[Q] Please help! LG VS890 rooting problem - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I've been trying for over two weeks to root my LG Enact (Verizon branded), with no luck. This is not the most popular phone out there, but I like my QWERTY keyboard, I can't help it. It's an 8GB phone, the stock ROM is KitKat, it's a capable little device. So I'm going to keep at it until I find a solution. But I could use some help.
Unfortunately, I've tried just about every tethered AND untethered method out there, and nothing is working. The root-by-adb scripts run into a brick wall if they boot the phone into recovery, because the phone refuses to communicate that way, the computer says "Device not recognized" once recovery starts. (And all of those drivers are as up-to-date as I can make them.) The ones that use Download Mode (such as the LG One-Click Root method I tried, from this forum) get a little further, but they never complete the process. There are several apk methods that claim to be able to root without the adb connection, like framaroot, towelroot, kingoroot, etc., but none of these works either. I think I've tried them all. (And I'm going to have to do some hefty virus-scanning on my computer, after all the shady places I've wound up, from following bogus links while looking.)
The phone's stock ROM seems to have been set up with an extra layer of security which most devices don't have, which is one problem. We all know the "Allow installation of apps from unknown sources" option in the Security menu; mine also has a choice below it to "Disallow or warn before installation of apps that may cause harm", which of course I leave UN-checked. In Developer Options, grouped with USB Debugging, there is another "option" to "Verify apps over USB -- Check apps installed via ADB/ADT for harmful behavior", which is automatically checked when Debugging is enabled, but the "option" is grayed out and cannot be changed. So it's likely that NO tethered method will ever root this phone, because anything I attempt to install that way will be flagged as "harmful behavior".
Sorry this is growing so long, but you need to know what I've already explored, which explains my next question: there MAY be a way to run a root exploit directly from the phone, if I can find a way to manually place the file (such as the zipped ioroot exploit) in a folder which recovery can access, and this is where I'm asking for help. The stock recovery has two other selectable options, besides "Apply update from ADB" (which is where some file would be sideloaded, if the phone didn't stop communicating here) -- there is also "Apply update from cache", and "Apply update from external storage". I already have the appropriate file on the SD card, but when I try that option, the phone says it "Cannot mount SD card, no CSI structures installed", or something like that... which renders the SD unusable during recovery. If I look at the "Apply from cache" selection, it gives me four choices, which are "backup/", "fota/", "lost+found/", and "recovery/". The problem here is, none of those "cache" folders are in a location I can access... they must be in a system partition which I can't even see, without root.
So if anyone has ANY thoughts on this -- either how to force the phone to leave the SD mounted during recovery, or how to move a file to an invisible partition -- would be greatly appreciated.

Have you tried kingroot not kingoroot?

Tried them both, no dice

I used kingroot on Verizon LG VS890 (fx3q) running Android 4.4.2 to successfully achieve root. Saferoot and others did not work for me.
Rooted with NewKingrootV4.50_C120_B220_xda_release_2015_09_02_105243.apk installed with ES file explorer.

Thank you!!! That method finally worked for me.

Verizon
Glad I was able to help you.
Where you able to activate your phone on a new different provider? Even after rooting I wasn't able to get the Verizon VS890 to register on Canadian provider (Wind).
Thanks

Zero Sparks said:
Glad I was able to help you.
Where you able to activate your phone on a new different provider? Even after rooting I wasn't able to get the Verizon VS890 to register on Canadian provider (Wind).
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting would have nothing to do with activating this phone on another network. The LG VS890 (Enact) does not support GSM. The SIM slot is strictly for VZW LTE. This phone was not classified as a world phone, thus not needing to be unlocked like other VZW phones, and/or was produced before they were required to have their phones unlocked, but either way, it's not working on a GSM network.
http://www.lg.com/us/cell-phones/lg-VS890-enact - Specs only list CDMA/LTE
http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_enact_vs890-5649.php - Specs only list CDMA/LTE

Thanks for the reply, but Wind mobile is CDMA not GSM.
Both employ 1700/2100 MHz AWS spectrum

