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I have been reading the unlocking / voice calling threads about the galaxy tab and they are really informative. However, with the thread growing so long and so many different carriers being discussed, I lose track of which version is doing what.
So, since I am buying one today, I would really like to know which carrier would be the best to unlock here in the US. Should I buy the AT&T or T-Mobile vesrion? Does unlocking or flashing one or the other provide better use or functionality than the other?
What are your thoughts?
Thanks,
JT
^from what i have read on here the tmo version is not compatible at the moment with the unlocks;
hence the at&t version is best in usa; and the bell canada version in CDA..
enjoy!
i would go with att because it will be compatible with Euro 3G frequencies also you will be able to hack to get phone calls AND 3g. I believe Tmobile is only getting voice and edge at the moment...
Why are the Verizon and Sprint models left behind?
Sent from my SPH-P100 using XDA App
AlpineM3 said:
Why are the Verizon and Sprint models left behind?
Sent from my SPH-P100 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Because they are obviously more difficult to unlock and are probably less compatible with any other countries network. Almost every carrier worldwide uses GSM, sim cards. So version nor sprint wouldnt be a good choice since they don't use sim cards.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk
Would a tmobile tab work in europe or asia?
gigadigit said:
Would a tmobile tab work in europe or asia?
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Click to collapse
Yes if u unlock it but you wont get 3G
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk
ayman07 said:
Yes if u unlock it but you wont get 3G
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Yes you would! A TMo Tab still supports regular 2100MHz UMTS.
Regards,
Dave
jtorral said:
I have been reading the unlocking / voice calling threads about the galaxy tab and they are really informative. However, with the thread growing so long and so many different carriers being discussed, I lose track of which version is doing what.
So, since I am buying one today, I would really like to know which carrier would be the best to unlock here in the US. Should I buy the AT&T or T-Mobile vesrion? Does unlocking or flashing one or the other provide better use or functionality than the other?
What are your thoughts?
Thanks,
JT
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Both at&t and tmobiles tabs can be easily carrier (network) unlocked. Verizon and Sprint are CDMA and will not work in Europe. Also I am not sure that anybody knows how to switch these tabs from one carrier to another.
2. Another story about getting voice and 3G in the US. So far the best case for using tmobile phone sim presents at&t tab. Tmobile does not recognize this tab and their broadband device and allows for voice calling.
I could have voice and EDGE on tmobile using at&t tab with flashed EUR firmware and bell modem.
'I'm with Verizon's tab in SF, USA. Rooted with 4Zroot.
Using Droid X overclock application (market) on other extra features only.
GV & Skype (mod for 3G), can make calls & receives with both 3G (data plan $20-1Gb) & Wifi plane mode. I hope this helps.
Sent from my SCH-I800 using XDA App
Is it possible to root the Sprint version? Can you run custom roms?
Tethering with my Droid X is working too. I haven't done the recovery yet, waiting for stable version.
Sent from my SCH-I800 using XDA App
2. Another story about getting voice and 3G in the US. So far the best case for using tmobile phone sim presents at&t tab. Tmobile does not recognize this tab and their broadband device and allows for voice calling.
I could have voice and EDGE on tmobile using at&t tab with flashed EUR firmware and bell modem.[/QUOTE]
I am new to all this and just want to be 100% clear.
If I have a TMob Tab I have to use an ATT sim. If I have a ATT Tab I can use either ATT or Tmob sim.
If I use the ATT Tab with my current Iphone 3gs sim (unlimited everything) I will have full voice and 3g function?
If I use the Tmobile Tab with my ATT sim (unlimited everything) I will full voice and only 2g data?
Im sorry for asking such a simple question but I just want to be sure before I buy a Tab today.
Thank you all in advance.
Att and tmobile are using different frequencies thus 3G won't work if you are not using sim and tab from the same carrier. You can get only EDGE.
Att tab allows for voice and data when using t-mobile sim with voice and data plan.
I don't have knowledge of whether t-mobile allows the same with att sim.
T-mobile does not allow for voice and data when using their sim...
Adapt0r said:
Att and tmobile are using different frequencies thus 3G won't work if you are not using sim and tab from the same carrier. You can get only EDGE.
Att tab allows for voice and data when using t-mobile sim with voice and data plan.
I don't have knowledge of whether t-mobile allows the same with att sim.
