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Is it possible to unlock the Verizon version of the S4? I'm deploying in 4 weeks and would like to use my phone with international carriers. I have an SCH-I545 build and I'm still running on stock. Thanks
I think ATT has begun to unlock phones internationally when asked.
Verizon? Not sure... one think to check is if the Verizon GS4 supports a carrier in the country you travel to.
Take a look at Leo Laporte's Tech Guy show... he has callers ask this quetion on average every other week... I think he has show notes on his site now days... techguylabs.com
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
PetrichorXFi said:
I think ATT has begun to unlock phones internationally when asked.
Verizon? Not sure... one think to check is if the Verizon GS4 supports a carrier in the country you travel to.
Take a look at Leo Laporte's Tech Guy show... he has callers ask this quetion on average every other week... I think he has show notes on his site now days... techguylabs.com
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon phones are unlocked out of the box, but you have to make sure that the country you are going to has a GSM network.
After a lot of searching, I decided to ask this here:
I have a Verizon S4, but I was wondering if it was actually unlocked out-of-box or if there is something I have to do in order to use it with, for instance, Cricket, or U.S. Cellular. I have done lots of rooting/developing for Android, but have never tried to use an Android phone with a differing carrier. Can anyone help or point me to a thread that helps? (Again, did lots of Googling and XDA-searching)
furballbeethoven said:
After a lot of searching, I decided to ask this here:
I have a Verizon S4, but I was wondering if it was actually unlocked out-of-box or if there is something I have to do in order to use it with, for instance, Cricket, or U.S. Cellular. I have done lots of rooting/developing for Android, but have never tried to use an Android phone with a differing carrier. Can anyone help or point me to a thread that helps? (Again, did lots of Googling and XDA-searching)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is GSM-unlocked. This means that you buy a SIM, plug it in, then add the proper APN to enable data. (Settings, Connections, More networks, Mobile networks, Access Point Names). The "+" (Add APN) button is disabled if you have a VZ SIM installed but will be enabled if you insert a non-VZ SIM.
Whoever you get the SIM from will tell you what to enter for the APN.
Whether or not it'll work and how fast a network you'll get depends on the bands that the local carrier uses.
k1mu said:
The phone is GSM-unlocked. This means that you buy a SIM, plug it in, then add the proper APN to enable data. (Settings, Connections, More networks, Mobile networks, Access Point Names). The "+" (Add APN) button is disabled if you have a VZ SIM installed but will be enabled if you insert a non-VZ SIM.
Whoever you get the SIM from will tell you what to enter for the APN.
Whether or not it'll work and how fast a network you'll get depends on the bands that the local carrier uses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI k1mu,
So do you mean to say if I purchase this device with full price from VZW ~$400 (month to month plan),
the next thing I can do is take off VZW SIM and would it work on my AT&T GSM SIM in US?
malhotra.aakash said:
HI k1mu,
So do you mean to say if I purchase this device with full price from VZW ~$400 (month to month plan),
the next thing I can do is take off VZW SIM and would it work on my AT&T GSM SIM in US?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe. While the VZW version is GSM-unlocked for international use, it is unclear how well it works with US GSM carriers. Some people say they can get it to work, some say they can't. Theoretically, it should only take you putting in an AT&T SIM then plugging in the APN data for it to work, but some people still say it won't.
So, you should be able to, but going by the accounts of XDA members, it doesn't always work, which may or may not come down to user error.
joshm.1219 said:
Maybe. While the VZW version is GSM-unlocked for international use, it is unclear how well it works with US GSM carriers. Some people say they can get it to work, some say they can't. Theoretically, it should only take you putting in an AT&T SIM then plugging in the APN data for it to work, but some people still say it won't.
So, you should be able to, but going by the accounts of XDA members, it doesn't always work, which may or may not come down to user error.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks joshm.1219,
It still leaves me in a dilemma.. I do really want to get a "S4 mini" model but don't want to stuck up with CDMA providers to be true. Might want to use with ATT or Tmobile or H2O.. I visited the VZW store and the model has option under networks as
1. Global
2. LTE/CDMA
3. GSM/UTMS
Now the Qs are,
1. If this model does have a SIM card slot, how at the first point VZW has lock on it
2. When i asked the VZW associate, he was not sure whether they ever do unlock the device or not
3. If I am ready to pay off complete price of the device which is ~400, what else I would need from them to really 'UNLOCK' it?
