Related
I've done some research on the topic but am having a hard time finding a definative answer on the topic.
I bought my phone thru Verizon (paid in full) intially to ensure I would keep my unlimited data plan. Since this purchase I've discovered that T-Mobile has s $30/mo plan that fits my lifestyle just fine. My intent is to sell my plan (craigslist/ebay/etc) to get out of our contract and make some $$$ on the side.
When I bought this phone 1 of the major draws I saw was that, even though it's a Verizon phone, it wasGSM compatible. I've read plenty of posts about users throwing in a ATT sim card and being good to go. On the tmobile side of things, the results aren't as clear.
So.... Long story short, I'm looking for a definative answer if the Verizon GS4 will fully work on T-Mobile's GSM network and if so, where might one find some guidance on what I need to do if there are any necessary steps involved.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Plain and simple... No, the Verizon GS4 will not work on Tmobile. Verizon is cdma and tmobile is gsm. It will not work
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
teqknique said:
I've done some research on the topic but am having a hard time finding a definative answer on the topic.
I bought my phone thru Verizon (paid in full) intially to ensure I would keep my unlimited data plan. Since this purchase I've discovered that T-Mobile has s $30/mo plan that fits my lifestyle just fine. My intent is to sell my plan (craigslist/ebay/etc) to get out of our contract and make some $$$ on the side.
When I bought this phone 1 of the major draws I saw was that, even though it's a Verizon phone, it wasGSM compatible. I've read plenty of posts about users throwing in a ATT sim card and being good to go. On the tmobile side of things, the results aren't as clear.
So.... Long story short, I'm looking for a definative answer if the Verizon GS4 will fully work on T-Mobile's GSM network and if so, where might one find some guidance on what I need to do if there are any necessary steps involved.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a VZW customer and I work at T-Mobile. I've tried popping in my manager's T-Mobile micro sim-card into my VZW S4. The voice service worked flawlessly but there was neither 3G nor 4G connectivity. No idea why.
jkuczy16 said:
Plain and simple... No, the Verizon GS4 will not work on Tmobile. Verizon is cdma and tmobile is gsm. It will not work
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WRONG! I'm using a Verizon GS4 on AT&T HSPA+ right now.
izgil82 said:
I'm a VZW customer and I work at T-Mobile. I've tried popping in my manager's T-Mobile micro sim-card into my VZW S4. The voice service worked flawlessly but there was neither 3G nor 4G connectivity. No idea why.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you change the APN's?
T-Mobile is NOT GSM. The only way would be change the apn settings to see if it will work.
Okay I guess I made a mistake, sorry for causing any confusion. Guess you really do learn something new everyday lol
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
sk337sk337 said:
WRONG! I'm using a Verizon GS4 on AT&T HSPA+ right now.
Did you change the APN's?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I read Verizon S4 will work with AT&T H+, but not T-mobile.. they only get edge even with the APN changed
TheAxman said:
T-Mobile is NOT GSM. The only way would be change the apn settings to see if it will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wait what? T-mobile is gsm..
TheAxman said:
T-Mobile is NOT GSM. The only way would be change the apn settings to see if it will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah they are GSM
Sent from my LG-P880 using Tapatalk 2
So I am right about tmobile being gsm
Sent from my DROID RAZR
These questions are tricky. Work!? You have to define that word before you get your answer. Voice works and so as data IF you add APN manually (or if it comes automatically from T-Mo). Now by data you mean 2G(EDGE)? 3G(HSPA)? 4G(LTE)? It also depends on whether you are in an area where T-Mo has re-farmed 1900 HSPA. If you are in one of these areas then you got 3G for data. If not, 2G for you. No 4G anywhere for this phone on T-Mo.
teqknique said:
I've done some research on the topic but am having a hard time finding a definative answer on the topic.
