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Hi everyone, last week i bought a galaxy tab 7.7 lte after reading it could make calls but didnt realise the stripped out tbiz feature in us models till i got home. I searched the net hoping to find a hack of somekind to re enable this feature to no avail. I have the graNdfathered unlimited plan and wanted to use my own verizon number to make and recieve calls, i guess the next best thing is to use google voice and groove ip? I have no idea how to set it up as my only number i have read about it but it just confuses me so came on here boping to. Get some help. If i put my sim in the tab can i just forward my verizon calls to my google voice? Does the tab support sms with my verizon number? If i port my number to google voice im guessing it terminates my contract? How do i setup. Google voice the guide i read said something about having another number to fowar to but idont have one i want to use my tab as all in one device with sim in it. Thanks in advance any help is appreciated.
Mcnavice said:
Hi everyone, last week i bought a galaxy tab 7.7 lte after reading it could make calls but didnt realise the stripped out tbiz feature in us models till i got home. I searched the net hoping to find a hack of somekind to re enable this feature to no avail. I have the graNdfathered unlimited plan and wanted to use my own verizon number to make and recieve calls, i guess the next best thing is to use google voice and groove ip? I have no idea how to set it up as my only number i have read about it but it just confuses me so came on here boping to. Get some help. If i put my sim in the tab can i just forward my verizon calls to my google voice? Does the tab support sms with my verizon number? If i port my number to google voice im guessing it terminates my contract? How do i setup. Google voice the guide i read said something about having another number to fowar to but idont have one i want to use my tab as all in one device with sim in it. Thanks in advance any help is appreciated.
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Here's the problem: US carriers are very greedy. As such, a single device that "does it all" is bad for business. Think about it. If you got a tablet that also doubled as your phone, then that's a tethering fee they can't get you on if you had a wifi-only tablet paired up to your smartphone. OR that's a whole other data subscription, just for your tablet, that they aren't getting your money for either.
US carriers don't like all-in-one devices... That's why you'll never see a US device with all the features of the international version of the same device.
Here's my advice for you: Give Verizon a big fat middle finger by returning the VZW version of the 7.7, buying the international 3G version (P6800) instead, port your existing number over to StraightTalk for $45 a month, unlimited everything, pay as you go, and cancel your VZW contract.
People in the US need to get out of this 2-year agreement dependency BS... That's how carriers are able to gouge us for 3 and 4 times as much as everyone else around the world who are mostly pay-as-you-go. PAYG is much more competitive, and the consumer benefits from it.
Jade Eyed Wolf said:
Here's the problem: US carriers are very greedy. As such, a single device that "does it all" is bad for business. Think about it. If you got a tablet that also doubled as your phone, then that's a tethering fee they can't get you on if you had a wifi-only tablet paired up to your smartphone. OR that's a whole other data subscription, just for your tablet, that they aren't getting your money for either.
US carriers don't like all-in-one devices... That's why you'll never see a US device with all the features of the international version of the same device.
Here's my advice for you: Give Verizon a big fat middle finger by returning the VZW version of the 7.7, buying the international 3G version (P6800) instead, port your existing number over to StraightTalk for $45 a month, unlimited everything, pay as you go, and cancel your VZW contract.
People in the US need to get out of this 2-year agreement dependency BS... That's how carriers are able to gouge us for 3 and 4 times as much as everyone else around the world who are mostly pay-as-you-go. PAYG is much more competitive, and the consumer benefits from it.
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I whole heartly agree.... when my contract with ATT is up.. Im doing this very thing.. thanks J.E.W...
Mcnavice said:
If i put my sim in the tab can i just forward my verizon calls to my google voice? Does the tab support sms with my verizon number? If i port my number to google voice im guessing it terminates my contract? How do i setup. Google voice the guide i read said something about having another number to fowar to but idont have one i want to use my tab as all in one device with sim in it. Thanks in advance any help is appreciated.
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As everyone mentioned, your vzw sim is for data only, but for gvoice calls (& voip internet calling) you only need data to work in order to make calls. If you intend to keep your vzw tab, you can try this:
Go to google.com/voice & setup a google voice account & choose a gvoice phone #. You need to do this from a laptop or pc, won't work from tab or phone. You may be required to setup at least one phone for forwarding to complete setup, you can use your cell or home phone, you can always go back later & uncheck forwarding or delete that phone from your gvoice acct.
After setup, at top right of web page, look for pic of gear (settings/options), be sure to select/check off forward to your gmail address.
Be sure your vzw sim is activated & in your tablet.
On your tab go to google play/market & download gvoice app & follow the setup guide. Gvoice will attempt too send a text from your tab which notifies google voice of your tab's phone # configures Gvoice to sync & forward with your new tab. Next download grooveip & follow the setup. You should be golden
I use a prepaid GoPhone sim in my gsm 7.7 tab for calls, text & 3G. If you have good att signal near you & can do without the remote control infrared on the vzw version & can still return your vzw tab, get a p6800. You will not be disappointed
Good Luck
Magickly said:
As everyone mentioned, your vzw sim is for data only, but for gvoice calls (& voip internet calling) you only need data to work in order to make calls. If you intend to keep your vzw tab, you can try this:
Go to google.com/voice & setup a google voice account & choose a gvoice phone #. You need to do this from a laptop or pc, won't work from tab or phone. You may be required to setup at least one phone for forwarding to complete setup, you can use your cell or home phone, you can always go back later & uncheck forwarding or delete that phone from your gvoice acct.