4. Is there any means by root/flashing to make such model work for US GSM carriers like H2O or even T-mobile.
Sorry to be so annoying but m new to all these things and quite confused :crying:
many Thx in advance..
malhotra.aakash said:
Thanks joshm.1219,
It still leaves me in a dilemma.. I do really want to get a "S4 mini" model but don't want to stuck up with CDMA providers to be true. Might want to use with ATT or Tmobile or H2O.. I visited the VZW store and the model has option under networks as
1. Global
2. LTE/CDMA
3. GSM/UTMS
Now the Qs are,
1. If this model does have a SIM card slot, how at the first point VZW has lock on it
2. When i asked the VZW associate, he was not sure whether they ever do unlock the device or not
3. If I am ready to pay off complete price of the device which is ~400, what else I would need from them to really 'UNLOCK' it?
4. Is there any means by root/flashing to make such model work for US GSM carriers like H2O or even T-mobile.
Sorry to be so annoying but m new to all these things and quite confused :crying:
many Thx in advance..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I can't be of more help, I've been on Verizon for 10 years now, but it is by all intents & purposes, fully SIM-unlocked. It's simply unclear as to why some people report problems of using Verizon phones on US GSM carriers. If you really don't want to worry about it & are willing to pay full price, purchase a device through the carrier you want to use it on.
here is the code to choose network
you might need to change the network frequency to gsm if you wanna use it on att or tmobile and when you wanna switch back to verizon choose wcdma try dialing *#*#4636#*#*:good:
joshm.1219 said:
Sorry I can't be of more help, I've been on Verizon for 10 years now, but it is by all intents & purposes, fully SIM-unlocked. It's simply unclear as to why some people report problems of using Verizon phones on US GSM carriers. If you really don't want to worry about it & are willing to pay full price, purchase a device through the carrier you want to use it on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had people argue with me over this, but the fact is that NO Verizon LTE phone is SIM-locked. None. Nada.
People who claim differently are simply misinformed. (My I545 comes up on AT&T when I plug in my UK SIM and switch to GSM.)
Not to say that all VZ phones are unlocked - my Inc2 had to be unlocked before it would work with that same SIM. If I remember right, it wouldn't connect in the US, either, even after being unlocked. Not so for the GS4.
I appreciate the posts here from people who know. As for me, I am switching to tmobile and will attempt to use this there. If it doesnt work out, I will sell it on swappa and get a nexus 5!
Hi,
Verizon S4 with 4.3 is international unlocked by default.
You just need to select network mode 'GLOBAL'. Then add the right APN.
I am using Indian GSM SIM with the GLOBAL mode selected. All is well for me.
I can provide screenshots if anybody wanna see.
Verizon phones are unlocked out of the box and they DO work fine on US carriers I'm running my Verizon S4 right now on AT&T and I also ran it on tmobile for short time,
even works with Walmart straight talk and Net10 as those are just subsidies of T Mobile and AT&T anyway.
so don't sweat it if you have a verizon phone that uses a sim card, you can run it on any network that uses a SIM card US or international.
baseband issue
Doesn't the MK2 baseband with jb 4.3 block US Sim cards?
Or do I just have a weird s4?
kendonsh said:
Doesn't the MK2 baseband with jb 4.3 block US Sim cards?
Or do I just have a weird s4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine dont? Im on mk2,
soon as I got my verizon s4 replacement from a damaged model that I turned in,
I threw a net10/att sim card in it.
completely stock phone not even rooted nothin, and it works fine, I did get a popup that said non Verizon SIM card but it works fine
calls in and out MMS works fine
---------- Post added at 01:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:53 PM ----------
CafeAdrutico said:
The S4 is supposed to work globally right out of the box, as long as you've called Verizon to enable International roaming on your account. But, used that way, you'll be paying Verizon for International roaming and it's bloody expensive.
