Related
So let me make a long story short.
I am in the military
I am deploying soon
I bought the Photon 4G to use while deployed
(gave the EVO 4G to wife to use while I am gone)
What I was thinking:
Photon 4G uses GSM as well as others
(I am going to Afghanistan, and GSM 900 I think is the used band there)
I bought a SIM card through a company called MTN Afghanistan
As they are the only provider offering service to the are of Afghan that I
will be going (use I know there are others, but MTN is confirmed the provider used by people in the area I am going, therefore why try something new if you know of something that works)
What I plan to do:
Already scheduled to put my Sprint account on a military hold
(means I do not get charged for my phone until I turn it back on
when I return)
I do this because I found Sprint International is not in my area over there as well.
So I was told by sprint international that they can give me an unlock code.
But I am being told by others, that I need to unlock my phone.
I leave in two weeks and need help.
I have searched the boards and found a lot of guilds about unlocking and everything, I have done roms on all my other devices and such.
I just want to make sure that the UNLOCK that I am thinking about
(using the Sprint Photon 4G in Afghan, on someone elses service)
There I is no sim unlock for the photon. Internationally it defaults to unlocked. No root/unlock required. That being said, some roms seem to handle gsm a little better than stock.
Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk
Mine worked great with stock rom. Had to do nothing extra to get it work.. I live in India. Lol my photon was not even activated!
I have a Photon and also use Sprint. When going abroad, to use abroad you simply set the phone to "GSM" from automatic or CDMA to ensure that Sprint doesn't charge you for international roaming.
Well I'm rooted,unlocked,and use cm7.2 and have had no problems in Australia and saudi.*#*#4636#*#*
Works with all sim cards.
I just like cyanogenmod and all the modifications,I also think aosp roms seem to have better signal strenth.
Cm 7.2 delivered a strong GSM signal for me using telstra and zeam
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium
Thanks
Thanks for all of the replies.
I was just worried because I recieved my SIM card I plan to use in Afghan and when I removed Sprints SIM Card, I turned the phone on and nothing was different.
It still connected to Sprint and everything (with no SIM Card) Even made calls.
So then I added the new SIM Card (the iternational one, by MTN Afghan,) and still, Sprint Service as if the SIM Card was doing nothing special. Never asked me for unlock or anything.
That is why I was wanting to make sure there is nothing special I need to do.
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.
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
if its like verizon other global settings (inc2) you can request the unlock code from them (they ll give you crap about using their intl plans first, but just yell until someone does it)
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
Very nice info there Broose. Thanks for taking the time to try it.
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
Works on AT&T with EDGE data as well. I haven't gotten HSPA (any variant) or AT&T LTE working, and I can't play with it too much because it's not my SIM
ATT LTE won't work because the frequencies are different from Verizon but I am surprised that HSPA didn't work. Did you use a setting that included W-CDMA? GSM only would likely mean Edge only.
Sent from my ADR6410LVW using xda premium
Can you link the app you used that worked?
No problems switching back?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.andirc.lteonfoff
from my ADR6410LVW using xda premium
Im afraid I cant get this to work. Does it require a rooted phone?
I have the app, I have a T Mobile micro sim installed. I click on the drop down menu (within the app) and choose the first menu item "Select radio band" and pick PCS (1900-MHz Band) and I get a "successful" prompt afterwards (only when the Tmo sim is installed btw).
I am unable to choose "GSM Only & GSM auto (PRL)" menu choices. Is this normal? I am able to choose GSM/WCDMA/LTE auto though. I dont get any sim error messages, but the phone never seems to want to camp on any GSM network.
You are looking in the wrong place. You need the drop down menu that includes GSM, W-CDMA, EVDO, LTE in various combinations. Select one with GSM in it. Also, I found that you need to have your Verizon SIM in first and then hot swap it with the t-mobile sim.
On the Rezound if you make a couple build.prop tweaks it fixes texting and data on GSM.
Brooose said:
You are looking in the wrong place. You need the drop down menu that includes GSM, W-CDMA, EVDO, LTE in various combinations. Select one with GSM in it. Also, I found that you need to have your Verizon SIM in first and then hot swap it with the t-mobile sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I was in the right place to begin with, I just thought it would be able to pick just gsm but it wont.
And you left out that piece of informationin bold, but still not working...
Can you give us your firmware & radio version, perhaps some phones have been updated to block this.
Anyone have any luck with this?
OP, is your phone stock? Rooted?
What if it has a bad ESN will this work or a way to make gsm work even with a bad ESN I'm asking because if Verizon does not have droid 3 s I will get this phone then go with at&t but will like to know if I can change the radio so I can so this
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
One additional thing I found was that I got it to work by hot swapping the Sims. It seems like the Verizon sim has to be in when the phone boots. Once it boots, use Phone Info to change the mode to GSM and then switch your sim.
