[Q] Is AT&T 3G on T-Mobile Possible? - Galaxy Tab Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have tried to search the forums for answers, but I keep finding a lot of non-definitive results (and many reference FAQs for the Galaxy S phone).
I have a T-Mobile Galaxy tab that is running stock T-Mobile Firmware. I also have an active AT&T SIM card via my job.
I have unlocked my tab and created a custom APN that allows me to use the AT&T SIM on EDGE.
I understand that AT&T and T-Mobile use different frequency bands for their 3G, but I am unsure if these frequencies are completely unavailable on opposing characters or if they are just disabled in firmware/software.
Is there a modem.bin (or other firmware) that will allow we to flash a T-Mobile Galaxy Tab and use an AT&T SIM for 3G? If so, is there a firmware to revert it back if there are issues?
I don't really care about voice (at the moment) but it would be nice to use the unlimited AT&T 3G card instead of paying month-to-month with T-Mobile.

Why dont you unlock and try? I know rotohammer posted instructions on how to unlock. He also posted a complete package to flash to stock.

NO, it's not possible!

joedoe said:
NO, it's not possible!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do'h!
Is is a hardware or a software issue? i.e. can I ever hope that someone might figure out how to do this?
I have only had my tab for about a week; If it is never I may re-consider returning and purchasing one on from AT&T...

clubtech posted the modem.bin for AT&T here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9342507&postcount=47
If you're willing to test it, please let us know how it goes! I'm interested, but I'm scared that AT&T will screw up my current plan. They've done it before - swapped from iPhone 3GS to Palm Pre Plus, then back to iPhone 3GS - found out they switched to unlimited data, and didn't work on my iPhone. I had to call to have them switch back to an iPhone data plan.
Also scary - stuck a dumb phone SIM into my iPhone -automatically added iPhone data plan.
I'm grandfathered into the unlimited iPhone data plan, and don't want to risk it.

naddie said:
- found out they switched to unlimited data, and didn't work on my iPhone. .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can create a custom APN profile and use almost any AT&T SIM in an iPhone. Get on WiFi with your iPhone, and open http://www.unlockit.co.nz/.
My AT&T work SIM is for a blackberry, but I have been using it with my current and prior iPhones with no issues (I have helped a few others in my office do this as well).
I am hoping to be able to do the same with my Galaxy Tab.
Thanks for the link. I will try the modem.bin in a bit- and may even go and do a full-blown AT&T firmware at one point-but I am trying to make sure I have a chance (i.e. the radio frequencies are available) and a way to backout if there are issues.

Broo said:
You can create a custom APN profile and use almost any AT&T SIM in an iPhone. Get on WiFi with your iPhone, and open xxx (unable to post links).
My AT&T work SIM is for a blackberry, but I have been using it with my current and prior iPhones with no issues (I have helped a few others in my office do this as well).
I am hoping to be able to do the same with my Galaxy Tab.
Thanks for the link. I will try the modem.bin in a bit- and may even go and do a full-blown AT&T firmware at one point-but I am trying to make sure I have a chance (i.e. the radio frequencies are available) and a way to backout if there are issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing that scares me is that AT&T actually messes with your plans according to the device you stick your SIM in. Now that's BS, because if I ever want to stick it in another phone to test it out, then put it back in my iPhone, I may loose my unlimited data plan and end up with the 5GB data plan. They don't offer unlimited anymore. I'm grandfathered in.
Before they took it out, I was able to swap devices willy nilly. They were able to switch from plan-t0-plan, and I don't care because I can always get back to the plan I wanted. Not any more!
Let me know how it goes. I'm interested in flashing mine, but not sure how to go about it.

Well, curiosity got the best of me, and I put in my iPhone 4 SIM into the Tmo Tab. It works! Just make sure you have the APN set up correctly. Edge only. I have no idea how to flash the modem.bin file. I'd like to find a way to back up my Tmo modem.bin first before I try the AT&T one.

Nope I've tried *#2263# and changing the apn modem.bin still got edge.

I went ahead and tried a few things- and here is what happened.
I flashed with the EU firmware and the Bell Modem (via the RU firmware and repartitioning) and ended up only getting a GSM signal (wow- that make me nostalgic of my old Nokia 3650 days).
I messed with it for a while and eventually flashed the AT&T stock firmware. With this I was able to get EDGE, but the whole system was buggy- such as the startup screen was blank until it completed and I pressed the power button.
I trief to re-flash with T-Mobile stock firmware and I was stuck in EDGE; no 3G available.
I tried to re-flash with T-Mobile stock again and I totally bricked the unit (note: don't rename the folder containing the firmware while you are in the process of flashing!). It was uber-dead; it wouldn't power on, no recovery mode, connecting to a PC didn't detect any device and the charger wouldn't even light up when I plugged it in.
I ended up returning it to T-Mobile as I had only had it for about a week. They gave me a credit minus a $10 restocking (called post activation) fee. I may look around to see if I can find an AT&T Samsung after the holidays...

Broo said:
I went ahead and tried a few things- and here is what happened.
I flashed with the EU firmware and the Bell Modem (via the RU firmware and repartitioning) and ended up only getting a GSM signal (wow- that make me nostalgic of my old Nokia 3650 days).
I messed with it for a while and eventually flashed the AT&T stock firmware. With this I was able to get EDGE, but the whole system was buggy- such as the startup screen was blank until it completed and I pressed the power button.
I trief to re-flash with T-Mobile stock firmware and I was stuck in EDGE; no 3G available.
I tried to re-flash with T-Mobile stock again and I totally bricked the unit (note: don't rename the folder containing the firmware while you are in the process of flashing!). It was uber-dead; it wouldn't power on, no recovery mode, connecting to a PC didn't detect any device and the charger wouldn't even light up when I plugged it in.
I ended up returning it to T-Mobile as I had only had it for about a week. They gave me a credit minus a $10 restocking (called post activation) fee. I may look around to see if I can find an AT&T Samsung after the holidays...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ouch! yea, you wouldn't want to change the name of the folder you're flashing from. >_<
For those who flashed their Tmo Tabs wth the AT&T modem.bin file and still getting only Edge, did you make sure you're set to connect to GSM and WCDMA?
When I inserted my Tmo SIM back in after playing around with AT&T, I also had Edge only. I found out that I left it on GSM only. Doh! Set it back to GSM and WCDMA, and I got my 3G back.
I'm hoping that's the small detail that is preventing Tmo Tab users who flashed to the AT&T modem.bin.
I still haven't found the instructions to flash the modem.bin though. All the guides I found are about flashing entire ROMs with the modem.bin, not just the modem.bin itself with the stock (but rooted) Tmo ROM. Otherwise, I'd try it myself. Also would like to know how to back up my current modem.bin before I start experimenting.
On a positive note, AT&T hasn't messed with my granfathered unlimited iPhone data plan yet. *cross fingers* Makes me feel more confident to try it again on my Tmo Tab.

