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Hi everyone,
I've been a lurker of this site for a little while now, so thank you all for your productivity and guides (If I can get this to work, I will create a guide myself to share ) I recently purchased a Brand New Sprint Galaxy S5 (SM-G900P) with the hopes of unlocking it and using it on Straight Talk AT&T's network. I've made incredible progress so far, but I feel like I'm missing something. Up to this point I've spent countless hours online reading about this device and troubleshooting it.
Current Issue: Phone will not contact any GSM network. I have the sim card in and it just says no service. I know this is only on GSM networks because I disabled all CDMA bands using DFS. All AT&T bands are active and I believe the Galaxy S5 supports almost every band available. APN Settings are set correctly.
Things I have done / tried:
Using Cyanogenmod13 KLTE ROM, Cyanogenmod12.1 SPR ROM, Unofficial CM13 SPR ROM. Also, tried using a "stock?" 4.4.4 ROM that was a little glitchy, but worked nonetheless (tried using SSU.apk here, but afterwards it seemed to sim-lock my phone by giving "Invalid SIM"
Phone unlocked with IDoneApps (no more invalid sim) IDoneApps says its for International and Domestic.
I paid for a Network Access Code and registered the phone with Straight Talk and attempted to transfer the service over (not sure if this is necessary as I am using a GSM SIM, which still works fine in my other phone, perfect service)
Also, on the stock ROM it keeps trying to "Activate the device" and won't be able to. Sometimes the phone goes into roaming and when I call it sends me to Verizon Wireless Customer Service (not sure why on this)
Phone will receive service fine when set to Automatic or CDMA LTE. If I attempt to call a phone I will get "Your account is not authorized to make calls to this phone number" with a mans voice.
-Do I need to do something with Sprint to go forward?
SOLVED IT:
Had to enable the "GCF Setting" on the phone.
YouTube Video: "How to enbale GFC settings on any Samsung Galaxy " - This guide worked flawlessly.
Now all I need to do in order to have perfect service on this SM-G900P on AT&T is to enable the rest of the AT&T LTE Bands on it.
Hey, I know this is necro'ing but I hope you are still around.....
I'm in the same situation as this post right now...I have have a SM-G900P (Sprint Galaxy S5), now activated through Straight Talk, but my data doesn't work when using CM13. I was wondering more what you mean by your GCF settings and maybe some quick tips to get 4G/LTE while on CM (Preferably 13+). Stock Rom I get LTE just fine, but for some reason it gives me this *FUGLY* Creedo mvno app suite when I do a fresh restore of stock rom, and just the whole touchwhiz thing sucks in general. I'd much prefer CM or any other custom ROM that cuts out the BS but gives me data.
Phweak said:
Hey, I know this is necro'ing but I hope you are still around.....
I'm in the same situation as this post right now...I have have a SM-G900P (Sprint Galaxy S5), now activated through Straight Talk, but my data doesn't work when using CM13. I was wondering more what you mean by your GCF settings and maybe some quick tips to get 4G/LTE while on CM (Preferably 13+). Stock Rom I get LTE just fine, but for some reason it gives me this *FUGLY* Creedo mvno app suite when I do a fresh restore of stock rom, and just the whole touchwhiz thing sucks in general. I'd much prefer CM or any other custom ROM that cuts out the BS but gives me data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no worries about necro'ing a thread, im not sure why some folks get bent out of shape about it :/ anyways, what service provider are you using via straight talk? they use all of the major 4 (vzw, at&t, tmob and sprint)
the basic answer to your question is APN settings. did you ever have data working with str8 talk? if so, your gcf settings dont need to be fiddled with, if not, then you have some tinkering to do. not at all difficult really, just some button presses
youdoofus said:
no worries about necro'ing a thread, im not sure why some folks get bent out of shape about it :/ anyways, what service provider are you using via straight talk? they use all of the major 4 (vzw, at&t, tmob and sprint)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the only band that identifies when I actually have a working data connection (tops I get is 3G) says Sprint. So I think that's who they're routing me through. I'm not a total rookie when it comes to this, but I don't know how to change the radio bands outside of what apps like Radio Switcher do (which actually just gives me a short cut to quasi-service mode settings in CM).