T-mobile does not allow for voice and data when using their sim...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, that cleared it up for me.
I'd be happy with a TMob tab that had voice and Edge at this point. I'm almost always in WiFi anyway.
I picked up a Tmob tab today, if things dont look up soon I will return it and get the ATT.
For some reason, most of the cheaper Galaxy S4's for sale on eBay are from US Cellular. Can those be unlocked for use on GSM carriers such as AT&T?
Thanks
Zoide_ said:
For some reason, most of the cheaper Galaxy S4's for sale on eBay are from US Cellular. Can those be unlocked for use on GSM carriers such as AT&T?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think it will be possible :crying:
Zoide_ said:
For some reason, most of the cheaper Galaxy S4's for sale on eBay are from US Cellular. Can those be unlocked for use on GSM carriers such as AT&T?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. They are CDMA.
KillaHurtz said:
Nope. They are CDMA.
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Click to collapse
The verizon s3 had gsm capabilities after some tinkering (I think it involved flashing a different rom), so I was hoping the same might eventually be possible with the us cellular s4. Does anybody know if the us cellular is purely cdma and not possibly a world phone with hidden gsm capabilities?
I have seen a few galaxy S4 listed as I9500 from US Cellular. I asked the sellers about it and they say they don't know. But I9500 is a GSM model and US Cellular is a CDMA carrier.
US Cellular will not work on other carrier
According to this reliable source s4 US Cellular is strictly CDMA, not like Verizon counter part.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S4
HS™ said:
I dont think it will be possible :crying:
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Click to collapse
I tryed to put all codes in dial app not even imeis code work..I found one the works..##366633# is restricting me to a dm enable disable mode any ideas what is it?
tsoupa said:
I tryed to put all codes in dial app not even imeis code work..I found one the works..##366633# is restricting me to a dm enable disable mode any ideas what is it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Developer Mode
I know, this is an old thread but I like the old phones.
I can confirm that a US Cellular Samsung S4 Model SCH-R970 can make calls and do SMS on a GSM carrier (Verizon) in my case. My problem is 4G data isn't working, yet. Edit: I am able to get 3G data going, but 4G is not.
I recently picked up a cheap but perfectly good US Cellular S4 and was able to use my Verizon SIM to make calls and SMS. It appears that the phone is only set to CDMA so data with Verizon isn't active at this moment (I am using wifi). The trick to getting the voice and text working was letting the phone go through 5-6 system updates over the course of 5-6 hours yesterday over wi-fi. After the last one, the phone "unlocked" from US Cellular** and let me use my Verizon sim to make calls and send text.
**This falls in line with what it says here uscellular dot com:
"4G LTE Devices
All 4G LTE devices launched by U.S. Cellular on or after February 1, 2016 are sold unlocked. Select 4G LTE devices (listed below) that were launched before February 1, 2016 are unlocked by installing the latest software update. Please refer to the Software Updates page to find the latest software version available for these devices and for instructions on how to download the latest software update."
ref: www uscellular dot com/site/legal/mobile-wireless-device-unlocking.html
I always liked my S4 so when my S5 broke (dead screen) I picked up an S4 cheap. I can't stomach paying $200-800 for a new or ussed S5-S8 phone.
Does anyone know how to add the GSM settings into the phone so I can select that as my data network?? Currently the phone only displays CDMA/LTE as the choices.
mergs! said:
I know, this is an old thread but I like the old phones.
I can confirm that a USCC Samsung S4 can make calls and do SMS on a GSM carrier (Verizon) in my case. My problem is 4G data isn't working, yet.
I recently picked up a cheap but perfectly good US Cellular S4 and was able to use my Verizon SIM to make calls and SMS. It appears that the phone is only set to CDMA so data with Verizon isn't active at this moment (I am using wifi). The trick to getting the voice and text working was letting the phone go through 5-6 system updates over the course of 5-6 hours yesterday over wi-fi. After the last one, the phone "unlocked" from US Cellular** and let me use my Verizon sim to make calls and send text.
**This falls in line with what it says here uscellular dot com:
"4G LTE Devices
All 4G LTE devices launched by U.S. Cellular on or after February 1, 2016 are sold unlocked. Select 4G LTE devices (listed below) that were launched before February 1, 2016 are unlocked by installing the latest software update. Please refer to the Software Updates page to find the latest software version available for these devices and for instructions on how to download the latest software update."
ref: www uscellular dot com/site/legal/mobile-wireless-device-unlocking.html
I always liked my S4 so when my S5 broke (dead screen) I picked up an S4 cheap. I can't stomach paying $200-800 for a new or ussed S5-S8 phone.
