Database Users

Can the US Cellular Galaxy S4 be used on GSM carriers?

For some reason, most of the cheaper Galaxy S4's for sale on eBay are from US Cellular. Can those be unlocked for use on GSM carriers such as AT&T?
Thanks

Zoide_ said:
For some reason, most of the cheaper Galaxy S4's for sale on eBay are from US Cellular. Can those be unlocked for use on GSM carriers such as AT&T?
Thanks
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Click to collapse
I dont think it will be possible :crying:

Zoide_ said:
For some reason, most of the cheaper Galaxy S4's for sale on eBay are from US Cellular. Can those be unlocked for use on GSM carriers such as AT&T?
Thanks
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Click to collapse
Nope. They are CDMA.

KillaHurtz said:
Nope. They are CDMA.
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Click to collapse
The verizon s3 had gsm capabilities after some tinkering (I think it involved flashing a different rom), so I was hoping the same might eventually be possible with the us cellular s4. Does anybody know if the us cellular is purely cdma and not possibly a world phone with hidden gsm capabilities?

I have seen a few galaxy S4 listed as I9500 from US Cellular. I asked the sellers about it and they say they don't know. But I9500 is a GSM model and US Cellular is a CDMA carrier.

US Cellular will not work on other carrier
According to this reliable source s4 US Cellular is strictly CDMA, not like Verizon counter part.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S4

HS™ said:
I dont think it will be possible :crying:
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I tryed to put all codes in dial app not even imeis code work..I found one the works..##366633# is restricting me to a dm enable disable mode any ideas what is it?

tsoupa said:
I tryed to put all codes in dial app not even imeis code work..I found one the works..##366633# is restricting me to a dm enable disable mode any ideas what is it?
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Click to collapse
Developer Mode

I know, this is an old thread but I like the old phones.
I can confirm that a US Cellular Samsung S4 Model SCH-R970 can make calls and do SMS on a GSM carrier (Verizon) in my case. My problem is 4G data isn't working, yet. Edit: I am able to get 3G data going, but 4G is not.
I recently picked up a cheap but perfectly good US Cellular S4 and was able to use my Verizon SIM to make calls and SMS. It appears that the phone is only set to CDMA so data with Verizon isn't active at this moment (I am using wifi). The trick to getting the voice and text working was letting the phone go through 5-6 system updates over the course of 5-6 hours yesterday over wi-fi. After the last one, the phone "unlocked" from US Cellular** and let me use my Verizon sim to make calls and send text.
**This falls in line with what it says here uscellular dot com:
"4G LTE Devices
All 4G LTE devices launched by U.S. Cellular on or after February 1, 2016 are sold unlocked. Select 4G LTE devices (listed below) that were launched before February 1, 2016 are unlocked by installing the latest software update. Please refer to the Software Updates page to find the latest software version available for these devices and for instructions on how to download the latest software update."
ref: www uscellular dot com/site/legal/mobile-wireless-device-unlocking.html
I always liked my S4 so when my S5 broke (dead screen) I picked up an S4 cheap. I can't stomach paying $200-800 for a new or ussed S5-S8 phone.
Does anyone know how to add the GSM settings into the phone so I can select that as my data network?? Currently the phone only displays CDMA/LTE as the choices.