I bought my phone thru Verizon (paid in full) intially to ensure I would keep my unlimited data plan. Since this purchase I've discovered that T-Mobile has s $30/mo plan that fits my lifestyle just fine. My intent is to sell my plan (craigslist/ebay/etc) to get out of our contract and make some $$$ on the side.
When I bought this phone 1 of the major draws I saw was that, even though it's a Verizon phone, it wasGSM compatible. I've read plenty of posts about users throwing in a ATT sim card and being good to go. On the tmobile side of things, the results aren't as clear.
So.... Long story short, I'm looking for a definative answer if the Verizon GS4 will fully work on T-Mobile's GSM network and if so, where might one find some guidance on what I need to do if there are any necessary steps involved.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is %100 possible. It's involved...to the extent that it might not be for those who aren't willing to turn their phone into a PDA.
In this post I explain (condescendingly, because some guy was so sure it wasn't possible) that phones nowadays are capable of multiband...because it's just not cost effective for manufacturers to produce one phone for CDMA, then one for GSM, one for LTE, one for AWS bands, etc etc...you get the picture. If you look up the specs of the chips in the S4 (probably the same across the carriers) you'll see that it's a pentaband phone.
Short story long...I come from a time where there wasn't a "It's not possible"...my job bought me a VZ S4 which I plan on using with my Tmobile simcard...because I don't feel like carrying a Nexus 4 AND an S4...I'll post my progress in the forums for all to benefit from. Until then...
I only tested it for a few minutes.... but I did get lte on it but not sure about aws... on T-Mobile. Sorry I couldn't do a more extensive experiment.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Yes it is possible. And it is actually not that much work.
#1 be rooted
#2 put in tmobile sim and restart phone (cant change apn with vzw sim)
#3 change the apn settings for voice and data to t mobile (google it)
I have been using a verizon i545 S4 on tmobile for 3 weeks now. I have voice text and 4g h+ data.
The S4 is global, even if verizon tries to lock it down.
justda said:
Yes it is possible. And it is actually not that much work.
#1 be rooted
#2 put in tmobile sim and restart phone (cant change apn with vzw sim)
#3 change the apn settings for voice and data to t mobile (google it)
I have been using a verizon i545 S4 on tmobile for 3 weeks now. I have voice text and 4g h+ data.
The S4 is global, even if verizon tries to lock it down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how are you getting 4g? I'm only getting 2g ;-; i'v ebeen asking everywhere but everybody seems to think it cant be done i guess? I just get ignored by the usually helpful community.
I am also on hyperdrive, have you looked at their coverage map? And what apn are you using tmobile has 3. Standard phones, smart phones, and I believe one for hipsters aka apple? The proper apn starts with fast. (Its 645 in the morning google it yourself)
Another thing to consider, you might be getting 4g or h what ever, t mobile is half as fast as verizon. I had to use xposed framework to turn on the proper icons.
The steps I posted are all I did, other than being on hyperdrivre rom. Try setting to gsm as your preffered network?
Im sorry people have ignored this and claim its impossible, the tmobile guy in store actually got his manager to come use my phone after I got it working in front of him in store. The store manager told the employee I must be some super hacker and this isnt possible for normal people. All i did was imout the apn and the sim nothing crazy.
justda said:
Yes it is possible. And it is actually not that much work.
#1 be rooted
#2 put in tmobile sim and restart phone (cant change apn with vzw sim)
#3 change the apn settings for voice and data to t mobile (google it)
I have been using a verizon i545 S4 on tmobile for 3 weeks now. I have voice text and 4g h+ data.