I get the cell data to read LTE on stock, but it's gross touchwiz and it never seems to get GOOD signal, two bars of LTE was the most in Milwuakee suburbs, an area I'd assume would be swimming in 4G/LTE. I'd much rather use CM for the customization (or any more "purer" android ROMS). If I select CMDA auto PRL I get a solid 3G and all voice/text/data services work. But any other option that includes LTE drops my data entirely.
Edit: I just realized I repeated myself lol. I've made a few posts on various forums about this. Kind of forgotten what info I've provided where. Sorry for the redundancy.
Phweak said:
Well, the only band that identifies when I actually have a working data connection (tops I get is 3G) says Sprint. So I think that's who they're routing me through. I'm not a total rookie when it comes to this, but I don't know how to change the radio bands outside of what apps like Radio Switcher do (which actually just gives me a short cut to quasi-service mode settings in CM).
I get the cell data to read LTE on stock, but it's gross touchwiz and it never seems to get GOOD signal, two bars of LTE was the most in Milwuakee suburbs, an area I'd assume would be swimming in 4G/LTE. I'd much rather use CM for the customization (or any more "purer" android ROMS). If I select CMDA auto PRL I get a solid 3G and all voice/text/data services work. But any other option that includes LTE drops my data entirely.
Edit: I just realized I repeated myself lol. I've made a few posts on various forums about this. Kind of forgotten what info I've provided where. Sorry for the redundancy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont have any experience with the sprint flavor of straight talk service, but it should be on the same LTE bands as normal sprint. shouldnt have to monkey with anything tho. ill have to look more when i get home
Phweak said:
Well, the only band that identifies when I actually have a working data connection (tops I get is 3G) says Sprint. So I think that's who they're routing me through. I'm not a total rookie when it comes to this, but I don't know how to change the radio bands outside of what apps like Radio Switcher do (which actually just gives me a short cut to quasi-service mode settings in CM).
I get the cell data to read LTE on stock, but it's gross touchwiz and it never seems to get GOOD signal, two bars of LTE was the most in Milwuakee suburbs, an area I'd assume would be swimming in 4G/LTE. I'd much rather use CM for the customization (or any more "purer" android ROMS). If I select CMDA auto PRL I get a solid 3G and all voice/text/data services work. But any other option that includes LTE drops my data entirely.
Edit: I just realized I repeated myself lol. I've made a few posts on various forums about this. Kind of forgotten what info I've provided where. Sorry for the redundancy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I reread your op and it said that you're using at&t. Are you sim unlocked? If not, Mr @stifilz, do you think you could hook this guy up? He has a proven track record of unlocking S5s
Just a heads up I'm not OP, that's @aventurer. I just happened to find a very similar situation. Probably changes your train of thought but for what it's worth in my situation, the phone sim came from Sprint originally, and the Straight Talk people said they use that sim to connect to the LTE bands.
Just wanted to post this for anyone else that wanted to use their S7 Active with another provider and didn't want to stay with At&t
or wanted to use other sims when traveling.
( I have nothing against At&T, but there was a better option I wanted to use...ie unlimited 4g)
I wanted the S7 active but also wanted to switch from at&t (for me it was too pricey and again there was no unlimited 4g) so I thought I might be in a bind on options and was holding off on making the switch
(For me the bttery lfe alone made the S7 and S7edge completely inferior to the active and that at first was enticing enough for to me to stay with At&t)
However... I didn't realize how easy At&T themselves made it to switch.
I can confirm the S7 active (SM-G891A) running 7.0 nougat works perfectly on the other network. Not trying to give that network free marketing... but its the other carrier on a GSM network in the US.
Though its pretty straight forward.. I thought I would just state below
Prerequisites
Own your phone outright
Not on contract (or you'll presumably pay a fee)
You are the account owner
Go to this site
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/
Type in your devise IMEI number and info and account email
Request unlock code
Go to your email click the confirmation (Showed up for me in about a minute)
Wait about 10-40 minutes for a second email (It says up to 48 hours but I just did this on three separate devises and they all took less than an hour)
Write down the Code provided
Turn off phone
Remove AT&T sim card and insert other carriers SIM (can be a friends, classmates, coworkers if you don't have one yet)
Turn phone on
(Pop Up generates for unlock code request)
Enter Unlock code
Done!
