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Can the Photon 4G be used on AT&T or T-Mobile after unlocking the SIM card slot?
As far as whether or not the GSM radio is locked... no it isn't.
However, the software for the GSM radio is written in such a way that makes the phone "ignore" US based GSM carrier networks.
The TouchPro2, the last Smartphone world phone offering from sprint had this same implementation. It required a custom radio written to get around it.
So you are saying a rooted phone can actually use an AT&T sim or T-Mobile sim?
sub2k1 said:
So you are saying a rooted phone can actually use an AT&T sim or T-Mobile sim?
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Click to collapse
Not really. Rooted just means you now have admin access to the phone basically, does nothing else.
What he is saying is that the software the controls the radio would have to be rewritten in order to accept US GSM networks.
Whats funny though, is that i went into a no CDMA coverage area 2 days ago, and I got a message on my Photon that asked if I wanted to use the available GSM networks. I allowed it and it roamed off of a GSM network...calls worked great, data was very slow.
fordhighlander said:
Whats funny though, is that i went into a no CDMA coverage area 2 days ago, and I got a message on my Photon that asked if I wanted to use the available GSM networks. I allowed it and it roamed off of a GSM network...calls worked great, data was very slow.
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Click to collapse
Hmm wow, I didn't know that was an option. That's a great perk for the Photon.
fordhighlander said:
Whats funny though, is that i went into a no CDMA coverage area 2 days ago, and I got a message on my Photon that asked if I wanted to use the available GSM networks. I allowed it and it roamed off of a GSM network...calls worked great, data was very slow.
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Click to collapse
You were in the US when you did this? If so what Sim card is in your phone? and do you have the phone roaming set to auto, because the default is any CDMA.
reddragon72 said:
You were in the US when you did this? If so what Sim card is in your phone? and do you have the phone roaming set to auto, because the default is any CDMA.
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Click to collapse
Yes, actually in the west Michigan area. The SIM card is the standard that came with the phone. It was set to automatic when I got it, never actually looked at the roaming settings until I got that message.
fordhighlander said:
Yes, actually in the west Michigan area. The SIM card is the standard that came with the phone. It was set to automatic when I got it, never actually looked at the roaming settings until I got that message.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odd, like reddragon72, mine came with roaming settings set to CDMA only.
Based on your experience, though, I've changed mine to automatic, thanks for the tip.
interesting.
good to know
TS out
manekineko said:
Odd, like reddragon72, mine came with roaming settings set to CDMA only.
Based on your experience, though, I've changed mine to automatic, thanks for the tip.
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Click to collapse
my pleasure, for me it just means im less likely to lose service or drop calls. which very useful. utilizing that feature greatly improves the coverage map.
I would check on this first. For one the roaming agreement that Sprint has is only with Verizon(CDMA). From what I gathered on Sprints website they do not mention who they are in agreement with on roaming in the US but CS told me Verizon is who I would be roaming on. So I would check your account for strange charges before you go crazy using GSM, but at any rate this is awesome info.
reddragon72 said:
I would check on this first. For one the roaming agreement that Sprint has is only with Verizon(CDMA). From what I gathered on Sprints website they do not mention who they are in agreement with on roaming in the US but CS told me Verizon is who I would be roaming on. So I would check your account for strange charges before you go crazy using GSM, but at any rate this is awesome info.
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Click to collapse
Im looking into this as we speak, i actually work for Sprint as a repair tech. So i forwarded the info up to our rep. who is going to check on all this before i end up with overages. i will keep you posted...
Sprint used to have roaming agreements with AT&T, Dobson, Cellular One, etc back in the days of "Analog Roaming". I wonder if something here might be a legacy from that.
fordhighlander said:
Im looking into this as we speak, i actually work for Sprint as a repair tech. So i forwarded the info up to our rep. who is going to check on all this before i end up with overages. i will keep you posted...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This item will put a definite buy in for me on this phone. I work in a fringe cellular area (CDMA and GSM), but the office just installed a GSM repeater for Blackberrys and GSM phones. If I could freely roam on the repeater I would have this phone asap.
Aychdot said:
This item will put a definite buy in for me on this phone. I work in a fringe cellular area (CDMA and GSM), but the office just installed a GSM repeater for Blackberrys and GSM phones. If I could freely roam on the repeater I would have this phone asap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds good, but remember if 50% of your calls are roaming three months in a row, or 50% out of 12 month average then they will cut your contract and cancel your account.
I put a working T-mobile SIM in my Photon today and it did not work. It appears that the unlocked status of the phone does not extend to US carriers. I would be interested to see how the included SIM behaves in Canada with Bell or Telus who are roaming partners for Sprint and have both CDMA EvDO Rev A and HSPA+ networks.
photon
if I buy in usa photon and took him to Italy, if I put a sim card of Italian telephone operator, the phone works?
thanks for the answer
lodisax said:
if I buy in usa photon and took him to Italy, if I put a sim card of Italian telephone operator, the phone works?
thanks for the answer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it should work fine on any international operator.
Mexico
I can confirm it works on 3G here in Mexico on telcel and movistar. Last night i got 5mb/1mb on telcel.
Now this may be a stupid question but i just want to know why my photon has a sprint sim card in it? If i remove it the phone functions fine while the sim card is out..