Has anyone succeeded in getting both data and voice? I have an iphone unlimited data plan and a t-mo tab.

Where are you guys getting the ATT rom from and what .pit file are you using.
I am trying to go back to the ATT rom but it boots blank after trying a couple posted here.
Thanks

I too have a tmobile SGT and I would very much like to use it on at&t 3g. I have sadly yet to have found a definitive answer as to whether or not the hardware is capable of doing so? Shouldn't it be a simple matter of flashing the at&t modem.bin onto the tab so that it can handle the appropriate 3g frequencies?
please advise!

Definitely NO. Hardware is not compatable. There are many definite answers, and a few idiots. The radio frequencies don't match, and no rom or modem file can change that.

Related

[Q] Possible to use Samsung Vibrant on AT&T *without* data plan?

Hello XDA! After numerous searches and lots of contacting my local psychics, I've still been unable to find the answer to life's #1 question:
If I buy and unlock a T-Mobile/Samsung Vibrant, I know I can use it on AT&T. However, if AT&T has IMEIs on file for the device, it will be detected and upgraded to a data plan (thanks AT&T). Since the Vibrant is part of the GS line, does anyone know if the Vibrant will be detected as a smartphone?
Thanks in advance for any help!
EDIT: and this thread was no help and in the wrong place.
A wee bit late...
I'm a wee bit late, but if anyone wants to know:
I've had my Vibrant for a bit now, and so far, no upgrade. I'll keep this thread updated if I do get upgraded, though.
Dd you just put the at&t sim card in the unlock vibrant? Or do I have to disable the data connection to prevent at&t to detect the device? And does MMS works without data plan on vibrant? Thanks in Advance.
Sorry, but I don't use MMS at all. I have data turned off both at the phone and at AT&T, but if I understand correctly MMS should work and data should not get you detected (other than using excess data).
Samsung Vibrant on AT&T phone only plan
I have a Vibrant I use on AT&T with plain phone service only & enjoy the Android world in Wi-Fi areas. I have "Mobile Networks - data enabled" turned off in setting so it does not use any of AT&T precious data. I am not sure if this is in stock phone program or not, I have custom ROM installed. Every time I update my phone with a new ROM I make sure I do not have the SIM card in until I have the data turned off because the ridiculous fee for pay by use. Anyway I logged onto AT&T and set my phone to a dumb phone on their list of phones, waited a few days, and called AT&T. All they could quote to me on the Vibrant phone with their SIM card in was it was a "non AT&T branded phone". I got data removed no problem but did require a phone call - unable to do online. This has worked well.

VZW -> T-Mobile ?

