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If you have an old Verizion (USA) unlimited data plan (or perhaps other "older" phone plans) that you've been holding onto AND you plan on buying unlocked phones you may want to read about what I learned today... This is mostly a PSA, but if anyone knows of a way to actually "fix" the issue please reply.
The short version is that apparently the old (original) unlimited data plans are setup to only work with locked down "Verizon" phones. I'm still working out all the ramifications of this and could use some help further down in this thread. What this means is that you can NOT activate a NEW sim card in an "non-Verizon" (unlocked) phone IF you're also on an original unlimited data plan (and perhaps any other older plans beyond a certain date?). You CAN; however, activate a NEW sim card in an OLD Verizon phone and after setup is complete you can then move that sim over to your new phone. This should not be a problem for NEW Verizon phone plans OR locked down phones that are considered "Verizon phones" by Verizon software.
As far as I can tell (so far), activating a new sim in an old phone and then moving to the new phone doesn't cause any issues with your service, but I could use some help testing this out in greater detail to confirm.
Here's my story:
I've been on a Verizon unlimited 4G data plan since they first offered them many years ago. I've remained on this plan through price increases and the removal of unlimited only to watch them return it (I almost switched to a new plan months ago... almost). I used to have a Droid Razr Maxx which got rooted and I enjoyed root for awhile. I eventually upgraded to the Droid Turbo (employee edition) which took a long time to gain root so I simply never tried. I decided I wanted root access again and all the joys that brings so after much research into my next phone I landed on the LG V30 unlocked edition. I got my order from B&H Photo a few days ago. I also decided that I wanted a new sim card as I've always felt my old one was "touchy". Could never put my finger on, but mostly I just wanted to start fresh with the V30.
A couple days ago I went into an official (USA) Verizon store and made my request to get a new sim activated on my V30. I didn't think this would be an issue as they sell V30s and I know others have been running "non-Verizon" phones without issues. The CS rep was supportive of this, but after inserting the new card and trying to activate it the Verizon software on his employee tablet shot back something about "this phone does not support this data plan" (or something similar). He tried to troubleshoot the issue for about 10 minutes, but then gave up since I was able to get the V30 working by using my old sim from my Droid Turbo. I accepted this and decided I'd just try again in a few days.
During this time I had no issues with the V30 using my data or making phone calls. I did eventually "kill" the V30 by exploring the band selection screen in the service menu, but a hard factory restore later and I was up and running again. Today I decided to try and get a new sim card again, only this time I decided to head to Best Buy since they sell the unlocked V30 online. My thought was "if they sell the unlocked V30, maybe they'll better understand my issue with a new sim activation"....
After finding the "sim card expert" I requested we went to work. He pulled our a new SIM, dialed up his Verizon contact number and we waited. Once the Verizon rep was on the phone we continued onto activating the sim only to be met with the same error "phone & plan don't like each other". The Verizon rep was stumped after many trial and error attempts on getting it to go through. My issue was eventually escalated to a tech that had more power to get things working and even he was stumped. After nearly 2 hours of digging into provisions and my account info he informed me that my "old" data plan was setup in such a way that it ONLY allows new activations with "Verizon" phones. Of course he suggested I move to a new unlimited data plan (with all the new fine print and prioritizations after 22GB intact of course, ha). He added that there was nothing he could do to change my plan settings to allow new "non-Verizon" phones. He was supportive of activating the new sim on my old Droid Turbo and then placing it into the V30 though. Once we did that the V30 was up and running again. On some quick tests everything appears to be working as well (would like some help to verify this though).
So there's the info I learned today, hopefully this helps someone else avoid any headaches later. How accurate this info is depends on the Verizon tech on the other end of the phone though as I'm only repeating what I was told. The tech did say that he never ran into this before (as I assume most people simply keep swapping in their old sim cards) and he did add that newer plans and phones shouldn't run into this issue and that it's strictly my old plan causing the hiccups on their system. He did check into moving me to the new data plan for activation and then putting my back into my old plan, but came back with "it's not possible".
Now then... all the above said I could use some help ensuring that my unlocked V30 is working correctly on Verizon with my current phone plan.
I've installed an run "RX Monitor", but what I notice is that I see no CDMA options listed under "operator" or "registered cells" or "Neighbor cells". All I see are "LTE" connections that seemingly only use "Band 13". I've driven between different cities from corn fields to the center of town and any time I check I see only "LTE" and "Band 13". Based on what I've read this seems odd... but I don't know enough about it to say for certain.
What I can say is that I can make phone calls (though they seem to be going over LTE and using HD Voice) and I send/receive SMS and MMS texts. I can go online and download and all the good stuff.
Is there a way to further test my phone? When I run RX Monitor on my wife Droid Turbo I can see a CDMA option and other LTE cells, but her phone does not report enough data to compare (ie, it doesn't list the band anywhere in the data) that I can see.
Is there another program or some other way to test or check this? My concern is that I've yet to see "3G" or "1x" on my V30 and I worry that if I end up in an area with more limited coverage that the V30 will simply not work vs switching to 3G or lower (something my Droid Turbo has done in the past).
