Unlocking SIM on Razr? - Motorola Droid RAZR

I realise this is new territory as the Droid Razr and the Droid RAZR Maxx are the first 4G Android phones on Verizon Wireless that are now global capable.
I spent the month of March in Thailand and used my iPhone there the whole time. Verizon unlocked my phone and then I just bought a local SIM card and I had unlimited calls, texts, and 3G data for $12 a week. It was great. I would have spent $12 on just 5 minutes of phone calls.
I want to be able to do that on my Droid Razr now, but Verizon will only provide 1 unlocking every 10 months and I am going to be travelling again to Thailand before that.
I know this is new territory since this is a completely new thing for a 4G android phone on Verizon, but if you could help me I would be so grateful.

doesn't ICS provide international ability - only US providers are locked? (912 users)
You may want to check with Verizon again.

P.S. I tried just inserting my Thai SIM card and won't do anything. It recognises that it's a foreign SIM card, but won't connect to any network of any kind.

It does provide that capability, but in order to insert another SIM card and use that on the network you need to unlock it.

newowner said:
doesn't ICS provide international ability - only US providers are locked? (912 users)
You may want to check with Verizon again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What am I checking with Verizon for? They only provide one SIM unlock every 10 months. Period. That's their policy.

jamisonhalliwell said:
What am I checking with Verizon for? They only provide one SIM unlock every 10 months. Period. That's their policy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First my understanding was that you don't need to get your phone unlocked with ics - but maybe you're correct.
second i apologize to you for trying to answer your question.
third (still trying to be nice) perhaps you need to be in the country your sim card is for?

jamisonhalliwell said:
P.S. I tried just inserting my Thai SIM card and won't do anything. It recognises that it's a foreign SIM card, but won't connect to any network of any kind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would it? You're not in Thailand, are you?
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda app-developers app

You don't need to be in Thailand for it to work, just like I don't need to be in the USA for my cellphone to work in Thailand without a local SIM card.
When I landed in the USA from Thailand I still got service on the SIM card through T-Mobile. I made calls on my Thai SIM card in the USA and they subtracted from my balance on the SIM card.

According to Verizon, it is not yet possible THROUGH THEM to unlock the phone for use on foreign carriers. Right now you have to use their network if you want to travel abroad. The guy that I spoke to said he could not say whether or not it could be done another way, just that it was not currently available through Verizon.

Related

[Q] Is it possible to remove network lock without an unlock code?

