What exactly is the purpose of the Sprint sim card? I went to Russia and got the phone unlocked by Sprint, put in a Megafon gsm sim when I got there and accidentally allowed my Sprint sim to get destroyed in the washing machine. So when I got home I expected my phone to not work, but I figured I would switch it over to CDMA just to see what would happen and it works perfect! So I am confused as to why the Sprint sim is even there, is it just a dummy card with no real purpose?
The SIM is for LTE service. CDMA will work without it.
jmana said:
What exactly is the purpose of the Sprint sim card? I went to Russia and got the phone unlocked by Sprint, put in a Megafon gsm sim when I got there and accidentally allowed my Sprint sim to get destroyed in the washing machine. So when I got home I expected my phone to not work, but I figured I would switch it over to CDMA just to see what would happen and it works perfect! So I am confused as to why the Sprint sim is even there, is it just a dummy card with no real purpose?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
nivron said:
The SIM is for LTE service. CDMA will work without it.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That cant be true. I had a galaxy nexus on sprint and the sprint variant had no sim slot and connected to 4g lte when I was in the area.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Back then, the sim was "integrated" into the phone.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
robogoflow said:
That cant be true. I had a galaxy nexus on sprint and the sprint variant had no sim slot and connected to 4g lte when I was in the area.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Different phone different configuration.
Both the gnex and evo 4g lte had embedded sim cards.
robogoflow said:
That cant be true. I had a galaxy nexus on sprint and the sprint variant had no sim slot and connected to 4g lte when I was in the area.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
nivron said:
Both the gnex and evo 4g lte had embedded sim cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, the SIM card in SG4 is for LTE.
new sim is $50 so you might be more careful next time
Edited
Sent from my SGS4. Go Blue!! Buck the Fuc keyes!!
Please read forum rules before posting
Questions and Help issues go in Q&A and Help section
Thread moved
Thank you for your cooperation
Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
lafester said:
new sim is $50 so you might be more careful next time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dang! Is it really that much? Not only is $50 many, many times what it costs Sprint to procure the SIM card (which I would guesstimate at less than 50 cents a piece), it is also a lot more than what the other US carriers charge for a SIM.
obender said:
Yep, the SIM card in SG4 is for LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought the purpose of the Sprint SIM card was to enable Sprint's Worldwide services. Where does it show you need a sim for LTE?
Sent from my icrap 2 using Tapatalk HD
cruise350 said:
I thought the purpose of the Sprint SIM card was to enable Sprint's Worldwide services. Where does it show you need a sim for LTE?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can ask Sprint (I wouldn't count on the clear answer though) or just get to the LTE coverage area, Sprint stores have LTE 4G and pull the SIM out to verify that you cannot get 4G without it.
cruise350 said:
I thought the purpose of the Sprint SIM card was to enable Sprint's Worldwide services. Where does it show you need a sim for LTE?
Sent from my icrap 2 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The primary purpose of the SIM card in recent Sprint phones is to provision LTE. While previous Sprint LTE Android handsets did not have a SIM slot, they still had a SIM, it's just that it was an embedded/soldered/non-removable type of SIM card.
If you take the SIM out you will not be able to register on Sprint's LTE network.
dont need sim
myphone12345 said:
The primary purpose of the SIM card in recent Sprint phones is to provision LTE. While previous Sprint LTE Android handsets did not have a SIM slot, they still had a SIM, it's just that it was an embedded/soldered/non-removable type of SIM card.
If you take the SIM out you will not be able to register on Sprint's LTE network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you do not need a sim card fir lte. You do not need the sim at all while in USA. It will connect to the lte network without it.
rtresh said:
you do not need a sim card fir lte. You do not need the sim at all while in USA. It will connect to the lte network without it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure about this? When running a Verizon ROM on sprint without the proper tweaks, you will get am error about LTE not being able yo connect because it doesn't detect a Verizon sim card. 3G works though.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
rtresh said:
you do not need a sim card fir lte. You do not need the sim at all while in USA. It will connect to the lte network without it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are completely wrong. The phone will definitely not connect to Sprint's LTE network if you take the Sprint SIM out. You will only get CDMA service.
