[Q] Is it possible to change *228? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have kind of a weird question. Most carriers use *228 to program phones over the air. I'm wondering if it is possible to change that to another number (for example *229 or something like that)? Is the *228 number part of the phone or is it a carrier thing?

As far as I know it's a carrier thing. Verizon uses *228 for example. Sprint uses a convoluted series of menu screens which is annoying because you have to have an as-close-to-stock rom as possible in order to utilize it.
And as far as I know you can't change it. Otherwise I'd be using more AOSP roms...

The reason I was asking is because I reprogrammed a Sprint phone to use on a local carrier and they use *229. I have working voice, text, 3G data, & MMS. So do you think I would be able to just dial *229 to do a PRL update or would I always have to update it manually with CDMA WS? I realize I probably won't ever be able to update the data settings over the air since its a Sprint phone, but I was just wondering about the PRL updates.

Related

PRI, PRL and 'Update PRI' in dcd ROM

Hi again,
So this new ROM is cool Got it working but now I have some questions:
What is PRI?
What is PRL?
And what is this 'Update PRI' app included in the Connections tab on the dcd ROM?
Ry
1. WHAT IS A PRL? Primary Roaming List?
It's a large but simple file used in most CDMA phones to determine which cellular carriers a phone should access, and in which priority. The phone is often searching all available cellular signals and comparing the results to it's PRL file, and chooses the channel that is most beneficial to the home carrier. It is primarily used to sort among roaming carriers. It is never used to find the strongest signal.
Not sure about PRI Primary Roaming Interface?
Is there a list of the PRI/PRL etc numbers for each carrier?
Im wondering if that will fix my evdo connection problem
im on the sprint 3.35.04 radio rom/dcd 3.2.5 wm6.1 rom/tnz carrier cab
where is this tab ? i couldnt see it
Although you can get these lists, it is not something you can change or modify. It is something that the phone does automatically and is not based off signal strength.
acidone said:
Although you can get these lists, it is not something you can change or modify. It is something that the phone does automatically and is not based off signal strength.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not only can you get these lists here http://corolada.com/prl/ but you can download whichever one you want for your respective carrier (but you probably want the newest one) and then you can change to it by going into your epst.
what im wondering is if i live in California, for example, and dial *228, then fly to New York and dial *228 does that do anything at all for my roaming? or is it just attempting to see if there was any new PRL since my last *228 dial
Sorry miss understood your question. If you fly to NYC then dialling *228 and option 2 would tell you phone check the PRL list for the best roaming possibilities in the area you are in.
-1

Force Roam Only found

Don't know if this has been posted before or not sorry if it has, I will not retype the post but here is the link: http://howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1472011
Is it possible to make a program that when you click on it it changes the reg value to be able to switch to Roam Only and Back? I have no knowledge of doing this so I am asking
Thank you
What's wrong with choosing it from the Phone Settings menu (comm manager)? It's a few steps, but usually only takes me a few seconds.
smotrs said:
What's wrong with choosing it from the Phone Settings menu (comm manager)? It's a few steps, but usually only takes me a few seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That allows roaming (if I understand the setting you are referring to) not forced Roaming, I live in a area where there is a hint of Sprint Signal there is a 5 bar presence from US Cellular but my handset keeps jumping to Sprint I miss calls etc
My Palm 800W had a setting that would select Roam Only since it appears that we know which reg entry that needs modified I was hoping someone with software skills (not me) could write a small app.
found this over on ppcgeeks somewhere
marka2k said:
That allows roaming (if I understand the setting you are referring to) not forced Roaming, I live in a area where there is a hint of Sprint Signal there is a 5 bar presence from US Cellular but my handset keeps jumping to Sprint I miss calls etc
My Palm 800W had a setting that would select Roam Only since it appears that we know which reg entry that needs modified I was hoping someone with software skills (not me) could write a small app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, what I was talking about is after doing the hack and you have the Roaming Only ability, what's wrong with just choosing it from the Comm Manager settings dialog?
I actually switch from Sprint Only to Roaming Only on a regular basis, I've gotten very quick at making the change because I am used to to doing it.
tom6433 said:
found this over on ppcgeeks somewhere
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What exactly does the CAB do? On the Sprint Touch Pro, its a single registry change. Is this CAB for other phones like the Verizon version or does it do something else as well? Just curious.
it creates the option in settings\phone\roaming for you to select roam only rather than going in and editing code. makes enabling and disabling easy.
tom6433 said:
it creates the option in settings\phone\roaming for you to select roam only rather than going in and editing code. makes enabling and disabling easy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, so it does the registry hack only? So a more friendly install for those not comfortable messing with the registry?
Exactly. I've done the mod several times on different devices. My home in Michigan is a Sprint dead zone. It teeters on Sprint and roaming all the time. When I came back this time I noticed my Roam Only option was gone. There must have been an OTA update that changed it back to my surprise.
Well this time I just used a cab and plan to use it on my wife's Diamond. Much quicker.
anyone know if sprint phones can roam on ATT towers? when i visit my parents there is a sprint tower 2 miles away and even when forcing roam i get no service. they all have full service on their ATT phones. that was the reason i installed this cab but either it does not work or i cannot use ATT towers.
Tom,
No you cannot roam on ATT. Its different technology. GSM vs. CDMA.
You can roam on VZW and Alltell etc.
Erik
Force roaming only on a Verizon touch pro 2
Dont get me wrong, Verizon Coverage is unbeatable, but I plan to live in Tijuana Mexico so that I can save some money on rent. The problem is that my phone (and every other phone I had) tries so hard to find verizon signal with no success as obviously there is no vzw towers in Mexico (only partner towers). On the phone menu there is only home only, automatic A, and automatic B. I need a hack so that I can have a "roaming networks only" so that I can freely use my phone without it switching automatically to a 1x one bar or zero bars. How can I do this??

