Question about cross-carrier compatibility - Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Okay, I'll start with a little background. I'm a Verizon Wireless employee, and the store's resident Android nerd. That said, I'm stumped on something.
With the recent government ruling about sim-unlocking phones, we've seen an influx of devices from other carriers. Honestly, we've not been trained on how to handle these. Popping active sims into the phone typically activates them just fine, but we've been running into issues with SMS pretty frequently. Also, having AT&T firmware on a Verizon device is weird too, and can result in some odd behavior with baked in features.
With regard to the SMS issues, my immediate first thought was to edit the APN settings. Those are greyed out on a lot of devices I've seen though. So now I'm thinking something needs to change in the firmware. We do not have the ability to flash firmware* though.
We recently had a customer come in and activate 12 sim-unlocked US Cellular GS5s.They report that everything is working except SMS. What do I do?
*We do have an unapproved laptop laying around, and I do have Kies installed on it. I've never used it though, and nobody in the store wants to be liable for bricking a phone. With the right customer, I'd be willing to try it through Kies if that's something it is capable of. But as a large store, that's not a viable solution for most customers.

YamiYaiba said:
Okay, I'll start with a little background. I'm a Verizon Wireless employee, and the store's resident Android nerd. That said, I'm stumped on something.
With the recent government ruling about sim-unlocking phones, we've seen an influx of devices from other carriers. Honestly, we've not been trained on how to handle these. Popping active sims into the phone typically activates them just fine, but we've been running into issues with SMS pretty frequently. Also, having AT&T firmware on a Verizon device is weird too, and can result in some odd behavior with baked in features.
With regard to the SMS issues, my immediate first thought was to edit the APN settings. Those are greyed out on a lot of devices I've seen though. So now I'm thinking something needs to change in the firmware. We do not have the ability to flash firmware* though.
We recently had a customer come in and activate 12 sim-unlocked US Cellular GS5s.They report that everything is working except SMS. What do I do?
*We do have an unapproved laptop laying around, and I do have Kies installed on it. I've never used it though, and nobody in the store wants to be liable for bricking a phone. With the right customer, I'd be willing to try it through Kies if that's something it is capable of. But as a large store, that's not a viable solution for most customers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would defer to my boss or VZ corporate lest I get fired for doing the "wrong thing", which I learned on an internet forum!

UNBELIEVABLE
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app

YamiYaiba said:
Okay, I'll start with a little background. I'm a Verizon Wireless employee, and the store's resident Android nerd. That said, I'm stumped on something.
With the recent government ruling about sim-unlocking phones, we've seen an influx of devices from other carriers. Honestly, we've not been trained on how to handle these. Popping active sims into the phone typically activates them just fine, but we've been running into issues with SMS pretty frequently. Also, having AT&T firmware on a Verizon device is weird too, and can result in some odd behavior with baked in features.
With regard to the SMS issues, my immediate first thought was to edit the APN settings. Those are greyed out on a lot of devices I've seen though. So now I'm thinking something needs to change in the firmware. We do not have the ability to flash firmware* though.
We recently had a customer come in and activate 12 sim-unlocked US Cellular GS5s.They report that everything is working except SMS. What do I do?
*We do have an unapproved laptop laying around, and I do have Kies installed on it. I've never used it though, and nobody in the store wants to be liable for bricking a phone. With the right customer, I'd be willing to try it through Kies if that's something it is capable of. But as a large store, that's not a viable solution for most customers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No offense, I'm actually trying to do the opposite and move my Verizon S5 and S3 to T-Mobile. (Verizon phone reps, through six separate phone calls, gave me six different stories of how to unlock my phone. I'm experiencing hiccups as I go - T-Mobile gave me some misinformation as well.)
They were able to change a lot of settings for their network, there are still SMS issues and other random odd issues. Maybe that's the nature of it?

I haven't looked into this in over a year, but I was under the impression that Verizon operates on an IMEI white list, i.e. ONLY Verizon branded phones are allowed on the network. When a user attempts to activate a phone on the network, it's IMEI is checked against the list of IMEIs for every phone Verizon has sold. If it's IMEI is not on that list because it's a non-carrier branded phone or it's another carrier's version of the phone it will not be allowed on the network regardless of hardware compatibility.
From what I recall, this was also the reason that Nexus 7 LTE buyers were screwed by Verizon. Verizon was advertised as supporting the tablet because legally they had to due to the open access provision they agreed to when they purchased their LTE spectrum. Up to that point Verizon had operated with a white list as I described above. They were able to get away with this despite the open access provision because they run voice and text over the older 2G and 3G networks on which they have not agreed to open access. When the tablet came out, for months Verizon had no system in place to activate it because the IMEIs were not on the white list. Users were able to successfully connect to the network with a SIM activated in another tablet proving that it was not a hardware issue.
Has this changed in the last year? If so that great news!
---------- Post added at 12:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:58 AM ----------
I just Googled it, and based on information from November when the Nexus 6 came out, Verizon still operates on a white list, but it's only for activating NEW LINES. Verizon will not allow you to activate a new line with a non-Verizon branded phone, however, once the SIM has been activated, if it is placed in a non-white listed phone, that phone will be allowed on the network.
Some people suggest that you can take the IMEI of a floor model at the Verizon store and enter that when you order a SIM CARD, and that will allow for activation. I cannot personally verify this as I'm not a Verizon customer, and I'm not sure if the SIM activation process requires an actual phone with a white listed IMEI.
---------- Post added at 12:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:25 PM ----------
Also OP, have you verified that the handsets with SMS problems support all of Verizon's 2G and 3G network frequencies? From what I recall, Verizon still runs voice and SMS over its legacy 2G/3G networks. I'm not sure if they've implemented Volte yet, but it's likely that older handsets and even some newer ones don't support it, especially if they don't have a Verizon ROM. It's possible that a handset could support only Verizon's LTE frequencies or support everything except it's 3G frequencies for example. If it supports only the LTE frequencies, data could work while voice and SMS don't. If voice and SMS are run over different frequencies it's possible that only one of the two will work.
Information on supported frequencies can be tough to find for phones sold in the US. The information is readily available for the same phones sold anywhere else in the world. The most plausible explanation is that this is because the US carriers insist upon it. They've been forced to start unlocking phones that in the past they've been able to permanently lock to their own networks for domestic use. To combat the emergence of a free marketplace where customers are free to move to a carrier offering a better deal, the carriers have started specifying that their carrier branded versions of the phone be shipped with firmware (possibly also hardware variations) that does not support the frequencies of other US carriers. That way, the phone is "unlocked," but it still won't work on other US networks, so they've managed to sidestep the legislation and continue screwing over consumers.
If the supported frequencies aren't listed on the manufacturer website, you can find them in FCC testing documents.
If customers do have a problem where voice or SMS doesn't work because the frequency isn't supported, they could use a Google voice number for calls and SMS over the data network using the Hangouts app. It works great for me. Your employer definitely would not approve of this suggestion though, since it compromises the way they've artificially limited their technology to force consumers to pay more. All calls and texts to/from a Google voice number are totally free when you're on a Wifi network, and the number is device agnostic, so there's no barrier at all to switching phones or carriers. Verizon wants to use your phone number to make switching as inconvenient as possible, so they don't want you using a cloud based phone number.

