Related
Ok so over spring break I'm going to be going away, specifically, the Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, and I went before and ran up like a $100 or something on data charges and texting.. But now my SIM card is unlocked as per the guide with the app off the market, so will I still get charged for roaming data, voice and sms? I just want to find out if anyone knows if I still need to go to AT&T and get it worked out there or what?, I'm just not sure exactly how this works.
thanks
If roaming charge not being applied then international rate will do
Or you can use the local network in Bahamas, hope they have GSM there.
androidobsessed said:
Ok so over spring break I'm going to be going away, specifically, the Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, and I went before and ran up like a $100 or something on data charges and texting.. But now my SIM card is unlocked as per the guide with the app off the market, so will I still get charged for roaming data, voice and sms? I just want to find out if anyone knows if I still need to go to AT&T and get it worked out there or what?, I'm just not sure exactly how this works.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you have to unlock your sim and use a sim card from the local network that they have there (and if you used their network before, it should be compatible anyways)
votinh said:
If roaming charge not being applied then international rate will do
Or you can use the local network in Bahamas, hope they have GSM there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the OP has used their device there previously then I'd say they support GSM.
Just make sure your phone has been unlocked and buy a SIM from a local carrier there and you should be good to go to use their network.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
I'm not concerned with compatability with the network, Im mostly just wondering about data charges, Im guessing I'll just have to either plan it out at the store or deal with international charges whatever that's gonna be
You can get the international packages from at&t for a month (its prorated, so if you pay for a week, you only get 1/3 of the whole month), just don't forget to cancel it after you're done. It depends on how much data you use... and 50mb is not alot, I would rather just face the overage charges and try to use as little as you can (use wifi alot or something).
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming/affordable-world-packages.jsp#data
problem is im pretty sure at a hotel like this its gonna be like 30 dollars a day for wifi haha
androidobsessed said:
problem is im pretty sure at a hotel like this its gonna be like 30 dollars a day for wifi haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just grab a local Sim and use their data network.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
twiggums said:
Just grab a local Sim and use their data network.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any idea how I could get my hands on a local Sim?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
Go to your destination resort, ask them what mobile phone companies they use there. Or go to a gas station @ your destination & maybe they will sale prepaid mobile phone cards there.
androidobsessed said:
Any idea how I could get my hands on a local Sim?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just about every airport I've been through lately has a kiosk for the local cell phone company. Easiest to grab one there.
Yeah, to clarify you sim card is not unlocked, your phone is sim unlocked. Meaning you can use other carriers sim cards. Even if you unlock, if you have the att sim in while international, you are still roaming, and att will bill you. You should remove your att sim before you depart the us, then look for local Sims upon arrival. As others mentioned make sure the local sim includes data. Also note your phone number will change, and you may need to add the international prefix to text and call people in the us. I would set up a textfree + skype account or similar and use that while traveling for texting or calling, that way you can use your contacts as-is and it uses data vs texting. You can send someone a text via textfree to tell them to hop on Skype, and video call over data or wifi.
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
androidobsessed said:
I'm not concerned with compatability with the network, Im mostly just wondering about data charges, Im guessing I'll just have to either plan it out at the store or deal with international charges whatever that's gonna be
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your data charges will be for whatever network you buy a SIM for, look at that carrier's pricing.
SIM-Unlocking an AT&T phone and then continuing to use an AT&T SIM changes *nothing*.
After reading the famous thread of the UK guy who unlocked his Rezound in the UK, I am still at a loss as to what I need to do to get this to work.
I am leaving for London next week and still don't know if I am going to 1) purchase an unlock code from htcimeiunlock.com or 2) utilize the Verizon Global program and just use a BB during my trip or 3) try to figure out this whole GSM thing.
I am not a developer, have rooted other Android devices and tinkered a bit, but the Rezound is my baby and cannot afford to brick it at this point. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
You don't have to unlock, root, mod or anything for that mattter. Simply when you're in London pop in whatever sim you bought there in then power on the phone, dial *#*#4636*#*# and select GSM only or WCDMA prefered from the phone information and you'll get signal to make calls and recieve texts.