Help with A-key Htc Pro

Hi i change my sprint touch pro prl to a local provider but when i went to activate the phone they ask me about the A-Key 16 digit number;which i can't retrieve from the phone after dialing ##2539# it displays A-KEY which is in blank however it allows to edit the A-Key value,I read on other forums that this phone doesn't use A key instead it use Meid for authentication its a Htc Pro Raphael 800
Need some help Thanks
Is your local provider GSM or CDMA, which one is it.
Did I miss something where they said the carrier was GSM, even a hint at it?
You can use all zeros, except for the Checksum value will still be dependent on your ESN.
They probably want to know the AKEY atleast to prevent cl0ning of your MEID and ther information.
Wanna send me the last three bytes of your pESN? It should be safe since it isn't unique or easily reversed. I'll PM you your zero A-KEY.
BTW: You shouldn't be able to read the A-KEY out of a phone, you are at the A-KEY entry screen...
as far as i know the A key is used for data mainly - i think it stands for authentication key -
on alltel i dont have an A key my friend on verizon does. his data will not work with out the a-key. he had to call them and then then he did a *228 and did the option to activate his phone what then put in his a-key.
i would try *228 and then see if it puts in the a-key that or find some on on sprint and see if they have an akey if they dont then u dont need one and just leave it blank
How would you know if there is an AKEY?
How would you know if the active Sprint Pro has an akey programmed into it? I'm looking at a Pro right now, and I don't know how you would read out an AKEY, the AKEY menu will never show you the existng AKEY or tell you if there is one programmed... It's my understanding you also can't read it out via Workshop either. By specification, the AKEY is supposed to be placed into the phone in such a way as to prevent you from reading it out... it's an anti-cl0ning thing.
As far as the AKEY being mainly used for data... it's up to the carrier to determine how the AKEY is used, all calls - some calls - data... As far as your friends situation, are you sure that the *228 didn't fix the data issue ofcourse having an AKEY would also be important if the carrier uses it.
Does anyone out there have memory addresses for reading the AKEY via Workshop on a TreoPro that they are willing to share?
I don't want to sound rude, just trying to make sure everyone has the right information.

[Q] Re GSM and APN settings

This isn't really a problem. It's just a question out of curiosity...aimed at the guys who tear down ROMs on a regular basis, or whoever else might know.
Okay so here's my scenario. I have a Verizon Note 2 which I use here in the Caribbean on a GSM network. Most of the time I use ATT or N7105 roms (without the ATT/n7105 modems of course) since I'm using a GSM network.
Whenever I use ATT/N7105 roms, my phone automatically retrieves APN settings for internet and mms from my carrier.
When I use Verizon ROMs like I am right now, I never receive these APN and MMS settings automatically.
I know my APN settings but it's convenient having it retrieved automatically when I switch sim cards.
What part of the ROM is it that allows this to happen when I'm using ATT roms?
Is it something in the build.prop that I'm missing? CSC settings or something else?
Hälftebyte said:
This isn't really a problem. It's just a question out of curiosity...aimed at the guys who tear down ROMs on a regular basis, or whoever else might know.
Okay so here's my scenario. I have a Verizon Note 2 which I use here in the Caribbean on a GSM network. Most of the time I use ATT or N7105 roms (without the ATT/n7105 modems of course) since I'm using a GSM network.
Whenever I use ATT/N7105 roms, my phone automatically retrieves APN settings for internet and mms from my carrier.
When I use Verizon ROMs like I am right now, I never receive these APN and MMS settings automatically.
I know my APN settings but it's convenient having it retrieved automatically when I switch sim cards.
What part of the ROM is it that allows this to happen when I'm using ATT roms?
Is it something in the build.prop that I'm missing? CSC settings or something else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well for the 1% that might be interested I figured out the answer. It turns out the ATT and N7105 roms apn-conf.xml file had my carrier's apn/mms settings.
So just replacing that file in my Verizon rom got my settings added automatically.

