get "destroyed" and can be re-used.. but... you have to call Customer Service for them to enter the SIM number...
here is what I did...
[snip]
CS rep couldn't help... she had me on hold while she got Tech Support...
They had to manually add the SIM number back on the account.
Moral of the story... if you activate an LTE device and remove it from your account to use a 3G device.. you'll have to call back in and manually switch devices if you want to go back to using the 4G device.
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Click to collapse
jamezelle said:
Thanks for your help, looks like i gotta call them in the morning .
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Were they able to re-add your sim to the account? I had a Thunderbolt which I traded for another phone, and switched to a couple of 3G phones in the interim. The Verizon store person told me my sim would be good for 90 days if I got another Thunderbolt. So I did, popped in the sim, and called support to switch over from my Fascinate to the new Thunderbolt. They got tech support on the line, and I was told that switching to a 3G device from a 4G device causes the 4G sim to be "retired" and that I needed to have them send me one, or go pick up one at the store. So the story was different from what happened to KidJoe and I wonder what your experience was.
A couple possible reasons why my situation was different: It was not the same Thunderbolt the sim was originally in. Also it's possible in playing around with the new Thunderbolt, I may have done a *228 just to see what would happen. Someone else suggested that would tank the sim.
I plan to go the store tomorrow and see if they can resuscitate my old sim, or if they give me a new one.

I had activated my thunderbolt when I got it with no problems. I decided to switch back to my incredible for a day and the sim was deactivated. Vzw gave me the run around between going to the store and calling customer service for a few days then they finally said they would have to send me a new sim because as soon as I switched to the inc my sim was "retired".

droidmark said:
Were they able to re-add your sim to the account?
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Yes. They were.
I did my switches only a few hours apart... (i.e. switched to INC, waited an hour, switched back to TB). And used the same phone and SIM. Not sure if that had anything to do with it.
There obviously is an inconsistency in VZW's system somewhere... the message you get when using "Activate Phone" on the my account web page to switch away from the TB says the SIM will be deactivated after 90days. But its being deactivated IMMEDIATELY. Either that message needs to be changed, or VZW's system isn't set up correctly.

droidmark said:
Were they able to re-add your sim to the account? I had a Thunderbolt which I traded for another phone, and switched to a couple of 3G phones in the interim. The Verizon store person told me my sim would be good for 90 days if I got another Thunderbolt. So I did, popped in the sim, and called support to switch over from my Fascinate to the new Thunderbolt. They got tech support on the line, and I was told that switching to a 3G device from a 4G device causes the 4G sim to be "retired" and that I needed to have them send me one, or go pick up one at the store. So the story was different from what happened to KidJoe and I wonder what your experience was.
A couple possible reasons why my situation was different: It was not the same Thunderbolt the sim was originally in. Also it's possible in playing around with the new Thunderbolt, I may have done a *228 just to see what would happen. Someone else suggested that would tank the sim.
I plan to go the store tomorrow and see if they can resuscitate my old sim, or if they give me a new one.
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Yea that's what they told me, I ended up having to get a new sim from the store

Related

Will I have to unroot??

