I'm considering buying a phone from textnow but I'm not sure whether I could unlock it so that I can use it on a different carrier. The website support and faq said that the software was made specifically for textnow services. Does that mean that the phone itself is uncompatible with other carriers or does that mean that it can be unlocked but I first have to get rid of the TextNow software that is installed on it?
The phone is Moto E (2nd Generation XT1526). It can be found on the text now website.
You can flash Boost Software. As far as unlocking my buddy changed his to Boost.
somelk9 said:
You can flash Boost Software. As far as unlocking my buddy changed his to Boost.
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I'm new to Androids and unlocking phones so I don't know what flash boost software means lol. Could you explain it to me or direct me somewhere where I can find out? Sorry for the inconvinence
NewAndr0id said:
I'm new to Androids and unlocking phones so I don't know what flash boost software means lol. Could you explain it to me or direct me somewhere where I can find out? Sorry for the inconvinence
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Flashing means changing something on the phone. In this case, you're going to replace TextNow's software with Boost's software.
What model is it? There are a lot of Moto E's in the wild, all edited and distributed by different carriers. We need to know the exact model before we can tell if the bootloader is unlockable, which is the first step in flashing something.
What model is it? There are a lot of Moto E's in the wild, all edited and distributed by different carriers. We need to know the exact model before we can tell if the bootloader is unlockable, which is the first step in flashing something.
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It is a XT1526.
OS
Android 5.1 (Lollipop)
Processor
Quad-core 1.2GHz processor with 400MHz graphics processor
Network
LTE: Band 2 (1900MHz), 4 (1700/2100MHz), 5 (850MHz), 26 (850MHz), 41 (2500MHz)
CDMA 1x/EVDO Rev A, 800/850/1900MHz
GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz
I have a text now moto e 1526. I'm now using it with a stock build for boost and text now at the same time. Mine and my wife's were both unlocked and rooted out of the box. Not bad for $4.99 and $9.99 huh? I just installed busybox and TWRP to get full functionality. This helps I hope.
Sent from my XT1526 using XDA-Developers mobile app
As far as "carrier unlocking" goes, I've avidly researched this topic for over a year now. As far as I can tell, and even though the xt1526 had both GSM and CDMA capabilities, nobody has successfully unlocked it to function with a domestic GSM SIM card. However, the xt1526 has native UICC unlock which allows for use with international SIM carriers.
Sent from my XT1526 using XDA-Developers mobile app
MotoJunkie01 said:
As far as "carrier unlocking" goes, I've avidly researched this topic for over a year now. As far as I can tell, and even though the xt1526 had both GSM and CDMA capabilities, nobody has successfully unlocked it to function with a domestic GSM SIM card. However, the xt1526 has native UICC unlock which allows for use with international SIM carriers.
Sent from my XT1526 using XDA-Developers mobile app
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True for sprint/boost branded models. USCellular branded xt1526 is carrier unlocked out of the box. I'm typing this from mine, with my ATT postpaid Sim running it.
Sent from my XT1526 using Tapatalk
Good to know. Although unlocked out of the box, does the U.S. Cellular variant require any special mods or tweaks in order to function with a domestic GSM carrier? Also, are all of your LTE bands for AT&T already enabled?
Sent from my XT1526 using XDA-Developers mobile app
MotoJunkie01 said:
Good to know. Although unlocked out of the box, does the U.S. Cellular variant require any special mods or tweaks in order to function with a domestic GSM carrier? Also, are all of your LTE bands for AT&T already enabled?
Sent from my XT1526 using XDA-Developers mobile app
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Requires the same GSM trick that the Verizon model needs, but it has an unlockable bootloader, so you can root and edit the build.prop to make it permanent. The AT&T bands are enabled by default, but you still need to perform the GSM trick, else it'll get stuck trying to activate in LTE/CDMA mode.
MotoJunkie01 said:
Good to know. Although unlocked out of the box, does the U.S. Cellular variant require any special mods or tweaks in order to function with a domestic GSM carrier? Also, are all of your LTE bands for AT&T already enabled?
Sent from my XT1526 using XDA-Developers mobile app
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Yes, the USC requires manual switching of network modes before it will work with GSM Sims. There is a thread here titled something like "help verify, use CDMA device on GSM network, no PC required" or something like that.
Afaik all AT&T LTE bands are working - I get LTE on the moto e the same places I get it on my ATT Galaxy S6.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
dandrumheller said:
Yes, the USC requires manual switching of network modes before it will work with GSM Sims. There is a thread here titled something like "help verify, use CDMA device on GSM network, no PC required" or something like that.
Afaik all AT&T LTE bands are working - I get LTE on the moto e the same places I get it on my ATT Galaxy S6.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
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Thanks much for the valuable info. I have just ordered a U.S. Cellular xt1526 from eBay and plan on using it for domestic GSM service, namely, AT&T.
Sent from my XT1526 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Related
While ordering my Note 2 today I was reading the specs and vz lists it as global ready. So does this mean it is capable of being used on GSM networks?