I have reviewed similar threads for a few days but have not found any answers. The simple question I have is in the title:
Can you unlock the ATT Atrix without an unlock code.
However the situation is a bit more complicated and ill explain.
I have been traveling the past few months and was in Costa Rica for a month. I decided to purchase a local SIM so I could use my phone without paying ridiculous ATT roaming charges. I inserted the SIM and it was locked, unaware of the network lock I inserted my personal code thinking that may be it. No luck and returned to my old ATT SIM. At this point it still worked but a few days passed and I tried again, still no avail so I contacted ATT. It just so happened the 6 month mark was coming up from the original purchase date of my phone so they would provide the unlock code in 4 days time. I waited and finally received, after inserting the code it did not work and I contacted ATT back to assure they provided the proper code as they had to send me a replacement phone a few months prior due to my original Atrix crapping out. They checked it out and determined it was correct but it never worked. I finally inserted my original ATT SIM back into the phone and it also requested network unlock code. Now I am back in the states and even with the original ATT SIM it still requests for the network unlock code. I tried unlocking and flashing with CM7 beta and STILL requests unlock code. So basically the phone is useless for network data but will work fine as a mini tablet i suppose connected to WIFI.
So with that explanation does anyone have any idea on bypassing this or removing this entirely, not even to use overseas but just on the ATT network!
Additionally
ATT provided me with another Atrix to alleviate my troubles so im not entirely phoneless. However I would like to sell one of these and possibly purchase the GS2 0_o
I have contacted 3 cell phone unlocking sites explaining the situation and only one has responded but not with any answers.
HELP!
if you got a new phone, is it still asking for a network unlock code?
No. Its working fine, but I still have this perfectly good working phone I would rather use and sell the brand new one. Unless I cant get rid of this unlock problem I suppose Ill sell it as is. Any takers?
Hi, I talk to att once when i want to unlock my atrix and they told me if the phone is more than six months old the give you the unlock code for free.
so for the atrix if that is your phone you can ask att for your code since august 21.
just call att customer support.
hope this help.
try a diff sim card with data plan and see if it still asks for code
or try flashing a custom rom
I suppose I was not clear in the OP. ATT DID provide this code for me. I did flash a custom rom already.
As far as using a different SIM card I tried to use a second SIM that ATT provided and still nothing.
I am assuming this is a very unique situation and probably wont find any answers unless someone has successfully unlocked the phone by flashing some special ROM.
Flashing a ROM of any kind will never sim-unlock your phone.... ever. period.
The only way to resolve this is through AT&T. The only way to sim-unlock is with the code it requests.... must have proper code. That is the only way. So, I would talk to AT&T about it, in person, at a local store.
I unlocked the inspire 4G simple by rooting and flashing a custom rom didnt ask for network password after that it worked on tmobile
With edge service no. 3g or 4g different bands between tmobile and att
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA Premium App
jussuh said:
I unlocked the inspire 4G simple by rooting and flashing a custom rom didnt ask for network password after that it worked on tmobile
With edge service no. 3g or 4g different bands between tmobile and att
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
highly doubt that....
when does it ask you for the network code? can u provide a screen capture?
jgc121 said:
Flashing a ROM of any kind will never sim-unlock your phone.... ever. period.
The only way to resolve this is through AT&T. The only way to sim-unlock is with the code it requests.... must have proper code. That is the only way. So, I would talk to AT&T about it, in person, at a local store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just the info I was looking for. Basically the phone is boned in that case. Spent a good with with ATT advanced tech support and motorola to no avail.
What I do want to know is WHERE this information is stored out of curiosity. It seems the modding community would have tinkered with some hacks to remove the sim lock at some point.
wyldkard said:
when does it ask you for the network code? can u provide a screen capture?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried to screen shot it but it wont allow in the screen. The request comes as soon as I turn the phone on. If I dismiss it I can use the phone I just wont have cellular access.
Ok so I am reposting and not editing as I feel this deserves a bump.
I got my new Atrix unlock code from ATT today and tried it on the new Atrix I received and that one ALSO will not unlock.
Is there ANY ATT Atrix sim unlocked and if so how did you go about doing it? I have only found one thread and no response via PM.
How to SIM unlock Atrix!
I have read both your post and I believe you used a ATT sim card that was not in use or a GO phone Sim card. Am I correct so far? To sim unlock you have to insert a non ATT sim card!! No go phone sim card or a non active att sim!
Call one of your friends and borrow a Verizon sim or Tmobile sim. You only have 5 tries to do this. So as for your first Atrix I believe it is already locked permanently to ATT. Dont ruin your second Atrix.
katinatez said:
I have read both your post and I believe you used a ATT sim card that was not in use or a GO phone Sim card. Am I correct so far? To sim unlock you have to insert a non ATT sim card!! No go phone sim card or a non active att sim!
Call one of your friends and borrow a Verizon sim or Tmobile sim. You only have 5 tries to do this. So as for your first Atrix I believe it is already locked permanently to ATT. Dont ruin your second Atrix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I found that if you push #073887* in the dialer it will actually prompt you for the unlock code. I tried this with NO sim in at first and that is when it said it was unsuccessful. However late last night I inserted my ATT SIM back in and tried again just for ****s. Entered in #073887* and typed the unlock code and viola, it worked. Interesting information for anyone who wants to unlock there Atrix WITHOUT another carriers SIM!
But back to my original issue. I wouldn't mind if the original atrix was locked to ATT, at least I would still be able to use it. The problem is that it wont work with ANY SIM. My thoughts is that it is a glitch and locked the phone to... nothing?
To make matters worse I emailed cellunlocker.net explained the issue and they said they thought if they requested a carrier unlock code it would work. Paid the 20 and 10 minutes later they sent me the same unlock code ATT had provided. Now the hassle of obtaining a refund.
are you selling the phone?
komakos96 said:
are you selling the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea. Both.
you have to use a *different* sim card than your regular carrier uses (ex - I'm on AT&T, so i used a Boost Mobile Sim to unlock my Atrix) You cannot use YOUR sim to sim-unlock.
jgc121 said:
you have to use a *different* sim card than your regular carrier uses (ex - I'm on AT&T, so i used a Boost Mobile Sim to unlock my Atrix) You cannot use YOUR sim to sim-unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can, by the method I explained in my previous post. It works!
There may be some confusion. The one im referring to (the original ATRIX) will not unlock with an ATT sim, a TMOB sim, a verizon SIM, or even a Costa Rican SIM. NO matter WHAT the SIM is in the "original" phone it always prompts me for a SIM unlock password. Like I said I believe it to be a glitch, intending to lock it to the ATT SIM but in reality it locked it to NO SIM.
So to restate.
YES you can unlock an ATT Atrix with only an ATT SIM in the phone using the method I explained. ( I did it with the phone in my hand right now)
and
NO my original Atrix will not unlock regardless of SIM installed or method.
i will send you a p.m with my offer
Just out of curiousity did you ever set up the sim card lock feature in the location and security settings. It will ask you for the unlock code every time you turn your phone on...shot in the dark here....
Sent from my MB200 using XDA App