Like most Droid 3 owners I'm sure, I'm tired of paying ~$105 a month for cellphone service through Verizon that I could be paying ~$70 a month for through T-Mobile.
I've read the other thread here associated with unlocking the GSM portion of the Droid 3, but a lot of it seems to be shrouded in maybes and varied successes with a limited pool of test devices to draw on.
From what I gather thus far, the following is true:
- You can unlock the GSM capability of the Droid 3
- You can operate it on T-Mobile
- If you do, you will only get "Edge" connection speeds - No T-Mobile HSPA+ or 3G speeds. "Edge" only, at 512 kb or something like that.
Can anyone confirm this? Is there a way to get a Droid 3 to operate on T-Mobile's network at full speed?
Is there a more reliable and easier to use method to convert a stock VZW Droid 3 to something operable on T-Mobile?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can accurately answer these questions.
The only thing I've seen that works is using the xt883 Chinese ROM and it only gets edge. Edge is fine for me, but I want a better ROM with access to Android market.
Im still learning how this device works; I just installed Safestrap and tried to flash the GSM CM7 ROM today, to no avail. I flashed a custom ROM on my Droid 2 last year, but it's been a while on the G2x which isn't as locked down.
I flashed the CM7 GSM ROM on the safe mode partition, thinking that was how to do it, but I got an error trying to back anything up because /system wouldn't back up. Then when I flashed the ROM it wouldn't boot. Im wondering if I was supposed to flash the ordinary CDMA CM7 first, then use the GSM one, since it's named 3gedit.zip. I haven't tried that yet though, and the fact that /system isn't backing up worries me. I didn't create a partition on internal with Safestrap, but I flashed the GSM CM7 ROM from coreless in safe mode and it wouldn't boot. Got back to non-safe mode and my stock ROM was fine, but I still want to see a good back up :-/
Any ideas from more experienced users would be great. I'm pretty much a blind guinea pig right now lol. I just really want to see CM7 on this D3, and have it work on T-Mobile so I can retire my G2x for a little while.
Thanks in advance
Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk
Tutorial
note: This is not tied to any specific rom, it is not using the chinese rom it is simply taking the radio off the chinese rom which is all we need. It hasn't changed anything to me in user space that I have noticed.
I would recommend unlocking, rooting, flashing the radio, and editing the build.prop.
1. Unlock or online sim card unlock code seller but less reliable.
a) Meet the following requirements:
* Must be a Verizon Wireless customer.
* The phone being unlocked must be active on a Verizon Wireless line of service.
* The line of service must be active at least 60 days.
* The line of service must be in good standing for the past 60 days.
* Only one SIM Unlock per line every 10 months.
b) If you don't meet one or more of the above requirements, call anyway. You may still get lucky.
Call 1-800-711-8300 (Verizon Global Support) and ask the representative for a SIM unlock. Occasionally a representative may not know exactly what you are referring to; make sure you are not transferred to a different department. You are in the right place. Explain that they should have a walkthrough on how to do this, and that it allows for the use of local, non-Verizon SIM cards while traveling abroad.
c) Insert a foreign SIM into the SIM card slot on the side of your phone and then enter unlock code.
4. root ----> http://www.psouza4.com/droid3/
5. safestrap and backup in case something goes wrong -----> http://hash-of-codes.blogspot.com/p/how-to-safestrap.html
6. chinese radio ----> http://dropbox.com/u/25454276/radio.zip
7. flash radio ----> http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16206920/moto-fastboot-win32.zip
8. use something like root browser lite(free) to backup to sd card then edit your system/build.prop
gfunkmonk said:
All you have to do is flash the radio.img from SOLANA_SLNCT-57.1.60_Fastboot in fastboot mode
Code:
moto-fastboot flash radio radio.img
then add the following lines to the build.prop
Code:
persist.ril.rssi.enable.param6 = 1
persist.ril.baudrate=230400
I can confirm this works with an AT&T sim in an unlocked phone, tested with stock and liberty 2.0.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have called out, received a call and a text, I have checked my account information with the tmobile app on edge. I have been led to believe that its hardware that tmobile can only do edge since they use some non standard bands.
Credits:
flashing radio - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1360157
unlocking - http://community.vzw.com/t5/iPhone-4S/Verizon-iPhone-4S-SIM-UNLOCK-Tutorial/td-p/696707
safestrap - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1315982
Even if you go through all of that you I'll still have only EDGE because our radios don't use the 700 MHz. Just sell it and get a phone for T-Mobile.
Sent from my XT862 using XDA App
BenSWoodruff said:
The only thing I've seen that works is using the xt883 Chinese ROM and it only gets edge. Edge is fine for me, but I want a better ROM with access to Android market.
Im still learning how this device works; I just installed Safestrap and tried to flash the GSM CM7 ROM today, to no avail. I flashed a custom ROM on my Droid 2 last year, but it's been a while on the G2x which isn't as locked down.
I flashed the CM7 GSM ROM on the safe mode partition, thinking that was how to do it, but I got an error trying to back anything up because /system wouldn't back up. Then when I flashed the ROM it wouldn't boot. Im wondering if I was supposed to flash the ordinary CDMA CM7 first, then use the GSM one, since it's named 3gedit.zip. I haven't tried that yet though, and the fact that /system isn't backing up worries me. I didn't create a partition on internal with Safestrap, but I flashed the GSM CM7 ROM from coreless in safe mode and it wouldn't boot. Got back to non-safe mode and my stock ROM was fine, but I still want to see a good back up :-/
Any ideas from more experienced users would be great. I'm pretty much a blind guinea pig right now lol. I just really want to see CM7 on this D3, and have it work on T-Mobile so I can retire my G2x for a little while.
Thanks in advance
Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
go here http://hash-of-codes.blogspot.com/p/how-to-safestrap.html
Thanks for replying. That's where I wound up going on my own because I was trying to use his CM7 last night. Can't seem to get it to flash though. Backing up with Safestrap isn't working either...getting an error because /system won't backup for some reason.
I think I'm gonna flash everything back to stock, uninstall Safestrap, and try the above from the beginning. I'd like to see if I can at least get edge and below on T-Mobile using a US ROM.
Thanks again!
G2x with CM7
D3 stock for now, trying to get T-Mobile compatibility
anathema_forever said:
I would recommend unlocking, rooting, flashing the radio, and editing the build.prop.
1. Unlock or online sim card unlock code seller but less reliable.
a) Meet the following requirements:
* Must be a Verizon Wireless customer.
* The phone being unlocked must be active on a Verizon Wireless line of service.
* The line of service must be active at least 60 days.
* The line of service must be in good standing for the past 60 days.
* Only one SIM Unlock per line every 10 months.
b) If you don't meet one or more of the above requirements, call anyway. You may still get lucky.
Call 1-800-711-8300 (Verizon Global Support) and ask the representative for a SIM unlock. Occasionally a representative may not know exactly what you are referring to; make sure you are not transferred to a different department. You are in the right place. Explain that they should have a walkthrough on how to do this, and that it allows for the use of local, non-Verizon SIM cards while traveling abroad.
c) Insert a foreign SIM into the SIM card slot on the side of your phone and then enter unlock code.
4. root ----> http://www.psouza4.com/droid3/
5. safestrap and backup in case something goes wrong -----> http://hash-of-codes.blogspot.com/p/how-to-safestrap.html
6. chinese radio ----> http://dropbox.com/u/25454276/radio.zip
7. flash radio ----> http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16206920/moto-fastboot-win32.zip
8. use something like root browser lite(free) to backup to sd card then edit your system/build.prop
I have called out, received a call and a text, I have checked my account information with the tmobile app on edge. I have been led to believe that its hardware that tmobile can only do edge since they use some non standard bands.
Credits:
flashing radio - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1360157
unlocking - http://community.vzw.com/t5/iPhone-4S/Verizon-iPhone-4S-SIM-UNLOCK-Tutorial/td-p/696707
safestrap - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1315982