mergs! said:
I know, this is an old thread but I like the old phones.
I can confirm that a USCC Samsung S4 can make calls and do SMS on a GSM carrier (Verizon) in my case. My problem is 4G data isn't working, yet.
I recently picked up a cheap but perfectly good US Cellular S4 and was able to use my Verizon SIM to make calls and SMS. It appears that the phone is only set to CDMA so data with Verizon isn't active at this moment (I am using wifi). The trick to getting the voice and text working was letting the phone go through 5-6 system updates over the course of 5-6 hours yesterday over wi-fi. After the last one, the phone "unlocked" from US Cellular** and let me use my Verizon sim to make calls and send text.
**This falls in line with what it says here uscellular dot com:
"4G LTE Devices
All 4G LTE devices launched by U.S. Cellular on or after February 1, 2016 are sold unlocked. Select 4G LTE devices (listed below) that were launched before February 1, 2016 are unlocked by installing the latest software update. Please refer to the Software Updates page to find the latest software version available for these devices and for instructions on how to download the latest software update."
ref: www uscellular dot com/site/legal/mobile-wireless-device-unlocking.html
I always liked my S4 so when my S5 broke (dead screen) I picked up an S4 cheap. I can't stomach paying $200-800 for a new or ussed S5-S8 phone.
Does anyone know how to add the GSM settings into the phone so I can select that as my data network?? Currently the phone only displays CDMA/LTE as the choices.
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Click to collapse
Verizon is a CDMA/LTE carrier.

dennis5pia said:
Verizon is a CDMA/LTE carrier.
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Ah, OK then I stand corrected. Perhaps I am running a fool's errand here (trying to get GSM going).
Let me update the situation: my current status is that 3G data is working on the SCH-R970 US Cellular phone (with a Verizon sim) but 4G never kicks in. Maybe I just need to visit a Verizon store.

mergs! said:
Ah, OK then I stand corrected. Perhaps I am running a fool's errand here (trying to get GSM going).
Let me update the situation: my current status is that 3G data is working on the SCH-R970 US Cellular phone (with a Verizon sim) but 4G never kicks in. Maybe I just need to visit a Verizon store.
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Did you add the Verizon LTE APN?

dennis5pia said:
Did you add the Verizon LTE APN?
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Click to collapse
Yep, thanks. I attempted to do that. But I don't believe I the setting took hold.
Details: I used "Offline SIM APN" tool (from Play Store), and manually entered the settings that I found online for Verizon. The Os is now 5.0.1 and the tool says it can no longer add the APN automatically on Android v4.0 or higher, so I did it manually. It appears to be in the phone but I don't know how to activate it on the phone.

mergs! said:
Yep, thanks. I attempted to do that. But I don't believe I the setting took hold.
Details: I used "Offline SIM APN" tool (from Play Store), and manually entered the settings that I found online for Verizon. The Os is now 5.0.1 and the tool says it can no longer add the APN automatically on Android v4.0 or higher, so I did it manually. It appears to be in the phone but I don't know how to activate it on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I managed to add APN in an old phone a few years ago by editing the build.pro file, but you need to be rooted in order to do that.

S7 International on AT&T carrier

Anyone using S7 International version on US AT&T carrier?
Care to report any issues? Drawbacks? Limitations, etc?

I'm curious about the this as well
If so, any issues, like with GPS? Also does Samsung pay work?
I don't get why Samsung has made this so complicated: some of us want t faster updates, custom roms etc and are willing to pay for it. And in this particular case a slightly faster more efficient variant.

I just got the 930f, and using it on cricket. So far, I see no drawbacks, but I haven't used it enough. Cricket was auto detected and APN settings already configured. The 930f from ebay was sealed, and no European sim needed.

anywho said:
I just got the 930f, and using it on cricket. So far, I see no drawbacks, but I haven't used it enough. Cricket was auto detected and APN settings already configured. The 930f from ebay was sealed, and no European sim needed.
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Does Cricket use AT&T towers?

martinezma99 said:
Does Cricket use AT&T towers?
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yes, it is att owned mvno.

Anyone else on AT&T?

Been debating if I want to get this variant as well. Anybody know if AT&t LTE work? Online claims that the phone does support it, but would rather have someone verify it before I purchased it.

chungdae said:
Been debating if I want to get this variant as well. Anybody know if AT&t LTE work? Online claims that the phone does support it, but would rather have someone verify it before I purchased it.
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LTE works fine, but this is missing band 30. But Band 30 is very new, and I believe it's mainly big city markets that use it.

