I'm new to Verizon and new to having a phone with a SIM card (GS4.) Now that I have come to understand that Verizon is evil :laugh: I have started counting down the days to when my contract expires - 23 months, 10 days, 10 hours, and 36 seconds.
Will I be able to take the phone to another carrier, get a SIM from them, and then operate on their network? Or is this phone forever tied, by a deal with the devil, with Verizon?
jwhistler said:
I'm new to Verizon and new to having a phone with a SIM card (GS4.) Now that I have come to understand that Verizon is evil :laugh: I have started counting down the days to when my contract expires - 23 months, 10 days, 10 hours, and 36 seconds.
Will I be able to take the phone to another carrier, get a SIM from them, and then operate on their network? Or is this phone forever tied, by a deal with the devil, with Verizon?
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Click to collapse
Short answer: Yes, you can take it to any GSM carrier and it is already unlocked, so you could pop a prepaid SIM in today and it would work fine.
Since you're in the US, it will work on AT&T with few issues and can get "4G" (HSPA+) but cannot access AT&T's LTE network. With T-Mobile, it will also work on HSPA+ where T-Mobile has refarmed their network for 1900 MHz. It should also be able to access LTE on T-Mobile once it is update for the AWS bands and it should also access AT&T's LTE in some limited areas where AWS is available.
In addition, you may need to root the phone to be able to change the APN settings.
dossa002 said:
Short answer: Yes, you can take it to any GSM carrier and it is already unlocked, so you could pop a prepaid SIM in today and it would work fine.
Since you're in the US, it will work on AT&T with few issues and can get "4G" (HSPA+) but cannot access AT&T's LTE network. With T-Mobile, it will also work on HSPA+ where T-Mobile has refarmed their network for 1900 MHz. It should also be able to access LTE on T-Mobile once it is update for the AWS bands and it should also access AT&T's LTE in some limited areas where AWS is available.
In addition, you may need to root the phone to be able to change the APN settings.
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Thank you for the explanation!
Hopefully someone will figure out how to unlock and root the SG4 with the latest build (I545VRUDMI1)
Related
Alright..I'm running an unlocked Bell Atrix on the Telus network..and was recently down in San Diego where I purchased a Tmobile SIM card for use while I was down there (and so I could Hotspot and have the wife boost off my wifi for her phone).
When I attempted to do this however I got a notice that I had to enable this thru my AT&T provider. Obviously it was a Tmobile sim card using tmobiles APN..so I'm not sure why it was prompting me to contact AT&T. Does anyone know a way I can get around this for the next time I'm down in the US? I'll be going to Hawaii in Sept and really want to be able to tether so all my Canadian companions can boost off me..
you'd only get 2G off t-mobile
maybe try getting an ATT sim card?
rebellus run their 3G off the same 850/1900 frequency as ATT
regardless, t-mobile's data apn probably didn't get added. try adding them next time.
goo.gl/Yk35c
PatcheZ said:
you'd only get 2G off t-mobile
maybe try getting an ATT sim card?
rebellus run their 3G off the same 850/1900 frequency as ATT
regardless, t-mobile's data apn probably didn't get added. try adding them next time.
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I had data..and I'm not sure if it was 3g or 2g but it was quick enough that I didn't notice any difference. The problem is at&t doesn't sell prepaid sims with data..that's why I went with tmobile. I had the apn's configured appropriately otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get any data..which I was. I just wasn't able to tether..
A few days ago I found out that T-Mobile's 3g won't work on the Photon (only their Edge service) after I'd already ordered 2 T-Mobile pre-paid SIMs. Yesterday I received my T-Mobile pre-paid SIM cards, and sure enough, it's like being back on dial-up.
When I go to StraightTalk's website to order a SIM card and put in my zip code, it tells me that it will send me an AT&T compatible SIM card. Here's my question: Since AT&T is also GSM, will I still be stuck with 2g speeds or will I be able to get 3g? I know that both AT&T and T-Mobile have good service where I live. (Sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but I've been on CDMA for almost a decade).
Thanks in advance!
--Adam
niphoet said:
A few days ago I found out that T-Mobile's 3g won't work on the Photon (only their Edge service) after I'd already ordered 2 T-Mobile pre-paid SIMs. Yesterday I received my T-Mobile pre-paid SIM cards, and sure enough, it's like being back on dial-up.