Data could work out of the box but if it doesn't you simply have to manually insert the APN for your service provider.
But if I used data, won't I be charged astronomical fees through big red? I called their global assistant line and they told me to turn off data and to use strictly WiFi.
This is the confusing part for me, if I do purchase a UK Sim and pop it in, turn on GSM and use my Rezound that way, how will I be charged with roaming and texting?
jeciwall28 said:
But if I used data, won't I be charged astronomical fees through big red? I called their global assistant line and they told me to turn off data and to use strictly WiFi.
This is the confusing part for me, if I do purchase a UK Sim and pop it in, turn on GSM and use my Rezound that way, how will I be charged with roaming and texting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use a local sim card while there then the word roaming simply doesnt apply. No extra fees what so ever, you become a local
Sent from my HTC Rezound using Tapatalk
Been following this and other threads regarding using a local SIM card in my Rezound. Heading to Bermuda. From what I gathered I can purchase a local Sim, pop it in and use the *#*#4636#*#* menu to switch to WCDMA or GSM and I am good to go? No unlocking necessary? Am I correct?
john150 said:
Been following this and other threads regarding using a local SIM card in my Rezound. Heading to Bermuda. From what I gathered I can purchase a local Sim, pop it in and use the *#*#4636#*#* menu to switch to WCDMA or GSM and I am good to go? No unlocking necessary? Am I correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As soon as you get the 4.03.605.1 OTA, all you'll have to do is go into moble networks and select GSM/UMTS. It should be coming out soon. At least one person has already seen it.
shrike1978 said:
As soon as you get the 4.03.605.1 OTA, all you'll have to do is go into moble networks and select GSM/UMTS. It should be coming out soon. At least one person has already seen it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But until then am I correct in my post above that no unlocking is required? Thanks.
john150 said:
But until then am I correct in my post above that no unlocking is required? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
So I put the latest .10 ICS leak on my phone yesterday because I can't wait for the OTA since i'm leaving soon. I downloaded the 4G on off app and am thinking I should be able to pop in any SIM card and it should work on GSM. Is the phone unlocked? Also I might need to use my normal Verizon SIM to use in Italy and Spain. The verizon reps said if I left it in it would work just fine. Is this true? I currently don't have any GSM cards to test with and I've been looking everywhere for the answer but no success. Help would be amazing.
Thanks in advance
For full GSM support I believe you need to install one of the custom roms with it added...
mjones73 said:
For full GSM support I believe you need to install one of the custom roms with it added...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I thought that was one part of the ICS update. So is the phone kinda locked like I can only use verizons rates? I want to try a SIM but I don't have one
With GB or the ICS leak you probably can get basic calling and texts with a GSM cell company sim card.
With the conrom ROM you should also get mms and data to work. Supposedly everything works.
Also, I suspect gsm antenna is not in the extended battery cover, so you should use the standard back cover that came with the phone.
I personally have not tried gsm in my rezound, so the above advise might be incorrect. this is just something I am interested in.
howard
p.s. T-Mobile sells a $1 sim card with 10 minutes of talk time, an internet deal. So you can buy this $1 simm to test with.
p.p.s. You will also need to go into the settings and add the apn settings for the cell company whose sim you are using. data and mms won't work without this.
HowardZ said:
With GB or the ICS leak you probably can get basic calling and texts with a GSM cell company sim card.
With the conrom ROM you should also get mms and data to work. Supposedly everything works.
Also, I suspect gsm antenna is not in the extended battery cover, so you should use the standard back cover that came with the phone.
I personally have not tried gsm in my rezound, so the above advise might be incorrect. this is just something I am interested in.
howard
p.s. T-Mobile sells a $1 sim card with 10 minutes of talk time, an internet deal. So you can buy this $1 simm to test with.
p.p.s. You will also need to go into the settings and add the apn settings for the cell company whose sim you are using. data and mms won't work without this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much. I just need calling and data and mms to work. I'm just going to google how to change the APN setting as you said. Thanks a lot for the help man. I have the ICS leak which is supposed to support global roaming straight from VZW.
Well, there is a thanks button you can click on.