you are wrong
myphone12345 said:
You are completely wrong. The phone will definitely not connect to Sprint's LTE network if you take the Sprint SIM out. You will only get CDMA service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using the phone and do not have a sim card. so please tell me how i am wrong? I am on sprint and use lte in any are that has it as Michigan is limited at this time. The phone will auto connect to the 4g service
rtresh said:
I am using the phone and do not have a sim card. so please tell me how i am wrong? I am on sprint and use lte in any are that has it as Michigan is limited at this time. The phone will auto connect to the 4g service
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you provide a screen capture showing the notification bar with the "no SIM" and 4G indicators both on at the same time?
no sim
myphone12345 said:
Can you provide a screen capture showing the notification bar with the "no SIM" and 4G indicators both on at the same time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i will when in a 4g area. i am not sure how to show the sim status at the same time as it is not displayed. Since you dont believe, you can contact radio shack in the twelve oaks mall in novi Michigan. They do not have sprint sims and I was in shock when they actually activated the phone because I was thinking I would need to go get a sim card, but it is not needed.
Related
Hi, tomorrow I will be in NY for a couple of days and I want to buy a Motorola Xoom, is possible to use it outside of the Us? And if it's possible could I use my sim for the 3g connection?
Thanks you in advance for your kind reply
If you buy it here, you will only be able to use it with WiFi. It doesn't support 3G sim cards.
Sorry for the dumb question, it's a wifi only model the one sold in Usa?
mcreego said:
Sorry for the dumb question, it's a wifi only model the one sold in Usa?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, its Wi-Fi and 3G, but it is Verizon only which has the Verizon 3G "Sim Card" built in.
StuMcBill said:
No, its Wi-Fi and 3G, but it is Verizon only which has the Verizon 3G "Sim Card" built in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no theres no Verizon sim card in it. There is a placeholder for where the LTE sim card will go once the upgrade happens, however at the moment its just an embedded CDMA radio
chaoscentral said:
no theres no Verizon sim card in it. There is a placeholder for where the LTE sim card will go once the upgrade happens, however at the moment its just an embedded CDMA radio
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah sorry, we don't have CDMA in the UK, so I wasn't 100% sure about it!
Stew
I don't understand very well...It has a slot for SIM but only for Verizon's SIMs...?
No. It uses CDMA. No SIM card. CDMA is different from GSM and it doesn't exist in Europe.
Basically you can use it in Italy over wifi as your data connection.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
gimj01 said:
I don't understand very well...it has a slot for SIM but only for Verizon's SIMs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the US there are basically 2 systems:
1- CDMA which is used by Verizon (xoom). There is not chip to be attached by the user. However the Xoom has an slot for the upgrade to 4g and that is the slot that you see in the tablet.
2- GMS used by other carriers and the standard in the EU.
You can use the xoom in Italy as a wifi only.
i want to change the system software in Italian of my xoom buyed in US on amazon...how can do it ?
Were the heck did this thread come from?? XDA members have people so afraid to start new threads this guy piggybacked this one.
I'm new to at&t and even though I'm about a half mile from a tower both
Of my s3, s are using edge.
Don't lte SIM cards say 4g on them ?
Thank
Edit . When I web search the sku 72290
It tells me iPhone 4/4s micro SIM
i think you have to have the correct sim card and they also have to provision your card on the network correctly for it to work right....you should call ATT if your's isn't working right
Tough to say, I'd take it to the store I, work for att. Have them cover all the bases. Get a new sim to be sure its not faulty and have them check the imei for your phone on their end. If that doesn't fix it call customer care and request they re-register your phone. Once that is done if your having the problem still and others with att are getting good coverage its most likely your phone.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using xda premium
I think it's something to do with the porting.
Its now flashing hspa + 4g.
I know when I received my phone att had included a non lte sim I had to have it changed out at the att store.
Your SIM is probably OK but your account needs to be provisioned for lte.
Just to be sure you have the att model SGS III?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA
I get my wife a used S4 today that was previously on the Sprint network. We are on ATT and i planned on rooting the phone any ways. What all do i need to change to get rid of the sprint phone number that is on the phone, and what do i need to flash to make it work with the att network?