After setup, at top right of web page, look for pic of gear (settings/options), be sure to select/check off forward to your gmail address.
Be sure your vzw sim is activated & in your tablet.
On your tab go to google play/market & download gvoice app & follow the setup guide. Gvoice will attempt too send a text from your tab which notifies google voice of your tab's phone # configures Gvoice to sync & forward with your new tab. Next download grooveip & follow the setup. You should be golden
I use a prepaid GoPhone sim in my gsm 7.7 tab for calls, text & 3G. If you have good att signal near you & can do without the remote control infrared on the vzw version & can still return your vzw tab, get a p6800. You will not be disappointed
Good Luck
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I have the US Verizon version of the 7.7 and it has 4g. Will this setup work with it. I set it up as per your instructions and hope it works but a confirmation from you would be nice.
My company paid for the 7.7 as well as foots the bill for the monthly unlimited 4G data w/ Verizon (I just swap the SIM out between my MiFi and the 7.7 depending on which one i would bring with me). I actually prefer the awesome speed of LTE.
I have got GrooveIP working w/ my Gvoice account to make & receive VOIP calls. (Thanks 2 Asenduk who pointed out the setting that was making it not work on mine).
I just wish the bluetooth would work with the 7.7 as a phone and not just "media" as when I bought one of those bluetooth mini handsets it only lets you talk on it but does not let you answer or end the call from the handset (nor gives you caller id or ringing indicator at all).
aximtreo said:
I have the US Verizon version of the 7.7 and it has 4g. Will this setup work with it. I set it up as per your instructions and hope it works but a confirmation from you would be nice.
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?!
If you already have it setup, why not just test it out ?
I can say that I just set this up on my sister's VZW 7.7 GTab & it works flawlessly using free version of GrooveIP Lite. She already had a gvoice # setup w/forwarding to her cell, I just added GVoice app to her tab & configured to her GVoice, and of course, installed GrooveIP Lite app & Bam !
You may need to enable (check box) to "send calls to GoogleChat" option in google voice for incoming, on some devices this was necessary for me
I'm off to pay for full version of GrooveIP, cuz they deserve it
Let me note: I am not a dev nor programmer.
With the similiarities of the P6800 and the Verizon 7.7, I threw together a rom w/ stock SCH-I815 samsung/verizon kernel using the P6800 frameworks and apps into the Verizon 7.7 and removed most bloat. The LTE/Verizon antennas aren't recognized by the device at all but everything else was working.
Now, you can't swap the phone.apk's around without the framework's else you'll experience FCs. So obviously I'll need to use the base stock apps and frameworks and go through the 2 framework files hunting about.
Has anyone else with the Verizon 7.7 taken a look into this?
I'm curious if you've made any progress on this?
Not yet, probably be a week before I even look through the files again. But I believe it's fully possible to get phone use
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
i think you will need to find samsung modem for verzon networks, does verizon have a galaxy note or sgs2?
although your modem firmware probably has voice disabled, may have to find modem manufacturer and try to flash custom firmware.
good luck, wish you the best.
I'm happy enough using GrooveIP for google voice calling. What I'd really like is if we could activate the phone profile in bluetooth (or will that just come with enabling the proper phone part in the 7.7?).
As of now i can use GrooveIP and bluetooth to listen and speak, but it won't let the bluetooth device answer/hang up/transfer address book/show caller ID (on the Verizon LTE 7.7)
Doesn't verizon require some sort of signed telephony to work properly on their network
ph00ny said:
Doesn't verizon require some sort of signed telephony to work properly on their network
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I got no idea but with the other packs it didn't detect the radio at all. This is keeping the vzw radio partition stock. I like the ideas and really wish the note was verizon as that'd help figure things out.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
just to confirm does this a sim slot? i thought someone said it did.
chrisrotolo said:
just to confirm does this a sim slot? i thought someone said it did.
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It does for LTE but cdma service doesn't use sim
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA
Seeing as your data account won't have any provisioning for voice usage, even if you DID get a working modem and a modified framework to allow for phone functionality on the device, I doubt that you'd actually be able to made or receive a phone call due to Verizon's limitations at the account and provisioning level anyway.
Point is, it's a CDMA device, and thus your service is attached to the device itself, not the SIM card (except for LTE data). Basically, you can't just provision service to the SIM card alone, and then simply swap it into a different device. So if you got the modem and the framework working, and you called in to Verizon customer service and asked to provision your line for voice, they'll just be like "Umm, no... We never INTENDED for you to use that device as a phone, so no... You want a phone? Buy a phone. You want a tablet? Buy a tablet. You want to do both in one device? We won't allow that because that loses us money that we would be getting by having you either subscribe to two lines, or charge you extra to tether..."
There is a much simpler solution however.
Ditch ANY CDMA carrier in favour of a GSM carrier instead, preferably one that uses the same compatible frequencies adopted by the rest of the world, like AT&T (and MVNO's based off of AT&T's network), and buy the P6800.