S7 Active free to go.
Added note:
Once your new carriers SIm comes in and If you want to keep the old number DO NOT CANCEL your line with AT&T, first insert the new SIm from the New carrier and then port your number over...
You'll keep your AT&T number that you had and automatically end your service with them. No fees no hassle as long as you met the prerequisites above.
Hope that Helps for anyone wanting to make the switch
Forgot to add, though it might be obvious I still don't want anyone to get hung up on it... you will have to set your new APN (access point names) per your new provider and or new location. It may auto populate with your new Sim card... BUT it also may be a generic APN with the new provider and not nessicarily the best 4g network.
Just Google or call your new provider and they will provide which APN is best for your S7 active on your network.
*#*#4636#*#* - To change network settings
If you are struggling with default AT&T settings:
Dial *#*#4636#*#* -> 'Device Information' -> 'Set Preferred Network Type:' -> Select 'WCDMA' or 'Global auto (PRL)'
I used to get 1 bar on LTE, now I'm getting full coverage on UMTS. I'm on MINT SIM (they are T-mobile MVNO).
I want to add, after the first week I realized 7.0 had some intermittent 4g issues (some it would say no Internet ever with full bars)
I flashed back to 6.0.1 and all the issues are gone.
Please just keep this in mind if you have issues with s7 active 7.0 off of at&t.
@Acinko thanks for the heads up on 7.0 issues. How were you able to get 7.0 on an unlocked S7 active? It keeps telling me that the firmware is up to date. (Using T-mobile service)
goowacjai said:
@Acinko thanks for the heads up on 7.0 issues. How were you able to get 7.0 on an unlocked S7 active? It keeps telling me that the firmware is up to date. (Using T-mobile service)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On t-mobile you probably want to stay on 6.0.1 and not move to 7.0 n... t-mobile is having some data issues when the phone is on 7.0
However if you want to try it anyways... download the full firm file for 7.0 and 6.0.1 (both available on this site, just search recent posts) make sure you get both so you can switch back if need e d.
And your gonna need to flash them with Odin when your phone is in download mode.
There is walkthroughs for this on this site and others so I won't repeat it all here but that is what you will need to do.
No root needed.
Here's the 6.0.1 file, you can down load from these links and use the password to open (which is in the third post)
https://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-active/development/how-downgrade-7-0-to-6-0-1-t3590649
And here's 7.0 n
https://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-active/how-to/g891a-android-n-offical-odin-package-t3581042
Just FYI due to heavy bandwidth usage with these types of files the links regularly break (or really just get taken off) so you may have to search for another upload if these stop working.
Good luck.
Acinko said:
I want to add, after the first week I realized 7.0 had some intermittent 4g issues (some it would say no Internet ever with full bars)
I flashed back to 6.0.1 and all the issues are gone.
Please just keep this in mind if you have issues with s7 active 7.0 off of at&t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not "S7 Active" specific issue. It is overall S7 issue on Android 7.0. You don't need to downgrade to 6.0.1. Just delete all the APNs (make it EMPTY!) -> Restart phone -> Add APN -> Restart. Problem solved.
Any particular reason why you would go to T-Mo over ATT? I think ATT's network is better? If its cost than maybe consider Cricket?
ins0mniac said:
This is not "S7 Active" specific issue. It is overall S7 issue on Android 7.0. You don't need to downgrade to 6.0.1. Just delete all the APNs (make it EMPTY!) -> Restart phone -> Add APN -> Restart. Problem solved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure about yours, but for sure there was issues with my active on 7.0 off of ATT and wiping / replacing APNS did not fix it. What you said to do was the first step I tried.
Then I moved on to clearing location through the other company and fully resetting networks.
Tired default APNs, tried suggested APNs tried manual and custom APNs all of which still lead to intermittent or no connectivity
It became to have regular intermittent complete loss of network and data, no matter what apn was on there.
Flashing to 6.0.1 fixed it and I never had the issue again. Again maybe it worked differently for others, but that for sure is what fixed my issues.
CFoote said:
Any particular reason why you would go to T-Mo over ATT? I think ATT's network is better? If its cost than maybe consider Cricket?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CFoote, I shot you over a pm.
