Alltel to ATT Transition: Root and Flash before Line is Active? - HTC Aria General

I am part of the group being merged from Alltel to AT&T; I selected the Liberty/Aria for my next phone (coming from a rooted/flashed HTC Touch for many years).
AT&T will be sending the phone out this month, and then will activate the line next month as part of the merger.
Looking to root and flash CyanogenMod7 on the Aria, but curious if this is something I can do upon receiving the phone, or if I should/would need to wait until the phone is activated for service.
AT&T states they will send a text on our Alltel phones that will state "start using your new AT&T phone now," so not sure if it's really activation; maybe just a phone home?
I don't want to root/flash and then have the phone not become active in April.
I'm fine waiting... just looking for anyone else that may have been in this situation and has some insight.

How interesting I was in this situation a couple months back when Unicel merged with AT&T. There isn't really anything you can do that will really be that beneficial to starting the rooting and flashing process before you get the phone. Maybe install the drivers? And as far as the activation I received my Aria fairly promptly so I had it for like 3 weeks until activation. I'm pretty sure I got a text message the day before activation informing me to carry both phones on me. I had an unlocked T-Mobile SidekickLX and I was carrying both it and my Aria on me. Unfortunately it seems the Unicel service was cut before the AT&T service started for me. It took me about two hours without having access to a phone and when the Aria did activate after setup I received all the missed calls and text message notifications from that time where I had no service. Either way it both the wait for the phone and the wait for it to be activated were all worth it.
I LOVE MY ARIA!
Hope I helped.

vicmora5:
Thanks for your informative post; I hope it all goes smoothly.
Truth be told I just want to play when that Aria arrives; but I can wait if it's a no-no.
Looking for a "yes, I've been there and done that! Rooted and flashed my device before the line was active; go for it!"
If I don't get that kind of response; I better wait

Ohhhh!!!
Sorry I completely forgot about that aspect of it. I didn't even open the Aria until I was about to have it activated. I'm actually not sure about what happens if you root and flash pre-activation /=
Sorry I guess im not much help, but I hope you find an answer and get everything working fine

Hi there,
I received my Aria aboout two weeks ago and it is not set to be activated intil early-mid April.
I have loaded it up with apps via Wifi...it does everything I need it to do short of being able to make/receive a call. I did remove the SIM first.
I am wondering if I can root this device and upgrade the OS before it's active, and what will happen if I do these things then reinstall the SIM that came in it.

I rooted and flashed my aria already, i don't see why it would matter at all. I wanted to play some games on it (like nfs:shift and angry birds) and surf the web via my portable hotspot (clear wireless). I've had 0 issues, but i'm not set to be active with att until april. I assume if something screws up, I'll just have to flash back to stock, set it up, then reflash back later. worse comes to worse I'll flash to stock and return it, lol

Once you put sim card in aria from at&t you want have any problems ..
Sent from my Liberty using Tapatalk

terces said:
vicmora5:
Thanks for your informative post; I hope it all goes smoothly.
Truth be told I just want to play when that Aria arrives; but I can wait if it's a no-no.
Looking for a "yes, I've been there and done that! Rooted and flashed my device before the line was active; go for it!"
If I don't get that kind of response; I better wait
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can root and install a custom rom prior to activation. Plus its the sim card, not the phone that needs the actual activation.
Sent from my cm7 Aria using XDA App

CallMeAria said:
Yes you can root and install a custom rom or games or whatever prior to activation. Plus its the sim card, not the phone that needs the actual activation.
Sent from my cm7 Aria using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my cm7 Aria using XDA App

Thanks for all the replies, they sure were helpful.
I'll plan on rooting/flashing pre-activation then; that way I can have the phone all ready to go when it goes live.
Coming from the non-SIM world, I sometimes forget that everything is tied to that SIM card and not in the phone itself.

Related

What's up T-Mobile -- why the lack of respect?