Sent from my rooted mofo running on sprints 4g network
Thought some one said it was 4G wimax ???
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium
I always assumed that it was used if you went abroad and were roaming on GSM/UMTS (which requires SIM cards) -- so that those roaming charges would be charged to your Sprint account.
The phone is an international model with GSM capabilities. The SIM card is only used when roaming internationally.
goaliemn said:
The phone is an international model with GSM capabilities. The SIM card is only used when roaming internationally.
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Click to collapse
...and can be swapped out for a local SIM card (which will get you a local number and cheaper rates) from whatever country you are in.
AGiLiT said:
...and can be swapped out for a local SIM card (which will get you a local number and cheaper rates) from whatever country you are in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought I heard that you needed to get Sprint to unlock it or root your phone in order to be able to use your own simcard, though.
menehune said:
I thought I heard that you needed to get Sprint to unlock it or root your phone in order to be able to use your own simcard, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope; from what I've seen on numerous other forums, people have reported no problem in using pre-paid SIM cards overseas and it doesn't require any intervention by Sprint. The only issue is that it works for voice only; not data.
From the notes of the Feb. Sprint Advocacy Call:
What is Sprints policy of using pre-paid SIM card for international phones. (certain international phones such as the Photon does not save APN settings that do not use Sprint's MCC/MNC 310 and 120. This stops any attempt to use a pre-paid SIM for data in the Photon for example). Sprint claims it’s a Motorola issue and Motorola claims its a Sprint issue). The use of data for a business traveler or the occasional international traveler is important.
1. I actually brought this up to Art when I got my Photon, and the response he got from the product team was "Sprint does not lock phones". I've heard from several people who have traveled overseas that, yes, you can use a foreign SIM card for voice (you use the Sprint card if you want people to reach you on you normal Sprint phone #), but data does not work because of the reasons stated. The problem is that Sprint blames Motorola and Motorola, of course, blames Sprint. Data is important, so some resolution (or a better explanation) is needed.
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Click to collapse
I believe that you need to contact Sprint to activate their sim card.
Sent from my Epic Touch running Blazer Rom via xda premium
deedscreen said:
I believe that you need to contact Sprint to activate their sim card.
Sent from my Epic Touch running Blazer Rom via xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes; if you're using your Sprint number, you will have to call Sprint to activate international roaming. The question though was about using a SIM card from an oversees carrier in the Photon.
AGiLiT said:
Yes; if you're using your Sprint number, you will have to call Sprint to activate international roaming. The question though was about using a SIM card from an oversees carrier in the Photon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the card if for calling internationally. The phone comes unlocked and you can put any international Sim in it. I can also confirm that it is quad band. I am currently using the phone in turkey with a local sim and didn't require unlocking
Sent from my Photon
I am using mine in Sweden on prepayed sim and voice and data works great
Sent from my MB855 using XDA App
I am completely stock:::: International sim cards work by simply"putting into the slot; nice and easy " thats what she said!! ..i used a telcel sim in Mexico with no issues for voice or text issues ( of course this depends on what type of service they offer with their sims. I was not able to use outgoing calls until i called their customer service and activated it) Also i was not there long enough to activate data ( nor did i find out if i could) but i was informed that you would need an apn app that can be found in the market such as APN global
Sent from the crapper
Because it's a world/international phone when you leave the us you don't have to buy a new phone!
Photon
Last fall I went on a vacation to Turkey and Bulgaria, I bought local sim cards and had no problems at all. However, photon sucks at auto detecting the apn which is used for 3g data. For that just find the apn codes by downloading the app "tweakker apn internet mms" or google what it is. Usually its easier finding it yourself because when I was in Turkey it wasn't that easy for me to find a tech guy at the cell phone store, especially one that read english.
it works fine in India (Voice and 3G Data) and I love this phone
As noted, the SIM card in the Photon is for international roaming use only.
It is not used to provision CDMA service. The two large US CDMA carriers (Verizon, Sprint) have made a decision not to use SIM cards to provision wireless service for their subscribers. Instead they essentially use the phone's serial number and associate it with an account and phone number.
up up.
china telecom's Uim card is Modified before they can be used for Photon 4g.
odd question, but can i activate the Sprint sim card and use it inside the US instead of internationally? then put said sim card in another gsm phone? and use current sprint plan, not international plans
eyeb said:
odd question, but can i activate the Sprint sim card and use it inside the US instead of internationally? then put said sim card in another gsm phone? and use current sprint plan, not international plans
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think the Sprint SIM card will work inside the US.
I'm using a SIM card in Peru, voice and 3g data work without a problem. You just have to goggle search the APN settings of the operator that you are gonna use.
I just killed my Nexus and I'm not eligible for a discount with Verizon until 8/22. I'm looking at the S4, full price in my case, I guess (sigh!) Does anyone know if the Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 comes with GSM unlocked? (I remember reading that the Verizon iPhone 5 does and can be used abroad by simply swapping a local SIM card.)
During my trial purchase on the Verizon website, it asked me if I wanted to keep the current SIM number (yes), and later if I wanted the phone implemented for worldwide GSM (do you think they mean through their own services, hence locked GSM, or open to any carrier abroad)?