So, I got a S7 active off swappa and it works with my cricket account. However everytime I make or receive a call a small notice a the bottom of the screen says PROVISIONAL FWD ACTIVE comes on. (see screen grabs). Basically if I am on the phone or have the phone down on a table and miss a call. My callers are being sent to this 916 area code in Sacramento which appears to be a general ATT (or old owner?) vmail bank. I have tried and failed to update from ATT instructions (failed to read data). And the 3 ATT reps I am talking to say I have to have the ORIGINAL OWNER turn the function off first! Any helpo or suggestions? Apologies if this really needs its own thread. https://goo.gl/photos/f7UzoQsQfS9sE2Vk9
Reverted to 6.0.1 and still having connectivity issues
Acinko said:
I'm not sure about yours, but for sure there was issues with my active on 7.0 off of ATT and wiping / replacing APNS did not fix it. What you said to do was the first step I tried.
Then I moved on to clearing location through the other company and fully resetting networks.
Tired default APNs, tried suggested APNs tried manual and custom APNs all of which still lead to intermittent or no connectivity
It became to have regular intermittent complete loss of network and data, no matter what apn was on there.
Flashing to 6.0.1 fixed it and I never had the issue again. Again maybe it worked differently for others, but that for sure is what fixed my issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I've tried all the things listed in this thread. I have a SM-G981a (unlocked) device. When I got it (on Nougat), I cleared all APNs and added the one recommended by my provider (mintsim). I had service for about one hour and then lost it and it never came back.
I rolled back to 6.0.1 and cleared the APNs and used the same mintsim recommended APN and still don't have service.
Any ideas of next things to try?
Thanks in advance.
Dial *#*#4636#*#* -> 'Device Information' -> 'Set Preferred Network Type:' -> Select 'WCDMA' or 'Global auto (PRL)'
My phone worked fine in Sweden with default settings, but in Romania I had to type in the above and chose LTE/UMTS auto (PRL) and then it worked perfect!
i have an s7 active that was frp and network unlocked. i am trying to use this on tmobile.
my s7 active is running android 7.0
i have a few problems and need assistance
1. the wifi calling option is greyed out under settings. from the home screen using the pulldown menu the wifi option appears to be turned on.
2. text messaging and emails worked for about one day then quit
3. samsung pay has a message ..access to samsung pay has been denied call customer service
4. s health unable to open app. your device had been compromised
any ideas?
thanks
Would this work for switching s7 to Verizon?
Would this work for Verizon or because it's cdma not gsm it won't work
Hello! I've read a lot of posts but I'm unsure about how to do this...I apologize if I've missed something, but I'm asking for some help. I have a sprint note8 that's been sim unlocked from sprint and now has service with TMobile. Most services work with the exception of mms while connected to wifi. I've done all the apn stuff and the only thing that will allow mms is to get off wifi. This appears to be a common issue with T-Mobile port ins. I would like to flip this from sprint based to T-Mobile based to unlock all the features of the phone. I've read that there's a carrier switch and/or a carrier firmware. I don't know which one I need to do since the phone is sim unlocked. Can I get by with doing the carrier firmware only? Do I need to do both? Will my wife kill me if I lose all her stuff, yes. Thanks for any guidance you can provide!
Cellular data problem with french carrier on LG V35 AT&T unlocked flashed FI firmware
Hello everyone,
I bought a LGV35 AT&T unlocked on amazon 3 months ago because I was so tempted by it. During the first 3 months with the AT&T firmware everything was fine, but all the crap AT&T apps was bothering me. So, I searched on internet for ways to get rid of the bloats and found out that you could cross-flash to unlocked google fi firmware, so I did. Everything went fine with the flash. Unfortunately, after 3-4 days my phone lose cellular data function. I can make calls and sms but can't have 4G/3G/2G, no cellular data at all. I tried a lot of things but no results. The only thing that worked is re-flash the fimrware but then after 3-4 days I lose cellular data function again. Can someone advise me about that ? My carrier is a french one (SFR). Is it possible to go back to the AT&T firmware again ?
I have a LG G7 as backup, so no worry here.
Thank you in advance for your responses,
Jenfir
Couple of thoughts as a novice I always like to investigate the most simple possibilities?