Don't believe it's possible. ..Sprint is CDMA and dont use SIM cards ATT uses GSM and SIM cards
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 09:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 PM ----------
Only other carrier that uses CDMA is VZW
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium
it has a sim card slot on the phone. They said it was unlocked and would work with all carriers. When i put the sim card in, it says Invalid SIM card
Twiztidunreal said:
it has a sim card slot on the phone. They said it was unlocked and would work with all carriers. When i put the sim card in, it says Invalid SIM card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because its for international SIM cards. Your Sprint S4 WILL NOT WORK on any US carrier other than Sprint.
MattMJB0188 said:
Because its for international SIM cards. Your Sprint S4 WILL NOT WORK on any US carrier other than Sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm this. I work as a Sprint wireless consultant. A sim unlocked phone from Sprint is not compatible with any domestic carriers.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
Its true.. Sprint is the only greedy company that goes out of their way to block gsm domestically within the USA.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
Please read forum rules before posting
Questions and Help issues go in Q&A and Help section
Thread moved
Thank you for your cooperation
Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
worthless sprint is sprint and sprint only...sorry, no ATT for you.
Febby said:
Its true.. Sprint is the only greedy company that goes out of their way to block gsm domestically within the USA.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry to have to disagree with this but I own a blackberry 9630 world phone from sprint and the sim slot works both with at&t as well as tmo. I understand ad long as contract is fulfilled and any etf's are paid Sprint will unlock sim slot and it will work with any carrier, gsm and CDMA alike. Check Sprint forums and speak with cs agents... :good:
onebenadams said:
I'm sorry to have to disagree with this but I own a blackberry 9630 world phone from sprint and the sim slot works both with at&t as well as tmo. I understand ad long as contract is fulfilled and any etf's are paid Sprint will unlock sim slot and it will work with any carrier, gsm and CDMA alike. Check Sprint forums and speak with cs agents... :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try using an Att/T-Mobile sim on an s4. It will be blocked even if the phone has been unlocked. Previous phones from sprint did not block USA native gsm but as of lately they do.
My good ol htc touch pro was a lucky one to work on USA gsm as of course your old black Berry.
You get it now? Its an accepted fact sprint has been going out of their way to block USA native gsm access on their latest phones. Perhaps some new ones aren't but the s4 is unless a work around is done but it doesn't work for everyone.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
HTC One
This isn't entirely true. I unlocked my Sprint HTC One to run on aio wireless which is on the ATT network. I haven't unlocked my Galaxy S4 but I intend on giving it a shot.
Call sprint and ask for a subsidy unlock code.
You'll need to provide the IMEI
*#06# on the keypad. After they give you the code, try a gsm sim. Hope this helps.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Or buy an unlock code from Amazon or ebay if they wont give it to you ofcourse
CuhThooLoo said:
This isn't entirely true. I unlocked my Sprint HTC One to run on aio wireless which is on the ATT network. I haven't unlocked my Galaxy S4 but I intend on giving it a shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thinking of doing the same with my s4 on sprint and going to aio. Been with sprint over a decade and finally over it. In houston and lte sucks.
wow that sucks, because even Verizon who is the greediest of them all will let you use their phone on both AT&T and T-Mobile. I have the AT&T Galaxy S4 and I can use my phone on T Mobile as well.
sleekgreek said:
thinking of doing the same with my s4 on sprint and going to aio. Been with sprint over a decade and finally over it. In houston and lte sucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried and tried to unlock my Sprint S4 for domestic SIM but I have failed time and time again. I got it unlocked for International but Sprint has somehow managed to block the S4 from working on a Domestic carrier. I'll let you know if I have any luck.
CuhThooLoo said:
I tried and tried to unlock my Sprint S4 for domestic SIM but I have failed time and time again. I got it unlocked for International but Sprint has somehow managed to block the S4 from working on a Domestic carrier. I'll let you know if I have any luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I've read about people unlocking for use on metro pcs which is tmobile. Thanks for heads up though, probably gonna have to buy one when I switch.