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kamileon said:
While ordering my Note 2 today I was reading the specs and vz lists it as global ready. So does this mean it is capable of being used on GSM networks?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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Yes. I don't know if it will work with a domestic AT&T or T-Mobile SIM though.
Has any one tried a AT&T SIM card yet?
My guess..cause every other vzw global phone is this way...is you will have to get the sim unlocked. Usually accomplished by calling vzw and asking for the code.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
kamileon said:
My guess..cause every other vzw global phone is this way...is you will have to get the sim unlocked. Usually accomplished by calling vzw and asking for the code.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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Actually, every Verizon LTE phone that has enabled GSM capabilities has come unlocked out of the box. Verizon's older 3G-only devices that had global capabilities came locked, but the LTE devices come unlocked. There's no need to call to get it unlocked.
The Note 2 is unlocked and capable of GSM use outside of the U.S. right out of the box. As for domestic use on AT&T and/or T-Mobile, I haven't seen any confirmation either way. Some Verizon LTE devices work on domestic GSM networks, but other don't.
Sort of global ready. The sim slot is unlocked and you can use any sim card and make voice calls. They removed the ability to set an APN so if you are not using verizon ....... no data, just voice.
Sorry, don't know where to post this..?
I'm told one of the few Verizon/cdma carrier neutral smartphones is incredible II.. (should work on sprint, at&t, tmobile and various resellers) I'm just wondering if you guys know any more that preferably have more modern hardware.. ?? I prefer plug n' play type stuff.. and ability to use with MVNO's and android
theemaster said:
Sorry, don't know where to post this..?
I'm told one of the few Verizon/cdma carrier neutral smartphones is incredible II.. (should work on sprint, at&t, tmobile and various resellers) I'm just wondering if you guys know any more that preferably have more modern hardware.. ?? I prefer plug n' play type stuff.. and ability to use with MVNO's and android
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Well, CDMA to CDMA will be a little work, is also a legal grey area. But there have been many posts saying that this phone (Droid DNA) works on domestic gsm carriers as well.
People report getting HSPA+ speeds on AT&T and TMo(where refarmed to 1900MHz). You'll only get edge speeds on TMo where they haven't refarmed to 1900MHz yet. So any MVNO based on those carriers should work just fine. You'll obviously have to fiddle with APN settings to get data and MMS to work, but it shouldn't be too hard.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
times_infinity said:
Well, CDMA to CDMA will be a little work, is also a legal grey area. But there have been many posts saying that this phone (Droid DNA) works on domestic gsm carriers as well.
People report getting HSPA+ speeds on AT&T and TMo(where refarmed to 1900MHz). You'll only get edge speeds on TMo where they haven't refarmed to 1900MHz yet. So any MVNO based on those carriers should work just fine. You'll obviously have to fiddle with APN settings to get data and MMS to work, but it shouldn't be too hard.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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If you take a DNA to a GSM based carrier, you may need to root/reflash with a ROM that is customized for GSM in order to get the APN settings to stick for MMS to work. The phone is SIM unlocked out of the box, I made a phone call using my DNA after popping in a T-Mobile card, without any changes at all.
Oh, I don't think the Incredible II will work on domestic GSM carriers, only European/foreign. At least I haven't ever heard of it working. You might want to verify that if you go that route. My parents are in Europe right now, however, and using their Incredible II's successfully, including APN changes for MMS.
Hi,
As stated, CDMA to CDMA takes a little bit of work. But carriers in the Philly area, like Cricket, allow you to bring some Sprint or Verizon devices over, with a reprogramming fee. I have heard of people reprogramming CDMA devices for Virgin Mobile.
The Droid DNA is a good choice.
As far as GSM goes, I have used a Verizon s3 on t mobile, rooted with custom APN. The radio's are different and the VZW s3 on t mobile only gets HSPA+ . I would just get a GSM version.
What carrier are you waiting to use ?
~Hoovie
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thehoovie said:
Hi,
As stated, CDMA to CDMA takes a little bit of work. But carriers in the Philly area, like Cricket, allow you to bring some Sprint or Verizon devices over, with a reprogramming fee. I have heard of people reprogramming CDMA devices for Virgin Mobile.
The Droid DNA is a good choice.
As far as GSM goes, I have used a Verizon s3 on t mobile, rooted with custom APN. The radio's are different and the VZW s3 on t mobile only gets HSPA+ . I would just get a GSM version.
What carrier are you waiting to use ?
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Specifically as I stated.. Verizon and tmobile are the top 2 I wish to use.. I wish to use the resellers page plus/lycamobile
A person who uses page plus and has used lycamobile assures me that the incredible II will swap with ease back n' forth after unlocked sim, (I think he means Verizon incredible 2) I would just like to find some newer hardware like the bionic.. or something made in late 2011 or early 2012.. but the information on bionic is it requires custom roms or certain configurations to run on either platform (aka it's not like you can just do a sim swap)
jasoraso said:
If you take a DNA to a GSM based carrier, you may need to root/reflash with a ROM that is customized for GSM in order to get the APN settings to stick for MMS to work. The phone is SIM unlocked out of the box, I made a phone call using my DNA after popping in a T-Mobile card, without any changes at all.