And as a second idea from the simple side is with the AT&t software if you had this wi-fi connection made automatically perhaps it would be delivering you data through Wi-Fi as opposed to the cellular then once you switch the software it no longer had that automatic connection to all the AT&t hot spots
Hi, thanks for your replies. I have not reach the limit data yet.
I don't really understand the automatic wifi-connection setting. Now that I don't have the AT&T software anymore I don't think it affects the connectivity on my phone. I have doubt about the google connectivity services though. I have my phone running again over cellular data after factory reset and I did not install the app. I will see if it solves my problem. I will keep this thread updated. I still take other advices.
I have a LS997 that I purchased from eBay a few years ago. I kept the phone at 7.0 and I definitely was able to set the APN. I used it on T-Mobile for test, I was able to enter fast.t-mobile.com as APN and everything works. I then used it on Tello (Sprint network).
I was told that I can switch to GSM, since it is T-Mobile's network, I thought no problems. Ordered the GSM SIM, activated. After I swapped the SIM, I realized that the APN cannot be set. There is simply no "..." menu like I use to. All I see is a greyed out word of "otasn" in the APN list.
I tried putting in a T-Mobile SIM. It works. I see a grayed out fast.t-mobile.com APN with a unselected radio button. But internet works and everything.
STILL NO "..." MENU.
It seems my ability to edit APN has somehow been taken away. I doubled checked the Android version is still 7.0 ZVC and I have not upgraded it.
I honestly don't know how the V20 ended up like this. Can someone help me out?
Tried installing an app that edits APN. It managed to bring up an APN setup menu. I can see the familier setup page but everything is grayed out and cannot be edited.
nookin said:
Tried installing an app that edits APN. It managed to bring up an APN setup menu. I can see the familier setup page but everything is grayed out and cannot be edited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to go to options, then system updates, then select uicc unlock. Usually unlocks sim for apn if able.
Mysticblaze347 said:
Try to go to options, then system updates, then select uicc unlock. Usually unlocks sim for apn if able.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't seem to do anything. I also found a post mentioning installing Pulse SMS app allows changing APN. That didn't work either. I am really puzzled why the ability to change APN were gone. I am certain that I was able to add APNs. At least right now, it can detect T-Mobile SIM and use its APN automatically (likely because I entered it in the past). I am worried that once I factory reset the phone, even that is gone.
nookin said:
That doesn't seem to do anything. I also found a post mentioning installing Pulse SMS app allows changing APN. That didn't work either. I am really puzzled why the ability to change APN were gone. I am certain that I was able to add APNs. At least right now, it can detect T-Mobile SIM and use its APN automatically (likely because I entered it in the past). I am worried that once I factory reset the phone, even that is gone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a small app that can add an additional APN entry that might work here as some people have done this on the Sprint LG G8. Have a look at this set of comments for the link of the app.
But you should also be aware that some time next year, your LS997 will stop working for phone calls since it can't get VoLTE on T-Mobile, so once they take down both 2G and 3G networks, it will become a data-only device in the U.S.
C D said:
There is a small app that can add an additional APN entry that might work here as some people have done this on the Sprint LG G8. Have a look at this set of comments for the link of the app.
But you should also be aware that some time next year, your LS997 will stop working for phone calls since it can't get VoLTE on T-Mobile, so once they take down both 2G and 3G networks, it will become a data-only device in the U.S.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read that if you go to TMobile and get a new sim that we can still have service. Just be fully TMobile. No Sprint at all. Something to do with new network merge tool they have. Its called TNX.
Mysticblaze347 said:
I read that if you go to TMobile and get a new sim that we can still have service. Just be fully TMobile. No Sprint at all. Something to do with new network merge tool they have. Its called TNX.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was already referring to full T-Mobile here. The LS997 isn't configured to get VoLTE at all, so all calls would still just go through 2G/3G on any network. It's easy to check by having cellular data on with Wi-Fi off and making a call and see if the LTE icon stays on or immediately switches to 3G or below.
For the few of us on rootable LS997 models, there might be a wild experiment to try by running US996 firmware and see if VoLTE can get enabled on there.
Mysticblaze347 said:
I read that if you go to TMobile and get a new sim that we can still have service. Just be fully TMobile. No Sprint at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
C D said:
I was already referring to full T-Mobile here. The LS997 isn't configured to get VoLTE at all, so all calls would still just go through 2G/3G on any network. It's easy to check by having cellular data on with Wi-Fi off and making a call and see if the LTE icon stays on or immediately switches to 3G or below.