I unlocked a Sprint s4 and I am able to make calls with a AT&T micro sim in but cannot get data and texts working. I had to downgrade the baseband to get into hidden menu, but I stopped there. In the hidden menu you have to make some changes but I was scared that if I got it to work on at&t I wouldnt be able to get it back working on Sprint. Everyone does say that Sprint doesnt allow anyone to use other domestic carriers.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
sprint lost
cyrusalmighty said:
I unlocked a Sprint s4 and I am able to make calls with a AT&T micro sim in but cannot get data and texts working. I had to downgrade the baseband to get into hidden menu, but I stopped there. In the hidden menu you have to make some changes but I was scared that if I got it to work on at&t I wouldnt be able to get it back working on Sprint. Everyone does say that Sprint doesnt allow anyone to use other domestic carriers.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here is a video I made for on sprint 4g to att h+ back to sprint 4g with no problems no sound in the video tho and no need for root inless you want data then you need to edit apns no you should get on E or 3g maybe with this without apn.
tNoobYsYL8o <--- end of youtube link just made an acc so can't post the whole link
how you do it
eheilner said:
here is a video I made for on sprint 4g to att h+ back to sprint 4g with no problems no sound in the video tho and no need for root inless you want data then you need to edit apns no you should get on E or 3g maybe with this without apn.
tNoobYsYL8o <--- end of youtube link just made an acc so can't post the whole link
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you provide how you do it to unlock the s4 sprint use in att
thanks in advance
the title says it, i kind of want to do this, maybe not for that long, most likely it would be temporary.
jrpjordan24 said:
the title says it, i kind of want to do this, maybe not for that long, most likely it would be temporary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Google it and you will find that Verizon and tmobile networks are different. Verizon is CDMA and tmobile is GSM. Or something like that.
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app
Mr. bird said:
No. Google it and you will find that Verizon and tmobile networks are different. Verizon is CDMA and tmobile is GSM. Or something like that.
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Verizon phone on T-Mobile network. Verizon S5 has sim slot for sim cards. All Verizon 4LTE phones, GSM unlock.
B767 said:
I use Verizon phone on T-Mobile network. Verizon S5 has sim slot for sim cards. All Verizon 4LTE phones, GSM unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is true.
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
U can use it but lte will not work tmobile is not compatible with Verizon lte
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app
deron37129 said:
U can use it but lte will not work tmobile is not compatible with Verizon lte
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It not true. I confirm LTE works fine with out any problem.
If you are able to use other carrier phones and just pop a Sim card in and your good to go, then in the future can I buy a variant of the phone I want with an unlocked bootloader and be rooted with no issues?
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA-FORUM, powered by appyet.com
Odin80 said:
If you are able to use other carrier phones and just pop a Sim card in and your good to go, then in the future can I buy a variant of the phone I want with an unlocked bootloader and be rooted with no issues?
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA-FORUM, powered by appyet.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, i'm actually surprised that Verizon didn't lock the phone if what the above poster said is true. The bootloader isn't what you need unlocked to move from carrier to carrier. Phones with sim cards are generally GSM and phones without sim cards are generally CDMA. GSM phones are normally locked to the specific carrier that you bought it from. CDMA phones are not usually taken on any other networks unless you are moving to a network like cricket which takes what it can get
vinc3stylez said:
Nope, i'm actually surprised that Verizon didn't lock the phone if what the above poster said is true.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As he said, Verizon 4G phones are all sim unlocked. Phones like this and the Note 2, which I just came from, have the CDMA and GSM bands. It is just as simple as putting in the SIM, change the APN, and be working. That said, the Note 2 could not get a 4G GSM signal only HSPA+ because of the bands it supported. I haven't checked the S5 yet, but I do believe I have seen that it does support some of the 4G GSM bands.
You are right about the CDMA part which is why it wouldn't be wise to buy, say a Sprint S5, and then come to Verizon because it does not support any CDMA bands.
so you guys can confirm that it is sim unlocked?
They always are. All Verizon Wireless 4G phones are SIM unlocked.
jcollier said:
As he said, Verizon 4G phones are all sim unlocked. Phones like this and the Note 2, which I just came from, have the CDMA and GSM bands. It is just as simple as putting in the SIM, change the APN, and be working. That said, the Note 2 could not get a 4G GSM signal only HSPA+ because of the bands it supported. I haven't checked the S5 yet, but I do believe I have seen that it does support some of the 4G GSM bands.