Sent from my SGH-I535 using xda premium
Brooose said:
One additional thing I found was that I got it to work by hot swapping the Sims. It seems like the Verizon sim has to be in when the phone boots. Once it boots, use Phone Info to change the mode to GSM and then switch your sim.
Sent from my SGH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So your saying this works on a bad ESN one?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
leerpsp said:
What if it has a bad ESN will this work or a way to make gsm work even with a bad ESN I'm asking because if Verizon does not have droid 3 s I will get this phone then go with at&t but will like to know if I can change the radio so I can so this
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think it should work. The ESN is used for the CDMA networks, the IMEI is used for GSM. Stick with GSM and you should be ok...
Dinc 4G now Global Ready
I was just chatting with a VZ rep online and was told that Verizon has already released a software update, thus making Dinc 4G officially global ready. Can anyone confirm/deny?
I asked her for a software version number which enables this, but she wasn't able to provide it.
Pete7874 said:
I was just chatting with a VZ rep online and was told that Verizon has already released a software update, thus making Dinc 4G officially global ready. Can anyone confirm/deny?
I asked her for a software version number which enables this, but she wasn't able to provide it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Deny. No update has come out so far. You would be able to read about here if it had come out.
JDMpire said:
I would think it should work. The ESN is used for the CDMA networks, the IMEI is used for GSM. Stick with GSM and you should be ok...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I think I will go buy one cheep forum ebay
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
I'm a noob here, but other places i'm not. I have read VERY many posts and the gist of owning a thunderbolt is that it only work(ed) on CDMA VZ so it is not compatible with GSM although it has a SIM card because its is/was locked to VZ only frequencies.
Just to make sure, I called VZ to attempt to get an unlock code saying I was going on a trip overseas and needed my phone to work. I was told that if I upgraded via the OTA to ICS, my device would then be compatible with GSM and I could simply use any SIM card in my phone and get it to work.
What I am trying to do is move over to straightalk away from VZ.
Instead of unrooting, I flashed the radios and ROM available on this site and ICS is up and running.
So has anyone tried straight talk yet on ICS?
That doesn't sound right to me but I would be interested in finding out whether or not it works. From what I understood about the antenna in this phone is that it is locked in on the 700mhz band at a hardware level. Also there are no settings to change to GSM in the network settings.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
Hmmm. Don't know why tech support would lie though -- especially when I waited online for about 30 minutes throughout the conversation. I've been a customer since 1997. He even said, after I switched to ICS, simply insert new SIM and I'm ready to go.
disconnecktie said:
That doesn't sound right to me but I would be interested in finding out whether or not it works. From what I understood about the antenna in this phone is that it is locked in on the 700mhz band at a hardware level. Also there are no settings to change to GSM in the network settings.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They may not be lying but rather don't know what they are talking about lol. They are wrong all the time. Just because we have a sim doesn't mean that putting a gsm sim in makes it possible to use on other networks. Give it a try maybe they finally did make it possible. Like I said I thought at a hardware level this phone was permitted from using gsm bands.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
RE: Thunderbolt to straight talk
Granted, they may be wrong. But, all the many hours of reading I have done, says that CDMA only phones don't have SIM cards and my TB does. And per another posts GSM in the USA operates on more frequencies than abroad. Why would HTC create a phone with a SIM card if there was no reason because it was only CDMA?
Regardless, I purchased a ST SIM and an unlimited plan to try out. I'll post back after I see if I wasted my $$$ or not.
The LTE frequency Verizon uses is actually a GSM which is one reason. Verizon owns the upper c block of the 700mhz spectrum. Also, because Verizon is originally a CDMA carrier they had to use another antenna in all LTE phones in order for them to function. The LTE antenna uses data only. It is not equipped to make phone calls unless a phone call is already in progress in which case the phone is routed through the LTE antenna and is then made over the data connection much like VoIP.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
disconnecktie is right, the Thunderbolt can not connect to GSM services. The sim card is not a GSM sim card, its is a 4g LTE sim card. Just because its called a sim and looks similar, does not mean they are the same. The guy you spoke with on the phone probably knew nothing about the Thunderbolt and just assumed that because it has a sim card it would connect to GSM networks.
understandably.
Milimbar said:
disconnecktie is right, the Thunderbolt can not connect to GSM services. The sim card is not a GSM sim card, its is a 4g LTE sim card. Just because its called a sim and looks similar, does not mean they are the same. The guy you spoke with on the phone probably knew nothing about the Thunderbolt and just assumed that because it has a sim card it would connect to GSM networks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"The LTE antenna uses data only. It is not equipped to make phone calls unless a phone call is already in progress in which case the phone is routed through the LTE antenna and is then made over the data connection much like VoIP."