For the few of us on rootable LS997 models, there might be a wild experiment to try by running US996 firmware and see if VoLTE can get enabled on there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found a board for a rootable ls997, but I currently have just root shell sadly. Oreo here. Old full root died. I may be screwed. We shall see in a few months. Unless tmobile version will work fine still. I may be forced to downgrade (upgrade). I dont have tmobile version, but if I were to get another v20 maybe only option aside from an us996. I hate this forced crap. V20 days maybe closing up. Super sad n stuff.
Didn't mean to change topic, but was just saying.
Mysticblaze347 said:
Didn't mean to change topic, but was just saying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're not too far off-topic since the future of the LS997 on T-Mobile still concerns OP here. My MVNO already stopped new Sprint network activations and started moving to Verizon, so I jumped over to T-Mobile prepaid and finally let go of my LS997 as my daily driver. I could still mess around later this year with US996 firmware and let you know what I can find.
But if you want to stick with your unrootable LS997, then you still have plenty of time for next year. From what I read, T-Mobile will shut down their 3G network by July 1st, 2022 while no official date has been set for turning off their 2G portion. However, even with 2G and 3G still working for calls, if you ever happen to be in a spot where there's only an LTE band signal without 2G/3G, then you won't be able to make or take calls there.
So the only safe way to keep going on a V20 with T-Mobile is to get their H918 model. But even then, you're still limited to Android Oreo, which some apps may eventually abandon as they might raise the minimum requirement to Pie or higher at some point.
C D said:
You're not too far off-topic since the future of the LS997 on T-Mobile still concerns OP here. My MVNO already stopped new Sprint network activations and started moving to Verizon, so I jumped over to T-Mobile prepaid and finally let go of my LS997 as my daily driver. I could still mess around later this year with US996 firmware and let you know what I can find.
But if you want to stick with your unrootable LS997, then you still have plenty of time for next year. From what I read, T-Mobile will shut down their 3G network by July 1st, 2022 while no official date has been set for turning off their 2G portion. However, even with 2G and 3G still working for calls, if you ever happen to be in a spot where there's only an LTE band signal without 2G/3G, then you won't be able to make or take calls there.
So the only safe way to keep going on a V20 with T-Mobile is to get their H918 model. But even then, you're still limited to Android Oreo, which some apps may eventually abandon as they might raise the minimum requirement to Pie or higher at some point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As of today I got a message saying my device needs to upgrade or sim upgrade to keep service after 1/1/21. https://www.sprint.com/en/support/cdma-retirement-legal-notice.html
Mysticblaze347 said:
As of today I got a message saying my device needs to upgrade or sim upgrade to keep service after 1/1/21. https://www.sprint.com/en/support/cdma-retirement-legal-notice.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your LS997 is SIM-unlocked like OP's, then you could get a T-Mobile SIM card and keep going until T-Mobile shuts down both their 2G & 3G networks next year. Just be aware that no Sprint-branded phone will pass T-Mobile's IMEI checker. But you should have a VoLTE-compatible backup phone ready to go if you start running into LTE-only or low-signal areas.
FWIW, I factory reset my LS997 V20 (still on Android 7.0) and I still cannot edit the APN. Even worse is that I now cannot use it with T-Mobile since the fast.t-mobile.com APN is gone. I regret resetting it. It is now useless as a smartphone since Sprint CDMA is history and phone cannot pick up LTE signal from other LTE carriers.
I have no idea why my LS997 lost its ability to edit APN even though I did not accept software updates. There does not seem to have any way to bypass the APN write protection.
nookin said:
FWIW, I factory reset my LS997 V20 (still on Android 7.0) and I still cannot edit the APN. Even worse is that I now cannot use it with T-Mobile since the fast.t-mobile.com APN is gone. I regret resetting it. It is now useless as a smartphone since Sprint CDMA is history and phone cannot pick up LTE signal from other LTE carriers.
