Verizon S4 Into Google Play Edition + US Prepaid Carrier - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4

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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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!

Related

[Q]OOC Verizon S4 on Tmobile?

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:

[Q] Verizon-Sprint GSIII

So I looked around the threads on both Verizon, and Sprints side of the fences for an answer to this question and couldn't find any thing.
I have a Verizon Galaxy S3, and my contract with Verizon recently came to a close. I want to switch to sprint due to pricing and other options, but I don't have the money to drop on a new phone at the time, so I have been looking into unlocking the phone to work with Sprint, however I haven't much of luck...
That's when I came to XDA. While I was looking around the forum, I got to thinking.
Is there any possible way that I could take the Sprint version of the Samsung Galaxy S3's ROM, and load it onto my Verizon Galaxy? And has anyone tried this yet?
It's essentially the same hardware, right? To the best of my understanding, the only difference in the phones would be software related according to the carrier.
I am really struggling with this one, and I have witnessed the vast knowledge and great work by this forum before, so I am hoping I'll be able to find the help I need.
-Mortem Obrie
Verizon and Sprint do use the same cdma networks but will not activate each others devices on their network so the answer is no I do not think this is going to be possible for you.
alekurkudi said:
Verizon and Sprint do use the same cdma networks but will not activate each others devices on their network so the answer is no I do not think this is going to be possible for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I did talk to Sprint, and Sprint said they would be willing to activate an unlocked Galaxy. It's just the unlocking process that I am unsure of.

[Q] Sprint phone on Verizon Network through Straight Talk

I currently have a Sprint HTC 4g LTE. It is rooted, boot loader is unlocked, and it is S-Off. I'm currently using Sprint. However, I was thinking about switching to Straight Talk. They said they would have no problem putting my phone on their network. However, I pretty confident that when they put my phone on Straight Talk, I will still be using Sprints towers. Is there a way to request or flash my phone where I can use this Sprint phone on a the Verizon towers since they both use CDMA? Any help or guidance would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Page Plus..
OR Verizon Pre-paid are other options. StraightTalk is Sprint only I believe.
I've flashed mine to Verizon Pre-paid and haven't looked back. Everything works perfectly. You will need to download a voicemail app (I use YouMail) and configure your MMS protocols (there's a tutorial in the General thread if you search Verizon MMS).
jwalkinc said:
OR Verizon Pre-paid are other options. StraightTalk is Sprint only I believe.
I've flashed mine to Verizon Pre-paid and haven't looked back. Everything works perfectly. You will need to download a voicemail app (I use YouMail) and configure your MMS protocols (there's a tutorial in the General thread if you search Verizon MMS).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the information, but Straight Talk actually uses all major phone providers, At&t, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon towers. In order to access those towers though, you have to have a phone from that company so that is my dilemma of trying to get a Sprint phone to work on a Verizon network. I looked at the tutorial that you are refereeing to. I'm not 100% sure this will work for me or not since I want to use straight talk.

[Q] How do I get this to work with AT&T [/Q]