The S4 is global, even if verizon tries to lock it down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will this always work with straight talk... I am now rooted
silentshadow310 said:
Will this always work with straight talk... I am now rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is already a guide for straight talk here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2672843
Drake9897 said:
how are you getting 4g? I'm only getting 2g ;-; i'v ebeen asking everywhere but everybody seems to think it cant be done i guess? I just get ignored by the usually helpful community.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I have been out of the loop for a while with work and such... Did you ever get your 4G or LTE to work properly?
silentshadow310 said:
Will this always work with straight talk... I am now rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What this guy said above this comment. I know nothing about straight talk, and someone already wrote a guide on how to do it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2672843:good:
I currently have a Droid DNA through Verizon and would like to switch to Straight Talk. I see options for both AT&T and T-Mobile compatible SIM cards, and am curious which one I should go with. I live in the Houston area. I prefer not to have to cut the card but it's not a deal breaker.
In my area AT&T has much wider and more reliable data coverage. I was often on edge everywhere in my hometown while on T-Mobile. This may not be the case for Houston. Just test drive both networks for a month each.
Ah, excellent point. Should be cheap enough to try them both. Thanks!
I actually work in Electronics at Walmart and deal with this all the time. Straight Talk will not move 4G LTE phones to their service. They aren't compatible and do not have the agreements with carriers for LTE access. If you read the CDMA/GSM bring your own phone package that includes the SIM cards it says in bold writing LTE Phones are not compatible. The DNA would not be able to be used on Straight Talk because it is a LTE phone. Straight Talk has a list of approved devices on their website. Because you do have to provide your phones IMEI they will know it is a LTE phone and deny your request to activate the phone on their services.
Kutster, I hate to correct you but I actually did successfully connect my Droid DNA using the Walmart SIM card. Now in my area it was actually called FamilyMobile, and run by T-Mobile. I purchased a SIM card from Walmart, took it home, plugged it in, set up an account, and it worked. Granted, you don't get LTE, but it does work and is mega cheap ($40/mo unlimited). I ended up cancelling and taking it back, simply because the internet was very slow, and the coverage wasn't very good in my area (T-Mobile sucks in my area). I do want to stress though that it definitely does work! I think I'll try AT&T GoPhone next.
The important thing to remember is this phone (the DNA) has all the radios necessary to connect to just about anybody but Sprint's network. Don't always believe what the companies tell ya.
impala454 said:
Kutster, I hate to correct you but I actually did successfully connect my Droid DNA using the Walmart SIM card. Now in my area it was actually called FamilyMobile, and run by T-Mobile. I purchased a SIM card from Walmart, took it home, plugged it in, set up an account, and it worked. Granted, you don't get LTE, but it does work and is mega cheap ($40/mo unlimited). I ended up cancelling and taking it back, simply because the internet was very slow, and the coverage wasn't very good in my area (T-Mobile sucks in my area). I do want to stress though that it definitely does work! I think I'll try AT&T GoPhone next.
The important thing to remember is this phone (the DNA) has all the radios necessary to connect to just about anybody but Sprint's network. Don't always believe what the companies tell ya.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
impala454 said:
I currently have a Droid DNA through Verizon and would like to switch to Straight Talk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See that's where your terms and confusion of prepaid comes into play. Of course Family Mobile worked they don't have restrictions on LTE especially since Family Mobile is powered by T-mobile. Straight Talk which is the company I was referring to and the company you were referring to does has limitations on LTE phones, and will NOT allow any LTE phone to to brought to their service. This has to do with they license the use of multiple carriers towers.
Trust me I am not trying to be rude, but I honestly deal with this on a daily basis. You know how many Straight Talk bring your own phone kits I have had to refund because customers buy them for their nice Verizon LTE smartphones? It doesn't work. I am telling you from my experience and my countless hours on the phone with Straight Talk reps and on their website, what their policy is on LTE phones. I beg you to go to Walmart and look at the Straight Talk CDMA/GSM BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) kits that they sell for $60. In the middle of that package on the front it says something along the lines of "LTE Phones are not Compatible." Which like it reads means you cannot bring over a LTE phone to Straight Talk.
AT&T prepaid I would venture to guess would work, but I can't remember if AT&T is as picky as Verizon is about what smartphones get put on their prepaid plans. You would have to call and find out.