Related

Verizons tab

Can the verizon version of this device also send texts? Does this mean there is hope for phone functionality for it as well?
Morkai Almandragon said:
Can the verizon version of this device also send texts? Does this mean there is hope for phone functionality for it as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are MANY posts about call functionality for ALL versions of the tab regardless of the carrier for the USA version. Currently people are working on the solution as most give thumbs up for voice (with right plan of course) capabilities but only on edge speeds. I've been reading that some are "supposedly" getting 3g from their carriers but that still remains to be confirmed by many people on the same carrier.
Shadow other threads...as my humble feeling is there is already a massive flood of "will my tab make voice calls".
I have been, and in fact others have asked the same question... only to be steamrolled by the shear volume of posts regarding the T mobile version.
The focus right now is on the T-Mobile version as it is similar to the already phone capable international GSM version of the Galaxy Tab.
It will take a lot more effort and time to figure out the Verizon and Sprint (both CDMA) versions.
Yeah I completely understand that. But is the hardware even there to do it? This is why I lead the question with one about texting, as I would think if the device can text (not emulate texting via internet, aka google voice), then voice would be possible.
You can indeed send messages with the Verizon tab, and I believe phone calling is possible with some mods, as part of the activation is an automated dialin to verizon. Unfortunately, Verizon charges on a per text msg basis ONLY for the tab. There is, currently, no unlimited text option.