So i finally decided today that i will keep my tuhunderbolt with verizon and drop sprint and my epic. I called verizon and got the porting process started to bring my sprint number over to my TB. The guy told me in about 4 hours to try dialing *228 and chose option one. Its been 5 hours now and whenever i try dialing *228 and hit call it connects for about 1 second then disconnects. I dont know if this is normal if the porting process isnt finished yet or if this is because my TB is rooted with BAMF 1.3 installed and im unable to do service programming. So will i have to unroot, do the *228 thing, then reroot?
FoxRacR17 said:
So i finally decided today that i will keep my tuhunderbolt with verizon and drop sprint and my epic. I called verizon and got the porting process started to bring my sprint number over to my TB. The guy told me in about 4 hours to try dialing *228 and chose option one. Its been 5 hours now and whenever i try dialing *228 and hit call it connects for about 1 second then disconnects. I dont know if this is normal if the porting process isnt finished yet or if this is because my TB is rooted with BAMF 1.3 installed and im unable to do service programming. So will i have to unroot, do the *228 thing, then reroot?
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you dont have to do *228 ever on a 4g device. it auto programs on boot
aslong as you got your number set up and verizon knows your sim number (18 or 19 digit number, something like that, dont feel like ripping mine out to verify). Just place the sim in your device and fire it up, as soon the phone powers up it should auto activate. You will know it is activated when you see a 3g or 4g system above the signal meter.. if it's still on 1x, try making a test call to voice mail (*86) and if that works and you hang up, hopefully your data will come around.
I would also call from a landline and see if prompts you that the user's voicemail is not setup etc... that will let you know if the number ported off yet etc. /edit
And if you are powered up, have 1x and make a test call and your line/sim is activated. **It can take up to 15 mins for your data connection to be active, so if your test calls work and you have no data, just wait a few minutes and it will come around.** /edit2
magneticzero said:
you dont have to do *228 ever on a 4g device. it auto programs on boot
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Thanks! Ill try rebooting my phone and see if that fixes it
magneticzero is exactly right. On a 4G phone the old *228 doesnt work. You might want to try rebooting the phone every so often and that should get your old number to pop-up.
I ported my number over to my thunderbolt while running a custom rom. I called gave them all my information. Was told that an email was suppose to be sent to me so that I can authorize the port. 45 minutes later I hadn't received an email so I called and was allowed to authorize it over the automated system which the call rep was on the line too. 5 minutes later a text was sent to my phone advising me that my number had been successfully ported. Had I just done the automated authorization the port process might have only taken about 10-15 minutes. I was never told to dial *228.
Just rebooted my TB and still dont have my old number yet :/ ill give it some more time, im just glad i dont have to unroot
I just saw the other part of your post magneticzero, they never asked me for the number on my sim, should i call and make sure?
FoxRacR17 said:
I just saw the other part of your post magneticzero, they never asked me for the number on my sim, should i call and make sure?
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Click to collapse
nah they already have it when they shipped you your phone. i was just saying incase you bought the tb used and had to get a new sim, then they would need the new number.
Oh alright, i bought it brand new as a new customer thru amazon so they should know my sim number, thanks for all your help guys, hopefully they get it ported soon!
magneticzero said:
nah they already have it when they shipped you your phone. i was just saying incase you bought the tb used and had to get a new sim, then they would need the new number.
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How did you authorize the port?
They had me call a number and follow some prompts and that was it, it was really quick
ddgarcia05 said:
How did you authorize the port?
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Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
I had to remove my sim card, reinstall, and reboot, then it found my number.
I was told by Verizon never to use the *228 feature. Because *228 will fry the sim card. I get the feeling by this phone using a sim card they may have more access to what is going on with it. I guess I will find out soon. Since the first thing I did was root it and flashed a custom rom.
jett2314 said:
I was told by Verizon never to use the *228 feature. Because *228 will fry the sim card. I get the feeling by this phone using a sim card they may have more access to what is going on with it. I guess I will find out soon. Since the first thing I did was root it and flashed a custom rom.
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Click to collapse
It's not that they have any more access to what is happening on your phone then they did before. What changed is the use of a SIM card instead of a MEID.
The reason that you cannot call *228 is that VZW has to run two very unique provisioning systems, one for GSM and one for CDMA and *228 is the access number for the CDMA provisioning system. Because of the fundamental differences in technology between the networks, on a GSM (LTE) network there is no need for a customer accessible provisioning system. Even if you don't live in a 4G area, your phone provisioning is still controlled by the LTE system on the back end.
Remember on all prior CDMA phones your phone was actually tied to the CDMA network via the MEID number that was unique to each phone. The purpose of *228 was to have the phone pull down all of the provisioning information from the VZW back end servers (I.E. your phone number and all of the other provisioning information that the phone needs to operate correctly on the network with your phone number). Because the MEID was unique and hard coded into each handset any time a change was made to the account the end user had to dial *228 to update the information on the phone itself.
Now (and this is why everyone who has been with VZW for any length of time is being thrown for a loop) with GSM service (LTE is a GSM service) you are assigned a unique Subscriber Identity Module (SIM card). This card contains a unique number, along with all of the basic information any LTE phone needs to communicate with the network, which is hard coded in the sim card you are assigned when you got your TB and this number is assigned to your phone number in VZW's back end system (just like your MEID was prior). There is no such thing as an MEID like you are used to in an LTE network. Everything is tied to the unique identifier on the SIM card, not the phone itself.
Your TB has no MEID. It gets all of its provisioning information every time it boots from the information stored on the SIM card. That is why dialing *228 does absolutely nothing, because there is no MEID on the phone for the provisioning system to read, and there are no settings on the phone it can update.
Welcome to the SIM card express train, population, everyone already on a GSM network. And for what its worth, SIM cards have been in use in the US for a long time now. In fact many of the problems VZW techs are having frying SIM cards because they are not handled correctly or activated correctly very much reminds me of when PacBell Wireless first rolled out GSM service (PCS as they called it) back in 1997.
Success! Thanks to your detailed explanation Nusince I figured out that it wasn't updating because I had turned 4G off and also changed to their old 3g network using the ##778# dialer code. After putting those two settings back to their stock setting and I rebooted BAM my old number showed up and I had 3g again. Then I turned 4G off and went back to the old 3g network that way my phone doesn't keep dropping the data connection and it's all smooth sailing. Thanks for your help everyone and hopefully this helps someone in the future.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

