Hey XDA -
Okay so long story short I'm going on vacation to Italy for 2 weeks and I don't want to be without a phone while I'm there. I'm going to go to the AT&T store tonight after work to SIM unlock my phone because for whatever reason their online form doesn't want to recognize my IMEI number, I just need some help with the next step. I've been reading online a bunch, and from what I've come across it seems like I can either buy an Italian SIM card ahead of time and just plug it in when I get there, or I can go to any cell store there with my passport and pick up a prepaid sim card with voice & data on it. Either way is fine, I just don't want to pay $100 for something ahead of time that I can get on the spot there for like €20.
I'm honestly 100% clueless to this otherwise I wouldn't be asking, has anyone had any experience with this that they can shed some light and help a brotha out??
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so..my buddies phone keeps 'searching' for signal.. im thinking they have disabled the imei #.. it was working the other day with with his cingular sim in it but now its constantly searching and when he goes into the network tab to select manual it says 'cant read settings from network'
Theoretically, yes. When you report a phone as stolen, the carrier will usually block the SIM card and mark the IMEI number as stolen*. I've never heard of a carrier just randomly blocking a IMEI number though. And as far as I know there's no way for them to know that the phone had another carrier's SIM card in it.
* Of course, in the case of Cingular, they do absolutely nothing with that information. When my phone was stolen (later returned, thankfully) I was on the phone with them for a long time. The only thing that would happen with a blacklisted IMEI is, IF the person took it to a store, and the associate saw it was stolen and took the initiative to take it from them and call the police.
well hes changed the rom to different verisons and also different radio verisons trying to fix and nothing is picking up signal.. so u have any ideas what could be going on?
jacob-mda said:
well hes changed the rom to different verisons and also different radio verisons trying to fix and nothing is picking up signal.. so u have any ideas what could be going on?
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Try a new sim card. I had my Tmobile sim card take a dump on me and that is exactly what my SDA did, kept searching for a signal. So my advice is try another sim card and if the phone picks up signal then tell him to go to his carrier and get a new one. They should do it for free.
we tried multi carrier sim cards.. tmobile cingular and cellular one.. stuck on searching.
I dont know how it is donw over in the US, but in the UK i believe that the Imei can be blockd so the phone will not work correctly. So the phone is dead to the world!!!
thats how its looking. and i cant get the imei change tool from the site to work!
funman said:
I dont know how it is donw over in the US, but in the UK i believe that the Imei can be blockd so the phone will not work correctly. So the phone is dead to the world!!!
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Yeah i beleve Europe and the UK will block an IMEI reported stolen. The US carriers dont care. They would rather sell you another phone, even if its a free phone, and rope you into another contract. Think about it, blocking stolen IMEIs requires effort that does not pay the company back. Giving away a free phone requires effort that makes them money because you are stuck in another contract, and they can collect the termination fee if you decide to dump said contract.
Thats why in the UK most of us pay abit more each month so if the phone is taken or lost we get a new on on the same contract and the company gets no more money as no new contact!!!!!
And now you are saying to your self in the USA why did we not stay with the Brits!!! We would be better off!!!
Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the wave
God save our people and that DUMB Queen as well!
LOL
****No comment in this post should be take to heart, The comments are the view of no one******
Hello I am experiencing a BIG problem . I Successfully flashed a Nand rom to my phone last year it worked great but after some shortcomings I could no longer afford my pay as you go plan. My phone service had been cut off for about 7 months until yesterday, since it was off so long I had to get a new Tmobile(us) account/SIM card. My phone booted up in android as normal with full 3G service bars but when I went to make a call it said "This Carrier will not allow phone calls to this number" shocked I went back to Tmobile to make sure my account was active and it was. My text also do not work and I cannot sign into my gmail account either. Ive searched the web and it does not seem that anyone has a solution to this problem PLEASE help me !!
Did you try reflashing it?
There are a few things that could be going on here:
1. tmobile has you on the wrong data plan which has happened to me in the past. The had me on a blackberry plan which messed up a lot but you should still be able to make calls.
2. You have a balance left over on that phone and tmobile has locked that phone
3. you need a new sim card. tmobile will gladly change out your sim for a new one for free
4: something is going on with Android on your phone.