I do not know much about Verizon's New global roaming, bit I suspect it will be expensive per minute. Using a local cell company's sim card probably will cost less for long visits overseas.
I wrote an app called HZUTILS which can also do the radio changes like the LTE on off app. My app is free, also does a few other functions, and if you click on an advertisement I earn a few cents.
The CONROM is available in the development forum. During installation one is asked GSM or LTE. no easy switching back and forth. I suggest you make a nandroid backup first with Ramon ra recovery or the touch recovery. Restoring the backup is a method for returning to LTE. Or one can reinstall the conrom and select LTE.
If you look through the development forum you will find other gsm ROMs. The CONROM does both LTE and GSM, was made from the latest .10 ICS leak, and sounds like it is very reliable.
p.s. let me know how this works for you.
Thank you but I don't wanna root my phone really.. I forgot something last time and almost bricked it. Well not really but it was scary. My only question is really can I just switch it from your app as it is now because I can or must I have a custom Rom for some type of reason?
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
ajv00 said:
Thank you but I don't wanna root my phone really.. I forgot something last time and almost bricked it. Well not really but it was scary. My only question is really can I just switch it from your app as it is now because I can or must I have a custom Rom for some type of reason?
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recall, a few months ago, reading a very long multiple page posting about people having various levels of success with stock GB and changing the radio setting using LTE on off app. People were successful with phone calls and texting, but had difficulties with mms and data.
People did strange things to get data working, and it only worked for some people. I think it involved driving the phone in a car to get somewhere with no cell signal, then back home? Not sure, as I don't recall it very well.
Then people started typing in the APN for their gsm provider. This evening, just for fun I tried typing in the APN for T-Mobile into .10 ICS leak rezound, and it would not get saved. No error message. Verizon appears to have locked out the capability to add a non Verizon APN. So, yes, I think a gsm ROM is needed.
BTW, there must be plenty of rezound owners using GSM who can more confidently give you more concrete advise. They can tell you what they tried, what worked, what didn't, and what is the best approach. I think the answer is a GSM ROM, or paying high roaming charges to Verizon.
Alright ill just try and get a sim off someone on at&t and see what happens. But thanks a lot man I hope I get an answer from someone doing it. You were a lot of help ill let you know how it goes!!
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
I tried putting in a SIM and changing the radios and I got nothing /: I need to get this working
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Global in VZ ICS
ajv00 said:
I tried putting in a SIM and changing the radios and I got nothing /: I need to get this working
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just received the official Verizon ICS in the last hour. I am poking around looking for the global feature, since it is THE promised reason I bought the phone. Offhand, I do not see the global feature anywhere . Network mode still only shows' LTE/CDMA' or 'CDMA only' as the choices, so it seems that 'global' is still not official from Verizon in the ICS as just shipped.
The LTE ON/OFF app seems to have a few more options than when I last looked, but I've no idea what's may have changed.
I put in a tmobile SIM card and changed the settings in the app to GSM and wcdma and it worked calling and texting! It didn't have data but if you go to mobile network settings and access point names I feel like you could add the apn and be golden using data and mms over gsm. I'm Hoping this is the truth but I don't have anything to test it with
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
I'm on the leak from three months ago, in Afghanistan. Popped in a sim card from a shop on base and it works with no problems. Calls only though no data. I'm using the extended battery. Had to use the lte on off app to put it in gsm.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA App
GSM switch gone in ICS OTA?
Looks like option to switch to GSM is gone. Dialing *#*#4636#*#* does nothing...
that option to show network modes when dailing *#*#4636#*#* is removed in latest RUUs and official OTA, but however you may flash any of ROMs available to get GSM
ajv00 said:
I put in a tmobile SIM card and changed the settings in the app to GSM and wcdma and it worked calling and texting! It didn't have data but if you go to mobile network settings and access point names I feel like you could add the apn and be golden using data and mms over gsm. I'm Hoping this is the truth but I don't have anything to test it with
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So SMS worked with the ICS OTA, both send and receive? Last time I tried 2 months ago under Gingerbread, GSM calls were fine, but could only receive SMS text, could not sent texts, and never got data to work.
