Database Users

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

[Guide] How to switch from AT&T to T-Mobile and keep your SM-N900A fully functional

[Guide] How to switch from AT&T to T-Mobile and keep your SM-N900A fully functional
** DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A DEVELOPER. I DO THIS AS A HOBBY AND SHARE MY FINDINGS IN CASE SOMEONE ELSE FINDS THEM USEFUL. **
** THIS WORKED ON MY DEVICE BUT IT MAY NOT WORK ON YOURS. APPLY AT YOUR OWN RISK **​
Background
I always hated AT&T. When I got my first US cell phone in 1998, AT&T was a dominant force and Cingular was the underdog that provided better service. So for years I went out of my way to keep it Cingular through all of my relocations and phone number changes. Then AT&T bought Cingular and I was forced to become an AT&T subscriber. Then the iphone came along on the AT&T network, with the unlimited internet plan, which sealed my fate with this carrier for years.
At some point AT&T stopped offering the unlimited plan and I was one of the lucky ones who had their iphone plans grandfathered in. That prevented me for a long time from switching, but it became increasingly clear that AT&T has no intention of letting me use my plan as intended. All the signs were there: from threatening text messages every time I tried to tether my phone, to insulting slow-downs of data transfer after 2-5G of usage. At some point one gets tired of feeling like a criminal who is constantly trying to trick the carrier to squeeze a little more service here and there.
The last straw was when they made it very clear that they will not allow me to use a tablet as a phone, even if it has phone capabilities, even if I let go of my unlimited data plan! Their solution? buy a new data-plan only for your tablet. I am done with this $#(^. T-mobile had me at hello. All it takes is to notice the choice of music they play for you when you are on hold with the customer service: ATT: elevator music, T-mobile: Miley Cyrus.
So, here is what I did to make the switch and keep my note 3 issued by AT&T to use on T-mobile network.
Why?
If your phone is unlocked you can certainly pop the new sim card in and it will latch on to the T-mobile network. However you will be missing all the goodies that come with a T-mobile issued phone. Hence my journey to T-mobilize my SM-900A. A T-mobile Note 3 has an unlocked bootloader. I cannot have that transferred to an AT&T phone. But there are other good things that can be ported over. For example T-mobile's WiFi calling is implemented at the OS level and you cannot just copy over an APK to make it work. So if you follow this guide you will be able to turn your phone on and boot it up to (almost) exactly what a SM-N900T looks and behaves like.
Requirements:
1- Your phone should be on Jelly bean 4.3. Mine was on N900AUCUBNB4 but lower versions will work too. I have no intention of upgrading my phone to Kitkat anytime soon because I simply do not see the advantage. However, an experienced developer should be able to modify this process for Kitkat.
2- Your phone should be rooted.
3- You will need about 5G of empty space to install the T-mobile ROM.
4- Read the instructions below once before you start anything. If any word or phrase does not make sense to you STOP, google, ask questions, make sure you understand it, then continue.
Instructions:
1- Always backup your important stuff before doing a thing like this to your phone.
2- Root your phone if it already isn't. Your options that won't trip knox are Kingo and Towelroot. I recommend the latter.
3- dwitherell has done a great job of preparing a Jelly Bean T-mobile Rom for porting to AT&T. Download TweakedN3v2.0.12614 from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2625946
4- This ROM is pre-rooted but contains a few things that should be removed or tweaked for our purpose. Unzip it somewhere.
5- Delete vrtheme directory and bootcolx.img and bootstock.img
6- Replace defaults\install.prop with the file attached below.
7- Replace META-INF\com\google\android\updater-script with the file attached below.
8- Re-zip the whole thing again and call it N3-Tmobile.zip (or whatever you want)
9- Copy that to your sdcard. It may also be a good idea to copy a file manager apk like "File Manager HD" on your sdcard as well so you can later install it when the T-mobile Rom is in place.
10- Install Note 3 AT&T Safestrap 3.71 for Jelly Bean on your phone. It can be found at: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2572978
11- Boot into Safestrap recovery and create a Rom slot. Call it T-mobile or whatever you like. Activate it.
12- From the Safestrap main menu, install the N3-Tmobile.zip that you created in step 8 into the T-mobile slot. Be careful not to mess up your Stock Rom slot. The installation may take 3 to 10 minutes. If it takes longer, reboot the phone, wipe this Rom slot and try again.
13- When it is done, go to Safestrap main menu -> wipe -> advanced wipe -> select ONLY Dalvic, data, and cache, and the hit the wipe button.
14- Turn off the phone. Take out your AT&T sim card out, DON'T put your T-Mobile sim card in yet. Turn the phone on and reboot to the T-mobile Rom. Don't enable Wifi in the initial setup.
15- Now your T-mobile Rom is up and running but you don't have internet or cellular connections.
16- In your /system/app directory rename the following to [file_name].apk.bac (this is where the second part of step 9 becomes useful):
FotaClient.apk
FWUpgrade.apk
LocalFOTA.apk
SPPPushClient_Dev.apk
SyncmlDM.apk
16- Turn your phone off, put the T-mobile sim in it, turn on and enjoy.
If you want to swap the sim card back to AT&T, all it takes is to reboot to your stock ROM. Everything will be still there as you left them.