So theoretically, if there is an LTE only antenna....how does a call get routed regularly when LTE networks (such as 1G and 3G) occur when LTE network isn't available to pass the information over the data connection? More than one antenna?
I'm not expecting this card to work in and of itself. I'm going to swap out another GSM to see if after ICS upgrade, it is actually opened as promised. Now if it doesn't have the requisite antenna, that's understandable, but in that case, why theoretically couldn't I just get a GSM antenna and swap it out for the CDMA one? Can't be any worse than replacing a wireless card in a laptop?
Based upon the "answer" given to me by VZ tech support, I have to wonder if there really is a different antenna or simply the "sim" card installed locks it into the frequency -- and the OS lock(ed) into the sim card previously. A SIm card is essentially what allows you to communicate with a carrier afterall.
Definitely interested if this works, thanks for attempting this
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium
All the LTE sim does is authenticate your phone on the network. That is the reason *228 is no longer needed.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
The thunderbolt does not support GSM. It has 3 radios, two 3g cdma which enables svdo or simultaneously voice and data over 3g. FYI some new 4g phones won't do this. The LTE is data only and no phone calls are placed over LTE on any phone for vzw. VZW is not setup for voip yet and that won't start until at least 2014. The thunderbolt is not global ready even with ics. There is no apn info to edit. This all has been discussed many times over the last two years.
Sent from my A100 using Tapatalk 2
Just to clarify I wasn't saying the thunderbolt uses VoIP but that svdo is similar is all.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
disconnecktie said:
Just to clarify I wasn't saying the thunderbolt uses VoIP but that svdo is similar is all.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm no cell tech and I get what you were trying to say. I apologize the last part of my post was a little rude. I don’t think voip and svdo are even close, I admit I could be wrong. Voip uses a data connection to place calls while svdo uses the cellular connection for calls and data. If you place the phone into airplane mode, connect to wifi you would not be able to place a call. If you had voip you'd be able to place a call. I know many carriers offer some sort of 3g to network extender that creates a similar type of connection.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Svdo also makes it so that calls can be placed over 4g when it is present which is like VoIP. Either way I know it isn't exactly the same but was merely using VoIP for a comparison.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
disconnecktie said:
Svdo also makes it so that calls can be placed over 4g when it is present which is like VoIP. Either way I know it isn't exactly the same but was merely using VoIP for a comparison.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my original post above I incorrectly used VoIP when I should have used VoLTE, I knew what i wanted to say, but used the wrong terms which can lead to confusion and this is all to the best of my understanding
The Thunderbolt as with all 3G cell phones make phones calls over 1x voice network while data is handled by 3G network. The thunderbolt does not make any phone calls over 3G or LTE, it has multiple radios which allow SVDO, a 1x for voice calls, a 3G radio, and a LTE radio. Calls are placed over 1x and data is handled by 3G or LTE whichever is available.
The link below has a good discussion and more clarification on the Thunderbolt when it was first released.
http://androidforums.com/htc-thunde...ort-voice-over-lte-when-verizon-launches.html
revisited
dms76 said:
The thunderbolt does not support GSM. It has 3 radios, two 3g cdma which enables svdo or simultaneously voice and data over 3g. FYI some new 4g phones won't do this. The LTE is data only and no phone calls are placed over LTE on any phone for vzw. VZW is not setup for voip yet and that won't start until at least 2014. The thunderbolt is not global ready even with ics. There is no apn info to edit. This all has been discussed many times over the last two years.
Sent from my A100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I realize that it has been "talked" about. But based upon conversations with VZ support perhaps it was time to rehash it based upon what I was told.
As far as the APN to edit -- after ICS update (non over the air -- the one provided here). See screenshot. There is even a folder created on the SD called APN Backup restore.
My phone is rooted using revolutionary and running the ICS deodexed, etc. found on xda-developers.
Based upon what I was told by VZ tech support, I purchased a ST test SIM with unlimited service. I installed it today and get SIM card is from an unknown source. I googled that and it appears to be locked. I thought I was unlocked and rooted using revolutionary. But now I question that. So am I truly unlocked like I thought I was? I then tried getting the unlock code using fastboot as per instructions on HTC's development site using oem get_identifier_token waiting for device, and I get stuck at "waiting for device" with no information ever coming up. The only way I appear to be able to communicate w device using ADB is by letting the phone boot then connecting it via usb using debugging mode, and always awake, then it appears as a device, but that's where I get that waiting for device message.
Meanwhile, with the ST card in it's downloading email. I just cannot send.
wrkrbee said:
I realize that it has been "talked" about. But based upon conversations with VZ support perhaps it was time to rehash it based upon what I was told.