Zero Sparks said:
Glad I was able to help you.
Where you able to activate your phone on a new different provider? Even after rooting I wasn't able to get the Verizon VS890 to register on Canadian provider (Wind).
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the US, Verizon is mainly a CDMA network, although you can get Verizon phones that are capable of either type of network. If you have a CDMA network in Canada, the phone should work. I have mine set up with StraightTalk Wireless, which is run by WalMart (don't laugh, the service is CHEAP and very reliable). The procedure was NOT very straightforward, and their telephone support is ridiculous (very poor English, had to explain things several times, took three attempts to get it done, etc.), but perseverance paid off. Don't give up.
The thing I'm having trouble with now, is finding custom ROMs for the phone. It's running KitKat, so it's not ancient, and if I can't use anything but the stock ROM, so be it. But I'm dying to try flashing Lollipop or even Marshmallow. It has to be a very specific ROM for that phone, because of the keyboard... the wrong firmware won't function properly. And there are a lot of bogus sites out there which want you to "complete a survey" or "sign up for one of these offers", but they never give you the download, it's just an endless circle of phishing sites.

Zero Sparks said:
Thanks for the reply, but Wind mobile is CDMA not GSM.
Both employ 1700/2100 MHz AWS spectrum
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not even from Canada and I know that is not correct. Wind Mobile is certainly GSM. It uses the same frequenices and bands as the American T-Mobile network.

es0tericcha0s said:
I'm not even from Canada and I know that is not correct. Wind Mobile is certainly GSM. It uses the same frequenices and bands as the American T-Mobile network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, Zero, he's right. The "official" list of CDMA networks operating in Canada is small, and dwindling. Telus Mobility and Sasktel Mobility have CDMA through sometime in 2016, while Bell Mobiility plans to keep it through 2017. SogoTel is the only one which seems intent on staying CDMA, but they "roam" on Bell, so your coverage may be restricted after the 2017 cutoff. All depends on where the CDMA towers are located.
If you have WalMart up there, and you probably do (we call it "UberMart" down here), you may be able to get Straight-Talk like I have, which contracts to use both sets of towers as needed. Check their website, it should tell you if it's available in your area. Just be prepared to pull teeth to do it -- they will send you an "activation kit" for something like $4.99, which has a couple different sizes of SIM card (which the phone needs to operate correctly, just not for GSM access). Online activation may fail, and you'll have to spend a few hours talking with someone from India with very minimal training who will ask you the same questions over and over, assume it's a defective SIM card and send you a second one, all before finally getting the picture that it's NOT a GSM phone and has to be activated as CDMA. Worth the struggle, for the price. ($45/month, unlimited talk/data/text)... as long as your towers give you adequate CDMA coverage.

I appreciate everyone's input. I am an avid HTC user since the Hermes, slide out versions. Currently using a HTC M8 on Rogers, here in Canada. I stick with HTC because I've always been able to root and run custom roms, firmwares with the awesome support of this board.
I was trying to help out my little brother with his phone, despite my advice he just had to have a horizontal slide out keyboard so he ordered this phone. Big brothers job was to make it work.
We did our homework, and compared network specs, so technically this phone should work on Wind network (CDMA to CDMA same bands) but I didn't bother calling in for technical support. Perhaps if I had called in they may have pressed the correct buttons to activate the phone. The phone did accept the Wind SIM but never activated/registered.
He sent the phone back for refund so I can't play around with it anymore. Again, many thanks for everyone's help, input. Right or wrong, all appreciated. ZS