Thanks for the input.
italiano1964 said:
I just killed my Nexus and I'm not eligible for a discount with Verizon until 8/22. I'm looking at the S4, full price in my case, I guess (sigh!) Does anyone know if the Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 comes with GSM unlocked? (I remember reading that the Verizon iPhone 5 does and can be used abroad by simply swapping a local SIM card.)
During my trial purchase on the Verizon website, it asked me if I wanted to keep the current SIM number (yes), and later if I wanted the phone implemented for worldwide GSM (do you think they mean through their own services, hence locked GSM, or open to any carrier abroad)?
Thanks for the input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All you have to do is give them a call and let em know you will be traveling abroad, they will adjust your plan accordingly. I dunno if the S4 is global capable though, hardware wise.... Make sure you call them before using it abroad, failure to do so will most likely result in a massive roaming bill....
If you look on the hardware specs, it says its a Global Ready phone on Verizon's website. It has GSM also. I think it is possbile to put in a att SIM and go. Don't hold me to it though
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
i do believe all verizon 4G LTE phones must come GSM unlocked out of box now, if im not mistaken.
yyhd said:
i do believe all verizon 4G LTE phones must come GSM unlocked out of box now, if im not mistaken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I believe it's FCC required because of auction rules for the 700mhz band Verizon LTE is using.
That said, you may still need root to enable new APNs.
s44 said:
Yeah, I believe it's FCC required because of auction rules for the 700mhz band Verizon LTE is using.
That said, you may still need root to enable new APNs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You needn't root，
it can support，GSM and wcdma carriers！！
i test a SIM card of China Unicom
it can edit APNS
nforce4 said:
You needn't root，
it can support，GSM and wcdma carriers！！
i test a SIM card of China Unicom
it can edit APNS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate if you show screenshot of APN setting. if possible also network screenshot.
For now all I know is you can get WorldWide plan from verizon and you basically will be paying to verizon but you will use that other carrier as an atena... Cool, but it's VERY EXPENSIVE. Calls internet everything. Is there a way to somewhat hack sgs 4 verizon to use it internationally without needing that stupid expensive plan.
The SiMs are very cheap and the phone plans are very cheap in Europe, sometimes it's even more profitable to buy an unlocked phone just to travel.
So, does anyone know yet how to hack it ? There was a way like that on SGS 3.
I upgraded on Verizon and then traveled to Europe on the same day. All was working well with Verizon in the US. I then put in a sim card I bought when I arrived, and it worked for calling as soon as it started (no changes required). The add apn setting was greyed out, but it worked anyway. I put in the appropriate apn settings and it now does mobile data, voice, and sms. I dont know about MMS, yet.
I did all this without root access, but I went ahead and did the root procedure this morning.
I have to go to another country in 2 weeks, and I may get a different sim. If so, I will update after that.
I do have a persistant warning in the status bar telling me I am using a non-Verizon sim, but no other ill effects.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
maxyoda said:
I upgraded on Verizon and then traveled to Europe on the same day. All was working well with Verizon in the US. I then put in a sim card I bought when I arrived, and it worked for calling as soon as it started (no changes required). The add apn setting was greyed out, but it worked anyway. I put in the appropriate apn settings and it now does mobile data, voice, and sms. I dont know about MMS, yet.
I did all this without root access, but I went ahead and did the root procedure this morning.
I have to go to another country in 2 weeks, and I may get a different sim. If so, I will update after that.
I do have a persistant warning in the status bar telling me I am using a non-Verizon sim, but no other ill effects.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, thanks for info. Are you using Verizons World Data plan ? If not, when you come back to US is it possible that you will get a pretty large bill for using outside of US ? What type of internet are you recieving, 3g, HSPA or maybe Edge ? What countries have you tried this in yet ?
Also where did you get the phone, pre order or in store?
Thank you, I'm asking so many questions because I really wanted to get an upgrade but I will be flying to Europe for this whole summer and I thought it wouldnt worth it right now.
No, I am not using Verizon's plan (as far as I know). I have a local prepaid sim and phone number with prepaid data on a gsm network (T-Mobile) and so I do not receive calls on my US Verizon number - they go straight to Google voice answering service. I get a H+ symbol for data when I am in an area with good reception, and 3g elsewhere. So far, I have only tried it around Berlin.
I bought the phone in the store.
Tw1ser said:
Hey, thanks for info. Are you using Verizons World Data plan ? If not, when you come back to US is it possible that you will get a pretty large bill for using outside of US ? What type of internet are you recieving, 3g, HSPA or maybe Edge ? What countries have you tried this in yet ?
Also where did you get the phone, pre order or in store?
Thank you, I'm asking so many questions because I really wanted to get an upgrade but I will be flying to Europe for this whole summer and I thought it wouldnt worth it right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maxyoda said:
No, I am not using Verizon's plan (as far as I know). I have a local prepaid sim and phone number with prepaid data on a gsm network (T-Mobile) and so I do not receive calls on my US Verizon number - they go straight to Google voice answering service. I get a H+ symbol for data when I am in an area with good reception, and 3g elsewhere. So far, I have only tried it around Berlin.
I bought the phone in the store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you buy your phone on contract ?
