Hello, I recently visited the USA (Las Vegas) and discovered that my UK bought (UNLOCKED) Samsung Galaxy S3 could not make nor receive calls in the USA. Roaming WAS enabled and I had an R symbol over the signal strength indicator. I have a Vodafone pay as you go sim card which I have used (as my main sim) over numerous years now. I have used it in other phones previously (HTC, Samsung, LG, etc.) over the years and they have all made and received calls in the USA (roaming) no problem. I did get a text message (eventually) when I was in the USA saying welcome to USA and calls cost £1.50, etc, etc. Yet when I tried making a call, I had an automated voice message asking me to contact my operator for some reason (can't remember the specifics). I've never had a problem using my Vodafone sim roaming in the USA and with previous phones, always made and received calls without any hassle (i.e. found a network automatically, e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.). Also, I visited Las Vegas last year with the same sim card but a different phone (HTC Desire HD) and was able to make and receive calls. I recall my brother saying that he had read something on the internet about the UK spec. S3 having hardware differences with the rest of the world versions, including not being able to work in the USA for calls. However, he could not find the site again. Has anybody else had this problem or know about it?
Yee1 said:
Hello, I recently visited the USA (Las Vegas) and discovered that my UK bought (UNLOCKED) Samsung Galaxy S3 could not make nor receive calls in the USA. Roaming WAS enabled and I had an R symbol over the signal strength indicator. I have a Vodafone pay as you go sim card which I have used (as my main sim) over numerous years now. I have used it in other phones previously (HTC, Samsung, LG, etc.) over the years and they have all made and received calls in the USA (roaming) no problem. I did get a text message (eventually) when I was in the USA saying welcome to USA and calls cost £1.50, etc, etc. Yet when I tried making a call, I had an automated voice message asking me to contact my operator for some reason (can't remember the specifics). I've never had a problem using my Vodafone sim roaming in the USA and with previous phones, always made and received calls without any hassle (i.e. found a network automatically, e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.). Also, I visited Las Vegas last year with the same sim card but a different phone (HTC Desire HD) and was able to make and receive calls. I recall my brother saying that he had read something on the internet about the UK spec. S3 having hardware differences with the rest of the world versions, including not being able to work in the USA for calls. However, he could not find the site again. Has anybody else had this problem or know about it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea about roaming in the USA...
However, I do know that the phone works on AT&Ts network, because I live in the USA & use the I9300 on AT&Ts network. The I9300 will not work on T-Mobile's data network, but should work on T-Mo's voice network.
That probably wasn't much help to you. I just wanted to confirm for you that the phone does work on AT&Ts network here.
brkshr said:
I have no idea about roaming in the USA...
However, I do know that the phone works on AT&Ts network, because I live in the USA & use the I9300 on AT&Ts network. The I9300 will not work on T-Mobile's data network, but should work on T-Mo's voice network.
That probably wasn't much help to you. I just wanted to confirm for you that the phone does work on AT&Ts network here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks brkshr, that was helpful. Good to know that a GT-I9300 does work in the USA.
I thought the USA had different models (SGH-T999 and SGH-I747). What made you decide to get a GT-I9300?
I may try again (next time I go back to USA) and if still the same, will try an AT&T sim. I must admit, I don't know anything about the different networks in the USA. Can I get a pay as you go sim for free? In England, you can get sim cards for different networks free and then obviously pay to top up.
Yee1 said:
Thanks brkshr, that was helpful. Good to know that a GT-I9300 does work in the USA.
I thought the USA had different models (SGH-T999 and SGH-I747). What made you decide to get a GT-I9300?
