[Q] From T-bolt to 3G phone and back - Thunderbolt Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey all, not exactly a Thunderbolt specific question, but hopefully one some of you are familiar with. I have several Android devices, and before my Bolt, I switched between them quite regularly. However, after getting my T-bolt and unlimited 4g data, I have not swapped devices as all of my others are 3G only. Recently, though, I have been itching to use some of my other devices, but not sure if it is a viable option anymore.
What worries me is, first, switching between a 4g and 3g device. I do not want to lose my unlimited 4g data obviously. Anyone know if my plan will stay intact so I can switch back to my Thunderbolt? Secondly, from what I have heard, the Thunderbolt uses a one-time-use SIM card, which becomes useless after becoming deactivated. I have also read some people saying that Verizon will give me a new SIM card, free of charge, if I want to re-activate my Thunderbolt.
Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this situation, or could answer any of my questions. I really like my Thunderbolt, but want to use some of my older Android devices as well since I've got them. Thanks.

You are correct. Once you switch to a 3G phone the sim card for your TB is deactivated and you'll need to get a new one for the TB to switch back. I know you can get them free from corp VZW stores. I've switched back to a 3g phone a few times and my plan with unlimited data didn't change.

Alright just to be clear, I can use the sim card that I have in my Thunderbolt in a 3G device, for example a Droid 3, but if I want to use my Thunderbolt again, I'd have to get a new 4G sim card from Verizon? And nothing changes, in regard to my plan, technically I still have 4G service just using 3G?

Nate14 said:
Alright just to be clear, I can use the sim card that I have in my Thunderbolt in a 3G device, for example a Droid 3, but if I want to use my Thunderbolt again, I'd have to get a new 4G sim card from Verizon? And nothing changes, in regard to my plan, technically I still have 4G service just using 3G?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the 4G sim can only be used in a 4G device. And with the Droid 3 you wouldn't have 4G service as that is not a 4G LTE enabled phone. But regardless, you will still keep the unlimited data plan.

andr0id23 said:
Secondly, from what I have heard, the Thunderbolt uses a one-time-use SIM card, which becomes useless after becoming deactivated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See my post here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1297488
It's worth a try to switch w/o killing the SIM card.

as the others were saying, it will have no effect whatsoever on your plan. you'll just need to get another sim card once you switch back which they'll do for free at any Verizon store.
I know because I went from a Thunderbolt to an Incredible 2, back to a Thunderbolt again.

Related

[Q] Changing CDMA

I recently messed up my HTC Incredible and thinking about getting this phone off ebay/craigslist. My question is, is it easy to change the CDMA from phone to phone? I wasn't able to really see any instructions online specifically for these phones. Also, am I obligated to get a 4G enabled on the phone from Verizon?
Thanks
nocode99 said:
I recently messed up my HTC Incredible and thinking about getting this phone off ebay/craigslist. My question is, is it easy to change the CDMA from phone to phone? I wasn't able to really see any instructions online specifically for these phones. Also, am I obligated to get a 4G enabled on the phone from Verizon?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and yes.
Thanks - are there any tutorials on changing CDMAs? I'm having a hard time finding anything through Google.
What exactly do you mean by "changing CDMA's?" Do you mean switching the phones out on your line?
Yeah - I want to switch my line from the old incredible into a new phone. Should I just go to Verizon and have them program the new phone?
nocode99 said:
Thanks - are there any tutorials on changing CDMAs? I'm having a hard time finding anything through Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CDMA != GSM
I believe you might be confusing swapping out a SIM card for transferring your number to another phone. You can get the phone off of eBay or CL, go to your local VZW store, and just have them transfer your number to your new phone. I believe the TB should come with the 4G LTE SIM card (has nothing to do with a GSM SIM card). If not I'm sure when you go to VZW to activate the phone that they will give you one there.
g00s3y said:
CDMA != GSM
I believe you might be confusing swapping out a SIM card for transferring your number to another phone. You can get the phone off of eBay or CL, go to your local VZW store, and just have them transfer your number to your new phone. I believe the TB should come with the 4G LTE SIM card (has nothing to do with a GSM SIM card). If not I'm sure when you go to VZW to activate the phone that they will give you one there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd recommend going to Verizon because you need to get a SIM card to activate the device anyway. Head over there and tell them that you're switching your DInc out for the Thunderbolt and that you need a SIM for it. They can activate it on the spot for you.
Even if he did get a SIM card with it, that SIM is not tied to his number. I'd still suggest going to Verizon and letting them handle the situation.
As someone who just purchased a TB this way I can confirm: just walk into a corporate Vzw store and they'll give you a new sim (free) and activate your phone.
Kind of annoying having a sim like that, we used to be able to change equipment on he fly through Vzw.com or over the phone.
VZW's 4G phones still use ESN numbers too. The sim is just to get access to the 4G network. You will want to make sure the phone you are buying has a clean ESN number. If VZW has it flagged as stolen or something, they wont activate the phone for you and there's nothing you can do.

