Database Users

Flew to the Middle East, forgot to ask AT&T for the code to use local SIM card.

How do I go about getting my phone to use local SIM cards?

I use gsmliberty if in a hurry, if not, well.... lol I got my last unlock code for 2.95$ from Ebay, but it took couple of days. There's plenty of websites and Ebay Sellers offering unlock services. Some are better than others and there's a huge range of prices. There's a thread discussing the merits of different ones on almost every Android related forum. Google is your friend.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

txtsd said:
How do I go about getting my phone to use local SIM cards?
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Go to the att website and talk to support. They will ask for account info then give you the sim unlock for free. You will need your imei # too
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium

Thanks guys, ended up using unlockthatphone.com since I'm on a family plan and the owner of the account wasn't available.

Mini sim card to micro sim card help? *T-Mobile

OK so I have a quick question. Right now I own an HTC amaze which uses a mini sim card. Since my Nexus 4 is coming today I'll need to get a micro sim card. Do I just go to my local T-Mobile and get one? Do they charge? Also do I have to have the device with me? Or can I just go in without my nexus 4 and get the micro sim card?
Thanks.
Sent from my Amaze 4G using xda app-developers app

Most of the time the t-mobile store gives it to you for free but i have had 1 time when he charged me 20 dollars for mini sim. But most of the time they give you thier nano sim and micro sim for free. You could save yourself some time and cut the sim card yourself...

ross1998 said:
Most of the time the t-mobile store gives it to you for free but i have had 1 time when he charged me 20 dollars for mini sim. But most of the time they give you thier nano sim and micro sim for free. You could save yourself some time and cut the sim card yourself...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK sounds good, but do you know if I have to have the phone with me?
Also I was definitely thinking about cutting it but I don't know if I trust myself. You have any tips or tricks for me to cut it myself?
Sent from my Amaze 4G using xda app-developers app

Skilzdatkilz21 said:
OK sounds good, but do you know if I have to have the phone with me?
Also I was definitely thinking about cutting it but I don't know if I trust myself. You have any tips or tricks for me to cut it myself?
Sent from my Amaze 4G using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to take your phone with you. And i've cut my sim card from mini to micro and from micro to nano, and there isn't anything special to do. All i do is say if I was to cut mini to micro i wold get a micro sim from someone else to barrow then align the simcards and cut(there are many tutrials online). I always align the bottom right corners.
Also it is worth cutting your sim card because even if you mess up you gain epierence plus you can get a free one at your local t-mobile shop.

Skilzdatkilz21 said:
Also I was definitely thinking about cutting it but I don't know if I trust myself. You have any tips or tricks for me to cut it myself?
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Click to collapse
Best tip: good strong pair of scissors. Because you will be cutting plastic, not flimsy paper.
I made a paper template using the micro-SIM of a friend. Positioned it right and then it was just cutting along the lines.

Skilzdatkilz21 said:
OK so I have a quick question. Right now I own an HTC amaze which uses a mini sim card. Since my Nexus 4 is coming today I'll need to get a micro sim card. Do I just go to my local T-Mobile and get one? Do they charge? Also do I have to have the device with me? Or can I just go in without my nexus 4 and get the micro sim card?
Thanks.
Sent from my Amaze 4G using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like the other member said, go to a tmo store. Call them up to see how much they would charge. I got mine from tmobile.com for $0.99USD PLUS TAX, but took 4bus days (Free shipping) to get to me. Overnight is $11.99 additional
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Micro-SIM-Card-Activation-Kit

stejoo said:
Best tip: good strong pair of scissors. Because you will be cutting plastic, not flimsy paper.
I made a paper template using the micro-SIM of a friend. Positioned it right and then it was just cutting along the lines.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Paper templates are good but not as accurate as real sims.

Skilzdatkilz21 said:
OK sounds good, but do you know if I have to have the phone with me?
Also I was definitely thinking about cutting it but I don't know if I trust myself. You have any tips or tricks for me to cut it myself?
Sent from my Amaze 4G using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, you don't need either phone. You can activate a new SIMM card over the web:
http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-4677
I would bring the Nexus 4 and let them active the SIMM. They (official T-Mobile store) hit me for $30 cash for the Micro SIMM, but if I had known the price first, I would have called called 611 first to arrange for store pickup with a price quote from them. The Suggested Retail Price is only $9.99. http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phones/prepaid-sim-cards

So, for a Nexus 4 16gb, the one needed is the MICRO SIM?

