Database Users

[Q] A stupid question: Is Samsung Tab a Phone?

Hi,
please allow me to ask this stupid question
according to the spec, it supports GSM network, does it mean I can insert my normal phone SIM card to it and make phone call?
I don't really want to have a data plan and simply just use my normal SIM card (if it's possible), and then use WIFI when access is possible (at home or in the office).
I am very curious if I can make phone call with it, so I don't have to use my current phone anymore
thanks

It would help if you did a bit of research into the product you intend on purchasing, as any review will tell you, the galaxy tab IS a phone.
If you have an EU model, it will support and allow phone calls.
CANADA ones I think you can make calls, but not out of the box.
US models do NOT support phone calls (Skype may work?)
ASIA Models seem to come without marketplace.

risp is partially right in regards to the USA models (T-mobile / AT&T) out of the box these 2 tabs are not able to make phone calls just use 3G, but if you flash a Euro Rom it will allow you to make phone calls, and you can get Edge (only using an AT&T or Simple Mobile Sim) on both AT&T and T-mobile tabs. Since you stated that you will use wifi either at home or office then you can choose either one of the two and just flash the Euro Rom and you will be set to make phone calls.

adinis78 said:
risp is partially right in regards to the USA models (T-mobile / AT&T) out of the box these 2 tabs are not able to make phone calls just use 3G, but if you flash a Euro Rom it will allow you to make phone calls, and you can get Edge (only using an AT&T or Simple Mobile Sim) on both AT&T and T-mobile tabs. Since you stated that you will use wifi either at home or office then you can choose either one of the two and just flash the Euro Rom and you will be set to make phone calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, I just called Rogers (a Canada carrier), it surprises me that the staff told me it cannot make phone calls. The GSM network only supports the data.
when you said flashing a different Rom can make phone calls, does it mean, the Canada or US model doesn't come with that software to make phone calls?
I haven't seen the device myself yet, is there a place I can insert a SIM card to it, and the device and recognize it? If yes, I am sure there is a way to use it.

It IS an do-it-all marvel
It is a one-unit that does-it-all (including voice calls) if you are anywhere but North America.
Here, the service providers are only offering units with the voice call capability locked out. Apparently want us to carry around two units, a tab and a phone like in the iWorld. Hum. Why? Could it be they want to get deeper in our pockets?
I have a regional service provider that that doesn't sell the Tab. But they promised me if I bought one from the UK (Clove Technology) and put their sim card from my old phone in it, they would give me both voice and data service. Very reasonable.
They don't "support" it but the local staff was so excited to get their hands on it and and play that they had me up and functioning in seconds.
I'm very pleased with it and don't see any reason why any provider that offers voice and data service on your current phone wouldn't be willing to let you pay them for the same service on an unlocked, fully functional Tab that you got from wherever.

Treemann said:
It is a one-unit that does-it-all (including voice calls) if you are anywhere but North America.
Here, the service providers are only offering units with the voice call capability locked out. Apparently want us to carry around two units, a tab and a phone like in the iWorld. Hum. Why? Could it be they want to get deeper in our pockets?
I have a regional service provider that that doesn't sell the Tab. But they promised me if I bought one from the UK (Clove Technology) and put their sim card from my old phone in it, they would give me both voice and data service. Very reasonable.
They don't "support" it but the local staff was so excited to get their hands on it and and play that they had me up and functioning in seconds.
I'm very pleased with it and don't see any reason why any provider that offers voice and data service on your current phone wouldn't be willing to let you pay them for the same service on an unlocked, fully functional Tab that you got from wherever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile is filtering voice because they don't want it to be looked at as a big smart phone. They want it to be a real iPad competitor so they are doing everything they can to make people believe it isn't just a big smart phone but rather something new. Of course we know it is just a big smart phone and naturally we want to makes calls on it but T-Mobile isn't having any of that.
Same with the other carriers in the US.

Question
adinis78 said:
risp is partially right in regards to the USA models (T-mobile / AT&T) out of the box these 2 tabs are not able to make phone calls just use 3G, but if you flash a Euro Rom it will allow you to make phone calls, and you can get Edge (only using an AT&T or Simple Mobile Sim) on both AT&T and T-mobile tabs. Since you stated that you will use wifi either at home or office then you can choose either one of the two and just flash the Euro Rom and you will be set to make phone calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was hoping I could get the galaxy tab to run 3g and also provide voice on ATT. It sounds like either you can get 3g data only, or edge data and voice if you are using an euro rom. Is it possible to get 3g and voice on Att by using a euro rom and jumping through some hoops?
Hoping I can just retire the iphone and switch over to the galaxy tab.
Thanks,
John

jdogsupreme said:
I was hoping I could get the galaxy tab to run 3g and also provide voice on ATT. It sounds like either you can get 3g data only, or edge data and voice if you are using an euro rom. Is it possible to get 3g and voice on Att by using a euro rom and jumping through some hoops?
Hoping I can just retire the iphone and switch over to the galaxy tab.
Thanks,
John
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The AT&T TAB can do 3G and voice at the same time with the EURO firmware.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=847273
I found that thread by searching for the words AT&T and TAB. Stay away from the T-Mobile TAB if your service is through AT&T.