does it work?

Screen shots
Here is how well it has worked for me so far. I'm in Sweden now and their free sms abroad and unlimited Internet has so far worked as promised (although at data rates close to 100kb/s only which is expected. In the first screenshot I'm turning wifi off and as you can see the phone registers on to the local carrier. In the next screenshot I turned wifi calling on which allowed me to call back to the US for free. There was a half second audio delay but the quality was very good. Finally I attached my home screen shot that shows the T mobile apps that you get after this installation.
So far everything has been working great in the US and in Europe for me but please post your experience here if this has worked for you too.

Just to make sure we are on the same page, you had an ATT N3 and did this guide to get the TMO network. Is your baseband and broadband tmobile? That is what I am looking at. The ATT N3 works but I want the TMO Broadband / modems. Can you take a pic on the broadband page please. Does this chicken stract make sence?

chargedbird said:
Just to make sure we are on the same page, you had an ATT N3 and did this guide to get the TMO network. Is your baseband and broadband tmobile? That is what I am looking at. The ATT N3 works but I want the TMO Broadband / modems. Can you take a pic on the broadband page please. Does this chicken stract make sence?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, i have an att n3 and i want it to work on t mobile network. The only thing this method flashes onto your phone is a /system partition. In fact that is all that you can do with safestrap. In one of the steps I am instructing you to remove the baseband from the zip so when you are done your baseband is still ATT.
I'm not sure why you want to flash t mobile base band on your ATT phone. The ATT BB (at least the BNB4) is fully capable of handling t mobile 4G LTE and other data bands.
What do you mean by "a picture of the broadband page?"

najoor said:
Here is how well it has worked for me so far. I'm in Sweden now and their free sms abroad and unlimited Internet has so far worked as promised (although at data rates close to 100kb/s only which is expected. In the first screenshot I'm turning wifi off and as you can see the phone registers on to the local carrier. In the next screenshot I turned wifi calling on which allowed me to call back to the US for free. There was a half second audio delay but the quality was very good. Finally I attached my home screen shot that shows the T mobile apps that you get after this installation.
So far everything has been working great in the US and in Europe for me but please post your experience here if this has worked for you too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Second screenshot didn't include a blackout on the I.P. Considering you did that in the first screenshot, just pointing out you might want to for the second one as well.
I don't have a Note 3, my dad does. I'm just browsing the forums for an unlock method for SIM for NC(2?) firmware. I like where this one is going. Dad doesn't want me testing sh^& on his phone though, so no luck there. Sorry, but if another tests and claims it works, I'll have all permission to experiment.

SkyAttacksX said:
Second screenshot didn't include a blackout on the I.P. Considering you did that in the first screenshot, just pointing out you might want to for the second one as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for pointing that out. The reason I did not mask the second ip address is that in the second picture the phone is on wifi and the ip address is an inside-the-house ip address. These addresses are typical in all internal networks and do not contain any identifying information.

najoor said:
Thanks for pointing that out. The reason I did not mask the second ip address is that in the second picture the phone is on wifi and the ip address is an inside-the-house ip address. These addresses are typical in all internal networks and do not contain any identifying information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, my apologies. ^^

Switched from AT&T to T-Mobile
I switched from AT&T to T-Mobile and wanted to use my 2 Galaxy Note 3's SM-N9000A on T-mobile with all the benefits of T-Mobiles service (e.g. Wi-Fi calling, etc.). Firstly I had to get my phones sim unlocked, and then to find a rom that would port over T-Mobiles rom SM-N900T. After searching diligently to find answers I came across this thread. Najoor helped me get the rom installed (over PM's) and I unlocked the phones (cellunlocker.net under $30), and I am happily an ex-AT&T customer. I like having control over my cell phone plan, which I believe T-Mobile provides. Thanks again Najoor!