^great thank you for the info

I got the international S7 Edge (935f) and I am using it on ATT.
The ebay sellers remove the region lock before shipping, which requires a 10 minute call in the originating country. I also had no issues when putting my ATT sim in and didn't have to change APN settings or anything, it all worked immediately. I get 4G LTE and speeds are typical for what I am used to. I could also use my phone as a wireless hotspot right away, which was very important to me, and something ATT does not allow without a separate plan. No band 30 as was mentioned, but I can live without that. Also, no samsung pay (for the time being), and no voice over LTE, which I never used before anyway. You're also on your own for warranty.
Not many disadvantages to taking the international over the carrier brand, and you will get a lower cost, bloat free, and rootable/fully customizable phone as an advantage. Very happy w/ my purchase.

Hisma said:
I got the international S7 Edge (935f) and I am using it on ATT.
The ebay sellers remove the region lock before shipping, which requires a 10 minute call in the originating country. I also had no issues when putting my ATT sim in and didn't have to change APN settings or anything, it all worked immediately. I get 4G LTE and speeds are typical for what I am used to. I could also use my phone as a wireless hotspot right away, which was very important to me, and something ATT does not allow without a separate plan. No band 30 as was mentioned, but I can live without that. Also, no samsung pay (for the time being), and no voice over LTE, which I never used before anyway. You're also on your own for warranty.
Not many disadvantages to taking the international over the carrier brand, and you will get a lower cost, bloat free, and rootable/fully customizable phone as an advantage. Very happy w/ my purchase.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm curious if the Samsung Pay app is missing or if it's present and just unable to be configured due to the model number. Thanks! Also, I read someone complaining about GPS with their SM-G935F here in the US. Can't imagine why that would be, but have you had any issues in that area?

samsung pay is not even present. It needs to be baked in by the carrier.
As for GPS, it's perfectly fine. I used it earlier today and it locked in & got me where I needed to go without issue. I don't see why people would say GPS would be impacted by an international phone? GPS will be the same in all of these, and it will connect to the same satellites all the other carriers would use. This isn't like a car where it needs to have region-specific maps pre-loaded.

Does VoLTE work?

myphone12345 said:
Does VoLTE work?
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No

No but I am using an AT&T version G935A in Canada. Works flawlessly!

If I get the international model, will the phone auto update the APN settings on its own?

Capt said:
If I get the international model, will the phone auto update the APN settings on its own?
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Click to collapse
Read my first response.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Isn't samsung pay downloadble from the play store now (and APKMirror)? I'm curious if it works once it's installed on the phone.

Hisma said:
samsung pay is not even present. It needs to be baked in by the carrier.
As for GPS, it's perfectly fine. I used it earlier today and it locked in & got me where I needed to go without issue. I don't see why people would say GPS would be impacted by an international phone? GPS will be the same in all of these, and it will connect to the same satellites all the other carriers would use. This isn't like a car where it needs to have region-specific maps pre-loaded.
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Click to collapse
Read up on A-GPS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_GPS

myphone12345 said:
Read up on A-GPS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_GPS
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Click to collapse
Thanks for that. Wasn't aware that they combine the Internet connection with the GPS in these phones, makes sense though.
Still, I speak from personal experience with the phone, GPS locks instantly and works great with Google maps. Haven't used it with any other 3rd party apps yet though. If others have had issues I'd like to hear their personal accounts.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

WiFi Calling and Volte

Anyone know how to enable this? Im not on Verizon, using Three network in UK.

Shah1989 said:
Anyone know how to enable this? Im not on Verizon, using Three network in UK.
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I cant activate it on Verizon Prepaid, I spent a decent amount of time on the phone with customer service and it appears it is setup to be a Verizon post paid account exclusive.

