Database Users

Use unlocked Aria without data plan?

If I buy an HTC Aria and unlock it, would I be able to use my existing GSM card (on AT&T "Blue" network (older GSM)) to make phone calls and connect via wifi without upgrading my plan or buying data plan? I don't need 3G support but would welcome a new phone that would allow me to jump on wifi and get on the web now and then.
Possible?
I would think other folks would be interested in this same scenario and I tried searching, but couldn't find anything.
Thanks

I can't think of a reason why you wouldn't be able to do that. I would think that any phone that obeys GSM standards that you stick a SIM in, should make calls on the network provided you have an active account. You don't need a data plan in order to do anything*, as I'm sure you know; however, that does mean you need to ensure you turn mobile networking off so you don't accidentally end up racking charges up for network access.
*YMMV, this has worked for me with different phones in the past.

because ATT scans the system for imei numbers occasionally you will ahve a data plan forcefully added at some point. If you call att and have a data block applied to your line you can supposedly lessen your chance of getting caught but its no guaruntee.
i find this business practice to be questionable at best but there is no sure fire way around it. They'll even add the plan to ouut of network phones that can't use their 3g band like the t-mobile version of N1.
Even if you call and convince them to remove you from the plan (an arduous process from what i understand) they'll add you back on in the next sweep.

i know a problem with this that occured on the iPhone was the EDGE network that the phone would randomly communicate with, idk how our phones work exactly with the whole edge/3g thing but its something that was a known issue with iphones

dasspunk said:
If I buy an HTC Aria and unlock it, would I be able to use my existing GSM card (on AT&T "Blue" network (older GSM)) to make phone calls and connect via wifi without upgrading my plan or buying data plan? I don't need 3G support but would welcome a new phone that would allow me to jump on wifi and get on the web now and then.
Possible?
I would think other folks would be interested in this same scenario and I tried searching, but couldn't find anything.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will be fine. When you activate the phone it asks if you have a data plan and gives you a option to say you don't have a data plan and to use WiFi only. And if your still worried you can download a HTC widget that turns off 3g completely. I have the 2gb data plan and I still disable 3g and WiFi unless I'm using it. So ya go get on because its a really great phone. Ps: about what another chap said about the iPhone using data with out his consent. Don't worry this is Android You have control over everything. One of the reasons we love android so much.
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App

Thanks everyone for the info. I'll be giving this a go and will update this thread with the results.
Now I just have to make a final decision between the Aria and the Nexus One... I like the smaller size of the Aria but it seems like the Nexus is a better phone, and will have less AT&T issues... If anyone has a strong opinion one way or the other, feel free to share.
Thanks again!

Aria or Nexus One
My wife and son both have Nexus One's. I have the Aria and think it is great. It was also a money issue. The Nexus One was $500 more. But I am not disappointed with my decision.
I have the Aria rooted and removed AT&T'S stuff. Put on Google Voice, Gizmo5, and Sippdroid and now have a VOIP phone. It works great and no problems with dropped calls yet.

ryan92084 said:
because ATT scans the system for imei numbers occasionally you will ahve a data plan forcefully added at some point. If you call att and have a data block applied to your line you can supposedly lessen your chance of getting caught but its no guaruntee.
i find this business practice to be questionable at best but there is no sure fire way around it. They'll even add the plan to ouut of network phones that can't use their 3g band like the t-mobile version of N1.
Even if you call and convince them to remove you from the plan (an arduous process from what i understand) they'll add you back on in the next sweep.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that was true, ATT wouldn't allow me to still have the unlimited $15/mo data plan from my original RAZR on every smartphone I've owned since getting rid of the RAZR. They still list me as a RAZR owner even though I've gone through 6 smartphones (3 were iPhones, Moto Q9C, Verizon Imagio Worldphone, Moto Backflip) now over the last two years and I still only pay $15/mo for unlimited internet.

bogatyr said:
If that was true, ATT wouldn't allow me to still have the unlimited $15/mo data plan from my original RAZR on every smartphone I've owned since getting rid of the RAZR. They still list me as a RAZR owner even though I've gone through 6 smartphones (3 were iPhones, Moto Q9C, Verizon Imagio Worldphone, Moto Backflip) now over the last two years and I still only pay $15/mo for unlimited internet.
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Click to collapse
yeah, and ive been using an unlocked blackberry storm on att for quite some time and used a blackjack and htc touch pro before that. they would have caught me a while ago if that was true.

its a newer policy that started late last year. for every person i've heard of still getting away with it there are dozens that haven't. there have even been people that switched from their smartphone w/o data to a dumbphone and then back to their original smartphone and have been nabbed by the scan. If you had a smartphone with no data before the policy change there is likely the feature "Smartphone Exclusion" on that line exempting you from the data plan (unless they notice that you switch phones that is).
they only scan for certain model's imei numbers( but good luck finding the list of which they scan for). For a while n1 users were getting away with it but have are now being nailed quite quickly.
Its right in the contract (that you sign automatically just by not canceling your service) that if they notice you using whatever they deem a "smartphone" they'll smack you with a data plan. The customer service reps are supposedly under the threat of suspension/firing if they remove the data plan as long as your sim is in said smartphone. People who have gotten them to remove the plan by switching phones got nabbed faster if they switched back.
I'm not here defending their position, as i find the whole situation to be a shadey money grab, just telling the OP how it is.
my only real tip is to call and have a data block applied to your line before ever putting a sim in your aria. The only fool proof way to avaoid data on a smartphone is to jump to t-mobile's no ctract plan unforutunately

I gotta agree here and tell you that the scanning process is real.
The key is that they have to care to put your IMEI number in their database (or rather, a range of IMEI's that includes your phone). When your IMEI comes up in one of their scans, it's done.
I had a Rogers Magic on my account for 5-6 months, never had a problem. When the Nexus One became available for AT&T, I immediately gave the magic to my mom and got myself an N1.
For a while I had no issue, must have been 3 months on the cheapy data plan. Then, sometime last month (I think) my phone was moved to the smartphone plan. Before I called AT&T, I checked the forums and sure enough, everyone with an AT&T N1 was being switched to the smartphone plan forcefully.
So, it's a matter of chance really. If you have a phone that shouldn't be on their network and is unlikely anyone would pay the expense and use it on their network, well... there's a chance they won't have your IMEI in their database. However, if it's one of their phones and it's a smartphone, you have little choice.
Fortunately though, they now have a better "tiered" data structure that can ultimately be cheaper... but it still sucks.