[email protected] said:
So, for a Nexus 4 16gb, the one needed is the MICRO SIM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes

attn tmobile customer-need to add a line and don't posess a sim card?
need to add a line to your account for zero $$$ but do not have an unactivated micro-sim card? Here's 12 step program followed by one who did it:
Setting is the mall hallway, tmobile kiosk after finding out that the tmobile store charges either $10 or $20 depending on the customer's story for adding a line and getting a new sim card. Customer knows that for 12 years tmobile gives sim cards away to customers and is unwilling to go along with paying for something that is given away free.
1. walk up to the tmobile kiosk, ask for a sim card, say you hate the tmobile store, and by now, believe it.
2. when kioskers say they ran out of sim cards, remind them you hate the store and ask for one of those cool shirts they wear at the kiosk.
3. magically, they have a sim card for you, and they try to start activating it.
4. Stop them from activating it. That is for later.
5. recieve the sim card and walk away to your car and start a call to tmobile.
6. tell the sales dept at 611 you have a sim card and need to add a line.
7. follow the instructions given you by the tmobile sales department at 611.
8. Once activation for that sim is complete, and the call is about to end, say that your new phone only accepts the smaller sim card.
9. They will say just take the phone and the just activated sim card into the tmobile store, that they will use a die-cutter to size it for you for free.
10. take it to the store inside the mall.
11. explain to tmobile teenager that you have a new line, that the sim card in your hand is activated on it and you need it sized for your new phone.
12. The tmobile teenager takes the card, puts it in the cutter, cuts it and also installs it into your new phone.

Is a sim card tied specifically with the phone it comes with?

Say you have two new sprint phones, one white, one black, both s4s. The black one, the card was missing. The white one, the card is there. Could the card from the white one have been put in the black one, activated and on the network, and it work? Is the sim only able to work with the phone it came with, even though you have two of the same model? I asked someone at a sprint store if they charge for a replacement sim and they said no but they don't have any for this phone. They said I'd have to go somewhere else. Too many conflicting stories.

You can use the sim if it is activated yes. I know online when I transferred phones it gave me the option to use the sim I had or the one that came with the new phone.

Yes you can. It costs $50 to replace the sim card..
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

I tried using a sim grin a kyocera torque and salesperson helping me, which was in there phone with sprint, trying to get the phone activated, said the sim wasn't compatible. Yes the torque was a lte phone.

daniel4653 said:
Yes you can. It costs $50 to replace the sim card..
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
The thing that makes me so mad about that "option" is it's probably 99.9% profit for sprint for the cost of the card. I would refuse to pay for a card if the phone I bought and wanted didn't come with one new out of the box.

oscarthegrouch said:
The thing that makes me so mad about that "option" is it's probably 99.9% profit for sprint for the cost of the card. I would refuse to pay for a card if the phone I bought and wanted didn't come with one new out of the box.
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My corp location does not charge for sim cards... Where was this information obtained?
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app

00mred00 said:
My corp location does not charge for sim cards... Where was this information obtained?
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Sprint international rep posted it here.

I only asked one corporate store, but I've been reading that some say they charge from 30-50 for them.

oscarthegrouch said:
I only asked one corporate store, but I've been reading that some say they charge from 30-50 for them.
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Click to collapse
I would give some push back on that...sim cards ring at $0 at pos....curious if they are also selling batteries thinking they are padding their acc sales.
Regardless...I will research it
I will also add that I see a number of situations where the sim IS tied to a phone and a number of them where it is tied to the account. For the most part the sim stays with the account UNLESS the new phone has a sim.
Confusing I know. I think Sprint is still trying to figure out the right way to handle the sim/esn set up.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app

Yeah, it's not like swapping Sims on gsm.
A big problem is the answer you get differs with who you ask. Sounds like training employees isn't universal with some things. One store can say no and not help with a problem. Go to another store, you might be able to get your situation taken care of.

oscarthegrouch said:
Yeah, it's not like swapping Sims on gsm.
A big problem is the answer you get differs with who you ask. Sounds like training employees isn't universal with some things. One store can say no and not help with a problem. Go to another store, you might be able to get your situation taken care of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is more of an individual work ethic issue...
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00mred00 said:
It is more of an individual work ethic issue...
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
That's a shame!

[Q] Am I missing something? Why buy Nexus 4 from anywhere other than Google?

