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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.
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
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)?
Ok, I just baught the phone 2 days ago and I'm pretty much a newb when it comes to smartphones.. That being said I rooted my phone this morning and wanting to play around with things tried out the sprint hotspot. The hotspot worked flawlessyly and I can easily find and connect to it via laptop, but my question is this. Did this actually open up from me rooting my phone or was it already open for my access? I don't want to get my sprint bill and see this 30 buck charge for the hotspot tagged on.
Anyways just looking for a little info about the hotspot and root. Thanks again for any replies.
Dont use sprint hotspot! U will be charged! U have to download wireless tether, u can find the link if u search this forum.
Sent from my Epic 4G
here is the link for the wireless tether app. must be rooted for this to work which you are. this is free and dosnt cost unlike the sprint one which dose cost you money. just dont abuse it =p
edit: forgot link http: //code.google. com/p/android-wifi-tether/downloads/detail?name=wireless_tether_2_0_5-pre8.apk&can=2&q=
I was wondering what is the easiest way to tether wirelessly without paying the extra monthly fee? I see there's an app for rooted users, but it doesn't seem to work very well.
you want to get tethering without paying for it and your asking us? ....
I would like to know too. I use to be able to tether (via USB and Bluetooth) with my BB for free on TMO. I heard that TMO is now charging which sucks but I heard if your phone is rooted that you can still tether for free on Android but then I read some people with a rooted phone still got the text about the 14.99 plan.. So it's a bit confusing. So is there still a way to tether for free? I only use it while on the train to connect my netbook to just do basic stuff like surf the web(no video playback) and check mail so even a free tether via bluetooth option wouldnt be horrible to me but if I could get the wifi hot spot working for free that would be awesome.
if your just checking email and stuff why dont you just use your phone.? i mean thats whats its for. instead of trying to look for a way to cheat the system why not just use it? thats why your paying for it anyways.....
and people wonder why phone internet and the such cost an arm and a leg.
syaoran68 said:
if your just checking email and stuff why dont you just use your phone.? i mean thats whats its for. instead of trying to look for a way to cheat the system why not just use it? thats why your paying for it anyways.....
and people wonder why phone internet and the such cost an arm and a leg.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because say if I'm on the train on my netbook or laptop doing work (non internet) and I want to check my email it's easier to just open a browser on the device I'm already using instead of pulling out my phone. And what's with the holier than thou attitude? I mean TMO use to allow it for free when other carriers didn't and people on all those other carrier's always found ways around it to get it for free.. so asking his question is a legit question since many many people have been "cheating" the system for years.. and cheating a carrier isn't really going to make me lose sleep at night.. especially because in many ways carriers have been cheating us for years..
its still not a legit question to ask. your catching yourself in a hole already. you said " tmobile USED to allow it and now they dont. end of story. and your saying that people always found a way around it. its all not legit. i dont really care if you dont care about cheating a carrier, but i doubt asking about it on here is going to be kosher. since this a forum about how to hack your phone to get more performance NOT about how to hack your phone to get stuff your NOT supposed to get for free.
syaoran68 said:
its still not a legit question to ask. your catching yourself in a hole already. you said " tmobile USED to allow it and now they dont. end of story. and your saying that people always found a way around it. its all not legit. i dont really care if you dont care about cheating a carrier, but i doubt asking about it on here is going to be kosher. since this a forum about how to hack your phone to get more performance NOT about how to hack your phone to get stuff your NOT supposed to get for free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just answer his question or GTFO of here.
I believe that you can still use the wireless hotspot feature on your phone. I dont think T-mobile is charging for it yet. They will just cap your Data speeds if you use more data than they allow in a month.
I've been using the stock Wi-Fi Hotspot app since day one on my phone and have yet to receive the text, but then I never even get close to the 5GB "cap". some people have had the same "luck" as me where as others have gotten the text the very first time they use it... so I would suggest trying it out and if you don't get the text you're good to go.
if that doesn't work try Barnacle (in the Market).
besides every time I have asked a CSR about whether or not they charge to use the built-in Wi-Fi Hotspot app they tell me they don't know anything about it, even had one tell me that the phone didn't come with it and to check with the developer that uploaded it to the Market.
hmm How long have you been with Tmo? I wonder if the people who are getting the text about the 14.99 plan are new customers or if they are exsisting customers.. Maybe they are new customers so there accounts are built in with the block from the get and people who have been with tmo for a while are either 1.grandfathered and doesnt apply to them or 2. Hasn't been rolled out to all exsisting customer's yet.