As far as the APN to edit -- after ICS update (non over the air -- the one provided here). See screenshot. There is even a folder created on the SD called APN Backup restore.
My phone is rooted using revolutionary and running the ICS deodexed, etc. found on xda-developers.
Based upon what I was told by VZ tech support, I purchased a ST test SIM with unlimited service. I installed it today and get SIM card is from an unknown source. I googled that and it appears to be locked. I thought I was unlocked and rooted using revolutionary. But now I question that. So am I truly unlocked like I thought I was? I then tried getting the unlock code using fastboot as per instructions on HTC's development site using oem get_identifier_token waiting for device, and I get stuck at "waiting for device" with no information ever coming up. The only way I appear to be able to communicate w device using ADB is by letting the phone boot then connecting it via usb using debugging mode, and always awake, then it appears as a device, but that's where I get that waiting for device message.
Meanwhile, with the ST card in it's downloading email. I just cannot send.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your phone is S-off, and rooted, unlocked is totally different. Unlocked means that verizon has allowed that phone to be used on other networks and carriers. You should really do some research, you will find that the thunderbolt will somewhat work on straight talk for a little while, then they will kick you off the network. Just google it instead of questioning everything people say here as they are just trying to help you and you seem to want to do nothing but argue anything that is said.
Milimbar said:
Your phone is S-off, and rooted, unlocked is totally different. Unlocked means that verizon has allowed that phone to be used on other networks and carriers. You should really do some research, you will find that the thunderbolt will somewhat work on straight talk for a little while, then they will kick you off the network. Just google it instead of questioning everything people say here as they are just trying to help you and you seem to want to do nothing but argue anything that is said.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off, I'm not trying to "argue" with anyone. If these forums are not to ask questions, then what are they for? With that said, as I previously stated, I have spent HOURS which have amounted to DAYS reading not only the forums here and elsewhere and the information conflicts -- and I may have updated information who the heck knows. You never know when there is false information out there floating around and when it becomes outdated -- and the only way to update that information is by sharing upon these types of forums, I would think. You take your car to an automechanic and he tells you the entire transmission needs to be changed, do you just say ok or do you ask questions until you can fully understand the scope, do you do research, and if that research conflicts, do you ask for a second opinion or simply tell him, ok, go ahead and change it?
Milimbar said:
Your phone is S-off, and rooted, unlocked is totally different. Unlocked means that verizon has allowed that phone to be used on other networks and carriers.
And as far as unlocked by Verizon, I followed a post until I reached an HTC forum indicating it can be unlocked for all carriers....by replacing the carrier OEM identifier token with an unlock code in binary format from HTC. See what I have pritned and attached.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think your issue is you read too much into this. Yes, your phone cane be unlocked, it can run on other carriers and networks.
Your phone can however only use CDMA carriers and networks. Just because it can be unlocked does not mean it can be used on networks that do not support the hardware your phone was made with. nothing can be done with software to change that.
Your second problem is, you are misunderstanding terms, and HTC them self are not helping this. The PDF files you linked say unlocking, they refer to unlocking the bootloader, meaning you gain S-off (you can flash files) The unlocking you are questioning here is to get your phone working on another network.
Those 2 things are entirely different.
A phone is designed to work on specific frequencies when it is designed. Some phones are CDMA phones, some are GSM phones, and some are global (they use both). This is a hardware thing. Nothing changes this once the phone has been made. Our Thunderbolts are CDMA phones, unfortunately we can not just up and go to AT&T or anywhere we want with this phone.
I am sorry for being argumentative with my last post, you are right this is a place to discuss issues like this.
If you search for StraightTalk you'll find that it may be both CDMA and GSM supported depending on where you live. If you search for Thunderbolt other carrier you'll find that some people have had limited success with missing functions getting it to work on other carriers.
If Your switching to another carrier, buy a phone for that carrier or a global phone. It's a lot of work getting a phone to work on another carrier and you can get a smartphone better than your thunderbolt for a low price on a MNVO. If your dead serous on taking your thunderbolt to another carrier it loks like Page plus is going to be your best bet. USE EXTREME CAUTION when flashing your phone as you could brick it and it would do you no good at all.
I've done some research on the topic but am having a hard time finding a definative answer on the topic.
I bought my phone thru Verizon (paid in full) intially to ensure I would keep my unlimited data plan. Since this purchase I've discovered that T-Mobile has s $30/mo plan that fits my lifestyle just fine. My intent is to sell my plan (craigslist/ebay/etc) to get out of our contract and make some $$$ on the side.
When I bought this phone 1 of the major draws I saw was that, even though it's a Verizon phone, it wasGSM compatible. I've read plenty of posts about users throwing in a ATT sim card and being good to go. On the tmobile side of things, the results aren't as clear.