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, I have a couple of lines on VZW, but they are all used by family members on my account, and I don't have a VZW SIM. The guy who sold me the phone said he already unlocked it, and I believe him, but is the SIM an issue and is there any way to know if the phone is still unlocked? Can an unlock be undone after wiping internal sd?
I'm asking because I think I can just not worry about that step, but I want to double check. I put it back to stock 2.3.4, now showing 5.6.890 xt862 instead of whatever the xt883 was. I did this to get rid of the previous owner's Google account. Edge, calling and text were working on T-Mo when I bought the D3 a few days ago. When I put my SIM in now, however, and change it to GSM/UMTS mode, there are no operators available when I tap on the list and of course it doesn't work yet. I understand this is due to putting it back on stock lol, but I'm gonna go ahead and try flashing the radio and seeing what happens.
It's already rooted using zergrush. Has safestrap and I can boot into it by rebooting/pressing menu, but my /system folder won't back up. That's the only sign that something is wrong other than the fact that no ROMs will flash in safe mode. I've already left comments on Hash's site, so I'm waiting over there too. Figured I'd pop in here again real quick
Thanks.
UPDATE (from the other forum):
My Droid 3 is working on T-Mobile for voice and text. This is exactly what I wanted. Got some great in-depth help on this one, especially from @tspx23. Thanks a ton! This will be my daily driver now until we switch to VZW, at which point this will turn into a back up, unless I fail to find something else worth a contract at that point lol.
I might write a guide later on if anyone wants it. The process is easier than it seems, as long as you have it in plain english lol.
Thanks to anyone who contributed to this!
Is it possible to mix this with a current rom instead of flashing a random Chinese one, like infuse with cm7 or liberty?
Tmo has horrible coverage and awful customer service. Cs is all nice to you but lies about everything constantly. They did nothing but screw me. That's the whole reason I'm on verizon now. At least now I have coverage and won't be lied to whether or not I have it, or be told to get wifi and then u can make calls since u don't have service.
Sent from my DROID3 using xda premium
I don't know of anyway besides a sim card to check if its unlocked and I am not sure a verizon one would ask for the sim unlock code even if it was locked but sim cards can be really cheap. If your phone was unlocked that will never be undone, if it was working on tmobile before you reverted to stock then it is unlocked, it would not have worked using tmobile otherwise.
are you using the latest version of safestrap, he released a bugfix version pretty recently? Could you be more descriptive of what you did while in safestrap?
It is not rom specific as far as I know, I am just using the stock one.
@Darksurf, I agree. I never had them but before I moved they didn't cover my old town. Verizon may be expensive but at least they tell you they will rape you at front and explain all charges.
Sent from my XT862 using XDA App
you can also try with at&t in full3g. As they have the same bands the d3 has
Enviado desde mi DROID3 usando Tapatalk
I will see tomorrow if this works with ICS
Radio and build prop edit
I'm staying on T-Mo till they go under. They are cheap and I have unlimited Edge, which is all I can get on this phone anyway lol. Only ten bucks a month for data, since I have an older package from before they tried to hike their rates.
My D3 is having some issues after I reboot, and sometimes just randomly, it will lose all signal and tell me that my preferred operator cannot be found or error connecting. I have been just rebooting and sometimes wiggling my SIM around to see if it fixes, and it does.
Only other thing that is a little weird is my phone thinks it's an xt883, even though I'm on the stock VZW ROM. I'm wondering if this is causing some issues that I'm not qualified to really diagnose lol. Usually after I reboot, I have some of my google apps' names in Chinese, but I'm not sure if that is from radio.img, new build.prop, or from changing my bloatware to .bak.
Also, be advised that if you remove bloat, conversations.apk breaks incoming text if it isn't seen by the system. I added .bak to the end of it and could send texts to my wife, but couldn't get any messages. I changed it back and texting works fine. I use Chomp SMS, but that didn't seem to matter.
Have fun
P/S: also, when choosing operators in settings, you have the option for T-Mobile 2G, AT&T 2G or 3G. Just to confirm ;-) probably because AT&T's 3G bands are the international standard, right?
when you flashed the stock rom back onto it did you delete the /system partition and do a factory reset on your device before you did it?
ericerk said:
Is it possible to mix this with a current rom instead of flashing a random Chinese one, like infuse with cm7 or liberty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd love to see someone put these mods into a ROM, but I'm not sure if any of it is compatible with existing ROMs. I also accomplished this on stock. When I get around to flashing CM7 again (or trying to at least lol), I'll post about how it goes.
I'm thinking that when I wiped my phone, the unlock remained but the radio.img that was on the Chinese ROM was undone or lost. Flashing it was easy though, using cmd mentioned earlier in this thread. I just needed help figuring out how to set it up, since I'm a noob at command line lol.
After that, I downloaded adb and tried to use other commands I've found (which claimed to work, but didn't for me somehow) to change out the build.prop. This failure was likely my fault lol but I found it easier to just use Root Browser lite to back up my original build.prop then replace it with the modified one.
I figure that if my SIM doesn't work after flashing some other ROM, I'll just try the two main steps again and see if it works then. If anyone really wants to do this, it isn't too hard or not worth it in my mind. I also figure this phone will be relevant enough for a while longer, considering I am cool with Edge speeds, I certainly won't mind being stuck with VZW's 3G whenever we change over. I am in no hurry to get LTE battery suck or bulkiness either. I'll wait for a little more refining to be done on that end before I upgrade from this phone
I am interested in making the phone compatible on T-Mobile / ATT by flashing XT883 radio. I have one question: Will the "unlocking" turn the phone completely GSM phone so it can no longer work on CDMA network?
Thanks.
Probably until you flash the Verizon ROM back I would assume.
Sent from my XT862 using XDA App
No. XT883 is also CDMA compatible, so the ability to use CDMA should stay. You might need to do *228 though.
You unlock the phone via carrier unlock code, e.g. they give you a code via email or over the phone allowing your gsm functions to work with foreign sim cards (other than the one they come with). After getting the unlock code and flashing the xt883 radio.img (and changing/replacing your build.prop) you can still choose to use cdma. Flashing this radio (which I'm currently using on T-Mobile) doesn't make your phone incompatible with cdma and is reversible. You would simply have to flash the original radio.img and change back your build.prop, or just flash a regular cdma ROM. I plan to do this some time next year if/when T-Mobile goes under and my wife and I switch to Verizon. In the mean time, I only get edge on T-Mobile (using it on AT&T will get 3g), but I have cheap and unlimited data (legacy data plan $10) and a great phone with keyboard. I'm using the stock ROM, rooted, but will eventually try CM7 with the gsm tweak. I will likely have to reflash the xt883 radio.img and change my build.prop (I think).
Droid 3 with stock xt862 ROM working on T-Mobile via xt883 radio.img
BenSWoodruff said:
You unlock the phone via carrier unlock code, e.g. they give you a code via email or over the phone allowing your gsm functions to work with foreign sim cards (other than the one they come with). After getting the unlock code and flashing the xt883 radio.img (and changing/replacing your build.prop) you can still choose to use cdma. Flashing this radio (which I'm currently using on T-Mobile) doesn't make your phone incompatible with cdma and is reversible. You would simply have to flash the original radio.img and change back your build.prop, or just flash a regular cdma ROM. I plan to do this some time next year if/when T-Mobile goes under and my wife and I switch to Verizon. In the mean time, I only get edge on T-Mobile (using it on AT&T will get 3g), but I have cheap and unlimited data (legacy data plan $10) and a great phone with keyboard. I'm using the stock ROM, rooted, but will eventually try CM7 with the gsm tweak. I will likely have to reflash the xt883 radio.img and change my build.prop (I think).
Droid 3 with stock xt862 ROM working on T-Mobile via xt883 radio.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i wasn't able to flash the chineese rom, idk why it just wouldn't let me :/