Possible phone use on Verizon 7.7

Let me note: I am not a dev nor programmer.
With the similiarities of the P6800 and the Verizon 7.7, I threw together a rom w/ stock SCH-I815 samsung/verizon kernel using the P6800 frameworks and apps into the Verizon 7.7 and removed most bloat. The LTE/Verizon antennas aren't recognized by the device at all but everything else was working.
Now, you can't swap the phone.apk's around without the framework's else you'll experience FCs. So obviously I'll need to use the base stock apps and frameworks and go through the 2 framework files hunting about.
Has anyone else with the Verizon 7.7 taken a look into this?
I'm curious if you've made any progress on this?
Not yet, probably be a week before I even look through the files again. But I believe it's fully possible to get phone use
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
i think you will need to find samsung modem for verzon networks, does verizon have a galaxy note or sgs2?
although your modem firmware probably has voice disabled, may have to find modem manufacturer and try to flash custom firmware.
good luck, wish you the best.
I'm happy enough using GrooveIP for google voice calling. What I'd really like is if we could activate the phone profile in bluetooth (or will that just come with enabling the proper phone part in the 7.7?).
As of now i can use GrooveIP and bluetooth to listen and speak, but it won't let the bluetooth device answer/hang up/transfer address book/show caller ID (on the Verizon LTE 7.7)
Doesn't verizon require some sort of signed telephony to work properly on their network
ph00ny said:
Doesn't verizon require some sort of signed telephony to work properly on their network
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got no idea but with the other packs it didn't detect the radio at all. This is keeping the vzw radio partition stock. I like the ideas and really wish the note was verizon as that'd help figure things out.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
just to confirm does this a sim slot? i thought someone said it did.
chrisrotolo said:
just to confirm does this a sim slot? i thought someone said it did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does for LTE but cdma service doesn't use sim
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA
Seeing as your data account won't have any provisioning for voice usage, even if you DID get a working modem and a modified framework to allow for phone functionality on the device, I doubt that you'd actually be able to made or receive a phone call due to Verizon's limitations at the account and provisioning level anyway.
Point is, it's a CDMA device, and thus your service is attached to the device itself, not the SIM card (except for LTE data). Basically, you can't just provision service to the SIM card alone, and then simply swap it into a different device. So if you got the modem and the framework working, and you called in to Verizon customer service and asked to provision your line for voice, they'll just be like "Umm, no... We never INTENDED for you to use that device as a phone, so no... You want a phone? Buy a phone. You want a tablet? Buy a tablet. You want to do both in one device? We won't allow that because that loses us money that we would be getting by having you either subscribe to two lines, or charge you extra to tether..."
There is a much simpler solution however.
Ditch ANY CDMA carrier in favour of a GSM carrier instead, preferably one that uses the same compatible frequencies adopted by the rest of the world, like AT&T (and MVNO's based off of AT&T's network), and buy the P6800.
The moral of this story is this: if you want the latest devices, with the best features, you're NOT going to find them in the north American market, EVER, at all, period; you're just going to find watered-down, gimped, bloated, and locked-down versions of the international models. You HAVE to import. If you're going to import, you HAVE to use a GSM service provider... That's just the way it is. It sucks, I know, but it is what it is.
I would have to agree, the GSM version would be best. It would be near impossible to make this happen. Of course if I was stick with one, I would try everything I could as well. I'd probably fail miserably and go for something like GrooveIP.
Jade Eyed Wolf said:
Seeing as your data account won't have any provisioning for voice usage, even if you DID get a working modem and a modified framework to allow for phone functionality on the device, I doubt that you'd actually be able to made or receive a phone call due to Verizon's limitations at the account and provisioning level anyway.
Point is, it's a CDMA device, and thus your service is attached to the device itself, not the SIM card (except for LTE data). Basically, you can't just provision service to the SIM card alone, and then simply swap it into a different device. So if you got the modem and the framework working, and you called in to Verizon customer service and asked to provision your line for voice, they'll just be like "Umm, no... We never INTENDED for you to use that device as a phone, so no... You want a phone? Buy a phone. You want a tablet? Buy a tablet. You want to do both in one device? We won't allow that because that loses us money that we would be getting by having you either subscribe to two lines, or charge you extra to tether..."
There is a much simpler solution however.
Ditch ANY CDMA carrier in favour of a GSM carrier instead, preferably one that uses the same compatible frequencies adopted by the rest of the world, like AT&T (and MVNO's based off of AT&T's network), and buy the P6800.
The moral of this story is this: if you want the latest devices, with the best features, you're NOT going to find them in the north American market, EVER, at all, period; you're just going to find watered-down, gimped, bloated, and locked-down versions of the international models. You HAVE to import. If you're going to import, you HAVE to use a GSM service provider... That's just the way it is. It sucks, I know, but it is what it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I move my SIM between devices all the time and have never needed to call VZ to provision the new device. Voice and data just work.
miiike said:
I move my SIM between devices all the time and have never needed to call VZ to provision the new device. Voice and data just work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can CONFIRM the following:
I have a VZ tab 7.7 with 5GB data plan and I have a VZ Razr with voice/unlimited data plan.
Both are LTE devices and hence use (micro) SIM cards. In "My Verizon" even the tab has a phone number assigned to it's "line". A call to that number just rings but obviously nothing on the tab.
BUT...
Put the tab sim in the phone and YES it will ring if you call that number! Even TXT in/out works! I assume they will just charge me per txt and per min phone use BUT IT WORKS in a PHONE.
And the kicker is, the unlimited PHONE SIM also works in the TAB! I immediately get LTE data and can surf with the tab. Of course at that point calls and texts to that phone number are "ignored" by the tab's neutered modem.
Lesson learned:
IF there was a way to flash a modem, say for example from the Samsung Galaxy Nexus to the VZ 7.7 TAB, we would have a full supersized phone in our hand. Only downside, no earpiece. So only speakerphone or BT calls I guess.
Anyway, after a little more research I also found this very interesting article:
http://www.phonenews.com/verizon-affirms-unlimited-smartphone-sim-card-usage-in-hotspots-tablets-lte-ipad-20053/
Hope this helps bring a little light into the messy CDMA/LTE darkness
I have swapped my Galaxy Nexus SIM in my VZW LTE 7.7 numerous times. It works. I'd love to have voice on the VZW LTE 7.7, then I could possibly do it all on my tab. I'm no developer tho ;p