I've spent over 1/2 of the last 3 months overseas, so this is a big deal to me. Even if just the calls and SMS send/receive work, I will be pleased. VZ told me the global feature is not in this latest Verizon ICS OTA, but maybe the inner workings are there and they just haven't put in the frontend and any VZ profitmaking carrier lockouts?
I am off to South Africa next Friday. Sounds like I will have to get an MTN sim in ZA and try again when I get there. Maybe this ICS OTA will have some value to me afterall. I'll try to remember to post back here, whether it works or not. If it all works, however, I'm pretty sure the posting will only be redundant info, since my screams of giddiness would be heard around the world... afterall, I've been using an old unlocked GSM RAZR flip phone when I travel.
---------- Post added at 09:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:11 PM ----------
postmortem. said:
Looks like option to switch to GSM is gone. Dialing *#*#4636#*#* does nothing...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The LTE ON OFF app still seems to allow access. However, until I get overseas I'm not sure how to tell if it is truly switching/working
I only tried receiving a text/: sorry I can't confirm sending. But if you flash a gsm Rom which I might everything works
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Hello Community,
I recently purchased a used HTC Droid DNA on eBay. The user couldn't tell me very much about the phone beyond describing it's exterior condition to me. I didn't have to play with this phone for very long before I realized what a pleasurable device this would be to use, especially for someone upgrading from a Motorola Bionic. HOWEVER, it also wasn't very long into my usual customizations that I realized, that like my Bionic early on, doing anything fun on this phone is a son-of-a-*****.
I want to eventually root this phone, flash Cyanogenmod, and then flash it to Pageplus Cellular, but first things first. I really don't want to wait 5 days for a AT&T SIM card to get here from Minnesota or wherever, so does anyone know of a way I can tell if this device is already unlocked? Perhaps someone knows of an application or some other software than can tell me, or maybe there is something in the phone's settings? Anything at all would be nice.
Thank you,
Jack2402 =)
If you boot into the boot loader (turn off device and hold power and vol down) it should say s on or s off. That's the best way to tell, you are looking for s off. Moonshine will get you unlocked and s off though really easily
Hit thanks if I helped! Check out my site at www.circuitsaviors.com
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you telling me how to unlock saftey? Isn't that different from unlocking the SIM so I can flash it Pageplus? Or am I confused. Forgive me, I've rooted several phones and I've flashed one phone but I've never had to unlock one because I usually purchase them from sellers who already know there're unlocked.
Imacellist said:
If you boot into the boot loader (turn off device and hold power and vol down) it should say s on or s off. That's the best way to tell, you are looking for s off. Moonshine will get you unlocked and s off though really easily
Hit thanks if I helped! Check out my site at www.circuitsaviors.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jack2402 said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you telling me how to unlock saftey? Isn't that different from unlocking the SIM so I can flash it Pageplus? Or am I confused. Forgive me, I've rooted several phones and I've flashed one phone but I've never had to unlock one because I usually purchase them from sellers who already know there're unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Moonshine unlocked the bootloader, not the SIM. Two completely different concepts.
Sent from my CarbonROM 4.3'd HTC DNA
Sorry didn't realize you were talking about carrier unlocking. I don't know anything about that. Sorry
Hit thanks if I helped! Check out my site at www.circuitsaviors.com
If I remember right, the dna is sim unlocked out of the box
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app
Decree said:
If I remember right, the dna is sim unlocked out of the box
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find that hard to believe seeing that Verizon locks EVERYTHING up so tightly.
Sent from my CarbonROM 4.3'd HTC DNA
It's sim unlocked. Your best bet is to wait for your sim to arrive put it in and just change the apn settings to match page plus to get mms. Once you do that you should be good to go.
As for flashing and rooting it's actually easy thanks to beaups and the moonshine process he created for getting s off.
Head over to the development section and it's stickeyed
Run moonshine and follow the easy steps and you will get an s off phone and unlocked bootloader. After that load a custom recovery and then back up with a nandroid backup and flash any rom or kernel of your choosing.