I read a few threads and am confused, so I thought I would just ask. I have a few 4G LTE devices for Verizon and am ready to switch to AT&T. Let's just say that Verizon and I had an argument and it is time to switch. Plus I would be saving over $50 to switch to AT&T with a month to month with a BYOP plan.
I visited the AT&T store today and had them insert a SIM into my S4. I get the error "This SIM card is from an unknown source" in the banner. I get a signal strength and a H for where the data symbol 4GLTE is. Then it drops the signal and refuses to have a data connection. At this time the APN settings were NOT adjusted. This was a straight out of the box S4 rooted on NC5 with Android version 4.4.2. After messing with the S4 for awhile he moved to the S3 and entered the proper APN settings. It pulled data, but only at EDGE speeds or 1X. Also, my last device, a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, has no way of editing the APN settings. It is NOT rooted and is still on stock firmware.
My questions are these:
1. Can this be done?
2. What do I need to do to the phone(s)/tablet to make it work?
3. Will I be able to get 4G speeds?
I do not want to purchase phones with AT&T today because I just don't have the money. I already have these devices, I just want to swap them over. I am comfortable with flashing using ODIN and even so far as using safe-strap. I have flashed some custom roms, but my phone is a daily grind phone and I really want something that works 90% of the time.
Thanks in advance for any help!
EDIT:
None of the codes work either:
*#0*#
*#06#
ECT...
ghost0001 said:
I read a few threads and am confused, so I thought I would just ask. I have a few 4G LTE devices for Verizon and am ready to switch to AT&T. Let's just say that Verizon and I had an argument and it is time to switch. Plus I would be saving over $50 to switch to AT&T with a month to month with a BYOP plan.
I visited the AT&T store today and had them insert a SIM into my S4. I get the error "This SIM card is from an unknown source" in the banner. I get a signal strength and a H for where the data symbol 4GLTE is. Then it drops the signal and refuses to have a data connection. At this time the APN settings were NOT adjusted. This was a straight out of the box S4 rooted on NC5 with Android version 4.4.2. After messing with the S4 for awhile he moved to the S3 and entered the proper APN settings. It pulled data, but only at EDGE speeds or 1X. Also, my last device, a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, has no way of editing the APN settings. It is NOT rooted and is still on stock firmware.
My questions are these:
1. Can this be done?
2. What do I need to do to the phone(s)/tablet to make it work?
3. Will I be able to get 4G speeds?
I do not want to purchase phones with AT&T today because I just don't have the money. I already have these devices, I just want to swap them over. I am comfortable with flashing using ODIN and even so far as using safe-strap. I have flashed some custom roms, but my phone is a daily grind phone and I really want something that works 90% of the time.
Thanks in advance for any help!
EDIT:
None of the codes work either:
*#0*#
*#06#
ECT...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already answered in another thread.
k1mu said:
Already answered in another thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool beans, but I have read about 20 threads, specifically what one are you referencing? Link please?
ghost0001 said:
Cool beans, but I have read about 20 threads, specifically what one are you referencing? Link please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was an answer to this same question asked by you. This thread is redundant.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-verizon/help/verizon-to-att-t2801297
k1mu said:
It was an answer to this same question asked by you. This thread is redundant.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-verizon/help/verizon-to-att-t2801297
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That thread just asks if the SIM card would work and if they would need to flash a GSM ROM to their S4. That thread does not answer the questions I asked. I just gave my insight after a visit with the AT&T store. Store techs tend to not know as much as the XDA community. That is why I asked here. So no, it is not a redundant thread. I appreciate your answer, but it isn't what I am looking for. Not a straight up yes or no, this or that.
As for the GSM locks I discussed, it was from an experience I had with a Motorola Droid 2 and using it on a local GSM provider in the USA. So yes, that was pre LTE.
ghost0001 said:
That thread just asks if the SIM card would work and if they would need to flash a GSM ROM to their S4. That thread does not answer the questions I asked. I just gave my insight after a visit with the AT&T store. Store techs tend to not know as much as the XDA community. That is why I asked here. So no, it is not a redundant thread. I appreciate your answer, but it isn't what I am looking for. Not a straight up yes or no, this or that.
As for the GSM locks I discussed, it was from an experience I had with a Motorola Droid 2 and using it on a local GSM provider in the USA. So yes, that was pre LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My point, which you apparently missed, is that there is no reason for starting up yet another thread to ask questions that have already been answered. That''s why I said that this is redundant.
OK, let me answer your questions.
1. Can this be done?
Yes, you can install an AT&T SIM, set up the APN, and it will work. What bands you get and what bandwidth you get depends on what bands AT&T are using in your area. You won't likely be able to get LTE speed; most likely just Edge. You can't fix that, as it's a limitation of the phone's radio hardware. Again, some people have made claims that you can flash the AT&T GS4 modem on a Verizon phone and change that, but that's pretty risky as it will likely brick your phone.
2. What do I need to do to the phone(s)/tablet to make it work?
It works, for some level of "work". If you're stock,some people have reported that the firmware requires CDMA for some functions, like SMS. I haven't verified that. I was able to send SMS with my phone and a UK SIM which uses the AT&T network.
3. Will I be able to get 4G speeds?
Not likely. For example, see here http://phandroid.com/2012/12/10/nexus-4-att-lte/ - the common band, LTE Band 4, has limited AT&T coverage.
I haven't gone over the specs of the two phones lately to match them up, so that may be worth looking at again.
k1mu said:
My point, which you apparently missed, is that there is no reason for starting up yet another thread to ask questions that have already been answered. That''s why I said that this is redundant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your answer. I decided to trade the phones into AT&T and get a credit towards a Samsung S4 and a Asus Padphone X. After I read a few more posts over the internet and a few more hours figuring out how LTE works I came across the answer. I did miss what you meant and I apologize. Again, thank you for your answer.

[Q] Using phone on Verizon network

I can't seem to find a straight and current answer to my question so I figure I'll just make my own thread.
I currently have a Sprint LG G3 as my personal phone and my work provides me with a Verizon Galaxy S4. I am wanting to get out of my Sprint contract so I no longer carry 2 phones and pay for a phone i don't need to pay for. My question is: is it possible for me to use my Verizon sim card in my lg g3?
Well, I am curious if it would work by changing "SPR" to "VZW" in the build.prop and popping in a big red's sim card.
With the L update, if you change "SPR" to "VZW" in the build.prop and reset the phone the VZW menus will appear on the phone. It will GSM unlock it, it will pick up signal and you can make and receive calls. Only thing is that there are a lot of ui crashes.
If you mess around with shortcut master and do a VZW search, you will find different options found on big reds phones, you will also find options for ATT, TMO, LGU, KDDI, and others. Each time you change the build.prop the settings menu changes and the options for the selected carrier are changed on the phone when a restart is made. Its like all the carrier settings and configurations are in the sw/hw but at the time the OS, baseband, modem, system, etc is installed, the setup configures the phone to run on a specific carrier.
Im pretty sure that an advanced coder could make it work....
Lets hope this thread goes somewhere.......
Mejet said:
I can't seem to find a straight and current answer to my question so I figure I'll just make my own thread.
I currently have a Sprint LG G3 as my personal phone and my work provides me with a Verizon Galaxy S4. I am wanting to get out of my Sprint contract so I no longer carry 2 phones and pay for a phone i don't need to pay for. My question is: is it possible for me to use my Verizon sim card in my lg g3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not just sell the sprint G3 and get a used verizon G3 on swappa?
Well you can follow this guide I mean I haven't done it but what I understand is that you need to get a code from sprint and then do some other stuff.
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-lg-g3/general/unlock-sprint-ls990-cdma-carrier-t2985523
Let us know if it works and good luck!
Here is another link if you mess up and need to restore: http://forum.xda-developers.com/spr...de-how-to-restore-sprint-lg-g3-ls990-t2852042
I got it to work on Verizons service....
All in this thread....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-lg-g3/general/ls990-red-t3033809

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