The big question still remains: Why? Just to add wifi calling and t mobile app? The 3g bands are still not enabled so it's either 2G, 4G LTE, or 4G. Does this add native wifi tethering? But you can do that with towel root and xposed framework.
I like to keep my AT&T option open, switching between T Mobile(cheaper $45 for 5GB, no tax) and Go Phone(1GB, $45, but better coverage, no tax also), but I recently rooted to take advantage of the tethering which does not work natively on T-mobile since it's an AT&T phone. I can't imagine being on T-Mobile if the signal is so bad that I would need WiFi calling and the t mobile app works just fine on the AT&T Note 3.

Wait so even if I flash another modem I can't enable the 3G bands? I'm pretty sure I just did

Was looking for something like this.
So, the latest TMOBILE based ROM is only jellybean 4.3 ? Is there a kit kat version.
Sent from my SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

monkor said:
Wait so even if I flash another modem I can't enable the 3G bands? I'm pretty sure I just did
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look at how to enable the AWS band on the note 3 thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2516224
I don't think it has been done. Are you getting 3g in some area? I'm in a good coverage area and only see 4g or 4g LTE. Haven't taken it outside the good coverage area yet but I'm expecting edge only after I leave the 4g area.

I'm having an issuse.
I did exactly what you said, installed safestrap sucessfully, made a rom slot, extracted tweaked whatever, deleted bootstock and bootcolx and vrtheme replaced the two files, installed Tweaked-whatever on that rom slot, deleted Cache, Dalvid Cache, and data and rebooted. It doesn't work. It just gives me a black screen!
What do I do? This doesn't make any sense
EDIT: Didn't realize this thread was dead! Oops!

wifi calling xposed framework
aquaholik said:
The big question still remains: Why? Just to add wifi calling and t mobile app? The 3g bands are still not enabled so it's either 2G, 4G LTE, or 4G. Does this add native wifi tethering? But you can do that with towel root and xposed framework.
I like to keep my AT&T option open, switching between T Mobile(cheaper $45 for 5GB, no tax) and Go Phone(1GB, $45, but better coverage, no tax also), but I recently rooted to take advantage of the tethering which does not work natively on T-mobile since it's an AT&T phone. I can't imagine being on T-Mobile if the signal is so bad that I would need WiFi calling and the t mobile app works just fine on the AT&T Note 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello buddy. I would like to try this method to use wifi calling. Where did you get the mod?

It doesn't work.

Just go to Cricket. $60 a month prepaid unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 10GB of data. All on the AT&T network.

[Q] Verizon apps + Root + Move to TMo

I upgraded my unrooted Galaxy S5 to lollipop and it was bad, slow, freezing a lot. I disabled many Verizon-bloatware apps and lollipop is now a buttery smooth beautiful thing!
What pros & cons would rooting a phone generally give me for an average user's experience?
Most importantly, I'm looking to take & convert this S5 phone (and my daughter's Galaxy S3) to T-Mobile this weekend and want to make it all T-Mobile ready. Any insight, thoughts, suggestions, especially if I wanted to root or factory reset my phone but keep app data (such as Kung Fu Pets )?
I've been told by friends and cell providers these phones are already unlocked and can easily switch networks, no worries of voice or data settings on my part, TMo's WiFi calling will work as if I bought the phone from TMo, etc.
Thanks all!