Unlock Code
I finally got the phone but AT&T will definitely NOT unlock the Aria. Support said it's probably because it's an exclusive phone. They were kind enough to mention that it "may be possible" to get a code somewhere else
Can anyone recommend a reputable unlocker? I tried one on Ebay already but they were unable to find a code for the Aria. They offered to try another server for an additional $5 but I figured I'd go another route. They refunded the money though...
Thanks in advance for any help.

Returning the Aria
So after spending most of the day trying to sort this out, here's the deal. The phone I received from Amazon (and paid full price without a phone plan) can/will NOT be unlocked by AT&T or HTC or the unlockers on ebay.
AT&T couldn't tell me which phones might have this problem. The ONLY solution to be sure is to not buy anything from AT&T... which is what I plan on doing from here on out.
Too bad really... it's a nice little phone.

The scanning is real but i have been using a smartphone on my regular account for a few years now and didnt get caught yet. Seems people get caught easily when their account becomes delinquent. I let my mom use my old smart phone because hers were damaged and within 24 hours i received and email and a text message was sent to the phone saying that they placed the $15 200MB dataplan on her account.
I had to call them up and give them the IMEI number for her old phone in order for them to take it off which they didnt want to do right away because the account was past due, but was done eventually. But if you have the medianet bundle and they put the data plan on it removes the medianet bundle from your phone which they cannot add back on because the option no longer exists. I fought tooth and nail for them to put it back on but got nowhere.
I still have my Medianet bundle 5MB + 1500 texts for $15 a month that u use on my Aria and i dont even use the data part because i have WIFI at home, WIFI at work and Optimum Online WIFI most places outside so since the phone automatically switches to a WIFI signal when its in range its useless to pay for data i will not use.
What i have noticed and users have to be careful about is that if you send or receive a MMS while out of WIFI range the phone will not automatically disconnect from the 3G data until your back in range of a connectible WIFI sourcel. During this time if its syncing with your Mail, facebook, news, feeds, and other data things you can easily rack up 20MB

its possible. Ive done it on an old ATT blue account from 6+ years ago. The trick is just getting them to unlock it for you by telling them you need to use it overseas. This needs to be done over 611 or other customer service number. They will need the IMEI number and will either email you unlock information after a few days or give it to you immediately. My ATT blue account blocked the customer service from knowing which phone I was currently using. They THOUGHT I was using my first phone that I signed with(nokia 3300).
Also note that ATT Blue accounts for the most part cannot be touched (feature wise). Ive called them multiple times and asked for a data plan and other features but they were never able to do it.
This is my experience, it may or may not work for you. Note that I have a FAN account, but that shouldnt matter.

flipf0nt said:
its possible. Ive done it on an old ATT blue account from 6+ years ago. The trick is just getting them to unlock it for you by telling them you need to use it overseas. This needs to be done over 611 or other customer service number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the question is where/how did you get your phone? Has anyone bought a phone from Amazon that could be unlocked? I seem to be missing something.
If I could have just gotten the Aria unlocked, it'd work just as I wanted.
Thanks

dasspunk said:
So the question is where/how did you get your phone? Has anyone bought a phone from Amazon that could be unlocked? I seem to be missing something.
If I could have just gotten the Aria unlocked, it'd work just as I wanted.
Thanks
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Click to collapse
I dont know what dasspunk is talking about, there are people with the Aria unlocked on T-mobile!

dynamics_blue said:
I dont know what dasspunk is talking about, there are people with the Aria unlocked on T-mobile!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly my point... some Arias can be unlocked and some can't. I bought mine from Amazon full price/no contract; it can't be unlocked. Which ones can?
I'll ask again... where/how did you get your Aria?

my friend got the Aria on amazon and unlocked it. so maybe you didnt go to the right place to Unlock it.

dynamics_blue said:
my friend got the Aria on amazon and unlocked it. so maybe you didnt go to the right place to Unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did he buy it outright ($330) or via a plan/upgrade ($0)?

AT&T blocking data connection ?

I got a nice SMS on March 18th from AT&T saying "An eligible data plan is required for Laptop, Tablet or MiFi devices. Call 611 as soon as possible for details and to avoid service interruption"
We are on 20th and I have no dtaa connection anymore
I happen to be paying the most expensive plan for my device (Coming from TP2), with an extra to have Exchange emails (Yeah can you believe you are charged extra for Exchange emails) and now.... I would have to pay even more because I use my SIUM in my tablet. WTF...
Maybe it's just me but if some of you have the same issue and found a workaround... Or maybe I should just step away from AT&T... F them...
Edit: Just got an SMS "Your data service has been restricted due to SIM swapping with a data Connect device". I pay 150$ a month for my data plan, calsl, etc... How much is not enough ????