So once again, please keep in mind that every prepaid carrier is different, use different towers, and different policies. Just because it worked on one does not mean a different company has policies that differ or block that same practice.
I didn't realize StraightTalk and FamilyMobile were different. I just assumed that when I went to Walmart it was whatever they were using. I see now that StraightTalk is AT&T and FamilyMobile is T-Mobile. I only had the option for FamilyMobile at my Walmart. Thanks for the clarification.
I'm not going to disagree, but I will say that the FamilyMobile website also said my specific phone was not eligible, but it did in fact work. So to anyone else reading this, YMMV. Considering Walmart takes the card back for a full refund, I don't see a problem in at least attempting it (except that employees such as yourself have to deal with it ). It makes sense to me that there's no way for the carrier to enforce specific phones when they are SIM card based. So long as your phone has the radios that carrier operates on, it should work. My guess is that the LTE phones statement on the package is in reference to the fact that you won't get LTE speeds with that network.
kutster said:
See that's where your terms and confusion of prepaid comes into play. Of course Family Mobile worked they don't have restrictions on LTE especially since Family Mobile is powered by T-mobile. Straight Talk which is the company I was referring to and the company you were referring to does has limitations on LTE phones, and will NOT allow any LTE phone to to brought to their service. This has to do with they license the use of multiple carriers towers.
Trust me I am not trying to be rude, but I honestly deal with this on a daily basis. You know how many Straight Talk bring your own phone kits I have had to refund because customers buy them for their nice Verizon LTE smartphones? It doesn't work. I am telling you from my experience and my countless hours on the phone with Straight Talk reps and on their website, what their policy is on LTE phones. I beg you to go to Walmart and look at the Straight Talk CDMA/GSM BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) kits that they sell for $60. In the middle of that package on the front it says something along the lines of "LTE Phones are not Compatible." Which like it reads means you cannot bring over a LTE phone to Straight Talk.
AT&T prepaid I would venture to guess would work, but I can't remember if AT&T is as picky as Verizon is about what smartphones get put on their prepaid plans. You would have to call and find out.
So once again, please keep in mind that every prepaid carrier is different, use different towers, and different policies. Just because it worked on one does not mean a different company has policies that differ or block that same practice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Being an an LTE device wouldn't matter in this case since the LTE radio will only work on the CDMA side of the phone and with Verizon's LTE. It has UMTS and Straight Talk already confirmed with me the phone would get 3G while on their network. There's not a magic way of them detecting an LTE phone ( one that works on a CDMA carrier mind you) and flipping the off switch. The 2G and 3G networks are available for AT&T and T-Mobile regardless of which prepaid carrier you use.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 4
xlxcrossing said:
Being an an LTE device wouldn't matter in this case since the LTE radio will only work on the CDMA side of the phone and with Verizon's LTE. It has UMTS and Straight Talk already confirmed with me the phone would get 3G while on their network. There's not a magic way of them detecting an LTE phone ( one that works on a CDMA carrier mind you) and flipping the off switch. The 2G and 3G networks are available for AT&T and T-Mobile regardless of which prepaid carrier you use.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im not going to argue about it. When you go to activate a BYOP on Straight Talk you have to input the IMEI, which does tell Straight Talk if the phone is LTE capable or not and if it isn't eligible it will not allow you to activate the phone. Period. I hate done it and tried it. It isn't like ATT where you put in the SIM card and it is activated. You activate the phone IMEI and SIM card # with Straight Talk. That is how it works with BYOP.
@Impala Im glad you had luck getting Family Mobile working.
Uh, I'm currently using Straight Talk on my DNA with full HSPA+ capability, as are many others.
holyinstantrice said:
Uh, I'm currently using Straight Talk on my DNA with full HSPA+ capability, as are many others.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly, ours is an LTE device so please tell us why it certainly does work on Straight Talk when you claim it doesn't.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 4
xlxcrossing said:
Exactly, ours is an LTE device so please tell us why it certainly does work on Straight Talk when you claim it doesn't.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, Straight Talk just got support for AT&T LTE. So they're going to have to accept LTE devices?