Unlocking & Using the Aria without data

Hey guys, I was thinking about getting an Aria for my girlfriend. I have a few questions before I purchase one though:
1. I heard you could unlock it by talking to AT&T, but just in case, can anyone point me to a cheap/reputable place to get it unlocked online? Thanks
2. Is it easy to permanently disable Cellular Network data? She would be using it with no data plan, so we wouldnt want any data to get through.
roltzje said:
Hey guys, I was thinking about getting an Aria for my girlfriend. I have a few questions before I purchase one though:
1. I heard you could unlock it by talking to AT&T, but just in case, can anyone point me to a cheap/reputable place to get it unlocked online? Thanks
2. Is it easy to permanently disable Cellular Network data? She would be using it with no data plan, so we wouldnt want any data to get through.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you get the phone unlocked, it should work fine on any GSM network.
As far as data is concerned, I know that AT&T will detect your phone and may apply a smart-phone data plan (even if you don't want or use one).
One way around this is to put the SIM card into a dumb phone and disable the data plan on-line or call ATT to disable it.
Then pop the SIM card back into the Aria and you're in business.
It has worked for me like this for over 5 years of owning smart phones without data plans (which I don't use or need).
DanGeorges said:
One way around this is to put the SIM card into a dumb phone and disable the data plan on-line or call ATT to disable it.
Then pop the SIM card back into the Aria and you're in business.
It has worked for me like this for over 5 years of owning smart phones without data plans (which I don't use or need).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will ONLY work if you have a very old plan with AT&T and you are grandfathered in.
If you switched plans or started your service after AT&T started requiring smartphones to have data plans, you will be automatically switched to a data plan if you put your SIM card into an Aria. There's no way around it.
drumist said:
This will ONLY work if you have a very old plan with AT&T and you are grandfathered in.
If you switched plans or started your service after AT&T started requiring smartphones to have data plans, you will be automatically switched to a data plan if you put your SIM card into an Aria. There's no way around it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's unfortunate. I will definitely keep my "old" plan just to make sure I'm still able to keep the data plan off.
I had, for a month, an unlimited ($15) plan, but since I really didn't see a need, dropped it and opted out. Looking back, I probably should have kept it in case there could be a day when I need a new plan.
When that day comes, I will be switching to a pay-as-you-go plan.
That would allow me to keep my Aria, WiFi, etc. - without subscribing to an unnecessary data plan. The only downside is losing my mobile number...