Related

[Q] Samsung SGH-T959 Network Failure

My Samsung SGH-T959 Will not connect to the T-Mobile GSM network. All other functions appear to work OK. The phone worked well enough until I needed to use it in Britain last week. Until then, it was stock from the store, locked to T-Mobile USA.
I needed connectivity so I unlocked the phone and used it with a Vodaphone (lebaru) pay-as-you-go sim. At first it would not register with the provider, but I gave the phone to the agent (some Arab guy in a small shop...) and after they kept it overnight, it worked. On returning to the US I put the original SIM back in the phone. Now it won't register with T-Mobile. Sometimes it finds ATT towers when I scan for network providers, sometimes it does not. It never sees T-mobile.
I have verified that it is unlocked, and done a hard reboot and washed away the internal Flash storage. The behaviour does not improve. I have tried two known-good SIM cards.
I have read many posts that seem to indicate that others are having similar problems, but I haven't seen any answers (or even explanations).
Can anyone suggest a solution?
Samsung SGH-T959
Unlocked Provider
T-Mobile USA
Stock rom?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Stock rom, 2.1-update1, ECLAIR.UVKA2
--Dave
ODIN back to stock and see what happens then.
TheSneakerWhore said:
ODIN back to stock and see what happens then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I guess that I'll need to use Heimdal, as I don't have windows. But where do I get a 'stock' image to load? If what I have is not stock, how do I know what it is? And if I come to the point of having to load alternate 'ROMs', which do I choose. There seem to be so many caveats.
What I find really perplexing is my phone's sudden inability to lock to the tower corresponding to the sim provider I'm using. With other phones and modules I have used over the years, this was ever an issue. You put in an ATT sim, the device tries to connect to an ATT tower. You put in T-Mobile or Vodaphone, then it tries to connect to the corresponding resource. It almost seems as if there is a small hidden file somewhere in the bowels of the beast that overrides the sim's preference.
Still trying...
Ok, after much wailing, flailing, and gnashing of teeth, I have sorted out more of the vocabulary of this forum, hopefully attached it correctly to the relevant concepts in my head. I feel that I am making progress of a sort. I have also installed Heimdall under Linux, Odin under Windows, Kies and a variety of minor tools. I have tried them cautiously, but avoided any rash actions. I believe that I will make a unbricking cable for good measure.
But my phone still won't connect to the T-Mobile (US) tower. Scanning for 'networks' only shows ATT, and I'm pretty sure that I can't even talk to that using an ATT sim.
My working theory is based on the events that got me to this point (but still far too little knowledge about my phone) and goes as follows:
When I had the phone unlocked, this was done properly, but my T-Mobile (US) 'MODEM' (which I assume to be the signal processor code that controls the physical layer radio interaction) was not able to negotiate a session properly with the Vodaphone (UK) tower. I took the phone back to the person who unlocked it, and he/she/it realized the problem and updated that part of the code, allowing me to connect with the 'network'.
I never mentioned to the phone-unlocker that I only planned to stay in the UK for 10 days. It didn't occur to me that upon returning home, I might encounter the flip side of this problem. And if he/she/it happened to think of this possibility, he/she/it figured I'd be well out of his/her/whatever hair by the time I noticed. Which I am.
So my operating assumption is that I need to reverse the initial modification of my firmware, restoring the initial functionality to the 'MODEM'. I have yet to find a trove of alternative 'MODEM' code, but responses to queries by others seem to imply that one exists. I am reluctant to attempting to flash the device back to the original state, mostly because I am not sure what that state was. I've downloaded a bunch of stuff (i.e. Odin + .pit files) but I'm nervous about whether they are really the right ones for my phone.
Can anyone tell me if I am on the right track?
-- Dave
You should download the AIO Vibrant Toolbox since it have all the instructions and files you need to revert back to stock. Its pretty easy.
Instead of typing so much, odin back to stock. Man I hate fast typers. /crazy.flailing.arm.tube.man
Cheers
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I'm a *lousy*, hunt & peck typer. Once in a while I just bite the bullet and try to say what I mean unambiguously. It is painful, and I do it only rarely.
dave