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Yeah I just read up on that. I wonder if the DNA 700mhz band will work. I checked online and it shows AT&T as using the 700 bands as well (a,b,c) I'm assuming the new Sim they are selling enables the LTE?
Can anyone with the new Sim confirm LTE connectivity?
EDIT : looks like at&t is band 17 and Verizon is 13. The FCC is pushing for interoperability within the upper 700 but it looks as if the chipset controls which band LTE operates off of...damn. It would be sweet to get LTE on an unlimited prepaid plan.
Interesting. I wonder if GoPhone or anyone else that's AT&T related would work LTE wise?
So are you guys able to use gsm networks with the 2.06 firmware?
I'm using net10 (att) with my DNA with 2.04 firmware and I'm hesitant to update to 2.06 until I can confirm that the 2.06 update keeps gsm completely unlocked?
ac7822 said:
So are you guys able to use gsm networks with the 2.06 firmware?
I'm using net10 (att) with my DNA with 2.04 firmware and I'm hesitant to update to 2.06 until I can confirm that the 2.06 update keeps gsm completely unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on 2.06 using a straight talk sim I can't get LTE speeds or even my signal to say LTE but I get H+ and max out at about 8mbps
Sent from my AOSP on Grouper using xda app-developers app
tdizzle404 said:
I'm on 2.06 using a straight talk sim I can't get LTE speeds or even my signal to say LTE but I get H+ and max out at about 8mbps
Sent from my AOSP on Grouper using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too. Straight Talk claims LTE works for unlocked AT&T smartphones.
Hey everyone, I'm totally new to Straight Talk and GSM and the DNA being used somewhere besides Verizon. (I'm a long time VZ customer but read Android Police daily and am familiar with all things Android.) Anyways, I'm pretty clear on using the phone on Straight Talk, getting MMS and all that, my only question is, how do you go about getting OTA's? Since the phone technically is a Verizon phone, updates would come from them. While on Straight Talk can I throw a Verizon sim card in the phone, download the OTA. Then after completing the update, put back in my AT&T sim card. Or does HTC offer OTA downloads online?
How do you guys go about updating your phone? (OTA's obviously apply to non-rooted devices. I may or may not root it.)
Thanks for your help!
b_hermon said:
Hey everyone, I'm totally new to Straight Talk and GSM and the DNA being used somewhere besides Verizon. (I'm a long time VZ customer but read Android Police daily and am familiar with all things Android.) Anyways, I'm pretty clear on using the phone on Straight Talk, getting MMS and all that, my only question is, how do you go about getting OTA's? Since the phone technically is a Verizon phone, updates would come from them. While on Straight Talk can I throw a Verizon sim card in the phone, download the OTA. Then after completing the update, put back in my AT&T sim card. Or does HTC offer OTA downloads online?
How do you guys go about updating your phone? (OTA's obviously apply to non-rooted devices. I may or may not root it.)
Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just s-off my phone using moonshine and then there are some bone stock roms to flash. Apart from that I'm not sure, before soff I was looking for an ruu to flash but couldn't find an updated one
Sent from my AOSP on Flo using Tapatalk 4
ac7822 said:
I just s-off my phone using moonshine and then there are some bone stock roms to flash. Apart from that I'm not sure, before soff I was looking for an ruu to flash but couldn't find an updated one
Sent from my AOSP on Flo using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks ac! That sounds like something I could do. I'm not too familiar with s-off, moonshine or HTC (the phone is my wife's. I'm a nexus guy) but I may have to look into that. Anybody else out there with any ideas?
