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I bought a new AT&T factory unlocked G4 Active off eBay. It is running Gingerbread and has not been rooted.I then bought a StraightTalk sim card and everything works fine except two things,
I have used Applications Manager and discovered (I will confess I have learned a lot from this forum AFTER I tried that) it will not allow me to move the useless(????) AT&T apps to the SD card. Is there any way to do that since I don't think I am using them since I have a StraightTalk sim installed? And #2, since I get lousy service on the GSM network (AT&T), is it possible to convert this phone so it runs on VZ?
Thanks
The Galaxy S4 Active is barely 4 months old and shipped with Android 4.2.2 aka Jellybean - if yours has Gingerbread on it (Android 2.3) something is very wrong.
And GS4A's are not sold unlocked, even from AT&T. You have to buy one that's carrier locked, then contact their support to get the unlock code (as I understand it). Even paying full price for the phone off-contract in an AT&T corporate store means you still end up having to contact their support by phone, providing the necessary info, and they'll provide the unlock code as required - the store personnel just don't do that or even have access to those codes even if you pay full price on the spot for one "unlocked."
As for moving the apps to the microSD card, I don't think that's a possibility with the stock apps; your best bet to get rid of them is with Titanium Backup (the paid version) and freeze 'em all out. I could be wrong on that so someone else can answer it perhaps.
The LTE capability of the GS4A won't work with Verizon's CMDA network that I'm aware of, and obviously Verizon isn't a GSM carrier at all so there goes that idea too.
Are you 100% confident of what you actually bought?
Moving AT&T apps to sd card
br0adband said:
The Galaxy S4 Active is barely 4 months old and shipped with Android 4.2.2 aka Jellybean - if yours has Gingerbread on it (Android 2.3) something is very wrong.
And GS4A's are not sold unlocked, even from AT&T. You have to buy one that's carrier locked, then contact their support to get the unlock code (as I understand it). Even paying full price for the phone off-contract in an AT&T corporate store means you still end up having to contact their support by phone, providing the necessary info, and they'll provide the unlock code as required - the store personnel just don't do that or even have access to those codes even if you pay full price on the spot for one "unlocked."
As for moving the apps to the microSD card, I don't think that's a possibility with the stock apps; your best bet to get rid of them is with Titanium Backup (the paid version) and freeze 'em all out. I could be wrong on that so someone else can answer it perhaps.
The LTE capability of the GS4A won't work with Verizon's CMDA network that I'm aware of, and obviously Verizon isn't a GSM carrier at all so there goes that idea too.
Are you 100% confident of what you actually bought?
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Yep, I am sure it is unlocked. I bought it advertised as unlocked and activated it on StraightTalk. It came with an AT&T sim card (unused) and I bought a StraightTalk sim card for it and have been using it for about a month. My only "gripe" is one AT&T app (My AT&T) is still in the App menu and I recently downloaded and launched GPS/Mapquest. AT&T came on in the middle of my drive with their AT&T travel app and I could not get back to my original course. Not to be argumentative but is there any way I can tell for sure I am unlocked given the info above? I have 4.2.2. Guess I'll have to give up on deleting the AT&T apps. PS I have disabled all AT&T apps, except the one above, in my phone App Mgr Haven't checked the Mapquest routing since I did that so don't know if that very big problem went away.
Thanks for the help
The StraightTalk SIM card will be using AT&T's cellular network so that's why it won't complain with it in there - stick a SIM card from T-Mobile or some other network provider and you'll find out instantly if it's carrier locked or not as soon as you turn it on because it'll ask for the unlock code if it is.
AT&T doesn't sell the GS4A unlocked - it is sold locked to their network and if you pay the full price for the phone (meaning you own it at that point) you will be given a number to call (an AT&T support rep) where you have to provide the IMEI of the phone and the transaction number from the purchase receipt; they will provide you with the carrier unlock code which is entered when you put in SIM card from another carrier and turn on the phone.
While I got mine unlocked using an official AT&T unlock code from an eBay reseller, before I got this one off craigslist I had considered buying it brand new back in June from AT&T at the full retail price so I asked how the carrier unlock would be accomplished and was told by the AT&T corporate store employee here in Las Vegas exactly what I just said above: the boxed phones at the stores are locked to AT&T and must be unlocked with the carrier unlock code.
Since I'm not the original owner I couldn't just call in and ask for it myself so that's why I used a person off eBay and haven't had any issues so far, it was worth the $9 to get it unlocked.
Whoever owned that phone you have may have already unlocked it, but AT&T doesn't sell them that way...