N900A, T-Mobile ROM, and WiFi Calling/SMS...

Hello,
I just retired my venerable Samsung T699 Relay 4G (RIP QWERTY Keyboard) and, just picked up an unlocked, "refurbished" AT&T Note 3 for pretty cheap (it was sold as an "International" model, so I didn't know it was an AT&T version until I got it). I've had T-Mobile service for the last couple of years, and the big draw, for me, is WiFi calling/SMS; I've installed SafeStrap and been trying some T-Mobile ROMs, but can't seem to get WiFi calling to work. Obviously I've got a T-Mobile SIM card, and I've tried changing/adding APNs, and installing different builds of KitKat (some of which won't even boot - NB4 and NF9 seem to work best), but I still can't get it to work properly. I've been racking my brain and searching the Interspace for the last two weeks with no luck... what am I missing? Is it even possible?
Thanks in advance!
Hello,
As a fellow N900A user on Tmobile, I have been trying to get wifi calling as well.
I tried using a tmobile stock rom with wifi calling baked in (tweaked), but that did not work. I was told that I need to add an emergency 911 address, but even doing this did not do it.
I would think that wifi calling is doable, but something tells me that tmobile might be doing something similar to Verizon. Rumor was that Verizon had a list of IMEIs, and if your IMEI was not on their list, you couldn't bring the phone over to Verizon, even if it were CDMA capable (once again, this is rumor as I cannot confirm this is true).
The closest I have been to getting wifi calling through tmobile was having the settings show on the stock tmobile rom, but that was about it. Maybe someone in the forums has an answer/got it working, but I have yet to see one. I'll keep you posted if I somehow get it to work, but something tells me this won't happen for a while.
AresRising said:
Hello,
I just retired my venerable Samsung T699 Relay 4G (RIP QWERTY Keyboard) and, just picked up an unlocked, "refurbished" AT&T Note 3 for pretty cheap (it was sold as an "International" model, so I didn't know it was an AT&T version until I got it). I've had T-Mobile service for the last couple of years, and the big draw, for me, is WiFi calling/SMS; I've installed SafeStrap and been trying some T-Mobile ROMs, but can't seem to get WiFi calling to work. Obviously I've got a T-Mobile SIM card, and I've tried changing/adding APNs, and installing different builds of KitKat (some of which won't even boot - NB4 and NF9 seem to work best), but I still can't get it to work properly. I've been racking my brain and searching the Interspace for the last two weeks with no luck... what am I missing? Is it even possible?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gangpe said:
Hello,
As a fellow N900A user on Tmobile, I have been trying to get wifi calling as well.
I tried using a tmobile stock rom with wifi calling baked in (tweaked), but that did not work. I was told that I need to add an emergency 911 address, but even doing this did not do it.
I would think that wifi calling is doable, but something tells me that tmobile might be doing something similar to Verizon. Rumor was that Verizon had a list of IMEIs, and if your IMEI was not on their list, you couldn't bring the phone over to Verizon, even if it were CDMA capable (once again, this is rumor as I cannot confirm this is true).
The closest I have been to getting wifi calling through tmobile was having the settings show on the stock tmobile rom, but that was about it. Maybe someone in the forums has an answer/got it working, but I have yet to see one. I'll keep you posted if I somehow get it to work, but something tells me this won't happen for a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, considering I have zero service with any provider where I live (but 4G LTE 100 yards down the street), WiFi services were the single reason I went with T-Mobile. Considering the Unlocking Bill, one wouldn't think a carrier could block IMEIs from being used on another carrier... but I have a hard time reading the fine print, so there is that.
I've tried several of the stock T-Mobile ROMs, and while WiFi calling was there, it simply wouldn't enable; it would try to enable, but never would. Have you contacted T-Mobile and asked if there are any potential fixes? I'm considering doing that, but am worried that they'll say "Oh, that's your IMEI, looks like you can't use it on our network SORRYABOUTYOURLUCK!"
I have contacted tmobile about this before.
Their response was that they did not know why it did not work. They helped me set up the emergency 911 address, but they said when it comes to other hardware they couldn't give me a reason why it wouldn't work.
I remember dwetherill (sp?) mention that some n900a users were able to get wifi calling on their phones. I don't know if the modem can/will affect wifi calling, but at this point it's the easier thing to test.
I'm on the NJ5 modem - I might try testing out NC2.
Have you tried carl's TMB version of the norma stable rom? Check it out if you haven't. Wifi calling is supposed to connect automatically. I haven't seen it work yet, but I'll keep you posted if somehow I get it to work.
AresRising said:
Yeah, considering I have zero service with any provider where I live (but 4G LTE 100 yards down the street), WiFi services were the single reason I went with T-Mobile. Considering the Unlocking Bill, one wouldn't think a carrier could block IMEIs from being used on another carrier... but I have a hard time reading the fine print, so there is that.
I've tried several of the stock T-Mobile ROMs, and while WiFi calling was there, it simply wouldn't enable; it would try to enable, but never would. Have you contacted T-Mobile and asked if there are any potential fixes? I'm considering doing that, but am worried that they'll say "Oh, that's your IMEI, looks like you can't use it on our network SORRYABOUTYOURLUCK!"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gangpe said:
I have contacted tmobile about this before.
Their response was that they did not know why it did not work. They helped me set up the emergency 911 address, but they said when it comes to other hardware they couldn't give me a reason why it wouldn't work.
I remember dwetherill (sp?) mention that some n900a users were able to get wifi calling on their phones. I don't know if the modem can/will affect wifi calling, but at this point it's the easier thing to test.
I'm on the NJ5 modem - I might try testing out NC2.
Have you tried carl's TMB version of the norma stable rom? Check it out if you haven't. Wifi calling is supposed to connect automatically. I haven't seen it work yet, but I'll keep you posted if somehow I get it to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on NC2, and haven't gotten anything to work as of yet... I've been looking for modem threads, but I guess I need to look a little harder. I'll search that ROM out and give it a shot, and let you know if it works with NC2. Thanks for the heads-up! :good:
So I tried NC2 modem, and it is not allowing for wifi calling.
I went to tmobile yesterday to get another line added. Rumor on the tmobile side is that AT&T is working to get wifi calling setup for the n900a's by around April. Take it as a rumor at this point, seeing how it came from tmobile, but the rep made a good point - AT&T tends to follow what tmobile is doing, so who knows.
Here's to hoping they're right.
BTW, I went to the note 4 tmobile forums, and I grabbed a deodexed stock rom. I noticed that there were a few files related to wifi calling (had WFC in the name). I tried playing around with it last night, and I managed to get the settings. It will even go so far as to turn the phone GSM radio off when you select wifi only. It's doing what Tweaked was doing for me (which was keeping the wifi calling option grayed out (enabling). I think I'm still missing a few files to get it to work, but I'll keep playing around with it later and let you know if I have any success.
AresRising said:
I'm on NC2, and haven't gotten anything to work as of yet... I've been looking for modem threads, but I guess I need to look a little harder. I'll search that ROM out and give it a shot, and let you know if it works with NC2. Thanks for the heads-up! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gangpe said:
So I tried NC2 modem, and it is not allowing for wifi calling.
I went to tmobile yesterday to get another line added. Rumor on the tmobile side is that AT&T is working to get wifi calling setup for the n900a's by around April. Take it as a rumor at this point, seeing how it came from tmobile, but the rep made a good point - AT&T tends to follow what tmobile is doing, so who knows.
Here's to hoping they're right.
BTW, I went to the note 4 tmobile forums, and I grabbed a deodexed stock rom. I noticed that there were a few files related to wifi calling (had WFC in the name). I tried playing around with it last night, and I managed to get the settings. It will even go so far as to turn the phone GSM radio off when you select wifi only. It's doing what Tweaked was doing for me (which was keeping the wifi calling option grayed out (enabling). I think I'm still missing a few files to get it to work, but I'll keep playing around with it later and let you know if I have any success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder how that would work regarding using a T-Mobile SIM in the AT&T phone, and if it could support cross-carrier features like that.
You're a braver soul than I, that's for sure. If I knew anything about what I was looking at/for, I'd be more than willing to help get this nut cracked... otherwise, I look forward to your findings!