The moral of this story is this: if you want the latest devices, with the best features, you're NOT going to find them in the north American market, EVER, at all, period; you're just going to find watered-down, gimped, bloated, and locked-down versions of the international models. You HAVE to import. If you're going to import, you HAVE to use a GSM service provider... That's just the way it is. It sucks, I know, but it is what it is.
I would have to agree, the GSM version would be best. It would be near impossible to make this happen. Of course if I was stick with one, I would try everything I could as well. I'd probably fail miserably and go for something like GrooveIP.
Jade Eyed Wolf said:
Seeing as your data account won't have any provisioning for voice usage, even if you DID get a working modem and a modified framework to allow for phone functionality on the device, I doubt that you'd actually be able to made or receive a phone call due to Verizon's limitations at the account and provisioning level anyway.
Point is, it's a CDMA device, and thus your service is attached to the device itself, not the SIM card (except for LTE data). Basically, you can't just provision service to the SIM card alone, and then simply swap it into a different device. So if you got the modem and the framework working, and you called in to Verizon customer service and asked to provision your line for voice, they'll just be like "Umm, no... We never INTENDED for you to use that device as a phone, so no... You want a phone? Buy a phone. You want a tablet? Buy a tablet. You want to do both in one device? We won't allow that because that loses us money that we would be getting by having you either subscribe to two lines, or charge you extra to tether..."
There is a much simpler solution however.
Ditch ANY CDMA carrier in favour of a GSM carrier instead, preferably one that uses the same compatible frequencies adopted by the rest of the world, like AT&T (and MVNO's based off of AT&T's network), and buy the P6800.
The moral of this story is this: if you want the latest devices, with the best features, you're NOT going to find them in the north American market, EVER, at all, period; you're just going to find watered-down, gimped, bloated, and locked-down versions of the international models. You HAVE to import. If you're going to import, you HAVE to use a GSM service provider... That's just the way it is. It sucks, I know, but it is what it is.
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I move my SIM between devices all the time and have never needed to call VZ to provision the new device. Voice and data just work.
miiike said:
I move my SIM between devices all the time and have never needed to call VZ to provision the new device. Voice and data just work.
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I can CONFIRM the following:
I have a VZ tab 7.7 with 5GB data plan and I have a VZ Razr with voice/unlimited data plan.
Both are LTE devices and hence use (micro) SIM cards. In "My Verizon" even the tab has a phone number assigned to it's "line". A call to that number just rings but obviously nothing on the tab.
BUT...
Put the tab sim in the phone and YES it will ring if you call that number! Even TXT in/out works! I assume they will just charge me per txt and per min phone use BUT IT WORKS in a PHONE.
And the kicker is, the unlimited PHONE SIM also works in the TAB! I immediately get LTE data and can surf with the tab. Of course at that point calls and texts to that phone number are "ignored" by the tab's neutered modem.
Lesson learned:
IF there was a way to flash a modem, say for example from the Samsung Galaxy Nexus to the VZ 7.7 TAB, we would have a full supersized phone in our hand. Only downside, no earpiece. So only speakerphone or BT calls I guess.
Anyway, after a little more research I also found this very interesting article:
http://www.phonenews.com/verizon-affirms-unlimited-smartphone-sim-card-usage-in-hotspots-tablets-lte-ipad-20053/
Hope this helps bring a little light into the messy CDMA/LTE darkness
I have swapped my Galaxy Nexus SIM in my VZW LTE 7.7 numerous times. It works. I'd love to have voice on the VZW LTE 7.7, then I could possibly do it all on my tab. I'm no developer tho ;p
Okay, I'll start with a little background. I'm a Verizon Wireless employee, and the store's resident Android nerd. That said, I'm stumped on something.
With the recent government ruling about sim-unlocking phones, we've seen an influx of devices from other carriers. Honestly, we've not been trained on how to handle these. Popping active sims into the phone typically activates them just fine, but we've been running into issues with SMS pretty frequently. Also, having AT&T firmware on a Verizon device is weird too, and can result in some odd behavior with baked in features.
With regard to the SMS issues, my immediate first thought was to edit the APN settings. Those are greyed out on a lot of devices I've seen though. So now I'm thinking something needs to change in the firmware. We do not have the ability to flash firmware* though.
We recently had a customer come in and activate 12 sim-unlocked US Cellular GS5s.They report that everything is working except SMS. What do I do?
*We do have an unapproved laptop laying around, and I do have Kies installed on it. I've never used it though, and nobody in the store wants to be liable for bricking a phone. With the right customer, I'd be willing to try it through Kies if that's something it is capable of. But as a large store, that's not a viable solution for most customers.
YamiYaiba said:
Okay, I'll start with a little background. I'm a Verizon Wireless employee, and the store's resident Android nerd. That said, I'm stumped on something.
With the recent government ruling about sim-unlocking phones, we've seen an influx of devices from other carriers. Honestly, we've not been trained on how to handle these. Popping active sims into the phone typically activates them just fine, but we've been running into issues with SMS pretty frequently. Also, having AT&T firmware on a Verizon device is weird too, and can result in some odd behavior with baked in features.