Any thoughts?... and thank you.
teknomedic said:
The short version is that apparently the old (original) unlimited data plans are setup to only work with locked down "Verizon" phones.
What this means is that you can NOT activate a NEW sim card in an "non-Verizon" (unlocked) phone IF you're also on an original unlimited data plan (and perhaps any other older plans beyond a certain date?). You CAN; however, activate a NEW sim card in an OLD Verizon phone and after setup is complete you can then move that sim over to your new phone. This should not be a problem for NEW Verizon phone plans
After finding the "sim card expert" I requested we went to work. He pulled our a new SIM, dialed up his Verizon contact number and we waited. Once the Verizon rep was on the phone we continued onto activating the sim only to be met with the same error "phone & plan don't like each other".
After nearly 2 hours of digging into provisions and my account info he informed me that my "old" data plan was setup in such a way that it ONLY allows new activations with "Verizon" phones. He added that there was nothing he could do to change my plan settings to allow new "non-Verizon" phones.
He was supportive of activating the new sim on my old Droid Turbo and then placing it into the V30 though. Once we did that the V30 was up and running again.
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Click to collapse
Thank you for all the information.
ChazzMatt said:
Thank you for all the information.
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Click to collapse
I know it was a long read, but hopefully it made sense.
With full root access would it be possible to label an unlocked V30 as a "Verizon" V30 in software to trick the Verizon registration process into direct activation?
I don't know. The two have different FCC ID, so that would be one way for Verizon to tell the difference.
On the U.S.Moto Maxx 1225, people could unlock the bootloader, then flash Verizon firmware over it to turn it into a Droid Turbo XT1254 because they had the exact same FCC ID and were exactly the SAME device. Verizon just rebranded theirs as a "Droid Turbo" to pretend it was some kind of exclusive. It wasn't even exclusive in the U.S.!
Until Sunshine came along to unlock the Droid Turbo bootloader (a year after release), the Moto XT1225 served as the "dev" version of the Droid Turbo.
Sent from my LG-US998 using Tapatalk
I assume I'm not the only grandfathered Verizon data plan with an unlocked V30... can anyone else confirm that simply moving the sim over from another phone allows the V30 full access to the Verizon network.. CDMA, LTE, 3G, etc?
As I've said so far I only ever seen LTE with 4G. Though I did see CDMA once shortly after activation.. but then nothing
I recently got a Note 8 (at best buy, 300 off,but a down payment, and device payment plan). The sim activated on the Note 8, but my previous active sim was on an Unlocked S8 Plus (g955u1). I then activated the Note 8 Sim on my wife's back up S5, and then put the sim in my S8 plus unlocked. Inhave used the Note yet, because I dont have a glass protector yet and in case I have buyers remorse, I can return the Note 8.
If you have the grandfathered plan (which I do), you jusy simply have to get a 4g Verizon smart phone with a nano sim slot , activate it in there and put it in the Unlovked Lg v30. You should be able to get CDMA and 4g LTE connection.
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Hmm I've had the same sim (just shaved down) since my OG Droid. Would this make a difference?
Ooo yeah here we go
Per Verizon's agreement with the FCC when they purchased radio band frequencies, Verizon must allow any compatible device to work on their network. If your device has CDMA and the LTE bands (2, 4, 13) then it will FULLY work. You will be able to make CDMA calls, LTE calls if VoLTE is functional on your device, and use data.
It is true that they are stingy on activation and there is NOTHING the techs can do to activate an unlocked phone. They did't write any code to block it let alone are aware of it. Don't bother even trying. Just get an old Verizon phone that takes nano SIM or go to a store and find an employee willing to activate it in a display phone then give it to you.
I've been using the same SIM for years from my Droid Turbo. It's been in a Nexus 6, Nexus 5x, Moto G4 Play, and an HTC One M8 without any usability issues.
---------- Post added at 12:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:38 AM ----------
Charlie_Don't_Surf said:
Hmm I've had the same sim (just shaved down) since my OG Droid. Would this make a difference?
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Yes, that SIM card you have is still considered a mini SIM and will not activate in newer phones that take nano SIM.
I shaved down a micro SIM to fit a nano Sim slot. I tried to have it reactivated and Verizon was unable to. I informed the tech that it was actually a micro SIM and he activated it in a dummy Galaxy S3 and it worked.
---------- Post added at 12:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 AM ----------
teknomedic said:
I know it was a long read, but hopefully it made sense.
With full root access would it be possible to label an unlocked V30 as a "Verizon" V30 in software to trick the Verizon registration process into direct activation?
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Click to collapse
Verizon and probably the others use the IMEI number to check if it is a VZW or non-VZW phone before activation. Unless you obtained another IMEI number and used it, they can always tell it is a non-VZW phone. But I'm pretty sure that is illegal.
I'm on an unlocked/google Nexus 6. It wasn't purchased from Verizon. I also have an old unlimited data plan. Once a stockish rom comes out for the LG V30 I'll take the plunge and test this out. Hopefully my sim will work in the v30, since it already works with an unlocked phone.
All good info. Thanks everyone.
How could I test the phone though? Is there a way to force CDMA calling vs LTE.... Also... Using RX monitor why would I only be seeing band 13 with no CDMA listed?