If you need any help with that feel free to PM me and I will be happy to help you.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
_phoey said:
I find that hard to believe seeing that Verizon locks EVERYTHING up so tightly.
Sent from my CarbonROM 4.3'd HTC DNA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, for the last year or so, every LTE device that I've been aware of from VZW has come SIM unlocked, included DNA and Iphone 5. I think VZW isn't too afraid of people leaving, and if they do, they have a nasty ETF they can hit you with. And ding your credit if you don't pay it. And if you already have bad credit, then VZW already has a hefty deposit. So, yeah.
Jaggar345 said:
It's sim unlocked. Your best bet is to wait for your sim to arrive put it in and just change the apn settings to match page plus to get mms. Once you do that you should be good to go.
As for flashing and rooting it's actually easy thanks to beaups and the moonshine process he created for getting s off.
Head over to the development section and it's stickeyed
Run moonshine and follow the easy steps and you will get an s off phone and unlocked bootloader. After that load a custom recovery and then back up with a nandroid backup and flash any rom or kernel of your choosing.
If you need any help with that feel free to PM me and I will be happy to help you.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANK YOU!!! Fair warning, whenever my SIM card gets here I will probably take you up on your offer. I've been through a lot of this stuff with my Bionic (that phone was a nightmare to flash carriers) but I could definitely use a little help!
Jaggar345 said:
It's sim unlocked. Your best bet is to wait for your sim to arrive put it in and just change the apn settings to match page plus to get mms. Once you do that you should be good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not quite that easy to get mms working. Verizon's stock ROM uses a whitelist for APN types and will not allow a MMS APN at all, you can enter the settings but they will be lost and MMS will NOT work, spent 2 hours on the phone with AT&T support working on this very issue.
If you're going to use the DNA on a GSM carrier for daily use, it's best to flash something like NOS M7 GSM version as this will allow the proper APN to be set up and mms will work. Once I switched to a ROM meant for GSM carriers, I have found MMS to be 100% reliable.
Dave12308 said:
It's not quite that easy to get mms working. Verizon's stock ROM uses a whitelist for APN types and will not allow a MMS APN at all, you can enter the settings but they will be lost and MMS will NOT work, spent 2 hours on the phone with AT&T support working on this very issue.
If you're going to use the DNA on a GSM carrier for daily use, it's best to flash something like NOS M7 GSM version as this will allow the proper APN to be set up and mms will work. Once I switched to a ROM meant for GSM carriers, I have found MMS to be 100% reliable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, Pageplus is CDMA, not GSM. Would that make a difference?
Jack2402 said:
Actually, Pageplus is CDMA, not GSM. Would that make a difference?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It probably would, yes. You threw me off when you said:
Jack2402 said:
I really don't want to wait 5 days for a AT&T SIM card to get here from Minnesota or wherever, so does anyone know of a way I can tell if this device is already unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really sure HOW it works with pageplus. Sorry for the confusion.
Dave12308 said:
It probably would, yes. You threw me off when you said:
Not really sure HOW it works with pageplus. Sorry for the confusion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I see. No, what I meant about the AT&T SIM card was that people use differing carrier SIMs to find out if their phone is unlocked. I didn't want to wait on eBay to send me an AT&T SIM to see if my Verizon is unlocked.
Jack2402 said:
Yeah, I see. No, what I meant about the AT&T SIM card was that people use differing carrier SIMs to find out if their phone is unlocked. I didn't want to wait on eBay to send me an AT&T SIM to see if my Verizon is unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need to do some digging to find a guide (or pay for a service) to flash it to PagePlus. The ability to flash from Verizon to PagePlus is unrelated to the locked status of the SIM slot. I believe you will only get 3G on PagePlus, as well.
Yes, the SIM slot is unlocked for use on GSM carriers, but that won't matter if you're looking to flash to PagePlus.
raichur0xx0rz said:
You will need to do some digging to find a guide (or pay for a service) to flash it to PagePlus. The ability to flash from Verizon to PagePlus is unrelated to the locked status of the SIM slot. I believe you will only get 3G on PagePlus, as well.