You bought it off eBay, not directly from AT$T. Many eBay sellers unlock phones to make them easier to sell, but no carrier sells phones already unlocked. And 4.2.2 is definitely not Gingerbread. All S4 Actives came with Jellybean. As was said, you will not get this phone to work on Verizon's 4G network.
Hi guys,
I was wondering if anyone out there can help me? I have been trying to get this this Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Sgh-I537 to work on Verizon. It is right now with At&t. I was told by at&t that the phone is unlocked already. Actually according to at&t the S4's and up come unlocked. I keep getting the Sim Network Error. I was told by at&t that that means my sim is locked through Verizon. Anyone hear of that? I am not under contract and have not been for at least a year and this phone is not under contract either. Not sure if that is true. I paid to have this phone unlocked and the site told me they cannot generate a code for this phone and refunded me my money back. I want to get this phone working on Verizon due to the fact that I have the unlimited plan an cannot upgrade without paying high dollars for a phone. I bought this phone with the understanding that it will work with Verizon. Can anyone help me or give me suggestions on what to do? I have had this phone now for about a week and about ready to sell it on eBay if I cannot get it working. PLEASE any help would be greatly appreciated.
KiRin1 said:
Hi guys,
I was wondering if anyone out there can help me? I have been trying to get this this Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Sgh-I537 to work on Verizon. It is right now with At&t. I was told by at&t that the phone is unlocked already. Actually according to at&t the S4's and up come unlocked. I keep getting the Sim Network Error. I was told by at&t that that means my sim is locked through Verizon. Anyone hear of that? I am not under contract and have not been for at least a year and this phone is not under contract either. Not sure if that is true. I paid to have this phone unlocked and the site told me they cannot generate a code for this phone and refunded me my money back. I want to get this phone working on Verizon due to the fact that I have the unlimited plan an cannot upgrade without paying high dollars for a phone. I bought this phone with the understanding that it will work with Verizon. Can anyone help me or give me suggestions on what to do? I have had this phone now for about a week and about ready to sell it on eBay if I cannot get it working. PLEASE any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Click to collapse
The i537 won't work on Verizon. Verizon is a CDMA network and this is a GSM phone. This phone will work on nearly any other network in the world except Verizon or Sprint.
KiRin1 said:
I have been trying to get this this Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Sgh-I537 to work on Verizon. It is right now with At&t.
I was told by at&t that the phone is unlocked already.
I was told by at&t that means my sim is locked through Verizon.
Anyone hear of that?
I want to get this phone working on Verizon due to the fact that I have the unlimited plan an cannot upgrade without paying high dollars for a phone.
I bought this phone with the understanding that it will work with Verizon.
Can anyone help me or give me suggestions on what to do? I have had this phone now for about a week and about ready to sell it on eBay if I cannot get it working. PLEASE any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bottom line first, like the other member said, your phone is GSM based. It is IMPOSSIBLE for your GSM phone to work with Verizon because Verizon (and Sprint) use CDMA technology. (And vice versa, Verizon and Sprint phones will not work with AT&T or T-Mobile (also a GSM carrier).
Not sure HOW you bought the phone, but if someone told you that the AT&T phone would work with Verizon, they told you wrong.
You have a few options:
- You can sell the phone on eBay to someone who wants a GSM phone (if it is truly unlocked that adds value to the phone. But before advertising it as unlocked make sure it is). And use those proceeds to buy a CDMA Verizon SGS4 phone.
- You can keep the phone and switch to a GSM prepaid carrier. Straight Talk is what I use. And I am using an AT&T branded Samsung Galaxy S4 AT&T Active SGH-i537. (Because I have a Straight Talk AT&T SIM card.) With Straight Talk for $45 monthly I get unlimited talk, text, and 3GB of true 4G LTE service. That's hard to beat, IMO.
Bonus Tip: Next time, notice the difference between phones. The letters that matter are "GSM" or "CDMA." If you see a phone branded AT&T ot T-Mobile, those are GSM phones. If you see a phone branded Verizon or Sprint, those are CDMA phones. Rely on that rather than what someone tells you.
Good luck.
P.S. The carriers kind of told you right. Your phone is a GSM device, but your SIM is CDMA. The easy fix, if you are not under contract with Verizon is to get a GSM SIM, such as through Straight Talk.
If you are under contract with Verizon consider switching to Straight Talk and paying the ETF penalty. This is because the savings with Straight Talk (e.g., $70 monthly off your bill) quickly pays the ETF penalty.