I'll update here what I learn comparing a "Verizon V30" vs my B&H unlocked V30. I purchased a second V30 using the Verizon $300 off deal to combine it with the $400 rebate from LG. I know, I know.. it's locked down... but for a cheap backup phone I'm not complaining. I'll run as many comparisons for cellular service as I'm able to.
I know of RX Monitor... hopefully that will confirm or deny that my unlocked V30 is using the network in the same way as the "Verizon" V30.
Any requests or other programs I should use for comparison??
From what I understand, the grandfathered Unlimited has nothing to do with it. As far as I know, Verizon has only activated NEW sim cards on Verizon branded equipment. Once your number is provisioned on a Verizon phone, there is no issue moving the sim between unlocked phones.
Guyinlaca said:
From what I understand, the grandfathered Unlimited has nothing to do with it. As far as I know, Verizon has only activated NEW sim cards on Verizon branded equipment. Once your number is provisioned on a Verizon phone, there is no issue moving the sim between unlocked phones.
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Click to collapse
THIS. This is what I've always been told the past few years. Recently someone said Verizon had changed their policies and they somehow activated a SIM card on a 2015 Moto X Pure, but I think that was some kind of fluke. I would still use this policy as the guiding principle for control freak Verizon.
AT&T and T-mobile don't care where your phone came from, they'll activate your phone. I'm on AT&T and have never had an AT&T branded phone. I even brought in two Moto XT1225 from other countries; the Moto XT1225 is the "international" version of the Verizon Droid Turbo XT1254. It was also basically a 5.2" version of the Moto Nexus 6. AT&T didn't have the XT1225 in their database. I said call it a Moto Nexus 6, which they did have in their database. BOOM. Activated. Two of them. And not just on AT&T, but AT&T Prepaid, because I own my phones and only want to pay for monthly service not pay an arm and a leg to subsidize some AT&T branded phone I will NEVER buy.
I'm not here to bash carriers (but I will bash most MVNOs), but the CDMA twins Sprint and Verizon are more trouble than they're worth, in my opinion. I want to use a carrier's signal, but I don't want to buy a carrier's locked down, often overpriced, devices. I don't want to have to buy a carrier phone just to be able to activate a non-carrier phone on that carrier. That's ridiculous.
Does the hot spot work out of the box on the unlocked V30 US998 on the old verizon unlimited plan?
bugswray said:
Does the hot spot work out of the box on the unlocked V30 US998 on the old verizon unlimited plan?
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Click to collapse
yes, it does.
I have the B&H US998 V30+ on Verizon, but I gave up unlimited a year or two ago. Still not on the new unlimited yet.
Are you able to get any VM notifications on this phone?
I only get garbled text messages from Verizon, and there is no VM indication.
I have to check for missed calls and manually call *86 to see if I have any voicemail.
Other than that I think it is functioning fully. However I have never seen a 3G icon in the status bar.
I have a Verizon 4G Network Extender in my house, and I get good 4G at work.
teknomedic said:
I assume I'm not the only grandfathered Verizon data plan with an unlocked V30... can anyone else confirm that simply moving the sim over from another phone allows the V30 full access to the Verizon network.. CDMA, LTE, 3G, etc?
As I've said so far I only ever seen LTE with 4G. Though I did see CDMA once shortly after activation.. but then nothing
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Click to collapse
I am a Grandfathered user with 450 anytime minutes and paying for text messages still. I moved from an LG G4 to an HTC 10 to an LG V30 just fine. Popped the simcard out of my HTC 10 and installed it into my unlocked V30 and it works perfectly. I don't have any wifi calling though and I'm assuming because I'm not installing any verizon apps what so ever. I don't require wifi calling so i'm good. But it drops to 3G when it has no LTE signal just fine and VoLTE works perfectly. Hope that helps you out.
dvgb173 said:
I have the B&H US998 V30+ on Verizon, but I gave up unlimited a year or two ago. Still not on the new unlimited yet.
Are you able to get any VM notifications on this phone?
I only get garbled text messages from Verizon, and there is no VM indication.
I have to check for missed calls and manually call *86 to see if I have any voicemail.
Other than that I think it is functioning fully. However I have never seen a 3G icon in the status bar.
I have a Verizon 4G Network Extender in my house, and I get good 4G at work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the same for me... just messed up text messages. I even tried to source the Verizon Voicemail app, but it refused to install... sooo... I setup Google Voice instead and after some tweaking it's working great, Google AI or whatever even gives me its best translation of the voice mail too in text form so I don't need to listen
The one thing I have noticed with Google Voice and normal voicemail is that if I let the phone ring through Google voice works perfectly, BUT if I decide to swipe the "ignore" or whatever button, then the normal voicemail picks it up. It's kinda nice in a way having two voice mail boxes... but also wish I knew how to fix that issue and force everything to google voice.
FunktasticLucky said:
I am a Grandfathered user with 450 anytime minutes and paying for text messages still. I moved from an LG G4 to an HTC 10 to an LG V30 just fine. Popped the simcard out of my HTC 10 and installed it into my unlocked V30 and it works perfectly. I don't have any wifi calling though and I'm assuming because I'm not installing any verizon apps what so ever. I don't require wifi calling so i'm good. But it drops to 3G when it has no LTE signal just fine and VoLTE works perfectly. Hope that helps you out.