The Ntelos S5

I have an ntelos S5 (G900R7). There is no development for this phone anywhere on the internet. Perhaps I can find support here?
---------
So far (you may skip this part):
I have managed to successfully install Spirit Rom with full functionality, by copying my old build.prop into the system directory, and restoring my previous apn settings using the apnsbu. I forget why I left this rom, but I did. Everything I try has some problem! I then proceeded to try just CM11, by itself, and had 3g difficulties. Then, using Kushman's sprint MIUI, (Ntelos shares sprint towers) things seemed to work right, but it remapped my recent app key to menu... (perhaps I can map it back?) and the volume was not controlled by my physical volume buttons.
-----------
Now my favorite rom so far: Mokee Rom It's fast and visually pleasing, but I have wi-fi and phone difficulties.
After imposing my APN settings, I can reproduce these effects:
(1) Before replacing build.prop, the wi-fi works and can be enabled or disabled as I need. Also, 3g works very well at nice speeds, but it says "Verizon Wireless" underneath the 3g indicator bars. However, I cannot make calls. If I attempt to do so, the 3g data stops working, turns orange, and no longer says "3g". If I do this, then no data can be transmitted or received.
(2) After Replacing build.prop with the "good original" copy (which sometimes fixes similar problems in other custom roms) the wi-fi becomes stuck in a constant state of "turning wi-fi on..." but never turns on. 3g still works, but, as in part (1), it will break if I try to make a call.'' Also, in this case it says "Sprint" instead of "Verizon Wireless"
Does any one have advice, or perhaps some build.prop settings to modify? Or maybe there's a different file that would help. Again, my phone is the SM G900R7. Has someone else with this phone had luck customizing it?
Thank you
nTelos S5
Likewise have a nTelos S5, have not found any custom roms that can successfully be installed without data or phone issues.
Also trying to install any ASOP roms resulted with all phone efs data getting cleared.
Upon searched relentlessly the only rom I found that functions is located at
http://teamcspire.com/index.php?/topic/112-gs5-g900r7-r2-teamcspire-nd8stock-deodexed-101814/
its very stock but functions flawlessly for me.
Advise if you have any luck, I will reciprocate.
doby-nut said:
Likewise have a nTelos S5, have not found any custom roms that can successfully be installed without data or phone issues.
Also trying to install any ASOP roms resulted with all phone efs data getting cleared.
Upon searched relentlessly the only rom I found that functions is located at
http://teamcspire.com/index.php?/topic/112-gs5-g900r7-r2-teamcspire-nd8stock-deodexed-101814/
its very stock but functions flawlessly for me.
Advise if you have any luck, I will reciprocate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My advice is to you, is that if you install Mokee rom, do not update it with OTA update. This is what I think broke the network for me. Even after restoring my phone to factory conditions and using Kies, I still had no network. I ended up going to the nTelos store, where they had to reset the network service for my phone on their end... strange.
Anyway, I have made a few roms work, and I suspect I could make more. If you maintain your apn settings, and build.prop, you should be able to make Spirit rom work. The same thing is true for Miui. However, if I remember from my experience correctly, if you do install Miui, then I THINK you should not restore your original build.prop; it may work without it... just restore the apn settings. When you do this, you may have to change the preferred network mode... I am a little freaked out, after my previous experience with Mokee rom, to mess with this any longer, though. I do have a problem with Spirit rom: if I use the Timely alarm clock, the time panel is miscolored, but I believe that could possibly? be fixed by flashing a different kernel. I plan on flashing Spirit tonight.... stock uses up my battery too fast, and Spirit just feels more responsive.
EDIT: I just re-flashed Spirit Rom, and they fixed the discoloration in the most recent version! Also, as before, my 3g and WiFi work fine.
Took me days...
The CSpire shares the model number and ROM. The US Cellular CM11 is the closest. Somewhere in that I lost my ability to send texts (not sure if it's the SMSC or...) and didn't get it back when I ODIN'd to stock. I would LOVE to have CM support for this model.
I also am in the same boat as you guys. I would love to get another reliable ROM on this phone. I just have bad memories of purchasing my last one (Sprint GS3) from ebay, and having one hell of a time making the MMS work after flashing it for nTelos. However, I never did have to mess with any of the APNs or build.prop settings on that one. I would think the Sprint ROMs should be the closest compatible ROM, being that nTelos and Sprint do share towers in WVa and Va (Sprint actually has zero towers in these states, and leases nTelos towers instead).
Is using EFS Backup by Wanam a good method to insure the EFS does not get screwed up?
caezec said:
(1) Before replacing build.prop, the wi-fi works and can be enabled or disabled as I need. Also, 3g works very well at nice speeds, but it says "Verizon Wireless" underneath the 3g indicator bars. However, I cannot make calls. If I attempt to do so, the 3g data stops working, turns orange, and no longer says "3g". If I do this, then no data can be transmitted or received.
(2) After Replacing build.prop with the "good original" copy (which sometimes fixes similar problems in other custom roms) the wi-fi becomes stuck in a constant state of "turning wi-fi on..." but never turns on. 3g still works, but, as in part (1), it will break if I try to make a call.'' Also, in this case it says "Sprint" instead of "Verizon Wireless"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might try saving out your wpa_supplicant file from the stock ROM and replacing it on the flashed ROM. This has worked for me before on my GS3. That might take care of the wifi anyway.
I'm also on ntelos with the s5 now. But it is a us cellular unlocked by them phone. Stuck in a ntelos sim card that I bought from store and everything works. Except 4g. I can live w/o it but it's kinda like a puzzle now. How could I enable this to work on ntelos?
Depending on where you are, ntelos does not have 4G in many places yet. It's still very spotty in West Virginia.
Has anyone taken the OTA Lollipop update? If so, how is it working and does it lock or put in a new bootloader?
I have. It's a little laggy at times, gets really hot when using it while charging and battery drains a little faster. Not sure about the bootloader
i4get75 said:
I have. It's a little laggy at times, gets really hot when using it while charging and battery drains a little faster. Not sure about the bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I will hold off for a while. My stock NK1 is laggy enough as is. Damn, I wish there was a compatible ASOP ROM available for this phone.
Honestly, this Samsung G5 is the absolute worst phone I have ever owned! I would like to get a S6, but my experience has been so bad with this S5, I am almost afraid to stick with Samsung. However, my S3 was awesome!
Just found out that the heart rate sensor is active when the phone is on no matter if S Health is open or not.
I am in the Richmond area on Ntelos. They have stated they have sold their bandwidth to T-Mobile and we are to find another carrier. My phone is not even a year old and no other carrier will activate it. Being I own mine outright and paid close to $600, I am about to lose my mind knowing that I will have a shiny expensive very small tablet in a few months. Has anyone a clue how to change this phone over to GSM or something useful. Verizon refused to even try, though I know when I tried Straight Talk's Verizon Sim it did dial to Verizon's customer service. But Straight Talk nor Verizon would activate it.
Ideas and suggestions welcome.
puterdoc said:
I am in the Richmond area on Ntelos. They have stated they have sold their bandwidth to T-Mobile and we are to find another carrier. My phone is not even a year old and no other carrier will activate it. Being I own mine outright and paid close to $600, I am about to lose my mind knowing that I will have a shiny expensive very small tablet in a few months. Has anyone a clue how to change this phone over to GSM or something useful. Verizon refused to even try, though I know when I tried Straight Talk's Verizon Sim it did dial to Verizon's customer service. But Straight Talk nor Verizon would activate it.
Ideas and suggestions welcome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
page plus,i am an ntelos dealer and pageplus dealer i flash phones to and from both companies everyday i am in ruckersville va 12 mile north of charlottesville lemme know if you need help you right its the enitre eastern side of the companyh is gone now to tmobile but you can still activate on frawg..ive done many for customers
Thanks for the info. I am on the frawg side of things now. Their plans were too much when mine ended and I didn't need a phone at the time. Then a few years later, yeah I made my S1 last almost 4 years, I bought the S5 late last year outright. Loved the S1. Made that do everything it just did everything slow at the end.
Anyway, am glad there are options of some sort. Have been reading the reviews of pageplus. What kind of speeds are you getting on it with 4G? Their map shows coverage everywhere which makes me a bit uneasy, as in too good to be true. Is it a simple flash or require editing?
If I can't do something else with the phone, I may try the band opening options. According to the phone specs, it should already have all the Verizon bands but they refuse to activate it due to the meid it seems. I have a feeling this topic may get more viewers as the Ntelos off switch day comes closer.
Google Fit was the culprit for the heart rate sensor staying on. Un-installed it and fixed it
After all this time, has anybody found a ROM that works well on this phone?
can't get data so Internet not working on galaxy s5 unlocked already switched ntelos
njdan30 said:
page plus,i am an ntelos dealer and pageplus dealer i flash phones to and from both companies everyday i am in ruckersville va 12 mile north of charlottesville lemme know if you need help you right its the enitre eastern side of the companyh is gone now to tmobile but you can still activate on frawg..ive done many for customers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My internet is not working but I can get talk and text
In case nobody has seen this, there is a now a CyanogenMod 5.1.1 ROM available now for nTelos. I have been running it for 3 days now and I really like it. Good battery life too. Very stable and very speedy. There are some occasional bluetooth audio stuttering issues, but nothing terrible.
See this thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...ent/unofficial-cm-12-1-g900r7-inland-t3255191
FYI, Cyanogenmod 13.0 (Android 6.0.1) is available for nTelos and C-Spire (and other) devices here. http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...ent/unofficial-cm-12-1-g900r7-inland-t3255191
Sucks for ntelos customers bring forced into sprint at least the CDMA phones and iphones are unlocked
Sent from my SM-G935F using XDA-Developers mobile app
---------- Post added at 03:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:52 AM ----------
njdan30 said:
page plus,i am an ntelos dealer and pageplus dealer i flash phones to and from both companies everyday i am in ruckersville va 12 mile north of charlottesville lemme know if you need help you right its the enitre eastern side of the companyh is gone now to tmobile but you can still activate on frawg..ive done many for customers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry it's been a year only thing needed was a sim card and set apns it'll be 3g but beats a paper weight it'll get evdo and ehrpd speeds some cases you can get lte but very limited areas
Sent from my SM-G935F using XDA-Developers mobile app