Verizon LG V20 blues - any recommendations?

I have a Verizon LG V20 and am considering going with a data only plan and using google voice - is this viable? My understanding is that the VZ LG V20 cannot be unlocked, so I cannot use 3rd party SIMs for data - do I understand that correctly?
I really like the V20 and was told that the VS996 is dual SIM and can be unlocked. Looking for suggestions...

brucejg said:
I have a Verizon LG V20 and am considering going with a data only plan and using google voice - is this viable? My understanding is that the VZ LG V20 cannot be unlocked, so I cannot use 3rd party SIMs for data - do I understand that correctly?
I really like the V20 and was told that the VS996 is dual SIM and can be unlocked. Looking for suggestions...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am trying to understand your question and please correct me if I am wrong. Are you trying to use your Verizon branded phone on a GSM network like AT&T or TMobile? If so, your Verizon phone should be already unlocked to GSM networks. It is my understanding that most or all Verizon phones are GSM unlocked. You can insert a GSM SIM card and simply change the APN settings.

HD2FORNICK said:
I am trying to understand your question and please correct me if I am wrong. Are you trying to use your Verizon branded phone on a GSM network like AT&T or TMobile? If so, your Verizon phone should be already unlocked to GSM networks. It is my understanding that most or all Verizon phones are GSM unlocked. You can insert a GSM SIM card and simply change the APN settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding is that VZ phones are unlocked for use internationally but not in the US. I could be wrong. I suppose I could take it to an ATT store and ask to try a SIM.
My goal is to use the phone for data only and use 3rd party apps for voice (Google voice, my own VoIP system, etc).

brucejg said:
I have a Verizon LG V20 and am considering going with a data only plan and using google voice - is this viable? My understanding is that the VZ LG V20 cannot be unlocked, so I cannot use 3rd party SIMs for data - do I understand that correctly?
I really like the V20 and was told that the VS996 is dual SIM and can be unlocked. Looking for suggestions...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the LG V20 US996 version of the phone and it is unlocked, came that way, and can use either an AT&T or Verizon sim. It recognizes on booting the particular sim that is in the phone and switches to "GLOBAL" settings and will work with either sim. I happened to be testing this out to see if my crappy Verizon data speeds I had been getting on a phone at work was the fault of the phone or the network. Turns out it is the network. Getting slightly more or less than 1Mb per sec speeds on Verizon and well over 6Mb on AT&T. Trying to run a laptop internet connection with a Verizon MIFI at those speeds and with the accompanying connection issues is darn near impossible.
As to the use of other 3rd party sims for data plans and using Google Voice, I could not say. I imagine it would all boil down to what bands the 3rd party companies use and if the US996 supports.

Complete debrand of LG G6

I was wondering if like Sony and Samsung devices, if it's possible to completely debrand a G6 to enable Wifi calling and VoLTE on a specific network's branded software? I know the G5 left the original operator's customisation files (unless rooting to change the cust folder) but has this changed with the G6?
Haven't bought the phone yet but seen an unlocked one which obviously wouldn't have network branded software.
Thanks.

Not sure of the purpose of this. So you want a completely unbranded phone and then want to install a specific network's software for wifi calling and VoLTE? If so, why not buy the phone from that network? Example: I bought an unlocked T-Mobile phone (on Amazon, not directly from T-Mobile) that can be used on any network, but contained T-Mobile software. I disabled what I didn't need. I am on T-Mobile anyway so I can use their wifi calling app.

patruns said:
Not sure of the purpose of this. So you want a completely unbranded phone and then want to install a specific network's software for wifi calling and VoLTE? If so, why not buy the phone from that network? Example: I bought an unlocked T-Mobile phone (on Amazon, not directly from T-Mobile) that can be used on any network, but contained T-Mobile software. I disabled what I didn't need. I am on T-Mobile anyway so I can use their wifi calling app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Purpose is that a second hand unlocked phone is much cheaper than one branded to the network at the moment.

wifi calling is mostly junk and over-rated feature. I know of no phones that can do a decent handoff in the event that wifi signal drops out of range then the phone wants to continue the call on LTE but if your LTE signal is already weak the call will just drop. Happened to me all the time so I just disable it and all the HD voice garbage too. Forcing back to the old 4G network thats now less congested than its ever been!