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Click to collapse
It does help, thank you.
I have an lg k8+ model x210ulm that i want to use with cricket. The phone is fully unlocked and will accept any sim from any carrier but has an odd behaviour that wont let me use my own sim.
I bought a feesh sim from cricket and when i put it in and set it up it will register with crickets apn and mobile network settibg. I get data and it shows up in the about network as connected and working. It shows cricket carrier in notificstion and i can get texts and even voice mail. But ........
I cannot use the dialer. Upon connection there is no error toast or anything it just imnedistely hangs up.
I can use my wifes my sons or my friends sims in the phone and after a reboot works perfectly. But when i put mine in it stops.
Also my sim works fine in any other unlocked device or cricket device.
Any clue as to wth is going on
Ok so after talking to lg and really that was frustrating. Why because the rep told me it the phone was carrier locked to us cellular which i knew it wasnt because its advertised as being unlocked and well us cellular put up an advert a few years ago stating that all thier phones are unlocked.
So after that i went ahead and talked to a rep at us cellular who assured me it was unlocked and checked the imei for me and sent me link to the advert about thier phones being unlocked.
Back to lg and got another rep this time who knew a lil about something but not much. Could not tell me any thing though.
Now back to cricket where we tested my girlfriends sim in my phone to which it worked and mine in her phone to which it worked. We put the sims in my aristo 2 and fortune 2 and both sims worked. But when i put my sim back in my my k8+(2018) once again every thing works fine but you cannot make or recieve phone calls.
We also tested the voice mail app and and thier what qualifies as a carrier app and it registers. The sim registers in about phone shows service and is connected. Shows the phone number every thing works.
Just not the phone Dialer app
So is there any one out there at all that has had an issue like this before. Any one that can help me figure out what the problem is. This is so crazy that my sim wont work and every one elses will.
Could it be something i did using dialer codes? Any cLues at akl
So here we are months later and im still having sim issues with my k8+ ulm. I ended up buying a brand new device and i tried my provisioned sim card with it not working but literally every other sim card works fine.
I have switched from cricket to assist wireless now who is run or what ever by sprint and i can get the sim card to work for a couple days before switching it to another phone but the main issue is that i get a error popup stating that the sim card has locked and that i need to power cycle and call customer service.
But i made a ton of changes by adding all the system apps from sprint including sprinthiddenmenu and any other apk that was on the tribute dynasty they came from. I also went through the file system and made any prop changes or any thing else that was needed to enable sprint.
At this point id flash a sprint modem but i cant find a cv1 device provisioned under sprint
Hello,
I purchased the LG v30 Plus us998 on Amazon. It's supposed to be able to run off of Verizon towers. I don't know if that's actually true because for the life of me I cannot get it to work. I really hate to send the phone back because I like it. Is there a way to do this? Thanks for any help.
I had converted two phones from H931 (AT&T) to US998. One converted fine, but the other refused to talk on VZ towers. I believe it's because there may have been a defect or something with it, which prevented the CDMA radio from working or something. I ended up returning and refunding that phone, thankfully.
You may have the same issue - it could be a phone that simply doesn't work on VZ for some other reason. I assume you are using an already-activated SIM card? VZ won't likely activate it on your phone, because they're idiots/jerks.
You may also consider trying a short-term plan/setup on a VZ MVNO like Total Wireless, which is what I have. That would also test you on VZ towers... and would only cost you 1-month's service (unless you stay on, of course, haha)
schwinn8 said:
I had converted two phones from H931 (AT&T) to US998. One converted fine, but the other refused to talk on VZ towers. I believe it's because there may have been a defect or something with it, which prevented the CDMA radio from working or something. I ended up returning and refunding that phone, thankfully.
You may have the same issue - it could be a phone that simply doesn't work on VZ for some other reason. I assume you are using an already-activated SIM card? VZ won't likely activate it on your phone, because they're idiots/jerks.
You may also consider trying a short-term plan/setup on a VZ MVNO like Total Wireless, which is what I have. That would also test you on VZ towers... and would only cost you 1-month's service (unless you stay on, of course, haha)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your answer. I have red pocket mobile which runs off Verizon towers. On my other phone it works fine. I took the sim out of that phone and put it into this one. I thought I would be able to do that since the phone is unlocked.
Yes, swapping in a SIM should work, but as I mentioned it doesn't always. Still, you may want to check your APN settings, in case they aren't updating automatically/properly. See what they were on the old phone, then swap in the SIM and make sure you have the same settings on the US998.
Functionally, it should work - I ran US998 for a short while on VZ when I first converted these phones. Since then, I switched to VS996 instead (because I was on VZ at the time, and wanted VOLTE to work). And then I changed to TW and am on that now, with VS996 still going (Oreo, as I see no reason to switch to Pie since Oreo works so well). Both my wife and I are on VS996 + TW for over a year now...