Having been a G1 user since day 1 (Fantastic), became so bored of waiting for T-mobile to catch up phone wise. Decided to get a Mytouch slide as an interim phone. I CANNOT remove their proprietry overlay on android and even worse EVERY TIME I TURN ON PHONE OR MAKE A CALL the screen comes up "T_MOBILE GET MORE".
I'm really gonna switch if they continue to dumb down their service for the masses. What next -- mail in rebates for their most sophisticated customers the same as Verizon, Sprint and ATT?????? What has happened, some new dipstick in the boardroom? They were really on track (like southwest airlines) at one point. Look after your customers by giving them what they want at any cost and they will look after you....
Unfortunatly you bought a heavily company branded phone. Heck, their name is first and foremost as the official name of the phone. They want to make sure that when you show off the phone that it is clearly shown as theirs.
I understand your frustration somewhat...but you are reading the right forums to fix the problems you are facing. Rooting your phone will give you the options to remove pieces you don't want. I rooted last night and removed the annoying T-mobile sound file that plays every time you boot up (which I do every work day). I haven't changed the boot animation yet, but that is possible too. You could also remove a lot of the t-mobile apps that are worthless.
Good luck in taking your phone and really making it yours. This is why I choose Android and XDA!
Have you been a tmobile customer for a long time using the same sim card? If you are the "get more" text is from your sim. Get a new sim and that will go away.
ratchetrizzo said:
Have you been a tmobile customer for a long time using the same sim card? If you are the "get more" text is from your sim. Get a new sim and that will go away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1, i had to do this as well
New sim worked for me aswell
-------------------------------------
Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
I agree on the sim replacement. I used to work for T-Mo. Saw it all the time. Just don't let thew charge you for it.
I had the same issue, but thanks to this thread knew what to do. I just called T-Mobile from another phone, gave them the number of the SIM that shipped with the Slide, and swapped it in. It was ready to use pretty much right away, although I did need to restart the phone later to get it to "know" its own phone number under Phone Information.
Also had the same issue, new sim card fixed it and I had a better connection (not sure if the sim actually helped that or not but i did notice it)

Unauthorized device please swap for AT&T Streak

So, I swore I was just going to stick with the leaked 2.1 until the official 2.2 came down. Of course last night I hit the update and got the flashy lights, then flashed again and it works fine. I have a US-21 device and as soon as it came up I got a warning that said " You are attempting to use an unauthorized device, please swap out to an AT&T Streak." I guess it was just an O2 thing, because everything is still working. It freaked me the hell out though. I haven't seen anyone else post about it though either.
jnovello said:
So, I swore I was just going to stick with the leaked 2.1 until the official 2.2 came down. Of course last night I hit the update and got the flashy lights, then flashed again and it works fine. I have a US-21 device and as soon as it came up I got a warning that said " You are attempting to use an unauthorized device, please swap out to an AT&T Streak." I guess it was just an O2 thing, because everything is still working. It freaked me the hell out though. I haven't seen anyone else post about it though either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So u updated to the official 02 Rom and it said that message. So u said u flashed it again and it worked fine.... so u just installed the same update twice...... could u explain a little please
First I used the OTA and got the flashy lights. Then I flashed the same build via sd update package. That's when I got the warning message, but I didn't do anything after that. I went to the about phone screen and it still shows my network as being AT&T and I can send text and get calls.
Are you sure you have a production US-21 phone, or do you have a beta streak that was flashed to 21? If it's the latter, that is the sound of AT&T bending you over and giving it to you dry.
You'll wake up in 2-3 days with no cell reception, no service, and all calls out will be routd to 611. You can flash 2.1, 1.6, baseband 00, 21, 31, whatever.... but you will still be locked out of at&t as this is due to an IMEI ban.
They have a list of all the beta streak IMEIs. Even though they are unlocked, fcc approved GSM devices, they are using the fact that dell said "you can only use this device until the end of the testing period" to force you to purchase another one through them before you can use your at&t service again.
I've been fighting at&t but I can't do it alone. I filed FCC complaints, spent hours on the phone playing customer service tech roulette, went into an at&t store, etc. I gave up and moved to tmobile, and it is a HUGE difference - tmobile is acually quite generous and isn't looking to screw you out of every cent. I'm paying about $18/mo less on tmobile for unlimited data, unlimited text (upgrdae as at&t had limited texts), so I'm pretty happy - aside from the fact that 3g doesn't work on my tmobile streak. I also bought a galaxy s through tmobile to spite at&t.
No I'm sure this is a US-21 device. It's been a few days since that message and everything is still running fine. I just read another ATT user who has a beta streak that stopped working, but got them to hook it back up.
jnovello said:
No I'm sure this is a US-21 device. It's been a few days since that message and everything is still running fine. I just read another ATT user who has a beta streak that stopped working, but got them to hook it back up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
may I know how do u check that yours is not a beta version but is a real US-21 device? i'm planning to buy one streak soon and I hope to avoid getting beta version..
irenic said:
may I know how do u check that yours is not a beta version but is a real US-21 device? i'm planning to buy one streak soon and I hope to avoid getting beta version..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure, because the guy I bought it from was selling it because he did not understand how to use it or Android for that matter. I doubt that he would have been flashing anything.