[Q] Does photon work in Canada

I know its blocked I USA for other providers
But on engadget it says north america
I know for Verizon global phones like the Droid pro or Droid 3 they work fine in Canada
Secondly if it does work does it need to be unlocked?
Thanks!
i should add does it need the sprint sim to be in there for global or can any sim be inserted
And is neone working on removing the gsm ban for usa
The phone is unlocked for GSM so you should be able to pop on a Canadian sim. As far as I know only US carriers are blocked.
Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk
wouldn't the phone just roam on the CDMA towers in Canada?
there arent really any more major CDMA in canada, its all gsm
i just hope that popping a canadian sim card in to it is enough
I travel for work in Toronto all the time, and have never had problems CDMA roaming.. (very fast there actually..)
-mark
@mark
does sprint charge extra to roam in Canada ?? i'm planing a trip there
Yes, but it's a fair price. $0.002/kb vs. at&t's $0.015/kb. Use droidwall to block data access to the apps you need.. I usually spend an extra $20/30 for a week in canada in roaming charges.
Voice calls still cost too much I think (but they may have a plan to make it cheaper..) - i just use my phone for data..
-mark
I am thinking to get one,
does it work with Canadian carriers(or any countries other than US) even voice and data?
Thanks a lot.
thats what i wanna know
can i pop a canadian sim card, or is it also blocked
or is it just usa thats blocked like the verizion droid globals
canada and unlocked photon
Hi I just took delivery of the photon unlocked from sprint , I have put in the sim from Rogers and the cell part works just fine, I cannot get the data side to work though, I have played with all the settings I can find, anyone have a thought it would be appreciated. it says the 4 G not found, when I select network I choose the 3g on rogers, there is a 2g option, and I make sure the data on GSM is on
thanks
dramsdale said:
Hi I just took delivery of the photon unlocked from sprint , I have put in the sim from Rogers and the cell part works just fine, I cannot get the data side to work though, I have played with all the settings I can find, anyone have a thought it would be appreciated. it says the 4 G not found, when I select network I choose the 3g on rogers, there is a 2g option, and I make sure the data on GSM is on
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might need to create an access point name ... See here:
http://thekidd.ca/blog/tech/rogers-apn-settings
Sent from my MB855 using XDA App
set up APNS still not working
Hi thanks for the post , I ahve set up both APNs as listed and rebooted the phone, I have set the mobile manually to the rogers 3g as when I turn on the 4 g I cannot connect, but I still cannot get data access on the 3g Hmm not sure what to do next , any other thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks
Sprint locked the UMTS radios to disable use on AT&T's network. That's the frequencies 850 MHz and 1900 MHz.
Rogers, Bell and Telus all use these frequencies for UMTS as well. I imagine if it is blocked for AT&T, then you won't be able to use it on these carriers either.
Bell/Telus CDMA/EVDO, and GSM/EDGE 850/1900 protocols still live in Toronto will work with the phone, though.
You may have to contact either Sprint or Motorola to get this fixed as it is clearly false advertising.
Sucks though I wish I saw this before I ordered it (for use on Bell HSPA). Gonna have to get my rage on.
Sprint apps
Hi..
Please accept my apologies if my questions are a bit primitive, this is my first post. I appreciate guiding me step by step or pointing to another post if mu questions kinda repeated.. Thanks