When I go to StraightTalk's website to order a SIM card and put in my zip code, it tells me that it will send me an AT&T compatible SIM card. Here's my question: Since AT&T is also GSM, will I still be stuck with 2g speeds or will I be able to get 3g? I know that both AT&T and T-Mobile have good service where I live. (Sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but I've been on CDMA for almost a decade).
Thanks in advance!
--Adam
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you will get 3G data speeds. I have 3G data speeds that beat Sprint's 3G speeds.
Make sure to flash the KDDI radio before doing so or you won't get any results.
tmobile is unique in that they use 1700mhz for 3G (which isnt used by any other US carrier). The photon is a quad band (not penta band) phone and doesnt pick up 1700mhz frequency. Tmobile is making a transition to put 3G on 1900mhz so that it is more iphone friendly. Some locations in the US have already made that transition.
Thanks for the help guys. I guess I'll finish out this month on T-mobile then switch to straight talk.
Hey everyone,
I just searched this topic and didn't find any definitive answers so I thought I'd ask...
Anyways is the VZW Galaxy S4 SIM unlocked out of the box? I keep reading the new VZW releases in 2012 and onwards are according to the VZW forums and website but then I found a post of someone asking VZW for an unlock. It its an official code its easier to just ask VZW as I meet all the requirements (1+ year customer). Also I read that on the S3 the APN settings are blocked on the default VZW firmware unless rooted. Is the APN settings on the S4 open (changeable) by default?
Also what's a realistic battery life you guys are getting out of this phone?
Am comparing phones and need a phone that is:
1. SIM Unlocked and APN settings changable that has VZW's US CDMA and LTE bands PLUS ALL the international bands (the 4 GSM and 4 UMTS international bands).
2. Has HSPA+21 at least.
3. Long battery life to last the day.
4. Rootable so I can get rid of VZW crap and increase the battery life.
I've also not seen any international VZW phones with HSPA+42 dual carrier like Apple's iPhone 5. I'm also debating getting a Android versus iOS phone...
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Recently took my S4 to Brazil and spent a fair bit of time talking to Verizon Global Support before the trip. One of the questions I asked was whether the phone was SIM unlocked so that I could purchase a SIM card while in Brazil and use local service down there. The VZW rep assured me the phone was indeed unlocked, but I did not use a Brazilian SIM card while on travel so I cannot confirm via personal experience.
I can confirm that it is unlocked. I put an active att sim card in, that then allowed me to add the correct apn info. I was then able to make calls and use data.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
willzzz88 said:
Hey everyone,
I just searched this topic and didn't find any definitive answers so I thought I'd ask...
Anyways is the VZW Galaxy S4 SIM unlocked out of the box? I keep reading the new VZW releases in 2012 and onwards are according to the VZW forums and website but then I found a post of someone asking VZW for an unlock. It its an official code its easier to just ask VZW as I meet all the requirements (1+ year customer). Also I read that on the S3 the APN settings are blocked on the default VZW firmware unless rooted. Is the APN settings on the S4 open (changeable) by default?
Also what's a realistic battery life you guys are getting out of this phone?
Am comparing phones and need a phone that is:
1. SIM Unlocked and APN settings changable that has VZW's US CDMA and LTE bands PLUS ALL the international bands (the 4 GSM and 4 UMTS international bands).
2. Has HSPA+21 at least.
3. Long battery life to last the day.
4. Rootable so I can get rid of VZW crap and increase the battery life.
I've also not seen any international VZW phones with HSPA+42 dual carrier like Apple's iPhone 5. I'm also debating getting a Android versus iOS phone...