Nexus 4 16GB is about $250 from Google Play. Everywhere else without a contract it is more than $300? Am I missing something? Does the one bought from Google Play work at all the major carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and the small places like MetroPCS, etc?)

The price drop is recent and T-Mobile at least was trying to gain capital by over pricing the phone. The Play Store version is the exact same as the T-Mobile minus some coding that makes it be seen as a T-Mobile device. It is already unlocked. The one I have was bought from a guy that got it from a store. It works with any SIM I put in. By yours from the Play Store, don't get ripped off!

jjchdc said:
The price drop is recent and T-Mobile at least was trying to gain capital by over pricing the phone. The Play Store version is the exact same as the T-Mobile minus some coding that makes it be seen as a T-Mobile device. It is already unlocked. The one I have was bought from a guy that got it from a store. It works with any SIM I put in. By yours from the Play Store, don't get ripped off!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is zero difference between the T-Mobile Nexus 4 and Play Store Nexus 4. The software and hardware is exactly the same.

Yup just got one from the Google website Cut down the SIM card, put it in and everything work.
Tmobile still want about $435 fire one.
☞Sent from here☜

Also until the price drop it wasn't that much more. $350 vs $428. That's a $78 difference. Or $3.25 a month to make 24 monthly payments on it instead of buying it out right.
Go to any rent to own store and you're paying almost 2x retail.
Now at $250 you would be silly to buy it from T-Mobile. Expect a price change soon, especially when the N5 comes close to launch.
Sent from Custom AOSP + Apollyon

baseballfanz said:
Yup just got one from the Google website Cut down the SIM card, put it in and everything work.
Tmobile still want about $435 fire one.
☞Sent from here☜
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How exactly did you cut your sim, I tried it with an extra card and I ****** it up
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

A lot of people don't know about Google store
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Both versions are also sold out in Canada.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Why would you cut the sim card when the micro sim is free at tmobile...? Just stop by and pick up the new one, then activate it online.. That's what I did.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

wiswis said:
How exactly did you cut your sim, I tried it with an extra card and I ****** it up
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
I just download a template from the internet and cut with a scissor.
joroboyvn said:
Why would you cut the sim card when the micro sim is free at tmobile...? Just stop by and pick up the new one, then activate it online.. That's what I did.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
I know its free and I've gotten them before but I get home from work at 9 pm. The phone was for my daughter and she wanted /need it the next day. If I would have fubar the sim card during the process, would head to tmobile in the morning.
☞Sent from here☜

Thank you for all the replies. I'm going to get two of the Nexus 4 and the $30 pre-paid deal with T-Mobile. Some folks said they had trouble activating a Nexus 4 with that deal. Anyone had similar issues?

schwarznavy said:
Thank you for all the replies. I'm going to get two of the Nexus 4 and the $30 pre-paid deal with T-Mobile. Some folks said they had trouble activating a Nexus 4 with that deal. Anyone had similar issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone you are using doesn't matter. There were a large batch of sims a long time ago that had trouble activating with that plan online (and you are suppose to only be able to activate the plan online). But generally it is not an issue. Worst case is you have to spend time on the phone with T-Mobile CSR. Just make sure you get a SIM activation kit, not just a "SIM".

[Q][New Verizon Activation]

Has anyone activated the MXP as a new Verizon contract? I have read thorough the post and have seen mostly people that have already had Verizon contracts and just put that Sim in the MXP.
Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk

I'm wondering the same having only used GSM phones. So far I'm using my AT&T SIM but believe Verizon has better coverage in my area (western CT).
On their site I started here (scroll down) with the 'I'm not with Verizon' button, then chose 'I have my own device' on the popup and got to a page I can't directly link that asks for my device ID/IMEI, and then tells me "The phone associated with the Device ID you entered is not compatible with the Verizon Wireless network."
I would like the 3 GB $45/mo plan and am assuming that's with no contract and should be available for the Moto XPE, right? I can go to a store but I'd like to know the facts first to avoid getting derailed by unknowledgeable/uncooperative staff, though I'd prefer doing it online if I can get past the phone ID barrier. Maybe they'll update their approved phones soon but I'd like to shift over before the 20th when my current month ends with AT&T. Should I try calling them and has anyone done that successfully?