The question is, can you remove the SIM and put in a SIM for a local carrier in the foreign country where you are and use the phone on that carrier? That is what being unlocked would allow you to do. Past Verizon phones have not been unlocked to allow this. But, if you called Tech Support and told them you were going to, for example, Europe and wanted to use a local SIM, they would walk you through unlocking (at no charge).
I read a report that the S4 is not locked and that you can use a SIM for a local carrier in Europe, as it comes out of the box. But, I would not trust that. I would call VZW Tech Support and tell them exactly what you want to do - i.e. don't say "can I use my phone in Europe?" The answer to that is yes, you can, at about $1/minute. What you should ask them is, "can I travel to Europe and purchase a SIM from a local carrier and use that in my phone?" If not, they should be able to walk you through unlocking the phone, so you can do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to answer your question simply yes.
let's say I take my phone to Spain are somewhere in the UK, I'll go to store buy a SIM card for local network and BAM local phone number in Europe making phone calls, you can even get Data to work if you have that local carrier's APN settings
no unlocking is required because it is not locked.
other companies AT&T, Sprint, t-mobile, yes you have to get The phone sim unlocked.
k1mu said:
I've had people argue with me over this, but the fact is that NO Verizon LTE phone is SIM-locked. None. Nada.
People who claim differently are simply misinformed. (My I545 comes up on AT&T when I plug in my UK SIM and switch to GSM.)
Not to say that all VZ phones are unlocked - my Inc2 had to be unlocked before it would work with that same SIM. If I remember right, it wouldn't connect in the US, either, even after being unlocked. Not so for the GS4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is 100% correct. NO LTE phones on verizon are sim locked. They are REQUIRED to keep them unlocked because of their agreement with the FCC for their use of the spectrum they lease. NO OTHER CARRIER must abide by these rules. Only VZW. Sprint I've heard will unlock ANY phone that is capable if you ask them too, and AT&T will NOT unlock any of their phones unless it 2 years old and out of contract (which makes no sense if you have to pay them while under contract anyway). There was a big deal about the Iphone 5 when it came out with LTE for verizon. If you bought a Verizon Iphone, you could put an ATT sim in it and it works, but not an ATT on VZW because ATT keeps them locked.
The Dinc 2 above was NOT an LTE device. Therefore no sim card....and it wouldn't work on most overseas networks anyway as it was a CDMA only phone. I believe VZW tested the limits of the "unlocked" SIM with their first few LTE phones. My Rezound worked with a GSM network sim....but voice and SMS only. It took some unlocking of the bootloader and rooting to run a special Rom to get Data to work on it.
I am heading to the Caribbean in a few weeks, and I will be using a rented SIM card to be able to message back and forth with my wife (with a data based messenger service as data rates are far cheaper than SMS rate there)
318sugarhill said:
This is 100% correct. NO LTE phones on verizon are sim locked. They are REQUIRED to keep them unlocked because of their agreement with the FCC for their use of the spectrum they lease. NO OTHER CARRIER must abide by these rules. Only VZW. Sprint I've heard will unlock ANY phone that is capable if you ask them too, and AT&T will NOT unlock any of their phones unless it 2 years old and out of contract (which makes no sense if you have to pay them while under contract anyway). There was a big deal about the Iphone 5 when it came out with LTE for verizon. If you bought a Verizon Iphone, you could put an ATT sim in it and it works, but not an ATT on VZW because ATT keeps them locked.
The Dinc 2 above was NOT an LTE device. Therefore no sim card....and it wouldn't work on most overseas networks anyway as it was a CDMA only phone. I believe VZW tested the limits of the "unlocked" SIM with their first few LTE phones. My Rezound worked with a GSM network sim....but voice and SMS only. It took some unlocking of the bootloader and rooting to run a special Rom to get Data to work on it.
I am heading to the Caribbean in a few weeks, and I will be using a rented SIM card to be able to message back and forth with my wife (with a data based messenger service as data rates are far cheaper than SMS rate there)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just spent a week in the UK with an ekit.com SIM in my Verizon GS4 - no problem with getting service, no Verizon charge (even though I was on the Vodaphone network for at least some times.)