I got the same thing. AT&T is now doing the same thing T-Mobile is doing. You cannot put a T-Mobile phone SIM in a T-Mobile tab, and, now, you cannot put an AT&T phone SIM (for example one with an unlimited data plan attached to it) into an AT&T tab.
It's all robbery.
My reaction to the text I got from AT&T was to erase, wipe, and flash my AT&T Galaxy Tab to Overcome 1.3.0, and then put my T-Mobile phone SIM into my AT&T Tab. Ha! THAT at least still works, since the two companies are separate.
And now, AT&T just bought T-Mobile! HA
Looks like after all the effort, I lose.
I am SO DONE with tablets and smartphones. Back to laptops and WiFi. The monopolies here in the U.S. are unbearable. And our government does nothing. No wonder the rest of the world hates us - we hate ourselves!

I got AT&T on the phone
The guy first explained me that technically tablets and phone cannot connect teh same way, etc, etc... So I asked him to stop the Bs#it because technically it was possible for 3 months... The guy I had on the phone was polite and pretty embarrassed...
I was straight forward explaining I don't mind paying for an extra tethering plan if that's what they want but I just want to carry around only ONE device, etc, etc... In the end he was very clear: they want us to use our tablet with a different plant and different SIM card. period
Now... for me it's clear they saw the IMEI of my device was different from the one I used to have so this + the fact I used a lot of Data may have triggered the detection... Or it is in the access point we use... But anyway/anyhow there is no way we cannot make our tablets appear as a Galaxy S or whatever other phone. Aside from the screen too much of the Hardware is similar to a phone not to be able to do something about it...
Meanwhile my data plan is frozen
I am SO pissed off. I can't believe I leave these guys 150$ a month and they can't even provide a decent service...

The worst: if I take a specific plan for my tab and trim down my phone plan it will cost me less
They are just F&*%#@ dumb and a terrible pain in the ass
Now let's work to "disguise" our Tab as a phone for AT&T connection...
I still think it has a lot to do with the Acces point setup... Or just the tethering... They guy on the phone was (maybe deliberately or not...) confusing about what was allowed and what was not... he was kind of implying that even if I get a tethering plan, tethering from my phone to my Tab would still be an issue if I don't use some kind of AT&T official tethering Software... (Weird...)
I am SO pissed off

I am thinking and if I go for the tethering plan I really don't see under which stupid claim they can block me... Sue it will cost more, but whatever...
Still this is justa shame

More AT&T fun I see.
Sent from my Incredible with the XDA Premium App.

I Am Marino said:
More AT&T fun I see.
Sent from my Incredible with the XDA Premium App.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes... Teh problem is since they try to avoid users going around their stuff it is not even easy to understand what is allowed or not. Initially i brought a phone from abroad and was told I could use it on an illimited data plan... Fine. But now the guy on the phoen didnt even wnated to be clear whether I could use a non AT&T phone for my plan (So we're not even talking about the tab)
I think they may be targeting heavy users that dont show the same IMEIR as the one they registered. Or soemthign else.. probably can detect by the protocols used that we are not technically ona phone (But hey technically, aside teh screen tehre is no major difference betweena Galaxy tab and a Galaxy phone...)

They are targeting unlimited data plan users who are sim swapping. If you're on the 2gb or tethering 4gb plan you shouldn't see anything. People were putting their sims into laptops/netbooks and going nuts. It breaches the agreement with AT&T and they have the right to change your plan if you don't reply to them or stop sim swapping.

waltah! said:
They are targeting unlimited data plan users who are sim swapping. If you're on the 2gb or tethering 4gb plan you shouldn't see anything. People were putting their sims into laptops/netbooks and going nuts. It breaches the agreement with AT&T and they have the right to change your plan if you don't reply to them or stop sim swapping.
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Click to collapse
I am not using it in a laptop but in my Tab. I use my Tab as my main phone and I ma pretty pissed off that AT&T decides which phone they like and don't like. It's not EVEN about the money: I proposed them to pay for a tethering plan (which would be stealing from me but whatever) and they do not even care
I would not even mind going for the 4Gb plan but that would mean giving up on voice services on my tab, ie would have to carry around two devices which i definitely do not want
Going the 4Gb plan + stripping down my phone to the cheapest plan AT&T has, would cost me less than I pay now... So it's not even a money issue. I am completely pissed off since I a ready to pay whatever they want but they do not seem to care

Anyway it's fine. They managed to kill the GTab and all other 7" tablets to come
They nearly succeeded by originally forbidding calls on it. They succeeded with this last measure
It was for me the perfect size between a phone and an iPad. If I cannot have Voice + illimited data on it I will just go for a large 4.3" phone
Thank you AT&T for killing progress and congratulation for displeasing customers who were actually ready to pay (Because in actual facts I was ready to pay more if it is what they wanted from me)

Alcibiade said:
Anyway it's fine. They managed to kill the GTab and all other 7" tablets to come
They nearly succeeded by originally forbidding calls on it. They succeeded with this last measure
It was for me the perfect size between a phone and an iPad. If I cannot have Voice + illimited data on it I will just go for a large 4.3" phone
Thank you AT&T for killing progress and congratulation for displeasing customers who were actually ready to pay (Because in actual facts I was ready to pay more if it is what they wanted from me)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same boat, Alcibiade. Never tether, just like the phone and tablet in one device.
Just got off the phone with our friends at AT&T and got the same message. Unfortunately, there is no 4GB plan for data devices like the Tab, just "phones". So I'm stuck with carrying a phone and a Tab until we figure out a way around this issue.

I got the same message from at&t too. I think the only workaround to this is to get the telstra or the other canadian tab that uses the 850 band. Anyone with the telstra tab want to do a trade for a like new at&t tab?