So.... Long story short, I'm looking for a definative answer if the Verizon GS4 will fully work on T-Mobile's GSM network and if so, where might one find some guidance on what I need to do if there are any necessary steps involved.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Plain and simple... No, the Verizon GS4 will not work on Tmobile. Verizon is cdma and tmobile is gsm. It will not work
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
teqknique said:
I've done some research on the topic but am having a hard time finding a definative answer on the topic.
I bought my phone thru Verizon (paid in full) intially to ensure I would keep my unlimited data plan. Since this purchase I've discovered that T-Mobile has s $30/mo plan that fits my lifestyle just fine. My intent is to sell my plan (craigslist/ebay/etc) to get out of our contract and make some $$$ on the side.
When I bought this phone 1 of the major draws I saw was that, even though it's a Verizon phone, it wasGSM compatible. I've read plenty of posts about users throwing in a ATT sim card and being good to go. On the tmobile side of things, the results aren't as clear.
So.... Long story short, I'm looking for a definative answer if the Verizon GS4 will fully work on T-Mobile's GSM network and if so, where might one find some guidance on what I need to do if there are any necessary steps involved.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a VZW customer and I work at T-Mobile. I've tried popping in my manager's T-Mobile micro sim-card into my VZW S4. The voice service worked flawlessly but there was neither 3G nor 4G connectivity. No idea why.
jkuczy16 said:
Plain and simple... No, the Verizon GS4 will not work on Tmobile. Verizon is cdma and tmobile is gsm. It will not work
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WRONG! I'm using a Verizon GS4 on AT&T HSPA+ right now.
izgil82 said:
I'm a VZW customer and I work at T-Mobile. I've tried popping in my manager's T-Mobile micro sim-card into my VZW S4. The voice service worked flawlessly but there was neither 3G nor 4G connectivity. No idea why.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you change the APN's?
T-Mobile is NOT GSM. The only way would be change the apn settings to see if it will work.
Okay I guess I made a mistake, sorry for causing any confusion. Guess you really do learn something new everyday lol
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
sk337sk337 said:
WRONG! I'm using a Verizon GS4 on AT&T HSPA+ right now.
Did you change the APN's?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I read Verizon S4 will work with AT&T H+, but not T-mobile.. they only get edge even with the APN changed
TheAxman said:
T-Mobile is NOT GSM. The only way would be change the apn settings to see if it will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wait what? T-mobile is gsm..
TheAxman said:
T-Mobile is NOT GSM. The only way would be change the apn settings to see if it will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah they are GSM
Sent from my LG-P880 using Tapatalk 2
So I am right about tmobile being gsm
Sent from my DROID RAZR
These questions are tricky. Work!? You have to define that word before you get your answer. Voice works and so as data IF you add APN manually (or if it comes automatically from T-Mo). Now by data you mean 2G(EDGE)? 3G(HSPA)? 4G(LTE)? It also depends on whether you are in an area where T-Mo has re-farmed 1900 HSPA. If you are in one of these areas then you got 3G for data. If not, 2G for you. No 4G anywhere for this phone on T-Mo.
teqknique said:
I've done some research on the topic but am having a hard time finding a definative answer on the topic.
I bought my phone thru Verizon (paid in full) intially to ensure I would keep my unlimited data plan. Since this purchase I've discovered that T-Mobile has s $30/mo plan that fits my lifestyle just fine. My intent is to sell my plan (craigslist/ebay/etc) to get out of our contract and make some $$$ on the side.
When I bought this phone 1 of the major draws I saw was that, even though it's a Verizon phone, it wasGSM compatible. I've read plenty of posts about users throwing in a ATT sim card and being good to go. On the tmobile side of things, the results aren't as clear.
So.... Long story short, I'm looking for a definative answer if the Verizon GS4 will fully work on T-Mobile's GSM network and if so, where might one find some guidance on what I need to do if there are any necessary steps involved.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is %100 possible. It's involved...to the extent that it might not be for those who aren't willing to turn their phone into a PDA.
In this post I explain (condescendingly, because some guy was so sure it wasn't possible) that phones nowadays are capable of multiband...because it's just not cost effective for manufacturers to produce one phone for CDMA, then one for GSM, one for LTE, one for AWS bands, etc etc...you get the picture. If you look up the specs of the chips in the S4 (probably the same across the carriers) you'll see that it's a pentaband phone.
Short story long...I come from a time where there wasn't a "It's not possible"...my job bought me a VZ S4 which I plan on using with my Tmobile simcard...because I don't feel like carrying a Nexus 4 AND an S4...I'll post my progress in the forums for all to benefit from. Until then...