Yes, the SIM slot is unlocked for use on GSM carriers, but that won't matter if you're looking to flash to PagePlus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I flashed my Bionic to PPC myself using CDMA Workshop but never got better than 1x data. I'll probably end up paying $60 to have it flashed remotely if I can't find someone who can help me one-on-one because the threads I've read go on for days and never seem to end =/
_phoey said:
I find that hard to believe seeing that Verizon locks EVERYTHING up so tightly.
Sent from my CarbonROM 4.3'd HTC DNA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find it hard to believe that some DNA users such as yourself are still unaware after owning the phone that its called a Global Phone for a reason.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 4
I picked this phone up for $50. The first thing I did before buying it was check the IMEI. Swappa said it was ready for activation and not blacklisted. I check most of the stickies and Q&As, but I just want to make sure I don't jump the gun and do something stupid. So I guess this is where my questions fall into place.
1. I want to activate this on Metro PCS, Is this even possible? I have an Exhibit on their network but it takes a full sized SIM. If so, what do I need and how?
2. I want to unlock the bootloader and the SIM slot. Some people have said the Verizon s4 is already SIM unlocked but I honestly couldn't find a straight answer, and since the SIM card I have for my Exhibit is full sized, I can't test it.
Actually, I guess those were my only questions. If you need any additional information from me about the phone just let me know. The last phone I messed with was an Xperia Play and by the looks of it, it's much easier to work with compared to the s4.
Xperia Player said:
I picked this phone up for $50. The first thing I did before buying it was check the IMEI. Swappa said it was ready for activation and not blacklisted. I check most of the stickies and Q&As, but I just want to make sure I don't jump the gun and do something stupid. So I guess this is where my questions fall into place.
1. I want to activate this on Metro PCS, Is this even possible? I have an Exhibit on their network but it takes a full sized SIM. If so, what do I need and how?
2. I want to unlock the bootloader and the SIM slot. Some people have said the Verizon s4 is already SIM unlocked but I honestly couldn't find a straight answer, and since the SIM card I have for my Exhibit is full sized, I can't test it.
Actually, I guess those were my only questions. If you need any additional information from me about the phone just let me know. The last phone I messed with was an Xperia Play and by the looks of it, it's much easier to work with compared to the s4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For one you cannot unlock the bootloader. For $50 though I would take it.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
Illogi.xbone said:
For one you cannot unlock the bootloader. For $50 though I would take it.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why am I not able to unlock the bootloader?
There is no method available and Verizon will not do it.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
Xperia Player said:
I picked this phone up for $50. The first thing I did before buying it was check the IMEI. Swappa said it was ready for activation and not blacklisted. I check most of the stickies and Q&As, but I just want to make sure I don't jump the gun and do something stupid. So I guess this is where my questions fall into place.
1. I want to activate this on Metro PCS, Is this even possible? I have an Exhibit on their network but it takes a full sized SIM. If so, what do I need and how?
2. I want to unlock the bootloader and the SIM slot. Some people have said the Verizon s4 is already SIM unlocked but I honestly couldn't find a straight answer, and since the SIM card I have for my Exhibit is full sized, I can't test it.
Actually, I guess those were my only questions. If you need any additional information from me about the phone just let me know. The last phone I messed with was an Xperia Play and by the looks of it, it's much easier to work with compared to the s4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use it on metropcs by simply inserting the sim and putting in the APN settings, but beware that you "as is" the phone has lte/cdma option or gsm/umts or global. For lte on tmobile network, you have to select lte/cdma BUT you only get LTE, no 2G or 3G, so basically no calls, just data , as if it were a tablet. With the other 2 modes, (one may work better than the other) you can get HSPA+ and 2G, etc. voice calls work fine and data works (assuming apn settings are correct), but you will not get LTE.
there's possibly a way to unlock more bands and options, through the method in this link ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/general/how-to-add-rf-lte-frequency-bands-to-t2886059 ) but besides root you need a custom ROM. I have root, but I'm trying to figure out if I can do a custom ROM on 4.4.2. i know we cannot unlock the bootloader, but it seems some people do have custom ROMs, but not sure if I can get there (safestrap? flashing through odin?).