Admittedly wi-fi calling has only come in useful a handful of times, but the 4G calling feature has worked for me in a few places where 2G/3G is patchy. Guess I could do without it though.

Install Google Voice, hangouts, and hangouts dialer. Then you can use Wi-Fi or data calling in any phone or any rom.
I'm using a US997(16a) in Verizon and it works fine.

Spookymyo said:
Install Google Voice, hangouts, and hangouts dialer. Then you can use Wi-Fi or data calling in any phone or any rom.
I'm using a US997(16a) in Verizon and it works fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, had those installed on my G5 but never used them. Will give it a go.

I switched from an S7 Edge, on which I was able to change the CSC Code and get features different Canadian Carriers had to offer. The particular one I was interested in was VoLTE(Video/Voice over LTE) video calling was the main feature I wanted to keep. That's why when I switched to the G6, I made sure it was from Rogers so I can continue to use that feature. It's pretty sweet... great quality video calling without using any data
I wish LG had a feature like this too, where you can change carrier settings on unlocked phones. It would be helpful

It would indeed be helpful! I guess I managed fine without the features before and it's not a huge loss but wi-fi calling definitely came in handy at a couple of places I used to work at.
IME Samsung and Sony phones were fairly easy to fully change carrier firmwares on and I remember HTCs being a pain (not sure what they're like now). But LGs seem to be able to debrand 90% of the firmware but still leave enough of a trace of the original software to block off a couple of features, which is slightly annoying. Ah well

Anyone with a Verizon unlocked G6 use/test a 3rd party sim? (+ rooting question)

Just as the title says, has anyone successfully used an unlocked, Verizon branded LG G6 (VS988) with a third party sim (for data and making phone calls? Which country are you in, which sim cards are you using, any attempts abroad/traveling, etc?
Bought a mint unlocked Verizon LG G6, confirmed it was unlocked by two Verizon reps over the phone, and one in-person Verizon rep in my city. With the in-person rep (as well as on my own of course), we could not get my T-mobile, Three (a UK sim), and Project Fi to work with the phone, for data/phone/SMS.
Not surprisingly, when he inserted a Verizon Sim, of course it worked. The rep genuinely tried his best to help, but in the end was like "sorry, ¯_(ツ)_/¯ " and said it was probably an unresolveable network problem, and yes, that the phone was definitely unlocked (checked his database).
Before I came to his shop, though, I spent a couple hours at home tinkering with ALL the phone settings (set up a verified APN, toggle global/LTE-GSM-CDMA options, set data roaming ON), and the best I could get was the G6 successfully connecting to T-Mobile for all of 30 seconds (I could surf the web, but NO phone calls), then losing all bars of connection and cutting out entirely. Toggling airplane mode allows you to connect for at most 30 seconds at a time, also, weirdly enough.
What gives? I confirmed the sim cards worked on my other unlocked devices (LG G5, 1+5, Xiaomi Redmi), and I really want to use this G6 here (USA), but more especially, while I am traveling abroad and looking to use whatever country's local sim cards.
Lastly, do you think rooting this phone and installing a custom ROM would help the issue? I prefer not to return this phone because I got a decent deal on it (through ebay's 20% off) and everything else about it is awesome.

Hi
While not strictly the same, I have Verizon LG V20 VS995 with a similar problem with my EE sim which will not register properly and when it does it is only 3G instead of 4G/LTE but keeps dropping off. Where I differ from you is that I can use an O2 sim and get both calls and 4G/LTE data with it. I live in UK. Hope this might help.
Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

My G6 is the unlocked us997, but the wifes is the Verizon Unlocked G6. UNFORTUNATELY I have yet to get her MMS messages working on it for her but everything else works perfectly fine, on TracFone sim (on AT&T network), ... And FYI, only the bootloader unlocked LG G6 can be rooted, all the carrier version, whether they're network locked or unlocked, they're most definitely bootloader locked, thus no root :<P

I got the same phone as you...I live in the Dominican Republic using a Claro chip...Bought the phone from ebay unlocked. So there is something you must talk with verizon so they unlock it. On the other hand we cant root our phones only the europe and US version can be rooted.

Have you checked if this phone has a region locked on it? And if it's removed by placing that 5 minutes-long phone call?
Also, once the SIM (non-Verizon SIM) did you check the APN settings if they are the correct one for your carrier?