Believe me it pisses me off too, and I work there. lol
I'm planning on getting a GTab and was going to use it for voice occasionally so it kinda throws a kink in the works. I have the 4gb tethering plan. I really just want to be able to jump right on the Tab and use it without kicking the hotspot on so I'll just end up going down to the 2gb plan for my Atrix and the 2gb plan for the Tab. I wanted to carry one device when I wanted to, but I love my Atrix so I'm not sure how often I would do it anyway.

I believe AT&T doing the same as T-mobile by look up the IMEI. The IMEI database will match the phone you use. The only workaround is change the IMEI on the tab.
You will see the TAB Icon under your att account but I did not see that months ago....

Currently on the phone with att about the same issue...thing is im using an htc desire from telus...im not swapping my simcard with anything at all. They are saying my device is coming up as a telemetry unit which is therefore making the assumption of sim swapping. On the phone for an hour now and the geniuses still cant figure out how to fix the issue.

small9 said:
I believe AT&T doing the same as T-mobile by look up the IMEI. The IMEI database will match the phone you use. The only workaround is change the IMEI on the tab.
You will see the TAB Icon under your att account but I did not see that months ago....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure it's through the IMEI. How do they do if I use a foreign phone ? If it is that simple, we all know how to find a solution...
I hope they do not make me PAY for my data plan while I they block it, I would be even more pissed off
One point I do not get: if I pay for a Tethering plan (Which I don't but am considering if it can help), why the hell would they block me from using my plan the way I want. Illimited + tethering --> I use it on my tab or anything else doesn't matter (Could be my phone tethered to my laptop it would be the same)

jstdontgiva said:
Currently on the phone with att about the same issue...thing is im using an htc desire from telus...im not swapping my simcard with anything at all. They are saying my device is coming up as a telemetry unit which is therefore making the assumption of sim swapping. On the phone for an hour now and the geniuses still cant figure out how to fix the issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny cause it's exactly what I told them: I have a foreign phone as well (On top of my Tab) and I bet them that my foreign phone would have the same issue
MMh so they either detect what we do with the IMEI or potentially the radio (Or a combination of both)
I feel really bad trying to find a workaround while what I ma doing is perfectly legit when it is on my TP2, or I am even ready to pay for their Tethering plan........
If the issue is just the IMEI, that can be easily solved... But I dont like to have to be sneaky when again I pay honetsly my stuff every month
If you find a solution for your telus please tell us

Yeah I got that text last night around 9 pm I nearly craped my self. I was like wtf. I have the unlimited data. it shouldn't matter what device my Sim is in.. I guess I'll see what the tab does with the Sim that it came with. my Nexus still works fine though. I checked the website today and they are doing Maintenance to the data section. figures.

hybred-nexus said:
Yeah I got that text last night around 9 pm I nearly craped my self. I was like wtf. I have the unlimited data. it shouldn't matter what device my Sim is in.. I guess I'll see what the tab does with the Sim that it came with. my Nexus still works fine though. I checked the website today and they are doing Maintenance to the data section. figures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am pretty sure my Tab fits ok within a 4Gb plan (I don't tether anyway). BUT I just dont wnat to carry aound 2 devices. My phone + teh Tab. And if I ahve to use their stupid plan / SIM card I will have to
I am surprised we don't see many more reactions. I thought a lot of us were doing Data + voice using their phone plans... Maybe not everybody was blocked yet. Or I just overestimate the number of US users using their tab like this. What's unbelievable is how other countries are managing the Tab vs the US (real pain here...)

Alcibiade said:
Funny cause it's exactly what I told them: I have a foreign phone as well (On top of my Tab) and I bet them that my foreign phone would have the same issue
MMh so they either detect what we do with the IMEI or potentially the radio (Or a combination of both)
I feel really bad trying to find a workaround while what I ma doing is perfectly legit when it is on my TP2, or I am even ready to pay for their Tethering plan........
If the issue is just the IMEI, that can be easily solved... But I dont like to have to be sneaky when again I pay honetsly my stuff every month
If you find a solution for your telus please tell us
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After getting off the phone here was the scenario:
The guy admitted to me that he was not very familiar with what was going on, however I could tell he was still trying pretty hard to find out how to resolve the issue by calling other departments and he didnt have a bias towards me having an unlocked phone like I know ATT personel tend to have.
Basically there were 3 options
1. return the phone which I laughed in his face ( this was recommended not by him but by another person in a diff dept
2. Turn the internet back on with the risk of shutting off again ( which I did not do because he told my my account was now flagged for disuse of internet and could result in plenty of charges I wouldn't want.)
3. Wait until Tuesday for a call back from him since some1 has to manually put in my IMEI # and override the system, (which was apparently down)
I took option 3 with the hopes that this will be resolved by the time the rep gets back to me on Tues. If it doesn't go well my phone is basically useless and I will probably push for a free phone somehow. Best of luck to everybody else, I will update ASAP

[Q] Advice on setup for elderly parents and usa based data plan!!

(double posted this to try and get help as quick as possible since the phone needs to ship out ASAP)
Hi everyone. I'm an American living in Sweden. I have a unlocked galaxy note 3 that I am going to send my TECHNOPHOBIA suffering mother so she van video chat and see my newborn son for the first time live instead of in snail mailed pictures. She has agreed to try her best to learn because after 4 years of us not seeing each other she is willing to the anything
so here is the advice I need.
Best way to *safety proof* (don't want to call my mom a idiot) the phone.
A way for me to remotely restore the phone to MY settings when she accidentally messes something up and calls me freaking out.
Advice on a service plan. I have good credit in the usa and a social security number. she lives in 70647 Iowa, Louisiana. w
We would like to be able to video chat on skype on demand. But she will not be streaming video or downloading anything but content from dropbox. I would love if there was the option for her to be able to send an sms/mms to my mobile in sweden.
I would like yo put the phone in some *easy* setup. similar to the one included in 4.4.2 BUT my mother will only be using the phone for a few things. Skype facebook and dropbox. Also receiving sms/mms from me only. I would like her to have the ability to call our foreign cellphone numbers though in case of an emergency.
The phone is already rooted and updated to samsung version of 4.4.2. I would happily use another ROM if someone can recommend one that would best suit my needs.
I have a windows desktop running win 7 and an extra note 3 that I will be keeping here to use as well.
Help a lady out please! I desperately want to see my momma.