I would talk to Tmobile again and ask for a new sim or go in the store and see if the sim you have will work in one of their phones. If it does then you know its
something with your phone. I would kind of start over just to clear up any problems. Start with making a back up of anything you dont want lost, including your
sd card. Then repartition your phone/sd to what the ROM you want to use needs. Reinstall MAGLDR and cwm and finally the ROM you want to use. See if that
helps at all. If i had to take a guess it could be something as simple as the simcard is messed up but without having them try it in another phone or you trying
it in another phone you wont know for sure. I know it seems like a lot but reinstalling this stuff should clear up if its your phone or your sim thats messing up.
Before you blame Android, flash your phone with stock WM 6.5 rom. If you still can't make calls or get any data, take the phone to a T-Mobile store and have them figure it out.
Sorry for the basic questions . . .
Looks like I'll be moving from my old RAZR Maxx to the MXPE so I'll need a new SIM card for the X. I'm on Verizon.
What is the procedure, or where can I find a link to the procedure, for doing this?
Can I just walk into my local Verizon store and get the new SIM for free?
Do I just put the SIM in the MXPE fire it up and I'm in business or do I need to call Verizon or go online to activate the phone?
Should I already have an SD card in the phone before I turn it on and activate it or should I wait until I've done those things to put in the SD card?
I plan on keeping my RAZR Maxx as a backup. How do I go about switching back and forth between phones if I need to do that?
Thanks!
The way I did it was I just used a buddys phone(last gem moto x I believe) that had the correct sim card,went to Verizon store told them I needed that phone activated, they gave me a new sim card free of charge and they activated it,I walked out to my car took the sim card out put it in my new Motorola x pure and have been enjoying it sense.
Also when you put the sim card in give it a couple of minutes to pick it up,I got worried it didn't work at first ,I'm impatient and got worried that it wasn't working, when I was just about ready to flip it said verizon for my network then all was good.haha
I upgraded from an S4. I bought a sim cutter on amazon for cheap and it worked great. I cut my sim in no time at all, entered the nano size sim into the moto x and it connects to the verizon network automatically. I never had to step foot into a verizon store or do any type of activation on myverizon. The sim cutter also came with an adapter piece to make it compatible with the micro sim size so it will work on the razr maxx when you want to use it. I recommend holding off entering your sim card into the moto x on your first boot and enter your google information into the phone on wifi. If you have an unlimited data plan you should be able to use wifi tether with no limitations this way. Entering an SD card before or after activation makes zero difference, might as well have it in for your first boot. Good luck!
I just called Verizon and told them I needed a sim for a phone I was buying from someone. They sent it to me. Called to get the phone activated and it worked. I don't see why you could not get one from the local store now.
I had to pay $20 at my local Verizon dealer for a sim card. It wasn't an official Verizon store though, just a franchised store, so I'm not sure if that made a difference.
As for the OP though, it should just start working with not tinkering needed. Just make sure your sim is in before you first boot it up. I've read of problems when putting your sim card in after the first boot.
jonathanbailie said:
I had to pay $20 at my local Verizon dealer for a sim card. It wasn't an official Verizon store though, just a franchised store, so I'm not sure if that made a difference.
As for the OP though, it should just start working with not tinkering needed. Just make sure your sim is in before you first boot it up. I've read of problems when putting your sim card in after the first boot.
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That may have been the difference. The X was in the process of being whitelisted when I received mine. I didn't tell them I was getting an X at that time but that I was buying a used phone from someone that required the micro sim. They sent it right out without a question.
Thanks for all the responses, good information.
I picked up a 32GB MXPE during last week's Amazon deal and it arrived today. :victory: I'm charging it now and probably will start the initial set up tomorrow after work.
I see from poking around that the Add Google Account screen asks for a device to restore from and the last initial set up screen has a Start Migrate button and says it will "Move photos, videos, music, call history, and more" from the device. Does this mean it only restores data and won't restore apps?
I would like to restore my data from the old phone but I prefer to manually install my apps on the MXPE and NOT restore any apps from my old phone.
Is this possible? How do I do that?
