I am trying to find out if a stock Verizon S5 will work for text, voice and data using a prepaid SIM in the UK. I'm surprised I can't find a definitive answer, I can't be the only person who wants to use the Verizon S5 in the UK???
I find lots of "it should work" or "it shouldn't" work, I'd rather hear it "did/didn't" from people who have actually tried it.
Thanks
Related
I've been hunting for an answer to this semi-simple question everywhere, and have found about 4 answers (all different ones - somehow :silly: ) So I'll try asking here.... I'm going to study abroad in Spain this semester, and I just bought a Samsung Galaxy S4 from Verizon (it was an upgrade contract, not full price). When I asked the sales rep he said that the SIM card would have to be unlocked. However, when I talked to Verizon "technical support" they said, no, they're already unlocked and ready for international use. What I've seen in other forums is that people say it seemingly takes SIM cards but won't pick the network up. Does anybody here have experience with the Verizon S4 being used internationally? Can it be done? Do I need to unlock it? Thanks for any insights!
BelowAverage355 said:
I've been hunting for an answer to this semi-simple question everywhere, and have found about 4 answers (all different ones - somehow :silly: ) So I'll try asking here.... I'm going to study abroad in Spain this semester, and I just bought a Samsung Galaxy S4 from Verizon (it was an upgrade contract, not full price). When I asked the sales rep he said that the SIM card would have to be unlocked. However, when I talked to Verizon "technical support" they said, no, they're already unlocked and ready for international use. What I've seen in other forums is that people say it seemingly takes SIM cards but won't pick the network up. Does anybody here have experience with the Verizon S4 being used internationally? Can it be done? Do I need to unlock it? Thanks for any insights!
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As a Verizon phone uses a CDMA signal, I don't think it is going to work anywhere in Europe where they use GSM signals. Sorry.
bsam55 said:
As a Verizon phone uses a CDMA signal, I don't think it is going to work anywhere in Europe where they use GSM signals. Sorry.
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The S4 is equipped with a GSM radio, I checked on that much at least.
Yes
I went ahead and just bit the bullet and bought a SIM card here, and good news: it works :good:
HOWEVER, I believe the problem that others who tried to use it globally were having is that it defaults to Global mode, which doesn't really seem to work (No clue what Global mode is, but I got a signal with no data connection). For anyone who wants to use it internationally, you will have to manually switch to GSM/UMTS by going to Settings>Connections>More networks>Mobile networks>Network mode>GSM/UMTS
I have been doing research and searching these forums for a few days now, I'm trying to not be one of those people who ask questions that have been answered. But at this point I'm at the end of the road.
I bought a Sprint Galaxy S4, model SPH-L720.
I unlocked it using this method Sprint Galaxy S IV SPH-L720 SIM Unlock Method
Reverted back to MDC baseband and all that good stuff, just as instructed. It seemed to have went well without a hitch.
My question now is:
I want to buy one of these Verizon 4G Sim Activation Kits from walmart
Is it possible that I can buy one of those, insert the SIM into my unlocked Sprint S4, and have a working phone? I ask because I don't want to drop $50 if it doesn't have a chance of working. The instructions for this say that it will work with a VERIZON S4, but since my SPRINT S4 is unlocked, should that be okay?
I don't know much, but in my reading I found that Sprint and Verizon both use CDMA, not GSM. So I figured I had a better chance of this phone working if I go with Verizon because of this.
I am in the United States.
If you need any other information or screen shots please let me know, thank you for taking the time to help me out!!
EDIT: would it be possible to test it out, if one of my friends has a verizon phone under contract, and I took their SIM and inserted it into my phone?
Try it.
Like the guy above me said. Try it. One way to find out. Personally I don't think it would work. As the whole point of unlocking the sprint Gs4 is to use it on GSM networks. From what I know you have to flash the sprint phone to Verizon. Plus you WONT get LTE on Verizon because the bands are not supported. So you'll only get 3g.
daniel4653 said:
Like the guy above me said. Try it. One way to find out. Personally I don't think it would work. As the whole point of unlocking the sprint Gs4 is to use it on GSM networks. From what I know you have to flash the sprint phone to Verizon. Plus you WONT get LTE on Verizon because the bands are not supported. So you'll only get 3g.
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thank you for the info! i'm just learning about all of this, so i don't have a firm grip on everything yet.
in the tutorial i used and linked above, the file I used with Odin was actually titled "S4 Flasher", so I believe I unlocked it and flashed it with this? Again, Im sorry, Ive tried searching and am just looking for verification if Im correct.
I'm not worried about LTE, 3G is fine really. Also, I'm not set on Verizon, I just want my phone to work, doesn't matter what network I'm using. If it would be "safer" or a better bet to get into a GSM prepaid, I will do that instead. I was just under the assumption (incorrectly probably lol) that since sprint is CDMA, that going to another CDMA carrier would be easier.
Cricket, Net10, StraightTalk, and AT&T etc are all available at the store I think if I go GSM
Again thanks for taking the time to help everyone!
Galaxy330 said:
thank you for the info! i'm just learning about all of this, so i don't have a firm grip on everything yet.
in the tutorial i used and linked above, the file I used with Odin was actually titled "S4 Flasher", so I believe I unlocked it and flashed it with this? Again, Im sorry, Ive tried searching and am just looking for verification if Im correct.
