Related
Just wondering, because I have a Japanese model. I was originally quite fine with using GSM providers, however, now I've moved to a place where Verizon performs significantly better than AT&T and there aren't any other choices as far as I can see (MVNOs aside, but the problem I have with AT&T is with signal, and an MVNO isn't going to help with that). Now I want to switch to Verizon, and I'm wondering if the advice provided to the others with KDDI radios on Sprint Photons would also be the same for a plain old KDDI Photon.
verizon uses cdma and keeps a database of their cdma phones. Thus they dont allow phones on their network that arent already in their database (i.e. they wont allow non-verizon phones). Sprint is the same way.
The only caveat to this is roaming. They will allow non-verizon phones to roam their network as part of roaming agreements with other carriers. You just wont be able to use verizon as your carrier.
OK, then what of a Verizon MVNO, like Page Plus? That seems like it should be OK, from some of what I've read, as long as no one's blacklisted my phone's MEID (it's my first time bringing it to the US, so that shouldn't be an issue).
yangj08 said:
OK, then what of a Verizon MVNO, like Page Plus?
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Although pageplus does allow "bring your own phone", I dont know if they accept non-verizon phones. you will have to ask them.
findthedr said:
Although pageplus does allow "bring your own phone", I dont know if they accept non-verizon phones. you will have to ask them.
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Click to collapse
Page plus will take anything, sprint phones, verizon phones, any cdma phone for the most part that arent blacklisted. Might even take blacklisted sprint phones, just no blacklisted verizon phones.
Ooh, sounds good. In that case it seems like I just need to figure out how to flash in the right settings. All I remember is that someone else wrote in one of the KDDI radio threads that data doesn't work, but voice+text does.
Hello,
First and foremost I'd like to say .... Man, it feels good to be back. I left Android for a few years due to battery issues. I just left VZW and switched from a iPhone 5 to a Note 3 on T-Mobile. My wife has a VZW HTC One (M7) and I was told it would work on TMo, so far we are having no luck getting anything besides Edge. Sorry if already posted but I did look around to try to find an answer. I have spent time talking to VZW, TMo and HTC and no luck. Will rooting give me the ability to fix this?
MSNemitz said:
Hello,
First and foremost I'd like to say .... Man, it feels good to be back. I left Android for a few years due to battery issues. I just left VZW and switched from a iPhone 5 to a Note 3 on T-Mobile. My wife has a VZW HTC One (M7) and I was told it would work on TMo, so far we are having no luck getting anything besides Edge. Sorry if already posted but I did look around to try to find an answer. I have spent time talking to VZW, TMo and HTC and no luck. Will rooting give me the ability to fix this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon phones rarely work on other carriers. Besides the fact that they usually lock the SIM (meaning only VZW SIM cards will work unless you leave the US - ie: "global phone"), different cellular frequency bands are used. Specs on the M7 that I found on phonearena state that the VZW M7 uses 700MHz (band 13), which T-Mobile doesn't use (PA's specs aren't always 100%% though). So even if you could unlock the SIM somehow, you wouldn't get data; not at LTE speeds anyway. LTE radios in phones are actually fairly expensive components, so carriers will often order specific versions from the manufacturers that only support their own bands to keep costs down (and/or profits high).
I think your best bet would be to sell or trade the M7 for a T-Mobile or unlocked one.
Planterz said:
Verizon phones rarely work on other carriers. Besides the fact that they usually lock the SIM (meaning only VZW SIM cards will work unless you leave the US - ie: "global phone"), different cellular frequency bands are used. Specs on the M7 that I found on phonearena state that the VZW M7 uses 700MHz (band 13), which T-Mobile doesn't use (PA's specs aren't always 100%% though). So even if you could unlock the SIM somehow, you wouldn't get data; not at LTE speeds anyway. LTE radios in phones are actually fairly expensive components, so carriers will often order specific versions from the manufacturers that only support their own bands to keep costs down (and/or profits high).