Question for those running the euro rom on their tmobile tabs

(Rotohammer no need to reply as i already know how you are getting yours to work)
How are you able to get both voice and Edge, are you guys using you regular phone SIM (voice/android data) or are you using the Webconnect and just added the voice service?
I do not want to flash the Euro version and find out that it does not work with my Vibrant (voice/android data) SIM, plus i am not really confident on flashing the TAB and the fact that there is no stock rom to flash back to. I am very comfortable doing it on my Vibrant though, i think the TAB is more involved as you need more files and just a .pit and .tar.
Please honest answers and no smart remarks, i am getting very frustrated with the TAB. I like it and i am currently using it via wifi, i just want to know if i can use my current SIM. Don't fell like spending more more money if i don't have to. I am at the verge of returning the TAB and i am looking for assurances that it is worth keeping and not to give up ( i know the TAB came out a week ago ).
Thank you and hope to read your honest and helpful advise.
Know exactly how you feel. I'm very close to the 14 days here and returning it, kinda saying 'put it to one side if the telcos decide to get sane all of a sudden and I'll take it right back'
I'm able to get voice AND edge. I took the SIM from my nexus one with data/voice and dropped it in, thats when it started working. Using the SIM that came with it, as I mentioned in that thread just gave me an error code. It was the SIM's plan + euro rom that got it working.
How are you not being directed to tmo site like everyone else
Jyveafk said:
Know exactly how you feel. I'm very close to the 14 days here and returning it, kinda saying 'put it to one side if the telcos decide to get sane all of a sudden and I'll take it right back'
I'm able to get voice AND edge. I took the SIM from my nexus one with data/voice and dropped it in, thats when it started working. Using the SIM that came with it, as I mentioned in that thread just gave me an error code. It was the SIM's plan + euro rom that got it working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so just that i understand, u are using the nexus 1 voice/android data and runing the Euro rom on the tab and it works? well appart from the 3g. if that is the case why would you return it, that gives me some hope but i am hessitant on flashing the tab since there is no stock rom available as of yet if something goes wrong....
Yes, I've got a Nexus one with voice and data. I took that sim and dropped it into the Tab.
I'm getting weirdness on browsing atm though, and going to the TMobile website to check settings on my desktop, with the SIM back in the Nexus One, the image for my phone is showing the Tab, and I've not changed anything. Looks like they're detecting the hardware being used and updating online.
Jyveafk said:
Yes, I've got a Nexus one with voice and data. I took that sim and dropped it into the Tab.
I'm getting weirdness on browsing atm though, and going to the TMobile website to check settings on my desktop, with the SIM back in the Nexus One, the image for my phone is showing the Tab, and I've not changed anything. Looks like they're detecting the hardware being used and updating online.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what did you do so you dont get directed to tmo site ive seen many ppl here stating there getting only tmo site
maxtcee said:
what did you do so you dont get directed to tmo site ive seen many ppl here stating there getting only tmo site
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that you need to flash the Euro rom then you can use your current sim.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