CDMA Workshop alternatives and can I get data on other carriers?

So, I've recently rooted and unlocked my device and I wanted to know if I can bring it to another carrier and still get data.? I'm using the LS991 Sprint version. I also wanted to know if there are any good CDMA Workshop alternatives; it's really expensive and I'm only gonna be using on a few devices.
Dfs
So you rooted (doesn't really matter with respect to carrier support) and you unlocked it (that's what matters with respect to carrier support) - so you put in a SIM card for the carrier you want, set the APN data (use Shortcut Master if needed, there's a version specifically modded for the LS991 directly available in my post HERE - might be a good idea to read that post as well since that's what I did myself.
Worse comes to worse if you have no luck because you unlocked your LS991, consider installing the global LS991 ROM (whether it's Lollipop ZV6 or Marshmallow ZV9 or ZVA - if you install ZVB you can never go back to anything prior so be aware of that) which will work much better for other carriers than using the unlock mod so many of us have done in the past.
Hindsight being what it is, if I knew about the global ROM when I got this G4 recently I wouldn't have mucked around with all the unlocking crap and the carrier partition at all for any reason because just installing the global ROM (or modifying build.prop to allow for global unlocked operation) is way more useful and less damaging to the phone. Modifying the build.prop isn't necessarily a cakewalk but, since someone else has already done it for others and posted the global ROM(s) for Lollipop and Marshmallow (as .img files you flash using the Send_Command.exe/dd method) it's really not a big thing anymore.
If you muck up flashing an .img file you can typically just use LGUP and a TOT file to get things working again so it's relatively safe overall, but if you muck up the unlock and trash the carrier partition content the phone will end up being pretty much useless unless you have that information safely backed up someplace (I'd say multiple backups in multiple locations, to be honest).
Anyway, if you truly want the phone to be capable of working on other carriers, my suggestion is go for the global ROM but that's just my own personal opinion on the matter. I'm using tabp0le's MellowMallow ZVB global ROM on my LS991 and T-Mobile LTE works just fine for me, for the record. It did take a little work - I wrote about how I got the full phone/data working in that post with Shortcut Master - but it does work.
Thanks for the help!
One last question, how did you get other carriers to let you activate the phone? Everytime I try they ask me imei then tell me my phone won't work on their network.
Well I've had service with T-Mobile in the past (not currently but will again soon), I have a bunch of T-Mobile microSIM cards because whenever they put the SIM card activation kits on sale for $.99 or sometimes even free (rare but it happens) I usually grab 3 at a time so I have 'em around for testing purposes. T-Mobile doesn't require me to provide any info to them, and even if I go to their website right now and input my IMEI number it'll say it's not recognized, etc but it's not relevant: it works, and that's what matters.
Most carriers don't actually require you to provide the IMEI for any reason as long as you can get one of their microSIM cards (or nanoSIM with adapter) and then get service without having to contact them. T-Mobile is somewhat unique in that process I suppose. With this SIM card I have (it's never been activated) I can go to their website and sign up for service right now and it'll be active in 10 minutes or less, sometimes when I've activated service (it's prepaid so I don't necessarily keep it month to month, sometimes I choose some other service for testing) it's done before I even sign out of their website, like 30 seconds or less and wham, the phone beeps telling me service is working.
So, the advice is: get a SIM card for the phone from the carrier you're interested in and go from there, not sure what else to suggest honestly.
br0adband said:
Well I've had service with T-Mobile in the past (not currently but will again soon), I have a bunch of T-Mobile microSIM cards because whenever they put the SIM card activation kits on sale for $.99 or sometimes even free (rare but it happens) I usually grab 3 at a time so I have 'em around for testing purposes. T-Mobile doesn't require me to provide any info to them, and even if I go to their website right now and input my IMEI number it'll say it's not recognized, etc but it's not relevant: it works, and that's what matters.
Most carriers don't actually require you to provide the IMEI for any reason as long as you can get one of their microSIM cards (or nanoSIM with adapter) and then get service without having to contact them. T-Mobile is somewhat unique in that process I suppose. With this SIM card I have (it's never been activated) I can go to their website and sign up for service right now and it'll be active in 10 minutes or less, sometimes when I've activated service (it's prepaid so I don't necessarily keep it month to month, sometimes I choose some other service for testing) it's done before I even sign out of their website, like 30 seconds or less and wham, the phone beeps telling me service is working.
So, the advice is: get a SIM card for the phone from the carrier you're interested in and go from there, not sure what else to suggest honestly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You good sir are a god among men, phone and data are working like a charm. Now I can tell sprint to go **** themselves!
glad it worked for you. MY experiences with ls991, i am using it nvmode. zv6 rooted works for me with cdma data. but data doesnt work with zv9 or zva. global rom doesnt work unless, I edit build.prop target carrier to SPR . it is open to use it as global mode. I am using it in cdma nv mode.. not with any sim..
sunilromy said:
glad it worked for you. MY experiences with ls991, i am using it nvmode. zv6 rooted works for me with cdma data. but data doesnt work with zv9 or zva. global rom doesnt work unless, I edit build.prop target carrier to SPR . it is open to use it as global mode. I am using it in cdma nv mode.. not with any sim..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so in my case i use att on ls991. my build prop is ruim,sim i believe. now does that sound rite for gsm?
also another cdma workshop alt if qpst i used that one to rebuild my g2 a few years back
TheMadScientist420 said:
so in my case i use att on ls991. my build prop is ruim,sim i believe. now does that sound rite for gsm?
also another cdma workshop alt if qpst i used that one to rebuild my g2 a few years back
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ruim is basically used when it comes to cdma sim card.
"Removable User Identity Module (R-UIM) is a card developed for cdmaOne/CDMA2000 ("CDMA") handsets that extends the GSM SIM card to CDMA phones and networks. To work in CDMA networks, the R-UIM contains an early version of the CSIM application."
Your is at&t 4g gsm card. [emoji4]
Check your build.prop and search for
ro.build.target_operator: OPEN
Most probably for global mode open works
For making it work on cdma nv, i have set it to SPR
You can tweak with it by changing to options, it will also change signal bar and 4g symbol like at&t
These will show a Standered international 4G data icon for 3G/HSPA+ and LTE for LTE.
ro.build.target_county: CA
ro.build.target_operator: TLS
These will show a standered international 3G data Icon for 3G/HSPA+ and 4G for LTE (Messes up settings menu pretty bad)
ro.build.target_county: SK
ro.build.target_operator: SKT
If you want the AT&T 4G and 4G LTE Icons.
ro.build.target_county: US
ro.build.target_operator: ATT
Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 02:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:26 AM ----------
My fav cdma tools are qpst, cdma workshop, dfs, revskill and bit advance is qxdm All are freely available. I cant say which one is best hahah. Trust me for me, all of them worked at some instance when i was stuck. Revskill is great with htc finding spc. Though i used dfs mostly.
Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