lindadhnorman said:
(double posted this to try and get help as quick as possible since the phone needs to ship out ASAP)
Hi everyone. I'm an American living in Sweden. I have a unlocked galaxy note 3 that I am going to send my TECHNOPHOBIA suffering mother so she van video chat and see my newborn son for the first time live instead of in snail mailed pictures. She has agreed to try her best to learn because after 4 years of us not seeing each other she is willing to the anything
so here is the advice I need.
Best way to *safety proof* (don't want to call my mom a idiot) the phone.
A way for me to remotely restore the phone to MY settings when she accidentally messes something up and calls me freaking out.
Advice on a service plan. I have good credit in the usa and a social security number. she lives in 70647 Iowa, Louisiana. w
We would like to be able to video chat on skype on demand. But she will not be streaming video or downloading anything but content from dropbox. I would love if there was the option for her to be able to send an sms/mms to my mobile in sweden.
I would like yo put the phone in some *easy* setup. similar to the one included in 4.4.2 BUT my mother will only be using the phone for a few things. Skype facebook and dropbox. Also receiving sms/mms from me only. I would like her to have the ability to call our foreign cellphone numbers though in case of an emergency.
The phone is already rooted and updated to samsung version of 4.4.2. I would happily use another ROM if someone can recommend one that would best suit my needs.
I have a windows desktop running win 7 and an extra note 3 that I will be keeping here to use as well.
Help a lady out please! I desperately want to see my momma.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw different people using Android phones and have to say that especially Samsung phones are extremely difficult to use in terms of responsiveness and features. I haven't seen any rom which is "easier" to use than the build in easy mode. We gave our grandparents and parents an iPhone and ipad since they are easier to use. Coming from an Android fanatic.

4aces said:
I saw different people using Android phones and have to say that especially Samsung phones are extremely difficult to use in terms of responsiveness and features. I haven't seen any rom which is "easier" to use than the build in easy mode. We gave our grandparents and parents an iPhone and ipad since they are easier to use. Coming from an Android fanatic.
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Click to collapse
I'm pretty much stuck with the galaxy note 3 for her a phone. I am trying out Big Launcher right now. I LOVE the 'Easy Touch Wizzard' except that I wish you could edit the main screen's applications. And Big Launcher is nice but I wish you could have slightly smaller icons so I could fit everything in one screen. *sighs* I need to learn to program.
Can anyone recommend any data programs that are great for mostly video calling on skype (or hangouts/chat on since they are both note 3 phones)? Would love if they had some intentional sms options as well.

lindadhnorman said:
I'm pretty much stuck with the galaxy note 3 for her a phone. I am trying out Big Launcher right now. I LOVE the 'Easy Touch Wizzard' except that I wish you could edit the main screen's applications. And Big Launcher is nice but I wish you could have slightly smaller icons so I could fit everything in one screen. *sighs* I need to learn to program.
Can anyone recommend any data programs that are great for mostly video calling on skype (or hangouts/chat on since they are both note 3 phones)? Would love if they had some intentional sms options as well.
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Click to collapse
US data programs? I used to have cricket in CA which is kinda less expansive. If your mom has a cellular plan I would ask if there is any combination possible. Are u looking for a cheap or very good data plan?
And sorry I completely forgot to mention launchers; )

4aces said:
US data programs? I used to have cricket in CA which is kinda less expansive. If your mom has a cellular plan I would ask if there is any combination possible. Are u looking for a cheap or very good data plan?
And sorry I completely forgot to mention launchers; )
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I'm looking for VERY good. And It needs to be on AT&T or T-mobile to get the best coverage, as well at LTE (verified with IMEI, and LTE bands).
I am willing to sign a contract OR to get prepaid, as long as I can pay it online with a VISA, or Mastercard. My mom's current phone is one of those elderly social security phones. Basically only for receiving calls, OR emergencies. So there is no option for data.

lindadhnorman said:
I'm looking for VERY good. And It needs to be on AT&T or T-mobile to get the best coverage, as well at LTE (verified with IMEI, and LTE bands).
I am willing to sign a contract OR to get prepaid, as long as I can pay it online with a VISA, or Mastercard. My mom's current phone is one of those elderly social security phones. Basically only for receiving calls, OR emergencies. So there is no option for data.
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For Skype calls u need a lot of gb. 8 gb on t-mobile go down pretty fast when u are video calling. If at&t or t-Mobile and the price doesn't matter go for at&t with 20 gb.
Doesn't your mom have wireless router? Would be a lot more convenient than a data plan on the cell phone.

Nope no access to Internet what so ever lol. She wouldn't know how to use one even if I could get one to her.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app

Extended controls app for free wifi hotspot on Nexus 6P on Verizon ?

