Verizon 4G sim cards - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

If I end up trading one 4G phone for another, what needs to be done as far as getting sim card to work with new phone?

I was looking in to this myself. Long story short, you can swap the SIM into a new phone and it will work. Just don't activate another non-4G phone on the SIM phone # or else they get nuked. http://support.verizonwireless.com/faqs/VZAccess/4g_sim_card.html

Depends on phones. I switched from HTC Rezound to Galaxy Nexus & they use different size cards.

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.

[Q] 4G Sim cards

Does anyone know if there is a way you can get a 4G tablet Verizon sim card and swap it into a 4G Verizon phone. I really want a data only plan on a 5 inch tablet. I know you can do it with the Iphone's/IPad ATT Sim cards. I was wondering if you could do the same here.
combatjedi said:
Does anyone know if there is a way you can get a 4G tablet Verizon sim card and swap it into a 4G Verizon phone. I really want a data only plan on a 5 inch tablet. I know you can do it with the Iphone's/IPad ATT Sim cards. I was wondering if you could do the same here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People have swapped the thunderbolt's sim with other thunderbolts, but other non phone devices...I do not know.
I have a Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the SIM is a microSIM. When the Xoom comes out with 4g, currently projected to be mid september as I write this, it might have the full size SIM that you could do that with.
i thought putting your sim in another device would burn it out if the ime# numbers dont match for security reasons

[Q] From T-bolt to 3G phone and back

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.

[Q] Which sim card does your rezound have?

interesting discovery for myself a little bit ago and i cannot find anything on google relating to the rezound being capable of using either sim
i dont have pics, but i've only seen rezounds with the larger white sim
and now i'm finding out that its capable of using the micro sim (thanks swilbert80 for bringin a few more hours of my life into sim research, inadvertently of course) lol
first, i wonder if there is a performance gain using a micro sim?
seems like it is generation 2 sorta, for all i know they work just the same - but i find it very interesting that its never been discussed (or at least i cant find)
ive swapped my sim out once as advised by technical support to resolve poor 4g reception - nothing was said to or mentioned of trying a micro sim,
anyways, any and all insight appreciated, curious to know what others have as a percentage...
thank you for lookin
MotoDj said:
interesting discovery for myself a little bit ago and i cannot find anything on google relating to the rezound being capable of using either sim
i dont have pics, but i've only seen rezounds with the larger white sim
and now i'm finding out that its capable of using the micro sim (thanks swilbert80 for bringin a few more hours of my life into sim research, inadvertently of course) lol
first, i wonder if there is a performance gain using a micro sim?
seems like it is generation 2 sorta, for all i know they work just the same - but i find it very interesting that its never been discussed (or at least i cant find)
ive swapped my sim out once as advised by technical support to resolve poor 4g reception - nothing was said to or mentioned of trying a micro sim,
anyways, any and all insight appreciated, curious to know what others have as a percentage...
thank you for lookin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only difference between a regular SIM and a MicroSIM card is the physical size different, the actual circuit and contact part of the SIM and MicroSIM card is identical.
As for resolve poor 4G reception due to SIM card? Man tech support say the darnest things. It has NOTHING to do with 4G reception. It's nothing but an excuse to keep you in the loop while they won't admit it could be either the phone or their network's problem.
Going back to the topic. I have the first generation SIM card from Verzion as it came with my good old Thunderbolt.
I've been wondering though, when the next gen iPhone which supports LTE is released, if a simple SIM swap would complete the process of activation like between 4G devices now is going to be applicable or not...
SteveDusa said:
The only difference between a regular SIM and a MicroSIM card is the physical size different, the actual circuit and contact part of the SIM and MicroSIM card is identical.
As for resolve poor 4G reception due to SIM card? Man tech support say the darnest things. It has NOTHING to do with 4G reception. It's nothing but an excuse to keep you in the loop while they won't admit it could be either the phone or their network's problem.
Going back to the topic. I have the first generation SIM card from Verzion as it came with my good old Thunderbolt.
I've been wondering though, when the next gen iPhone which supports LTE is released, if a simple SIM swap would complete the process of activation like between 4G devices now is going to be applicable or not...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually sims can go bad, it's a computer chip and they can interfere with a lot of things on the phone, it's main purpose is for authenticating and utilizing the radio in the phone, so bad sim card = tons of connection issues.
I experienced it with an old AT&T sim which I used to switch between phones a lot. though micro-sim vs regualar sim is irrelevent, they are the same thing just cut different.
Just getting a new sim, either kind should fix the issue if you have a bad sim.
A simple sim swap will do the basic activation of the lte iphone when it comes out just like swapping androids.
The only exception is that iphones interface with voicemail and sometimes data differently (at least as of IOS 3.0, it may have changed.) so a call in to verizon may be required to switch the plan your on. I've dealt with this when switching between iphone, blackberry and android on my AT&T sim. That really depends on how the carrier sets up the plans
movielover76 said:
Actually sims can go bad, it's a computer chip and they can interfere with a lot of things on the phone, it's main purpose is for authenticating and utilizing the radio in the phone, so bad sim card = tons of connection issues.
I experienced it with an old AT&T sim which I used to switch between phones a lot. though micro-sim vs regualar sim is irrelevent, they are the same thing just cut different.
Just getting a new sim, either kind should fix the issue if you have a bad sim.
A simple sim swap will do the basic activation of the lte iphone when it comes out just like swapping androids.
The only exception is that iphones interface with voicemail and sometimes data differently (at least as of IOS 3.0, it may have changed.) so a call in to verizon may be required to switch the plan your on. I've dealt with this when switching between iphone, blackberry and android on my AT&T sim. That really depends on how the carrier sets up the plans
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Click to collapse
I guess they don't make SIM cards like they used to be.
My mom's SIM card, which she was given back in 1995... yes, 1995, is still kicking and works just fine even after it's being clipped for MicroSIM across 20+ phones she had in the years.
bummer, i was hoping for someone to say that the micro was gonna be the bees knees... ( yall coulda lied, i believe in placebo's)
lmao
owell, guess i'll suffer with my oversized one lol
its easy to remove and replace i guess
MotoDj said:
bummer, i was hoping for someone to say that the micro was gonna be the bees knees... ( yall coulda lied, i believe in placebo's)
lmao
owell, guess i'll suffer with my oversized one lol
its easy to remove and replace i guess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, personally the regular Sim card are about the right size for me the micro ones I fumble around with and drop it a lot, lol.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA
I almost fell out of my chair when I read about the sim card doing bad reception. Even if one is going bad. Most chances are its is either going to work or it isn't. Not kinda work. A fellow Rezound owning friend and I was talking about this subject yesterday. I don't think cdma carriers have the whole sim card technology ironed out yet. I had ATT for many years and I never heard the stories of people needing to get sim cards swapped out because of something not working or because they changed phones like I have since I been with Verizon. Seems like just about every person who switches phones has to get a new sim card.