LTE sim cards?

Ok, so I'm totally used to CDMA, obviously, but I've lived abroad and appreciated the beauty of just swapping SIM cards in when you're in a new country.
Is it possible to just swap SIM cards like GSM cards, or do you still have to call Verizon to activate? The reason I ask is, my father and I were going to swap Thunderbolts, but I didn't have time to call Verizon and do the ESN swap thing. Could we just have swapped SIM cards?
SIm card
SIM cards are for GSM technologies.... Verizon LTE is a GSM tech... And yes thats the theory, with Verizon announcing some day you will be able to use other networks LTE SIM cards in VZW phones. Sim card in your fathers phone gives you access to his google account and contacts.. unless you have transferred all google contacts to your SIM card.
It will only work with the sim you are given for the TB.
yareally said:
It will only work with the sim you are given for the TB.
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Got it. So the SIM is tied to the ESN somehow? Either way, they don't work like GSM sims.
they would most likely if the phone were entirely gsm, but since it's not. Like if you ruin the one you have, the only way to get a new one is directly from verizon and they can only be activated for the phone they are first put into.
dude no one here knows what they are talking about. if you swap sims with your dads phone then it should work fine. the phones will activiate with the respective phone number tied to your sim card. that is how you activate a replacement device as well. i just took my sim from my old phone and put it in the new phone and that is it. works JUST like GSM
ddarvish said:
dude no one here knows what they are talking about. if you swap sims with your dads phone then it should work fine. the phones will activiate with the respective phone number tied to your sim card. that is how you activate a replacement device as well. i just took my sim from my old phone and put it in the new phone and that is it. works JUST like GSM
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If that was true, I wouldnt have to replace my SIM card both of the times Ive sent my phone in for repairs. My service is still on, just switched to a different phone. The verizon rep I spoke with yesterday(One of the few that actually know what she was talking about) confirmed that the moment that a phone gets disconnected the sim card gets retired. I dont know why, and I dont understand it, but thats the way VZW is rolling with it for now. As long as I dont have to pay for it, IDC. lol.
McLabia said:
If that was true, I wouldnt have to replace my SIM card both of the times Ive sent my phone in for repairs. My service is still on, just switched to a different phone. The verizon rep I spoke with yesterday(One of the few that actually know what she was talking about) confirmed that the moment that a phone gets disconnected the sim card gets retired. I dont know why, and I dont understand it, but thats the way VZW is rolling with it for now. As long as I dont have to pay for it, IDC. lol.
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that must be because whoever is disconnecting the phone is killing the sim also for some reason. i have used the same SIM card in 2 thunderbolts and a samsung charge.
McLabia said:
The verizon rep I spoke with yesterday(One of the few that actually know what she was talking about) confirmed that the moment that a phone gets disconnected the sim card gets retired.
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That's just it. That rep doesn't know what they're talking about. If you get a replacement TB, nothing should be changed on the account - no phone gets "disconnected." You simply move the SIM to the new phone. Sounds like that rep thinks it should be like a CDMA phone, where the account is changed to reflect that the phone's ESN has been changed when swapping phones.
"the SIM card is portable and can be used in any Verizon Wireless-certified 4G device." - Verizon 4G SIM FAQ
mike.s said:
That's just it. That rep doesn't know what they're talking about. If you get a replacement TB, nothing should be changed on the account - no phone gets "disconnected." You simply move the SIM to the new phone. Sounds like that rep thinks it should be like a CDMA phone, where the account is changed to reflect that the phone's ESN has been changed when swapping phones.
"the SIM card is portable and can be used in any Verizon Wireless-certified 4G device." - Verizon 4G SIM FAQ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive dealt with three separate reps on this issue and the result has been me getting a new sim card BOTH times Ive sent my phone in for repairs.
McLabia said:
Ive dealt with three separate reps on this issue and the result has been me getting a new sim card BOTH times Ive sent my phone in for repairs.
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Did you activate an old phone while waiting for repairs? That's really the only way your SIM would be deactivated.
knave68 said:
Did you activate an old phone while waiting for repairs? That's really the only way your SIM would be deactivated.
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Click to collapse
I did. Im still unsure of why they retire my sim though. All in order to send me another one that will sit here till my phone gets back. Why not just put it on hold or put it on temporary hold?
Sim cards work in any phone that will take them.
Just to put this one to bed--they work just like GSM SIM cards. I swapped my SIM between another Thunderbolt and a Charge, and it worked perfectly every single time.

