I bought this device ~2017 from Sprint for my elderly mother so she could stay connected with the family. One of the features was she could use it to text. She took to that like a fish in water, which made us happy. They did not have WiFi, so it was strictly cellular data. There was no voice, but that was not a problem. It had been working fine until...we got a Tmobile SIM in the mail. (Due to the merger of Sprint with TMobile.). This was supposed to be required due to the 3G retirement.
I installed the SIM. Everything seems to be fine. But then we notice the SMS stopped working. I called Sprint, they did some sort of reset and SMS started working. I went away in victory. But then an hour or so later we noticed SMS no longer worked. Skipping some steps, I took it to the store. We installed a new TMO SIM card. SMS worked again--for 5-15 min, then stopped. They did a warranty replaced of the tablet. Same thing. It first worked (send and receive texts) for <15 min, then failed. They would not allow me to go back to the Sprint SIM card.
I had the manager escalate this through their tech support. After a week or so, the answer came back: SMS is not supported on tablets.
This must be a policy. Certainly it can work. But it seems to be a restriction/problem on the carrier side. However I am not convinced it is really a policy and not just laziness.
What I am seeking from this forum is to learn the following:
A) Does anyone have SMS working on this device (SM-T978U).
B) If SMS works, what carrier do you have.
Alternately, I am looking for a work around that works seamlessly. Anything convoluted will not work for her. She also has an Alcatel GO flip 4. She now has WiFi.
You may want to look at an App like TextFree or Google Voice.
I can report that this was a carrier created problem. The explanation I received was that after the TMO Sprint merger, they pushed out PLMN's that allowed the devices to use the best available resource (TMO or Sprint), I am told. When the Sprint resources could no longer be accessed with the new TMO SIM card, the SMS no longer worked. If others had this problem, it may now silently be fixed. They need to push out an new PLMN and then "cancel" the location to forces the device to take the new PLMN. Works fine now.
My frustration is that the lower levels of tech support are really just customer service to help you use your phone. A rant on the whole experience is not worth anyone's time. For me, a chance encounter with a TMO employee in a local bar was required. Once I got to people with the appropriate level of technical knowledge, the problem was solved quickly.
The answer to the question in the title is 'YES'.
This is not a T-Mobile only issue. None of the US carriers allow LTE/5G tablets to text using SMS or RCS. I am not sure why. I had the LTE Tab S5e on Verizon and at no point could I text directly from the tablet using its number. I had to either use Google Voice or some other third-party app.
I now have the WiFi Tab S7 and the only way I can text is to pair it via Google Messages to my S22 Ultra or to use Google Voice.
The upside to using Google Messages is that I can use the same number on both devices. The only downside is occasionally I have to re-pair Google Messages.
I just bought a used T-Mobile Tab S7. I can sms with stock messaging app.
Related
I recently had a problem where my htc Evo 4G LTE on the Sprint network. I'm posting this here because the Service Rep told me they were seeing a lot of issues like this lately, and I couldn't find anywhere else where this problem had been solved online.
Symptoms:
Phone would not send or receive text messages
Phone would not receive MMS messages
Phone would not generate any error on sending MMS messages, but message would never be received
Calls and data would function as normal
If number is Google Voice integrated, Voice would not receive text messages either.
Solution:
Find an old phone
Write down the MEID of both phones
Find a third phone to use to call Sprint (since you'll be activating/deactivating the other phones throughout the call), and know your account PIN/be able to verify your account
Call Sprint Customer Support (888-211-4727), and punch the appropriate numbers until you are talking to someone
Have them switch your number to the old phone's MEID. Make sure the old phone is activated.
Have them switch your number back to the new phone's MEID. Make sure the new phone is activated.
Texting should be working on your new phone again.
Notes: The old phone may not be necessary. It may be enough for the Sprint Service Rep to deactivate your phone and then reactivate it. But I figured I would write out the EXACT method that solved the problem for me, since I am positive that this method has worked at least once. I have neither the means nor the desire to recreate the problem, so I will have to leave testing of other methods to the next person that experiences this problem.