Does anyone know how to add the GSM settings into the phone so I can select that as my data network?? Currently the phone only displays CDMA/LTE as the choices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon is a CDMA/LTE carrier.
dennis5pia said:
Verizon is a CDMA/LTE carrier.
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Click to collapse
Ah, OK then I stand corrected. Perhaps I am running a fool's errand here (trying to get GSM going).
Let me update the situation: my current status is that 3G data is working on the SCH-R970 US Cellular phone (with a Verizon sim) but 4G never kicks in. Maybe I just need to visit a Verizon store.
mergs! said:
Ah, OK then I stand corrected. Perhaps I am running a fool's errand here (trying to get GSM going).
Let me update the situation: my current status is that 3G data is working on the SCH-R970 US Cellular phone (with a Verizon sim) but 4G never kicks in. Maybe I just need to visit a Verizon store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you add the Verizon LTE APN?
dennis5pia said:
Did you add the Verizon LTE APN?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, thanks. I attempted to do that. But I don't believe I the setting took hold.
Details: I used "Offline SIM APN" tool (from Play Store), and manually entered the settings that I found online for Verizon. The Os is now 5.0.1 and the tool says it can no longer add the APN automatically on Android v4.0 or higher, so I did it manually. It appears to be in the phone but I don't know how to activate it on the phone.
mergs! said:
Yep, thanks. I attempted to do that. But I don't believe I the setting took hold.
Details: I used "Offline SIM APN" tool (from Play Store), and manually entered the settings that I found online for Verizon. The Os is now 5.0.1 and the tool says it can no longer add the APN automatically on Android v4.0 or higher, so I did it manually. It appears to be in the phone but I don't know how to activate it on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I managed to add APN in an old phone a few years ago by editing the build.pro file, but you need to be rooted in order to do that.
I recently got the S5 on sprint and im beyond disappointed with sprints new spark and lte network out here in NY. Im considering going to Tmobile since there lte speeds are crazy good and connection is steady out here. My question is can i get my phone unlocked and bring my sprint version phone over to Tmobile? I was told by a Tmobile rep that my phone would go down to 2g speeds and its not guaranteed to even get lte. Which i find hard to believe since since my phone has the option to also go on GSM/UMTS. Whats your guys thoughts on this?
darknatas said:
I recently got the S5 on sprint and im beyond disappointed with sprints new spark and lte network out here in NY. Im considering going to Tmobile since there lte speeds are crazy good and connection is steady out here. My question is can i get my phone unlocked and bring my sprint version phone over to Tmobile? I was told by a Tmobile rep that my phone would go down to 2g speeds and its not guaranteed to even get lte. Which i find hard to believe since since my phone has the option to also go on GSM/UMTS. Whats your guys thoughts on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bump
19 25996965
darknatas said:
Bump
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Click to collapse
Sprint phones cant work with T-Mobile, Sprint blocks other US GSM carriers from using their phone.
Sprint phones can only be used outside of the states
Vlade12 said:
Sprint phones cant work with T-Mobile, Sprint blocks other US GSM carriers from using their phone.
Sprint phones can only be used outside of the states
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So even if i get the phone unlocked i wont be able to use it on tmobile?
darknatas said:
So even if i get the phone unlocked i wont be able to use it on tmobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. Sprint uses different frequency ranges, so unlocked or not it's just not going to communicate.
ATT and T-Mobile work due to the overlap. In fact, for a while there ATT was going to purchase T-Mobile before the FCC put a halt to that.
Glad too as T-Mobile is now shaking up the market and forcing (encouraging?) Verzion and ATT to try and adopt similar measures in order to maintain customer base.
Vlade12 said:
Sprint phones cant work with T-Mobile, Sprint blocks other US GSM carriers from using their phone.
Sprint phones can only be used outside of the states
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think this is correct. Albeit S5 is a different phone, but I unlocked 4 SPH-L720 S4's from Sprint to Tmobile no problem using the following thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2530610
If S5 could use the same methods, you would get 3G and HSPA+ on the Sprint S5 using a TMobile SIM.