I think your best bet would be to sell or trade the M7 for a T-Mobile or unlocked one.
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Thanks sent ... Thats what I figured. I'd researched this quite a bit. Figured I'd come to the big boys to make sure.
Time to start getting involved with Android scene again, thanks !!!
I have an old M8 lying around that I fired up and had remembered I had rooted it and the bootloader is unlocked.. Is there a way to 'trick' this phone into thinking it's an AT&T branded phone? hboot, etc. and that will allow me to RUU something official from AT&T? I know this sounds really strange and probably stupid but.. I just can't sleep and need something to fill the time.. Can I do it?
Don't think so, radio hardware is different, not to mention the partition layout.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
jbarcus81 said:
Is there a way to 'trick' this phone into thinking it's an AT&T branded phone? hboot, etc. and that will allow me to RUU something official from AT&T? ?
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Click to collapse
Absolutely not. At least not any way that is known; and your chance of failure is high (with a brick being the possible or even probable result).
As mentioned in the previous comment, the partitioning on the phones is different. If you try to run the RUU, you at best it will fail, at worst it will brick the device.
Most other M8 versions (that don't support CDMA) can be "converted" from one version to another (other exceptions being dual SIM and M8 Eye). But Verizon and Sprint are the oddballs here. Some experienced devs have been messing around with these variants from the start (to try to convert them) with no success.
Perfect! All I needed to hear! Ah well.. it was worth a shot! Just trying to get my account provisioned for LTE so I can get LTE on my unlocked devices.. I've been told, and read, that if I can get an AT&T branded LTE capable phone to just swap my SIM in it.. and let my account provision, then I'll have LTE on any device AT&T or not... Just trying to avoid a contract..
jbarcus81 said:
I've been told, and read, that if I can get an AT&T branded LTE capable phone to just swap my SIM in it.. and let my account provision, then I'll have LTE on any device AT&T or not... Just trying to avoid a contract..
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Click to collapse
As long as the phone is SIM unlocked (Verizon version is) then you should just be able to put an AT&T SIM in, and enter the proper AT&T APN for service, as long as the phone supports the proper bands. Its irrelevant whether the phone is AT&T branded or not.
Now the underlined bit in the paragraph above is the main issue. The Verizon M8 only supports one of the four bands (Bands 2, 5, 4, and 17) used by AT&T for LTE (Verizon M8 supports Bands 3, 4, 7, and 13). So depending on what band is used in your area, you may or may not get LTE.
But GSM (2G) and HSPA (3G) should work just fine on AT&T.
redpoint73 said:
As long as the phone is SIM unlocked (Verizon version is) then you should just be able to put an AT&T SIM in, and enter the proper AT&T APN for service, as long as the phone supports the proper bands. Its irrelevant whether the phone is AT&T branded or not.
Now the underlined bit in the paragraph above is the main issue. The Verizon M8 only supports one of the four bands (Bands 2, 5, 4, and 17) used by AT&T for LTE (Verizon M8 supports Bands 3, 4, 7, and 13). So depending on what band is used in your area, you may or may not get LTE.
But GSM (2G) and HSPA (3G) should work just fine on AT&T.
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That's the odd part.. My main phone is the S6 Edge from Verizon.. it's on the AT&T network and I assume my APN is correct.. But it's not picking up LTE and I am almost certain the S6 Edge from Verizon will pick up the correct band for AT&T LTE .. But it's only using the H+ speed.. What's even more strange?? When I throw my SIM into the M8? I get LTE on AT&T and verify with 30+mpbs speeds.. I have no idea what's going on...
jbarcus81 said:
That's the odd part.. My main phone is the S6 Edge from Verizon.. it's on the AT&T network and I assume my APN is correct.. But it's not picking up LTE and I am almost certain the S6 Edge from Verizon will pick up the correct band for AT&T LTE .. But it's only using the H+ speed.. What's even more strange?? When I throw my SIM into the M8? I get LTE on AT&T and verify with 30+mpbs speeds.. I have no idea what's going on...