Yes. Upgraded on contract.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
verizon galaxy s4 usage in europe
maxyoda said:
No, I am not using Verizon's plan (as far as I know). I have a local prepaid sim and phone number with prepaid data on a gsm network (T-Mobile) and so I do not receive calls on my US Verizon number - they go straight to Google voice answering service. I get a H+ symbol for data when I am in an area with good reception, and 3g elsewhere. So far, I have only tried it around Berlin.
I bought the phone in the store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, I saw your posts which were very helpful about verizon galaxy s4 usage in europe. I have a few more questions if you have time. On which operators and countries were you able to get 3g speeds with verizon s4. Thank you.
---------- Post added at 06:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:07 AM ----------
maxyoda said:
No, I am not using Verizon's plan (as far as I know). I have a local prepaid sim and phone number with prepaid data on a gsm network (T-Mobile) and so I do not receive calls on my US Verizon number - they go straight to Google voice answering service. I get a H+ symbol for data when I am in an area with good reception, and 3g elsewhere. So far, I have only tried it around Berlin.
I bought the phone in the store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sadettin said:
Hello, I saw your posts which were very helpful about verizon galaxy s4 usage in europe. I have a few more questions if you have time. On which operators and countries were you able to get 3g speeds with verizon s4. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am asking because i need to know if it will work on a country where the 3g frequency is 2100mhz.
I currently have a Droid DNA through Verizon and would like to switch to Straight Talk. I see options for both AT&T and T-Mobile compatible SIM cards, and am curious which one I should go with. I live in the Houston area. I prefer not to have to cut the card but it's not a deal breaker.
In my area AT&T has much wider and more reliable data coverage. I was often on edge everywhere in my hometown while on T-Mobile. This may not be the case for Houston. Just test drive both networks for a month each.
Ah, excellent point. Should be cheap enough to try them both. Thanks!
I actually work in Electronics at Walmart and deal with this all the time. Straight Talk will not move 4G LTE phones to their service. They aren't compatible and do not have the agreements with carriers for LTE access. If you read the CDMA/GSM bring your own phone package that includes the SIM cards it says in bold writing LTE Phones are not compatible. The DNA would not be able to be used on Straight Talk because it is a LTE phone. Straight Talk has a list of approved devices on their website. Because you do have to provide your phones IMEI they will know it is a LTE phone and deny your request to activate the phone on their services.
Kutster, I hate to correct you but I actually did successfully connect my Droid DNA using the Walmart SIM card. Now in my area it was actually called FamilyMobile, and run by T-Mobile. I purchased a SIM card from Walmart, took it home, plugged it in, set up an account, and it worked. Granted, you don't get LTE, but it does work and is mega cheap ($40/mo unlimited). I ended up cancelling and taking it back, simply because the internet was very slow, and the coverage wasn't very good in my area (T-Mobile sucks in my area). I do want to stress though that it definitely does work! I think I'll try AT&T GoPhone next.
The important thing to remember is this phone (the DNA) has all the radios necessary to connect to just about anybody but Sprint's network. Don't always believe what the companies tell ya.
impala454 said:
Kutster, I hate to correct you but I actually did successfully connect my Droid DNA using the Walmart SIM card. Now in my area it was actually called FamilyMobile, and run by T-Mobile. I purchased a SIM card from Walmart, took it home, plugged it in, set up an account, and it worked. Granted, you don't get LTE, but it does work and is mega cheap ($40/mo unlimited). I ended up cancelling and taking it back, simply because the internet was very slow, and the coverage wasn't very good in my area (T-Mobile sucks in my area). I do want to stress though that it definitely does work! I think I'll try AT&T GoPhone next.
The important thing to remember is this phone (the DNA) has all the radios necessary to connect to just about anybody but Sprint's network. Don't always believe what the companies tell ya.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
impala454 said:
I currently have a Droid DNA through Verizon and would like to switch to Straight Talk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See that's where your terms and confusion of prepaid comes into play. Of course Family Mobile worked they don't have restrictions on LTE especially since Family Mobile is powered by T-mobile. Straight Talk which is the company I was referring to and the company you were referring to does has limitations on LTE phones, and will NOT allow any LTE phone to to brought to their service. This has to do with they license the use of multiple carriers towers.
Trust me I am not trying to be rude, but I honestly deal with this on a daily basis. You know how many Straight Talk bring your own phone kits I have had to refund because customers buy them for their nice Verizon LTE smartphones? It doesn't work. I am telling you from my experience and my countless hours on the phone with Straight Talk reps and on their website, what their policy is on LTE phones. I beg you to go to Walmart and look at the Straight Talk CDMA/GSM BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) kits that they sell for $60. In the middle of that package on the front it says something along the lines of "LTE Phones are not Compatible." Which like it reads means you cannot bring over a LTE phone to Straight Talk.
AT&T prepaid I would venture to guess would work, but I can't remember if AT&T is as picky as Verizon is about what smartphones get put on their prepaid plans. You would have to call and find out.
So once again, please keep in mind that every prepaid carrier is different, use different towers, and different policies. Just because it worked on one does not mean a different company has policies that differ or block that same practice.