SM-G973U VoLTE

I recently bought an unlocked Galaxy S10 SM-G973U on Amazon. Got new SIM card from a Verizon MVNO and activated phone. The phone downloaded Android 12, One UI version 4.0. Firmware Build number SP1A210812.016.G973USQS6HVA1. Service provide Software version SAOMC_SM-G973U_OYN_SPR_12_0007 SPR/XAA/VZW. The problem is there is no menu option to activate/switch on VoLTE which means when I'm on a call there is no internet. I've talked to the MVNO tech support multiple times and was told they couldn't see any problems on their side, or that the SM-G973U does not support VoLTE which is not true. I found on one of AT&T's sites that the SM-G973U needs a software patch to enable VoLTE. I also found a couple of USSD codes but they either didn't work or didn't get me to the right setup screen to turn on VoLTE. I even stopped by a Samsung store and they weren't any help either. They said they could re-flash a stock firmware but it would revert to being locked to a carrier which is apparently also not true based on what I've read on this forum. Anyone know how I can turn on VoLTE or know of an apk file or software patch to enable VoLTE?? Does one of the firmware versions posted online have the patch to turn on VoLTE??
I think the issue is that your phone is showing SPR/XAA/VZW. You say you're on a verizon MVNO (who, by the way?)... but your phone isn't seeing that. It's actually saying it's active for SPRint. The second one, XAA, means it's not able to detect the SIM type... and the third was that it was originally VZW, which you can't change and isn't really relevant. (That's just what the phone was "born" as).
Bottom line, your phone isn't seeing VZW or an MVNO as the active CSC nor the SIM card. In the past, the easy thing was to change the CSC to what you need, but I haven't found a way to do that actively. What's supposed to happen is that the CSC should update based on the SIM card and cell signal you're getting... but this doesn't always happen. I bought two phones - one switched with no issues, the other I could not get it to change no matter what I tried.
That said, the easiest thing is to clean flash the phone with ODIN to a VZW or your MVNO's ROM, so that (hopefully) the CSC updates automatically. You could also consider flashing a U1 (unlocked) ROM, as yours is not technically an unlocked ROM (U means it's a carrier ROM... which may be why it's not switching over?)
Again, I tried all of these on the second phone I bought, and nothing would switch it (my carrier is Total Wireless, which is a VZ MVNO, and actually shows up as Tracfone (TFN). I had to return that second phone and get another with TFN already activated, and that worked fine... so be sure you do this before you drop out of your return period.
Bottom line, you should be able to get this all working... my VOLTE/VOWIFI works fine... just a matter of getting you there.
Thanks. My carrier is Straight Talk which is now VZ. The SIM card they sent me has the wording "Verizon Compatible" written on it. I finally found a document that explains how to interpret the CSC codes and your explanation clarifies my understanding of it. Sound like I'll have to re-flash it. Since it was originally a VZW phone I'm thinking I should flash it back to VZW to see if that works before trying U1.
Dumb question as this is my first time flashing a phone. (I've flashed quite a few other things but never had to worry about CSC codes and bootloader versions, etc.) I don't see VZW firmware on samfirms or sammobile. I see Sprint, T-Mobile, and one listed as USA without carrier info but I don't see one for VZW. Can someone point me to the correct location to download SM-g973U and U1 firmware for VZW? Greatly appreciated and thanks for putting up with my lack of knowledge!
Edited: Found the files on sammobile. Will try the U1 (VZW) first. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
schwinn8 said:
I think the issue is that your phone is showing SPR/XAA/VZW. You say you're on a verizon MVNO (who, by the way?)... but your phone isn't seeing that. It's actually saying it's active for SPRint. The second one, XAA, means it's not able to detect the SIM type... and the third was that it was originally VZW, which you can't change and isn't really relevant. (That's just what the phone was "born" as).
Bottom line, your phone isn't seeing VZW or an MVNO as the active CSC nor the SIM card. In the past, the easy thing was to change the CSC to what you need, but I haven't found a way to do that actively. What's supposed to happen is that the CSC should update based on the SIM card and cell signal you're getting... but this doesn't always happen. I bought two phones - one switched with no issues, the other I could not get it to change no matter what I tried.
That said, the easiest thing is to clean flash the phone with ODIN to a VZW or your MVNO's ROM, so that (hopefully) the CSC updates automatically. You could also consider flashing a U1 (unlocked) ROM, as yours is not technically an unlocked ROM (U means it's a carrier ROM... which may be why it's not switching over?)
Again, I tried all of these on the second phone I bought, and nothing would switch it (my carrier is Total Wireless, which is a VZ MVNO, and actually shows up as Tracfone (TFN). I had to return that second phone and get another with TFN already activated, and that worked fine... so be sure you do this before you drop out of your return period.
Bottom line, you should be able to get this all working... my VOLTE/VOWIFI works fine... just a matter of getting you there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Success! Was able to flash U1. VoLTE is now working. The CSC now shows TFN/TFN/VZW. Much appreciated!!!
Awesome, glad to hear that fixed it easily!
And TFN... I'm a fan there, too!
Hi! I'm having a similar issue with the same model and happy to see someone was able to enable VoLTE. However, most of what you said above is a foreign language to me. Would one of you be willing to give me a crash course in what you did?
Here's my specific situation. Last week (~1/4/23) Tracfone shutdown 3G. My Samsung Galaxy S10 (SM-G973U) says my network is set to LTE/3G/2G. I've read LTE is 4G, but still can't make or receive calls/texts, but data and 911 calls still work. Their tech support is no help.
From reading online it sounds like I may need VoLTE, not just LTE. Hence finding this thread. If one of you would be willing to spare some time to walk me through what you did I'd really appreciate it. In the mean time I'll try to figure out what "flashing" mean in a context that doesn't involve showing body parts
Thank you in advance!!
I'm on Tracfone (they were bought out by Verizon, BTW) - I was on Total Wireless before, which is now Total by Verizon. You might try contacting support again, as they are now VZ, and may have more help to offer.