Pencil out the cost of your Verizon unlimited plan. Is it worth the price you are paying, over that which you would pay with a carrier like Straight Talk? If it is, then simply get a CDMA phone. Easiest way is to get an S4 that says "Verizon" on the battery cover. :good:
---------- Post added at 09:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:41 PM ----------
It should have taken a carrier 15 seconds ito tell you in plain English that you were using the incorrect phone.
If I was an AT&T CSR I would have had you flip the phone over and tell me what it says or what graphic it had on the battery cover. I believe Verizon phones say "VERIZON"
On hearing that I would have then tried to sell you an AT&T account.
Whoever sold you the phone (eBay purchase) and the carriers left you floundering on the dock like a fish out of water.
I'm confused. Are the N6 phones carrier locked?
I travel to Europe every other year for about two months to see family and I normally just pickup a pre-paid SIM while I'm there for my phone. Last trip I called up AT&T International and told them my plans and they got my IMEI from me and gave me the code to unlock my phone so I could pick up a pre-paid SIM. This was in there best interest as it kept me a happy customer and I renewed my contract when it was up. I've since sold that phone to help cover part of the cost of my AT&T N6.
Yesterday I contacted AT&T International again and asked for the same thing. This time I'm told they do not do that and never have and that I need to go threw some link to request it to be unlocked. Unfortunately that link very specifically says you have to finish your contract of pay the ETF or if Next, pay off the device.
This is NOT what happened last time. I was 100% for sure under contract, I was 6 months into my new contract with AT&T as a NEW customer. This time around I'm a renewed customer and they will not do this for me.
This is going to make me leave AT&T on principal. Unlocking my phone does not release me from the agreement I signed but as mentioned above does keep me a happy customer.
Googling I found this... Seems this is a new thing and others have had issues. Interesting the way they kissed his ass when they found out he writes tech reviews and said they were looking into ways to help out international travelers with this, looks like they have done nothing.
http://arstechnica.com/staff/2014/11/atts-outdated-unlock-policies-cost-it-a-loyal-customer-me/
So I happened to mention to a friend I need to look into moving to Sprint or something else that will buy out my contract so I can have a phone to take with and he said ummm I don't think N6's are carrier locked.
Now I know I could buy a cheap phone but its the point of the matter. EVERYTHING I do is on "this" phone. I don't want to take two phones, I want to take THIS phone and I don't want to pay for AT&T International service.
@kdoggy
Yes, AT&T N6 is carrier locked. You can not get the unlock code from AT&T unless your device is paid off.
But there are a number of 3rd party companies that will sell you the code for $10 to $25. Look for an older thread in this General section with a title something like "undo AT&T customization".
Or do a Google search for carrier unlock codes.
This phone wasn't carrier locked out of the box was it? I remember now when I first set it up I followed some instructions to NOT get the AT&T customizations that involved removing the SIM etc but then the second time I re-flashed the phone I forgot to do that and now I get the carrier crap. Previous to that my Google Play account KNEW it was an Nexus phone but did not know what carrier it was. It just said Unspecified Nexus 6. After that refresh without removing the SIM for the first part of the setup, it now gets the crap and Play says AT&T Nexus 6.
Sigh, OK yeah I'll pay $10~25.00 dollars. I'm not happy about this on principal though. Them unlocking my phone does not release me from my contract. Looks like I may have to evaluate in another few months when my Next is up.
@kdoggy
Yes, the AT&T version was carrier locked out of the box.
Ah OK. Yeah just read the thread you spoke of. Sounds like the SIM card thing was just for the bloat.
OK well this helped, screw AT&T, I'll just pay the money and remember this next go around. We have been on a family plan for the past few years but I'm in the middle of a divorce right now so I may just go Verizon when this contracts up. Nothing keeping me on AT&T anymore. Previously it was just because the wife and kids were on AT&T too.
I can say for a fact that the Tmobile version of the N6 comes unlocked. I got mine and was able to pop in my att sim without having to unlock it. I even got it replaced through warranty (bad battery) and was able to use my At&t sim on this one too. But as far as I know Tmobile and the international version are the only ones to come unlocked.
The Sprint and Verizon models are unlocked as well.
The US Cellular version is totally unlocked as well...for all carriers.
I am trying to activate an N6 from Amazon on Sprint, and they are saying only Sprint devices can be activated. Maybe I didn't do enough homework before buying this, but is that correct? I was under the impression that unlocked phones could go anywhere*. Can someone confirm before I send my phone back to Amazon?
Thanks!
*any major US carrier, btw mine is the XT1103 variant
bump, anyone?
Heading into the store today, but want to be armed with as much info as possible.