I just bought a Motorola Photon on bay. I am in Canada.. The phone works well with Rogers, Fido..
Luckily, the phone is rooted. I also managed to get its MSL code.
Will a factory reset wipes my root advantage ??
Now, how can I get rid of these Sprint apps?? Having the MSL now, what benefit can I have in breaking free from Sprint-related stuff?
Is the WiMAX unlocked from Sprint if I happen to have WiMAX available??
I have too many questions, but let us start step by step.. I really do appreciate your explanations.. Thanks v much
Backup activation of Sprint ..
install root explorer by market and rename the following applications
from the system folder / app:
SprintOMADMConnMOPlugin.apk
SprintOMADMConnMoPlugin.odex
in
SprintOMADMConnMOPlugin.apk.bck
SprintOMADMConnMoPlugin.odex.bck
red_gold said:
Will a factory reset wipes my root advantage ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, it'll mess it up a bit, won't completely wipe, but will mess it up so that you'll have to reinstall.
red_gold said:
Now, how can I get rid of these Sprint apps?? Having the MSL now, what benefit can I have in breaking free from Sprint-related stuff?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
root is what allows you to get rid of the sprint apps. there's a thread on what apps you can get rid of and what you can't... there are some apps that you can just uninstall by just going into >settings>applications>manage applications, while others you need to remove by root explorer, or manually (remount rw, and remove from /system/app)
red_gold said:
Is the WiMAX unlocked from Sprint if I happen to have WiMAX available??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not really clear on this question - you have WiMax if you have a sprint account, it used to be due to the $10 premium addition, but they've changed it to all smart phones. turn it on, see if you can find the network, and connect to it.
hope that help.s
Hi.. Thanks for the replies
I am not sure what do you mean by "mess it up ... have reinstall??" do you mean just reinstall superuser app from the market ??
I mean if WiMAX is available in my area outside the US. Will I be able to use it ??
I just need ways to break-free and unlock the phone from any Sprint related ties. i am not living in the US and there is no Sprint here in Canada or any country I am traveling to..
Enough that I also cannot use it with a sim card with a US carrier as it is next to impossible as I learn,.. I don't want to regret buying the phone that is why I rooted it and managed to get the MSL
to try to unlock it from Sprint as much as I can..
Thanks lot
factory resets basically clear /data and /cache.
/data is where all of your downloaded apps are stored (including superuser)... as well as your user data, settings, accounts, etc.
su (root) is located in /system/bin linked to /system/xbin, so it won't be removed and will still be on there...
as for your wimax question - i'd think if you were provisioned correctly outside the US, you should be able to access it.
the sim to US thing is something coded into the hardware, so until one of the devs here figures a way around it, we're sort of stuck...
chibucks , thanks a lot.. Your knowlege and advive is highly apreciated..
So Could I simply 1.rename the /data directory as for example, /data.1
2.Go to ##RTN#, Do a factory reset then rename the /data.1 back again to /data
Would that only be OK, or am I missing something or any other better way ??
All I care about is the root, anyting else can be re-downloaded. I don't have the experience yet to root the phone in case i loose root..