Thanks!
opti1 said:
Thanks for all the responses, good information.
I picked up a 32GB MXPE during last week's Amazon deal and it arrived today. :victory: I'm charging it now and probably will start the initial set up tomorrow after work.
I see from poking around that the Add Google Account screen asks for a device to restore from and the last initial set up screen has a Start Migrate button and says it will "Move photos, videos, music, call history, and more" from the device. Does this mean it only restores data and won't restore apps?
I would like to restore my data from the old phone but I prefer to manually install my apps on the MXPE and NOT restore any apps from my old phone.
Is this possible? How do I do that?
Thanks!
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If I remember correctly, when you go through the migration process, it lets you choose whether you want your old apps installed or not.
I recently bought the phone brand new - Verizon version XT1609 but I intended to use a postpaid SIM card with it. Did not activate the SIM card that it came with. Now, using a postpaid SIM card, I can send messages but cannot make or take calls, or even use data. When I check the cellular network state (under SIM status in About Phone), it tells me that I am disconnected. It's my first time buying a prepaid-compatible phone so I'm not sure what the best solution is. I'm guessing Verizon is trying to block my SIM card because it's supposed to work with a prepaid SIM card?
Appreciate any input from you guys. Thanks!
VZW is blocking you. You *may* get lucky and get a friendly tech support agent that would be willing to activate the phone post paid. I was able to do this with an old moto E, but then failed again with a moto g4. Your sim likely also has a lock on it now, you you will have to call VZW for your sim to work in a prepaid phone.
Give them a call and play dumb, you may get lucky.
Same
Hey yeah,
Same this happened to me. It literally took a week to get a support agent to fix it. When I got him though it took all of 20 minutes. Most agents will insist it cannot be done but it can. Just keep asking for a supervisor. Although, the guy who did fix it wasn't a MOD. I was given bad info from the original chat support agent I spoke to when I asked if I could do this in the first place. That dude was yeah it's no problem. But it actually is a huge issue. However, keep at it and it can be done. Hope this helps.
I wasn't very lucky.
My postpaid SIM card really was blocked. They said I had to activate the phone on a prepaid card first and then pay for 1 month (I couldn't even find the 30 dollar plan anymore.. so sneaky) before I can have it used for postpaid. I might as well have gotten it unlocked lol. Thanks everyone!
I am switching from my old Nexus 6 to a brand new Moto G5 Plus. I am with the carrier Total Wireless which is a Verizon MVNO. Their cellular service and pricing is excellent. Their CSRs are low functioning. What I want to know is if I can just pop out the SIM from my old phone and put it into my new one without any issues. They both take the same size SIM and they're both compatible with Verizon. I won't have to buy a new SIM card or anything like that, will I? I ask because a CSR told me that the SIM cannot be removed and is part of the phone so I would have to buy a new one. Yeah...I know. It was painful. I just left the chat. Thanks in advance for the help!
adamshumpisxxx said:
I am switching from my old Nexus 6 to a brand new Moto G5 Plus. I am with the carrier Total Wireless which is a Verizon MVNO. Their cellular service and pricing is excellent. Their CSRs are low functioning. What I want to know is if I can just pop out the SIM from my old phone and put it into my new one without any issues. They both take the same size SIM and they're both compatible with Verizon. I won't have to buy a new SIM card or anything like that, will I? I ask because a CSR told me that the SIM cannot be removed and is part of the phone so I would have to buy a new one. Yeah...I know. It was painful. I just left the chat. Thanks in advance for the help!
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As long as sim is not locked then you should be able to put it in the g5+, log in to your total wireless account on WiFi and input your IMEI or MEID (which ever is longer) into your account for that SIM, and boom your rocking. You might not even have to do all that sometimes popping the SIM in just works.
redman321 said:
As long as sim is not locked then you should be able to put it in the g5+, log in to your total wireless account on WiFi and input your IMEI or MEID (which ever is longer) into your account for that SIM, and boom your rocking. You might not even have to do all that sometimes popping the SIM in just works.
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OK, cool. Thanks! Do you have experience with this? I ask because I have not seen anywhere on the website where I can edit the existing IMEI in my account. All I see is their Compatibility Checker.