And the dinc 2, while not LTE, was CDMA/GSM - not just CDMA (yes, the dinc was CDMA-only), so it did accept a SIM card. I'm using that in the GS4 now that it's cut down to micro SIM.
That phone WAS SIM-locked, but VZ happily unlocked it. For the GS4, I didn't have to do anything with VZ to use it off their network.
bickin said:
Is it possible to unlock the Verizon version of the S4? I'm deploying in 4 weeks and would like to use my phone with international carriers. I have an SCH-I545 build and I'm still running on stock. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO
UNLFOK s4 UK VERSION sorry I'm new to the website
furballbeethoven said:
After a lot of searching, I decided to ask this here:
I have a Verizon S4, but I was wondering if it was actually unlocked out-of-box or if there is something I have to do in order to use it with, for instance, Cricket, or U.S. Cellular. I have done lots of rooting/developing for Android, but have never tried to use an Android phone with a differing carrier. Can anyone help or point me to a thread that helps? (Again, did lots of Googling and XDA-searching)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is already unlocked for SIM and other carriers, all you need is the correct APN for the carrier. I currently have T-Mobile on my i545 and everything works on it.
Hey guys,
I am trying to send a S4 to friend of mine as a gift... but its Verizon, and there is no Verizon in Europe. I don't know what to do with it so it would be sim unlock and it will work with different networks because I don't know what operator she will be using. The S4 is already rooted and I am trying different rooms. I am out of ideas because even when I put AT&T card inside it seems like it cant connect to network...so it cant work with ours network how in heck will work with theirs. In the end off all of it like a mention my friends is she, but that kind of she that will break it without even knowing it.
If someone would help me out pick the best room for her that will maybe be pure s4 with out a lot of complicated stuff, that maybe would self-update for her and any network friendly?
Thanks
PS. all that crap that Verizon is saying that phone is unlock free its crap. when you out there phone cant either connect to network or have that notification that is not Verizon sim witch is ridicules
SaNNeK said:
Hey guys,
I am trying to send a S4 to friend of mine as a gift... but its Verizon, and there is no Verizon in Europe. I don't know what to do with it so it would be sim unlock and it will work with different networks because I don't know what operator she will be using. The S4 is already rooted and I am trying different rooms. I am out of ideas because even when I put AT&T card inside it seems like it cant connect to network...so it cant work with ours network how in heck will work with theirs. In the end off all of it like a mention my friends is she, but that kind of she that will break it without even knowing it.
If someone would help me out pick the best room for her that will maybe be pure s4 with out a lot of complicated stuff, that maybe would self-update for her and any network friendly?
Thanks
PS. all that crap that Verizon is saying that phone is unlock free its crap. when you out there phone cant either connect to network or have that notification that is not Verizon sim witch is ridicules
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Verizon S4 is unlocked for international roaming. I have a friend who took his Verizon S4 to Europe, bought a pre-paid sim in Europe, popped it in, changed the mode to global, and it worked fine. I use Hyperdrive and have read in that thread about others using the Verzion S4 with European and other international sims. They may have to change the APN, but it should work.
psu90 said:
The Verizon S4 is unlocked for international roaming. I have a friend who took his Verizon S4 to Europe, bought a pre-paid sim in Europe, popped it in, changed the mode to global, and it worked fine. I use Hyperdrive and have read in that thread about others using the Verzion S4 with European and other international sims. They may have to change the APN, but it should work
My friend already had S4 from Verizon and when she put her card inside nothing was working... not even text messages... and she had that notification bar still... so idk... cant tell cuz I dint had Verizon phone out there jet.. its my first contract with them and my last I think.. ATT phone are so much easier to deal with..
but for know I need to think of something... for her I know hyper driver but I was using other rom I think google edition with original android? not Samsung edition and it look nice and smooth and easy, something for her but I cant find any room like that with option for international... or I think the main problem is to have option to have APN option so manually I can add network.. for not even ATT cant connect to it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
short version
SaNNeK said:
Hey guys,
I am trying to send a S4 to friend of mine as a gift... but its Verizon, and there is no Verizon in Europe. I don't know what to do with it so it would be sim unlock and it will work with different networks because I don't know what operator she will be using. The S4 is already rooted and I am trying different rooms. I am out of ideas because even when I put AT&T card inside it seems like it cant connect to network...so it cant work with ours network how in heck will work with theirs. In the end off all of it like a mention my friends is she, but that kind of she that will break it without even knowing it.