Where can I buy a sim card for a Photon

I just purchased a used Photon 4G. The phone works great but it did not come with the sim card. I would like to be able to use it overseas so I need the sim card. I went to my Sprint store and they told me they do not sell the sim cards.... I talked to Motorola and they told me to talk to Sprint... There are sim cards on the Internet, but I have no idea if they will work with the Photon. So.... Where can I buy the OE sim card for my Photon?
It's an unlocked sim port, so any provider sim will work, but keep in mind that at&t & t-mobile frequencies are blocked from being seen by the radio. Hopefully a dev will be able to rewrite the radio to pick them up.
So this one will work?
blakkheartt12 said:
It's an unlocked sim port, so any provider sim will work, but keep in mind that at&t & t-mobile frequencies are blocked from being seen by the radio. Hopefully a dev will be able to rewrite the radio to pick them up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sprint-GLOB...140599083921?pt=SIM_Cards&hash=item20bc5bc391
So would this card work if, (when), I take my phone out of the country?
What are you trying to do? If you want to use the phone out of the USA for voice/data or mixed for inexpensive..Then purchase a pay as you go number and Sim in the country. If you want to use your USA number for very expensive then use that card.
Very simple.
DetroitFlyer said:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sprint-GLOB...140599083921?pt=SIM_Cards&hash=item20bc5bc391
So would this card work if, (when), I take my phone out of the country?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would def work but imo you are better off getting a prepaid sim from the country your going to. Costs would be A LOT lower
Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk

UNLOCKING for use aboard

Hi everyone,
I see that the Droid Incredible 4g does support sim cards, I was wondering is it microSIM like the IPHONE or regular SIM. Also, since Verizon doesn't give out unlock codes, is there anyway to get my phone unlocked myself so I can use a prepaid sim when i travel abroad? Thanks, any hlep would be appreciated!
morbius14 said:
Hi everyone,
I see that the Droid Incredible 4g does support sim cards, I was wondering is it microSIM like the IPHONE or regular SIM. Also, since Verizon doesn't give out unlock codes, is there anyway to get my phone unlocked myself so I can use a prepaid sim when i travel abroad? Thanks, any hlep would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's microSIM. Don't know about unlocking it.
I've heard mixed news on the unlocking process. I've heard if you pressure them for the unlock code they will give it to you. (tell them you are going out of country etc). I've also heard that they don't give them out. (which I don't believe because people have received them before). Other than that, there are companies that charge you $15 and they'll send you the unlock code.
*Madmoose* said:
I've heard mixed news on the unlocking process. I've heard if you pressure them for the unlock code they will give it to you. (tell them you are going out of country etc). I've also heard that they don't give them out. (which I don't believe because people have received them before). Other than that, there are companies that charge you $15 and they'll send you the unlock code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got off the phone with Verizon Global Support and apparently the DI4G is not locked and you are free to use a 3rd party sim card. Same is true for Droid RAZR and MAXX.. can someone confirm this? I do not actually have the handset.
I read the same thing but with the question posted here I figured it wasn't true.
From the GSM thread in this section:
Brooose said:
I was curious because I heard that the Droid Incredible 4G has a GSM radio in it so I did an experiment. I used a T-mobile micro SIM. I used the 4GLTE switch app for the Thunderbolt to access the hidden menu and I changed the radio mode to one that included GSM/W-CDMA. I popped in my T-mobile SIM and, presto, I got a T-mobile signal. I tested and I was able to make and receive calls and text messages. I had to manually set the APN for data to epc.tmobile.com and now I have EDGE data. I am sure an AT&T Sim will get HSPA+. The GSM appears unlocked now but hard to access. I am afraid, however, that once Verizon releases the update to make GSM roaming available, that it will be locked. Anyway, for now, you can pop in a GSM SIM and use your phone native.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes you can
VZW has unlocked the majority of there 4gLTE smart phones. It is a new thing they just started doing to get a bigger hold on the global market that att has had for the longest time. So if you have a VZW 4g LTE phone and you are planning on going out of country all you have to do is call customer care, and ask them about the support and they will set you up with either a global SIM or you could use a prepaid SIM purchased in the country you are traveling to. I am a customer service rep at a local call center in Utah, we just had training on this subject last month.
morbius14 said:
I got off the phone with Verizon Global Support and apparently the DI4G is not locked and you are free to use a 3rd party sim card. Same is true for Droid RAZR and MAXX.. can someone confirm this? I do not actually have the handset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this also applies for the HTC Rezound
They're not locked, but they're not "officially" globally capable either. I imagine in their global updates they will be locked to Verizon's official roaming carriers and you'll have to request an unlock code
As I am not a Verizon customer. I need someone to help me out. I have 2 iPhone 4s, both clean ESN. I need them unlocked for international use by Verizon. Until then, can't use them in my part of the world. Can anyone help me...please.
Thanks.
mwuahjaan said:
As I am not a Verizon customer. I need someone to help me out. I have 2 iPhone 4s, both clean ESN. I need them unlocked for international use by Verizon. Until then, can't use them in my part of the world. Can anyone help me...please.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure how anyone can help you here. If you're not a Verizon customer then Verizon can't unlock them for you. Not sure what their policy is on unlocking 3g phones either.
Update: Pulled this from the web.
Verizon has confirmed (here and here) they WILL unlock the SIM on the iPhone 4S, allowing for use of local SIM cards while traveling abroad (no word yet on whether this will allow for use on AT&T and T-Mobile.) This is different than the jailbreak unlocking method; SIM unlocking through Verizon is permanent and will not affect your warranty in any way.
1. Meet the following requirements:
* Must be a Verizon Wireless customer.
* The iPhone 4S being unlocked must be active on a Verizon Wireless line of service.
* The line of service must be active at least 60 days.
* The line of service must be in good standing for the past 60 days.
* Only one SIM Unlock per line every 10 months.
If you don't meet one or more of the above requirements, call anyway. You may still get lucky.
2. Insert a foreign SIM into the SIM card slot on the side of your phone (only required to confirm that the unlock is successful.)
3. Call 1-800-711-8300 (Verizon Global Support) and ask the representative for a SIM unlock. Occassionally a representative may not know exactly what you are referring to; make sure you are not transferred to a different department. You are in the right place. Explain that they should have a walkthrough on how to do this, and that it allows for the use of local, non-Verizon SIM cards while traveling abroad.
4. Get confirmation from the rep that the unlock has been applied to your account, then check your phone to make sure it recognizes your SIM and can connect (if successful it will roam on AT&T, assuming you are calling from the USA.) You will NOT see an unlock confirmation in iTunes as that is for a factory-applied unlock only.
5. Enjoy your new unlocked iPhone 4S!
*Madmoose* said:
Not sure how anyone can help you here. If you're not a Verizon customer then Verizon can't unlock them for you. Not sure what their policy is on unlocking 3g phones either. CDMA isn't available anywhere but north america. So unlocking for use "abroad" isn't really in the cards anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The iPhone 4s I have got clean ESN. Someone has to put it on his line and call up Verizon to unlock the device for international use. Need to tell them that he wants to use it with a local sim card of the country where he is travelling to. All the time, the device is resting here, powered off. So that there are no charges incurred to the person who is doing this favour to me.
*Madmoose* said:
1. Meet the following requirements:
* Must be a Verizon Wireless customer.
* The iPhone 4S being unlocked must be active on a Verizon Wireless line of service.
* The line of service must be active at least 60 days.
* The line of service must be in good standing for the past 60 days.
* Only one SIM Unlock per line every 10 months.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mwuahjaan said:
The iPhone 4s I have got clean ESN. Someone has to put it on his line and call up Verizon to unlock the device for international use. Need to tell them that he wants to use it with a local sim card of the country where he is travelling to. All the time, the device is resting here, powered off. So that there are no charges incurred to the person who is doing this favour to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would be really hit and miss for someone here to do that. The 4S is a 3g phone, activating it on our lines would require someone to go in store and get a sim swap. And even then, with the rules posted above, they probably still wouldn't do it.
*Madmoose* said:
Would be really hit and miss for someone here to do that. The 4S is a 3g phone, activating it on our lines would require someone to go in store and get a sim swap. And even then, with the rules posted above, they probably still wouldn't do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope you don't need a sim swap. Just need to put the MEID of my device on your line. Once you do that my device gets 'active' on your line and then a call need to be made to VZW international dept or a live chat can be done, telling them to unlock the device for international use.
While you do the device swap on your line they may ask you to put the data plan on iPhone 4s which is mandatory to have. Ofcourse, I'll be more than happy to pay any expense.
mwuahjaan said:
Nope you don't need a sim swap. Just need to put the MEID of my device on your line. Once you do that my device gets 'active' on your line and then a call need to be made to VZW international dept or a live chat can be done, telling them to unlock the device for international use.
While you do the device swap on your line they may ask you to put the data plan on iPhone 4s which is mandatory to have. Ofcourse, I'll be more than happy to pay any expense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats understood. But putting a 3g device on your line, deactivates the 4g LTE card. They cannot be reactivated, you have to go in store to get a new LTE card.
are you sure....
AshtonTS said:
this also applies for the HTC Rezound
They're not locked, but they're not "officially" globally capable either. I imagine in their global updates they will be locked to Verizon's official roaming carriers and you'll have to request an unlock code
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an HTC Rezound, and I'd heard it was unlocked.
I'm abroad in the UK (Scotland) but when I put in an international sim card it says the sim card is unrecognized, and I can't get any signal but I can turn on mobile network I just can't access it (no signal). I messed with the APNs (using my network in the UKs suggested settings) but I can't seem to get it to function.
I know that the phone itself says it only offers CDMA and LTE but I was wondering if there was a sneaky way to get to the GSM capabilities of the phone that aren't in the menu.
I tried
*#*#4636*#*#
and when I hit the final hash tag the phone just acts like I just opened the dialer app
HELP
vonny3492 said:
I have an HTC Rezound, and I'd heard it was unlocked.
I'm abroad in the UK (Scotland) but when I put in an international sim card it says the sim card is unrecognized, and I can't get any signal but I can turn on mobile network I just can't access it (no signal). I messed with the APNs (using my network in the UKs suggested settings) but I can't seem to get it to function.
I know that the phone itself says it only offers CDMA and LTE but I was wondering if there was a sneaky way to get to the GSM capabilities of the phone that aren't in the menu.
I tried
*#*#4636*#*#
and when I hit the final hash tag the phone just acts like I just opened the dialer app
HELP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about the Rezound, but on our phone, since the latest update, you could change the setting under Settings -> Call -> Preferred Network to Global. There's also an option for GSM/UMTS.
vonny3492 said:
I tried
*#*#4636*#*#
and when I hit the final hash tag the phone just acts like I just opened the dialer app
HELP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try something like SWITCHIT - 4G LTE TOGGLE -- it fires a different intent that gets you to the magic phone info page that *#*#4636*#*# is supposed to send you to.
On my Inc 4G, this lets me use AT&T's network in the US (with an appropriate sim). I haven't tried it abroad.
I tried it abroad. No restrictions. 2.17.605.2.710RD is needed