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Click to collapse
The SCH-I545 has Quad band GSM/EDGE frequency's (850/900/1800/1900) and Quad band UMTS/HSPA (850/900/1900/2100) As well as AWS bands for LTE (1700/2100) so it should get LTE on T-Mobile. However, it does not have the capabilities to get LTE on AT&T since the SCH-I545 does not have the frequency's to operate on AT&T's LTE network but it will get HSPA+ on both networks. It will work on Sprint as well but it will not get LTE since its two LTE bands, (700 and 1700/2100), are not compatible. Sprint operates on the same CDMA/ Ev-Do bands as VZW so you will get 3G. I can confirm that i have used the SCH-I545 with an AT&T SIM card and i got HSPA+ speeds.
echo1030 said:
The SCH-I545 has Quad band GSM/EDGE frequency's (850/900/1800/1900) and Quad band UMTS/HSPA (850/900/1900/2100) As well as AWS bands for LTE (1700/2100) so it should get LTE on T-Mobile. However, it does not have the capabilities to get LTE on AT&T since the SCH-I545 does not have the frequency's to operate on AT&T's LTE network but it will get HSPA+ on both networks. It will work on Sprint as well but it will not get LTE since its two LTE bands, (700 and 1700/2100), are not compatible. Sprint operates on the same CDMA/ Ev-Do bands as VZW so you will get 3G. I can confirm that i have used the SCH-I545 with an AT&T SIM card and i got HSPA+ speeds.
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The AWS is there but not activated yet. for now you will only get EDGE on t-mobile unless in a refarmed are you will pickup HSPA. you will however pickup all AWS tis summer when verizon activates that band on our phone.
SOURCE: I'm on the 30$ a month prepaid with t-mobile. edge sucks but it works.
att sim in verizon sg4
Silentgray said:
I can confirm that it is unlocked. I put an active att sim card in, that then allowed me to add the correct apn info. I was then able to make calls and use data.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
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Hi,
I have had the same outcome, voice and data work, BUT data is only HPSA+ at best. Do you get 4G LTE or found a way to get it?
Thanks!
ddckylec said:
Hi,
I have had the same outcome, voice and data work, BUT data is only HPSA+ at best. Do you get 4G LTE or found a way to get it?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, but that is because i am not in an area where ATT has LTE turned on. South Dakota is still on the waiting list. Verizon uses different frequencies for LTE then ATT does.
Verizon has never locked their phones, even the CDMA ones. If you put a non Verizon SIM in you can change the APN settings
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk
In the G4 forum, we realized that Verizon has put some sort of firmware on the device that disables 4G LTE in GSM mode using a T-Mobile (or AT&T for that matter) SIM card, even though the phone does support the bands. When the phone is switched to CDMA mode, then 4G LTE works fine, but unfortunately voice doesn't work at the same time. See this thread here for more details: http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-g4/help/lg-g4-vs986-t-mobile-lte-problem-t3195888
Can anybody try out the same with the V10 and report back? Would be intersting to know if Verizon now intentionally started crippling these devices (since it used to work fine on the G3), or this is some sort of bug that only applies to the G4 right now. Thanks!!
I use a VZW branded V10 with my tmo sim and can only get H or H+. Rarely does it get 4gLTE. And when it does sms does not work.
Thanks... but you do get 4G LTE sometimes when in GSM mode?!?
Can you change the system mode in the mobile settings to CDMA and check if it gets 4G LTE with the T-Mobile SIM card? And then in the same place switch it back to GSM and see if it falls back to H+ only? That's the behavior we saw on the G4, like Verizon is intentionally blocking LTE om GSM, even though the phone supports the band.
konradsa said:
Thanks... but you do get 4G LTE sometimes when in GSM mode?!?
Can you change the system mode in the mobile settings to CDMA and check if it gets 4G LTE with the T-Mobile SIM card? And then in the same place switch it back to GSM and see if it falls back to H+ only? That's the behavior we saw on the G4, like Verizon is intentionally blocking LTE om GSM, even though the phone supports the band.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure if it is the same with Tmobile, but when trying to use a Tmobile variant on AT&T, LTE does not work either. It seems that you have to get the device provisioned by the carrier for LTE using it's IMEI, not just doing a SIM swap.
konradsa said:
Thanks... but you do get 4G LTE sometimes when in GSM mode?!?
Can you change the system mode in the mobile settings to CDMA and check if it gets 4G LTE with the T-Mobile SIM card? And then in the same place switch it back to GSM and see if it falls back to H+ only? That's the behavior we saw on the G4, like Verizon is intentionally blocking LTE om GSM, even though the phone supports the band.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah if i switch to CDMA, i get 4G LTE very often though i cannot send message or call
Can anyone tell me if u get the annoying unauthorized sim card message... if so can we stop it from appearing. Had that issue with my verizon htc m8.