If someone would help me out pick the best room for her that will maybe be pure s4 with out a lot of complicated stuff, that maybe would self-update for her and any network friendly?
Thanks
PS. all that crap that Verizon is saying that phone is unlock free its crap. when you out there phone cant either connect to network or have that notification that is not Verizon sim witch is ridicules
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
basically what I need to do to:
1. Make Verizon S4 working in Europe?
2. What rom will be the best for that (self updating, not complicated, could look like Samsung android but I would prefer Google edition for her cuz it might be just easier on long rom)?
3. Does it have to be multi-carrier rom or just the one with open APN option?
4. Any other information I have to consider, since its going to be a gift phone I will not have future ability to look at it at least for know so I need something that might have chance to run smooth for couple months.
Original S4 with nothing done to it, pure out of box. dint work that well, was not able to send messages and they count add new APN. In the end of the story the phone was stolen... so I know I have to make this one work here before I will send it there...
psu90 said:
The Verizon S4 is unlocked for international roaming. I have a friend who took his Verizon S4 to Europe, bought a pre-paid sim in Europe, popped it in, changed the mode to global, and it worked fine. I use Hyperdrive and have read in that thread about others using the Verzion S4 with European and other international sims. They may have to change the APN, but it should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just put hyperdrive on s4 and I will try to see my friend with att car but option to add ne APN is blocked
SaNNeK said:
I just put hyperdrive on s4 and I will try to see my friend with att car but option to add ne APN is blocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install a non-Verizon SIM and enable GSM mode. You'll then be allowed to enter an APN.
k1mu said:
Install a non-Verizon SIM and enable GSM mode. You'll then be allowed to enter an APN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well I am waiting for friend of mine cuz he has ATT micro sim, but when I send first S4 to her, she went to phone store and apparently they tried with her sim card and it dint work neither... I am not saying u are wrong, I will try like u said with ATT card first and that first S4 was pure stock , so maybe that's why... idk...
any other suggestions?
can I use any rom as long is APN accessible ?
SaNNeK said:
basically what I need to do to:
1. Make Verizon S4 working in Europe?
2. What rom will be the best for that (self updating, not complicated, could look like Samsung android but I would prefer Google edition for her cuz it might be just easier on long rom)?
3. Does it have to be multi-carrier rom or just the one with open APN option?
4. Any other information I have to consider, since its going to be a gift phone I will not have future ability to look at it at least for know so I need something that might have chance to run smooth for couple months.
Original S4 with nothing done to it, pure out of box. dint work that well, was not able to send messages and they count add new APN. In the end of the story the phone was stolen... so I know I have to make this one work here before I will send it there...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I install rom from different country on my Verizon s4?
SaNNeK said:
well I am waiting for friend of mine cuz he has ATT micro sim, but when I send first S4 to her, she went to phone store and apparently they tried with her sim card and it dint work neither... I am not saying u are wrong, I will try like u said with ATT card first and that first S4 was pure stock , so maybe that's why... idk...
any other suggestions?
can I use any rom as long is APN accessible ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"I am not saying u are wrong". Actually, yes, you are. However, whomever tried this gave you bad info, I was tempted to ignore this (ignorance is bliss), but in case someone actually believes you...
My phone is stock, rooted. Verizon Galaxy S4, running ME7.
Here's what I just did (I tried this again just to prove you wrong...)
I inserted my GoSIM (ekit, Jersey Telecom) SIM, GoSIM has pretty good European coverage, good prices.
The phone comes up with a "Non-Verizon SIM" (this SIM card is from an unknown source") warning. Ignore that.
Menu/Settings/More Networks/Mobile Networks.
Tap on Network mode. Select "GSM/UMTS". When it asks you "System select" choose Automatic.
You've got to disable Global mode since that will prefer CDMA, which is still working for you in the US in a VZ coverage area. GSM/UMTS disables CDMA.