I am trying to get my samsung note 2 onto the straight talk network that uses the verizon towers. My phone is a global phone so I can use the at&t or t-mobile services through straight talk but I would prefer to run off verizon towers as I would have better service. I have recently contacted Straight talk and they do still use verizon towers but they will not allow a 4g phone onto this network. Just as Verizon Prepaid plans will not allow a 4g phone I assume. They do allow 4g phones for att and tmobile however. I know you can flash a 4g phone to work with verizon's prepaid however I am not sure if I can do the same for straight talk. Will I even need to flash? Please help!
Android Version: 4.1.2
I hope this is the right section for this post. Thanks!
Just look for a good ROM 4.2.2 and below. I have had many issues with no service at all running 4.3 ROMs. All you have to do is Google the best APN settings for straight talk. I'm on net10 so I cant help with that,but yeah. I'm running avatar rom if that helps you with a rom to use :3
xsleazoidx said:
Just look for a good ROM 4.2.2 and below. I have had many issues with no service at all running 4.3 ROMs. All you have to do is Google the best APN settings for straight talk. I'm on net10 so I cant help with that,but yeah. I'm running avatar rom if that helps you with a rom to use :3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that does help. Now I know where to start. I will find a good ROM and try to find the APN settings. If I do find the correct APN settings will I need a verizon straight talk sim card for my phone or will I just have to go on their site or call them to activate without the sim? Any information on how I can activate my Note 2 to the verizon straight talk network would be helpful. Or would I just have to get the Verizon straight talk sim and just enter the correct apn settings and just plug in and use the phone?
I would not be opposed to using net 10 however. I am just looking for a semi affordable pre paid service that runs off verizon's towers. Considering I pay $130 a month for my service with verizon, it wouldn't take much to beat what I am paying now.
There is no verizon straight talk sim cards. This will probably only be possible with a donor phone.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Xparent Cyan Tapatalk 2
Is there a tutorial somewhere on using a donor phone to get on the Verizon side? That is what I did with my fascinate and want to do the same with a note 2
To the OP, how's the new service working?
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
How do I unlock a Verizon Galaxy S4 to use with Straight Talk?
orgndnr said:
How do I unlock a Verizon Galaxy S4 to use with Straight Talk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's getting to be time for a sticky about this. Search the forums for "Straight Talk" - using their SIMs is pretty easy.
The Verizon Galaxy S4 is not SIM locked. Install the SIM, set the APN, and done.
k1mu said:
It's getting to be time for a sticky about this. Search the forums for "Straight Talk" - using their SIMs is pretty easy.
The Verizon Galaxy S4 is not SIM locked. Install the SIM, set the APN, and done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have but don't understand. I have zero knowledge/experience.
orgndnr said:
I have but don't understand. I have zero knowledge/experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure how to respond to this, but here's a try.
You change from one carrier (Verizon is a carrier) to another (Straight Talk is another carrier) by removing the Verizon SIM from your phone and installing a Straight Talk SIM into your phone. A "SIM" is a Subscriber Identity Module that tells your phone what carrier to use and what your phone number is.
You asked about unlocking. You don't have to, since the phone will accept a SIM from any carrier.
For data to work, your phone has to be configured to use your new carrier's network. That's configured by setting up the Access Point Name corresponding to that new carrier.
The "Search" suggestion was because there's already an active thread in this forum discussing using Straight Talk on the I545. Since this is not a tutorial site, you should follow that thread and ask questions there.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=50880216
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
k1mu said:
I'm not sure how to respond to this, but here's a try..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't have explained it better myself. Alot of people get so grumpy about "noobs" coming in and asking questions.
+1 to you for not chewing him out for asking a noob question.
At Least he put it in the Q&A section though not in a general or dev. thread right...
orgndnr said:
How do I unlock a Verizon Galaxy S4 to use with Straight Talk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Straight Talk Wireless uses the AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint networks. You want to check with Verizon to see if you can register your phone with Straight Talk using the Verizon network. Just go to the Straight Talk Wireless web site.