[Q] SIM refuses to re-activate!

I wanted to switch to my BB 9650 (a 3G phone, no 4G SIM needed) for awhile so I changed phones on VZW's website, now I can't go back to the Thunderbolt! I can't get the SIM to activate, called CS and they said it should NOT have been deactivated in the 20 hours that I had the BB active!
I ordered a new SIM and it'll arrive in a couple of days but my question is this:
HOW CAN I KEEP VZW FROM DEACTIVATING MY SIM AGAIN????
I switch phones often, I'll activate the T'Bolt when I get the new SIM but I'll probably switch back to the BlackBerry again.
I have a VERY bad habit of playing with phones, with T-Mobile I changed phones as often as twice in an hour, from Android to WinMo to BB and back again, I never had a problem.
NOTE: When I first went to VZW from T-Mo I got a LG Revolution, was unable to use it with my email (LG CS said they block my ISP on their phones!) When I returned it and got the Thunderbolt, the sales person switched SIM from the LT to the HTC phone and VZW CS says that *might* be why I'm having a problem?
xs11e said:
I wanted to switch to my BB 9650 (a 3G phone, no 4G SIM needed) for awhile so I changed phones on VZW's website, now I can't go back to the Thunderbolt! I can't get the SIM to activate, called CS and they said it should NOT have been deactivated in the 20 hours that I had the BB active!
I ordered a new SIM and it'll arrive in a couple of days but my question is this:
HOW CAN I KEEP VZW FROM DEACTIVATING MY SIM AGAIN????
I switch phones often, I'll activate the T'Bolt when I get the new SIM but I'll probably switch back to the BlackBerry again.
I have a VERY bad habit of playing with phones, with T-Mobile I changed phones as often as twice in an hour, from Android to WinMo to BB and back again, I never had a problem.
NOTE: When I first went to VZW from T-Mo I got a LG Revolution, was unable to use it with my email (LG CS said they block my ISP on their phones!) When I returned it and got the Thunderbolt, the sales person switched SIM from the LT to the HTC phone and VZW CS says that *might* be why I'm having a problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When an LTE SIM is deactivated they tend to stay that way. I doubt switching it from one phone to another would be the issue.
They do not reactivate. But when doing your esn changes u might want to call VZW and let them know to leave the sim on your account Doing by comp will prolly auto boot the sim. the sim is not tagged to a phone but to the account. GL its a pain in the **** till they go complete sim network (ATnT). Then no more esn changes , jus pul the sim from one phone to another.
each time you switch to a 3g phone your sim will get killed,their system does it automatically, no 5hrs or 24hrs bs,it is dead as soon as the 3g phone works.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium

[Q] How to switch between LTE and non-LTE phones without going into the store?