Now, click on "Access Point Names". The VZ LTE one shows but is now greyed out.
Click on the Menu soft key, Click on "Add new access point". That's now enabled. (If you try this with a VZ SIM installed, that menu will be greyed out, which is quite reasonable.)
Fill in the APN, hit save. Now you can select that APN.
Mobile data is now enabled. It reads "AT&T UK" as the network for me, which is reasonable since I'm using a UK SIM.
As several people have said, this phone is unlocked out-of-the-box. It doesn't matter what ROM you run, you can use whatever GSM SIM you like as long as the network bands that the GS4 supports match what your provider uses.
I don't know if there's something in the stock ROM that blocks US domestic carriers (t-mobile, at&t); that's possible, as VZ has done stuff like that in the past. That's not what you asked, however. At least in my case, a non-US SIM works without anything special to do.
k1mu said:
"I am not saying u are wrong". Actually, yes, you are. However, whomever tried this gave you bad info, I was tempted to ignore this (ignorance is bliss), but in case someone actually believes you...
My phone is stock, rooted. Verizon Galaxy S4, running ME7.
Here's what I just did (I tried this again just to prove you wrong...)
I inserted my GoSIM (ekit, Jersey Telecom) SIM, GoSIM has pretty good European coverage, good prices.
The phone comes up with a "Non-Verizon SIM" (this SIM card is from an unknown source") warning. Ignore that.
Menu/Settings/More Networks/Mobile Networks.
Tap on Network mode. Select "GSM/UMTS". When it asks you "System select" choose Automatic.
You've got to disable Global mode since that will prefer CDMA, which is still working for you in the US in a VZ coverage area. GSM/UMTS disables CDMA.
Now, click on "Access Point Names". The VZ LTE one shows but is now greyed out.
Click on the Menu soft key, Click on "Add new access point". That's now enabled. (If you try this with a VZ SIM installed, that menu will be greyed out, which is quite reasonable.)
Fill in the APN, hit save. Now you can select that APN.
Mobile data is now enabled. It reads "AT&T UK" as the network for me, which is reasonable since I'm using a UK SIM.
As several people have said, this phone is unlocked out-of-the-box. It doesn't matter what ROM you run, you can use whatever GSM SIM you like as long as the network bands that the GS4 supports match what your provider uses.
I don't know if there's something in the stock ROM that blocks US domestic carriers (t-mobile, at&t); that's possible, as VZ has done stuff like that in the past. That's not what you asked, however. At least in my case, a non-US SIM works without anything special to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How am I wrong? By saying "I am not saying u are wrong"? I dint tried it... I dint had that phone in Europe... and I dint plug in card... I said she put hers in and when to some kinds a store... they dint do it... not me... and even by saying that I was not trying to offend you... and that's why we have forums so we can learn and ask questions...
either way that notification "The phone comes up with a "Non-Verizon SIM" (this SIM card is from an unknown source") warning. Ignore that." can it be removed? that phone will not be use in US any time soon maybe in 6 moths.. so I am trying to make it look as normal as it can...
can I use any rom and will that method work? I am trying to get her something with 4.3, looks nice and its simpler that Samsung stock OS...
SaNNeK said:
either way that notification "The phone comes up with a "Non-Verizon SIM" (this SIM card is from an unknown source") warning. Ignore that." can it be removed? that phone will not be use in US any time soon maybe in 6 moths.. so I am trying to make it look as normal as it can...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's something I can't answer, but it's very possible that custom ROMs won't display that noise. Unfortunately, that'll mean rooting it, installing SafeStrap, then experimenting.
SaNNeK said:
can I use any rom and will that method work? I am trying to get her something with 4.3, looks nice and its simpler that Samsung stock OS...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is SIM unlocked, so any ROM will be able to work with whatever SIM you install. In other words, the hardware doesn't have any problem with it, so use whatever software you want. However, I don't know if there's any 4.3 ROMs yet that are SafeStrap compatible.
k1mu said:
"I am not saying u are wrong". Actually, yes, you are. However, whomever tried this gave you bad info, I was tempted to ignore this (ignorance is bliss), but in case someone actually believes you...