You’ll enter your phone’s serial number and your location and check if it is possible to transfer your phone to Straight Talk. I have never used a Verizon phone on Straight Talk. They also use the Sprint network. You might want to confirm with Straight Talk support that they won’t register your phone on the Sprint network. I looked it up, your phone should be a SCH-I545 model, which I doesn’t look like its compatible with Sprint. You can call them and ask.
I’ll also mention that as far as I know the Straight Talk’s Verizon network is 3G only, not 4G LTE. Supposedly, Verizon doesn’t allow any of the prepaid cellular services to use their LTE network. If you get 4G LTE service where you live on Verizon, you may notice a difference in data speeds. If your S4 is still active on Verizon, install the SpeedTest app, and see what types of data speeds you are getting on Verizon.
You don’t need a SIM card to use your phone on Straight Talk. In the US, we use two different cellular technologies: CDMA and GSM. Verizon and Sprint use CDMA. AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM. Since there is not AT&T service where you live it doesn’t matter but If you want to use a Verizon phone on the AT&T or T-Mobile network your phone model needs to be compatible with the network you want to use it on and the phone needs to be SIM unlocked.
You might want to take a look at Verizon prepaid as well.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions or need more help. I’d also love to hear how it works out for you.
I just bought a brand new Verizon S4 that has never been activated on Verizon for $125. I am trying to get it working with a prepaid carrier in the US. I have been reading that it can be done with T-Mobile and ATT but am not sure where to start with this thing. For starters, the Android OS version is 4.3. I know there is an update out for it through Verizon. I can't do the update OTA with no Verizon service. I'd like to get this thing as close to stock Android/Samsung as possible and kill all the Verizon BS and then get it working on StraightTalk, Cricket, SIMple Mobile, or MetroPCS. Can anyone give me a good place to start or any tips. I've flashed ROMs before, changed PRLs, etc, so I'm no dummy when it comes to this stuff. The terminology/technology has changed some since I was messing with Boost Mobile phones. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
wemis said:
I just bought a brand new Verizon S4 that has never been activated on Verizon for $125. I am trying to get it working with a prepaid carrier in the US. I have been reading that it can be done with T-Mobile and ATT but am not sure where to start with this thing. For starters, the Android OS version is 4.3. I know there is an update out for it through Verizon. I can't do the update OTA with no Verizon service. I'd like to get this thing as close to stock Android/Samsung as possible and kill all the Verizon BS and then get it working on StraightTalk, Cricket, SIMple Mobile, or MetroPCS. Can anyone give me a good place to start or any tips. I've flashed ROMs before, changed PRLs, etc, so I'm no dummy when it comes to this stuff. The terminology/technology has changed some since I was messing with Boost Mobile phones. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try searching.
You will need to ODIN to 4.4.2.
You will then need to root with "towelroot".
The phone should work with most any GSM carrier with the right setting. (T-Mobile, AT&T and Metro GSM).
Which will give you LTE, I can't answer.
tech_head said:
Try searching.
You will need to ODIN to 4.4.2.
You will then need to root with "towelroot".
The phone should work with most any GSM carrier with the right setting. (T-Mobile, AT&T and Metro GSM).
Which will give you LTE, I can't answer.
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I have used ODIN before when working with my Samsung Galaxy Prevail through Boost Mobile so I'm sure I can figure it out. Thanks for the info. I tried searching and found all kinds of different terminology such as SafeStrap and talking about the different bootloaders. It's a little overwhelming, but I'm sure I can figure it out. I did all of my original stuff through AndroidForums and there as a root section with all kinds of guides, FAQs, etc. Is there a beginners guide or FAQ for the Verizon S4?
I have read where I need to change the APN settings to get HSPA+ or 4G LTE with the different GSM carriers. It seems like HSPA+ is the best I'll get and that's through ATT. I'll keep digging! Thanks!