I didn't realize StraightTalk and FamilyMobile were different. I just assumed that when I went to Walmart it was whatever they were using. I see now that StraightTalk is AT&T and FamilyMobile is T-Mobile. I only had the option for FamilyMobile at my Walmart. Thanks for the clarification.
I'm not going to disagree, but I will say that the FamilyMobile website also said my specific phone was not eligible, but it did in fact work. So to anyone else reading this, YMMV. Considering Walmart takes the card back for a full refund, I don't see a problem in at least attempting it (except that employees such as yourself have to deal with it ). It makes sense to me that there's no way for the carrier to enforce specific phones when they are SIM card based. So long as your phone has the radios that carrier operates on, it should work. My guess is that the LTE phones statement on the package is in reference to the fact that you won't get LTE speeds with that network.
kutster said:
See that's where your terms and confusion of prepaid comes into play. Of course Family Mobile worked they don't have restrictions on LTE especially since Family Mobile is powered by T-mobile. Straight Talk which is the company I was referring to and the company you were referring to does has limitations on LTE phones, and will NOT allow any LTE phone to to brought to their service. This has to do with they license the use of multiple carriers towers.
Trust me I am not trying to be rude, but I honestly deal with this on a daily basis. You know how many Straight Talk bring your own phone kits I have had to refund because customers buy them for their nice Verizon LTE smartphones? It doesn't work. I am telling you from my experience and my countless hours on the phone with Straight Talk reps and on their website, what their policy is on LTE phones. I beg you to go to Walmart and look at the Straight Talk CDMA/GSM BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) kits that they sell for $60. In the middle of that package on the front it says something along the lines of "LTE Phones are not Compatible." Which like it reads means you cannot bring over a LTE phone to Straight Talk.
AT&T prepaid I would venture to guess would work, but I can't remember if AT&T is as picky as Verizon is about what smartphones get put on their prepaid plans. You would have to call and find out.
So once again, please keep in mind that every prepaid carrier is different, use different towers, and different policies. Just because it worked on one does not mean a different company has policies that differ or block that same practice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Being an an LTE device wouldn't matter in this case since the LTE radio will only work on the CDMA side of the phone and with Verizon's LTE. It has UMTS and Straight Talk already confirmed with me the phone would get 3G while on their network. There's not a magic way of them detecting an LTE phone ( one that works on a CDMA carrier mind you) and flipping the off switch. The 2G and 3G networks are available for AT&T and T-Mobile regardless of which prepaid carrier you use.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 4
xlxcrossing said:
Being an an LTE device wouldn't matter in this case since the LTE radio will only work on the CDMA side of the phone and with Verizon's LTE. It has UMTS and Straight Talk already confirmed with me the phone would get 3G while on their network. There's not a magic way of them detecting an LTE phone ( one that works on a CDMA carrier mind you) and flipping the off switch. The 2G and 3G networks are available for AT&T and T-Mobile regardless of which prepaid carrier you use.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im not going to argue about it. When you go to activate a BYOP on Straight Talk you have to input the IMEI, which does tell Straight Talk if the phone is LTE capable or not and if it isn't eligible it will not allow you to activate the phone. Period. I hate done it and tried it. It isn't like ATT where you put in the SIM card and it is activated. You activate the phone IMEI and SIM card # with Straight Talk. That is how it works with BYOP.
@Impala Im glad you had luck getting Family Mobile working.
Uh, I'm currently using Straight Talk on my DNA with full HSPA+ capability, as are many others.
holyinstantrice said:
Uh, I'm currently using Straight Talk on my DNA with full HSPA+ capability, as are many others.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly, ours is an LTE device so please tell us why it certainly does work on Straight Talk when you claim it doesn't.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 4
xlxcrossing said:
Exactly, ours is an LTE device so please tell us why it certainly does work on Straight Talk when you claim it doesn't.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, Straight Talk just got support for AT&T LTE. So they're going to have to accept LTE devices?
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Yeah I just read up on that. I wonder if the DNA 700mhz band will work. I checked online and it shows AT&T as using the 700 bands as well (a,b,c) I'm assuming the new Sim they are selling enables the LTE?
Can anyone with the new Sim confirm LTE connectivity?
EDIT : looks like at&t is band 17 and Verizon is 13. The FCC is pushing for interoperability within the upper 700 but it looks as if the chipset controls which band LTE operates off of...damn. It would be sweet to get LTE on an unlimited prepaid plan.
Interesting. I wonder if GoPhone or anyone else that's AT&T related would work LTE wise?
So are you guys able to use gsm networks with the 2.06 firmware?
I'm using net10 (att) with my DNA with 2.04 firmware and I'm hesitant to update to 2.06 until I can confirm that the 2.06 update keeps gsm completely unlocked?
ac7822 said:
So are you guys able to use gsm networks with the 2.06 firmware?
I'm using net10 (att) with my DNA with 2.04 firmware and I'm hesitant to update to 2.06 until I can confirm that the 2.06 update keeps gsm completely unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on 2.06 using a straight talk sim I can't get LTE speeds or even my signal to say LTE but I get H+ and max out at about 8mbps
Sent from my AOSP on Grouper using xda app-developers app
tdizzle404 said:
I'm on 2.06 using a straight talk sim I can't get LTE speeds or even my signal to say LTE but I get H+ and max out at about 8mbps
Sent from my AOSP on Grouper using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too. Straight Talk claims LTE works for unlocked AT&T smartphones.