My phone is stock, rooted. Verizon Galaxy S4, running ME7.
Here's what I just did (I tried this again just to prove you wrong...)
I inserted my GoSIM (ekit, Jersey Telecom) SIM, GoSIM has pretty good European coverage, good prices.
The phone comes up with a "Non-Verizon SIM" (this SIM card is from an unknown source") warning. Ignore that.
Menu/Settings/More Networks/Mobile Networks.
Tap on Network mode. Select "GSM/UMTS". When it asks you "System select" choose Automatic.
You've got to disable Global mode since that will prefer CDMA, which is still working for you in the US in a VZ coverage area. GSM/UMTS disables CDMA.
Now, click on "Access Point Names". The VZ LTE one shows but is now greyed out.
Click on the Menu soft key, Click on "Add new access point". That's now enabled. (If you try this with a VZ SIM installed, that menu will be greyed out, which is quite reasonable.)
Fill in the APN, hit save. Now you can select that APN.
Mobile data is now enabled. It reads "AT&T UK" as the network for me, which is reasonable since I'm using a UK SIM.
As several people have said, this phone is unlocked out-of-the-box. It doesn't matter what ROM you run, you can use whatever GSM SIM you like as long as the network bands that the GS4 supports match what your provider uses.
I don't know if there's something in the stock ROM that blocks US domestic carriers (t-mobile, at&t); that's possible, as VZ has done stuff like that in the past. That's not what you asked, however. At least in my case, a non-US SIM works without anything special to do.
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Wow... Pulling this old thread up to say thank you.
I had previously gotten my phone to work on EU carriers but for the life of me forgot how and have been struggling with this for a few days now.
Anyway, I did some searches in Google and kept running into walls and after a few days of [foolishly] not searching XDA I called Verizon and they told me I was **** out of luck.
Well, here I am, back on good ol' XDA and 10 minutes of searching I read your post which gets my memory clear and I remember to enable the GSM option. So simple.
Anyway, big thanks to you and big thanks to the community as always.
|mpulse said:
Wow... Pulling this old thread up to say thank you.
I had previously gotten my phone to work on EU carriers but for the life of me forgot how and have been struggling with this for a few days now.
Anyway, I did some searches in Google and kept running into walls and after a few days of [foolishly] not searching XDA I called Verizon and they told me I was **** out of luck.
Well, here I am, back on good ol' XDA and 10 minutes of searching I read your post which gets my memory clear and I remember to enable the GSM option. So simple.
Anyway, big thanks to you and big thanks to the community as always.
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Click to collapse
Thanks.
Oh, and don't be "that guy" (i.e. ME.)
I was complaining about how poor coverage I was getting. Apparently, switching to "Global" mode versus "CDMA/LTE"
Gee, I betcha it'll work a lot better with that mode enabled here in VZ-land.
I'm on AT&T,but just bought a rooted S4 off someone with a Verizon ROM on it. Would I just need to flash a AT&T ROM for the S4 to be able to get the SIM card to work with AT&T?
Any help appreciated.
Same here. My friend gave me his S4 today and it is Verizon and running on the stock ROM. However, I am on AT&T. From what I hear this phone comes factory unlocked so you just plug in the SIM and it should be okay. Is there anything else that I need to know if I want to use this phone as my main?
3volution said:
I'm on AT&T,but just bought a rooted S4 off someone with a Verizon ROM on it. Would I just need to flash a AT&T ROM for the S4 to be able to get the SIM card to work with AT&T?
Any help appreciated.
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Click to collapse
mpvsuperstar said:
Same here. My friend gave me his S4 today and it is Verizon and running on the stock ROM. However, I am on AT&T. From what I hear this phone comes factory unlocked so you just plug in the SIM and it should be okay. Is there anything else that I need to know if I want to use this phone as my main?