[Q] Verizon to Europe?

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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
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.

FreedomPop phone upgrade

Hi there,
I just got a FreedomPop phone (HTC Evo Design 4G), and while $0/month is great, and it technically works, the phone itself is very slow an clunky (music player crashes, the RAM is actually downgraded from 768 to 512, general lag). Now, I have a perfectly decent Droid Razr M, which I would love to get working with the FreedomPop service.
Here is what I found so far:
* The FreedomPop phone has no SIM card. It's all software.
* I did a Titanium Backup, and found two packages of notice:
vDM Client (com.redbend.vdmc) - seems to be responsible for some kind of cellular data transfer.
Sprint DSA (com.sprint.dsa) - sprint network authentication.
There might be more, but I'm assuming it's these two that are responsible for authenticating me onto the network.
I did a Titanium Backup on the EVO, and restored it on the RAZR, but I get the permissions errors like the one below because the programs are not "signed":
10-29 16:06:22.029 W/PackageManager(699): Not granting permission android.permission.DEVICE_POWER to package com.redbend.vdmc (protectionLevel=2 flags=0x8be45)
It seems like this should be possible to figure out. I would very much appreciate any help.
Freedompop's Evo Design 4g does have a sim port and is a world phone. This is probably wrong forum to discuss, but since XDA has elected not to make one for said device, I'll continue. Main thing is: your Droid... is Verizon and Freedompop is a Sprint mvno. If I were to try such, I'd scout old phone forums [recommend droid eris]. Some got those kind of working across the cdma band differences, and you'd need to do similarly. My experience w/ moto manufactured smartphones is limited; so, no guide forthcoming from me. Hope that helps somewhat though.
Regards,
Rob
Sent from my HTCEVODesign4G using Tapatalk
Thanks for the reply. Yes, Moto is a Verizon while Evo Design is Sprint. The main thing, however, is that there is no sim card and the sprint access is all based on software. So theoretically, if I migrate the software, it could work. The backup-evo->restore-razr doesn't seem to work because of the app certificate issues. I think that's step one. To figure out how to install the software, so it actually works. Then figure out how to allow access to the Sprint network, since both phones are world phones.
lil help
Mr. Pickles said:
Thanks for the reply. Yes, Moto is a Verizon while Evo Design is Sprint. The main thing, however, is that there is no sim card and the sprint access is all based on software. So theoretically, if I migrate the software, it could work. The backup-evo->restore-razr doesn't seem to work because of the app certificate issues. I think that's step one. To figure out how to install the software, so it actually works. Then figure out how to allow access to the Sprint network, since both phones are world phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know with HTC phones.. you'd need a copy of QPST, drop down into your root directory and make a "opensesame" folder. This unlocks the NV items. Inside those NV items are keys you'd need to switch out [to work on other bands]. That would have to be done at a minimum [and I don't know where motorola's storage of these lie]. Using a sacrifice phone and changing meid has been suggested by some in past, but changing the meid often changes your ESN [it recalculates]. Technically changing your ESN is a grey area. Some say its illegal; I say its illegal if your intent is to defraud. I am not a lawyer though nor do I play one on TV [nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night]; so, any and all waivers apply . Defraud is a wide grey area iow. To me, that's to discourage those that cloned phones, pirated data and calls, invaded privacy, etc and if you are experimenting on your own sacrificial phone [not to defraud anyone], I don't consider it illegal, but keep it to yourself all the same [if you have to go that route]. That's about all the help I can be on the issue. I've been able to get Sprint phones working on Sprint mvno, but never attempted the long vault [Sprint to Verizon or vice versa].
Regards,
Rob
I think this is a bit daunting of a task than what I first imagined. Thanks for the info, Rob.