They use safestrap for anything above MDK and can only use compatible roms. MDK is the only version that can have a custom recivery and could flash ROMs like CM 12.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
Illogi.xbone said:
They use safestrap for anything above MDK and can only use compatible roms. MDK is the only version that can have a custom recivery and could flash ROMs like CM 12.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. could you link to the link for safestrap? when you talk about compatible roms, is that only stock ROMs with small modifications?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=56030788#post56030788
Most ROMs are yeah TW based and have mods.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
SDRebel said:
You can use it on metropcs by simply inserting the sim and putting in the APN settings, but beware that you "as is" the phone has lte/cdma option or gsm/umts or global. For lte on tmobile network, you have to select lte/cdma BUT you only get LTE, no 2G or 3G, so basically no calls, just data , as if it were a tablet. With the other 2 modes, (one may work better than the other) you can get HSPA+ and 2G, etc. voice calls work fine and data works (assuming apn settings are correct), but you will not get LTE.
there's possibly a way to unlock more bands and options, through the method in this link ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/general/how-to-add-rf-lte-frequency-bands-to-t2886059 ) but besides root you need a custom ROM. I have root, but I'm trying to figure out if I can do a custom ROM on 4.4.2. i know we cannot unlock the bootloader, but it seems some people do have custom ROMs, but not sure if I can get there (safestrap? flashing through odin?).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have 4G LTE on my s4 along with voice and text. Is there any need for me to try and enable more bands at this point?
(I cut down my sim to a micro so now it fits)
Illogi.xbone said:
They use safestrap for anything above MDK and can only use compatible roms. MDK is the only version that can have a custom recivery and could flash ROMs like CM 12.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I tell if I'm on 'MDK'? The guy I got it from barely did anything with the phone.
Enabling more bands would help to get better reception, but if it's working goof enough for you. ..then maybe no need
GO into settings and see which baseband you are on if it says anything but MDK for the last 3 you cannot install a custom recovery.
Go to settings - About device and put the last three letters of the Baseband. If it is MDK, you are FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
If not, you are in a jail.
SDRebel said:
Enabling more bands would help to get better reception, but if it's working goof enough for you. ..then maybe no need
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hell I guess it wouldn't hurt to try. I'll look into later tonight along with root.
Illogi.xbone said:
GO into settings and see which baseband you are on if it says anything but MDK for the last 3 you cannot install a custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
XxD34THxX said:
Go to settings - About device and put the last three letters of the Baseband. If it is MDK, you are FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
If not, you are in a jail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like FNC5 if I'm doing this correctly.
Guess that means I'm in digital prison.
Yep. Atleast you can root and use safestrap.
Xperia Player said:
I have 4G LTE on my s4 along with voice and text. Is there any need for me to try and enable more bands at this point?
(I cut down my sim to a micro so now it fits)
How do I tell if I'm on 'MDK'? The guy I got it from barely did anything with the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xperia Player said:
Looks like FNC5 if I'm doing this correctly.
Guess that means I'm in digital prison.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you are, just like many of us if it makes you feel better.
good thing i only paid 100 for mine
XxD34THxX said:
Yep. Atleast you can root and use safestrap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SDRebel said:
Yes you are, just like many of us if it makes you feel better.
good thing i only paid 100 for mine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well for $50 I figured why not. Plus it's an upgrade from my old exhibit.
What's so special about MDK and why aren't we able to revert back to it?
Xperia Player said:
Well for $50 I figured why not. Plus it's an upgrade from my old exhibit.
What's so special about MDK and why aren't we able to revert back to it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's like virginity
S baptizeDRebel;6131 phone4612 said:
I think it's like virginity
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright so I'll bring my phone to church, have reveren Samsung baptize it so it can become a born again virgin.
Fool proof.
It's just a firmware right? I figured someone would have cracked the code since this phone is a few years old now
Well, MDK is THE ONLY firmware that can use the Loki Doki exploit to unlock the bootloader. But thanks to Knox and Verizon, THERE IS NO WAY TO DOWNGRADE BACK. Since then, we have only been able to find root and no bootloader unlock.