Hey everyone, I'm totally new to Straight Talk and GSM and the DNA being used somewhere besides Verizon. (I'm a long time VZ customer but read Android Police daily and am familiar with all things Android.) Anyways, I'm pretty clear on using the phone on Straight Talk, getting MMS and all that, my only question is, how do you go about getting OTA's? Since the phone technically is a Verizon phone, updates would come from them. While on Straight Talk can I throw a Verizon sim card in the phone, download the OTA. Then after completing the update, put back in my AT&T sim card. Or does HTC offer OTA downloads online?
How do you guys go about updating your phone? (OTA's obviously apply to non-rooted devices. I may or may not root it.)
Thanks for your help!
b_hermon said:
Hey everyone, I'm totally new to Straight Talk and GSM and the DNA being used somewhere besides Verizon. (I'm a long time VZ customer but read Android Police daily and am familiar with all things Android.) Anyways, I'm pretty clear on using the phone on Straight Talk, getting MMS and all that, my only question is, how do you go about getting OTA's? Since the phone technically is a Verizon phone, updates would come from them. While on Straight Talk can I throw a Verizon sim card in the phone, download the OTA. Then after completing the update, put back in my AT&T sim card. Or does HTC offer OTA downloads online?
How do you guys go about updating your phone? (OTA's obviously apply to non-rooted devices. I may or may not root it.)
Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just s-off my phone using moonshine and then there are some bone stock roms to flash. Apart from that I'm not sure, before soff I was looking for an ruu to flash but couldn't find an updated one
Sent from my AOSP on Flo using Tapatalk 4
ac7822 said:
I just s-off my phone using moonshine and then there are some bone stock roms to flash. Apart from that I'm not sure, before soff I was looking for an ruu to flash but couldn't find an updated one
Sent from my AOSP on Flo using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks ac! That sounds like something I could do. I'm not too familiar with s-off, moonshine or HTC (the phone is my wife's. I'm a nexus guy) but I may have to look into that. Anybody else out there with any ideas?
Is it possible to unlock the Verizon version of the S4? I'm deploying in 4 weeks and would like to use my phone with international carriers. I have an SCH-I545 build and I'm still running on stock. Thanks
I think ATT has begun to unlock phones internationally when asked.
Verizon? Not sure... one think to check is if the Verizon GS4 supports a carrier in the country you travel to.
Take a look at Leo Laporte's Tech Guy show... he has callers ask this quetion on average every other week... I think he has show notes on his site now days... techguylabs.com
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
PetrichorXFi said:
I think ATT has begun to unlock phones internationally when asked.
Verizon? Not sure... one think to check is if the Verizon GS4 supports a carrier in the country you travel to.
Take a look at Leo Laporte's Tech Guy show... he has callers ask this quetion on average every other week... I think he has show notes on his site now days... techguylabs.com
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon phones are unlocked out of the box, but you have to make sure that the country you are going to has a GSM network.
After a lot of searching, I decided to ask this here:
I have a Verizon S4, but I was wondering if it was actually unlocked out-of-box or if there is something I have to do in order to use it with, for instance, Cricket, or U.S. Cellular. I have done lots of rooting/developing for Android, but have never tried to use an Android phone with a differing carrier. Can anyone help or point me to a thread that helps? (Again, did lots of Googling and XDA-searching)
furballbeethoven said:
After a lot of searching, I decided to ask this here:
I have a Verizon S4, but I was wondering if it was actually unlocked out-of-box or if there is something I have to do in order to use it with, for instance, Cricket, or U.S. Cellular. I have done lots of rooting/developing for Android, but have never tried to use an Android phone with a differing carrier. Can anyone help or point me to a thread that helps? (Again, did lots of Googling and XDA-searching)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is GSM-unlocked. This means that you buy a SIM, plug it in, then add the proper APN to enable data. (Settings, Connections, More networks, Mobile networks, Access Point Names). The "+" (Add APN) button is disabled if you have a VZ SIM installed but will be enabled if you insert a non-VZ SIM.
Whoever you get the SIM from will tell you what to enter for the APN.
Whether or not it'll work and how fast a network you'll get depends on the bands that the local carrier uses.
k1mu said:
The phone is GSM-unlocked. This means that you buy a SIM, plug it in, then add the proper APN to enable data. (Settings, Connections, More networks, Mobile networks, Access Point Names). The "+" (Add APN) button is disabled if you have a VZ SIM installed but will be enabled if you insert a non-VZ SIM.
Whoever you get the SIM from will tell you what to enter for the APN.
Whether or not it'll work and how fast a network you'll get depends on the bands that the local carrier uses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI k1mu,
So do you mean to say if I purchase this device with full price from VZW ~$400 (month to month plan),
the next thing I can do is take off VZW SIM and would it work on my AT&T GSM SIM in US?
malhotra.aakash said:
HI k1mu,
So do you mean to say if I purchase this device with full price from VZW ~$400 (month to month plan),
the next thing I can do is take off VZW SIM and would it work on my AT&T GSM SIM in US?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe. While the VZW version is GSM-unlocked for international use, it is unclear how well it works with US GSM carriers. Some people say they can get it to work, some say they can't. Theoretically, it should only take you putting in an AT&T SIM then plugging in the APN data for it to work, but some people still say it won't.