Ok I have been reading around but I have what I think is a moot question but i have not heard it answered specifically before.
I currently have a Galaxy Nexus (completely stock) phone with grandfathered unlimited on Verizon. I use an app called Extended Controls from the Google play store and by turning on the widget app for wifi hotspot I have been getting free use of my unlimited for when I am working out of range of any decent wifi.
Since my device was not updated past 4.2.2 I am now wanting to buy the new Nexus 6P for Christmas ( I have had the same Galaxy Nexus for 4 years! - no case either).
From what I have been reading once I get Verizon to give me the new sim and add me to the account to maintain my unlimited (after I pay full price ) I will no longer be able to use this app to gain access to my free wifi hotspot.
It seems that other people's methods (foxfi etc - I never used any other besides Extended Controls) no longer work but I have not seen anyone here mention having used Extended Controls.
So my questions are :
1) when I get the Nexus 6P - will I have to use root in order to obtain the free wifi hotspot as some others have mentioned?
2 ) is there a safe rooting for dummies yet for the Nexus 6P which is just about foolproof?
3) What is it that Verizon did that now blocks those apps - which we used before - from working now?
So I currently use about 28 - 35 GB per month so moving off unlimited is out of the question at this point. I stream music at my job - in a building where there is no wifi allowed - and I do it in my car as part of my cummute (45min - 1hr ) getting to work. I cannot imagine buying a $650 phone as nice as the Nexus 6P and not having the ability to use my unlimited the way I still do now.
I have done a few searches in the 6P thread but I didn't see anyone mention the Extended Controls app not working and they don't say it does work on the Google Store.
thank you in advance for anyone to steer me in the right direction. At this point I will be lucky to get a 6P by Christmas and hopefully by then have a few days vacation to figure out how to get the phone working like I need it to work.

Hmmmmm, if memory serves me correctly (had the same phone, same plan from vz - but over 2 yrs ago), I never had to use an app for hot spot - but - I unlock/root as soon as I get a device and run custom roms/kernels.
So, again, if I remember, part of vz tweaking the os is hiding the Android native hot spot feature. So, by getting stock Android, you'll have that feature, and shouldn't need any special apps - you can even add a tile to the quick settings drop down to switch hot spot on/off.
If I also remember, there was an entry added by some carriers in a database on the phone that would check if hot spot was allowed by the carrier - when carriers would charge separately for hot spot data. Most if not all custom roms at the time were kind enough to fix that for ya - yet another good reason to unlock and root.
What you could try is - cutting down your present SIM - and just using it in the new device. My understanding is if you already have an activated SIM, you can just use it in a new device, no need to get vz involved - which is always a good thing imho.
I'd Google - cut down SIM - you'll get tons of info and how tos on the subject. I'm planning on doing this when my 6p comes in.
Lol - this is what I said to Verizon when I got my n5 2 years ago;
"I've been waiting about 15 years to say this - cancel my forking account"
Verizon never had coverage where I lived, not even calls, so I was paying $125/month for 2 lines - pay for each text, sharing like 700 minutes talk between 2 lines - and never really able to use any of it!
Unlimited talk/text and 5 gigs a month fit $45 on straight talk now - and I can make calls and text from home now. Would never go back to Verizon!

Phazmos,
Thanks for the reply but I am probably still a little confused.
If I remember correctly when the Nexus 6 came out many did what you suggest - cut their sim to fit - but the phone didn't always register as an official verizon device. Unfortunately my company provides me with a 17% discount on my monthly bill but only if you can prove that your phone is officially on the network. Verizon actually calls me every year to reverify it.
I am not sure how Extended controls works on the 4.2.2 version Galaxy Nexus I have now but I am pretty sure that it turns on the wifi hotspot without Verizon knowing about it. If I go straight to the "portable wifi hotspot" part of my settings then it comes up with the same error as everyone else on Verizon without wifi hotspot enabled. But "this .99 app- Extended Controls - just turns it on ... on the sly.
If the new version of the 6P has that feature and I just turn it on then Verizon will charged me. - I am already going to have to eat the extra $20 per month.
I am planning on buying the phone through Google but I will have to talk to a couple of the main Verizon stores here to guarantee that they will turn on my new sim (I am scared of cutting my current sim- what if I **** it up then I have no phone not even the Nexus!)
I have heard of people convincing the store manager to activate their new micro sim in a store model and then put it in the phone.
I am so leary of spending $650 and then having them refuse to activate it correctly.
Also I have always been afraid of rooting because I figured that right out of the box I could have a brand new $650 brick on my hands.
What I do know is that I cannot continue with this dinasour that I have now! It is way past it's prime days.
I really would like to switch over to something like T-mobile but even here in Northern VA - their coverage lacks in too many areas that I travel to.