With regard to the SMS issues, my immediate first thought was to edit the APN settings. Those are greyed out on a lot of devices I've seen though. So now I'm thinking something needs to change in the firmware. We do not have the ability to flash firmware* though.
We recently had a customer come in and activate 12 sim-unlocked US Cellular GS5s.They report that everything is working except SMS. What do I do?
*We do have an unapproved laptop laying around, and I do have Kies installed on it. I've never used it though, and nobody in the store wants to be liable for bricking a phone. With the right customer, I'd be willing to try it through Kies if that's something it is capable of. But as a large store, that's not a viable solution for most customers.
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I would defer to my boss or VZ corporate lest I get fired for doing the "wrong thing", which I learned on an internet forum!
UNBELIEVABLE
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app
YamiYaiba said:
Okay, I'll start with a little background. I'm a Verizon Wireless employee, and the store's resident Android nerd. That said, I'm stumped on something.
With the recent government ruling about sim-unlocking phones, we've seen an influx of devices from other carriers. Honestly, we've not been trained on how to handle these. Popping active sims into the phone typically activates them just fine, but we've been running into issues with SMS pretty frequently. Also, having AT&T firmware on a Verizon device is weird too, and can result in some odd behavior with baked in features.
With regard to the SMS issues, my immediate first thought was to edit the APN settings. Those are greyed out on a lot of devices I've seen though. So now I'm thinking something needs to change in the firmware. We do not have the ability to flash firmware* though.
We recently had a customer come in and activate 12 sim-unlocked US Cellular GS5s.They report that everything is working except SMS. What do I do?
*We do have an unapproved laptop laying around, and I do have Kies installed on it. I've never used it though, and nobody in the store wants to be liable for bricking a phone. With the right customer, I'd be willing to try it through Kies if that's something it is capable of. But as a large store, that's not a viable solution for most customers.
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Click to collapse
No offense, I'm actually trying to do the opposite and move my Verizon S5 and S3 to T-Mobile. (Verizon phone reps, through six separate phone calls, gave me six different stories of how to unlock my phone. I'm experiencing hiccups as I go - T-Mobile gave me some misinformation as well.)
They were able to change a lot of settings for their network, there are still SMS issues and other random odd issues. Maybe that's the nature of it?
I haven't looked into this in over a year, but I was under the impression that Verizon operates on an IMEI white list, i.e. ONLY Verizon branded phones are allowed on the network. When a user attempts to activate a phone on the network, it's IMEI is checked against the list of IMEIs for every phone Verizon has sold. If it's IMEI is not on that list because it's a non-carrier branded phone or it's another carrier's version of the phone it will not be allowed on the network regardless of hardware compatibility.
From what I recall, this was also the reason that Nexus 7 LTE buyers were screwed by Verizon. Verizon was advertised as supporting the tablet because legally they had to due to the open access provision they agreed to when they purchased their LTE spectrum. Up to that point Verizon had operated with a white list as I described above. They were able to get away with this despite the open access provision because they run voice and text over the older 2G and 3G networks on which they have not agreed to open access. When the tablet came out, for months Verizon had no system in place to activate it because the IMEIs were not on the white list. Users were able to successfully connect to the network with a SIM activated in another tablet proving that it was not a hardware issue.
Has this changed in the last year? If so that great news!
---------- Post added at 12:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:58 AM ----------
I just Googled it, and based on information from November when the Nexus 6 came out, Verizon still operates on a white list, but it's only for activating NEW LINES. Verizon will not allow you to activate a new line with a non-Verizon branded phone, however, once the SIM has been activated, if it is placed in a non-white listed phone, that phone will be allowed on the network.
Some people suggest that you can take the IMEI of a floor model at the Verizon store and enter that when you order a SIM CARD, and that will allow for activation. I cannot personally verify this as I'm not a Verizon customer, and I'm not sure if the SIM activation process requires an actual phone with a white listed IMEI.
---------- Post added at 12:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:25 PM ----------
Also OP, have you verified that the handsets with SMS problems support all of Verizon's 2G and 3G network frequencies? From what I recall, Verizon still runs voice and SMS over its legacy 2G/3G networks. I'm not sure if they've implemented Volte yet, but it's likely that older handsets and even some newer ones don't support it, especially if they don't have a Verizon ROM. It's possible that a handset could support only Verizon's LTE frequencies or support everything except it's 3G frequencies for example. If it supports only the LTE frequencies, data could work while voice and SMS don't. If voice and SMS are run over different frequencies it's possible that only one of the two will work.
Information on supported frequencies can be tough to find for phones sold in the US. The information is readily available for the same phones sold anywhere else in the world. The most plausible explanation is that this is because the US carriers insist upon it. They've been forced to start unlocking phones that in the past they've been able to permanently lock to their own networks for domestic use. To combat the emergence of a free marketplace where customers are free to move to a carrier offering a better deal, the carriers have started specifying that their carrier branded versions of the phone be shipped with firmware (possibly also hardware variations) that does not support the frequencies of other US carriers. That way, the phone is "unlocked," but it still won't work on other US networks, so they've managed to sidestep the legislation and continue screwing over consumers.
If the supported frequencies aren't listed on the manufacturer website, you can find them in FCC testing documents.