KCSamerica said:
I upgraded my unrooted Galaxy S5 to lollipop and it was bad, slow, freezing a lot. I disabled many Verizon-bloatware apps and lollipop is now a buttery smooth beautiful thing!
What pros & cons would rooting a phone generally give me for an average user's experience?
Most importantly, I'm looking to take & convert this S5 phone (and my daughter's Galaxy S3) to T-Mobile this weekend and want to make it all T-Mobile ready. Any insight, thoughts, suggestions, especially if I wanted to root or factory reset my phone but keep app data (such as Kung Fu Pets )?
I've been told by friends and cell providers these phones are already unlocked and can easily switch networks, no worries of voice or data settings on my part, TMo's WiFi calling will work as if I bought the phone from TMo, etc.
Thanks all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my opinion only, with that being said for the average user there is no advantage to being rooted. The average user is not interested in flashing new roms or freezing apps beyond what Verizon allows. The average user wants to turn on their phone and go on their merry way. If something goes wrong they want to call Verizon and have they fix it for them. They would never touch Odin.
With that being said, because your in this forum your more than the average user. If you wan to freeze or uninstall more Verizon/Samsung bloat you need to be rooted.
As for moving to a different carrier I'll let some one who has done that chime in.

jrv331 said:
This is my opinion only, with that being said for the average user there is no advantage to being rooted. The average user is not interested in flashing new roms or freezing apps beyond what Verizon allows. The average user wants to turn on their phone and go on their merry way. If something goes wrong they want to call Verizon and have they fix it for them. They would never touch Odin.
With that being said, because your in this forum your more than the average user. If you wan to freeze or uninstall more Verizon/Samsung bloat you need to be rooted.
As for moving to a different carrier I'll let some one who has done that chime in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! It won't be a Verizon phone for long, so I guess with rooting it and installing a known stable release be a good idea to get rid of Verizon's bloatware (and maybe some of Samsung's) while keeping a good, hard-working phone? I noticed a big difference disabling what I'm allowed to with Verizon's apps and maybe that's enough, I don't know - any place to research which Verizon and/or Samsung apps are safe to disable (if rooting it & installing a stable release doesn't already remove them)?
Oh, also, is there where I'll go to get future updates since I'll no longer be part of Verizon, and T-Mobile will probably not update my phone since I didn't buy it from them?
Thanks again!

Through a couple phone calls, T-Mobile reassured me both my S3 and S5 would work just fine, everything just the same except I'll have to make sure the phone is unlocked. They also said on both calls that their WiFi calling would most definitely work. Verizon, though a half dozen calls, gave me a different "unlock" story each time. So much for trying to be prepared...
Neither the S3 or the S5 work as expected. The S3 uses the far inferior network speeds and takes about 3 minutes just to send a pic text, and that's only if we're using Hangouts - stock Messages or Verizon's Messages+ don't work on the S3. The S5, I get a lot of "Data (Network) connection lost", setting the time errors, I can't access my voicemail or change my voicemail phone number (not sure if that is a new issue).
So with all this in mind:
1) is the S3 using an inferior data speed network due to hardware limitations or settings I can change?
2) would rooting my S3 and S5 alleviate a lot or all of these issues?
3) any way to get TMo WiFi calling to work on a Verizon phone? Would rooting it allow me to install a TMo version Android?
4) how do I go about updating Android on these phones now that they're off Verizon and not officially TMo phones?
5) any suggestions to fix any or all of these other issues?

KCSamerica said:
Through a couple phone calls, T-Mobile reassured me both my S3 and S5 would work just fine, everything just the same except I'll have to make sure the phone is unlocked. They also said on both calls that their WiFi calling would most definitely work. Verizon, though a half dozen calls, gave me a different "unlock" story each time. So much for trying to be prepared...
Neither the S3 or the S5 work as expected. The S3 uses the far inferior network speeds and takes about 3 minutes just to send a pic text, and that's only if we're using Hangouts - stock Messages or Verizon's Messages+ don't work on the S3. The S5, I get a lot of "Data (Network) connection lost", setting the time errors, I can't access my voicemail or change my voicemail phone number (not sure if that is a new issue).
So with all this in mind:
1) is the S3 using an inferior data speed network due to hardware limitations or settings I can change?
2) would rooting my S3 and S5 alleviate a lot or all of these issues?
3) any way to get TMo WiFi calling to work on a Verizon phone? Would rooting it allow me to install a TMo version Android?
4) how do I go about updating Android on these phones now that they're off Verizon and not officially TMo phones?
5) any suggestions to fix any or all of these other issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) probably, but I haven't checked the specs.
2) probably not. The APN in your phone needs to be changed to the right settings for your mobile carrier. It's under Settings/More Networks/Mobile Networks. You should be able to google the settings for TMo.
3) The APN may resolve the issue, if the phone allows for it.
4) If you root, you can do it. You may be able to get OTAs with the new sim, but I can't for Consumer Cellular.
5)Again, the APN will solve a lot of issues. The voicemail number needs to be changed to your carrier's voicemail number under Phone Settings.
5)