I have no idea why my LS997 lost its ability to edit APN even though I did not accept software updates. There does not seem to have any way to bypass the APN write protection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To me it sounds like sim relocked. Might need to call tmobile/Sprint to unlock again. You could also try rooting (since you have rootable firmware [under zvd]) or temp root; then use an app called shortcut master lite and edit apn that way. I am not sure if app works without root access. I really don't know otherwise. Dumb when crap auto happens. If your sim is unlocked again. You may not need apk to edit apn again.
I guess V20 has a different way of locking the SIM. The modem seems to be SIM unlocked but the phone's firmware prevents me from editing or adding APN. And they seem to be good at it as I have tried multiple methods to no avail.
In addition, I don't know how T-Mobile/Sprint could unlock the phone since phone does not ask for unlock pin.
Maybe rooting would work, if my firmware can still be rooted. I might as well just throw in a new OS since updating firmware will relock the APN. I
As far as I know, only software versions up to ZV7 (security patch level date of May 1, 2017) can get full root. On those versions, you could freely edit the APN values within a hidden menu, and those options seem to be gone on later software.
Sprint phones are notorious for having grayed out APN settings out of the box or after factory resets or major Android version updates. When they're grayed out, you pretty much have to hope that whatever default APN values the phone reads from your SIM card are the ones you want. Otherwise, you'll have to find another way to edit the values. The small app I linked earlier from the G8 is an interesting approach, but it appears to require ejecting the SIM card with the phone staying on which is not possible on the V20 since the battery blocks the card slot, so I'm not sure if that method can be applied to the V20.
I think Sprint and T-Mobile do SIM-unlocking by connecting to a remote server.
This is actually the 2nd LG LS997 I bought off eBay. I think both phone comes with ZV7 or so. The first phone I tested that it is unlocked and I let it upgrade 1 after another until it reached Android 8 and I lost data. Since the seller advertised the phone as unlocked, I didn't have issue returning the phone.
The 2nd phone I am more careful and I stayed at ZVC. I verified that I can edit APN and all even after factory reset. I think the reference about ZV8 is that user cannot edit APN using the Hidden Menu trick beginning ZV8. But supposingly, my phone is unlocked so APN can be edited. But throughout the internet, there are LS997 users reporting phone is locked again after upgrading to Android 8.
On top of that, I am not sure how my phone was unlocked as I also discovered that if I enable secure boot (require PIN during boot) will disable APN editing. I have no idea why they are related. My guess is that my phone isn't unlocked via official means and maybe someone messed with the bootloader in order to unlock.
I am rethinking my options:
1. Root my phone (since I am still on Android 7) and try APN editing using root privilege (not sure what app to use)
2. Root my phone and install LineageOS. Since it is a different firmware, I assume there won't be APN write protection.
3. Upgrade phone to Android 8 and try calling T-Mobile to unlock (I was never a Sprint customer).
4. Try eBay seller who can remote unlock phone for ~$7. They claim they can unlock LS997 with Android 8. It is a lot of hassle as I won't use my regular computer for this type of activity.
Option 1/2 and 3/4 are mutually exclusive.
C D said:
As far as I know, only software versions up to ZV7 (security patch level date of May 1, 2017) can get full root. On those versions, you could freely edit the APN values within a hidden menu, and those options seem to be gone on later software.
Sprint phones are notorious for having grayed out APN settings out of the box or after factory resets or major Android version updates. When they're grayed out, you pretty much have to hope that whatever default APN values the phone reads from your SIM card are the ones you want. Otherwise, you'll have to find another way to edit the values. The small app I linked earlier from the G8 is an interesting approach, but it appears to require ejecting the SIM card with the phone staying on which is not possible on the V20 since the battery blocks the card slot, so I'm not sure if that method can be applied to the V20.
I think Sprint and T-Mobile do SIM-unlocking by connecting to a remote server.
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My bad, I thought zvc was the root able for some reason. ZV7 yes. Its been awhile and lil under the weather. Brain is scrambled lol.
So... you mean my ZVC is not rootable?
nookin said:
So... you mean my ZVC is not rootable?
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Zvc has arb I believe. Damn Sprint. Only other way for Root possiblity would be temp root. Not full root, but you would at least have root shell. https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/3-18-71-perf-root-root-shell-for-lg-v20-variants.3990145/page-5. Download on page 5 at top post. Instructions on first page. I know this works for oreo. Not too sure about Zvc.