Google Fi

Anyone currently using this on Google Fi? How do you like the service and how is the phone performing?
LG G6 (VS988 Verizon Variant BOOOO) but on Google Fi
The service is awesome. I switch back and forth between T-Mobile and Google Fi SIMs. My phone is a bad example because even though I paid for it outright and I left Verizon only after my contract ended, I cannot install an unlocked bootloader or root my device and as far as I know this is a Verizon thing only, (meaning Verizon special crafted the Android OS before putting it out so as to prevent people from actually having that 100 percent ownership feeling.) However the data and everything is good. Start out slow, order your SIM through Google Fi (if they ask say you have the LG G7, trust me, they'll refuse to activate the G6 so I had to call back and lie and sure enough it worked. After I got my SIM in the mail (all over the web via the Fi website,) I popped it in, my phone asked for a restart because it has a new SIM, restarted phone and installed the Google Fi app from Play Store, a few seconds later and one more restart and the APNs all changed themselves, phone was in Global mode and zooming away. And...tsk tsk...I haven't paid for service yet but maybe it's because my phone is all locked up to Verizon but they are not recording any data usage for me neither so I have free service through Fi. THAT BEING SAID, I am a huge fan and patron to Google and their services so I'm going to call and get this issue resolved. I'm sure it's just that they need my IMEI or something of that sort. If you have any other variant of the LG G6, first off, congrats for not going through Verizon like I did and never being able to root/ADB bloatware and etc., and two, give it a shot. You can get your SIM and start using the service (talk/text at least) before paying anything and of course it's month to month so no commitment.
Oh ya! I also noticed, rather this is intentional on Google's part or not, that my Mobile Hotspot feature works as well If you have anymore specific questions feel free to let me know!
Thanks for the reply. I'm guessing that you started before November as they have now opened the program up to other phones including the G6. (Mine is an unlocked T-Mobile one, which I am on now, so should work fine as I will still be using T-Mobil's towers.)
I realize this is an old post, but wondering if you are still using fi with the LG G6. I am wondering if root will give me the ability to auto-switch between the 3 networks. It's a deal breaker for me if I'm stuck with just TMobile's network. I have the US Cellular variant.
Thanks.

AT&T forcing me to abandon my Galaxy S8!