I tried at a T-Mobile store earlier to see if one of their Sim cards would work in my VZW V10 and I had the same issues.
The pop up saying "not a Verizon Sim" or whatever came up after a few minutes of dismissing it as well.
When it first loaded up, I changed the APN to match the in-store display V10 with its exact settings. I changed the network mode from global to LTE/GSM and after a minute it showed it was connected with 4G LTE, but it went away after a few seconds. I couldn't get it to come back, and it only had like 2-3 bars, and H for data. I know it wasn't from lack of signal because the display V10 had full bars with LTE.
I also tried sending a text using the T-Mobile SIM to one of my other numbers, but it didn't go through at all. Didn't try placing a call, but regardless it didn't seem like it would be worth it to switch.
No 4g LTE
Still waiting for a fix,can get no 4g LTE on t mobile,I'm on marsmallow so I lost root access
I'm Canadian, I just bought an unlocked Verizon V10 on ebay and I'm planning to use it on a Canadian carrier. Does this mean I should expect to have no LTE data at all on this phone in Canada? Poops I never would have bought it if that was the case.
Let me know, I may try a return without opening the package.
how different is the speed between HSPA+ and LTE? is it noticeable
does it bother you that its not LTE?
I bought a phone from a seller on swappa. when he listed it. the phone had a clean ESN.
took it to the verizon store to setup verizon prepaid and it was flagged a non pay account
cannot activate.
I am using my ATT sim card right now
I can return it but on the secondary market is many LGV10 phones are going to be flagged for non payment when the accounts go into collections, it then buyers could get screwed.
I might just stick with the phone. But i can never use it on verizon. I have to wait for a Root on marshmallow, and fix after that if I want LTE speeds on ATT or TMO
I got LTE working. In happy with it. I think the US phones work in Canada even with a bad imei.
Another area on a long long laundry list where canada is better than the usa. hockey and standardized healthcare being 1 and 2... hahaha
I was having the same issue on my Verizon v10 vs990 on my T-Mobile network. I went into the APN settings and set it to LTE/CDMA and it works perfectly. Calls, SMS and data.
Hi there, i was able to get one of these from a local walmart for about $150 bucks, its a Verizon Prepaid samsung Galaxy S4 i545PP i545ppvruaoh7 is the build, and it comes with lolipop.
the reason why i bought is is because according to http://willmyphonework.net/
this phone was supposed to support 4G LTE Band4-AWS , but it does not!
it sure comes unlocked, i can put any sim card and i get signal, i get 2g, 3g, H, H+
I tried different sim cards and the best it can do is H+ on all of them.
I tried changing it to global, and also changing it to LTE GSM etc on the android menu but i have no luck.
Is there any way to enable the 4G on this phone? I live in a contry where all carriers use the same 3G and 4G that At&T uses. So here all At&T phones got 2g, 3g,and 4g out of the box. And i thought this verizon phone supported 4G Band4.
ZeldaWW said:
Hi there, i was able to get one of these from a local walmart for about $150 bucks, its a Verizon Prepaid samsung Galaxy S4 i545PP i545ppvruaoh7 is the build, and it comes with lolipop.
the reason why i bought is is because according to http://willmyphonework.net/
this phone was supposed to support 4G LTE Band4-AWS , but it does not!
it sure comes unlocked, i can put any sim card and i get signal, i get 2g, 3g, H, H+
I tried different sim cards and the best it can do is H+ on all of them.
I tried changing it to global, and also changing it to LTE GSM etc on the android menu but i have no luck.
Is there any way to enable the 4G on this phone? I live in a contry where all carriers use the same 3G and 4G that At&T uses. So here all At&T phones got 2g, 3g,and 4g out of the box. And i thought this verizon phone supported 4G Band4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure ATT uses band 4 (AWS - 1700/2100) in your area? ATT uses a number of different LTE bands in different areas, and the Verizon S4 (prepaid or not) only supports band 4.
im sure my carrier uses same band as At&T, 100% positive that my carrier uses Band 4.
reason is because i also bought two other phones, a moto E At&T gophone and i unlocked it and i got 4G icon at first boot with the carrier here.
but verizon galaxy S4 prepaid is different, i can´t get more than H+, i have never seen the 4G icon
and i dont think there is a hack for it to enable all bands