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Click to collapse
After a brief visit with AT&T today, they installed a SIM card from their carrier into my phone, but it would not get speeds grater than EDGE at the time. 3G may have been possible, but it didn't see it right away. Also, they had to update the APN settings in the Settings -> More settings -> Mobile networks -> Access Point Names. Lastly, after searching the internet, Verizon carrier locks the GSM in the states. In other words, they make it so you can use GSM OUTSIDE the US but not allow AT&T or T-Mobile SIMS to be used in their devices. This is a carrier lock, not SIM lock, so they can get around the whole "well, our phones are sold SIM unlocked" bs. After calling a level two tech support, he told me that there is no such thing as a carrier lock or SIM lock, and he could not give me a code. The phone was able to make a voice call and send a normal text, but data sucked.
ghost0001 said:
After a brief visit with AT&T today, they installed a SIM card from their carrier into my phone, but it would not get speeds grater than EDGE at the time. 3G may have been possible, but it didn't see it right away. Also, they had to update the APN settings in the Settings -> More settings -> Mobile networks -> Access Point Names. Lastly, after searching the internet, Verizon carrier locks the GSM in the states. In other words, they make it so you can use GSM OUTSIDE the US but not allow AT&T or T-Mobile SIMS to be used in their devices. This is a carrier lock, not SIM lock, so they can get around the whole "well, our phones are sold SIM unlocked" bs. After calling a level two tech support, he told me that there is no such thing as a carrier lock or SIM lock, and he could not give me a code. The phone was able to make a voice call and send a normal text, but data sucked.
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Sorry to disagree, but my SCH-i545 works on the AT&T network with an AT&T SIM installed.
I only get Edge because that's the only band that VZ and AT&T has in common in this area. Swapping out a SIM isn't going to fix that.
What you're finding about GSM locks applies to pre-LTE phones. The LTE phones are not SIM locked, aren't carrier locked. Period.
I'm overseas right now and I got a SIM card from work and slid it in to my VZW S4. I'm assuming I should have at least got a couple signal bars in the notification bar, as I have another phone with full signal sitting next to me. Also the SIM made a call from a GSM Galaxy note right before I put it in my phone.
With just the Cyta SIM in I get a message (that cannot be dismissed):
Phone activation
This SIM card is from an unknown source.
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After changing my network mode to Global and adding the APN according to THIS, I am still not showing any signal bars. I was able to pull up a couple networks in the Network Operators menu, one being Cyta-Vodaphone but still no bars and no connection.
The phone is rooted and on 4.4.2.
Am I missing something?
QUESTION kind of related to the question below.
Hey Guys... If anyone is online, please reply.
I was wondering if there was a way to get the Verizon GS4 to be able
to work on the Metro PCS servers and towers. I know that they have
different types of network bands, but I was just trying to make sure
if there was any way to get the phone to work on that network with
a flashable something in ODIN. My Verizon GS4 is rooted and on the
ROM called Hyperdrive.
Any replies are welcomed. And for the question above, I'm sorry i do not
have an answer for you.
thepianoman77 said:
Hey Guys... If anyone is online, please reply.
I was wondering if there was a way to get the Verizon GS4 to be able
to work on the Metro PCS servers and towers. I know that they have
different types of network bands, but I was just trying to make sure
if there was any way to get the phone to work on that network with
a flashable something in ODIN. My Verizon GS4 is rooted and on the
ROM called Hyperdrive.
Any replies are welcomed. And for the question above, I'm sorry i do not
have an answer for you.
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Click to collapse
you might be able to get some 3g but i doubt any 4g
Hi all, hopefully someone can answer this question for me.
Can anyone tell me if the VZW GS4 will work with any of the SIM Card providers in Italy (Rome, Florence and Venice) and England? I'll be traveling there soon and would like to have internet on the phone but in my research I find that many people have problems getting data especially with the VZW GS4 to work.
Thanks in advance
I don't know what build you have, but I was able to successfully port my Verizon device to T-Mobile in anticipation of traveling abroad. Calling Verizon they said my s4 was unlocked by default so I just needed to add the apn settings and I was good to go. Maybe do what I did and borrow a gsm sim to ensure it works here and you know what you're doing before going abroad? Best of luck
Verizon s4 will definitely work in Europe with local Sim Cards. Just make sure you manually input the correct APN for those carriers. The new lollipop update seems to be having problems SENDING text messages though... it could just be me though.
Thanks
Thanks for the replies, hopefully it will work as expected once I install the SIM Card and enter the APN.