[Q] Unlock Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4

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.

[Q] Using Spring Photon 4G with Israel Sim Card

I have a Sprint Photon 4G which is no longer active on my account. I want to use it in Israel with an Israel sim card (Orange network). From everything I've read here it seems that should work without a problem, but when I called Sprint (to unlock the sim of my husband's Galaxy S4) I asked about the Photon 4G and they said that while it is not locked it cannot be used with a foreign sim card unless the phone is active on my account (which it is not). Is this true? Will it work to just put in the Israel sim card and adjust the settings appropriately or is Sprint right?
Thanks.
CMeys said:
I have a Sprint Photon 4G which is no longer active on my account. I want to use it in Israel with an Israel sim card (Orange network). From everything I've read here it seems that should work without a problem, but when I called Sprint (to unlock the sim of my husband's Galaxy S4) I asked about the Photon 4G and they said that while it is not locked it cannot be used with a foreign sim card unless the phone is active on my account (which it is not). Is this true? Will it work to just put in the Israel sim card and adjust the settings appropriately or is Sprint right?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using a SIM card of orange in Israel. Actually my photon is heavily customized but I think that nothing should be done in order to make it able to use foreign SIMs. If you will encounter problems with the Spring app that connects you to Spring's services you'll always have the option to root your device and remove the stupid app. Like here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1265816&highlight=bypass+sprint+activation
However, it's about time to unlock the bootloader (if you don't use the version that makes it impossible) and have some fun!
קיצור לא אמורה להיות בעיה עם הסים, ברוך שובך לארץ הקודש.
יאיר
yairku said:
I'm using a SIM card of orange in Israel. Actually my photon is heavily customized but I think that nothing should be done in order to make it able to use foreign SIMs. If you will encounter problems with the Spring app that connects you to Spring's services you'll always have the option to root your device and remove the stupid app. Like here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1265816&highlight=bypass+sprint+activation
However, it's about time to unlock the bootloader (if you don't use the version that makes it impossible) and have some fun!
קיצור לא אמורה להיות בעיה עם הסים, ברוך שובך לארץ הקודש.
יאיר
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't want to bother with unlocking the bootloader or rooting. I'm not using the phone regularly; it is the phone I had before the current one (which doesn't use a sim). Since it can use a sim, I will just use it for overseas travel.
תודה רבה!

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