All devices should work on all networks, they are lying to you if they say it's not going to work.if
If they decline to give you a SIM and you already have a sprint phone with a SIM card, just put the SIM in your nexus. If your SIM is too big for the nexus, but a SIM cutter for $5 from amazon or eBay to cut your SIM to fit the nexus.
I'll keep updating this thread for reference if anyone else has a similar problem.
I went to the Sprint store today and the people there, at least my local one, are so much more helpful than customer care reps. Anyway, they were not able to activate it in the store either. Their system wasn't 100% explicit in giving the reason, but the guy I worked with believe the ESN to be in their system, but the phone was active on a 3rd party carrier (one of the smaller carriers). Since it was an Amazon Warehouse deal and appeared to be an open box, this is entirely plausible that someone activated and returned the phone. Him and another employee at the store said Amazon phones should activate no problem, so I am returning mine for a new one.
I did run an ESN check though Swappa, and they show it as clear and ready to activate, so it is hard to say what is really going on. I contacted Amazon and I have a BNIB replacement coming for mine, so hopefully all should be well.
I don't know if this applies to my situation since the Sprint store thought the ESN was in their system already (and several articles I've seen state that Sprint has whitelisted devices not from Sprint or Google Play), but here is some information from the SprintAMA account on reddit they may come in handy for someone about activating a non-sprint nexus. https://np.reddit.com/r/Sprint/comments/2mpr7s/update_regarding_the_nexus_6_from_motorola_on/”
jst07 said:
I'll keep updating this thread for reference if anyone else has a similar problem.
I went to the Sprint store today and the people there, at least my local one, are so much more helpful than customer care reps. Anyway, they were not able to activate it in the store either. Their system wasn't 100% explicit in giving the reason, but the guy I worked with believe the ESN to be in their system, but the phone was active on a 3rd party carrier (one of the smaller carriers). Since it was an Amazon Warehouse deal and appeared to be an open box, this is entirely plausible that someone activated and returned the phone. Him and another employee at the store said Amazon phones should activate no problem, so I am returning mine for a new one.
I did run an ESN check though Swappa, and they show it as clear and ready to activate, so it is hard to say what is really going on. I contacted Amazon and I have a BNIB replacement coming for mine, so hopefully all should be well.
I don't know if this applies to my situation since the Sprint store thought the ESN was in their system already (and several articles I've seen state that Sprint has whitelisted devices not from Sprint or Google Play), but here is some information from the SprintAMA account on reddit they may come in handy for someone about activating a non-sprint nexus. https://np.reddit.com/r/Sprint/comments/2mpr7s/update_regarding_the_nexus_6_from_motorola_on/”
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any us bought n6 WILL work just fine on sprint. if they are telling you no, then they are just clueless.
can you not request a sim card from sprint? do they not give those out? seems like people have this issue on sprint and verizon
simms22 said:
any us bought n6 WILL work just fine on sprint. if they are telling you no, then they are just clueless.
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Yep. I've dealt with poorly trained customer reps with Verizon before as well. The first guy I spoke with (which was on Sprint Chat) was pretty explicit that the phone had to be from Sprint. The next person I spoke to on Chat didn't really offer much information, other than suggesting I go to a store. The guys at the store were super helpful and said it shouldn't be a problem. It seems that in this case the phone may be already active on another network, but hard to say for sure. We'll see how it goes when my replacement gets here Saturday.
PolishDude said:
can you not request a sim card from sprint? do they not give those out? seems like people have this issue on sprint and verizon
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I've seen others had problems getting a SIM from Sprint. When I first came to Sprint I bought an LG G2 from Swappa (Sprint variant LS980) and they gave me a SIM with no hassle. I had cut down my SIM from that phone for the N6 but they went ahead and gave me a new one anyway* and said they'll give me one any time.
*A new nano sim for the replacement N6 when I receive it. I'm just letting my LG limp by without LTE until then.
jst07 said:
I've seen others had problems getting a SIM from Sprint. When I first came to Sprint I bought an LG G2 from Swappa (Sprint variant LS980) and they gave me a SIM with no hassle. I had cut down my SIM from that phone for the N6 but they went ahead and gave me a new one anyway* and said they'll give me one any time.
*A new nano sim for the replacement N6 when I receive it. I'm just letting my LG limp by without LTE until then.
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Click to collapse
post in the sprint reddit :https://www.reddit.com/r/Sprint/
the mods are helpful and some employees there may be able to direct you. corp stores should be able to assist too.
When I got my N5, I had to go through 3 sim cards before I got one to work. Sprint CS is so behind the times when it comes to new technology, IMO.
Got my new nexus in today and activated without issue. Sprint wouldn't let me activate online for some reason so I took it to the store and it went fine.
