Activating a nano-sim device (Nexus 6) on CDMA carrier? - Nexus 6 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Anyone experienced with these kind of carrier-unlocked multi-carrier devices...
What do I need to do to get my beloved Nexus 6 (when it arrives) activated on my account?
I know I need a nano-sim from my carrier (Sprint in this case), and it sounds like I can just walk into a Sprint store and get one. Do the staff do any programming to the sim card while I'm there? Or once sim is in do I need to do some on-device voodoo to make it work on my line?
Or is this thread a few weeks premature, and no one can know yet?
Currently my delivery date is 11/26 the day before thanksgiving...and what I don't want is a slick new device unable to be used because I didn't have my ducks in a row.

I remember with the n5 on sprint launch, people went crazy because sprint didnt know how to activate it, i was able to activated it via chat and in that case i have to skip the phone activation and do a profile update. This year should be easier.

Related

How to use Verizon upgrade on Nexus 6?

I'm on a family More Everything plan with shared data on Verizon and I finally became eligible for an upgrade. I'd like to know how I could use the upgrade to get a N6. What I've heard is that some people are upgrading to an iPhone 6+ and then selling it, then buying a N6 at full price. But I don't understand the details of that. Wouldn't the iPhone be activated/used at that point? How would I sell it at a new phone price? Also, I heard that Verizon charges a fee if the new phone isn't activated within a certain period after purchase. Would that be a problem if I bought the iPhone first (and didn't activate/open it), resold it, then waited for a N6 to become available to buy?
iissmart said:
I'm on a family More Everything plan with shared data on Verizon and I finally became eligible for an upgrade. I'd like to know how I could use the upgrade to get a N6. What I've heard is that some people are upgrading to an iPhone 6+ and then selling it, then buying a N6 at full price. But I don't understand the details of that. Wouldn't the iPhone be activated/used at that point? How would I sell it at a new phone price? Also, I heard that Verizon charges a fee if the new phone isn't activated within a certain period after purchase. Would that be a problem if I bought the iPhone first (and didn't activate/open it), resold it, then waited for a N6 to become available to buy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no problem buying a phone on contract, activating it, then giving it to someone else or selling it. The buyer takes a risk that you cancel your contract and skip out on the Etf, in which case Verizon will blacklist the phone. But they will not prevent you from selling the phone or someone else activating it. The buyer simply brings the phone to Verizon to obtain a SIM card.
So if I went into my VZW account online and ordered an iPhone 6+ with my upgrade, would it arrive in a retail box unactivated or does VZW activate it for you with the SIM installed?
iissmart said:
So if I went into my VZW account online and ordered an iPhone 6+ with my upgrade, would it arrive in a retail box unactivated or does VZW activate it for you with the SIM installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It arrives unactivated with a SIM tied to your account. If your intent is to sell, then I would activate it, then switch back to your old phone. You could just sell it unactivated, but your account might get stuck with a pending activation..which might eventually fall off.
Will my old sim remain activated after I activate the new one? I'm upgrading from a DNA which uses a micro sim. If it takes a while to sell the iPhone I'd like to keep using my old phone. I've never sold a phone before.
iissmart said:
Will my old sim remain activated after I activate the new one? I'm upgrading from a DNA which uses a micro sim. If it takes a while to sell the iPhone I'd like to keep using my old phone. I've never sold a phone before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will not. Just go to a Verizon store and they will switch you back for free. Might be able to call and do it.
Hm, so would it make more sense in that case to buy the N6 first (whenever it becomes available), then use my upgrade to get an iPhone and resell it? That way I could immediately activate the sim in the N6 and not even touch the iPhone. Or does the sim have to first be activated with the iPhone because that's what VZW is expecting to see on the account?

[Q] switching from TMO to Verizon?