So far it appears that only tmobile networks allow this phone, since at&t does not support VoLTE with this phone (must set to 3g in order to receive texts/calls). I love this phone, but tmobiles cell towers don't offer a good signal in my area (using straight talk w/ tmobile card). So this got me wondering, which wireless carriers can this actually use now days? What do you personally use with this phone, and how is the service? Verizon definetly won't work either, so it looks like I am out of options... Any replies to this would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!
You sure? Here's the AT&T white list, more may have been added since...
I am positive. And yes, I have seen my phone on the list. no phone calls or text messaging when on LTE (and at&t). I looked into changing the IMEI so that I could use a random generated one that matches an s20 or some other phone that is more compatible, then gave up on it. At this point Im looking to sell my s10 lite so I can buy a oneplus 8T/Pro, just so I get better compatibility. Supposedly AT&T is also dropping support for international versions of cell phones, which this is. I went through 3 different at&t sim cards and all have the same result. I just wish there was a way to change my IMEI (or somehow spoof a different phone some other way)
On The Go Repairs said:
I am positive. And yes, I have seen my phone on the list. no phone calls or text messaging when on LTE (and at&t). I looked into changing the IMEI so that I could use a random generated one that matches an s20 or some other phone that is more compatible, then gave up on it. At this point Im looking to sell my s10 lite so I can buy a oneplus 8T/Pro, just so I get better compatibility. Supposedly AT&T is also dropping support for international versions of cell phones, which this is. I went through 3 different at&t sim cards and all have the same result. I just wish there was a way to change my IMEI (or somehow spoof a different phone some other way)
Click to expand...
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Is VoLTE enabled etc in hidden phone settings?
Did you have AT&T reset it on their end?
Talk to AT&T advanced tech support.
If white listed it should work!
I have straight talk which gives three options: at&t, TMobile, or Verizon (so I can't call att directly). I went into the hidden menu settings and VoLTE was turned off and greyed out. I even opened a file and added a few lines (might have been build.prop or something like that, don't remember) and all that did was switch it on in the settings (but still greyed out).
When I called straight talk tech support and asked them to provision VoLTE, all they would say is that the sim card is provisioned, and that's all they can do. Phone and text used to work if I set it on 3g (instead of lte), but this was less than optimal. I also read a reddit post today from someone four hours away that said they killed off the 3g now, so I'm not going to try using another at&t card until I get a different phone that is compatible. I know this phone is capable of VoLTE but at&t sucks, and they want to force a bunch of people to upgrade to newer phones for whatever reason.
I've even had this phone work with a Verizon sim card swapped from a different phone, but after a few days it gets shut off. So it's not a question of compatibility more than it is at&t just being jerks.
OnTheGoRepairs said:
I have straight talk which gives three options: at&t, TMobile, or Verizon (so I can't call att directly). I went into the hidden menu settings and VoLTE was turned off and greyed out. I even opened a file and added a few lines (might have been build.prop or something like that, don't remember) and all that did was switch it on in the settings (but still greyed out).
When I called straight talk tech support and asked them to provision VoLTE, all they would say is that the sim card is provisioned, and that's all they can do. Phone and text used to work if I set it on 3g (instead of lte), but this was less than optimal. I also read a reddit post today from someone four hours away that said they killed off the 3g now, so I'm not going to try using another at&t card until I get a different phone that is compatible. I know this phone is capable of VoLTE but at&t sucks, and they want to force a bunch of people to upgrade to newer phones for whatever reason.
I've even had this phone work with a Verizon sim card swapped from a different phone, but after a few days it gets shut off. So it's not a question of compatibility more than it is at&t just being jerks.
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Click to collapse
Straight talk maybe the issue. I don't know for sure. Maybe it's the sim card.
Both my N10+'s N975U, N975U1 made the jump seamlessly, no changes were needed on my side.
However the N975U was configured for 4G VoLTE already.
On the new N975U1 all I did was plug the N975U sim card in and it was online.
I feel you... this was an unwanted learning curve for me and had me doing a lot of Google searches.
I am on red pocket service. I just received an email stating I do not have VOLTE enabled and may lose service. Supposedly, I should be able to enable VOLTE. I reached out to customer service in the past and they stated it is active on their side. Their website says I should be able to see it under settings -> mobile network; but I see not options for VOLTE. I have had **** service the past few months, with texts not being sent despite it showing bars or texts incoming taking a while; I wonder if this is related. Can anyone please help me?
I am on Android 8.0.0
Kernel 4.4.78
Version: US99820h
If it helps, VoLTE plus app says VOLTE is enabled. Do I need to be concerned? Is there any reason my service seems to run like crap? It's red pocket GSM-T. Had many people tell me calling me goes straight to voicemail, I get texts late, for confirmation texts I often have to restart the phone to get the texts to come through... Any fix to this? Should I switch to a different image and go onto a different set of towers/service?
Many V30 phones require the carrier's ROM to operate VOLTE. For example, when I was on Verizon, I had to have VS996 to get VOLTE to work. I also used it on Total Wireless (which is a VZ MVNO) for the same reason.
I'm guessing your GSM-T means you're on TMo, so you may need a TMo ROM to get VOLTE to work. US998 is a world-phone ROM, so it's not carrier specific, which may be why it doesn't work.