I have a similar problem
I bought an unlocked Verizon G6 vs988 on ebay (the listing actually said US997).
I managed to get it to work for phone calls and sms but could not set the data.
I manually set the APN but it would not stay "chosen".
I got all the settings but when I chose it and closed the screen it got unchosen (unchecked) and I did not get a data connection.
is there any custom rom for this model?
would a firmware for the us997 work on this model?

Bump

physics.dor said:
I bought an unlocked Verizon G6 vs988 on ebay (the listing actually said US997).
I managed to get it to work for phone calls and sms but could not set the data.
I manually set the APN but it would not stay "chosen".
I got all the settings but when I chose it and closed the screen it got unchosen (unchecked) and I did not get a data connection.
is there any custom rom for this model?
would a firmware for the us997 work on this model?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are in U.S. it should work fine with AT&T and T-mobile, as long as correct APN has been entered. once you enter the new APN, you must select the 3dots, on top right and save, once the new SIM inserted, just go back to APN and select the correct APN.
If you are outside U.S, the LG G6 Verizon unlocked does not have B1 (2100) which is required by most GSM carriers out side US, so you can get 3G or in most cases 2G (E) network only. LG G6 AT&T unlocked works fine outside US, but it does not have CDMA technology and can't be use with Verizon or Sprint. hope that helps

Hi , I have a similar problem. I bought vs988 verizon version and popped in a MINT sim. I had issues setting it up but eventually got it work via the pull down menu in the 'settings' at the top that said 'mobile data off - turn on?' - now this has vanished- can I get this back ?
The mobile data button in the notification tab and the actualy mobile button in the mobile data section in 'settings' do not work (and never have) - they always ask me to contact verizon.
So what do i do ? I have no mobile data now. And it's a pain.

My issue is partially solved in that when I 'reset network settings' and then re-add my APN (for mint) it automatically turns on mobile data. Using the other 'mobile data' buttons (as I mention below do not work).
And now that mobile data is on - I use airplane mode to turn it off, and turn on wifi (because i have google voice I still get voice calls). Anyway this works if you have a similar problem.
I am wondering if this issue would exist if I used a Verizon MVNO (instead of Mint/t-mobile) ?
(so by it being offically "unlocked" actually is not really true - when i first bought the phone I messaged LG and they suggested i needed to send it into them so it could be re-flashed. They would charge me for it and I would lose my phone for about 2 weeks - which is a pain, and not worth the expense)
sammyDC said:
Hi , I have a similar problem. I bought vs988 verizon version and popped in a MINT sim. I had issues setting it up but eventually got it work via the pull down menu in the 'settings' at the top that said 'mobile data off - turn on?' - now this has vanished- can I get this back ?
The mobile data button in the notification tab and the actualy mobile button in the mobile data section in 'settings' do not work (and never have) - they always ask me to contact verizon.
So what do i do ? I have no mobile data now. And it's a pain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I have the verizon version of lg g6 and it works perfectly fine in Nigeria with all nigerian sims:mtn,airtel,glo,9mobile and even works on 4g let but I set the network mode to global and I receive calls and sms promptly

T-Mobile SIM Unlocked OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren Edition on AT&T/Sprint/Verizon

I already SIM unlocked my T-Mo McLaren 5G (and waiting the 7 days for bootloader unlock) but I don't have any other carrier SIM on hand. Can anyone test the McLaren 5G with other carriers and let us know if it is working fine/how well/how it compares to original carrier phones? (SIM Unlocked McLaren 5G of course) Thank you!

probably not much help, but my LOCKED T-Mo McLaren 5G ran a mint sim exactly like the t-mobile sim. so, t-mobile mvno's should work.
cheaper plans same 5G coverage.

My phone was granted unlock by TMobile but I don't have the TMobile unlock app . How did you unlock it
Sent from my HD1925 using Tapatalk

mr pnut said:
My phone was granted unlock by TMobile but I don't have the TMobile unlock app . How did you unlock it
Sent from my HD1925 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a screenshot of where I unlocked phone after it was granted the unlock from the reps! Hope this helps

Ok I did that but I got a failed and I hit up TMobile they told me that's wired because on there side it's eligible for unlock. They can't pin point why it's getting that error
Sent from my HD1925 using Tapatalk

Edit: I finally got it unlocked [emoji1360]
Sent from my HD1925 using Tapatalk

mr pnut said:
I finally got it unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How? I tried the network unlock from settings as shown above and I get "Unlock Failed" Error Code=255
I bought the phone online and I live in Canada so I can't even make a T-Mobile account and they wouldn't do anything regarding a network unlock over the phone when I wasn't a customer.
Tried a few websites but they all say the IMEI registers as CDMA yet the phone has a SIM card slot and the specs say GSM so I'm very confused as to how to get his unlocked so I can try and use it on Bell.