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Yeah, that is strange. According to the specs for the S6 Edge here, the Verizon version supports the same LTE bands as the VZN M8, and actually some additional bands (2 and 5) that also happen to be bands used by AT&T.
One thing I can think of, is that the VZN M8 in actuality supports some bands that are not advertised/explicit in the specs. It wouldn't be unheard of, as members here have reported some versions of the non-CDMA M8 as supporting some bands not indicated in the specs. And that band happens to be what AT&T is using in your market region. In this case, that band would seem to be Band 17 (the only band that AT&T is known to use, that isn't listed on the S6 Edge specs).
Or the other possibility, is there is just some issue with the S6 that is preventing connection to LTE (but on the same supported band that the M8 has).
redpoint73 said:
Yeah, that is strange. According to the specs for the S6 Edge here, the Verizon version supports the same LTE bands as the VZN M8, and actually some additional bands (2 and 5) that also happen to be bands used by AT&T.
One thing I can think of, is that the VZN M8 in actuality supports some bands that are not advertised/explicit in the specs. It wouldn't be unheard of, as members here have reported some versions of the non-CDMA M8 as supporting some bands not indicated in the specs. And that band happens to be what AT&T is using in your market region. In this case, that band would seem to be Band 17 (the only band that AT&T is known to use, that isn't listed on the S6 Edge specs).
Or the other possibility, is there is just some issue with the S6 that is preventing connection to LTE (but on the same supported band that the M8 has).
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Yeah.. I'm not worried about it.. I've been told that all I need is an AT&T branded LTE capable device hooked up to the account and that my account hasn't been provisioned for LTE .. I've seen this in a few places so it's worth a shot.. I ordered a junk LTE phone branded AT&T to test it out.. ordered a OnePlus 2 and will likely unload the S6 Edge (if it never picks up the LTE from AT&T)
jbarcus81 said:
I've been told that all I need is an AT&T branded LTE capable device hooked up to the account and that my account hasn't been provisioned for LTE ..)
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Click to collapse
As I've already mentioned, its not really necessary to have an AT&T branded device. I suspect the reason you've seen people say this, is that AT&T branding means by definition the phone has all the bands used by AT&T for LTE; since obviously the phone is intended for use on AT&T's network. Since AT&T uses a number of bands (4) and LTE bands being used worldwide has become very un-standardized, its somewhat difficult to find a non-AT&T phone that has all the bands. But they do exist, such as the US unlocked M8, Dev Edition M8, and Nexus devices. Also, I've seen folks used other non-ATT branded phones, which may not have all 4 LTE bands used by AT&T, but the one(s) needed in the particular user's region. Not ideal, but sufficient for some folks.
Another reason why some may say the phone needs to be AT&T branded, is that AT&T tech support won't provide you any support if you have a non-ATT phone. But honestly, I've used non-branded devices (and plenty of folks here have), and this is very rarely an issue. The folks here on XDA will usually provide you better support, anyway!
Of course, your ATT account needs to be provisioned for LTE in order to have that service. Its a simple matter, and doesn't cost anything (just need a smartphone data plan).
redpoint73 said:
As I've already mentioned, its not really necessary to have an AT&T branded device. I suspect the reason you've seen people say this, is that AT&T branding means by definition the phone has all the bands used by AT&T for LTE; since obviously the phone is intended for use on AT&T's network. Since AT&T uses a number of bands (4) and LTE bands being used worldwide has become very un-standardized, its somewhat difficult to find a non-AT&T phone that has all the bands. But they do exist, such as the US unlocked M8, Dev Edition M8, and Nexus devices. Also, I've seen folks used other non-ATT branded phones, which may not have all 4 LTE bands used by AT&T, but the one(s) needed in the particular user's region. Not ideal, but sufficient for some folks.