Possible GSM use on XT1526? Flashed TextNow Moto E with USC ROM - no success..

To be clear, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing, and no experience whatsoever with any of this.
Over 12 hours of research I managed to unlock the bootloader, root, and flash my TextNow Moto E with a stock US Cellular ROM. Everything worked fine.
What are the next steps to take, if any? Is it possible to even use a GSM network on this phone? I have an active T-Mobile sim card that the phone simply will not accept. I get a "no sim found" notification.
I attempted this with no success.
To start, su command would not work.
This worked for me on the XT1529, but it might work on the XT1526 as well since they're both LTE/CDMA devices:
root, open /system/build.prop, add the following line to the end: ro.telephony.default_network=10
save, make sure the permissions are still 0644, reboot.
When you check *#*#4636#*#* it should be in LTE/GSM/CDMA mode, and in Settings > Mobile Network it should say "Global".
xtermmin said:
This worked for me on the XT1529, but it might work on the XT1526 as well since they're both LTE/CDMA devices:
root, open /system/build.prop, add the following line to the end: ro.telephony.default_network=10
save, make sure the permissions are still 0644, reboot.
When you check *#*#4636#*#* it should be in LTE/GSM/CDMA mode, and in Settings > Mobile Network it should say "Global".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This didn't work. I ended up experimenting more and softbricked my phone, got stuck in a boot loop. Through curiosity I ended up flashing the phone with a stock xt1527 rom. SIM now recognized as a non supported sim, so that's nice. Still doesn't work.
I cannot post links to screens as a new user, but if you happen to want to see them, message me and I'll link them from my dropbox.
I ended up ordering an unlocked xt1527 last night. However, I would still like to figure this out. Would I perhaps have to flash the modem?
akaholik said:
This didn't work. I ended up experimenting more and softbricked my phone, got stuck in a boot loop. Through curiosity I ended up flashing the phone with a stock xt1527 rom. SIM now recognized as a non supported sim, so that's nice. Still doesn't work.
I cannot post links to screens as a new user, but if you happen to want to see them, message me and I'll link them from my dropbox.
I ended up ordering an unlocked xt1527 last night. However, I would still like to figure this out. Would I perhaps have to flash the modem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try the procedure posted in this thread if you haven't already, assuming your still on the xt1527 rom:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-e-2015/general/how-to-verizon-moto-e-2015-gsm-network-t3098953
hydroman202 said:
You could try the procedure posted in this thread if you haven't already, assuming your still on the xt1527 rom:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-e-2015/general/how-to-verizon-moto-e-2015-gsm-network-t3098953
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tested this - not working. This is a really maddening scenario
I contacted sprint and gave them the IMEI - they tell me that this phone can indeed be unlocked (xt1526), but I would have to do it through TextNow. I've searched for ways to bring up the SIM unlock prompt, but it simply doesn't show up with any of the methods found. :s
akaholik said:
I contacted sprint and gave them the IMEI - they tell me that this phone can indeed be unlocked (xt1526), but I would have to do it through TextNow. I've searched for ways to bring up the SIM unlock prompt, but it simply doesn't show up with any of the methods found. :s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am also having problems finding this menu. I wish there was an easy way to access it, but unfortunately, sprint has made it rather difficult.
hydroman202 said:
I am also having problems finding this menu. I wish there was an easy way to access it, but unfortunately, sprint has made it rather difficult.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still have my sprint model as well, and have the MSL code. But I have also never found a way to enter it for unlock. I've tried using active ATT and VZW SIMs, and also tried flashing the USC modem on it - still works on sprint / ringplus, but also still won't acknowledge ATT or VZW SIMs.
Sent from my XT1526 using Tapatalk
dandrumheller said:
I still have my sprint model as well, and have the MSL code. But I have also never found a way to enter it for unlock. I've tried using active ATT and VZW SIMs, and also tried flashing the USC modem on it - still works on sprint / ringplus, but also still won't acknowledge ATT or VZW SIMs.
Sent from my XT1526 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know for sure, but i did read in another place on here somewhere about an "embedded card" that sprint put in another phone. I wonder if that is the case with this one? If not, all i can really think of is that there is something in place that motorola made specifically for the sprint model. We know its not modem related, so it must be somewhere else, in the NAM, or something like that. One thing i did accomplish was to get another bar, (it had no signal and looked like an outline, but it was there), show up by editing the build prop with a specific line and then rebooting. Odd thing is, its the same thing that showed up when i attemped to flash another stock firmware. The firmware i flashed was for the xt1526, retail us. Which leads me to think it might be a band issue, as someone else mentioned in another thread on here somewhere. I mean, it would make sense with the no signal and everything. Sorry for the long post, just thinking out loud i guess.
hydroman202 said:
I don't know for sure, but i did read in another place on here somewhere about an "embedded card" that sprint put in another phone. I wonder if that is the case with this one? If not, all i can really think of is that there is something in place that motorola made specifically for the sprint model. We know its not modem related, so it must be somewhere else, in the NAM, or something like that. One thing i did accomplish was to get another bar, (it had no signal and looked like an outline, but it was there), show up by editing the build prop with a specific line and then rebooting. Odd thing is, its the same thing that showed up when i attemped to flash another stock firmware. The firmware i flashed was for the xt1526, retail us. Which leads me to think it might be a band issue, as someone else mentioned in another thread on here somewhere. I mean, it would make sense with the no signal and everything. Sorry for the long post, just thinking out loud i guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I'm hoping there is a fix somehow. I'm ok to use the phone on WiFi, but it is otherwise useless to me. I'd like to have a backup phone in case my first Moto E dies, they are really rugged. I have experimented all day without success. Experimenting with build.prop does nothing. I export the build.prop text and post it just for reference, if anyone cares to play with it.
hydroman202 said:
I don't know for sure, but i did read in another place on here somewhere about an "embedded card" that sprint put in another phone. I wonder if that is the case with this one? If not, all i can really think of is that there is something in place that motorola made specifically for the sprint model. We know its not modem related, so it must be somewhere else, in the NAM, or something like that. One thing i did accomplish was to get another bar, (it had no signal and looked like an outline, but it was there), show up by editing the build prop with a specific line and then rebooting. Odd thing is, its the same thing that showed up when i attemped to flash another stock firmware. The firmware i flashed was for the xt1526, retail us. Which leads me to think it might be a band issue, as someone else mentioned in another thread on here somewhere. I mean, it would make sense with the no signal and everything. Sorry for the long post, just thinking out loud i guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its not an embedded card in the textnow wireless version as ive taken the sim card out of mine. The S3 was an imbedded card, but not this device. Im also searching for a method to sim unlock this little bugger. Ill let you know what i find out
youdoofus said:
its not an embedded card in the textnow wireless version as ive taken the sim card out of mine. The S3 was an imbedded card, but not this device. Im also searching for a method to sim unlock this little bugger. Ill let you know what i find out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I talked to Sprint - they told me TextNow has to SIM unlock the device. I talked to TextNow - They told me the device IS SIM unlocked. So, there's that if anybody is wondering. I've almost abandoned this experiment, but it's still in the back of my mind. In other news - the new Moto E 2015 I received has a yellowed display. 2/3 brand new Motorola devices I received had display issues. Excellent phones, poor quality control it seems.
akaholik said:
I talked to Sprint - they told me TextNow has to SIM unlock the device. I talked to TextNow - They told me the device IS SIM unlocked. So, there's that if anybody is wondering. I've almost abandoned this experiment, but it's still in the back of my mind. In other news - the new Moto E 2015 I received has a yellowed display. 2/3 brand new Motorola devices I received had display issues. Excellent phones, poor quality control it seems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i got my E2015 from textnow for $10 as a refurb and its solid as a rock so far. I stumbled upon this thread and it looks promising, but im at work and we use citrix clients and not actual computers so i cant run it here, but ill give it a whirl when i get home. I do also believe that its GSM unlocked
Trying to make my XT1526 (Boost stock ROM) work with GSM, and got stuck on something weird. Inserted a SIM card from China Mobile, changed the network mode to "Global" and turned on roaming, after a while it got successfully registered on T-Mobile network, both voice and data. Yet, when I inserted a T-Mobile SIM card, the phone gave an "Invalid SIM card" error, and simply refused to connect. Thought it might be an issue with APN setting, but I couldn't manually add the T-Mo APN to the phone (in fact it wouldn't take any APN).
I think the phone's hardware is capable of LTE/CDMA/GSM. It's a just matter of figuring out the right configuration.
ck9068 said:
Trying to make my XT1526 (Boost stock ROM) work with GSM, and got stuck on something weird. Inserted a SIM card from China Mobile, changed the network mode to "Global" and turned on roaming, after a while it got successfully registered on T-Mobile network, both voice and data. Yet, when I inserted a T-Mobile SIM card, the phone gave an "Invalid SIM card" error, and simply refused to connect. Thought it might be an issue with APN setting, but I couldn't manually add the T-Mo APN to the phone (in fact it wouldn't take any APN).
I think the phone's hardware is capable of LTE/CDMA/GSM. It's a just matter of figuring out the right configuration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats a DSU issue. Domestic sim unlock can be tricky
youdoofus said:
thats a DSU issue. Domestic sim unlock can be tricky
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why so tricky? Why? I am truly of no help, I just started the thread. Learning as I go...funny thing. Upon flashing again with the xt1527, and flashing the modem with a different modem software, the phone still shows to be a sprint modem software.
I wonder if the "fastboot oem config carrier" option would do any good?
DSU is tricky because it involved modifying the NV values thats buried in the radio software and it has a similar access issue to SU. I have (among many others) a Sprint S5 (G900P) and achieving DSU on it was the work of some SERIOUS developers. The config carrier might be of some help, but i havent delved into it yet, and im not sure if id fully understand what it means anyways. Additionally, Moto devices are tricky period. I had 2 Razrs (one xt 912 and one xt910), one of them was GSM unlockable and the other wasnt. Motorola mobile phone division has also changed hands recently, so its direction has also changed. Basically, whats needed here is either a ton of forum scouring or a developer to actually pay attention to this device, or a bit of both

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