[Q] Defy+ with a gophone sim

Please pardon my noobishness, I've been reading til my eyes crossed, but I can't seem to find a straight answer.
I just purchased an unlocked (UK) Defy+ because I need a durable phone and they don't seem to offer many options here in the US. I don't use many minutes and I just wanted text and phone coverage without a data plan: I have wifi coverage much of the time and can live without internet when I don't have it. Therefore, I snagged a cheap gophone ($20 got me a sim, a backup phone, and an extra charger) planning to run the sim in the Defy.
The problem is that while the gophone works fine, when I put the sim in the defy it tells me I have an invalid sim. The phone is supposed to be unlocked and it doesn't ask me for an unlock pin.
One possibility that I haven't tried yet - I have bypassed the motoblur setup so far, since my reading has had nothing good to say about it, and I don't use facebook, twitter or really any major social media (and if I did, I wouldn't want motorolla messing with it anyway). Could this be my problem? I didn't plan to root the phone (at least not yet...) since I didn't think I needed this level of access. I wanted to simply skip the motoblur service in the first place. I did run across some references on google of other motorolla phones having these symptoms because of not setting up motoblur. Should I just bite the bullet and set it up, or maybe root the phone and get rid of it? How intrusive is the motorblur service?
I don't think it matters. Try a friends phone with that sim?
Verstuurd van mijn MB525 met Tapatalk
The sim works fine in the cheap gophone I got when I set it up. I can't imagine it being any different anywhere else. I tried plugging in an ancient cingular sim I still had floating about for some reason which gave me a different message - no service instead of invalid sim card.
Further reading, could this be a baseband version issue? They never intended the defy+ for the US market. I knew from the start that web access would not function except by wifi, but I was given to understand that I could make phonecalls. Not much of a phone without that...
I think maybe I'm on the right track with the baseband issue. I need to be running at 850/1900mhz which the phone will do according to the box... UK is 900/2100, correct? Is it possible that baseband ver. epu93_U_00.60.00 doesn't support my frequencies?
Thanks to everyone responsible for all the info on this forum. I'm overwhelmed at this point, but hopefully it will become more clear with time. I need to walk away from this for the night. Hopefully, tomorrow some of this stuff will have sorted itself out in my head. If anyone has any input, please weigh in!
If you want to see if baseband change helps.
Root the phone, install baseband changer (or something) and try out the Argentinian. They also use the 850/1900 frequentie band. T-mobile uses 850/1700/2100.
But normally I thought that was only needed to get 3g working.
Further updates and no luck.
I made the mistake of letting the phone update via wifi, thinking that might help, so now at 2.3.6 I can't seem to unlock it - tried superoneclick and doomlord, no luck so far. I'm very close to seeing if I can't get my money's worth of frustrations out of this phone with a 12lb sledgehammer. Wouldn't be the most expensive thing I've ever destroyed!
Its funny, this same kind of crap with the SLVR I bought years ago was why my last motorola product was going to be the last thing I ever purchased from them. Fool that I am, I thought I'd give them another chance.
For rooting the phone on 2.3.6 check the 'bl7 finally rooted' threat.
Have you tried factory reset? Read somewhere that that helps
Yes, I had tried the factory reset. The "BL7 finally rooted" thread did root the phone. I haven't done the baseband switch yet, but I'm hopeful.
Baseband switcher thread
Well, I should've listened to labsin in the first place - go figure.
My phone is now unlocked, rooted and baseband switched - it now recognizes US 3G, but the sim is still invalid. On the upside, I think I know what the problem is now. Turns out AT&T sometimes locks their sims for 180 days to the phone you activate it with. I guess I need to go to the store and try to get a different sim out of them.
If its at&t go phone u need to call at&t and have ur sim unlocked . Its locked to the phone u activate it in for so many months. Just tell them that ur go phone wont work and u cant return it . Hope this works for u . I had to do this couple times .
Sent from my MB525 using XDA
Didnt read all of ur last post before i posted . Sorry . But just give them a call . U shouldnt need a new one ..
Sent from my MB525 using XDA
Probably ought to call them from a landline, huh?
I tried going into the store yesterday. The girl there told me it was locked for 30 days, which is different than the six months I had heard elsewhere. I wonder if she was just trying to keep the great big scary guy (aka me) from losing his temper. I get it, I guess. They don't want people with smartphones using their $50 prepay unlimited, then tethering their laptop off it... What kind of person would do such a thing. On the other hand, don't call it unlimited if it isn't!
Ahhhh, victory. Thanks for all the help. By the look of things, switching basebands was necessary in the end, so I'm glad I went through all the trouble. I can't believe some of you guys do this as a hobby, I'd rather slam my privates in a car door than go through this again!

Taking a Spring S4 over to Straight Talk?