You are right about the CDMA part which is why it wouldn't be wise to buy, say a Sprint S5, and then come to Verizon because it does not support any CDMA bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bare with me if this seems like an absolutely stupid question.
When I travel I have a GSM HTC One S that I pop in a pre-paid SIM to use (say, 3 in Ireland). I believe this was a T-Mobile phone previously that I carrier unlocked. If I have a Verizon CDMA S5, I could pop in the 3 SIM and be able to use it (maybe not 4G depending on the bands) provided I updated the APN information?
hEaTLoE said:
Bare with me if this seems like an absolutely stupid question.
When I travel I have a GSM HTC One S that I pop in a pre-paid SIM to use (say, 3 in Ireland). I believe this was a T-Mobile phone previously that I carrier unlocked. If I have a Verizon CDMA S5, I could pop in the 3 SIM and be able to use it (maybe not 4G depending on the bands) provided I updated the APN information?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. I used my Note 2 in multiple European countries, lastly in Rome where it was stolen. Take your Verizon sim out at the airport, put the new one in, change APN, and voila.
(carriers I have tested with - Orange, Vodafone(multiple places), 3, Rogers in Canada)
Your S5 on Verizon isn't solely CDMA. If you look up any website with the bands it supports, you will see the GSM bands.
jcollier said:
Correct. I used my Note 2 in multiple European countries, lastly in Rome where it was stolen. Take your Verizon sim out at the airport, put the new one in, change APN, and voila.
(carriers I have tested with - Orange, Vodafone(multiple places), 3, Rogers in Canada)
Your S5 on Verizon isn't solely CDMA. If you look up any website with the bands it supports, you will see the GSM bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's fantastic. Thank you!
hEaTLoE said:
That's fantastic. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More than welcome. And here is the link so you can check the bands when looking at foreign carriers.
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=4408
And even without 4G, it is still plenty fast enough to use the internet, google maps, and stream music.
What if you canceled your service and went to tmobile. Would it still work?
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
jcollier said:
More than welcome. And here is the link so you can check the bands when looking at foreign carriers.
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=4408
And even without 4G, it is still plenty fast enough to use the internet, google maps, and stream music.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like the One S and S5 share the same GSM bands... I'll definitely have to try it out. I know my 3 SIM works here in the US too on the phone. Thanks again, really helpful.
ironfisted said:
What if you canceled your service and went to tmobile. Would it still work?
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, or Straight Talk, or whomever.
jcollier said:
Yes, or Straight Talk, or whomever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But Straight Talk don't have LTE.
B767 said:
But Straight Talk don't have LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That wasn't the question. The question, as posed, was would it work? It absolutely will work with speeds up to HSPA+.
I have a unlocked s7 edge from t mobile. I wanted to use it on sprint. But to be honest I can seem to get it to register. Plus my micro sim needs to be cut to nano sim. If i cut my sim card will i be able to use sprint service?
Nope.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
optimummind said:
Nope.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Also wanted to know if I had a sprint phone with a nano sim slot and I cut my micro sim to fit, would it work? Or would I have to activate by calling sprint.
calicrook said:
Thanks. Also wanted to know if I had a sprint phone with a nano sim slot and I cut my micro sim to fit, would it work? Or would I have to activate by calling sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. You would need a new SIM card from Sprint.
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
Sprint links the SIM card to the IMEI of the phone. Unlike [unlocked] GSM phones, you can't just swap SIM cards and go. You would have to get Sprint to unlock the phone first, which they'll only do once you've paid it off.
meyerweb said:
Sprint links the SIM card to the IMEI of the phone. Unlike [unlocked] GSM phones, you can't just swap SIM cards and go. You would have to get Sprint to unlock the phone first, which they'll only do once you've paid it off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks
optimummind said:
No. You would need a new SIM card from Sprint.
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you
Sprint doesn't allow you to bring devices from other carriers. And the sim card is married to the meid of the phone which the tmobile version only has an imei .