at&t data plan question

I am putting my micro sim card from my 4s in my gs3 when it arrives.
I know data will work as both phones are hspa+, but should I have att switch my data from the iPhone plan to smartphone plan?
I am more concerned about mms, sms, and voicemail working properly....something with provisioning.
Thanks....
When I switched from the iPhone 4 to the Galaxy S2, I did the same and swapped sim cards and didn't switch the plan. A few days later the phone started having problems connecting to the internet and ultimately stopped working so I had to switch from the iPhone plan to the regular smartphone plan and it's been working fine ever since.
you will have to change plans
kyan~ said:
you will have to change plans
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
If you don't mind me asking, I see in your sig you have (or had) a One X. It has a micro sim but has to have the LTE plan w AT&T. When you put it in your gs3 did you switch back to the smartphone plan or leave it alone?
I ask because I had a One X for a couple of weeks and returned it. I put my micro sim back in my 4s until my gs3 arrives. I have a good friend who is an Assist Mgr with AT&T and he told me I'd be ok leaving the data plan alone because LTE falls back on hspa+. The "play it safe" in me ended up having him revert it back to the iph plan anyway as messages/emails are a critical part of my job.
dmlv said:
Thanks.
If you don't mind me asking, I see in your sig you have (or had) a One X. It has a micro sim but has to have the LTE plan w AT&T. When you put it in your gs3 did you switch back to the smartphone plan or leave it alone?
I ask because I had a One X for a couple of weeks and returned it. I put my micro sim back in my 4s until my gs3 arrives. I have a good friend who is an Assist Mgr with AT&T and he told me I'd be ok leaving the data plan alone because LTE falls back on hspa+. The "play it safe" in me ended up having him revert it back to the iph plan anyway as messages/emails are a critical part of my job.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a skyrocket and it had an lte plan with an lte simcard. Well I sold it right away and kept my captivate. Had no problems with lte sim in other phone.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA

Swapping sim cards between an amaze and iphone 4s

I'm currently on TMobile's prepaid $30 plan, unlimited data and texts, 100 minutes. If I put my sim card in an iPhone 4s, everything would be fine except for the settings for MMS, etc? Obviously, it has to be unlocked, etc.
Would I have to do this everytime I swap the sim between both phones?
Thanks guys!
steveruv said:
I'm currently on TMobile's prepaid $30 plan, unlimited data and texts, 100 minutes. If I put my sim card in an iPhone 4s, everything would be fine except for the settings for MMS, etc? Obviously, it has to be unlocked, etc.
Would I have to do this everytime I swap the sim between both phones?
Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
iPhone requires a microSIM card. The amaze is regular SIM.
Also the iPhone wouldn't work at all without the device being sim unlocked to begin with and the data/mms will work fine once the appropriate apn settings are applied.
You can see if the Gevey sim would work for you and cut the sim down which you would need a micro to regular sim adapter. I use it with me amaze n have no issues.
Live and Die on this day....
Not trying to start anything but why would you choose an iPhone over the Amaze? Unless its not completely changed...
Sent from my HTC Ruby using xda premium
Thanks for the responses
Thanks for the replies guys. I forgot to add that I do know about the phone being factory unlocked, etc, hehe.
As for why the iPhone over the Amaze? I actually like the best of both worlds between Android and IOS. Also, am looking into possibly doing the Straight Talk plan, and I would be able to use it on both phones since its running on AT&T's towers, and I would be able that sim card on both Amaze and iPhone.

[Q] Will Verizon activate a rooted Rezound?

A friend gave me his rooted Rezound after he upgraded to a new phone. The Rezound is running CleanRom Standard 4.4. I have a Verizon account with an unlimited data plan (which I very much want to keep) and I am wondering if Verizon will activate this phone on my account.
So two questions:
1. Is there anything technically preventing Verizon from activating a rooted phone?
2. If it is technically feasible, will Verizon just not do it because they're often a**holes?
Thanks for any info
Sidenote: I currently have a Rezound on my account. It has totally insane battery issues that my friend's phone never had. So that's why I'm hoping to use the same phone I love without having to go through the possibly lengthy process of refurbs.
The Rezound is activated by way of a SIM card. If you're just changing from another LTE phone, just pull the SIM out of the old one, put it in the new one, boot up, and done.
shrike1978 said:
The Rezound is activated by way of a SIM card. If you're just changing from another LTE phone, just pull the SIM out of the old one, put it in the new one, boot up, and done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah! So simple Thanks! I'll switch the SIM cards tonight. Sooooo very glad I don't have to deal with Verizon.

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