I only tested it for a few minutes.... but I did get lte on it but not sure about aws... on T-Mobile. Sorry I couldn't do a more extensive experiment.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Yes it is possible. And it is actually not that much work.
#1 be rooted
#2 put in tmobile sim and restart phone (cant change apn with vzw sim)
#3 change the apn settings for voice and data to t mobile (google it)
I have been using a verizon i545 S4 on tmobile for 3 weeks now. I have voice text and 4g h+ data.
The S4 is global, even if verizon tries to lock it down.
justda said:
Yes it is possible. And it is actually not that much work.
#1 be rooted
#2 put in tmobile sim and restart phone (cant change apn with vzw sim)
#3 change the apn settings for voice and data to t mobile (google it)
I have been using a verizon i545 S4 on tmobile for 3 weeks now. I have voice text and 4g h+ data.
The S4 is global, even if verizon tries to lock it down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how are you getting 4g? I'm only getting 2g ;-; i'v ebeen asking everywhere but everybody seems to think it cant be done i guess? I just get ignored by the usually helpful community.
I am also on hyperdrive, have you looked at their coverage map? And what apn are you using tmobile has 3. Standard phones, smart phones, and I believe one for hipsters aka apple? The proper apn starts with fast. (Its 645 in the morning google it yourself)
Another thing to consider, you might be getting 4g or h what ever, t mobile is half as fast as verizon. I had to use xposed framework to turn on the proper icons.
The steps I posted are all I did, other than being on hyperdrivre rom. Try setting to gsm as your preffered network?
Im sorry people have ignored this and claim its impossible, the tmobile guy in store actually got his manager to come use my phone after I got it working in front of him in store. The store manager told the employee I must be some super hacker and this isnt possible for normal people. All i did was imout the apn and the sim nothing crazy.
justda said:
Yes it is possible. And it is actually not that much work.
#1 be rooted
#2 put in tmobile sim and restart phone (cant change apn with vzw sim)
#3 change the apn settings for voice and data to t mobile (google it)
I have been using a verizon i545 S4 on tmobile for 3 weeks now. I have voice text and 4g h+ data.
The S4 is global, even if verizon tries to lock it down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will this always work with straight talk... I am now rooted
silentshadow310 said:
Will this always work with straight talk... I am now rooted
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Click to collapse
There is already a guide for straight talk here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2672843
Drake9897 said:
how are you getting 4g? I'm only getting 2g ;-; i'v ebeen asking everywhere but everybody seems to think it cant be done i guess? I just get ignored by the usually helpful community.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I have been out of the loop for a while with work and such... Did you ever get your 4G or LTE to work properly?
silentshadow310 said:
Will this always work with straight talk... I am now rooted
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Click to collapse
What this guy said above this comment. I know nothing about straight talk, and someone already wrote a guide on how to do it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2672843:good:
I currently have a Droid DNA through Verizon and would like to switch to Straight Talk. I see options for both AT&T and T-Mobile compatible SIM cards, and am curious which one I should go with. I live in the Houston area. I prefer not to have to cut the card but it's not a deal breaker.
In my area AT&T has much wider and more reliable data coverage. I was often on edge everywhere in my hometown while on T-Mobile. This may not be the case for Houston. Just test drive both networks for a month each.
Ah, excellent point. Should be cheap enough to try them both. Thanks!
I actually work in Electronics at Walmart and deal with this all the time. Straight Talk will not move 4G LTE phones to their service. They aren't compatible and do not have the agreements with carriers for LTE access. If you read the CDMA/GSM bring your own phone package that includes the SIM cards it says in bold writing LTE Phones are not compatible. The DNA would not be able to be used on Straight Talk because it is a LTE phone. Straight Talk has a list of approved devices on their website. Because you do have to provide your phones IMEI they will know it is a LTE phone and deny your request to activate the phone on their services.
Kutster, I hate to correct you but I actually did successfully connect my Droid DNA using the Walmart SIM card. Now in my area it was actually called FamilyMobile, and run by T-Mobile. I purchased a SIM card from Walmart, took it home, plugged it in, set up an account, and it worked. Granted, you don't get LTE, but it does work and is mega cheap ($40/mo unlimited). I ended up cancelling and taking it back, simply because the internet was very slow, and the coverage wasn't very good in my area (T-Mobile sucks in my area). I do want to stress though that it definitely does work! I think I'll try AT&T GoPhone next.