I'm not worried about LTE, 3G is fine really. Also, I'm not set on Verizon, I just want my phone to work, doesn't matter what network I'm using. If it would be "safer" or a better bet to get into a GSM prepaid, I will do that instead. I was just under the assumption (incorrectly probably lol) that since sprint is CDMA, that going to another CDMA carrier would be easier.
Cricket, Net10, StraightTalk, and AT&T etc are all available at the store I think if I go GSM
Again thanks for taking the time to help everyone!
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I unlocked my sprint GS4 and went to Cricket. And I've been happier than when i was with Sprint (service wise). I have signal in 98% of the places I go to. Which is a HUGE improvement over sprint. And even though this phone only connects to HSPA+ which is capped at 3.5 Mbps its plenty fast for all my daily activities. So I recommend a GSM prepaid.
Hi guys, new here. Used the place a lot when i needed help, then decided to make a account.
Anyway, i couldnt find a Straight Talk galaxy s4 specific forum so i figured the main s4 forum is where i should post this.
I have 2 Straight talk galaxy s4's i bought new, and im currently in cricket. Well i need to replace my old CDMA s4 with a new GSM one. The straight talk s4's i got are the ATT tower versions. Now, when i put a att or gsm cricket sim in, they say invalid sim. But read att sims fine. If i put the straight talk or gsm cricket sim in a att phone.. Theyre read fine. Which i dont understand. So my question is, can i flash a ATT stock touchwiz rom to them via odin to make them read the att and cricket sim's? Id just try it but dont want to brick them, figured i would ask first in case somebody already tried.
Both phones are identical. Specs are:
16gb black Straight talk galaxy s4
Model No: SM-S975L(GP)
Android 4.3
Touchwiz, un rooted, brand new barely even been powered on.
Thanks!
Current Straight Talk S4 units use T-Mobile towers, not AT&T. Flashing a new ROM won't make them read the SIM cards you're trying to use, and for the Straight Talk S4 will likely hard brick it. Your phones need to be carrier unlocked, which only Straight Talk, at their discretion, can do. As multiple users here have discovered, purchasing an unlock code does not permanently unlock the S4 and half the time doesn't even work.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Current Straight Talk S4 units use T-Mobile towers, not AT&T. Flashing a new ROM won't make them read the SIM cards you're trying to use, and for the Straight Talk S4 will likely hard brick it. Your phones need to be carrier unlocked, which only Straight Talk, at their discretion, can do. As multiple users here have discovered, purchasing an unlock code does not permanently unlock the S4 and half the time doesn't even work.
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Thanks for the reply!
I didnt think it would work but figured it couldnt hurt to ask. I'll contact straight talk, however from what ive hward they usually wont unlock phones. But, ill try. Thank you!
Is it possible to put an s5 on another carrier? Such as straight talk.
Apologies if this is the incorrect place to post this I'm pretty inexperienced with forums in general
That is what I'm doing.
Warner66 said:
Is it possible to put an s5 on another carrier? Such as straight talk.
Apologies if this is the incorrect place to post this I'm pretty inexperienced with forums in general
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I know for a FACT that you can put it on PagePlus. As I had PagePlus as my carrier before I switched back to VZW. When I was researching what other carriers that I'd be able to use, Straight Talk and T-Mobile and, i believe AT&T(?) were the one's I was going to switch to. Don't know for sure AT&T but through my phone conversations with the carrier's and Google'n, i could use Straight Talk and T-Mobile as my mobile carrier. Just Google T-Mobile and Straight Talk. Their website has the information about bringing in your own device....
Another thing to be aware of is the bands that are enabled in your Verizon S5. While you may be able to use a carrier, you might not be able to get LTE data in some areas, for example, because of the bands enabled on the phone.
That may be true. Just check with the carrier as far as what their service areas are. I know that PagePlus uses Verizon towers and you're receiving the Verizon signal. They, PagePlus, had bought a tier of their(Verizon) towers to provide for their Network. Again just do some research and you'll find the best answer for your needs
Warner66 said:
Is it possible to put an s5 on another carrier? Such as straight talk.
Apologies if this is the incorrect place to post this I'm pretty inexperienced with forums in general
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I had a Motorola X (Developer Edition) that I've used on multiple carriers. It was very easy to switch it from Verizon Wireless to Straight Talk. All you have to do is put the correct SIM Card in from the CDMA section of the kit that you get from Straight Talk out at Walmart. One thing you might want to do though. If you buy the kit from Walmart, make sure to scan your phone at the Straight Talk display to make sure that your phone would be compatible with them. More than likely the Verizon Samsung Galaxy S5 would be compatible with Straight Talk, but doing this will remove any doubt. If you're ordering this online, go onto Straight Talk's web site (support section) and do a live chat with them. You'll need to tell them what kind of phone you want to bring over to Straight Talk and then give them the IMEI of the phone. They can also get you an answer quickly on this.
Cindy
Ok, I hope this isn't a totally stupid question, but here goes. My trusty old Galaxy S Blaze is, well, getting old, and I've decided after much research that I want a Galaxy S5. I'm also thinking to switch my carrier from Tmobile to Straight Talk, but would like to piggyback off the Verizon network as I've heard many good things about them. Tmobile is driving me nuts with dropped calls, coverage that sucks, etc.
Soooo....
Part One: can I use my Blaze's sim card in an new unlocked Verizon S5 that I may buy through ebay?
Part Two: Can I then take said new phone and hook up with Straight Talk? I'm just unsure because of the whole GSM/CDMA thing.
Thank you in advance!
-uesay