Rapunzl said:
1) probably, but I haven't checked the specs.
2) probably not. The APN in your phone needs to be changed to the right settings for your mobile carrier. It's under Settings/More Networks/Mobile Networks. You should be able to google the settings for TMo.
3) The APN may resolve the issue, if the phone allows for it.
4) If you root, you can do it. You may be able to get OTAs with the new sim, but I can't for Consumer Cellular.
5)Again, the APN will solve a lot of issues. The voicemail number needs to be changed to your carrier's voicemail number under Phone Settings.
5)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) probably hardware limitations or probably settings I can change?
2 & 3) the APN was already set by the TMo in-store rep, and google search confirms it's the correct setting.
5) voicemail number just won't change! Ug, I've google searched this issue too, no luck, and it seems many Android 5.0 users have this issue unless they factory reset - an option I'm hoping to avoid for a last resort.
I have noticed by disabling Verizon apps, much is working better, but I'm wondering if Verizon made these apps imperative for the system to run properly...?

KCSamerica said:
1) probably hardware limitations or probably settings I can change?
2 & 3) the APN was already set by the TMo in-store rep, and google search confirms it's the correct setting.
5) voicemail number just won't change! Ug, I've google searched this issue too, no luck, and it seems many Android 5.0 users have this issue unless they factory reset - an option I'm hoping to avoid for a last resort.
I have noticed by disabling Verizon apps, much is working better, but I'm wondering if Verizon made these apps imperative for the system to run properly...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you disable the apps? If you used TiBU, there have been discussion of issues in some threads.

Rapunzl said:
How did you disable the apps? If you used TiBU, there have been discussion of issues in some threads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the Android's built-in disable feature (since it won't let me uninstall it).

KCSamerica said:
I used the Android's built-in disable feature (since it won't let me uninstall it).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing I can think of then, is that one or more of the disabled features are required to make things work properly. I would unfreeze the apps and then freeze them, one-by-one to find out which are causing the issues. Other than that, Kies may be able to repair the install if you don't have luck with unfreezing the apps.

Rapunzl said:
The only thing I can think of then, is that one or more of the disabled features are required to make things work properly. I would unfreeze the apps and then freeze them, one-by-one to find out which are causing the issues. Other than that, Kies may be able to repair the install if you don't have luck with unfreezing the apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easiest step is to try the enable/disable apps as you suggested. Have you, or anyone out there, tried loading another's stock software onto a phone before doing a factory reset?
See this page: http://www.andromods.com/download-files/tmobile-galaxy-s5-stock-firmware-sm-g900t.html
It gives me the impression all S5's are the same hardware. If that's true, then why can't I install TMo's stock software in the recovery partition, then do a factory reset? (Another worse case scenario, but possibly more of a thorough cure)

KCSamerica said:
Easiest step is to try the enable/disable apps as you suggested. Have you, or anyone out there, tried loading another's stock software onto a phone before doing a factory reset?
See this page: http://www.andromods.com/download-files/tmobile-galaxy-s5-stock-firmware-sm-g900t.html
It gives me the impression all S5's are the same hardware. If that's true, then why can't I install TMo's stock software in the recovery partition, then do a factory reset? (Another worse case scenario, but possibly more of a thorough cure)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you read toward the end of that post, it says:
Before download check your model number and software version, head to Settings -> About. Confirm that you get the correct firmware that match with the model number of your device, and never use a firmware that isn’t built for your S5, downgrade is also not recommended.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've also seen a thread talking about doing this for a TMo user on the Verizon S5, but I'm on Consumer Cellular, so I'm not sure if it would really work. Even if it does, I'm not sure if that would solve your issues, and I hear you're risking bricking your phone attempting it.