The grandfathered thing I bring up because I know TMO has a great loyalty program usually whatever you got when you opened your account(features/services) you get for the same price no matter how high it goes up.. for example I use to have bb. for years I only paid 19.99 when TMO raised the price to I think 25 mine stayed at 19.00. When I just upgraded to android they gave me the unlimited plan for what I was paying for my BB unlimited plan 19.99. Another example is I got hotspot at home with my BB that allowed me to make calls over wifi without it deducting from my minutes for an extra 10 bucks a month.. after a while they stopped offering this service but I was still getting it. As long as I never removed it from my account it stayed.
So maybe it's a thing where if you signed up after that policy for wifi(or right around) you will get banged with the "you need a tethering plan" message otherwise you're good.. That's just a possible explanation based purely on a hunch..maybe.. kinda.. sorta
I've been with them since '05 on their original Family plan
I've been with them since 06.. I tethered on my BB up until 2 weeks ago when I switch to Android (I set my android up for wifi hotspot but havent used it yet because my netbook is being repaired) so it could possibly be that. I'm curious to know if the people who got this text message are new(er) customers and the ones that said they didnt get the text and have no problems tethering are older customers
double post by mistake
I tried the built in wireless tethering feature about an hour ago and I haven't received a text asking me to sign up for the monthly add on. I wasn't expecting it to work for free and I assume it won't be forever.
Has anyone who has rooted their MT4G had success using the barnacle app to wirelessly tether?
clivo360 said:
I tried the built in wireless tethering feature about an hour ago and I haven't received a text asking me to sign up for the monthly add on. I wasn't expecting it to work for free and I assume it won't be forever.
Has anyone who has rooted their MT4G had success using the barnacle app to wirelessly tether?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah it was working for me, that was why I suggested it if you're not able to use stock. I just prefer the simplicity of the stock app, that and when ever I would tether with barnacle or the google code wireless tether my calls wouldn't come through but they do with the stock app.
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.
Hello All,
I used to love being in the root/rom scene a few years ago. Since then, I've been at school and had a kid and don't have time to mess around with my phone like I used to. However, I still have one friend that comes to me for his rooting/romming needs. I believe last year I updated him to Android 6, then put on a custom recovery and rooted it for him. He wanted this so he could have adblock and tether on his grandfathered unlimited plan on Verizon. I know they have unlimited again now, but he doesn't want to get throttled. I remember something about not needing to install Xposed (is that still used?) to get his tethering working as it just worked out of the box somehow.
He called me the other day saying his phone had an update. It turns out it's just the 24.221.4 from a couple months ago. Is it worth it to go through the process of updating for this one?
I appreciate any guidance you fine people may give me.
Tethering works!
Word on the street is that tethering (miraculously) works fine with the stock Rom for all carriers, and I have personally confirmed this with Total Wireless (a Verizon prepaid). As for updating to the newest featureless stock Rom, I didn't bother because I heard that it isn't worth the hassle.
kkeller87 said:
Hello All,
I used to love being in the root/rom scene a few years ago. Since then, I've been at school and had a kid and don't have time to mess around with my phone like I used to. However, I still have one friend that comes to me for his rooting/romming needs. I believe last year I updated him to Android 6, then put on a custom recovery and rooted it for him. He wanted this so he could have adblock and tether on his grandfathered unlimited plan on Verizon. I know they have unlimited again now, but he doesn't want to get throttled. I remember something about not needing to install Xposed (is that still used?) to get his tethering working as it just worked out of the box somehow.
He called me the other day saying his phone had an update. It turns out it's just the 24.221.4 from a couple months ago. Is it worth it to go through the process of updating for this one?
I appreciate any guidance you fine people may give me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The update was just a security update with no features added. Worth the hassle.. Not likely unless your friend is notorious for sideloading shady apps or visiting/clicking shady websites/links.
Bill720 said:
Word on the street is that tethering (miraculously) works fine with the stock Rom for all carriers, and I have personally confirmed this with Total Wireless (a Verizon prepaid). As for updating to the newest featureless stock Rom, I didn't bother because I heard that it isn't worth the hassle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it doesn't... The Moto X honors a carrier's tethering provisioning flag by default, although a simple build.prop change can make the phone ignore the flag in most cases.
I also agree that updating is not worth it in most cases.