I was able to get LTE using a TMobile SIM on a Sprint S4 by using DFS to edit the NV to enable AWS 1700 LTE Band in NV items, then flashing the TMobile HOS and MODEM bin files - along with copying the *ril*.so libraries to the system/lib directory. This ultimately allowed me to select the LTE/WCDMA/GSM option in Mobile Networks.
Not many people know about this but I found it in an i337 thread on how to unlock AWS on a S4.
bcas9472 said:
I dont think this is correct. Albeit S5 is a different phone, but I unlocked 4 SPH-L720 S4's from Sprint to Tmobile no problem using the following thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2530610
If S5 could use the same methods, you would get 3G and HSPA+ on the Sprint S5 using a TMobile SIM.
I was able to get LTE using a TMobile SIM on a Sprint S4 by using DFS to edit the NV to enable AWS 1700 LTE Band in NV items, then flashing the TMobile HOS and MODEM bin files - along with copying the *ril*.so libraries to the system/lib directory. This ultimately allowed me to select the LTE/WCDMA/GSM option in Mobile Networks.
Not many people know about this but I found it in an i337 thread on how to unlock AWS on a S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you can get full speeds on gsm networks with the sprint version? in the US or out?
Is that right?
bcas9472 said:
I dont think this is correct. Albeit S5 is a different phone, but I unlocked 4 SPH-L720 S4's from Sprint to Tmobile no problem using the following thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2530610
If S5 could use the same methods, you would get 3G and HSPA+ on the Sprint S5 using a TMobile SIM.
I was able to get LTE using a TMobile SIM on a Sprint S4 by using DFS to edit the NV to enable AWS 1700 LTE Band in NV items, then flashing the TMobile HOS and MODEM bin files - along with copying the *ril*.so libraries to the system/lib directory. This ultimately allowed me to select the LTE/WCDMA/GSM option in Mobile Networks.
Not many people know about this but I found it in an i337 thread on how to unlock AWS on a S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone comfermed this? To my knowledge the Sprint/Verizon phones are not cross compatable with AT&T and T-mobile. Some verizon phones are the exception but basicily its a no go from CDMA phone to GSM tech.
confirm
i can confirm the sprint s4 does work on tmobile with a bit of editing and following the gsm domestic tutorial on xda, however this part about the modem.bin and hlos isnt confirmed and i have done this and ended up hard bricking my devices and had to jtag to repair them. ive tried many times and always bricked so i say no go.
this forum is for the sprint s5 and i would hope we can find a loophole to get it gsm unlocked. any ideas? ive tried a few things but no luck
Theres alot of incorrect information here. The latest Sprint phones using sim cards ARE ABLE to use T-Mobile and AT&T as long as GSM is in the hardware. I dont own the S5 but for those blinding others with frequency talk I'm tired of seeing, read it and weep:
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=4408
Sprint S5 supports GSM. Now of course no LTE on T-Mobile due to the lack of the 1700 frequency,
but your 4G will be fine. Depending on where you live, you may not even care about LTE over 4G.
Sure, Sprint locks the darn thing up to avoid it getting into the hands of other domestic carriers, but
just as the Sprint Note 3 and my Sprint LG G2, a workaround has been invented. For the G2 it was as
"borrowing" the stock T-Mobile LG G2 firmware and tweaking it to boot up on our LS980. We have
about 3 different tastes of working unlocked roms, not only sticking to T-Mobile, but other carriers
reported working such as Metro PCS and AT&T. So my guess is that the S5 may need a similar
treatment, nobody wants Sprint honestly. The first 14 days (brought in my own LG Optimus G LS970)
I was with them service was glorious here in NYC. But after the 14 day "trial period" ended I was
DAMNED into horrible service, constant 3G instead of 4G, etc. Thanks to refusing to make payments
due to the disgusting service, my GS4's IMEI is basically crap, so I sold it in the same week I got it.
I should have never swapped it out for the LG OG...
Honestly, I'll thank every OP I see that "unlocks" the Sprint version of any phone for domestic GSM
use. Their silly Sprint Spark is useless, why introduce something new when they dont even have full
4G coverage here in the USA? And their agents sound like "AI" controlled cyborgs: "Oh we're sorry to
hear that, your zone is scheduled to be recieving 4G soon." Yeah right. I feel sorry for those who suffer
in other states.