Not sure if I already mentioned, but sadly a couple T-Mobile reps assured me everything would work great. Not. A factory reset did help a lot, but I keep getting these oddities that TMo is now saying I just have to live with, now that my trial period is over. So any ideas and help would be great!
"Data network unavailable" often appears after a phone call and lasts for a few seconds or longer. In that time, I can't get Maps to find anything, among other issues. This error appears at random times otherwise, but most consistently after a phone call.
"SIM error" happens periodically. I'm not sure the pattern yet, but maybe after a couple phone calls in a row, or call swapping. The only way to fix this is to reboot the phone.
The top status bar bounces between "H+" and "3G". I haven't found a pattern as to when or why, but often can't do much with the phone until it settles down, if it settles down.
Everything I've read and originally heard lead me to believe this S5 should work much better than it is, as if some APN or data setting is wrong. I've triple checked and they seem to be set properly, but I don't know anymore...

New unlocked AT&T tablet SM-T727A for grandparents abroad, to flash or not?

Hello, please give a little advise.
I bought an UNLOCKED used Samsung AT&T S5e (SM-T727A), and another UNLOCKED used Samsung Sprint TAB A (2019) (SM-T517P) from eBay for my grandparents abroad in Argentina; mainly for the SIM capability to use with Whatsapp with me, and their grandkids all over the world.
I have no experience with LTE tablets, but have rooted phones here and there since 2012 thanks to you guys.
I feel very hesitant to root, or install roms on these tablets, since I won't be able to be there for them if anything happens, other than remote assistant pre-programmed for them to hit one button, but even then... the struggle a lot with basic things, and only know Whatsapp.
I have put my SIM card from T-mobile on my Note 8 here in the US on both devices, but although the T-mobile LTE text appears on top, none of the tablets changed Startup intro, or installed T-mobile apps/Removed AT&T or Sprint apps. The Sprint tablet shows an annoying Sprint OMADM notification, and the AT&T tablet won't let me use the dialer.
Both tablets can use LTE from T-mobile fine with great speeds, but need to use alternate dialer to make calls.
Should I install custom ROMS on these to remove their carrier's bloatware? Am I definitely tripping KNOX on them? Will installing these rooms, or unlocking bootloaders mess up with future updates, and leave my grandparents stranded?
Please help; what should I do?

unlocked AT&T Galaxy 727a tablet
I am wondering if you ever got a response to your questions? I too have the same tablet and I want to root it to remove the AT&T software because I also use T-Mobile. I am going to keep searching here in the forums. I don't think I want to flash a rom though as I kind of like the Samsung feel right now. Plus I only had it 2 days so far.
thenetvines said:
Hello, please give a little advise.
I bought an UNLOCKED used Samsung AT&T S5e (SM-T727A), and another UNLOCKED used Samsung Sprint TAB A (2019) (SM-T517P) from eBay for my grandparents abroad in Argentina; mainly for the SIM capability to use with Whatsapp with me, and their grandkids all over the world.
I have no experience with LTE tablets, but have rooted phones here and there since 2012 thanks to you guys.
I feel very hesitant to root, or install roms on these tablets, since I won't be able to be there for them if anything happens, other than remote assistant pre-programmed for them to hit one button, but even then... the struggle a lot with basic things, and only know Whatsapp.
I have put my SIM card from T-mobile on my Note 8 here in the US on both devices, but although the T-mobile LTE text appears on top, none of the tablets changed Startup intro, or installed T-mobile apps/Removed AT&T or Sprint apps. The Sprint tablet shows an annoying Sprint OMADM notification, and the AT&T tablet won't let me use the dialer.
Both tablets can use LTE from T-mobile fine with great speeds, but need to use alternate dialer to make calls.
Should I install custom ROMS on these to remove their carrier's bloatware? Am I definitely tripping KNOX on them? Will installing these rooms, or unlocking bootloaders mess up with future updates, and leave my grandparents stranded?
Please help; what should I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