The important thing to remember is this phone (the DNA) has all the radios necessary to connect to just about anybody but Sprint's network. Don't always believe what the companies tell ya.
impala454 said:
Kutster, I hate to correct you but I actually did successfully connect my Droid DNA using the Walmart SIM card. Now in my area it was actually called FamilyMobile, and run by T-Mobile. I purchased a SIM card from Walmart, took it home, plugged it in, set up an account, and it worked. Granted, you don't get LTE, but it does work and is mega cheap ($40/mo unlimited). I ended up cancelling and taking it back, simply because the internet was very slow, and the coverage wasn't very good in my area (T-Mobile sucks in my area). I do want to stress though that it definitely does work! I think I'll try AT&T GoPhone next.
The important thing to remember is this phone (the DNA) has all the radios necessary to connect to just about anybody but Sprint's network. Don't always believe what the companies tell ya.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
impala454 said:
I currently have a Droid DNA through Verizon and would like to switch to Straight Talk
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See that's where your terms and confusion of prepaid comes into play. Of course Family Mobile worked they don't have restrictions on LTE especially since Family Mobile is powered by T-mobile. Straight Talk which is the company I was referring to and the company you were referring to does has limitations on LTE phones, and will NOT allow any LTE phone to to brought to their service. This has to do with they license the use of multiple carriers towers.
Trust me I am not trying to be rude, but I honestly deal with this on a daily basis. You know how many Straight Talk bring your own phone kits I have had to refund because customers buy them for their nice Verizon LTE smartphones? It doesn't work. I am telling you from my experience and my countless hours on the phone with Straight Talk reps and on their website, what their policy is on LTE phones. I beg you to go to Walmart and look at the Straight Talk CDMA/GSM BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) kits that they sell for $60. In the middle of that package on the front it says something along the lines of "LTE Phones are not Compatible." Which like it reads means you cannot bring over a LTE phone to Straight Talk.
AT&T prepaid I would venture to guess would work, but I can't remember if AT&T is as picky as Verizon is about what smartphones get put on their prepaid plans. You would have to call and find out.
So once again, please keep in mind that every prepaid carrier is different, use different towers, and different policies. Just because it worked on one does not mean a different company has policies that differ or block that same practice.
I didn't realize StraightTalk and FamilyMobile were different. I just assumed that when I went to Walmart it was whatever they were using. I see now that StraightTalk is AT&T and FamilyMobile is T-Mobile. I only had the option for FamilyMobile at my Walmart. Thanks for the clarification.
I'm not going to disagree, but I will say that the FamilyMobile website also said my specific phone was not eligible, but it did in fact work. So to anyone else reading this, YMMV. Considering Walmart takes the card back for a full refund, I don't see a problem in at least attempting it (except that employees such as yourself have to deal with it ). It makes sense to me that there's no way for the carrier to enforce specific phones when they are SIM card based. So long as your phone has the radios that carrier operates on, it should work. My guess is that the LTE phones statement on the package is in reference to the fact that you won't get LTE speeds with that network.
kutster said:
See that's where your terms and confusion of prepaid comes into play. Of course Family Mobile worked they don't have restrictions on LTE especially since Family Mobile is powered by T-mobile. Straight Talk which is the company I was referring to and the company you were referring to does has limitations on LTE phones, and will NOT allow any LTE phone to to brought to their service. This has to do with they license the use of multiple carriers towers.
Trust me I am not trying to be rude, but I honestly deal with this on a daily basis. You know how many Straight Talk bring your own phone kits I have had to refund because customers buy them for their nice Verizon LTE smartphones? It doesn't work. I am telling you from my experience and my countless hours on the phone with Straight Talk reps and on their website, what their policy is on LTE phones. I beg you to go to Walmart and look at the Straight Talk CDMA/GSM BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) kits that they sell for $60. In the middle of that package on the front it says something along the lines of "LTE Phones are not Compatible." Which like it reads means you cannot bring over a LTE phone to Straight Talk.
AT&T prepaid I would venture to guess would work, but I can't remember if AT&T is as picky as Verizon is about what smartphones get put on their prepaid plans. You would have to call and find out.
So once again, please keep in mind that every prepaid carrier is different, use different towers, and different policies. Just because it worked on one does not mean a different company has policies that differ or block that same practice.
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Click to collapse
Being an an LTE device wouldn't matter in this case since the LTE radio will only work on the CDMA side of the phone and with Verizon's LTE. It has UMTS and Straight Talk already confirmed with me the phone would get 3G while on their network. There's not a magic way of them detecting an LTE phone ( one that works on a CDMA carrier mind you) and flipping the off switch. The 2G and 3G networks are available for AT&T and T-Mobile regardless of which prepaid carrier you use.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 4
xlxcrossing said:
Being an an LTE device wouldn't matter in this case since the LTE radio will only work on the CDMA side of the phone and with Verizon's LTE. It has UMTS and Straight Talk already confirmed with me the phone would get 3G while on their network. There's not a magic way of them detecting an LTE phone ( one that works on a CDMA carrier mind you) and flipping the off switch. The 2G and 3G networks are available for AT&T and T-Mobile regardless of which prepaid carrier you use.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 4
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Click to collapse
Im not going to argue about it. When you go to activate a BYOP on Straight Talk you have to input the IMEI, which does tell Straight Talk if the phone is LTE capable or not and if it isn't eligible it will not allow you to activate the phone. Period. I hate done it and tried it. It isn't like ATT where you put in the SIM card and it is activated. You activate the phone IMEI and SIM card # with Straight Talk. That is how it works with BYOP.