As for the general operation, you should be fine on US998 for all other functions... so if you're having issues then there may be something else going on.
You might also just need some updates - 20h is nougat level, which is ancient. You may need to move to Oreo... which worked great for me on my V30 in the past.
schwinn8 said:
Many V30 phones require the carrier's ROM to operate VOLTE. For example, when I was on Verizon, I had to have VS996 to get VOLTE to work. I also used it on Total Wireless (which is a VZ MVNO) for the same reason.
I'm guessing your GSM-T means you're on TMo, so you may need a TMo ROM to get VOLTE to work. US998 is a world-phone ROM, so it's not carrier specific, which may be why it doesn't work.
As for the general operation, you should be fine on US998 for all other functions... so if you're having issues then there may be something else going on.
You might also just need some updates - 20h is nougat level, which is ancient. You may need to move to Oreo... which worked great for me on my V30 in the past.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, do you think I would need switch to a newer ROM, specifically for tmobile? I have been on us998 since buying it, always had some issues with texts coming in late and connectivity (although not as bad as when I had a S5 on Ting's t-mobile network). I had called and been told VOLTE is active with red pocket twice in the past, but despite always being on wifi I've still had people tell me I do not always come in clear when talking on the phone.
Can you point me to a newer ROM you used? I can try updating and messing with the phone later this month.
You can't use my ROM (VS996), as it was for Verizon. I doubt that will work for you. You need to find the proper on for your carrier (TMobile most likely) and see if that fixes the issues. All my ROMs I sourced from this website/forum, so you just need to search the V30 section here.
Note, when switching ROMs, you will need to wipe it so be prepared with backups for your data.
SuperUser1010 said:
So, do you think I would need switch to a newer ROM, specifically for tmobile? I have been on us998 since buying it, always had some issues with texts coming in late and connectivity (although not as bad as when I had a S5 on Ting's t-mobile network). I had called and been told VOLTE is active with red pocket twice in the past, but despite always being on wifi I've still had people tell me I do not always come in clear when talking on the phone.
Can you point me to a newer ROM you used? I can try updating and messing with the phone later this month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just be careful NOT to flash H932 ROM on your device, it will brick your phone.
You could try updating to us998 Pie ROM and see if it helps.
tech_infinity said:
Just be careful NOT to flash H932 ROM on your device, it will brick your phone.
You could try updating to us998 Pie ROM and see if it helps.
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Click to collapse
Do you have a us998 pie rom you recommend for me to try?
tech_infinity said:
Just be careful NOT to flash H932 ROM on your device, it will brick your phone.
You could try updating to us998 Pie ROM and see if it helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw chazzmatt mention in another thread that when t mobile and sprint merged, VoLTE/VoWiFi calling on US998 firmware phones may have been lost. He suggested that changing to verizon version is a way to fix this. Is this something I may have to do? And is there a guide on how to do it? I only see switching to us998.
And this would this be the rom to flash to for android 9?
[US998][STOCK][PIE]LG V30 US998 US99830b_00_0902.KDZ
RECOVERY TIPS if you get stuck on logo while updating to this wonky US998 Pie. < Please stop asking in Telegram thread or creating new XDA threads when it's right here. We will just direct you back here. OK? ____________ * Do NOT update to Pie...
forum.xda-developers.com
@ChazzMatt is the resident expert, so you can certainly take his advice. I saw that post as well.
Converting to VS996 just means you will use LGUP to flash that ROM over your current one. The end of the WTF post/thread talks about this process as well (be sure to read that post on a computer, as phones often cut-off the bottom).
Note that this will erase your data, so backup/etc as necessary before doing that. My recommendation is to use the last Oreo version of the ROM, as Pie on VS996 had issues last time I had heard... that's the last ROM I used before switching to my other phone.
SuperUser1010 said:
I saw chazzmatt mention in another thread that when t mobile and sprint merged, VoLTE/VoWiFi calling on US998 firmware phones may have been lost. He suggested that changing to verizon version is a way to fix this. Is this something I may have to do? And is there a guide on how to do it? I only see switching to us998.
And this would this be the rom to flash to for android 9?
[US998][STOCK][PIE]LG V30 US998 US99830b_00_0902.KDZ
RECOVERY TIPS if you get stuck on logo while updating to this wonky US998 Pie. < Please stop asking in Telegram thread or creating new XDA threads when it's right here. We will just direct you back here. OK? ____________ * Do NOT update to Pie...
forum.xda-developers.com
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Click to collapse
And in doing so, they still need an already-activated Verizon SIM card or Verizon MVNO SIM card. Verizon won't activate a SIM card with a phone that doesn't have native Verizon IMEI. But you can stick in an already activated SIM card into a v30 with VS996 firmware and it's fine. So whoever does this needs to also have an old Verizon phone for that purpose. Buy some cracked screen Verizon phone off eBay, activate Verizon or Verizon MVNO SIM card, THEN put that SIM card into Frankenstein'ed phone flashed with VS9996 (Verizon) firmware.