Question on swapping phones

To swap back and forth from one Rezound that I'm using to a spare Rezound, is all I have to do is swap the sim from one to the other??
that is correct
Via my HTC Rezound
According to Verizon that will brick the SIM card because the SIM is tied to the phone, the line the LTE phone is on, as well as the LTE system security, unlike GSM SIM cards which can be swapped around. When we bought my wife's rezound just changing the line it was on required a new card.
Also replacing any LTE phone with a 3G phone temporarily will kill the SIM card when you restart the LTE phone. I wanted to do this for kayaking, but no go.
You can of course put in a real GSM SIM card from another provider and then put the Verizon LTE card back in later. In this case Verizon doesn't "see" the phone on their network while you have the other card in place. When you put the LTE SIM back in it only looks like the phone has been off to Verizon
You'll get different answers from many Verizon emplyees because they are still learning the rules. Even the brochure the SIM comes on has a misstatement.
So I will need a new sim card for the second phone??
Sim
I switch my sim back and forth between my Rezound and Thunderbolt all the time. No problems works fine. I researched it your sim card can be used with any Verizon compatible device including tablets.
So you just swap cards, fire it up and you're good to go??
That's what I was hoping to do.
Correct. Just swap Sims. I do it all the time.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
Yes it will connect to the, 4g soon as you boot
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium
Yep I got a replacement from Verizon swapped my sim and was all good
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
hankvb said:
According to Verizon that will brick the SIM card because the SIM is tied to the phone, the line the LTE phone is on, as well as the LTE system security, unlike GSM SIM cards which can be swapped around. When we bought my wife's rezound just changing the line it was on required a new card.
Also replacing any LTE phone with a 3G phone temporarily will kill the SIM card when you restart the LTE phone. I wanted to do this for kayaking, but no go.
You can of course put in a real GSM SIM card from another provider and then put the Verizon LTE card back in later. In this case Verizon doesn't "see" the phone on their network while you have the other card in place. When you put the LTE SIM back in it only looks like the phone has been off to Verizon
You'll get different answers from many Verizon emplyees because they are still learning the rules. Even the brochure the SIM comes on has a misstatement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, don't know who lied to you.
When I bought my rezound, I swapped the sims of my tbolt and rezound and both worked, wife took the sim out of her bolt and put it into the backup bolt and it worked fine. After I fixed her phone, put it back in her original bolt and it worked as well.
The only time you kill the sim is if you activate a 3g device on that line. That will deactivate the sim.
nrfitchett4 said:
yeah, don't know who lied to you.
When I bought my rezound, I swapped the sims of my tbolt and rezound and both worked, wife took the sim out of her bolt and put it into the backup bolt and it worked fine. After I fixed her phone, put it back in her original bolt and it worked as well.
The only time you kill the sim is if you activate a 3g device on that line. That will deactivate the sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a vzw store probably told him that so they could keep charging him money for a sim card, lol
I have had my rezound replaced thru asurion and they sent me a replacement sim card also. I never even activated it I just took my old one and popped it in my replacement and turned it on no activation calls or nothing. So your sim should work just fine in swapping phones.

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