Another reason why some may say the phone needs to be AT&T branded, is that AT&T tech support won't provide you any support if you have a non-ATT phone. But honestly, I've used non-branded devices (and plenty of folks here have), and this is very rarely an issue. The folks here on XDA will usually provide you better support, anyway!
Of course, your ATT account needs to be provisioned for LTE in order to have that service. Its a simple matter, and doesn't cost anything (just need a smartphone data plan).
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Click to collapse
I've dug deeper and have to not only have an AT&T branded phone, I have to register the IEMI on my account, then swap the SIM card back into the other phone. I've got the phone but can't find a way to do this online so I'll have to call tomorrow...
Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk
I have a m8 whl sprint abd does not use CDMA only gsm network. I can I change the mid and convert the phone to get latest ota for dev edition version? I thanks
long.nguyen said:
I have a m8 whl sprint abd does not use CDMA only gsm network. I can I change the mid and convert the phone to get latest ota for dev edition version? I thanks
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Click to collapse
Absolutely NO.
What I mentioned above (Post #3) for the Verizon variant, also applies to Sprint (both versions support CDMA - the fact you don't use it is irrelevant). If you try to convert to another version won't work, and will probably result in a brick.
Also, even if you didn't have a CDMA version M8, you typically can't convert using an OTA, it has to be an RUU.
redpoint73 said:
Absolutely NO.
What I mentioned above (Post #3) for the Verizon variant, also applies to Sprint (both versions support CDMA - the fact you don't use it is irrelevant). If you try to convert to another version won't work, and will probably result in a brick.
Also, even if you didn't have a CDMA version M8, you typically can't convert using an OTA, it has to be an RUU.
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@redpoint ; don't we have any chance to install different provider radios to Verizon Htc devices..?
because verizon devices you know that support 3, 4, 7, and 13 bands,but i want to enable band 20 for europe LTE..
pls help us to enable other bands =( because only u can do that as a genius =)
thanx a lot
cincon said:
@redpoint ; don't we have any chance to install different provider radios to Verizon Htc devices..?
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Click to collapse
Absolutely NOT. As already thoroughly discussed on this thread, if you attempt to install another version's radio on the Verizon version, it won't work, and you may radio brick the phone (permanent damage possible).
Different radios, different partition layout.
Don't even try it. Experienced devs have tried to "convert" by various methods and mods, and failed.
But there may be other ways (besides flashing another version's radio) to enable the band(s) you want, read on:
cincon said:
[MENTION=434105]
because verizon devices you know that support 3, 4, 7, and 13 bands,but i want to enable band 20 for europe LTE..
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Click to collapse
You can take a look at the following method, as it claims to enable Band 20: http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-htc-one-m8/general/lte-band-7-2600mhz-finally-guide-t2992523
Read the thread, and proceed at your own discretion. I'm not knowledgeable with changing NV values (it doesn't work on "GSM" M8 variants, so does not apply to me). I simply know this thread exists.
cincon said:
[MENTION=434105]
pls help us to enable other bands =( because only u can do that as a genius =)
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Click to collapse
Far from a genius, and I don't create any of these mods. I just contribute by passing on knowledge I've gained here. Really, that is part of what XDA is all about.
My question remains, when carrier unlocking an s9 or s9+, is there any way to make it available on different network types like say if the phone started out using a carrier that uses CDMA, is their any way to flash it to utilize t-mobile's frequency bands?
I unlocked two galaxy s9+'s that were on xfinity, which uses verizon towers. The two phones did unlock, but only for carriers utilizing CDMA. I was hoping they would be able to be used on t-mobile after unlocking, but they can't. Only messaging and data works using a t-mobile SIM card. Verizon works fine. SO my question still remains, is there a way to make it work?
I used itekimei .com to have the phones unlocked, as I found they were suggested here on XDA. And they weren't really able to answer my question either. They said it should work with t-mobile, but the conversation ended with "t-mobile is having problems with unlocked phones." This is super frustrating trying to get an answer.