mine worked on freedompop att, on mint now, same 5g as t-mobile

VeeDaub said:
How? I tried the network unlock from settings as shown above and I get "Unlock Failed" Error Code=255
I bought the phone online and I live in Canada so I can't even make a T-Mobile account and they wouldn't do anything regarding a network unlock over the phone when I wasn't a customer.
Tried a few websites but they all say the IMEI registers as CDMA yet the phone has a SIM card slot and the specs say GSM so I'm very confused as to how to get his unlocked so I can try and use it on Bell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should check and see if it has been blacklisted. If not you can possibly use Mint Sim. Mint Sim is an MVNO of T-Mobile which you can use without sim unlock I believe.

It will NOT work on Verizon at this time. I've spent hours on the phone with Tier 2. The farthest I got was " I filled out a form to have yours added to our DB and I'll call you back in a week either way". Needless to say, that call never came. I can get Data using my VZW SIM but no calls or texts.

Mike02z said:
It will NOT work on Verizon at this time. I've spent hours on the phone with Tier 2. The farthest I got was " I filled out a form to have yours added to our DB and I'll call you back in a week either way". Needless to say, that call never came. I can get Data using my VZW SIM but no calls or texts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a quick thought... Did you try installing the Google Dialer and Google Messages to see if it was the Oneplus apps preventing the calls and texts.

savage25rcracer said:
Just a quick thought... Did you try installing the Google Dialer and Google Messages to see if it was the Oneplus apps preventing the calls and texts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, unless the IMEI is in the VZW DB, you won't get SMS and I'm unable to make calls. I read a few people were able to make calls but no SMS/MMS or RCS messaging. From what I've read, calls should not work due to the IMEI issue. I honestly don't understand how anyone could make calls with a VZW SIM.

As of software version .25 today, Verizon CDMA-less sims now work. Previously only data came through, now talk/text/volte are all functioning. You'll need to have the SIM provisioned CDMA-less with a different CDMA-less phone before swapping the sim card in. Note that as of software version .16 however, band 13 support has been removed.

Yuhfhrh said:
As of software version .25 today, Verizon CDMA-less sims now work. Previously only data came through, now talk/text/volte are all functioning. You'll need to have the SIM provisioned CDMA-less with a different CDMA-less phone before swapping the sim card in. Note that as of software version .16 however, band 13 support has been removed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought 13 was the primary band for VZW LTE? If it's gone after .16, wouldn't updating to .25 be an issue?

Mike02z said:
I thought 13 was the primary band for VZW LTE? If it's gone after .16, wouldn't updating to .25 be an issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is their main band, but VZW has a lot of band 5 around and thick cell density so it would still be usable, just not the best experience possible. Version .13 had band 13 enabled, but I never tested .13 to see if VoLTE was working.

As of last night. Still no go for me. I had one of my VZW Sims put into another CDMA-less phone, called VZW and had them make that SIM CDMA-less. That phone worked for calls and SMS. Shut down that phone and the McLaren, swapped SIM but same problem. No calls and no texts. Called back and was again told my IMEI is not in the VZW DB.

Mike02z said:
As of last night. Still no go for me. I had one of my VZW Sims put into another CDMA-less phone, called VZW and had them make that SIM CDMA-less. That phone worked for calls and SMS. Shut down that phone and the McLaren, swapped SIM but same problem. No calls and no texts. Called back and was again told my IMEI is not in the VZW DB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a Verizon tracfone line tied to a Oneplus 7 Pro, moving that sim to the T-Mobile 5G McLaren works after a reboot for calls/text/VoLTE. Maybe something is happening on postpaid VZW causing CDMA-less to be removed when you're moving the sim, I'm not sure.

VZW finally added the 7T Pro McLaren to their DB. I put my VZW SIM in and booted it. I was able to make and take calls and send texts outbound. I called VZW and had my line setup as CDMA-LESS and started getting texts. Data is working fine.

I tested a Verizon prepaid SIM. It connected to LTE and data, SMS and phone call all worked with no problem.
I'm on build 10.0.25.HD61CB
I've never contacted Verizon about this and I'm not provisioned in any special way. When I ordered the Verizon service I signed up with a BYO Pixel XL.

I have to pay my t-mobile one plus 7T pro mc claren phone completely off before I can get it sim unlocked by t-mobile right? Thanks In advance for any information on this topic. Thanks!!!
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app