ANYWAYS sorry for drifting off topic. The recap here is that the Sprint S5 IS capable of domestic GSM with some modding.
And also that I hate Sprint.
Any Updates on this
Does anyone have any news on this? I have a S5 from sprint and want to use it with tmobile or other gsm carrier. any1 have any updates on the UCCI deal i read about somewhere? I have the spc phone is rooted what do i need to do? cant bring up the service menu to change things there.. kind a lost pls help
..
lease has anyone found a solution for enabling aws bands on galaxy s5? i have the at&t active version unlocked and rooted using on tmobile but i get only edge :/
What is the verdict? Is there anyone who knows you can use it on any network? I am getting mine tomorrow and am unlocking it. Is there a way to test if they will work on any network? I have many sim cards from diff carriers.
..
unlock sprint
fffft said:
There have been a lot of threads about this, so clearly few are even bothering to search the forum for existing threads and the wealth of information in them.
Sprint is a CDMA system like Verizon & USC. CDMA per se is incompatible with GSM, which is what most of the world uses. The Sprint S5 only supports some of the most common GSM frequency bands and moreover will have a locked bootloader and SIM.
Sprint will not unlock the SIM (actually SPC code) to allow using it with other domestic carriers. You can find third party vendors that will "SPC unlock" your Sprint phone. But then you will find that Sprint's S5 won't support any of the LTE bands on other CDMA or GSM carriers and misses some GSM bands too.
Nor can you use custom ROMs, kernels or recoveries in the normal manner due to the locked bootloader. You could probably use the Verizon Safestrap method to emulate a limited palette of custom ROMs, but you would have to do your due dilligence there and look into the details.
In short, if you jump through enough hoops, you can use a Sprint S5 on another carrier like TMobile. But it will always be marginal. You won't get LTE data speeds, you will see more congestion than those using native handsets, due to your reduced number of bands. And you may have no coverage at all in some fringe areas served by a TMB band that your handset doesn't have.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The limitation of what "bands" the radio will cover are software defined. if you look around. you can find a way to modify those defined rules.
to allow it to use 1700 LTE. although the legality may be questionable as the FCC approval for that model was not tested with the LTE. The baseband chip/radio still supports the band with the software changes
..
impossible
fffft said:
There have been a lot of threads about this, so clearly few are even bothering to search the forum for existing threads and the wealth of information in them.
Sprint is a CDMA system like Verizon & USC. CDMA per se is incompatible with GSM, which is what most of the world uses. The Sprint S5 only supports some of the most common GSM frequency bands and moreover will have a locked bootloader and SIM.
Sprint will not unlock the SIM (actually SPC code) to allow using it with other domestic carriers. You can find third party vendors that will "SPC unlock" your Sprint phone. But then you will find that Sprint's S5 won't support any of the LTE bands on other CDMA or GSM carriers and misses some GSM bands too.
Nor can you use custom ROMs, kernels or recoveries in the normal manner due to the locked bootloader. You could probably use the Verizon Safestrap method to emulate a limited palette of custom ROMs, but you would have to do your due dilligence there and look into the details.
In short, if you jump through enough hoops, you can use a Sprint S5 on another carrier like TMobile. But it will always be marginal. You won't get LTE data speeds, you will see more congestion than those using native handsets, due to your reduced number of bands. And you may have no coverage at all in some fringe areas served by a TMB band that your handset doesn't have.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What in the heck? Who fed you this bologna? Do you work for Sprint? Cause I have various complaints for you if you do. My SPRINT G2 running a T-Mobile G2 stock rom which is unlocked DOMESTICALLY works perfectly fine with T-Mobile's 4G. I don't think many people care about LTE, getting off of Sprint alone is a huge leap for mankind (in this case G900P owners). And as it was mentioned, there are ways to get that nice LTE band for various devices with simple mods, problem is that it is NOT widely recognized yet and very few people know that the possibility exists because of various misleading posts that "its all in the hardware" and fingers being pointed at Qualcomm's techniques. Yes there is a possibility for a domestic unlock, sure there might not be LTE for it, but most people will be content with the fact that they can use their expensive locked down phone with another carrier. Honesty Sprint devices would be better off being sold for less than carriers that actually DO allow domestic unlocks. Why do we pay over half a "K" for a phone that in reality we do not completely have full rights over? Why do other carriers alow domestic unlocks and Sprint wants to be greedy and lock in all of their customers with shady contracts and decieving bills?