If customers do have a problem where voice or SMS doesn't work because the frequency isn't supported, they could use a Google voice number for calls and SMS over the data network using the Hangouts app. It works great for me. Your employer definitely would not approve of this suggestion though, since it compromises the way they've artificially limited their technology to force consumers to pay more. All calls and texts to/from a Google voice number are totally free when you're on a Wifi network, and the number is device agnostic, so there's no barrier at all to switching phones or carriers. Verizon wants to use your phone number to make switching as inconvenient as possible, so they don't want you using a cloud based phone number.
I have read a bunch of threads all over and done some searches but cannot seem to find any clear definitive answers on a few things. I am looking at grabbing the Samsung unlocked S8 and want to know for sure if anyone can confirm what does and does not work on VZ with that model? I am pretty sure of the following, but anyone who has one on VZ and can help me out would be greatly appreciated.
- WiFi Calling does NOT work on VZ with the unlocked version. I am pretty sure based on what I read on this.
- VoLTE and HD calling DO work on VZ. Again, pretty sure from what I read but it is hard to find definitive answers anywhere.
- Any app based WiFi calling would still work (so using stuff like Signal or any app that uses data to make calls could make WiFi calls even if the VZ network WiFi calling does not work?)
- Video calling DOES/DOES not work? Cannot find any answer to this.
- Voicemail still gives you notifications/works like normal? I think I read someone say that Visual Voicemail does not work, so the app that lets you just tap and see and instantly listen to VM would not work and you would have to dial *86? Not sure here and clarification is appreciated.
- Any other significant issues or things that don't work or are affected that I have missed?
I think it is pretty bad that phones can evolve with tech and you can get a phone several years and models newer than an older phone, but because one is carrier locked version, it has a ton of features that the newer phone can do, but won't because of carrier BS. Again, all help is appreciated. Thanks!
Visual voicemail does not work. HD calling works. I dont do wifi calling. I dont do video calling. I have unlimited data and mobile hotspot works flawless.
antonius66 said:
I have read a bunch of threads all over and done some searches but cannot seem to find any clear definitive answers on a few things. I am looking at grabbing the Samsung unlocked S8 and want to know for sure if anyone can confirm what does and does not work on VZ with that model? I am pretty sure of the following, but anyone who has one on VZ and can help me out would be greatly appreciated.
- WiFi Calling does NOT work on VZ with the unlocked version. I am pretty sure based on what I read on this.
- VoLTE and HD calling DO work on VZ. Again, pretty sure from what I read but it is hard to find definitive answers anywhere.
- Any app based WiFi calling would still work (so using stuff like Signal or any app that uses data to make calls could make WiFi calls even if the VZ network WiFi calling does not work?)
- Video calling DOES/DOES not work? Cannot find any answer to this.
- Voicemail still gives you notifications/works like normal? I think I read someone say that Visual Voicemail does not work, so the app that lets you just tap and see and instantly listen to VM would not work and you would have to dial *86? Not sure here and clarification is appreciated.
- Any other significant issues or things that don't work or are affected that I have missed?
I think it is pretty bad that phones can evolve with tech and you can get a phone several years and models newer than an older phone, but because one is carrier locked version, it has a ton of features that the newer phone can do, but won't because of carrier BS. Again, all help is appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you decide to purchase the unlocked S8 for use on Verizon? Has it been a good experience? I'm thinking of buying one since I have the grandfathered unlimited data plan and I'd like to be able to use the mobile hotspot without having to root. Although I don't travel too much, having the option to use my phone in another country by popping in a local SIM is definitely an attractive feature. Thanks in advance!
Hello,
I am new to this site, and have a burning question I am trying to find an answer for.
So AT&T has been my carrier since about 2014. In July of 2019, I purchased an unlocked S8 from Amazon for about $350 Description says it is: Samsung Galaxy S8 64GB Factory Unlocked Smartphone - US Version (Midnight Black) - US Warranty - [SM-G950UZKAXAA]. In the settings, the model number is listed as: SM-G950U1.
Recently, I received a message from AT&T saying that they are shutting down their 3G network in February of 2022, and that my phone will no longer work on their network. I went into one of their stores and showed them that my phone operates on LTE, but I was told that is for data only and voice operates on 3G. I could not remember the VoLTE name at the time, but mentioned that my phone had the capability to operate on LTE. They refused to go thru settings with me, and told me that my phone will stop working in February. Period. End of story. Also, I was told the same thing that the message states, that they are sending me a new phone and will be deactivating my phone after 30 days.
Now some of my friends are laughing at me saying, "Dang free phones!" But I do not want a 5G phone (which is obviously what they are sending). I have my reasons and this is not what I wish to discuss here.
The issue is... I love my telephone!! It does exactly what I want, and I don't need anything new. Not to mention that I paid for it entirely, with no subsidy from AT&T. I specifically bought it unlocked with intentions of avoiding contracts and having the ability to switch carriers if I so choose.
I am pretty sure that I saw VoLTE mentioned in my settings a while back. But now a search on my phone finds nothing. I assume a firmware update hid this info from me.
So... what gives? Does anybody here know if this particular device can make/receive voice calls using VoLTE - on AT&T (or any other carriers) - simply by changing settings in the phone? Do I have any options to make my phone continue to operate as intended? With any carrier?