I may try again (next time I go back to USA) and if still the same, will try an AT&T sim. I must admit, I don't know anything about the different networks in the USA. Can I get a pay as you go sim for free? In England, you can get sim cards for different networks free and then obviously pay to top up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct. The U.S. does have it's own variations. I decided to buy the I9300 for the quad-core & I was hoping that Samsung would be more likely to release sources for it & update it faster. They do update the I9300 faster, but I prefer AOSP (Google's stock Android) over Samsungs TouchWiz & that's where sources come in to play. So now I wish I would have gone with a U.S. variant, because sources for the US variant are released. Oh well! (Sorry for the rant)
Unfortunately, we don't get free SIM cards here. The best thing to do is buy an AT&T SIM card online ahead of time. Then activate it on a prepaid plan when you get here. You need a Micro SIM card. They should cost anywhere from $5 to $15. Otherwise, you have to go into an AT&T store & buy their 'SIM Starter Kit' for $25... Complete BS.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=at&t+sim+card
Thanks again, the link (to Amazon) is very useful. I think I will get an AT&T pre-paid sim card as suggested. At least that way I can use mobile data (when wi-fi is not available) and not have to pay extortionate data roaming charges. Especially useful for mobile data assisted GPS.
One last question though. In the UK, you can keep your number even if you don't top up for ages. In the US, can you buy a pre-paid sim card, use it once, not top up for say a year and still be able to use the sim again, i.e. it won't be deactivated will it? That way I can have it as a holiday sim (I visit the US every year).
Yee1 said:
Thanks again, the link (to Amazon) is very useful. I think I will get an AT&T pre-paid sim card as suggested. At least that way I can use mobile data (when wi-fi is not available) and not have to pay extortionate data roaming charges. Especially useful for mobile data assisted GPS.
One last question though. In the UK, you can keep your number even if you don't top up for ages. In the US, can you buy a pre-paid sim card, use it once, not top up for say a year and still be able to use the sim again, i.e. it won't be deactivated will it? That way I can have it as a holiday sim (I visit the US every year).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know the answer to that question. Sorry.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Question!!
I bought an unlocked i9300 the quad core international galaxy s3.. i'm using Simple Mobile micro simcard.. i wanted to use AT&T prepaid simcard the one amazon sell.. i 'm asking if anyone used the AT&T with this phone and make it work.. i went to AT&T store and they told me the simcard will never work on my phone so don't buy it..i live in Texas USA.
PS: i'm sorry if this question been asked before and thank you all for your time and help
Have you seen this thread?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1696025
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Related
Hello, I'm going to Japan in May/June & I was wondering if the international I9100, not the Japanese SC variant, is compatible with the data networks over there. I did some Googling but didn't find any conclusive answers. I apologise if the question is "noob", or if this is not the right section to post this in.
In addition, this is my first time in Japan (specifically, Tokyo) with a smartphone so I was looking at prepaid data plans for non-Residents, and chanced upon b-mobile (http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/) which appears to offer pretty good choices. My Japanese is at around the N3 level but reading a wall of text gives me a headache so I've been referring to softbanksucks.blogspot.com for more cognitively-friendly, English translations of certain related news.
1) They've launched a new prepaid card (at least I think it's prepaid) called the Chameleon 4G which rides on DOCOMO's 4G network. My question is, since my I9100 is not LTE-capable, will I still be able to tap on the data network (if I get that card) but maxed out at a speed my phone is able to handle.
2) Since this is my first time, I would like to ask if anyone who has been to Japan has any recommendations for getting a prepaid SIM card with data (eg. Plans, things to look out for, tips, etc). I was looking at data SIMs with talktime too but they all seem to be post-paid.
Many thanks for any help rendered!
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サンソングガラクシS II からタパトクで書いた。
Docomo should work the i9100 as it uses a GSM network. From my memory, either docomo or softbank may actually deny giving you a sim card for unlocked phones. At least that was the case for my friend while he was working in tokyo.
Kaze105 said:
Docomo should work the i9100 as it uses a GSM network. From my memory, either docomo or softbank may actually deny giving you a sim card for unlocked phones. At least that was the case for my friend while he was working in tokyo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm that's strange, especially since he was working there and all. I heard both companies started selling prepaid SIM cards not too long ago, albeit at an exorbitant price. Thanks for clarifying the networks though!
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サンソングガラクシS II からタパトクで書いた。
I'm actually going in late May as well and was wondering the same thing. Fact that SGS2 will work is great news, as far as getting a sim, can't you just bs them and say a friend will give you some old phone when you meet up or whatever? If they offer and sell prepaid sims, I wouldn't imagine it being that much of a problem...