Sorry I just assumed, not helpful I know that's just how it's been for me with other. Carriers. Sorry about to bad answer. Sounds like they must lock the SIM to the phone.
https://www.reddit.com/r/NoContract/comments/4zzx47/total_wireless_sim_swapping_and_tethering/
According to that you can just pop in the Card though.
Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance
redman321 said:
Sorry I just assumed, not helpful I know that's just how it's been for me with other. Carriers. Sorry about to bad answer. Sounds like they must lock the SIM to the phone.
https://www.reddit.com/r/NoContract/comments/4zzx47/total_wireless_sim_swapping_and_tethering/
According to that you can just pop in the Card though.
Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance
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Well, I do appreciate the effort! That's more than I could find. When my new Moto G5 Plus comes in I'll pop my existing SIM in and go from there. I figure if it doesn't work I'll just play stupid, tell them my phone was working then all of a sudden it isn't and make them fix it. Worst comes to worst, I have to buy a new SIM for a dollar or whatever. Thanks again! I'll report back here with the conclusion
I bought a new unlocked phone for Total Wireless but it used a different SIM size. Once I put the new sim card in the new phone, I logged into my Total Wireless account online, clicked the upgrade to new device and went through the steps. Once I completed that I powered up the new device and it worked.
Hope this helps in some way.
dmeeks72 said:
I bought a new unlocked phone for Total Wireless but it used a different SIM size. Once I put the new sim card in the new phone, I logged into my Total Wireless account online, clicked the upgrade to new device and went through the steps. Once I completed that I powered up the new device and it worked.
Hope this helps in some way.
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I don't see "upgrade to new device" anywhere listed on the site. Can you direct me more specifically? Thanks.
adamshumpisxxx said:
I don't see "upgrade to new device" anywhere listed on the site. Can you direct me more specifically? Thanks.
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Log into your account. It should be at the account options screen. If not, click on link to the left.
Once that comes up, click on view details. It should list your phone. Over to the right it should give you the option to upgrade the device.
If it doesn't then something is most likely wrong with the account and you'll need to get in touch with Customer Service.
dmeeks72 said:
Log into your account. It should be at the account options screen. If not, click on link to the left.
Once that comes up, click on view details. It should list your phone. Over to the right it should give you the option to upgrade the device.
If it doesn't then something is most likely wrong with the account and you'll need to get in touch with Customer Service.
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Can you post a screenshot or something? Nothing you're saying is even remotely on this site. Are we talking about the same company?! Also, I just got a hold of them and now they are demanding I buy a new SIM card because apparently I can't transfer service to a new phone. That makes ZERO sense. Do you have to be UNDER a certain IQ to work for this company or what?!
So the verdict is in. With Total Wireless you CAN pop out the SIM from your old phone and put it into your new one BUT...there is an issue. The old phone's IMEI stays associated with the SIM you just put into your new phone. That will never be an issue should you just put the phone into the "old phone drawer" but it MAY become an issue if you sell or give away your phone to be used with Verizon or another Verizon MVNO. From what I gather, that IMEI will show as in use and not allow another user to register it with a new SIM. Will it matter if you go with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, etc...? I'm unsure but from what I gather, I doubt it. The really dumb part about this whole thing is Total Wireless's unwillingness to just unregister the old IMEI from your current SIM and register a new one. From speaking to a Verizon representative this is totally possible but Total Wireless refuses to do it. Instead they demand you buy a new SIM card. I assume this is from complete ignorance as their CSRs are almost completely inept. It's the best "bang for your buck" company to go with when you want / need Verizon service but if you need help...may the force be with you. Put it this way...They didn't even know what an APN was and insisted it was only a single word long (not even the right word).
I have two Moto G5 Plus's that I bought from Best Buy on the same day at the same time. I checked both IMEIs about 2 months ago to see if they were compatible both where. Now that my auto for ATT Gophone got turned off in time bought the CDMA sim kit. I went online to activate. Total Wireless said one is compatible and one is not. I called customer support and talked to a supervisor still got same thing. Was told if the phone wasnt activated on VZW then it would be unable to work. I told her both have been on ATT since day one. WTF! So looks like I am staying with ATT.