Sorry for the long post. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Steve
willnotbecontrolled said:
Hello,
I am new to this site, and have a burning question I am trying to find an answer for.
So AT&T has been my carrier since about 2014. In July of 2019, I purchased an unlocked S8 from Amazon for about $350 Description says it is: Samsung Galaxy S8 64GB Factory Unlocked Smartphone - US Version (Midnight Black) - US Warranty - [SM-G950UZKAXAA]. In the settings, the model number is listed as: SM-G950U1.
Recently, I received a message from AT&T saying that they are shutting down their 3G network in February of 2022, and that my phone will no longer work on their network. I went into one of their stores and showed them that my phone operates on LTE, but I was told that is for data only and voice operates on 3G. I could not remember the VoLTE name at the time, but mentioned that my phone had the capability to operate on LTE. They refused to go thru settings with me, and told me that my phone will stop working in February. Period. End of story. Also, I was told the same thing that the message states, that they are sending me a new phone and will be deactivating my phone after 30 days.
Now some of my friends are laughing at me saying, "Dang free phones!" But I do not want a 5G phone (which is obviously what they are sending). I have my reasons and this is not what I wish to discuss here.
The issue is... I love my telephone!! It does exactly what I want, and I don't need anything new. Not to mention that I paid for it entirely, with no subsidy from AT&T. I specifically bought it unlocked with intentions of avoiding contracts and having the ability to switch carriers if I so choose.
I am pretty sure that I saw VoLTE mentioned in my settings a while back. But now a search on my phone finds nothing. I assume a firmware update hid this info from me.
So... what gives? Does anybody here know if this particular device can make/receive voice calls using VoLTE - on AT&T (or any other carriers) - simply by changing settings in the phone? Do I have any options to make my phone continue to operate as intended? With any carrier?
Sorry for the long post. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Steve
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same issue with crickett (att).
got that txt msg, recently maybe december there was a firmware update that greyed out my network settings and hid some items.
i cant even change my prefered network, 3g 4g lte etc, its locked..
I have the 950u1 also
HOWEVER I have a s8 950U that I think has all these unlocked.
Im going to backup and odin flash the U firmware to the UI and see if it works.
Thats bull**** about doing this. greedy ****s..
I go with somone else if I have to.
willnotbecontrolled said:
Hello,
I am new to this site, and have a burning question I am trying to find an answer for.
So AT&T has been my carrier since about 2014. In July of 2019, I purchased an unlocked S8 from Amazon for about $350 Description says it is: Samsung Galaxy S8 64GB Factory Unlocked Smartphone - US Version (Midnight Black) - US Warranty - [SM-G950UZKAXAA]. In the settings, the model number is listed as: SM-G950U1.
Recently, I received a message from AT&T saying that they are shutting down their 3G network in February of 2022, and that my phone will no longer work on their network. I went into one of their stores and showed them that my phone operates on LTE, but I was told that is for data only and voice operates on 3G. I could not remember the VoLTE name at the time, but mentioned that my phone had the capability to operate on LTE. They refused to go thru settings with me, and told me that my phone will stop working in February. Period. End of story. Also, I was told the same thing that the message states, that they are sending me a new phone and will be deactivating my phone after 30 days.
Now some of my friends are laughing at me saying, "Dang free phones!" But I do not want a 5G phone (which is obviously what they are sending). I have my reasons and this is not what I wish to discuss here.
The issue is... I love my telephone!! It does exactly what I want, and I don't need anything new. Not to mention that I paid for it entirely, with no subsidy from AT&T. I specifically bought it unlocked with intentions of avoiding contracts and having the ability to switch carriers if I so choose.
I am pretty sure that I saw VoLTE mentioned in my settings a while back. But now a search on my phone finds nothing. I assume a firmware update hid this info from me.
So... what gives? Does anybody here know if this particular device can make/receive voice calls using VoLTE - on AT&T (or any other carriers) - simply by changing settings in the phone? Do I have any options to make my phone continue to operate as intended? With any carrier?
Sorry for the long post. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Steve
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
press phone icon, then top right corner hit the 3 vertical dots.
select settings and it should be in there if you havent updated lately... they ****ed us and locked out network and volte settings.
djmdesign said:
Same issue with crickett (att).
got that txt msg, recently maybe december there was a firmware update that greyed out my network settings and hid some items.
i cant even change my prefered network, 3g 4g lte etc, its locked..
I have the 950u1 also
HOWEVER I have a s8 950U that I think has all these unlocked.
Im going to backup and odin flash the U firmware to the UI and see if it works.
Thats bull**** about doing this. greedy ****s..
I go with somone else if I have to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please let me know if this works. I thought about doing the same thing, but have not gotten around to trying it. In theory, it sounds like a solid plan. But I have a couple of concerns.
During a recent phone call, AT&T told me their system has flagged my IMEI and that my phone will stop working very soon. So, if the system flagged an IMEI as an unsupported device, will it even matter which firmware is installed? Or will their system just deactivate the phone at some point?
Second, if you install the 950U firmware in place of the 950U1, will the device become carrier locked at this point? That would really suck if it did.