Verizon GS4 APN settings completely locked out (switching to Straight Talk)

I am attempting to switch my Verizon GS4 handset to Straight Talk Wireless, but I can't do anything to change the APN settings. I restarted my phone multiple times with the ST SIM in the slot, but it continued to connect to Verizon's network. Some research later, I found that I needed to change the APN to Straight Talk, but I can't.
Only Verizon's LTE access shows up in the menu. There's a + button at the bottom, but it's greyed out, with either SIM (tried both as per this HTC One thread). Pressing the menu softbutton gives me the "reset to default" option, also greyed out and inoperable.
The phone is rooted, still running Jellybean 4.2 MK2 because once I rooted, the OTA updates would fail, and I was never brave enough to try Safestrap. I'm worried this might be part of the same break.
tparadox said:
I am attempting to switch my Verizon GS4 handset to Straight Talk Wireless, but I can't do anything to change the APN settings. I restarted my phone multiple times with the ST SIM in the slot, but it continued to connect to Verizon's network. Some research later, I found that I needed to change the APN to Straight Talk, but I can't.
Only Verizon's LTE access shows up in the menu. There's a + button at the bottom, but it's greyed out, with either SIM (tried both as per this HTC One thread). Pressing the menu softbutton gives me the "reset to default" option, also greyed out and inoperable.
The phone is rooted, still running Jellybean 4.2 MK2 because once I rooted, the OTA updates would fail, and I was never brave enough to try Safestrap. I'm worried this might be part of the same break.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my experience, IT DOESN'T MATTER!!!
I do NOT mean that in any disrespectful way to you, but I DO mean it in a way against Verizon and Tmobile.
I have the same phone AND the same problem with service; however, I CAN add an APN. The catch is IT STILL CONNECTS TO VERIZON!!!
Now, my phone updated to the utter crap that is Lollipop, and I can no longer get my call-Verizon-voicemail-and-disconnect workaround to work as the connection is a lot more seamless and does not drop/fully disconnect after the call disconnects. Before, I'd goto my notifications and see "NO SERVICE" in the bottom of the slide down box with my VZW voicemail notification with it's 10 voicemails. Then, I'd do my workaround and everything would work (and, by everything, I mean text messaging as voice and data WERE working pre-workaround). But, like I said, now I can no longer do that (Lollipop SAYS it's connected to Tmobile off the bat (right after booting up); however, I CANNOT send text messages NO MATTER WHAT I DO!!!
It's completely aggravating and how Verizon can say they sell a phone "UNLOCKED" when their APN is in there with other APNs and GREYED OUT so you CANNOT REMOVE IT (which, as I've shown above, causes massive problems) and how Tmobile can say ON THEIR SWITCH WEBSITE that my VERIZON SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 *WILL* WORK on their network... it's all beyond me. It's deceptive/straight up lying marketing and the way Tblowbile always tells me they cannot support my phone and to buy a new phone WHEN THEIR OWN WEBSITE SAYS IT WILL WORK is 100% bait and switch and up for a class action lawsuit!
Update: it does appear my service with the ST SIM really is through my Straight Talk account now, despite what the APN settings show. I got my device activation text from ST. This makes sense, since Straight Talk is a virtual carrier buying airtime from the real networks like Verizon.
However, I don't have an LTE connection. I don't have any data connection, just voice and SMS. I'm not sure if that's a problem on my end or the carrier's, but getting the data I'm paying for is less of an emergency than not having any mobile communication.
Has anyone found a work around for this. On straight talk, I can get calls and even internet when set to global network. I cannot text either sms or mms. My APN setting completely grayed out. I can not add or change existing and tried an apn manager with no luck.
I suspect I'll have to flash a completely Verizon-less build to fix it, but I did have an ST representative call me to ask if everything was working and offer to try to help me fix it. I just didn't have time right then and they didn't call back when I asked them to.
Just my experience
Hey not sure if this will help anyone out but I'll add what I've experienced. I have a gs4 running hyperdrive and my data service from straight talk has cut out a couple times before. The first time I just waited, and it fixed itself after a day or two. Second time I called ST and they told me to restart my phone (like I hadn't done that 10 times already). Later that day, data randomly comes back. I noticed that the fix for me was to switch apn settings. Somehow my phone did it automatically. But now my data is MUCH slower than before. Straight talk seems to be a tricky company. You never really know what you'll get with them. Just other carriers' sloppy seconds. Cutouts also seem more common at the end of usage cycles. Seems a lot of people fix it by calling ST
Also, I can edit my APN. Not sure if it's because I'm on an aftermarket ROM or what. But now I'm on the hunt for an APN with better data speeds if possible.
Straight Talk APN
It took me 3 months of calling Straight Talk and telling them they needed to send the right APN settings to my phone, after they finally listened it took 2 minutes until I received a text saying they updated my APN settings. I had the exact same problem as you. I had voice and SMS but not data. And my APN settings were greyed also. Now it says
Verizon Internet
TFTWO.GW9.VZWENTP
You just have to get them to update the APN. Getting them to listen is the hardest part! I hope this helps!

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