Hello,
I am new to this site, and have a burning question I am trying to find an answer for.
So AT&T has been my carrier since about 2014. In July of 2019, I purchased an unlocked S8 from Amazon for about $350 Description says it is: Samsung Galaxy S8 64GB Factory Unlocked Smartphone - US Version (Midnight Black) - US Warranty - [SM-G950UZKAXAA]. In the settings, the model number is listed as: SM-G950U1.
Recently, I received a message from AT&T saying that they are shutting down their 3G network in February of 2022, and that my phone will no longer work on their network. I went into one of their stores and showed them that my phone operates on LTE, but I was told that is for data only and voice operates on 3G. I could not remember the VoLTE name at the time, but mentioned that my phone had the capability to operate on LTE. They refused to go thru settings with me, and told me that my phone will stop working in February. Period. End of story. Also, I was told the same thing that the message states, that they are sending me a new phone and will be deactivating my phone after 30 days.
Now some of my friends are laughing at me saying, "Dang free phones!" But I do not want a 5G phone (which is obviously what they are sending). I have my reasons and this is not what I wish to discuss here.
The issue is... I love my telephone!! It does exactly what I want, and I don't need anything new. Not to mention that I paid for it entirely, with no subsidy from AT&T. I specifically bought it unlocked with intentions of avoiding contracts and having the ability to switch carriers if I so choose.
I am pretty sure that I saw VoLTE mentioned in my settings a while back. But now a search on my phone finds nothing. I assume a firmware update hid this info from me.
So... what gives? Does anybody here know if this particular device can make/receive voice calls using VoLTE - on AT&T (or any other carriers) - simply by changing settings in the phone? Do I have any options to make my phone continue to operate as intended? With any carrier?
Sorry for the long post. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Steve
willnotbecontrolled said:
Hello,
I am new to this site, and have a burning question I am trying to find an answer for.
So AT&T has been my carrier since about 2014. In July of 2019, I purchased an unlocked S8 from Amazon for about $350 Description says it is: Samsung Galaxy S8 64GB Factory Unlocked Smartphone - US Version (Midnight Black) - US Warranty - [SM-G950UZKAXAA]. In the settings, the model number is listed as: SM-G950U1.
Recently, I received a message from AT&T saying that they are shutting down their 3G network in February of 2022, and that my phone will no longer work on their network. I went into one of their stores and showed them that my phone operates on LTE, but I was told that is for data only and voice operates on 3G. I could not remember the VoLTE name at the time, but mentioned that my phone had the capability to operate on LTE. They refused to go thru settings with me, and told me that my phone will stop working in February. Period. End of story. Also, I was told the same thing that the message states, that they are sending me a new phone and will be deactivating my phone after 30 days.
Now some of my friends are laughing at me saying, "Dang free phones!" But I do not want a 5G phone (which is obviously what they are sending). I have my reasons and this is not what I wish to discuss here.
The issue is... I love my telephone!! It does exactly what I want, and I don't need anything new. Not to mention that I paid for it entirely, with no subsidy from AT&T. I specifically bought it unlocked with intentions of avoiding contracts and having the ability to switch carriers if I so choose.
I am pretty sure that I saw VoLTE mentioned in my settings a while back. But now a search on my phone finds nothing. I assume a firmware update hid this info from me.
So... what gives? Does anybody here know if this particular device can make/receive voice calls using VoLTE - on AT&T (or any other carriers) - simply by changing settings in the phone? Do I have any options to make my phone continue to operate as intended? With any carrier?
Sorry for the long post. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Steve
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same issue with crickett (att).
got that txt msg, recently maybe december there was a firmware update that greyed out my network settings and hid some items.
i cant even change my prefered network, 3g 4g lte etc, its locked..
I have the 950u1 also
HOWEVER I have a s8 950U that I think has all these unlocked.
Im going to backup and odin flash the U firmware to the UI and see if it works.
Thats bull**** about doing this. greedy ****s..
I go with somone else if I have to.
willnotbecontrolled said:
Hello,
I am new to this site, and have a burning question I am trying to find an answer for.
So AT&T has been my carrier since about 2014. In July of 2019, I purchased an unlocked S8 from Amazon for about $350 Description says it is: Samsung Galaxy S8 64GB Factory Unlocked Smartphone - US Version (Midnight Black) - US Warranty - [SM-G950UZKAXAA]. In the settings, the model number is listed as: SM-G950U1.
Recently, I received a message from AT&T saying that they are shutting down their 3G network in February of 2022, and that my phone will no longer work on their network. I went into one of their stores and showed them that my phone operates on LTE, but I was told that is for data only and voice operates on 3G. I could not remember the VoLTE name at the time, but mentioned that my phone had the capability to operate on LTE. They refused to go thru settings with me, and told me that my phone will stop working in February. Period. End of story. Also, I was told the same thing that the message states, that they are sending me a new phone and will be deactivating my phone after 30 days.
Now some of my friends are laughing at me saying, "Dang free phones!" But I do not want a 5G phone (which is obviously what they are sending). I have my reasons and this is not what I wish to discuss here.
The issue is... I love my telephone!! It does exactly what I want, and I don't need anything new. Not to mention that I paid for it entirely, with no subsidy from AT&T. I specifically bought it unlocked with intentions of avoiding contracts and having the ability to switch carriers if I so choose.
I am pretty sure that I saw VoLTE mentioned in my settings a while back. But now a search on my phone finds nothing. I assume a firmware update hid this info from me.
So... what gives? Does anybody here know if this particular device can make/receive voice calls using VoLTE - on AT&T (or any other carriers) - simply by changing settings in the phone? Do I have any options to make my phone continue to operate as intended? With any carrier?
Sorry for the long post. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Steve