ChazzMatt said:
And in doing so, they still need an already-activated Verizon SIM card or Verizon MVNO SIM card. Verizon won't activate a SIM card with a phone that doesn't have native Verizon IMEI. But you can stick in an already activated SIM card into a v30 with VS996 firmware and it's fine. So whoever does this needs to also have an old Verizon phone for that purpose. Buy some cracked screen Verizon phone off eBay, activate Verizon or Verizon MVNO SIM card, THEN put that SIM card into Frankenstein'ed phone flashed with VS9996 (Verizon) firmware.
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Click to collapse
Are phone numbers attached to the sim? So I would have to: obtain verizon sim card, transfer my phone # while activating a plan on it using another phone, then place it into my current phone after flashing it into VS9996 and upgrading it to 9.0?
Yes, the phone number is attached to the SIM card.
Yes, your steps are correct - activate SIM on some other phone, then put it into the VS996.
schwinn8 said:
Yes, the phone number is attached to the SIM card.
Yes, your steps are correct - activate SIM on some other phone, then put it into the VS996.
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Click to collapse
Hmmm, perhaps before I spend money to switch to verizon I should try upgrading from US99820h to US99830b using that thread I posted above? Maybe that will fix things for me. I thought I had fixed something when I updated my redpocket APN point, but I still get random loss of service where I live and work at (despite constant wifi). According to redpocket customer service, being locked into 240 MNC sim card does not change anything compared to 280 MNC.
Perusing the us99830b thread, I saw if I have TWRP installed then I must use johnfawk's image to flash. I cannot "upgrade" and keep all my data using the firmware off LG's website with LGUP. Am I understanding that part correctly? And the TWRP image for me to download is this link? Mirror Link
First, my recommendation is to stay at Oreo (20-series) ROMs. Last I recall, the V30 Pie rom had issues that were never fixed.
Secondly, yes, I don't believe you can upgrade the ROM... you will need to flash the full ROM which would erase things. That being said, since you're already converting between ROMs you will need to wipe the phone anyway, so do all the updates/upgrade BEFORE you install anything else on your phone. And, of course, backup everything you need before doing that...
schwinn8 said:
First, my recommendation is to stay at Oreo (20-series) ROMs. Last I recall, the V30 Pie rom had issues that were never fixed.
Secondly, yes, I don't believe you can upgrade the ROM... you will need to flash the full ROM which would erase things. That being said, since you're already converting between ROMs you will need to wipe the phone anyway, so do all the updates/upgrade BEFORE you install anything else on your phone. And, of course, backup everything you need before doing that...
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Click to collapse
You mentioned before that 20h is nougat level, but my android version says 8.0.0, isn't that oreo already?
Looking at this site: https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-us998-firmwares/
I am already at the latest Oreo software. So, several questions:
1. I could back up all my stuff and risk missing something, but I can also just create a current TWRP image and go back to where I am presently in terms of all my stuff?
2. Should I be trying a https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-vs996-firmwares/ VS99620k version? When I reboot my phone it says it is a LG V30+ThinQ and I vaguely remember the box it came with said LS998 crossed off, with it booting as a US998 phone.
3. I have an old CDMA Galaxy S3 (best phone I've had). Assuming I am able to boot it up, can I buy a verizon MVNO sim card (let's say off of TING), switch my phone # to that and pop it in the S3? Or can I bum someone else' verizon phone and do this, then give the phone back instantly?
4. If a friend has an old verizon sim card, can I use that to utilize either red pocket or ting services?
5. Then, flash this US99820h to VS99620k, swap the sim card out of the S3 into the newly flashed V30?
6. Assuming I do all this and I still see no menu for VOLTE, assuming I still have the same issues of service dropping constantly, any suggestions for moving to a new phone, or what to use to find a new phone? Many new phones seem to have lots of stuff I do not care for (fancy cameras...) and no 3.5mm jack; but I really crave a phone that is functional.
Sorry for lots of questions. But each day this phone is pissing me off more and more and reminding me to do something about it - been busy and have stuff I do not want to risk losing.
I didn't say 20-series was nougat... I said it was Oreo?
1) TWRP will backup everything, so you could use this as a way to "keep safe" what you have now, and maybe you can break into the ZIP and extract things here and there as needed, but I don't think you can use this as a way to restore just your programs/data... it's a whole-image that you need to restore, which includes the OS and such. But if you're already on Oreo, I don't think you need to do any of that?
2) Yes, you can apply VS99620k. I believe that's what I had on my V30 before I left it. I wouldn't pay much attention to the splash screens on bootup... they change between versions but don't really mean/do anything from what I could see. My phone started as US998 (without the "ThinQ" branding) and I believe it showed the ThinQ branding when I was on VS996.
3) Yes, you'll need an activated SIM on VZ to transfer. Yes this is one way to do it. I did something similar with my Droid Turbo. VZ won't activate anything unless the IMEI matches THEIR phone, so this is one way to get that to happen. The trick, today, is that VZ may not activate the old phone because it's not VOLTE capable, so they'll say it's not supported, so that's a risk you should be aware of. For that matter, a newer SIM also may not work on the older phone... I don't know if that's a thing or not.
4) I don't know if MVNOs will let you use VZ SIM cards. Technically, they should be able to, but my guess is they will require their "own" SIM. You'd have to ask the MVNO.