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This. Stupid stock Verizon ROM uses an APN whitelist, the MMS apn type is not included since it is not needed on Verizon's network.
I recommend the NOS M7 ROM or the NOS Google Play Edition ROM, both have a GSM base and work much better on GSM carriers.
The DNA may be fully SIM unlocked out of the box, unfortunately; the stock OS ruins some of the fun.
---------- Post added at 02:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:45 PM ----------
thehoovie said:
Hi,
As far as GSM goes, I have used a Verizon s3 on t mobile, rooted with custom APN. The radio's are different and the VZW s3 on t mobile only gets HSPA+ . I would just get a GSM version.
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Click to collapse
Isn't the GSM version ALSO going to get HSPA+?
You'd need a version that supports T-Mobile's LTE frequencies to do better than HSPA+
I get 1900mhz hspap on an att SIM with my droid Dna on a gsm Rom everything works great
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Zarboz said:
I get 1900mhz hspap on an att SIM with my droid Dna on a gsm Rom everything works great
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What speeds?
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I just upgraded to the droid turbo and my gf is on sprint. I wanted to give her my phone, but I wasn't sure if it was possible. I was thinking I could just SIM unlock the phone and then get a micro SIM card from Sprint and simply activate it in a sprint store. Is this possible or not?
Sent from my XT1254 using XDA Free mobile app
Nope. Sprint is CDMA only. No Sims.
npjohnson said:
Nope. Sprint is CDMA only. No Sims.
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Um.. I'm confused, sprint does use LTE correct? I've seen sprint SIM cards before. And Verizon also uses CDMA so it has the correct radios.
Sent from my XT1254 using XDA Free mobile app
graymonkey44 said:
Um.. I'm confused, sprint does use LTE correct? I've seen sprint SIM cards before. And Verizon also uses CDMA so it has the correct radios.
Sent from my XT1254 using XDA Free mobile app
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Yes. Sprint uses LTE, Verizon phones are SIM (GSM) unlocked, but are CDMA locked to Verizon. Even if CDMA was unlocked, it doesn't support the correct CDMA bands. And no. There is no way to hack it in.
If you can get your hands on a Sprint SIM and put it in the VZW S4 and you used NVRAM edits (extremely complicated) to enable the correct LTE bands, it would only get 4G LTE service, not 3G or Voice or SMS service.
npjohnson said:
Yes. Sprint uses LTE, Verizon phones are SIM (GSM) unlocked, but are CDMA locked to Verizon. Even if CDMA was unlocked, it doesn't support the correct CDMA bands. And no. There is no way to hack it in.
If you can get your hands on a Sprint SIM and put it in the VZW S4 and you used NVRAM edits (extremely complicated) to enable the correct LTE bands, it would only get 4G LTE service, not 3G or Voice or SMS service.
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All right that makes sense. Thank you for clearing it up with me.
Sent from my XT1254 using XDA Free mobile app
I have the Verizon Galaxy S 5 and and I would like to switch it to a T-Mobile ROM. The hardware is the same so it doesn't matter what T-Mobile ROM I choose does it?
I apologize for the noob question but I didn't see an answer on this fine forum. Thanks!
Hardware is not the same. Two different technologies cdma vs gsm. Verizon phone should be able to accept tmobile sim when unlocked. They usually work with foreign sims without problem but they are locked for domestic (US) carriers. Maybe someone have some info how to unlock it for US providers.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
Verizon S5 is already unlocked for US carriers by default and it will connect to T-Mobile on LTE Band 4 network and their 1900Mhz 3G/4G network. No AWS support.
The issue is the locked boot loader. Flashing a custom ROM is not possible. So no VoLTE or WiFi calling.
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Is the Moto E 2 Boost mobile GSM unlockable, so I can use it for Tmobile? Thanks. Can I Use the network App?
No. You need a USCellular branded xt1526. Sprint and boost branded devices are blocked from recognizing us domestic GSM sims.
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dandrumheller said:
No. You need a USCellular branded xt1526. Sprint and boost branded devices are blocked from recognizing us domestic GSM sims.
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But If I plan to use the boost mobile version in México (we have the same bands than USA,: WCDMA, LTE and GSM, not CDMA) how I could do that? Do I have to do the verizon xt1528 trick with the Network app? or What? Because in this moment the boost version is on $30 bucks
huizarkaiser said:
But If I plan to use the boost mobile version in México (we have the same bands than USA,: WCDMA, LTE and GSM, not CDMA) how I could do that? Do I have to do the verizon xt1528 trick with the Network app? or What? Because in this moment the boost version is on $30 bucks
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As far as I know that should work for you. I've seen at least one user here post successful use of boost version on a non US GSM network. I don't have a foreign sim to test.
Sent from my XT1526 using Tapatalk