BTW, I was able to lock preferred network to “LTE only” by dialing *#*#4636#*#* and entering Device information screen. Unfortunately, my phone would not complete a call when using LTE only setting. VoLTE provisioned toggle is greyed out, along with others. Seems to me that if a guy could self provision VoLTE, this would solve the issue.
I called AT&T tech support and spent 45 minutes trying to get them to provision VoLTE, but they could not, or would not do it. At first, they kept telling me that my phone is a 3G phone. I argued that I could change the radio to “LTE only” and that my sim card status showed LTE for “mobile voice network type”, which proves that the phone is indeed LTE capable for voice calls - but that it will not complete a call because it is not provisioned to do so. Eventually they told me that their system would not allow them to provision VoLTE for me, since it is flagged as an unsupported device. Which leads back to the first part of this post.
I also found some stuff on reddit about putting the phone into “engineering mode” and something about a Samsung tool that unlocks additional dialer codes. Have not tried this, tho.
At this point, I am just completely fed up with AT&T for this whole S8 situation, as well as other unrelated issues. I will most likely switch carriers for principle’s sake, even though I know other carriers play similar games.
Anyway, I am interested in whether or not you find a solution and would very much like to hear about it. Thank you for the response!!
willnotbecontrolled said:
Please let me know if this works. I thought about doing the same thing, but have not gotten around to trying it. In theory, it sounds like a solid plan. But I have a couple of concerns.
During a recent phone call, AT&T told me their system has flagged my IMEI and that my phone will stop working very soon. So, if the system flagged an IMEI as an unsupported device, will it even matter which firmware is installed? Or will their system just deactivate the phone at some point?
Second, if you install the 950U firmware in place of the 950U1, will the device become carrier locked at this point? That would really suck if it did.
BTW, I was able to lock preferred network to “LTE only” by dialing *#*#4636#*#* and entering Device information screen. Unfortunately, my phone would not complete a call when using LTE only setting. VoLTE provisioned toggle is greyed out, along with others. Seems to me that if a guy could self provision VoLTE, this would solve the issue.
I called AT&T tech support and spent 45 minutes trying to get them to provision VoLTE, but they could not, or would not do it. At first, they kept telling me that my phone is a 3G phone. I argued that I could change the radio to “LTE only” and that my sim card status showed LTE for “mobile voice network type”, which proves that the phone is indeed LTE capable for voice calls - but that it will not complete a call because it is not provisioned to do so. Eventually they told me that their system would not allow them to provision VoLTE for me, since it is flagged as an unsupported device. Which leads back to the first part of this post.
I also found some stuff on reddit about putting the phone into “engineering mode” and something about a Samsung tool that unlocks additional dialer codes. Have not tried this, tho.
At this point, I am just completely fed up with AT&T for this whole S8 situation, as well as other unrelated issues. I will most likely switch carriers for principle’s sake, even though I know other carriers play similar games.
Anyway, I am interested in whether or not you find a solution and would very much like to hear about it. Thank you for the response!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I'm Newbie around here. I'd like to share my experience with ATT and my beloved S8+ this past few months:
Much like you and many others I started receiving texts from ATT by mid 2021 saying my phone would not work after Feb '22. Yes, every time they suspended my line I wasted 30~ 40 mins on the phone, listening how they would insist my S8+ was a 3G phone. It didn't matter that I offered to send them screenshots of my device showing the "VoLTE option" and "4G LTE" while both in the USA and Mexico. Thing is, they only based their saying on a st....id whitelist and all the reps are just talking heads.
I use an S8+ international version which is NOT on the dreaded list. and I am on the 300/year prepaid plan which allows roaming between Mexico and USA with no 50/50 usage limit.
I bought this phone on amazon for 350-ish bucks a couple of years ago and I love it!
I have to cross the Mexico/USA border very frequently and I need two separate numbers one on each country for business reasons so dual sim is a must. On the other hand, I receive lots and lots of phone calls while driving, this made me crave for android 8.1 when call recording was allowed by google, not the case anymore. None of these 2 features are available on the S8/S9 US based phones. I do not need 5G, I do not use social media nor watch videos on my phone but do get to use Pandora, Spotify, MLB radio and so on......... Enter SM-G955F/DS. I was able to change Samsung's CSC code to Israel so call recording is active for all those notes I cannot write down while driving and I get to carry just one device with 2 separate numbers thanks to a dual sim.
Ok, so back to my phone not being on the f... list :
Around Feb 10th, I got yet another email and SMS telling me it was my last opportunity to change or I MAY be disconnected after 2/22/22 ( funny choice of date huh?). I noticed that words on email and text messages had been changed from WILL NOT on Jul/2021 to MAY NOT work on Feb/2022. Since I know for a fact that my phone is VoLTE capable, I figured my S8+ would work as long as AT&T did not intentionally disconnected my line.
So, I took a crappy phoenix ATT phone and updated it's IMEI on my account via the ATT prepaid webpage. After getting "approval" from ATT's system, I put the SIM card in and used it for a full weekend. After that, I put the SIM card back to my S8+ and it is still going strong to date.
Today is March 1st, and I have been weary of ATT sneaking me out of their system but fortunately it has not happened yet. Needless to say, I have not updated my S8's IMEI on ATT's webpage and do not intend to do so.