This phone kicks ass btw
the store needs to put a click it ticket in to add the esn to their network, takes about 48 hours, and youll need a sim from them which the store can order or customer care can order.the part number for the sim is SIMGLW426C
Yeah sprint is a pain to activate devices not bought in their store, I've had friends with similar issues but with a Nexus 6 they've always been able to get it in the end.
Just a hassle...
zikronix said:
the store needs to put a click it ticket in to add the esn to their network, takes about 48 hours, and youll need a sim from them which the store can order or customer care can order.the part number for the sim is SIMGLW426C
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orangekid said:
Yeah sprint is a pain to activate devices not bought in their store, I've had friends with similar issues but with a Nexus 6 they've always been able to get it in the end.
Just a hassle...
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For whatever reason I couldn't activate the phone myself online, but the store was able to in about 15 mins. Glad I didn't have to wait a couple days for a click it ticket to go though.
You should request an invitation to the Google Project Fi! Then you can use both Sprint and T-Mobile as well as WiFi for calling. I'm just porting an unlimited data Verizon number over to Fi...
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
jst07 said:
I am trying to activate an N6 from Amazon on Sprint, and they are saying only Sprint devices can be activated. Maybe I didn't do enough homework before buying this, but is that correct? I was under the impression that unlocked phones could go anywhere*. Can someone confirm before I send my phone back to Amazon?
Thanks!
*any major US carrier, btw mine is the XT1103 variant
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Click to collapse
I'm trying to find the link, but Project Fi users were informed that the N6 model being sold on Amazon would NOT work because it lacked the appropriate Sprint radio. The model # was different tho... have you double checked yours?
shel692 said:
I'm trying to find the link, but Project Fi users were informed that the N6 model being sold on Amazon would NOT work because it lacked the appropriate Sprint radio. I'll keep looking, I think you can probably activate, but you won't get LTE.... I'd send it back... or sell it.
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I appreciate the help, but this has been resolved. For the record, the Nexus 6 from Sprint or others absolutely works on Sprint so long as it is the XT1103 North American model, including LTE and CDMA. The XT1103 is the same phone sold by Sprint.
The original issue I had with Sprint had to do with my phone from Amazon being an open-box and previously/currently activated on another carrier.
shel692 said:
I'm trying to find the link, but Project Fi users were informed that the N6 model being sold on Amazon would NOT work because it lacked the appropriate Sprint radio. The model # was different tho... have you double checked yours?
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its NOT a different model, its the same exact model. every nexus 6 that is sold in the united states is the exact same model, with the same radio, with the same available bands. and yes, it will work on project fi just fine. what you just said has nothing based in fact behind it. the only other version fir the n6, is the european/workd version, that isnt really sold in the united states, unless its in ebay or similar.
So I bought a brand new, paid off, clean IMEI galaxy s6; tmobile branded.
I made the stupid mistake, that buying any carrier branded galaxy s6, be it att or tmobile, would still be unlockable; my prior galaxy s5 and s6 experience with att were unlocked by requesting such online, and I never had an AT&T account in my life. This time, I went with t-mobile, thinking it didnt matter which variant I got, as a phone purchased and paid for in full, should still be unlocked for free, without the need of having an account.
well, it turns out I was wrong. T-mobile, not only wont unlock my phone, but DOES NOT EVEN RECOGNIZE IT. Da ****?
My imei is showing on swappa, checkesn and other sites as clean, no balance and no blacklist but tmobile themselves, can not verify if its even a tmobile phone, but only if its blacklisted or not. They have informed me that if I want to unlock the phone, I have to meet the requirements set forth. The problem is, how the heck can I meet any requirements, or start the process of trying to meet them, if they cant even recognize the phone as a tmobile phone.
Ive contacted samsung and they are of no help either. I havent been able to go to tmobile store yet to see if they can help me (my hours make it almost impossible to get to a store during business hours).
Im at a loss here, what do i do to verify the phone is legit? Also, is there any way I can bypass tmobiles requirements to get my phone unlocked? Not sure what others experiences were but maybe theres a way to get i unlocked, without tripping knox/flashing and without having to be a tmobile customer for 40-60 days plus 100-120 dollars spent.
If anyone here can help/offer some suggestions, Im open to it and would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks ya'll
You sure it not from metro pcs? Same hard ware different software but interchangeable.
To unlock check out the thread by stifilz he can probably help but remote connect with donation.
Metro PCS phone probably. Buddy of mine bought a "tmobile" phone and ran into the same issue. Found out it was actually a Metro PCS phone.