mhughes1966 said:
Phazmos,
Thanks for the reply but I am probably still a little confused.
If I remember correctly when the Nexus 6 came out many did what you suggest - cut their sim to fit - but the phone didn't always register as an official verizon device. Unfortunately my company provides me with a 17% discount on my monthly bill but only if you can prove that your phone is officially on the network. Verizon actually calls me every year to reverify it.
I am not sure how Extended controls works on the 4.2.2 version Galaxy Nexus I have now but I am pretty sure that it turns on the wifi hotspot without Verizon knowing about it. If I go straight to the "portable wifi hotspot" part of my settings then it comes up with the same error as everyone else on Verizon without wifi hotspot enabled. But "this .99 app- Extended Controls - just turns it on ... on the sly.
If the new version of the 6P has that feature and I just turn it on then Verizon will charged me. - I am already going to have to eat the extra $20 per month.
I am planning on buying the phone through Google but I will have to talk to a couple of the main Verizon stores here to guarantee that they will turn on my new sim (I am scared of cutting my current sim- what if I **** it up then I have no phone not even the Nexus!)
I have heard of people convincing the store manager to activate their new micro sim in a store model and then put it in the phone.
I am so leary of spending $650 and then having them refuse to activate it correctly.
Also I have always been afraid of rooting because I figured that right out of the box I could have a brand new $650 brick on my hands.
What I do know is that I cannot continue with this dinasour that I have now! It is way past it's prime days.
I really would like to switch over to something like T-mobile but even here in Northern VA - their coverage lacks in too many areas that I travel to.
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Registering as official may be a problem - a problem with most any unlocked device. Carriers, vz in particular, can be real touchy about devices not supplied by them.
Oh, took a look at that app on play store - guess what - I also bought that app! Had to be like 3 or 4 years ago! Was surprised to see "purchased" when I found it. But, I didn't have to use it for hot spot, not after unlocking/rooting and loading custom roms.
I never used hot spot much, mostly when our network would go down - I'd for up the hot spot to get a few co-workers internet access till it came back up, and I'd just use native Android hot spot. That tells me you have the database thing going on. If I remember, that would send the native hot spot through a certain gateway (I think) and if you didn't have access, browsers would be redirected to the "sign up for hot spot" page from the carrier.
I also thought most carriers, vz included, didn't care about hot spot usage any more. There was a BIG stink about that a few years back - as in you're paying for data - how you use it is up to you, not the carrier. As I recall, there were a few law suites from users.
Anyway - since the new device isn't carrier supplied - or approved as they like to call it, you'll have other issues when going the new SIM/imei not in their database route.
A note on SIM trimming - it's super easy - and if you do screw it up - tell them you lost service and tried pooping the SIM out, then you dropped it and the dog ate it and get another! They want your $$$ - believe me - they'll give you another. I'd even "mention" to them you're gonna get this device - which works on any carrier, and mention att, tmobile and any other carrier - and you'd be more than happy going to a carrier that does support the device. Again, they want your $$$, they'll accommodate - and try to get ya to a new limited data plan - beware!
And a note on unlocking/rooting - real easy and real reliable on that device - same for any nexus device, especially if gotten from Google. The nexus line is actually for developing the os and apps. You could say it's made to load custom Android versions - when you want to test, you do it on a nexus.
PS - I resurrected my gnex a few months ago - loaded lollipop on it and gave it to my sister as her droid x2 finally died. It ran it pretty good for an old timer! Just like I run pretty good - for an old timer!
Good luck!

Wow you rooted your old Galaxy Nexus and got Lollipop running? Interesting.
Maybe after I get the newer phone I will experiment on the old nexus. The screen actually still looks pretty good. it is just the way it operates on the older software that makes me want to throw it in the Potomac.

mhughes1966 said:
Wow you rooted your old Galaxy Nexus and got Lollipop running? Interesting.
Maybe after I get the newer phone I will experiment on the old nexus. The screen actually still looks pretty good. it is just the way it operates on the older software that makes me want to throw it in the Potomac.
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I did, actually unlocked/rooted a week after I got it. As soon as some development started happening, I started loading roms. Nexus devices get the most love from devs, there was a lollipop version available, so away we went. Once you're unlocked and rooted and have a custom recovery, loading roms is basically a matter of downloading it and installing it. Pretty painless.
Don't know if you've seen lollipop, but it finally made Android a beautiful looking os - Android lost the acne and grew up, so to speak. And since newer Android is made to work on many different devices with lots of different hardware, it's made to run on minimal, or marginal, hardware. The gnex certainly fits into the minimal hardware category now days.
I forgot to mention yesterday, there is another thread here - what to expect from Verizon - I think it is, where questions like this are being actively discussed.
You may get more info there - you're not the only 1 wondering about Verizon. Googling - 6p on Verizon - also gets an article or 2 on the subject. That's where I got some of my info (I've been in technology close to 20 years now, so I'm the go to tech guy for a lot of people, including more than a few Verizon users).
And always remember, there's a work around for everything, ya just gotta find it!
Oh, surprised to hear the screen was still good. The gnex had a horrible screen. Amoled displays have come a looooong way since the gnex. Mine w had a horrid blue cast to it, especially when turned down, and was starting to burn in. Never noticed the blue till I got my next phone, the nexus 5. On that the whites were actually white - I almost fell over - it was that much of a difference!

To prepare for new 6P and nano sim you can buy a Sadapter Sim to Nano Sim adapter. Buy this quality brand only.
Visit a Verizon company store mention you'll be getting a new phone, one with nano sim like iphone or moto-x, and would they activate a new nano sim for you so you are prepared to plug and play when you get new phone. In meantime insert nano sim and adapter into your Gnex. For above you might get better cooperation going to Bestbuy vs Verizon.
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For activating Hotspot while bypassing Verizon check, it is to be determined if any current apps like Foxfi will work. You will probably need to do the build prop edit for "tether provisioning" mentioned elsewhere. You can prep for this also by downloading tools (adb & fastboot) and Drivers to your PC.
There are some Guides on XDA to walk you through steps to get to and through the "tether provisioning" bit.

Thought I might add a little to the conversation based on my experiences... I recently updated from my Nexus 5 (which I loved) to the Nexus 5x. on my unrooted Nexus 5 Wifi worked wonderfully with ATT as my carrier. On my updated Nexus 5x I can turn on the Wifi hotspot and bluetooth network sharing - HOWEVER it is buggy and the throughput is not good. A few of the bugs are I cannot turn on the wifi hotspot via the quick tile, only from the settings menu, the first time I select the hotspot a toast message pops up stating it is checking with carrier then flashes off and I have to turn it on again at which point it does come on. I actually get better speed from the Bluetooth network sharing...
so from what I have read the Nexus 6p is the same in this area as the Nexus 5x so you may want to look at getting a Nexus 5 which would be a great update from your phone and can run Android Marshmallow - I am strongly considering going back...

I have a nexus 6p, and cannot use my hotspot (I'm on an AT&T based MVNO). The phone will say "please contact AT&T to enable hotspot". There are workarounds (at least as of android 6.0.1) for non-rooted phones, such as ejecting the sim card, reinserting it, and quickly activating hotspot before the phone has a chance to provision (confirmed working if your timing is right), but this gets annoying really fast. There is no other way to override this check at this time on the stock ROM, which is really disappointing. I don't know if other MVNOs will be the same, but I'm really disappointed Google chose to take this path

I wanted to keep it...