More information (including a more detailed retelling of how my phone was fixed) can be found in This Thread. (Yes, parts of this post are copy/pasted from the linked thread. Sue me.)
Anyway, I hope this saves someone some trouble (and if it does, feel free to hit the thanks button).
I have an unlocked Xperia Z2 tablet with ATT. The data plan works perfectly, and the tablet has its own phone number. The IMEI number is that of a phone and tablet so I have to pay a higher charge for the line and it supposedly has unlimited calls and messaging.
Here's the problem though. All of the apps that come with the device which could conceivably be used to send an SMS message or make a phone call are Verizon exclusive and require a contract with Verizon to use. I attempted to install message or phone apps, but the Google Play Store sees it as a tablet and not a phone and won't provide those and I'm unsure if any apk files would work around it. I don't need to be able to make phone calls, but I do need to be able to send text messages to the tablet and not to any other device. Simply spoofing the number isn't going to be enough. It has to have its own unique number. I know that the hardware is supposed to be capable of doing that, but I can't seem to get anything on it that will work.
What are my options? I know once I get it properly rooted I can delete those apps, but how do I get them replaced?
Also, something I'm curious about. The only 4G bands this is tablet gets on the AT&T network are H++. Why doesn't it go any higher for the latest high end tablet?
EDIT: I used this tool(I'm not allowed to link anything here, even though I was allowed to link in a previous post?) to download the APK for handcent and then moved it to the tablet and installed from there. It had no problem installing, but when it asked to be made default it got stuck in a loop trying to allow it. After I eventually selected to skip it said certain features won't be available until it is default. (I hated the whole default thing that was added in 4.4. On my phone it keeps me from using multiple messaging apps properly) and I was able to SUCCESSFULLY send a text! I checked the phone and it was send as an SMS message from the phone number of the tablet. I was also able to reply without any problems.
The only issue now is declaring the default messaging app, which I don't appear able to do. The Verizon message app is the default and probably locked itself as such. ugh. Anyone have any suggestions?
Oh, and it told me "Voice calling not supported" so I don't know if the tablet itself is incapable of making calls or if it's another bug introduced by Verizon.
Hey guys,
As with the rest of you I too probably spend a bit too much time on my phone haha so when i saw the announcement of the Nexus 9 i had me start to think about the idea of using it to replace my phone and maybe since the tablet is so big ill spend more time doing other things than carrying it around. I use my phone for almost entirely internet related stuff ( social media, Stocks, news, whatsapp) and occasional texting and phone calls..
So right now I am on bell Mobility in Canada and would like to continue using my current phone plan and number so Google voice or text plus are not very useful to me. I am also not worried that there are not microphone or in-call speaker built into the tablet as i use Bluetooth headsets.
Anyways to get to my questions.... Will I be able to text using hangouts just like I do on my phone now? If not is there a solution?
Am I able to install a dialer to make phone calls through my carrier? If not what can i do? is root needed?
Thanks in advance guys!
I would think the LTE version will do all of this for you, and no don't think you need to be rooted.
Here's where I see the problem with your plan of fulfilling your phone needs with a LTE Nexus 9:
Many carriers treat SIM cards for phones differently than SIM cards for tablets. Even though they're physically identical, the IMEI associated to each SIM allows them to define what each SIM is allowed to do, and those that are classified to be used on a tablet are set to only be able to use DATA services but not VOICE services, which means that if you choose to keep your number associated to that SIM in particular, it would be converted as data-only and won't be able to receive phone calls. I'm not certain this is the case for every carrier, so I suggest you find out with your specific carrier by talking to one of their tech representatives.
As for SMS messaging, I'm not 100% sure but I think data-only SIMs allow for receiving texts but don't let you send out texts, HOWEVER, now that Android has merged google voice with hangouts which allows for your phone messages to be sent through google hangous, I can't tell for sure if this would allow you to override that restriction and be able to send through the tablet (you'd need to find out, again, talk to your carrier).