So, you should be able to, but going by the accounts of XDA members, it doesn't always work, which may or may not come down to user error.
joshm.1219 said:
Maybe. While the VZW version is GSM-unlocked for international use, it is unclear how well it works with US GSM carriers. Some people say they can get it to work, some say they can't. Theoretically, it should only take you putting in an AT&T SIM then plugging in the APN data for it to work, but some people still say it won't.
So, you should be able to, but going by the accounts of XDA members, it doesn't always work, which may or may not come down to user error.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks joshm.1219,
It still leaves me in a dilemma.. I do really want to get a "S4 mini" model but don't want to stuck up with CDMA providers to be true. Might want to use with ATT or Tmobile or H2O.. I visited the VZW store and the model has option under networks as
1. Global
2. LTE/CDMA
3. GSM/UTMS
Now the Qs are,
1. If this model does have a SIM card slot, how at the first point VZW has lock on it
2. When i asked the VZW associate, he was not sure whether they ever do unlock the device or not
3. If I am ready to pay off complete price of the device which is ~400, what else I would need from them to really 'UNLOCK' it?
4. Is there any means by root/flashing to make such model work for US GSM carriers like H2O or even T-mobile.
Sorry to be so annoying but m new to all these things and quite confused :crying:
many Thx in advance..
malhotra.aakash said:
Thanks joshm.1219,
It still leaves me in a dilemma.. I do really want to get a "S4 mini" model but don't want to stuck up with CDMA providers to be true. Might want to use with ATT or Tmobile or H2O.. I visited the VZW store and the model has option under networks as
1. Global
2. LTE/CDMA
3. GSM/UTMS
Now the Qs are,
1. If this model does have a SIM card slot, how at the first point VZW has lock on it
2. When i asked the VZW associate, he was not sure whether they ever do unlock the device or not
3. If I am ready to pay off complete price of the device which is ~400, what else I would need from them to really 'UNLOCK' it?
4. Is there any means by root/flashing to make such model work for US GSM carriers like H2O or even T-mobile.
Sorry to be so annoying but m new to all these things and quite confused :crying:
many Thx in advance..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I can't be of more help, I've been on Verizon for 10 years now, but it is by all intents & purposes, fully SIM-unlocked. It's simply unclear as to why some people report problems of using Verizon phones on US GSM carriers. If you really don't want to worry about it & are willing to pay full price, purchase a device through the carrier you want to use it on.
here is the code to choose network
you might need to change the network frequency to gsm if you wanna use it on att or tmobile and when you wanna switch back to verizon choose wcdma try dialing *#*#4636#*#*:good:
joshm.1219 said:
Sorry I can't be of more help, I've been on Verizon for 10 years now, but it is by all intents & purposes, fully SIM-unlocked. It's simply unclear as to why some people report problems of using Verizon phones on US GSM carriers. If you really don't want to worry about it & are willing to pay full price, purchase a device through the carrier you want to use it on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had people argue with me over this, but the fact is that NO Verizon LTE phone is SIM-locked. None. Nada.
People who claim differently are simply misinformed. (My I545 comes up on AT&T when I plug in my UK SIM and switch to GSM.)
Not to say that all VZ phones are unlocked - my Inc2 had to be unlocked before it would work with that same SIM. If I remember right, it wouldn't connect in the US, either, even after being unlocked. Not so for the GS4.
I appreciate the posts here from people who know. As for me, I am switching to tmobile and will attempt to use this there. If it doesnt work out, I will sell it on swappa and get a nexus 5!
Hi,
Verizon S4 with 4.3 is international unlocked by default.
You just need to select network mode 'GLOBAL'. Then add the right APN.
I am using Indian GSM SIM with the GLOBAL mode selected. All is well for me.
I can provide screenshots if anybody wanna see.
Verizon phones are unlocked out of the box and they DO work fine on US carriers I'm running my Verizon S4 right now on AT&T and I also ran it on tmobile for short time,
even works with Walmart straight talk and Net10 as those are just subsidies of T Mobile and AT&T anyway.
so don't sweat it if you have a verizon phone that uses a sim card, you can run it on any network that uses a SIM card US or international.
baseband issue
Doesn't the MK2 baseband with jb 4.3 block US Sim cards?
Or do I just have a weird s4?
kendonsh said:
Doesn't the MK2 baseband with jb 4.3 block US Sim cards?
Or do I just have a weird s4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine dont? Im on mk2,
soon as I got my verizon s4 replacement from a damaged model that I turned in,
I threw a net10/att sim card in it.
completely stock phone not even rooted nothin, and it works fine, I did get a popup that said non Verizon SIM card but it works fine
calls in and out MMS works fine
---------- Post added at 01:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:53 PM ----------
CafeAdrutico said:
The S4 is supposed to work globally right out of the box, as long as you've called Verizon to enable International roaming on your account. But, used that way, you'll be paying Verizon for International roaming and it's bloody expensive.