I moved to the Galaxy S10+, which is a similar size phone, has a headphone jack, and is older so it's lower cost (I think I paid $300 about a year or two ago). A few other V30 faithfuls have followed this path as well. I think ChazzMatt went to a Note because that's what ATT gave him to help him transition to a VOLTE-capable phone. I believe he's still using his V30 though.
Newer Galaxy phones lost the headphone jack. I would recommend getting yourself ready for this eventuality... it may mean just getting a dongle, which isn't convenient, or getting bluetooth adapters... but my point is that it's going away whether you like it or not, so start preparing now.
EDIT: I forgot to mention, the S10 is not rootable (at least with Snapdragon). Exynos can be rooted, but I don't know how usable those are in the USA. That's another thing you may need to get used to - not being able to root/ROM. IMO, it's not necessary anymore, and I have given up on it on my phones... and I haven't missed it AT ALL. But I know some have gotten into heated arguments with me over that... one I recall was particularly nonsensical, but whatever. If I could root, I would do that... but I don't see it as a requirement anymore.
SuperUser1010 said:
Hmmm, perhaps before I spend money to switch to verizon I should try upgrading from US99820h to US99830b using that thread I posted above? Maybe that will fix things for me. I thought I had fixed something when I updated my redpocket APN point, but I still get random loss of service where I live and work at (despite constant wifi). According to redpocket customer service, being locked into 240 MNC sim card does not change anything compared to 280 MNC.
Perusing the us99830b thread, I saw if I have TWRP installed then I must use johnfawk's image to flash. I cannot "upgrade" and keep all my data using the firmware off LG's website with LGUP. Am I understanding that part correctly? And the TWRP image for me to download is this link? Mirror Link
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As @schwinn8 recommends staying on Oreo, I also concur.
1) If you have TWRP, just flash the Verizon last Oreo by John Fawkes. See link below.
LG V30 Verizon VS996-20k ROM
Working downlink mirror: VS996 20K Verizon TWRP-flashable ZIP
2) If you don't have TWRP installed -- for people who are not bootloader unlocked -- then you would flash full stock ROM VS996 20K "KDZ" file from US998. See top post in this thread. (For those who are still bootloader locked, the stock Verizon ROMs and US998 ROMs are the only ones for North America variants which are safely fully cross flashable without first having to go through the "Frankentein" conversion "Nougat" stage.)
As for spending money on Verizon to get VOLTE, there are several Verizon MVNOs that are less expensive than Verizon proper and will still do the trick. Both Visible and Total Wireless are even owned by Verizon, like Cricket is owned by AT&T.
RedPocket also offers Verizon-network SIM cards. They are also a Verizon MVNO. Which carrier service are you using with your RedPocket? They offer choice of AT&T (most common), T-Mobile and Verizon. I searched your posts in this thread and you don't say which you have -- so I assume the AT&T-linked SIM card? If you flash the last Oreo TWRP-flashable zip for Verizon, and you want to keep RedPocket, just have them ship you the Verizon-linked SIM card. You should then have VoLTE.
NOTE: You would still need to use an old Verizon phone to activate that SIM card, but then you could put it into your "VS996". I'm only suggesting a way to not have to actually switch to Verizon, you can still use Redpocket but have them send you a Verizon linked SIM once you are on Verizon firmware.
ChazzMatt said:
As for spending money on Verizon to get VOLTE, there are several Verizon MVNOs that are less expensive than Verizon proper and will still do the trick. Both Visible and Total Wireless are even owned by Verizon, like Cricket is owned by AT&T.
RedPocket also offers Verizon-network SIM cards. They are also a Verizon MVNO. Which carrier service are you using with your RedPocket? They offer choice of AT&T (most common), T-Mobile and Verizon. I searched your posts in this thread and you don't say which you have -- so I assume the AT&T-linked SIM card? If you flash the last Oreo TWRP-flashable zip for Verizon, and you want to keep RedPocket, just have them ship you the Verizon-linked SIM card. You should then have VoLTE.
NOTE: You would still need to use an old Verizon phone to activate that SIM card, but then you could put it into your "VS996". I'm only suggesting a way to not have to actually switch to Verizon, you can still use Redpocket but have them send you a Verizon linked SIM once you are on Verizon firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it, if flashing is all I have to do, this will be simple.
I was not clear, I did mean verizon MVNOs, meant more verizon in broader sense: CDMA. I am currently on red pocket T mobile. I was previously on Ting. Had similar issues on both with randomly losing service. It was bearable, but since 3G shutdown timeframe, this became a larger and more frequent issue. Currently, if I turn on data, I get Edge service (I read this is 2g?), otherwise when I am having a texting conversation, I am regularly losing service completely and do not have strong service in places where other Tmobile users have regular service.
On another note, I am looking to swap from red pocket; I spoke to customer service about call records, was told several times they would be sent to me, never received anything. Red pocket prices are hard to beat though.
I impulse bought a pixel 7 unlocked too (there were some incentives that were hard to resist). So, I will probably swap to that phone while holding onto this one and tinkering to see if it was a phone issue, US998 issue, SIM issue, service issue... then give the phone to family in a year or so.