Dahenjo1 said:
I'm wondering the same having only used GSM phones. So far I'm using my AT&T SIM but believe Verizon has better coverage in my area (western CT).
On their site I started here (scroll down) with the 'I'm not with Verizon' button, then chose 'I have my own device' on the popup and got to a page I can't directly link that asks for my device ID/IMEI, and then tells me "The phone associated with the Device ID you entered is not compatible with the Verizon Wireless network."
I would like the 3 GB $45/mo plan and am assuming that's with no contract and should be available for the Moto XPE, right? I can go to a store but I'd like to know the facts first to avoid getting derailed by unknowledgeable/uncooperative staff, though I'd prefer doing it online if I can get past the phone ID barrier. Maybe they'll update their approved phones soon but I'd like to shift over before the 20th when my current month ends with AT&T. Should I try calling them and has anyone done that successfully?
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Click to collapse
Yeah. I am thinking we have to take it to the store and have it activated. Tell me how it goes and what you decide.
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

I called the number on the website and got a sales associate who also took my IMEI and said it's not currently 'registered' (the word he used) on Verizon, so I can't get a new account using it. He couldn't/wouldn't give any clear idea on if/when it will be but did say the new plans are no-contract now. My guess is a store will tell us the same thing, so won't bother unless we hear of success stories from others and how they did it.

Dahenjo1 said:
I called the number on the website and got a sales associate who also took my IMEI and said it's not currently 'registered' (the word he used) on Verizon, so I can't get a new account using it. He couldn't/wouldn't give any clear idea on if/when it will be but did say the new plans are no-contract now. My guess is a store will tell us the same thing, so won't bother unless we hear of success stories from others and how they did it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone on motorola forums wrote to activate without entering any IMEI number,because system will show that IMEI is not in their system.

I wonder if buying a prepaid Verizon Sim then using that to open a normal Verizon.
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Orion116 said:
I wonder if buying a prepaid Verizon Sim then using that to open a normal Verizon.
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Click to collapse
Or simply buy a regular sim card for htc m9 on ebay or wherever and then chat with them or call and ask them to activate without device,tell them you are using non-vzw device which works just fine on Verizon,or some people had success at corporate stores with managers activating,or if you have a good premium retailer try that as well.

Need an imei of a device that takes a nano sim that is allowed on VZW network. I wasn't making a new account but I needed the nano sim. Wife's device (galaxy s6)is on the account and had the VZW rep use her device imei to issue me a simcard. Works perfect.

patt2k said:
Or simply buy a regular sim card for htc m9 on ebay or wherever and then chat with them or call and ask them to activate without device,tell them you are using non-vzw device which works just fine on Verizon,or some people had success at corporate stores with managers activating,or if you have a good premium retailer try that as well.
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Click to collapse
Yeah it all depends on the tech I think. I have heard of all kinds of stories about the "techs", lol
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NoFear1183 said:
Need an imei of a device that takes a nano sim that is allowed on VZW network. I wasn't making a new account but I needed the nano sim. Wife's device (galaxy s6)is on the account and had the VZW rep use her device imei to issue me a simcard. Works perfect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is why I think using a prepaid Sim might work, because since is under Verizon's BYOD, Bring Your Own Device, that they will allow it to be activated. I am then wondering if I then ask for a normal contract if it would be simpler.
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What a pain in the @$$ all this seems... If Verizon isn't doing contracts what do they care? We are still paying for there service... I don't get how what phone you will use on it matters? I am planning to go back to Verizon but I don't want to deal with this when I do. Grr
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

Tfast500 said:
What a pain in the @$$ all this seems... If Verizon isn't doing contracts what do they care? We are still paying for there service... I don't get how what phone you will use on it matters? I am planning to go back to Verizon but I don't want to deal with this when I do. Grr
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I am now thinking if the device is purchased directly for Motorola then it will active on Verizon but if it is bought else where then it is an issue.
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Bump
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Orion116 said:
I am now thinking if the device is purchased directly for Motorola then it will active on Verizon but if it is bought else where then it is an issue.
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Click to collapse
There's only 3 places to buy from: Motorola, Amazon and Best Buy. If you're buying from Best Buy, they can activate it for you. I believe with Amazon, you would have to go to your carrier just like if you bought from Motorola.

Pretty irritating
I bought the prepaid sim pack yesterday & spent an hour and a half on the phone with them and can't get it activated. Does anyone know what to do? Apparently the device isn't in the system according to the techs I spoke with even though you can enter it in the device compatibility and it says it is