Edit: I found this forum https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s9-plus/help/sim-unlocking-sprint-samsung-galaxy-s9-t3783571 which debates whether it will work or not. Also this one specifically about Xfinity https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s9-plus/help/xfinity-mobile-unlock-service-t3796349. But mine didn't work. I don't think U.S. S9's are cross compatible from CDMA to GSM. I have been searching and searching and can't find a way.
Yes, the US unit hardware is cross compatible. Heck, Verizon itself isn't all CDMA. They are phasing out CDMA soon and most of their network is LTE.
I have a US unlocked S9+ and can use any carrier in the US. You could too, all you need to do is flash the US Unlocked firmware to the device using Odin.
Your problem may be the Xfinity firmware restricting certain bands is all. Or possibly the device isn't really unlocked.
Regards,
I have a free government phone that uses a Sprint SIM, I almost always have LTE coverage with it, I recently purchased the V30 and it should be here soon. The seller described it as GSM unlocked and I'm aware Sprint isn't GSM, but unfortunately forgot about these things until after I purchased.
Is there any way I'll be able to use the SIM in the V30?
And if it requires any changes, if I need to return the V30 will those changes be noticeable or reversible if so?
Any help is extremely appreciated, thanks!
ResidentKaga said:
I have a free government phone that uses a Sprint SIM, I almost always have LTE coverage with it, I recently purchased the V30 and it should be here soon. The seller described it as GSM unlocked and I'm aware Sprint isn't GSM, but unfortunately forgot about these things until after I purchased.
Is there any way I'll be able to use the SIM in the V30?
And if it requires any changes, if I need to return the V30 will those changes be noticeable or reversible if so?
Any help is extremely appreciated, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you cannot use T-mobile H932 with Sprint SIM card. Sprint still uses CDMA bands and has some extra LTE bands not on the H932. You cannot convert the T-mobile H932 to any other variant.
You need to return it and get Sprint LS998 instead. Cool thing about that is all LS998 are actually V30+ (128GB internal memory), while most T-mobile H932 are only V30 (64GB) -- although there are some T-mobile H932 V30+ in existence, which was sold for limited time by T-Mobile.
ChazzMatt said:
No, you cannot use T-mobile H932 with Sprint SIM card. Sprint still uses CDMA bands and has some extra LTE bands not on the H932. You cannot convert the T-mobile H932 to any other variant.
You need to return it and get Sprint LS998 instead. Cool thing about that is most (if not all) LS998 are actually V30+ (128GB internal memory), while most T-mobile H932 are only V30 (64GB) -- although there are some T-mobile H932 V30+ in existence, which was sold for limited time.
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Thanks for the reply. The website "WillMyPhoneWork?" (can't post link) says the H932 has one of the bands Sprint uses for their 4G LTE network (Band41-2500MHz), and because of that, it "may" work, what's your input on that?
ResidentKaga said:
Thanks for the reply. The website "WillMyPhoneWork?" (can't post link) says the H932 has one of the bands Sprint uses for their 4G LTE network (Band41-2500MHz), and because of that, it "may" work, what's your input on that?
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Click to collapse
My answer stands.
You may not have that one LTE band in your area or elsewhere, you will need CDMA for some stuff, and Sprint won't accept a T-Mobile H932 on their Network.
You're trying to make this difficult, when I already answered your question.
For other reasons I don't want to go into here, the only people who should get the T-Mobile H932 are actual T-Mobile customers. No matter how much allegedly "SIM card unlocked". One reason being that when updating to new OS firmware, that carrier unlocking is sometimes canceled, and then you have totally useless phone (if you are not a T-Mobile customer).
There's other reasons too.
ChazzMatt said:
My answer stands.
You may not have that LTE band in your area, you will need CDMA for some stuff, and Sprint won't accept a T-Mobile h932 on their Network.
You're trying to make this difficult, when I already answered your question.