Hello folks! I've been rooting Android devices since the OEM Droid, but I feel out of my depth with my new endeavor
I just scooped up a brand new Sprint S4 on the cheap via craigslist(literally 30 mins ago).... but here's the plan:
I plan on taking this new S4 over to Straight Talk to see how I like it. But, I've NEVER transferred a device between carriers before, and don't know what the crap I'm doing. I'm assuming I need to unlock the phone before activating with Straight Talk(not a problem, I'm sure I can get 'er done. I've only ever unlocked AND rooted both together, but assuming I can figure it out).
But after I activate with Straight Talk am I up a creek as far as flashing new ROMS on the device? Can I still root and flash (whatever) via this same device thread?
I'm coming from a Verizon Galaxy Nexus. I'm actually out of contract for the first time in 17 years, and almost can't believe it. The stock S4 is light years better than my rooted and overclocked Nexus, so worst case scenario, I'm plenty happy with staying stock if I'm SOL. But I'd LOVE to tinker with this puppy if I'm able to.
A good shove in the right direction would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks for taking to read this post!
it would appear I didn't do enough homework Looks like I've got my work cut out for me just to get the dang phone to work with Straight Talk.
Your best bet to get your CDMA phone working with them is to call customer service to check out the ESN. Or if you get good t-mobile or att reception in your area, you could always unlock it and pick up an att or tmo sim card to use.
There is this thread that shows how to unlock a Sprint S4 for domestic GSM carriers if you're interested...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2530610
Dlnp22 said:
Hello folks! I've been rooting Android devices since the OEM Droid, but I feel out of my depth with my new endeavor
I just scooped up a brand new Sprint S4 on the cheap via craigslist(literally 30 mins ago).... but here's the plan:
I plan on taking this new S4 over to Straight Talk to see how I like it. But, I've NEVER transferred a device between carriers before, and don't know what the crap I'm doing. I'm assuming I need to unlock the phone before activating with Straight Talk(not a problem, I'm sure I can get 'er done. I've only ever unlocked AND rooted both together, but assuming I can figure it out).
But after I activate with Straight Talk am I up a creek as far as flashing new ROMS on the device? Can I still root and flash (whatever) via this same device thread?
I'm coming from a Verizon Galaxy Nexus. I'm actually out of contract for the first time in 17 years, and almost can't believe it. The stock S4 is light years better than my rooted and overclocked Nexus, so worst case scenario, I'm plenty happy with staying stock if I'm SOL. But I'd LOVE to tinker with this puppy if I'm able to.
A good shove in the right direction would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks for taking to read this post!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, on top of our private messages... I'm on straight talk and so far very happy. Only thing I can complain about is not having 4g...which I never had, so I've never experienced it. The flash service through ebay, the guy will take control of your PC and you can have it done when the flasher scheduled you a time. I bought my s4 on ebay with a bad ESN for like $389 a month after release. Also, the native hotspot doesnt work, but works once you flash the hotspot hack and use a widget from the playstore to turn it on/off it works perfectly. I personally use exlir 2 as my widget. I'm on a Sprint phone and it's flashed to Verizon's towers too, which is better in most areas. Other then that, for rooting/ROM purposes, I have zero issues. Signal/GPS is perfect. It even takes the OTA updates as long as your pure stock.:good: Using Odin .tar files is okay.
On second thought, the ebay service is illegal...your cloning a phone. Straight Talk thinks I have a Blackberry
KStyles69 said:
Again, on top of our private messages... I'm on straight talk and so far very happy. Only thing I can complain about is not having 4g...which I never had, so I've never experienced it. The flash service through ebay, the guy will take control of your PC and you can have it done when the flasher scheduled you a time. I bought my s4 on ebay with a bad ESN for like $389 a month after release. Also, the native hotspot doesnt work, but works once you flash the hotspot hack and use a widget from the playstore to turn it on/off it works perfectly. I personally use exlir 2 as my widget. I'm on a Sprint phone and it's flashed to Verizon's towers too, which is better in most areas. Other then that, for rooting/ROM purposes, I have zero issues. Signal/GPS is perfect. It even takes the OTA updates as long as your pure stock.:good: Using Odin .tar files is okay.
On second thought, the ebay service is illegal...your cloning a phone. Straight Talk thinks I have a Blackberry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know I'm late in responding, but you made a point I found out after the fact. No 4G when taking the CDMA phone over to Straight Talk. This was a deal killer for me. I've since turned the phone on craigslist, and am looking for an AT&T version now
My only question is- How do you flash for specific towers?
congrats
Dlnp22 said:
Hello folks! I've been rooting Android devices since the OEM Droid, but I feel out of my depth with my new endeavor
I just scooped up a brand new Sprint S4 on the cheap via craigslist(literally 30 mins ago).... but here's the plan:
I plan on taking this new S4 over to Straight Talk to see how I like it. But, I've NEVER transferred a device between carriers before, and don't know what the crap I'm doing. I'm assuming I need to unlock the phone before activating with Straight Talk(not a problem, I'm sure I can get 'er done. I've only ever unlocked AND rooted both together, but assuming I can figure it out).
But after I activate with Straight Talk am I up a creek as far as flashing new ROMS on the device? Can I still root and flash (whatever) via this same device thread?
I'm coming from a Verizon Galaxy Nexus. I'm actually out of contract for the first time in 17 years, and almost can't believe it. The stock S4 is light years better than my rooted and overclocked Nexus, so worst case scenario, I'm plenty happy with staying stock if I'm SOL. But I'd LOVE to tinker with this puppy if I'm able to.
A good shove in the right direction would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks for taking to read this post!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
congrats on being out of contract...I love straighttalk, paid a whole year off at once......use hotspot often...last month got 90 gb of data usage....I used my tmo note 2....but I have 2 sprint s4's that I would love to take to ST....if it works out well for you please let me know
oclark1011 said:
congrats on being out of contract...I love straighttalk, paid a whole year off at once......use hotspot often...last month got 90 gb of data usage....I used my tmo note 2....but I have 2 sprint s4's that I would love to take to ST....if it works out well for you please let me know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 week in and LOVING it. So long VZW.

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