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
press phone icon, then top right corner hit the 3 vertical dots.
select settings and it should be in there if you havent updated lately... they ****ed us and locked out network and volte settings.
djmdesign said:
Same issue with crickett (att).
got that txt msg, recently maybe december there was a firmware update that greyed out my network settings and hid some items.
i cant even change my prefered network, 3g 4g lte etc, its locked..
I have the 950u1 also
HOWEVER I have a s8 950U that I think has all these unlocked.
Im going to backup and odin flash the U firmware to the UI and see if it works.
Thats bull**** about doing this. greedy ****s..
I go with somone else if I have to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please let me know if this works. I thought about doing the same thing, but have not gotten around to trying it. In theory, it sounds like a solid plan. But I have a couple of concerns.
During a recent phone call, AT&T told me their system has flagged my IMEI and that my phone will stop working very soon. So, if the system flagged an IMEI as an unsupported device, will it even matter which firmware is installed? Or will their system just deactivate the phone at some point?
Second, if you install the 950U firmware in place of the 950U1, will the device become carrier locked at this point? That would really suck if it did.
BTW, I was able to lock preferred network to “LTE only” by dialing *#*#4636#*#* and entering Device information screen. Unfortunately, my phone would not complete a call when using LTE only setting. VoLTE provisioned toggle is greyed out, along with others. Seems to me that if a guy could self provision VoLTE, this would solve the issue.
I called AT&T tech support and spent 45 minutes trying to get them to provision VoLTE, but they could not, or would not do it. At first, they kept telling me that my phone is a 3G phone. I argued that I could change the radio to “LTE only” and that my sim card status showed LTE for “mobile voice network type”, which proves that the phone is indeed LTE capable for voice calls - but that it will not complete a call because it is not provisioned to do so. Eventually they told me that their system would not allow them to provision VoLTE for me, since it is flagged as an unsupported device. Which leads back to the first part of this post.
I also found some stuff on reddit about putting the phone into “engineering mode” and something about a Samsung tool that unlocks additional dialer codes. Have not tried this, tho.
At this point, I am just completely fed up with AT&T for this whole S8 situation, as well as other unrelated issues. I will most likely switch carriers for principle’s sake, even though I know other carriers play similar games.
Anyway, I am interested in whether or not you find a solution and would very much like to hear about it. Thank you for the response!!
willnotbecontrolled said:
Please let me know if this works. I thought about doing the same thing, but have not gotten around to trying it. In theory, it sounds like a solid plan. But I have a couple of concerns.
During a recent phone call, AT&T told me their system has flagged my IMEI and that my phone will stop working very soon. So, if the system flagged an IMEI as an unsupported device, will it even matter which firmware is installed? Or will their system just deactivate the phone at some point?
Second, if you install the 950U firmware in place of the 950U1, will the device become carrier locked at this point? That would really suck if it did.
BTW, I was able to lock preferred network to “LTE only” by dialing *#*#4636#*#* and entering Device information screen. Unfortunately, my phone would not complete a call when using LTE only setting. VoLTE provisioned toggle is greyed out, along with others. Seems to me that if a guy could self provision VoLTE, this would solve the issue.
I called AT&T tech support and spent 45 minutes trying to get them to provision VoLTE, but they could not, or would not do it. At first, they kept telling me that my phone is a 3G phone. I argued that I could change the radio to “LTE only” and that my sim card status showed LTE for “mobile voice network type”, which proves that the phone is indeed LTE capable for voice calls - but that it will not complete a call because it is not provisioned to do so. Eventually they told me that their system would not allow them to provision VoLTE for me, since it is flagged as an unsupported device. Which leads back to the first part of this post.
I also found some stuff on reddit about putting the phone into “engineering mode” and something about a Samsung tool that unlocks additional dialer codes. Have not tried this, tho.
At this point, I am just completely fed up with AT&T for this whole S8 situation, as well as other unrelated issues. I will most likely switch carriers for principle’s sake, even though I know other carriers play similar games.
Anyway, I am interested in whether or not you find a solution and would very much like to hear about it. Thank you for the response!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I'm Newbie around here. I'd like to share my experience with ATT and my beloved S8+ this past few months:
Much like you and many others I started receiving texts from ATT by mid 2021 saying my phone would not work after Feb '22. Yes, every time they suspended my line I wasted 30~ 40 mins on the phone, listening how they would insist my S8+ was a 3G phone. It didn't matter that I offered to send them screenshots of my device showing the "VoLTE option" and "4G LTE" while both in the USA and Mexico. Thing is, they only based their saying on a st....id whitelist and all the reps are just talking heads.
I use an S8+ international version which is NOT on the dreaded list. and I am on the 300/year prepaid plan which allows roaming between Mexico and USA with no 50/50 usage limit.
I bought this phone on amazon for 350-ish bucks a couple of years ago and I love it!
I have to cross the Mexico/USA border very frequently and I need two separate numbers one on each country for business reasons so dual sim is a must. On the other hand, I receive lots and lots of phone calls while driving, this made me crave for android 8.1 when call recording was allowed by google, not the case anymore. None of these 2 features are available on the S8/S9 US based phones. I do not need 5G, I do not use social media nor watch videos on my phone but do get to use Pandora, Spotify, MLB radio and so on......... Enter SM-G955F/DS. I was able to change Samsung's CSC code to Israel so call recording is active for all those notes I cannot write down while driving and I get to carry just one device with 2 separate numbers thanks to a dual sim.
Ok, so back to my phone not being on the f... list :