LeeMullinsII said:
I cant activate it on Verizon Prepaid, I spent a decent amount of time on the phone with customer service and it appears it is setup to be a Verizon post paid account exclusive.
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I use mine on Verizon prepaid and it works just fine with VoLTE

snoopy1e11 said:
I use mine on Verizon prepaid and it works just fine with VoLTE
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Yes it does now, but was not available until Verizon added it to the prepaid line up of devices, but in that same note I mentioned it because the OP wanted it on a different network and Verizon had it blocked in the same network so I doubt it would work without root

Shah1989 said:
Anyone know how to enable this? Im not on Verizon, using Three network in UK.
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Click to collapse
It wont be available for us. It can be enabled only with Verizon sim card installed and used Im afraid. Big shame because EE in UK also has Wifi call and HD call available but not on this device. Im selling this scrap because lack of Wifi Call.
Sent from my XT1650 using XDA-Developers Legacy app

Samsung S8 - Unlocked Phone - No Wifi Calling? What Else Am I Missing

I bought an unlocked S8 at Best Buy because it was a good deal.
However, I'm noticing AT&T is restricting Wifi calling. There isn't even an option to turn in on.
Are they preventing this? If so, can I get it turned on by them ? I'm assuming there is a ROM I could flash to get it, but I would hate nothing during flashing bricking my phone.
Any other features I'm missing? Since I have really bad coverage at my desk at work, WIFI calling is important to me. I'm considering returning the phone and going to ATT brand, but there is a $35.00 restocking fee. I feel Best Buy should have told me the downsides of an unlocked.

I didn't get any restocking fee when I returned my ATT S8. Got a full refund, no questions asked. Besides if you're just swapping out to another carrier one, I'm sure they will waive it. I have MintSim (Tmo) and WiFi calling can be enabled and works fine for me on the unlocked firmware on my Vzw S8.

AFAIK, AT&T does not allow wifi calling for non-branded phones.

Can anyone explain to my why this would be? Is there any technical reason that they cannot do this on an non branded phone or are they being difficult?
I know it could be that they are strong armming me into another 2 year agreement, but if I can't use Wifi Calling, I cannot use their service due to poor reception at work. I think it would be in their best interest to let me use this feature.
Everyone I talked to on phone and in store basically act like it should be fine.
PS Running Android 7.0

bdaoust said:
Can anyone explain to my why this would be? Is there any technical reason that they cannot do this on an non branded phone or are they being difficult?
I know it could be that they are strong armming me into another 2 year agreement, but if I can't use Wifi Calling, I cannot use their service due to poor reception at work. I think it would be in their best interest to let me use this feature.
Everyone I talked to on phone and in store basically act like it should be fine.
PS Running Android 7.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am slightly confident that CSC (country/carrier specific code) patch can fix this issue but you would need to look into the other section for that and I say this because it fixed VoLTE issue for some other guys...

WiFi is not possible on AT&T network with the Unlocked version of S8 phones
This may help others who are considering the Unlocked S8.
Note: As of today, no options available from either AT&T or Samsung to enable WiFi calling.
After multiple trips to AT&T, BestBuy Samsung, chat sessions with Samsung support and now calling Samsung Premium Care, I finally confirmed that the Unlocked S8 model does not have any possible software upgrade to enable WiFi calling. Why did so many not know?
Samsung:
Please revise your website to clearly state the limitation, (WiFi is not possible on AT&T network ), with the Unlocked version of your S8 phones.
What's Next?
I was told that there is nothing that Samsung can do for me but Return the phone for Refund.
Now returning this phone requires me to again pay additional cost for replacing/activating another SIM for my old phone to use during the time I process an order for my next phone. Samsung cost me hours of my time and wasted my money.
bdaoust said:
I bought an unlocked S8 at Best Buy because it was a good deal.
However, I'm noticing AT&T is restricting Wifi calling. There isn't even an option to turn in on.
Are they preventing this? If so, can I get it turned on by them ? I'm assuming there is a ROM I could flash to get it, but I would hate nothing during flashing bricking my phone.
Any other features I'm missing? Since I have really bad coverage at my desk at work, WIFI calling is important to me. I'm considering returning the phone and going to ATT brand, but there is a $35.00 restocking fee. I feel Best Buy should have told me the downsides of an unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

dealing with the same thing and entirely frustrated. so much wasted time that a simple disclaimer would've saved me from.