As far as networks, I gathered that majority over there is UMTS aka HSDPA these days, which most GSM phones have anyway, so that shouldn't be a problem at all.
Skv012a said:
I'm actually going in late May as well and was wondering the same thing. Fact that SGS2 will work is great news, as far as getting a sim, can't you just bs them and say a friend will give you some old phone when you meet up or whatever? If they offer and sell prepaid sims, I wouldn't imagine it being that much of a problem...
As far as networks, I gathered that majority over there is UMTS aka HSDPA these days, which most GSM phones have anyway, so that shouldn't be a problem at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure the bs will work, 'cause from what I hear, you need an actual Japanese address & some kind of Japanese identification.
It's much easier to get a data-only SIM card & maybe couple that with a Skype Premium subscription for the period of time you'll be there, for calling.
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サンソングガラクシS II からタパトクで書いた。
Or via a friend, which is what i ended up doing. IMO much easier to just connect with or make a new friend and have them hook ya up.
Sent strait from the oven
Safe travels :laugh:
I am traveling to Spain for 3 weeks in August and plan to bring my Note 2 with me. I would like to be able to use data and make phone calls while there without getting hit with Verizon's roaming charges. I know I need to buy a SIM card over there and possibly tweak the APN settings? I was hoping some of you fellow XDA'ers could relate their experiences with doing this. FYI I am running Beans B14.
Thanks,
micah
I'm interested in this as well. I'm going to Estonia at the end of this month.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
Have you looked into Google Voice with Groove IP? If you have wifi signal over in Spain, you can make and receive calls from your Google voice number. It's like having wifi calling from T-Mobile.
I was interested in the same thing and that is the easiest solution I have come up with. I'd like to know if there are other solutions as well, without using wifi because wifi might not be available everywhere.
mtrain said:
I am traveling to Spain for 3 weeks in August and plan to bring my Note 2 with me. I would like to be able to use data and make phone calls while there without getting hit with Verizon's roaming charges. I know I need to buy a SIM card over there and possibly tweak the APN settings? I was hoping some of you fellow XDA'ers could relate their experiences with doing this. FYI I am running Beans B14.
Thanks,
micah
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm traveling next month and it will be the first time with the Note2, however, I did this extensively with a previous phone. High level: You get a prepaid SIM for a wireless carrier of your choice. (Example - In France, I have an Orange SIM with minutes and data). Change this out when you land and replace your Verizon sim (put it somewhere safe). Then change your APN to the required settings for that carrier. I just searched on the internet to find the right settings. And that was that!
Hoping it is that easy with the Note2. :highfive:
jcollier said:
I'm traveling next month and it will be the first time with the Note2, however, I did this extensively with a previous phone. High level: You get a prepaid SIM for a wireless carrier of your choice. (Example - In France, I have an Orange SIM with minutes and data). Change this out when you land and replace your Verizon sim (put it somewhere safe). Then change your APN to the required settings for that carrier. I just searched on the internet to find the right settings. And that was that!
Hoping it is that easy with the Note2. :highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would love to hear your experience after you get back from your trip next month.
In Afghanistan right now with a local sim(roshan). It's works fine and I have Internet. Long as you're on a custom rom sim cards should just pop in and work. Far as Internet find apn settings and just add the apn. Haven't had any problems, also my Google voice is still linked to my Verizon number so I still get those voice mails and can still send text from my gv number
Except buying local sim cards overseas you can also buy one sim card with a wide coverage. F.ex MTXConnect data-only sim card covers more than 20 European countries. I use this one for travelling to Europe and I didn't have any problems with it.
I just killed my Nexus and I'm not eligible for a discount with Verizon until 8/22. I'm looking at the S4, full price in my case, I guess (sigh!) Does anyone know if the Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 comes with GSM unlocked? (I remember reading that the Verizon iPhone 5 does and can be used abroad by simply swapping a local SIM card.)