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It's not that I want to make things difficult, I don't want that at all really, it's that I was clinging on to any last piece of hope since I'm in a very time and money sensitive situation currently where I need a better phone to relieve significant issues I have using my current (really bad) I use phone for work, it's holding me back big time. If there truly is nothing I can do I'll have to not only wait for the phone to come, but also need to do what's required to ship the phone back to the ebay seller and wait for my refund, all things I was really trying to avoid.
Hopefully that's more understandable why I replied the way I did, the last thing I wanted to do was burden you as I really do appreciate your advice. I have a couple more questions but it's understandable if you prefer not to assist anymore in this thread Chazz.
I wanted to know what was meant by "You'll need CDMA for some stuff", and about Sprint not accepting the phone. I already have active Sprint service with the SIM I currently use, was hoping to only need to take the SIM out of my current phone, and put it into the H932.
ResidentKaga said:
Thanks for the reply. The website "WillMyPhoneWork?" (can't post link) says the H932 has one of the bands Sprint uses for their 4G LTE network (Band41-2500MHz), and because of that, it "may" work, what's your input on that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The site is absolutely correct. It may work....in a very limited fashion.
Carriers don't deploy every frequency at every tower, partly for practicality reasons (e.g. out in the middle of nowhere it makes most sense to use CDMA+band 26 to eke the most range possible out of the tower and adding more radios to the tower is a waste of money) and partly licensing (they may own band 25 in one area but not another).
You might very well have a band 41 tower near your house, and it would appear to work properly (maybe even with VoLTE, if Sprint has that and the T-Mobile ROM will connect it). But if you head to work, and the tower nearest there only has band 25, then you're SOL; technically there's "Sprint" coverage, just not what your extremely limited cross-compatibility needs.
When @ChazzMatt was saying that you'll need CDMA for some stuff, it's because carrier models tend to only support their own VoLTE implementation out of the box, and need some work to get it working otherwise. It may not work at all without running the Sprint ROM; same with wifi calling if Sprint supports that.
Without those two, you'll have no voice and texting services, because those are what the CDMA connection is for. Without VoLTE, your LTE band is strictly data-only (though you COULD use IM and voice apps like Google Voice, since those use a data connection).
I think CDMA carriers are still running whitelists anyway, regardless of what the phone supports --- and Sprint is probably taking it a step further by only allowing Sprint and (possibly) Unlocked phones.
Because of the whitelist BS, you ideally need a Sprint model (as the whitelist goes by IMEI, not what software is flashed, although non-Sprint software may have issues with the initial activation so do that before flashing anything). If you're on Sprint itself rather than an MVNO, you might be able to get away with just swapping the SIM into a CDMA-capable phone, but it really depends on how the network is set up.
To summarize:
Because it only supports one band (a data-only band, even), your coverage will be extremely limited
In the same vein as above, unless you can get either VoLTE working over that single band, or wifi calling to connect, you'll have no native voice/text services due to lack of CDMA
Sprint will absolutely not freshly activate a non-Sprint (as indicated by IMEI) phone on their network, maybe not the unlocked US998 model either (however this probably won't stop you from swapping your SIM in)
Ideal course of action is to return your H932 (and eat any return cost, unfortunately...), obtain an LS998, get it activated, then flash whatever ROM you like (if desired)
-
If you're curious as to why anyone would want an H932, given it being harder to unlock and root and being limited strictly to T-Mobile bands: it's the only model that supports band 71, TMO's new-in-2017 long-range band --- the US998 both lacks the band out of the box and is unable to activate it in software for whatever reason.
At a guess, this was due to an exclusivity agreement between LG and TMO in order to sell more carrier models...which is utterly moronic because b71 support was nearly useless in Q4 2017 (barely any sites deployed). But hey, what do I know, I'm just a random consumer and certainly don't know better than LG's fantastic marketing department.
(that last bit was sarcasm, if it wasn't obvious, LG's marketing is a joke/worst-in-industry)
@Septfox Thank you for the thorough and very helpful answer!