wifi calling is a feature enabled by a carrier, not the phone brand. if you want wifi-calling, flash the relevant firmware for your carrier just like i did for VZW to get wifi-calling to work. and btw, this information was widely known by doing some research previous to purchase. i had no problem finding this out but ordered anyway with the intent to flash the firmware.

knightsfury said:
wifi calling is a feature enabled by a carrier, not the phone brand. if you want wifi-calling, flash the relevant firmware for your carrier just like i did for VZW to get wifi-calling to work. and btw, this information was widely known by doing some research previous to purchase. i had no problem finding this out but ordered anyway with the intent to flash the firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i flashed it with straight up ATT, all files from here:
joe3681 said:
AT&T QF7 (latest fw)
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Click to collapse
and wifi calling won't work. just gives me this message:
"Oops!
We can't turn on Wi-Fi Calling for your account. Think this message is a mistake? Ask the person who can make account changes to call us..."
After numerous calls to Samsung and AT&T you absolutely cannot enable wifi calling on the unlocked phone. Only phones purchased as AT&T branded are allowed the full feature set.
If in fact you DID buy an AT&T S8, you can unlock it and keep said features, but not in reverse of that. Which blows.

fremitus said:
i flashed it with straight up ATT, all files from here:
and wifi calling won't work. just gives me this message:
"Oops!
We can't turn on Wi-Fi Calling for your account. Think this message is a mistake? Ask the person who can make account changes to call us..."
After numerous calls to Samsung and AT&T you absolutely cannot enable wifi calling on the unlocked phone. Only phones purchased as AT&T branded are allowed the full feature set.
If in fact you DID buy an AT&T S8, you can unlock it and keep said features, but not in reverse of that. Which blows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That really makes no sense.... (Not that you're lying) but there's specific firmwares for the unlocked S8's depending on carrier. the G950U1 has different CSC's depending on what carrier it's used for. Why do that if it doesn't enable that carriers features?!

joe3681 said:
That really makes no sense.... (Not that you're lying) but there's specific firmwares for the unlocked S8's depending on carrier. the G950U1 has different CSC's depending on what carrier it's used for. Why do that if it doesn't enable that carriers features?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
flashing other carriers might work (like Tmobile), but not with ATT as they are using based on the IMEI registered with ATT brand.. so flashing any CSC won't enable it as long as you spoke to their customer care and provide your No and other ATT phone to activate Wifi calling on your number.. this is not 100% working method.. search through teh CSC selection forum there people posted a workaround.

KeithDo said:
This may help others who are considering the Unlocked S8.
Note: As of today, no options available from either AT&T or Samsung to enable WiFi calling.
After multiple trips to AT&T, BestBuy Samsung, chat sessions with Samsung support and now calling Samsung Premium Care, I finally confirmed that the Unlocked S8 model does not have any possible software upgrade to enable WiFi calling. Why did so many not know?
Samsung:
Please revise your website to clearly state the limitation, (WiFi is not possible on AT&T network ), with the Unlocked version of your S8 phones.
What's Next?
I was told that there is nothing that Samsung can do for me but Return the phone for Refund.
Now returning this phone requires me to again pay additional cost for replacing/activating another SIM for my old phone to use during the time I process an order for my next phone. Samsung cost me hours of my time and wasted my money.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Time I understand. You will never get that back. The SIM card issue I don't understand. Didn't you keep the old sim card from your old phone. Yes, AT&T will have to reactivate it, but they should do that for free. The only time I've had to pay is when I needed to get a new physical SIM card because the size was wrong for the phone I wanted to use. If you kept the old SIM card, you can simply reactivate it and stick it in your old phone again.

joe3681 said:
That really makes no sense.... (Not that you're lying) but there's specific firmwares for the unlocked S8's depending on carrier. the G950U1 has different CSC's depending on what carrier it's used for. Why do that if it doesn't enable that carriers features?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's all tied to your IMEI, and that can't be changed. the VoLTE and Wifi Calling are non-existent unless you bought an ATT branded phone.