During my trial purchase on the Verizon website, it asked me if I wanted to keep the current SIM number (yes), and later if I wanted the phone implemented for worldwide GSM (do you think they mean through their own services, hence locked GSM, or open to any carrier abroad)?
Thanks for the input.
italiano1964 said:
I just killed my Nexus and I'm not eligible for a discount with Verizon until 8/22. I'm looking at the S4, full price in my case, I guess (sigh!) Does anyone know if the Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 comes with GSM unlocked? (I remember reading that the Verizon iPhone 5 does and can be used abroad by simply swapping a local SIM card.)
During my trial purchase on the Verizon website, it asked me if I wanted to keep the current SIM number (yes), and later if I wanted the phone implemented for worldwide GSM (do you think they mean through their own services, hence locked GSM, or open to any carrier abroad)?
Thanks for the input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All you have to do is give them a call and let em know you will be traveling abroad, they will adjust your plan accordingly. I dunno if the S4 is global capable though, hardware wise.... Make sure you call them before using it abroad, failure to do so will most likely result in a massive roaming bill....
If you look on the hardware specs, it says its a Global Ready phone on Verizon's website. It has GSM also. I think it is possbile to put in a att SIM and go. Don't hold me to it though
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
i do believe all verizon 4G LTE phones must come GSM unlocked out of box now, if im not mistaken.
yyhd said:
i do believe all verizon 4G LTE phones must come GSM unlocked out of box now, if im not mistaken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I believe it's FCC required because of auction rules for the 700mhz band Verizon LTE is using.
That said, you may still need root to enable new APNs.
s44 said:
Yeah, I believe it's FCC required because of auction rules for the 700mhz band Verizon LTE is using.
That said, you may still need root to enable new APNs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You needn't root，
it can support，GSM and wcdma carriers！！
i test a SIM card of China Unicom
it can edit APNS
nforce4 said:
You needn't root，
it can support，GSM and wcdma carriers！！
i test a SIM card of China Unicom
it can edit APNS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate if you show screenshot of APN setting. if possible also network screenshot.
For now all I know is you can get WorldWide plan from verizon and you basically will be paying to verizon but you will use that other carrier as an atena... Cool, but it's VERY EXPENSIVE. Calls internet everything. Is there a way to somewhat hack sgs 4 verizon to use it internationally without needing that stupid expensive plan.
The SiMs are very cheap and the phone plans are very cheap in Europe, sometimes it's even more profitable to buy an unlocked phone just to travel.
So, does anyone know yet how to hack it ? There was a way like that on SGS 3.
I upgraded on Verizon and then traveled to Europe on the same day. All was working well with Verizon in the US. I then put in a sim card I bought when I arrived, and it worked for calling as soon as it started (no changes required). The add apn setting was greyed out, but it worked anyway. I put in the appropriate apn settings and it now does mobile data, voice, and sms. I dont know about MMS, yet.
I did all this without root access, but I went ahead and did the root procedure this morning.
I have to go to another country in 2 weeks, and I may get a different sim. If so, I will update after that.
I do have a persistant warning in the status bar telling me I am using a non-Verizon sim, but no other ill effects.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
maxyoda said:
I upgraded on Verizon and then traveled to Europe on the same day. All was working well with Verizon in the US. I then put in a sim card I bought when I arrived, and it worked for calling as soon as it started (no changes required). The add apn setting was greyed out, but it worked anyway. I put in the appropriate apn settings and it now does mobile data, voice, and sms. I dont know about MMS, yet.
I did all this without root access, but I went ahead and did the root procedure this morning.
I have to go to another country in 2 weeks, and I may get a different sim. If so, I will update after that.
I do have a persistant warning in the status bar telling me I am using a non-Verizon sim, but no other ill effects.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, thanks for info. Are you using Verizons World Data plan ? If not, when you come back to US is it possible that you will get a pretty large bill for using outside of US ? What type of internet are you recieving, 3g, HSPA or maybe Edge ? What countries have you tried this in yet ?
Also where did you get the phone, pre order or in store?
Thank you, I'm asking so many questions because I really wanted to get an upgrade but I will be flying to Europe for this whole summer and I thought it wouldnt worth it right now.