Now, This "proves" that my phone is indeed capable of using VoLTE and HD , and all those things ATT said it would not do is just plain B.S.. if they disconnect me down the road I would definitely move to T Mobile although I would have some issues with the 50/50 international roaming and I still have 8 months left on my prepaid annual plan with ATT so, keeping my fingers crossed.
AT&T just wants to make more money out of selling new 5G devices while getting rid of their stocked 4G phones.
I wouldn't mind if they just plain out stated " If you do not buy from ATT then ATT will not support your device and will not sell service to you" then again, it would probably be a PR nightmare for them although they do that for WIFI calling anyways.
Ain't it funny how 2/22/22 is coincidentally a paycheck's time ( 2 weeks) after a new flagship phone (S22) was made available for purchase ?
Anyways, enough for ranting and conspiracy theories lol...
I have taken out and put back to my S8+ the SIM card two times in the past 9 days after 2/22/22 and my service is still in good standing.
Maybe if you got a new replacement phone that you don't like, you may swap back your SIM card and it MAY work just like mine is even if it is NOT ON THE INFAMOUS WHITE LIST.
Oldschoolguy said:
Hi, I'm Newbie around here. I'd like to share my experience with ATT and my beloved S8+ this past few months:
Much like you and many others I started receiving texts from ATT by mid 2021 saying my phone would not work after Feb '22. Yes, every time they suspended my line I wasted 30~ 40 mins on the phone, listening how they would insist my S8+ was a 3G phone. It didn't matter that I offered to send them screenshots of my device showing the "VoLTE option" and "4G LTE" while both in the USA and Mexico. Thing is, they only based their saying on a st....id whitelist and all the reps are just talking heads.
I use an S8+ international version which is NOT on the dreaded list. and I am on the 300/year prepaid plan which allows roaming between Mexico and USA with no 50/50 usage limit.
I bought this phone on amazon for 350-ish bucks a couple of years ago and I love it!
I have to cross the Mexico/USA border very frequently and I need two separate numbers one on each country for business reasons so dual sim is a must. On the other hand, I receive lots and lots of phone calls while driving, this made me crave for android 8.1 when call recording was allowed by google, not the case anymore. None of these 2 features are available on the S8/S9 US based phones. I do not need 5G, I do not use social media nor watch videos on my phone but do get to use Pandora, Spotify, MLB radio and so on......... Enter SM-G955F/DS. I was able to change Samsung's CSC code to Israel so call recording is active for all those notes I cannot write down while driving and I get to carry just one device with 2 separate numbers thanks to a dual sim.
Ok, so back to my phone not being on the f... list :
Around Feb 10th, I got yet another email and SMS telling me it was my last opportunity to change or I MAY be disconnected after 2/22/22 ( funny choice of date huh?). I noticed that words on email and text messages had been changed from WILL NOT on Jul/2021 to MAY NOT work on Feb/2022. Since I know for a fact that my phone is VoLTE capable, I figured my S8+ would work as long as AT&T did not intentionally disconnected my line.
So, I took a crappy phoenix ATT phone and updated it's IMEI on my account via the ATT prepaid webpage. After getting "approval" from ATT's system, I put the SIM card in and used it for a full weekend. After that, I put the SIM card back to my S8+ and it is still going strong to date.
Today is March 1st, and I have been weary of ATT sneaking me out of their system but fortunately it has not happened yet. Needless to say, I have not updated my S8's IMEI on ATT's webpage and do not intend to do so.
Now, This "proves" that my phone is indeed capable of using VoLTE and HD , and all those things ATT said it would not do is just plain B.S.. if they disconnect me down the road I would definitely move to T Mobile although I would have some issues with the 50/50 international roaming and I still have 8 months left on my prepaid annual plan with ATT so, keeping my fingers crossed.
AT&T just wants to make more money out of selling new 5G devices while getting rid of their stocked 4G phones.
I wouldn't mind if they just plain out stated " If you do not buy from ATT then ATT will not support your device and will not sell service to you" then again, it would probably be a PR nightmare for them although they do that for WIFI calling anyways.
Ain't it funny how 2/22/22 is coincidentally a paycheck's time ( 2 weeks) after a new flagship phone (S22) was made available for purchase ?
Anyways, enough for ranting and conspiracy theories lol...
I have taken out and put back to my S8+ the SIM card two times in the past 9 days after 2/22/22 and my service is still in good standing.
Maybe if you got a new replacement phone that you don't like, you may swap back your SIM card and it MAY work just like mine is even if it is NOT ON THE INFAMOUS WHITE LIST.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep... AT&T is full of it. I got sick of wasting my time and energy trying to fight this. I eventually just switched over to TMo, and I have been running around with my S8's radio set to LTE only. No issues whatsoever. Great cell service, $30 bucks a month cheaper, all fees included in the flat rate, and a free Netflix account, to boot.
See ya AT&T!!! I hope some group with the the gumption and time takes you to court for your deceptive trade practices. I hope you lose lots of customers, time, and money for your douchery!!!
Has anyone looked into potentially using ODIN to use AT&T's firmware on the unbranded G950U1 without rooting to see if it adds the VoLTE software feature? Does anyone know if that flashing will disable (permanently break) samsung pay? I don't want any rooting since that will permanently break samsung pay on the hardware.