Once I got the phone setup and on the Sprint network I tried a test SMS to someone. They replied and the message came in. Then it repeated itself over and over indefinitely. I had someone else send me a SMS message but that message never came through. I received the last message that was sent once again.
Countless hours on the phone with Sprint escalated through tech support. Took it back to the store. They tried to "flash" it but could not. Swapped out for another Essential Ph-1 and it did the same thing.
I told them to keep it. It has caused enough stress in my life for years at this point.

Curious, there have been a few random issues (not just on Sprint) that have turned out to be APN related. Do you know if they checked the APN settings and verified they were correct for their network? I changed a couple settings on TMobile to match what their recommendation is on their website and I know a couple AT&T people have had to change a thing or two as well.

ack154 said:
Curious, there have been a few random issues (not just on Sprint) that have turned out to be APN related. Do you know if they checked the APN settings and verified they were correct for their network? I changed a couple settings on TMobile to match what their recommendation is on their website and I know a couple AT&T people have had to change a thing or two as well.
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To be honest I do not know if they checked that and I did not know to check it.

So you only had the phone for a few hours? Your call but I think you may have jumped the gun.

spotmark said:
So you only had the phone for a few hours? Your call but I think you may have jumped the gun.
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I did not know what else to do. Guess I should have asked you guys first.

chasdw said:
I did not know what else to do. Guess I should have asked you guys first.
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No use crying over spilled milk. Enjoy whatever you went with.

This is entirely speculation, but it could be on either Sprint's side or the Messenger app itself. What you describe mirrors my experience with my unlocked Galaxy S8 and using the Messenger app. I switched that line over to the Essential phone it started working fine with text messages. If you try again in the future, try disabling the advanced SMS features (called RDS I think?).

CollinFX45 said:
This is entirely speculation, but it could be on either Sprint's side or the Messenger app itself. What you describe mirrors my experience with my unlocked Galaxy S8 and using the Messenger app. I switched that line over to the Essential phone it started working fine with text messages. If you try again in the future, try disabling the advanced SMS features (called RDS I think?).
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Thank you, appreciate the advice.

I work for sprint and this is an uncommon issue that has plagued the network for years. If your phone is not rooted, a simple profile update can fix this. One common issue we have seen with the essential phones bought through sprint is it not activating fully the first time. After the phone says it's activated still go through the settings, tap about, tap "OMADM updates" and click profile update. It was reprovision the phone correctly and reboot again. Sometimes it gets stuck on the last step. As long as the reception goes blank and then comes back with a LTE logo then you are done and can reboot the phone.
I know you already went with another phone but you could just as easily have the same issues on another phone. This comment is more for those who are looking for answers to your issue.

hellot1M said:
I work for sprint and this is an uncommon issue that has plagued the network for years. If your phone is not rooted, a simple profile update can fix this. One common issue we have seen with the essential phones bought through sprint is it not activating fully the first time. After the phone says it's activated still go through the settings, tap about, tap "OMADM updates" and click profile update. It was reprovision the phone correctly and reboot again. Sometimes it gets stuck on the last step. As long as the reception goes blank and then comes back with a LTE logo then you are done and can reboot the phone.
I know you already went with another phone but you could just as easily have the same issues on another phone. This comment is more for those who are looking for answers to your issue.
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Very much appreciate the reply. I have not gone with a different phone because I am not really interested in any others at this time.
I did try what you suggested on both of the essential phones. It did not work on either.
I will probably go back by the Sprint store tomorrow to see if they figured anything out.
I cannot be without a phone and I do not currently have time to troubleshoot one that is not working.
I will keep chugging along with my old phone for the time being.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

To be clear, Sprint Technical Support is so close to useless you might as well ask your dog how to fix your phone. You'd get the same quality of information and save yourself some time to boot. This is not necessarily Sprint's fault. It's very likely that Essential isn't giving them enough information. For example, I was trying to get files transfered from my PC to my Essential Phone earlier today. All I got was an big empty nothing telling me "This Folder is Empty." Figured it was something very simple but I couldn't figure out what. Sprint's second level support told me to call HP (computer OEM). Came onto this forum and somebody mentioned "just change the setting in notifications from charging to file transfer." Yep! It really was that easy! And Sprint should have easy fixes like that extremely well documented.
It makes me more that a little nervous to realize that Sprint is completely clueless about this phone and that Essential is next to impossible to get in touch with. Makes me wish I could have held out for the other Sprint exclusive coming soon: The LG V30+. Same 128GB internal, better screen, waterproof certification, drop proof certification, OLED screen instead of the PH-1's disappointing LCD panel, bigger screen, has an SD card slot, better camera, and above all else, well supported. Unfortunately, my old phone was broken and I needed to replace it immediately and as cheaply as possible. $15 per month made the PH-1 the best option available for me. Even the LG G6 with it's inferior specs, processor, etc. would have cost me more -- $20 per month.
We'll see how I'm feeling about my PH-1 in a week. Right now there's a lot of good and a lot of bad, so it's hard to say. At least by shear dumb luck I got the PH-1 at a budget phone price.

I had the same issue and took it to a Sprint store today. After a lot of trial and error, turning off Google voice did the trick for me. Even though they already switched me to a new phone.

I wanted to keep it but Pixel 2 coming out in October and camera subpar.
Sent from my Pixel XL using XDA-Developers Legacy app

I am on sprint and I have had zero issues, in fact I have a better signal with this phone because it utilizes the LTE + network. This is very interesting to me.