Database Users

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.
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Click to collapse
+1, i had to do this as well

New sim worked for me aswell
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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)

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.
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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.
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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

Alltel to ATT Transition: Root and Flash before Line is Active?

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.

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

SGS4, rooted but cant unlock sim since contract end

I have had my SGS4 but used as stock as not felt the need to to root it, when my sim contract ended i cancelled it and have decided to sell the handset, i came here to unlock it as i have done with many other phones, i have tried both methods of sim unlock available but it would seem they have been patched by samsung, i next thought that rooting the device would get the phone unlocked somehow. Initially i thought there was something wrong with the phone as when i put in another sim it says that no sim card is inserted, the phone was originally on Tmobile UK and i upgraded to EE from phones4u..the SGS4 was not purchased from a Tmobile store and was bought online..i took it to shop today and they put in a active tmobile sim and it worked perfectly..so i guess that some sims are showing point blank as not inserted and some are requesting a sim unlock code (02 sim), how can i now go about unlocking this phone ?
Thanks.
EDIT:
Some extra info...further reading seems to suggest i need to downgrade the modem but i have read in a thread thats not possible now ?
MODEL: GT-I9505
ANDROID VERSION: 4.3
BASEBAND VERSION: I9505XXUEMK9
KERNEL VERSION: 3.4.0-2082040
BUILD NUMBER: JSS15JI9505XXUEMK9

I have no idea where you have bought the phone from, but for me - obviously from TMo as the phone is locked with them.
Again, I have no idea how it is with TMo, but O2 UK have the policy that after half term of contract, if you'll call them, they are providing you the sim unlock code for free (they done it for my HD2 and later for I9300). Most likely, you have to call the TMo customer support for that.

My wife paid them £20, had to wait 20 days, then found out they mucked up, and had to wait another 20 days.

I would prefer not to pay, i am pretty sure Tmobile are not going to unlock for free, i will try though.
I find it hard to believe there is not a hack of some sort now my phone is rooted, other than the code and system menu method (which is patched now) i cant find any solid guide
EDIT: Basically they want £20 to unlock, which i politley told them to poke up their bum

Im like that when I go to shell and fill up my X5.

theunderling said:
Im like that when I go to shell and fill up my X5.
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Click to collapse
Well at least let me help you out then, get some false plates made up and just fill up and drive off..its not worth their while trying to find you, you could also wear a disguise.

Any advice for Tesco, when I go to checkout and bird says"thats £150 please"?.

So..maybe this is unlocked...
Tried my daughters GIFF GAFF (o2) sim..WORKED
Mywifes Tmobile sim..............................WORKED
Bought a new Vodaphone sim.................WORKED
My working EE sim keeps showing as not inserted in the the S4..but works fine in my wifes NOTE 2...what gives ??

theunderling said:
Any advice for Tesco, when I go to checkout and bird says"thats £150 please"?.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
£150...Is that all. Anyway..not to say i dont like to help people, heres what to do, Buy some sausages,put them on the conveyor belt in such a way that they are pointing towards her as the travel down. Prior to doing this, on your way to check out, get a semi going, when you are almost hard nestle Mod Edit... Please mind your language in with the sausages, she wont be paying attention,you wont get any money off but youll get some gratification from it.
I have helped you out twice now..you have helped me zero..any chance ??

...
I don't understand why they just don't give users the option to flash to the stock vanilla android and allow them to install which Samsung tweaks they want and don't want to use.

You could try inserting something else into your phone.