teacher006 said:
I am wondering if you ever got a response to your questions? I too have the same tablet and I want to root it to remove the AT&T software because I also use T-Mobile. I am going to keep searching here in the forums. I don't think I want to flash a rom though as I kind of like the Samsung feel right now. Plus I only had it 2 days so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am still searching, this is my first LTE tablet, and I believe we ARE NOT meant to use ROMs for the WiFi variant on it (maybe wrong), so that leaves flashing lots of ROMS out... there maybe a few out there, but I doubt many DEVs have these devices available to work on.
Anyway, I decided against flashing roms for now; my only problem with the AT&T Tablet now is that the default Google dialer will not work unless it's with AT&T, so I have to use third party dialers now... no good.
I read somewhere that you can change something called the CSC of the tablet without rooting or flashing, to maybe get rid of the AT&T bloatware, and maybe T-mobile bloatware will let me use Google dialer??? I will try putting my T-mobile SIM today, and do a factory reset of the tablet with the T-mobile SIM in it. This has worked for me in the past with phones by the way, but never tried tablets before.
I may also try using Titanium Backup, and freeze some of these apps, but that will require rooting I believe, and I don't want to do that yet because I worry that unlocking the bootloader will leave that ugly "bootloader unlocked" message on every boot.

luck?
thenetvines said:
I am still searching, this is my first LTE tablet, and I believe we ARE NOT meant to use ROMs for the WiFi variant on it (maybe wrong), so that leaves flashing lots of ROMS out... there maybe a few out there, but I doubt many DEVs have these devices available to work on.
Anyway, I decided against flashing roms for now; my only problem with the AT&T Tablet now is that the default Google dialer will not work unless it's with AT&T, so I have to use third party dialers now... no good.
I read somewhere that you can change something called the CSC of the tablet without rooting or flashing, to maybe get rid of the AT&T bloatware, and maybe T-mobile bloatware will let me use Google dialer??? I will try putting my T-mobile SIM today, and do a factory reset of the tablet with the T-mobile SIM in it. This has worked for me in the past with phones by the way, but never tried tablets before.
I may also try using Titanium Backup, and freeze some of these apps, but that will require rooting I believe, and I don't want to do that yet because I worry that unlocking the bootloader will leave that ugly "bootloader unlocked" message on every boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you had any luck, I also have this tablet.

I am with the same problem, I have a Galaxy Tab S5e LTE tablet (SM727A), which is unlocked, but it does not allow me to make normal calls (like a cell phone) due to the AT&T call launcher. does anyone know any way to make calls? I have the tablet outside the USA

This thread is a year and a half old without an answer, doesn't seem right, I have similar issue why no answer?
I am in the US, and I can't get calls to work with Samsung s5e SM-T727UZKAXAA Unlocked Tablet.
Ordered this tablet for my elderly mother with the idea it could basically becone a 10 inch phone for her since she has serious difficulty seeing even the largest phone displays.
I took out her Motorola One sim and inserted it into the new tablet. After all the software updates were complete, I have network connectivity, data (seems slow tbh), and can eveb send/receive texts, but it will not receive calls? This tablet has that functionality, so I'm trying to figure out what exactly I'm missing?
I am using T-Mobile, and am on the Magenta MAX plan for all 3 of my lines including this one that I tried. Any help at all appreciated, thank you.
​

rich6630 said:
This thread is a year and a half old without an answer, doesn't seem right, I have similar issue why no answer?
I am in the US, and I can't get calls to work with Samsung s5e SM-T727UZKAXAA Unlocked Tablet.
Ordered this tablet for my elderly mother with the idea it could basically becone a 10 inch phone for her since she has serious difficulty seeing even the largest phone displays.
I took out her Motorola One sim and inserted it into the new tablet. After all the software updates were complete, I have network connectivity, data (seems slow tbh), and can eveb send/receive texts, but it will not receive calls? This tablet has that functionality, so I'm trying to figure out what exactly I'm missing?
I am using T-Mobile, and am on the Magenta MAX plan for all 3 of my lines including this one that I tried. Any help at all appreciated, thank you.
​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buy a global version like SM-T725 to use full feartures.
Unlock version give you Data connection, sms, but you need connect to Samsung phone to call.

dangtoi1993 said:
Buy a global version like SM-T725 to use full feartures.
Unlock version give you Data connection, sms, but you need connect to Samsung phone to call.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so i had ordered one i had to cancel when i saw this post.
and wanted to ask. if there is any way to install android auto as a system app on this model?

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.