Hopefully some of you have ran into this problem before. I have a Thunderbolt (obviously) since it was released and I now have a Xperia Play non-LTE phone. I want to be able to easily switch between them:
- without going to the store
- without "breaking" the simcard and needing another one
How can I switch the service inbetween the phones? I did this one time many months ago and I had to go to the store and get a new sim card, which is ridiculous.
Thanks!
I was told by Verizon Customer Service that it was not possible. To switch between phones required a visit to the store. My nearest store is 60 miles. Nice.
That's a pretty big failure on their part. I hope it is at least possible to easily switch between LTE phones (LTE to LTE) like it is with old 3g phones.
easy as taking out the 4G sim and putting it in the new phone (LTE to LTE phones)
I did this last week when I got a replacement Thunderbolt....
LTE to 3G device:
Switch online, or *228.
3G to LTE device:
Buy a new sim and activate it online. It is literally impossible not to destroy your sim when switching to 3G.
pcm2a said:
Hopefully some of you have ran into this problem before. I have a Thunderbolt (obviously) since it was released and I now have a Xperia Play non-LTE phone. I want to be able to easily switch between them:
- without going to the store
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easy, log into your account and do it online.
- without "breaking" the simcard and needing another one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Going to a non-LTE phone is easy, do it online but to switch back isn't easy, try this:
1. BEFORE switching to a non-LTE phone turn off your T'bolt, remove the battery and SIM and DO NOT PUT THE SIM BACK IN OR TURN ON THE PHONE UNTIL STEP 3. However long you use the non-LTE phone, don't put the SIM in the T'Bolt until you're into step 3 below and the SIM is accepted.
2. Switching back to LTE, log onto VZW, switch back to the T'bolt which MUST BE STILL OFF WITH SIM REMOVED (and battery removed for safety sake!)
3. You'll get a message that you need an LTE SIM so follow the procedure to enter the SIM number while it's still out of the phone. If it accepts the number, put the SIM and battery back into the phone and you're set to power it up.
4. If you get a message that the SIM can't be activated, click on the "Send me a new SIM" link. You'll have to wait 3 to 4 days or more to get the new SIM but it saves driving to the store. When the new SIM arrives, repeat step 3 with the number from the new SIM.
NOTE: If you insert the SIM and turn on the phone before the SIM number is accepted the SIM will be dead so don't do that, OK? You can kill an unlimited number of new or old SIMs if you don't get the number accepted first!
Does this mess with your unlimited data? Can you go back and forth without losing 4G unlimited? (Obviously you only get 3G on the non-LTE device)
I ask because I'm probably going to switch to the global iPhone until a 4G Global Droid comes out.
bogatyr said:
Does this mess with your unlimited data? Can you go back and forth without losing 4G unlimited? (Obviously you only get 3G on the non-LTE device)
I ask because I'm probably going to switch to the global iPhone until a 4G Global Droid comes out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will keep your unlimited data 3g or 4g.
If I helped you in any way please use the thank you button.