No, I am not using Verizon's plan (as far as I know). I have a local prepaid sim and phone number with prepaid data on a gsm network (T-Mobile) and so I do not receive calls on my US Verizon number - they go straight to Google voice answering service. I get a H+ symbol for data when I am in an area with good reception, and 3g elsewhere. So far, I have only tried it around Berlin.
I bought the phone in the store.
Tw1ser said:
Hey, thanks for info. Are you using Verizons World Data plan ? If not, when you come back to US is it possible that you will get a pretty large bill for using outside of US ? What type of internet are you recieving, 3g, HSPA or maybe Edge ? What countries have you tried this in yet ?
Also where did you get the phone, pre order or in store?
Thank you, I'm asking so many questions because I really wanted to get an upgrade but I will be flying to Europe for this whole summer and I thought it wouldnt worth it right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maxyoda said:
No, I am not using Verizon's plan (as far as I know). I have a local prepaid sim and phone number with prepaid data on a gsm network (T-Mobile) and so I do not receive calls on my US Verizon number - they go straight to Google voice answering service. I get a H+ symbol for data when I am in an area with good reception, and 3g elsewhere. So far, I have only tried it around Berlin.
I bought the phone in the store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you buy your phone on contract ?
Yes. Upgraded on contract.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
verizon galaxy s4 usage in europe
maxyoda said:
No, I am not using Verizon's plan (as far as I know). I have a local prepaid sim and phone number with prepaid data on a gsm network (T-Mobile) and so I do not receive calls on my US Verizon number - they go straight to Google voice answering service. I get a H+ symbol for data when I am in an area with good reception, and 3g elsewhere. So far, I have only tried it around Berlin.
I bought the phone in the store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, I saw your posts which were very helpful about verizon galaxy s4 usage in europe. I have a few more questions if you have time. On which operators and countries were you able to get 3g speeds with verizon s4. Thank you.
---------- Post added at 06:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:07 AM ----------
maxyoda said:
No, I am not using Verizon's plan (as far as I know). I have a local prepaid sim and phone number with prepaid data on a gsm network (T-Mobile) and so I do not receive calls on my US Verizon number - they go straight to Google voice answering service. I get a H+ symbol for data when I am in an area with good reception, and 3g elsewhere. So far, I have only tried it around Berlin.
I bought the phone in the store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sadettin said:
Hello, I saw your posts which were very helpful about verizon galaxy s4 usage in europe. I have a few more questions if you have time. On which operators and countries were you able to get 3g speeds with verizon s4. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am asking because i need to know if it will work on a country where the 3g frequency is 2100mhz.
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.
Hi, I have been looking everywhere for answers and hopefully some one here can give me one.
I researched rugged phones and decided on the BV7000 Pro because it supports LTE Bands 1/3/7/8/20
My cell provider - Virgin Mobile Canada stated they run on LTE Bands 2/3/4/7
So my phone should work on Bands 3/7
When the phone searches for networks, it is able to display Virgin 4G, Telus 4G, EXT 2G, EXT 4G
When I try to connect to Virgin 4G, it tries then states it failed to register to the network and to try again later
I have confirmed my SIM card and APN settings with Virgin and the SIM card works in my old Motorola Razr but on 3G. The BV7000 doesn't work on the 3G bands Virgin uses so I can't try connecting using 3G.
So I want to know what you think is the reason why my phone can't register to Virgin Mobile Canada's Network?
Other BV7000 Users in Canada, United States and Mexico have reported the same problem.
I have contacted Blackview support and they eventually stated it won't work in Canada but provided no reason why. They posted this 11 days after I had purchased the phone and it was in the middle of being sent to me. However I suspect their support isn't the brightest based on some of the responses I have seen on their forum. The BV6000 works in Canada and the US.
I don't know anything about how the phone communicates to the provider exactly but to me it seems like there is a failure in communication in terms of security which is preventing it from connecting.
Hopefully some one can shed some light on this and maybe find a way around it so I can get this thing to work as a phone.
bv7000 pro, fails on mexico
hello, i have the same problem, live in mexico, it doesnt support 4g, If i have luck it will be 3g data, but i never seen that, only edge, i have i cool phone, but It is useless on internet data.