Good luck!
Unless there is something I am missing here, with hangouts, hangouts dialer and a data sim you should be able to do it all. Texts and calls. I set up a mate 2 with just a data sim and hangouts - works like a charm on att/mvno.
T-Mobile USA has a family plan, where you can add a phone line for $20 with 10GB data. If you add a tablet instead then its $20 with 2GB data. i.e. T-mobile is penalizing tablets. This is really very odd as the tablet can do LESS than the phone (i.e. can't talk). Many phones have as many pixels as tablets. So not as if the tablet will somehow consume more than a phone. Anyhow...
If you were to take a phone SIM, Tablet fastboot modify your IMEI to a phone IMEI (e.g. a broke's phone IMEI) , would it then work on the network and be treated as a phone?
Hello all,
I'm on the following:
Nexus 9 32GB LTE manufacturer date 13/01/2015
CM12 Nightly 03-18
SIM Card with full network permissions (data, SMS, MMS, calls)
What I would like to do is be able to dial out and receive calls and SMS.
I've been fiddling and reading for the last few days, to no avail.
Apparently there has been LTE support since 03-13, and I can see that the tablet understands the network I'm on.
I will gladly pay out a 50 via paypal to whoever successfully solves the problem for me.
Also you'll get to feel nice for anyone else who has this issue.
Some notes/background:
- I really love CM12, and would really rather stay on it. I'm willing to go to other ROM's if that has to happen, but only if they are similar enough (5.0.2+, well optimised, etc)
- I've noticed hangouts is supposed to be able to send SMS, but after reading up there appears to be no settings -> SMS.
- Yes, I understand there is google hangouts for voice calls and all that, but I'm a reseller, and need access to internal numbers only available via my mobile network/SIM card.
- The reason for the bounty instead of patiently waiting, is because I need this for work.
- The reason for attempting to have "all-in-one" is because I used to have both a phone and a tablet with everything tethered, and having multiple devices was not very conductive to work.
I don't understand exactly what your problem is. Can you be clearer with your question.
Does LTE data work on your tablet or does it not?
cronugs said:
I don't understand exactly what your problem is. Can you be clearer with your question.
Does LTE data work on your tablet or does it not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He wants someone to turn his Nexus 9 into a cellphone. I don't think the baseband hardware allows for that, and a $50 bounty is just plain silly.
Arffeh said:
Hello all,
I'm on the following:
Nexus 9 32GB LTE manufacturer date 13/01/2015
CM12 Nightly 03-18
SIM Card with full network permissions (data, SMS, MMS, calls)
What I would like to do is be able to dial out and receive calls and SMS.
I've been fiddling and reading for the last few days, to no avail.
Apparently there has been LTE support since 03-13, and I can see that the tablet understands the network I'm on.
I will gladly pay out a 50 via paypal to whoever successfully solves the problem for me.
Also you'll get to feel nice for anyone else who has this issue.
Some notes/background:
- I really love CM12, and would really rather stay on it. I'm willing to go to other ROM's if that has to happen, but only if they are similar enough (5.0.2+, well optimised, etc)
- I've noticed hangouts is supposed to be able to send SMS, but after reading up there appears to be no settings -> SMS.
- Yes, I understand there is google hangouts for voice calls and all that, but I'm a reseller, and need access to internal numbers only available via my mobile network/SIM card.
- The reason for the bounty instead of patiently waiting, is because I need this for work.
- The reason for attempting to have "all-in-one" is because I used to have both a phone and a tablet with everything tethered, and having multiple devices was not very conductive to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very simple solution: don't cheap out. What you are looking for is a Nexus 6 (SIX) -- large sized cellphone. Not a 9 (tablet).
BTW: I'll take that $50 for solving your problem now...