The question is, can you remove the SIM and put in a SIM for a local carrier in the foreign country where you are and use the phone on that carrier? That is what being unlocked would allow you to do. Past Verizon phones have not been unlocked to allow this. But, if you called Tech Support and told them you were going to, for example, Europe and wanted to use a local SIM, they would walk you through unlocking (at no charge).
I read a report that the S4 is not locked and that you can use a SIM for a local carrier in Europe, as it comes out of the box. But, I would not trust that. I would call VZW Tech Support and tell them exactly what you want to do - i.e. don't say "can I use my phone in Europe?" The answer to that is yes, you can, at about $1/minute. What you should ask them is, "can I travel to Europe and purchase a SIM from a local carrier and use that in my phone?" If not, they should be able to walk you through unlocking the phone, so you can do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to answer your question simply yes.
let's say I take my phone to Spain are somewhere in the UK, I'll go to store buy a SIM card for local network and BAM local phone number in Europe making phone calls, you can even get Data to work if you have that local carrier's APN settings
no unlocking is required because it is not locked.
other companies AT&T, Sprint, t-mobile, yes you have to get The phone sim unlocked.
k1mu said:
I've had people argue with me over this, but the fact is that NO Verizon LTE phone is SIM-locked. None. Nada.
People who claim differently are simply misinformed. (My I545 comes up on AT&T when I plug in my UK SIM and switch to GSM.)
Not to say that all VZ phones are unlocked - my Inc2 had to be unlocked before it would work with that same SIM. If I remember right, it wouldn't connect in the US, either, even after being unlocked. Not so for the GS4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is 100% correct. NO LTE phones on verizon are sim locked. They are REQUIRED to keep them unlocked because of their agreement with the FCC for their use of the spectrum they lease. NO OTHER CARRIER must abide by these rules. Only VZW. Sprint I've heard will unlock ANY phone that is capable if you ask them too, and AT&T will NOT unlock any of their phones unless it 2 years old and out of contract (which makes no sense if you have to pay them while under contract anyway). There was a big deal about the Iphone 5 when it came out with LTE for verizon. If you bought a Verizon Iphone, you could put an ATT sim in it and it works, but not an ATT on VZW because ATT keeps them locked.
The Dinc 2 above was NOT an LTE device. Therefore no sim card....and it wouldn't work on most overseas networks anyway as it was a CDMA only phone. I believe VZW tested the limits of the "unlocked" SIM with their first few LTE phones. My Rezound worked with a GSM network sim....but voice and SMS only. It took some unlocking of the bootloader and rooting to run a special Rom to get Data to work on it.
I am heading to the Caribbean in a few weeks, and I will be using a rented SIM card to be able to message back and forth with my wife (with a data based messenger service as data rates are far cheaper than SMS rate there)
318sugarhill said:
This is 100% correct. NO LTE phones on verizon are sim locked. They are REQUIRED to keep them unlocked because of their agreement with the FCC for their use of the spectrum they lease. NO OTHER CARRIER must abide by these rules. Only VZW. Sprint I've heard will unlock ANY phone that is capable if you ask them too, and AT&T will NOT unlock any of their phones unless it 2 years old and out of contract (which makes no sense if you have to pay them while under contract anyway). There was a big deal about the Iphone 5 when it came out with LTE for verizon. If you bought a Verizon Iphone, you could put an ATT sim in it and it works, but not an ATT on VZW because ATT keeps them locked.
The Dinc 2 above was NOT an LTE device. Therefore no sim card....and it wouldn't work on most overseas networks anyway as it was a CDMA only phone. I believe VZW tested the limits of the "unlocked" SIM with their first few LTE phones. My Rezound worked with a GSM network sim....but voice and SMS only. It took some unlocking of the bootloader and rooting to run a special Rom to get Data to work on it.
I am heading to the Caribbean in a few weeks, and I will be using a rented SIM card to be able to message back and forth with my wife (with a data based messenger service as data rates are far cheaper than SMS rate there)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just spent a week in the UK with an ekit.com SIM in my Verizon GS4 - no problem with getting service, no Verizon charge (even though I was on the Vodaphone network for at least some times.)
And the dinc 2, while not LTE, was CDMA/GSM - not just CDMA (yes, the dinc was CDMA-only), so it did accept a SIM card. I'm using that in the GS4 now that it's cut down to micro SIM.
That phone WAS SIM-locked, but VZ happily unlocked it. For the GS4, I didn't have to do anything with VZ to use it off their network.
bickin said:
Is it possible to unlock the Verizon version of the S4? I'm deploying in 4 weeks and would like to use my phone with international carriers. I have an SCH-I545 build and I'm still running on stock. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO
UNLFOK s4 UK VERSION sorry I'm new to the website
furballbeethoven said:
After a lot of searching, I decided to ask this here:
I have a Verizon S4, but I was wondering if it was actually unlocked out-of-box or if there is something I have to do in order to use it with, for instance, Cricket, or U.S. Cellular. I have done lots of rooting/developing for Android, but have never tried to use an Android phone with a differing carrier. Can anyone help or point me to a thread that helps? (Again, did lots of Googling and XDA-searching)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is already unlocked for SIM and other carriers, all you need is the correct APN for the carrier. I currently have T-Mobile on my i545 and everything works on it.