@Impala Im glad you had luck getting Family Mobile working.
Uh, I'm currently using Straight Talk on my DNA with full HSPA+ capability, as are many others.
holyinstantrice said:
Uh, I'm currently using Straight Talk on my DNA with full HSPA+ capability, as are many others.
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Exactly, ours is an LTE device so please tell us why it certainly does work on Straight Talk when you claim it doesn't.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 4
xlxcrossing said:
Exactly, ours is an LTE device so please tell us why it certainly does work on Straight Talk when you claim it doesn't.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, Straight Talk just got support for AT&T LTE. So they're going to have to accept LTE devices?
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Yeah I just read up on that. I wonder if the DNA 700mhz band will work. I checked online and it shows AT&T as using the 700 bands as well (a,b,c) I'm assuming the new Sim they are selling enables the LTE?
Can anyone with the new Sim confirm LTE connectivity?
EDIT : looks like at&t is band 17 and Verizon is 13. The FCC is pushing for interoperability within the upper 700 but it looks as if the chipset controls which band LTE operates off of...damn. It would be sweet to get LTE on an unlimited prepaid plan.
Interesting. I wonder if GoPhone or anyone else that's AT&T related would work LTE wise?
So are you guys able to use gsm networks with the 2.06 firmware?
I'm using net10 (att) with my DNA with 2.04 firmware and I'm hesitant to update to 2.06 until I can confirm that the 2.06 update keeps gsm completely unlocked?
ac7822 said:
So are you guys able to use gsm networks with the 2.06 firmware?
I'm using net10 (att) with my DNA with 2.04 firmware and I'm hesitant to update to 2.06 until I can confirm that the 2.06 update keeps gsm completely unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on 2.06 using a straight talk sim I can't get LTE speeds or even my signal to say LTE but I get H+ and max out at about 8mbps
Sent from my AOSP on Grouper using xda app-developers app
tdizzle404 said:
I'm on 2.06 using a straight talk sim I can't get LTE speeds or even my signal to say LTE but I get H+ and max out at about 8mbps
Sent from my AOSP on Grouper using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too. Straight Talk claims LTE works for unlocked AT&T smartphones.
Hey everyone, I'm totally new to Straight Talk and GSM and the DNA being used somewhere besides Verizon. (I'm a long time VZ customer but read Android Police daily and am familiar with all things Android.) Anyways, I'm pretty clear on using the phone on Straight Talk, getting MMS and all that, my only question is, how do you go about getting OTA's? Since the phone technically is a Verizon phone, updates would come from them. While on Straight Talk can I throw a Verizon sim card in the phone, download the OTA. Then after completing the update, put back in my AT&T sim card. Or does HTC offer OTA downloads online?
How do you guys go about updating your phone? (OTA's obviously apply to non-rooted devices. I may or may not root it.)
Thanks for your help!
b_hermon said:
Hey everyone, I'm totally new to Straight Talk and GSM and the DNA being used somewhere besides Verizon. (I'm a long time VZ customer but read Android Police daily and am familiar with all things Android.) Anyways, I'm pretty clear on using the phone on Straight Talk, getting MMS and all that, my only question is, how do you go about getting OTA's? Since the phone technically is a Verizon phone, updates would come from them. While on Straight Talk can I throw a Verizon sim card in the phone, download the OTA. Then after completing the update, put back in my AT&T sim card. Or does HTC offer OTA downloads online?
How do you guys go about updating your phone? (OTA's obviously apply to non-rooted devices. I may or may not root it.)
Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just s-off my phone using moonshine and then there are some bone stock roms to flash. Apart from that I'm not sure, before soff I was looking for an ruu to flash but couldn't find an updated one
Sent from my AOSP on Flo using Tapatalk 4
ac7822 said:
I just s-off my phone using moonshine and then there are some bone stock roms to flash. Apart from that I'm not sure, before soff I was looking for an ruu to flash but couldn't find an updated one
Sent from my AOSP on Flo using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks ac! That sounds like something I could do. I'm not too familiar with s-off, moonshine or HTC (the phone is my wife's. I'm a nexus guy) but I may have to look into that. Anybody else out there with any ideas?