My S10+ is running 975U1 now, and it works for VOLTE/VOWIFI properly. You may consider getting a U1 ROM installed, and maybe even the VZW (or TFN) version if available - that may get you working.
Did VOLTE ever work for you before on this or any other carrier? What is your CSC right now?
schwinn8 said:
I'm on Tracfone (they were bought out by Verizon, BTW) - I was on Total Wireless before, which is now Total by Verizon. You might try contacting support again, as they are now VZ, and may have more help to offer.
My S10+ is running 975U1 now, and it works for VOLTE/VOWIFI properly. You may consider getting a U1 ROM installed, and maybe even the VZW (or TFN) version if available - that may get you working.
Did VOLTE ever work for you before on this or any other carrier? What is your CSC right now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for replying! I'm not entirely sure if VoLTE has worked previously. I bought this phone 6/2021 and have only haver had tracfone service for it. I did find in my setting that VoLTE calling is set to on so it seems like it should work. Of note, the 4Glte in my status bar has always been grayed out (I went back and looked at some old screenshots).
My current CSC is VZW/XAA/ATT.
I spoke with tracfone customer service yesterday and they had me reset my network setting and now I don't even have data and the 4Glte in my status bar that was previously gray has now completely disappeared.
Their customer service refuses to talk to me now (literally no one answers when it transfers to an agent) or they hang up on me, and no I haven't been rude, but I have told them I'm recording the call.
I bought a mint mobile package last night because I'm beyond frustrated with Tracfone. I'm worried I'll have the same problems with Mint. I'm not sure if my settings are screwed up or if it's just Tracfone. In any case things are worse now after talking to customer service yesterday.
I also notice there was no APN setting on my phone so I updated it today and restarted but no difference.
Thanks for any input!! Much appreciated. Sorry for the novel.
Ok, so based on your CSC, the phone is not seeing the SIM's carrier - it's showing XAA which means it's using the default settings, which is probably why your not getting VOLTE. The active CSC of "VZW" may be ok... depends on which carrier you're on with Tracfone. I think they're VZW only, but I'm not completely sure.
You may want to just get a new SIM card and get that activated. HOWEVER, the problem you'll likely face is that the phone was born ATT (last CSC). This means the IMEI won't match a "compatible" phone to Verizon, and they will flat out refuse to activate it (even though WE al know it will work fine). If you still want to do that, you will have to activate the new SIM on a VZ "compatible" phone, then you can swap it to the S10. Note that VZ complains about this when you talk to them... so don't tell them you're doing this... but I've done it many times and it works fine.
If your actual behind-the-scenes carrier is ATT, then you can do the activation with your phone without issue.
If none of this works for you, you can switch carriers to an ATT MVNO and you should be good to go.
schwinn8 said:
Ok, so based on your CSC, the phone is not seeing the SIM's carrier - it's showing XAA which means it's using the default settings, which is probably why your not getting VOLTE. The active CSC of "VZW" may be ok... depends on which carrier you're on with Tracfone. I think they're VZW only, but I'm not completely sure.
You may want to just get a new SIM card and get that activated. HOWEVER, the problem you'll likely face is that the phone was born ATT (last CSC). This means the IMEI won't match a "compatible" phone to Verizon, and they will flat out refuse to activate it (even though WE al know it will work fine). If you still want to do that, you will have to activate the new SIM on a VZ "compatible" phone, then you can swap it to the S10. Note that VZ complains about this when you talk to them... so don't tell them you're doing this... but I've done it many times and it works fine.
If your actual behind-the-scenes carrier is ATT, then you can do the activation with your phone without issue.
If none of this works for you, you can switch carriers to an ATT MVNO and you should be good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK some of that was still over my head. I'll see what happens with the Mint Sim... one f/u question now though. You said the ATT means my phone was "born" ATT. I bought my phone off backmarket and it was sold as "unlocked". Was that not true? How can I be sure in the future if I buy a used phone that's not from my carrier that it will actually be compatible?
Unlocked just means it's not locked to a carrier. That is true in your case, otherwise you wouldn't have been able to install ANY non-ATT SIM. So, you did the right thing to get an unlocked phone, and that is what you got.
The issue with compatibility is just the asshole carriers spreading lies. They do this to try to get people to buy THEIR phones, for no reason other than to make money and confuse consumers. The "born" CSC has no bearing on anything, really... neither does the carrier-specified IMEI. In your case, the XAA is good, which means it's a multi-carrier ROM, which works with all USA carriers.
Mint is a good idea - being an ATT carrier (IIRC), that should work and they should help you get it up and running even if they have to activate it. Good luck!
Awesome! Fingers crossed!! Thank you for your time and all the info❣
I'll try to remember to give an update in a few weeks for future readers
Goldie8709 said:
Awesome! Fingers crossed!! Thank you for your time and all the info❣
I'll try to remember to give an update in a few weeks for future readers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UPDATE: Switching to Mint worked like a charm! Once my number ported and I put the new SIM card in, service was instantaneous! I've had Mint for 3 weeks now and the service is so much better than with Tracfone! My calls go through nearly as soon as I hit call, the internet is faster.
I didn't need to do a thing either. No making APN settings, etc. I'm betting it has to do with what you said about my phone being born ATT. So funny because the software(?) is Verizon - shows the Verizon when I restart/power up. I still love my bastard phone
So thankful I didn't buy a different phone!!! Again thanks for all your help @schwinn8
Thanks for reporting back and letting us all know, and I'm glad it worked out well!
Yeah, the carriers pull this nonsense all the time... it's BS. The phones are all the same, only the ROM changes. If we can change ROMs (which we can) then there should be no reason to force users to specific IMEIs. But we know why they do this - follow the money. I encourage people to write to the FTC and FCC about this (I have).

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