Thats why many of us including myself would be beyond grateful if we even get some 3G with another carrier. We have CDMA capabilities, we have GSM capabilities, all we need is some sort of domestic unlock.
There is NO third party unlock code of any sorts that will unlock a phone that is unlocked OTA. Check around for many posts from various foreign users who have gotten stuck with a useless Galaxy S5 that can only be used with wifi thanks to Sprint. Is it their fault? No. It is purely Sprint's fault for being so damn greedy. Thankfully I am hearing news that by February of 2015 all devices will be GSM and have the capabilities to be unlocked for domestic use.
Custom roms, honestly most of us are just unsatisfied with the average and like to go to the unique side. But is Cyanogenmod going to allow us to use Air Gestures and all the other cool features of the S5? Not really. Custom kernels would be nice, but many people only seek then in order to overclock their device, which this device is in particular really doesn't need any more added power (or battery drain) than it already has. Optimization tweaks might be worth it but I dont see it helping. If someone could fix the delayed multitasking transitions (switching from one app to the other at times is delayed a second or two) or the crashing browser without custom roms or kernels, then it is best not to waste time on the development of such things. But then again there are those who prefer stock android in combination with other features such as the AMOLED screen technology, but it is best to look for another device.
I'm quite in a predicament here, as I bought a galaxy s4, the SCH-R970 to be exact, and it turns out it's simcard locked to CDMA and i have t-mobile, which is a GSM network provider.
apparently the hardware is the same between the r970, and the i9500, but the simcard slot is actually locked by cricket.
My question is, if i flash an i9500 rom to my phone, will i be able to use a GSM network? what if i flash the i9500 modem to my r970?
If this type of stuff can work on other android phones where the CDMA and GSM phones share the same hardware, why can't it work on the s4s? www(dot) internauta37.altervista(dot) org/how-and-patch-fully-enable-gsm-verizon-cdma-phones-android
Even the HTC one has this type of support, but not as many people are developing things and focusing on the r970. I'm sure its possible, because ive heard people getting calls to work, but not messaging. if we can go that far, im sure we can do more.
I'm really desperate to find a fix for this, because i'm pretty deep into this phone. My last option is to sell it, but who'd want to buy a cricket locked phone
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 on Verizon (SCH-i545) running Android 5.0.1. I cannot find a way to root after searching and searching threads and online! Please help!! Would love to root this phone.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Did you look in the Verizon S4 forums? That is where you want to go for answers to your questions, as this is the international S4 forum, and we don't have a locked bootloader to prevent root.
Looked there, but didn't find anything. Maybe will post this there, thanks for your help. Can you explain locked bootloader or send me a link of a thread that does? I don't understand the difference of the international.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Actually I see that someone moved this thread to this category... I posted it elsewhere, what should I do? Noob, sorry!
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Go back to your opening post and report it to the mods. In the text box that appears simply tell them it needs to be moved to the Galaxy S4 Verizon forums. They'll take care of it.
With a locked (i.e. encrypted) bootloader, rooting cannot be performed and custom ROMs cannot be installed. AT&T and Verizon are the largest of the carriers that do this, and they claim to do this in order to ensure consistent performance of the device on their networks. The reality is that they simply don't want you getting rid of their bloatware or working around their other restrictions by rooting and installing custom ROMs. International devices don't come with locked bootloaders, and customization is easy. However, an international phone in the US doesn't get LTE due to the international device not supporting the frequencies used in the United States.
In the US, if LTE is important, a T-Mobile device is the best option even though the device never received an upgrade to Android 5.x. But if you take it abroad, LTE will not function due to it not supporting international LTE frequencies. To the best of my knowledge, phones that support both sets of frequencies have yet to be released.
Thanks for your helpful reply! So... My provider is Verizon, if I get a "T-mobile phone" will it still work on Verizon's network and he rootable? There is some difference in Verizon and AT&T I know because Verizon and Sprint are CDMA and AT&T and others are GSM networks right? I'm not sure what all those mean, but I didn't think they were interchangeable. I thought T-mobile was GSM, but maybe I'm wrong...
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
You'd have to leave Verizon if you want a phone you can modify. Verizon and Sprint are CDMA networks, while AT&T and T-Mobile are GSM networks. GSM is the global standard. A CDMA device won't work on a GSM network and vice versa.