On the blackview forum theres no help there, Only users complaining about the same in North America
Niagua said:
hello, i have the same problem, live in mexico, it doesn't support 4g, If i have luck it will be 3g data, but i never seen that, only edge, i have i cool phone, but It is useless on internet data.
On the blackview forum theres no help there, Only users complaining about the same in North America
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I unfortunately haven't found a solution yet. I have attempted to request a return through the AliExpress website and the seller has completely ignored me. I had to contact AliExpress customer support to have my return request escalated. The seller finally contacted me today asking if I had received the phone. Which is a stupid question because there clearly is communication between use showing I received the phone and have had problems with it.
Your only option is to try to return it or find a phone provider there that it will work on so you can try to sell it to some one on that network or switch to that provider. I found a provider in Canada called 'Rogers' that it works on but I can't switch to them because I would loose my old plan that is cheaper than the modern equivalent.
Either that or learn how to hack the phone to get to the modem that technically can operate on all bands, they just have to be enabled. Blackview uses the MediaTek CPU. I am desperate to try but I am pretty sure I would kill the phone.
sooo...... do you kill the phone??.. hahaha
Is a bad phone, i try with another company in mexico (telcel), but it lost a lot the signal, when you have to make a call, surprise you can't.
asking on the facebook pago of blackview, they say is a hardware problem, so, there is no solution, only keep waiting for bv8000 (if you want to try again)
Niagua said:
sooo...... do you kill the phone??.. hahaha
Is a bad phone, i try with another company in mexico (telcel), but it lost a lot the signal, when you have to make a call, surprise you can't.
asking on the facebook pago of blackview, they say is a hardware problem, so, there is no solution, only keep waiting for bv8000 (if you want to try again)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still waiting for either the aliexpress customer care to figure it out or the seller to reply to me. I haven't done anything with the phone yet. I have been trying to sell it locally but only one person was interested.
When you say they said there is a hardware problem, do you mean the phone is defective or the hardware just isn't configured to work with North American networks but works fine in Asia?
Capskyfox said:
Still waiting for either the aliexpress customer care to figure it out or the seller to reply to me. I haven't done anything with the phone yet. I have been trying to sell it locally but only one person was interested.
When you say they said there is a hardware problem, do you mean the phone is defective or the hardware just isn't configured to work with North American networks but works fine in Asia?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i understand that..... is work fine in asia but not in north america.
i'm in contact whit my seller, they try to help me with 3 problems,
- Does not detect my company's signal
- Only works with edge (doesn't support 3g or 4g)
- after make or receive a call, i can't do another one, have to reboot the device.
If they find a solution i will let you know on this forum
Niagua said:
i understand that..... is work fine in asia but not in north america.
i'm in contact whit my seller, they try to help me with 3 problems,
- Does not detect my company's signal
- Only works with edge (doesn't support 3g or 4g)
- after make or receive a call, i can't do another one, have to reboot the device.
If they find a solution i will let you know on this forum
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I was just wondering what website you bought your phone through? I bought mine through the AliExpress website, through the Desoon Technology Co., Limited store. The seller has ignored my repeated requests for a return for refund and AliExpress Customer Service won't even talk to me anymore. Nice place to run a shady store when the host website can't even enforce their own rules.
i bought on ebay, honesty i thought i will find a solution for the problem #3 (reboot after a call), but nope, blackview forum is very slow on don't give any solution.
for the problema 1 and 2.... there is no solution, the phone doesn't support 3g whit most of the companys in America (canada, us, mexico or south america), is hardware problem., this problem is fixed on the new bv8000 pro, is has more frequency bands to support global network.
It does not work 3G or 4G only 2G.
I have a blackView bv7000 pro, but it does not detect the networks of 3G or 4G only 2G, here works well only the phone with 2 SIM, the wathapp works well only the internet is very slow, in one word is not good for the internet, it is fast with the applications, but with the internet nothing else is not good.
This in Mexico with any telephone service here.