For some reason the call and text on my Tab S7+ and S10+ isn't always working. When I make a call using the Tab S7+ I see a message saying "No network connection" but on my S10+ the call is being made but hangs up because it could not transfer to the tablet. I can't get any incoming calls either but get a missed call notification after they hang up. I cleared the cache and data on both the phone app and call & text app and it worked for a day. Now not even clearing the cache and data works. I don't know what the issue could be. Anyone have these issues?
I have the sprint version of the Tab s7. There’s no option to turn on calls and text from other devices. It came with a messenger app but no dialer. I’m confused. Am I unable to make Calls. I have the note 10+
That's another strange issue. Does Spring allow this service? I read that some providers in the US don't support this feature. I'm still having issue getting it to work 100%. I even cleared the cache partition on my phone thinking there might be something in there that is corrupt. Funny thing is sometimes I make a call on my Tab S7+ and get the no network connection but after a minute or two my phone stays its making a call from the Tab S7+. So there is a delay for some reason. Could this be something with the Samsung servers?
AndroidArtTech said:
That's another strange issue. Does Spring allow this service? I read that some providers in the US don't support this feature. I'm still having issue getting it to work 100%. I even cleared the cache partition on my phone thinking there might be something in there that is corrupt. Funny thing is sometimes I make a call on my Tab S7+ and get the no network connection but after a minute or two my phone stays its making a call from the Tab S7+. So there is a delay for some reason. Could this be something with the Samsung servers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They said Verizon and ATT doesn't have the feature. I dont even have a phone dialer. Sprint told me to contact Samsung. Samsung said its sprint.
What I don't understand is why does it matter what service provider you have. From my understanding this feature works like this; (1) I make a call on my tablet (2) it goes through my home wi-fi to Samsung's server (3) Samsung server sends the number to my phone and initiates the call.
So why would the service provider care or even know if I directly make the call from my phone or it gets remotely dialed by Samsung.
AndroidArtTech said:
What I don't understand is why does it matter what service provider you have. From my understanding this feature works like this; (1) I make a call on my tablet (2) it goes through my home wi-fi to Samsung's server (3) Samsung server sends the number to my phone and initiates the call.
So why would the service provider care or even know if I directly make the call from my phone or it gets remotely dialed by Samsung.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I had a chat with Sprint again and they said the service has been disabled on all their tablets. I would have to download a 3rd party app to make calls. It does have a mess
Disabled on the T-Mobile S7+ as well. Went in through ADB and could not find the packages for this anywhere. Samsung said in marketing this tablet that it was not available on the Plus at launch, but that was the fine print. Just above that it said it was available, period. Hoping it shows up with the Android 11 update, whenever that shows up.
da_ferreira said:
Disabled on the T-Mobile S7+ as well. Went in through ADB and could not find the packages for this anywhere. Samsung said in marketing this tablet that it was not available on the Plus at launch, but that was the fine print. Just above that it said it was available, period. Hoping it shows up with the Android 11 update, whenever that shows up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint told me that they will no longer support making calls from the tablet. Apple tablets are still able to do this. I'm so angry about this. I've downloaded a phone app and now I have to use a new number with it... I hate it
Nkirkendoll said:
They said Verizon and ATT doesn't have the feature. I dont even have a phone dialer. Sprint told me to contact Samsung. Samsung said its sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works with AT&T if you use an unlocked (XAA) phone.
AT&T only blocks it on the carrier version.
I have a Note 20 Ultra that was an AT&T carrier phone. I changed CSC to XAA and loaded U1 firmware and Call and Text on other devices is now available and working be tween my Tab S7 and my Note 20 Ultra.
Also, the calls do not get routed through Samsung. The link between the two devices is authenticated via Samsung, but the hand off is local (peer to peer) via your Wi-Fi connection.
Since you were able to get call and text on other devices working by changing firmware, did you loose the ability to make wifi calls? I have a S10 (AT&T carrier version) that I would like to keep the wifi-calling and also enable the call and text on other devices feature. Any suggestions?