Around Feb 10th, I got yet another email and SMS telling me it was my last opportunity to change or I MAY be disconnected after 2/22/22 ( funny choice of date huh?). I noticed that words on email and text messages had been changed from WILL NOT on Jul/2021 to MAY NOT work on Feb/2022. Since I know for a fact that my phone is VoLTE capable, I figured my S8+ would work as long as AT&T did not intentionally disconnected my line.
So, I took a crappy phoenix ATT phone and updated it's IMEI on my account via the ATT prepaid webpage. After getting "approval" from ATT's system, I put the SIM card in and used it for a full weekend. After that, I put the SIM card back to my S8+ and it is still going strong to date.
Today is March 1st, and I have been weary of ATT sneaking me out of their system but fortunately it has not happened yet. Needless to say, I have not updated my S8's IMEI on ATT's webpage and do not intend to do so.
Now, This "proves" that my phone is indeed capable of using VoLTE and HD , and all those things ATT said it would not do is just plain B.S.. if they disconnect me down the road I would definitely move to T Mobile although I would have some issues with the 50/50 international roaming and I still have 8 months left on my prepaid annual plan with ATT so, keeping my fingers crossed.
AT&T just wants to make more money out of selling new 5G devices while getting rid of their stocked 4G phones.
I wouldn't mind if they just plain out stated " If you do not buy from ATT then ATT will not support your device and will not sell service to you" then again, it would probably be a PR nightmare for them although they do that for WIFI calling anyways.
Ain't it funny how 2/22/22 is coincidentally a paycheck's time ( 2 weeks) after a new flagship phone (S22) was made available for purchase ?
Anyways, enough for ranting and conspiracy theories lol...
I have taken out and put back to my S8+ the SIM card two times in the past 9 days after 2/22/22 and my service is still in good standing.
Maybe if you got a new replacement phone that you don't like, you may swap back your SIM card and it MAY work just like mine is even if it is NOT ON THE INFAMOUS WHITE LIST.
Oldschoolguy said:
Hi, I'm Newbie around here. I'd like to share my experience with ATT and my beloved S8+ this past few months:
Much like you and many others I started receiving texts from ATT by mid 2021 saying my phone would not work after Feb '22. Yes, every time they suspended my line I wasted 30~ 40 mins on the phone, listening how they would insist my S8+ was a 3G phone. It didn't matter that I offered to send them screenshots of my device showing the "VoLTE option" and "4G LTE" while both in the USA and Mexico. Thing is, they only based their saying on a st....id whitelist and all the reps are just talking heads.
I use an S8+ international version which is NOT on the dreaded list. and I am on the 300/year prepaid plan which allows roaming between Mexico and USA with no 50/50 usage limit.
I bought this phone on amazon for 350-ish bucks a couple of years ago and I love it!
I have to cross the Mexico/USA border very frequently and I need two separate numbers one on each country for business reasons so dual sim is a must. On the other hand, I receive lots and lots of phone calls while driving, this made me crave for android 8.1 when call recording was allowed by google, not the case anymore. None of these 2 features are available on the S8/S9 US based phones. I do not need 5G, I do not use social media nor watch videos on my phone but do get to use Pandora, Spotify, MLB radio and so on......... Enter SM-G955F/DS. I was able to change Samsung's CSC code to Israel so call recording is active for all those notes I cannot write down while driving and I get to carry just one device with 2 separate numbers thanks to a dual sim.
Ok, so back to my phone not being on the f... list :
Around Feb 10th, I got yet another email and SMS telling me it was my last opportunity to change or I MAY be disconnected after 2/22/22 ( funny choice of date huh?). I noticed that words on email and text messages had been changed from WILL NOT on Jul/2021 to MAY NOT work on Feb/2022. Since I know for a fact that my phone is VoLTE capable, I figured my S8+ would work as long as AT&T did not intentionally disconnected my line.
So, I took a crappy phoenix ATT phone and updated it's IMEI on my account via the ATT prepaid webpage. After getting "approval" from ATT's system, I put the SIM card in and used it for a full weekend. After that, I put the SIM card back to my S8+ and it is still going strong to date.
Today is March 1st, and I have been weary of ATT sneaking me out of their system but fortunately it has not happened yet. Needless to say, I have not updated my S8's IMEI on ATT's webpage and do not intend to do so.
Now, This "proves" that my phone is indeed capable of using VoLTE and HD , and all those things ATT said it would not do is just plain B.S.. if they disconnect me down the road I would definitely move to T Mobile although I would have some issues with the 50/50 international roaming and I still have 8 months left on my prepaid annual plan with ATT so, keeping my fingers crossed.
AT&T just wants to make more money out of selling new 5G devices while getting rid of their stocked 4G phones.
I wouldn't mind if they just plain out stated " If you do not buy from ATT then ATT will not support your device and will not sell service to you" then again, it would probably be a PR nightmare for them although they do that for WIFI calling anyways.
Ain't it funny how 2/22/22 is coincidentally a paycheck's time ( 2 weeks) after a new flagship phone (S22) was made available for purchase ?
Anyways, enough for ranting and conspiracy theories lol...
I have taken out and put back to my S8+ the SIM card two times in the past 9 days after 2/22/22 and my service is still in good standing.
Maybe if you got a new replacement phone that you don't like, you may swap back your SIM card and it MAY work just like mine is even if it is NOT ON THE INFAMOUS WHITE LIST.
View attachment 5549949View attachment 5549951View attachment 5549953View attachment 5549955
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep... AT&T is full of it. I got sick of wasting my time and energy trying to fight this. I eventually just switched over to TMo, and I have been running around with my S8's radio set to LTE only. No issues whatsoever. Great cell service, $30 bucks a month cheaper, all fees included in the flat rate, and a free Netflix account, to boot.
See ya AT&T!!! I hope some group with the the gumption and time takes you to court for your deceptive trade practices. I hope you lose lots of customers, time, and money for your douchery!!!
Has anyone looked into potentially using ODIN to use AT&T's firmware on the unbranded G950U1 without rooting to see if it adds the VoLTE software feature? Does anyone know if that flashing will disable (permanently break) samsung pay? I don't want any rooting since that will permanently break samsung pay on the hardware.

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