Guys ... I'm still looking for other options BUT this will work ....
If you have a business account you can just go in to the account and change your billing acct IMEI for your unlocked phone to an IMEI of an AT&T S8 (get one from a friend, go to the store and check out the displays, etc)
If you don't have a business acct call support , eventually you can get a person that knows what to do and they can plug in a working IMEI
This works ... works on my S7 Edge as well

Flashed unlocked phone with ATT FW. Then changed my account's imei with the imei from an ATT branded phone and that got me advanced calling options. Wifi calling will worked for about 10 seconds until ATT reads the phone's actual imei and then they turn off wifi calling. Volte will continue to work.

AT&T OTA Update Coming
All, I have just confirmed with AT&T they have made the request for an OTA update to enable WiFi Calling in the Settings Menu from Samsung. The time frame I was given as of yesterday 10/2/2017 was 14 days. So by 10/16/2017 S8 & S8+ phones should receive an OTA update that enables WiFi Calling feature.

vanornum said:
All, I have just confirmed with AT&T they have made the request for an OTA update to enable WiFi Calling in the Settings Menu from Samsung. The time frame I was given as of yesterday 10/2/2017 was 14 days. So by 10/16/2017 S8 & S8+ phones should receive an OTA update that enables WiFi Calling feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very interesting! This would be a life saver. Do you trust their timeframe?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Hey. I finally found the Wifi calling settings.
Phone/ Dialer > Context Menu (the three dots on top right corner) > Settings > Wi-Fi calling > And I see my three options there.
I'm on Galaxy S8 G9500U1
Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

aravreddy2231 said:
Hey. I finally found the Wifi calling settings.
Phone/ Dialer > Context Menu (the three dots on top right corner) > Settings > Wi-Fi calling > And I see my three options there.
I'm on Galaxy S8 G9500U1
Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, I don't see them (yet?)... SM-G955U1 with phone app version 2.3.00.20. What version of the app do you have?
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk

Same
Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

US997 HotSpot???

I am currently debating on getting the LG G6 US997 since my LG G3 died a couple days ago. My question is does the US997 have a working hotspot or is there a work around to use the Wifi Tether?? I have read conflicting reports on the issue and want to be sure before I purchase the phone. I am needing a phone that has a working hotspot to tether my UDP. I am sorry if this has been answered anywhere but I can't for the life of me find an answer. I know the US997 has an unlockable bootloader and has had root and multiple custom roms which leads me to believe that the HotSpot should in theory work or at least have a work around but i just needed to make sure. Thanks

I have the same model.
My hot spot for wifi works great for internet connection
I don't use wifi calling

kdkinc said:
I have the same model.
My hot spot for wifi works great for internet connection
I don't use wifi calling
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What Carrier do you use? Are you charged to use the Hotspot?

JCason54 said:
What Carrier do you use? Are you charged to use the Hotspot?
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Click to collapse
Hey did you find out whether the Mobile Hotspot feature is present on the US997 and is free to use on whichever carrier worldwide? Or if there's a workaround? I'm outside the US and thinking of buying this phone but I need that feature too.

JCason54 said:
What Carrier do you use? Are you charged to use the Hotspot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile.
United States only for my use.
I have no experience elsewhere.
No charge.

kdkinc said:
T-Mobile.
United States only for my use.
I have no experience elsewhere.
No charge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. I just wish I knew if there is a workaround to unlock the mobile hotspot feature so that I can apply it if I have to. I've read that you can only unlock the bootloader for the H870 and US997 models only. So for instance if I buy the US997 model and it has an AT&T or T-Mobile rom on it then if the hotspot workaround exists for them I don't have to worry.