Reactivating 3g device permanently disables LTE SIM card

Upon receiving my Rezound last week, I turned it on to tinker not knowing that the phone would automatically dial activation on its own. Not wanting to use my Rezound until I had familiarized myself with what steps it took to unlock/root/customize, I reactivated my DINC.
When I finally got my Rezound to where I wanted it to be, sans Verizon bloatware and new ROM, I tried to reactivate with the *22899 method. The call would go through, you would hear that annoying “programming” music for a split second, then the phone would drop the call and a message would pop up saying "Phone Activation: A Verizon wireless SIM card has activated your service and updated your phone's roaming capabilities." However, this did not work. So next I tried activation through the Verizon Website, which also did not work.
Finally I called customer support and Mike informed me that I would need to get a new SIM card from a store, which I did. FYI, you do have to dial *22899 the first time a card is used but not after, ie. changing to a new 4g Phone. Rezound is good to go. Hope this saves people a week of problems!
TL;DR Reactivating a 3g device permanently disables your LTE SIM card, and you will have to get a new one.
thelunchboxosu said:
Upon receiving my Rezound last week, I turned it on to tinker not knowing that the phone would automatically dial activation on its own. Not wanting to use my Rezound until I had familiarized myself with what steps it took to unlock/root/customize, I reactivated my DINC.
When I finally got my Rezound to where I wanted it to be, sans Verizon bloatware and new ROM, I tried to reactivate with the *22899 method. The call would go through, you would hear that annoying “programming” music for a split second, then the phone would drop the call and a message would pop up saying "Phone Activation: A Verizon wireless SIM card has activated your service and updated your phone's roaming capabilities." However, this did not work. So next I tried activation through the Verizon Website, which also did not work.
Finally I called customer support and Mike informed me that I would need to get a new SIM card from a store, which I did. FYI, you do have to dial *22899 the first time a card is used but not after, ie. changing to a new 4g Phone. Rezound is good to go. Hope this saves people a week of problems!
TL;DR Reactivating a 3g device permanently disables your LTE SIM card, and you will have to get a new one.
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Click to collapse
Just to debunk this mis-information before it spreads, doing *228xx does nothing whatsoever on a 4G LTE device at this point, except play the music and then not work. The only reason yours didn't work is because your SIM card was retired. The SIMOTA process implies its own internal push method to activate and whoever told you that was reaching to impress you with some BS. I seem to hear this rumor from time to time for whatever reason. I'm not sure where that mis-information comes from but ignore it.
The only thing that ever needs to be done to activate a 4G device is:
1. Add new SIM card to account.
2. Power on.
3. Ensure data is turned on.
4. If it doesn't go through, repeat step 2 until it activates.
^ This.... confirmed.
Just do a google of "*228 is not for lte" and you will find hundreds of postings saying the same thing. *228xx does not work for LTE phones on Verizon.
When I got my Rezound (showed up at work) I didn't have time to properly move over to it yet, so I pulled the SIM card so I could "play" with it until I got home and had time to properly set it up.
When I inserted it, it didn't switch over properly, called support and they reactivated it without any issues.
Could someone give a step by step process of going from Rezound to an older non-sim card phone and back?
I was going to switch back to another phone temporarily while I unlocked my Rezound. I never got around to it yet, but am curious how to deactivate the Rezound, switch and then go back to Rezound. I remember when I picked up the Rezound, I powered off my old phone, and when I turned on the Rezound it automatically activated. Never had a phone with a sim before, so don't know the process.
From what I've gathered, the steps would be:
1: Power down and remove sim from Rezound.
2: Activate older phone
3: Mess with Rezound and get it set up
4: Power down old phone
5: Insert sim back to Rezound and power on. Phone should automatically activate.
Am I correct?
PhantomApollyon said:
Just to debunk this mis-information before it spreads, doing *228xx does nothing whatsoever on a 4G LTE device at this point, except play the music and then not work. The only reason yours didn't work is because your SIM card was retired. The SIMOTA process implies its own internal push method to activate and whoever told you that was reaching to impress you with some BS. I seem to hear this rumor from time to time for whatever reason. I'm not sure where that mis-information comes from but ignore it.
The only thing that ever needs to be done to activate a 4G device is:
1. Add new SIM card to account.
2. Power on.
3. Ensure data is turned on.
4. If it doesn't go through, repeat step 2 until it activates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I got the new SIM card yesterday, I could not make calls until I *228xx. I had even powered down and restarted, this was the only thing that did it for me to be able to call out. Lol, maybe I'm crazy, but I watched it with my own 2 eyes... AGAIN, this was only because it had to initially activate the card. After that, you should be able to just switch.
EDIT: I called Verizon and they said that it most likely was just a coincidence that it happened to go through after doing *228xx and that it just needed more time to connect to the network. So, I am wrong in thinking that this was what made my call go through. Props to Phantom!
Once you de-activate your sim it burns it and you have to get a new one... You're best off just not switching back to a 3g device...
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA
Tag798 said:
Once you de-activate your sim it burns it and you have to get a new one... You're best off just not switching back to a 3g device...
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct. You will have to get a new SIM card at the store if you go back to 3g and want to go back 4g.
Also, Phantom, the only reason I argued any of this, was that when I turned on the Rezound last week for the first time, I swear (but could me mistaken) it autodialed *22899, no one told me to do this. This was my first 4g phone/SIM and I assumed this was what needed to be done.
thelunchboxosu said:
Also, Phantom, the only reason I argued any of this, was that when I turned on the Rezound last week for the first time, I swear (but could me mistaken) it autodialed *22899, no one told me to do this. This was my first 4g phone/SIM and I assumed this was what needed to be done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen the phones do it by mistake so I bet it wasn't your imagination, no worries...just didn't want people running around doing that to try to activate their phones
PhantomApollyon said:
I've seen the phones do it by mistake so I bet it wasn't your imagination, no worries...just didn't want people running around doing that to try to activate their phones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's make out
Tag798 said:
Once you de-activate your sim it burns it and you have to get a new one... You're best off just not switching back to a 3g device...
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thelunchboxosu said:
You are correct. You will have to get a new SIM card at the store if you go back to 3g and want to go back 4g.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can activate your 3g device without deactivating your 4G sim. Just call Verizon customer service to switch back to 4G device. Sometimes when you call it takes less than 30 seconds, sometimes 5 minutes-depends on who you get.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium
1heffer said:
You can activate your 3g device without deactivating your 4G sim. Just call Verizon customer service to switch back to 4G device. Sometimes when you call it takes less than 30 seconds, sometimes 5 minutes-depends on who you get.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The system is programmed to automatically retire a 4G LTE SIM card when you deactivate it for any reason at any time. Anything other than that is purely an anomaly.
They lied to you. I definitely activated my Dinc after using my Rezound for some time and reactivated the Rezound without replacing the Sim card. I did this to test the Dinc after putting it back to stock at the guys request that bought it.
drynyks said:
They lied to you. I definitely activated my Dinc after using my Rezound for some time and reactivated the Rezound without replacing the Sim card. I did this to test the Dinc after putting it back to stock at the guys request that bought it.
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Click to collapse
the only way that happened was if the system failed to work as intended
---------- Post added at 08:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:24 AM ----------
this thread really needs to be locked/closed before people get misinformed further
PhantomApollyon said:
the only way that happened was if the system failed to work as intended
---------- Post added at 08:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:24 AM ----------
this thread really needs to be locked/closed before people get misinformed further
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What misinformation are you referring to? 100% my sim was not retired. 100% I deactivated and reactivated without a new sim. The misinformation as far as I am concerned and with my personal experience is in the subject of the post. Also since this came up I was on the phone with Verizon this morning for other reasons with an agent that was claiming 13years with the company and I asked him about this scenario. According to him it doesn't retire your sim. I have another Rezound in the family and for kicks I'll try to do it again tonight. Working as intended or not I wanted to report my experience. I am curious have you even tried this yourself?
drynyks said:
What misinformation are you referring to? 100% my sim was not retired. 100% I deactivated and reactivated without a new sim. The misinformation as far as I am concerned and with my personal experience is in the subject of the post. Also since this came up I was on the phone with Verizon this morning for other reasons with an agent that was claiming 13years with the company and I asked him about this scenario. According to him it doesn't retire your sim. I have another Rezound in the family and for kicks I'll try to do it again tonight. Working as intended or not I wanted to report my experience. I am curious have you even tried this yourself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Considering the job I have, yea, I "try it" probably 15-50 times a day and I have seen 1 occasion where a 4G SIM didn't retire as it was intended to.
I think you may be misunderstanding the entire situation though. We are talking about when you have a 4G phone active on your number(123-456-7899)and then you activate a 3G phone on your same number(123-456-7899), in that case it retires your 4G SIM card. If you then want to re-activate your 4G device, you need a new 4G SIM card.
PhantomApollyon said:
Considering the job I have, yea, I "try it" probably 15-50 times a day and I have seen 1 occasion where a 4G SIM didn't retire as it was intended to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok well now you know of 2. If you know it won't work why do you try 15-50 times a day? Wouldn't you just tell them it doesn't work?
PhantomApollyon said:
I think you may be misunderstanding the entire situation though. We are talking about when you have a 4G phone active on your number(123-456-7899)and then you activate a 3G phone on your same number(123-456-7899), in that case it retires your 4G SIM card. If you then want to re-activate your 4G device, you need a new 4G SIM card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No like I say I went from 4G Rezound > 3G Incredible > Back to 4G Rezound. Just for you I am going to try again tonight =) 2 completely different phones. We have another Rezound.
drynyks said:
Ok well now you know of 2. If you know it won't work why do you try 15-50 times a day? Wouldn't you just tell them it doesn't work?
No like I say I went from 4G Rezound > 3G Incredible > Back to 4G Rezound. Just for you I am going to try again tonight =) 2 completely different phones. We have another Rezound.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant that facetiously which is why I put it in quotes. I work for big Red and I do swaps all day and watch it retire the SIM cards like it's supposed to. But sure...go for it. Call Verizon and transfer your number to your incredible(3G), program it and hang up. Then call back and have them try to activate the rezound(4G) again on that same phone number.
PhantomApollyon said:
I meant that facetiously which is why I put it in quotes. I work for big Red and I do swaps all day and watch it retire the SIM cards like it's supposed to. But sure...go for it. Call Verizon and transfer your number to your incredible(3G), program it and hang up. Then call back and have them try to activate the rezound(4G) again on that same phone number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have done this at least a dozen times.
1. Rezound is active-4g
2. Power down Rezound
3. Activate Incredible and use for a few hours
4. Power down incredible
5. Call *611 from rezound-activate
6. Done
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium
PhantomApollyon said:
The system is programmed to automatically retire a 4G LTE SIM card when you deactivate it for any reason at any time. Anything other than that is purely an anomaly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Activating a 3g device on your line isn't deactivating anything. If you *actually deactivate* the SIM, then yes, it is useless. As explained twice by Verizon customer service reps.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium

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