Hi, I'm interested in switching my N6 to Verizon from T-Mobile. However I input my IMEI on the VZW website checker and apparently the phone (bought at TMO and allegedly unlocked) is incompatible.
I vaguely recall that to get a non VZW phone onto there network, one ahs to use a previously registered sim from another phone. Anyone know if and how this works?
Is there something that starts with 990?
My verizon nexus 6 order shipment email shows the imei start with 990
Theres a few threads that explain how to do this and more than one way. I did this for my dad. Basically, u need a verizon nano sim activated and jus pop it in.
ilanzo82 said:
Theres a few threads that explain how to do this and more than one way. I did this for my dad. Basically, u need a verizon nano sim activated and jus pop it in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As someone who has done this... it causes other problems because you have an "unknown device" they basically wont let me me changes to my plan because of it. For example enable advanced calling. After *****ing at them for an hour someone said there is a form we can fill out to register your device on our network so it doesn't show that way.... they said it takes 1-3 business days to process and i did it on Friday. If it actually works i will make a post on it. to inform the masses.
JustusIV said:
As someone who has done this... it causes other problems because you have an "unknown device" they basically wont let me me changes to my plan because of it. For example enable advanced calling. After *****ing at them for an hour someone said there is a form we can fill out to register your device on our network so it doesn't show that way.... they said it takes 1-3 business days to process and i did it on Friday. If it actually works i will make a post on it. to inform the masses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, thanks to the mod for moving this to the Q&A section! I will remember next time...
I actually decided that, if I can, I would like to move to Straight Talk with my Nexus 6. I ordered a $0.99 CDMA activation off their website (with free delivery, I felt this was a cost I could swallow if it doesn't work out!). The Nexus 6 IMEI doesn't get recognized as compatible on ST either which means, I suppose, that they can only activate Verizon-registered IMEIs.
Not sure how to proceed from here though. I have an iPhone 5S which is ex-Verizon (now T-Mobile) from which I could activate the ST service, after which I can put the SIM into the Nexus 6 to see if it works. There are no other options to the ST service I want, so changing service isn't an issue. Are there any other ways to approach this? Perhaps I should do what JustusIV is doing and register the phone with Verizon first?
dialanothernumb said:
First, thanks to the mod for moving this to the Q&A section! I will remember next time...
I actually decided that, if I can, I would like to move to Straight Talk with my Nexus 6. I ordered a $0.99 CDMA activation off their website (with free delivery, I felt this was a cost I could swallow if it doesn't work out!). The Nexus 6 IMEI doesn't get recognized as compatible on ST either which means, I suppose, that they can only activate Verizon-registered IMEIs.
Not sure how to proceed from here though. I have an iPhone 5S which is ex-Verizon (now T-Mobile) from which I could activate the ST service, after which I can put the SIM into the Nexus 6 to see if it works. There are no other options to the ST service I want, so changing service isn't an issue. Are there any other ways to approach this? Perhaps I should do what JustusIV is doing and register the phone with Verizon first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I think the easiest way for you would be to just activate your sim card in the iphone and then move the sim card to the Nexus.
I have verizon, and all I had to do was cut my microsim from my previous device down to nano size and put it in the Nexus. The only issue is, like they said above, MyVerizon registers it as a "Non-VZW Device" which can cause issues with making account changes. I'm interested to hear the results of the guy above that says he can fill out a form so it doesn't show up that way.
JustusIV said:
As someone who has done this... it causes other problems because you have an "unknown device" they basically wont let me me changes to my plan because of it. For example enable advanced calling. After *****ing at them for an hour someone said there is a form we can fill out to register your device on our network so it doesn't show that way.... they said it takes 1-3 business days to process and i did it on Friday. If it actually works i will make a post on it. to inform the masses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was a bust.... more miss information from the crap customer service.
Went through the same thing. Unless your imei starts with 99 it won't be recognized from vzw. However, all the features do work as advertised. I had no problem adding advanced calling 1.0 and changing voicemail options on my account. I bought the phone through a relative that was on t-mo in december. Been on vzw since.

Google play VS. Carrier branded

So I have never purchased a Google play version of a phone before so I am wondering something.
I always root and install ROMs on my phones and I have only had non-nexus devices and know that installing a sprint ROM on a Verizon phone makes it not work correctly... So if I buy a Google play version can I install Verizon ROMs since I'm on the Verizon network?
Both are the same. Roms work on all networks.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
So the only difference is that I will have different firmware files to use if I bootloop and such?
Nickchapstick said:
So the only difference is that I will have different firmware files to use if I bootloop and such?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No difference. All Google nexus 6 factory images can be flashed on any nexus 6. They are all identical.
Only thing with Verizon is that they will not add any other nexus 6 to their system. It will work, but you will see that you are using a non vzw device when you log into your account
Nickchapstick said:
So I have never purchased a Google play version of a phone before so I am wondering something.
I always root and install ROMs on my phones and I have only had non-nexus devices and know that installing a sprint ROM on a Verizon phone makes it not work correctly... So if I buy a Google play version can I install Verizon ROMs since I'm on the Verizon network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought mine from Motorola so that I could get the Motocare policy. The issues with buying a non-Verizon branded N6 are the following:
1) Verizon reps won't be able to activate a Verizon nano SIM in the device - so you would need to use an already activated SIM card to get the device active on your line - this can be done by activating a nano SIM in a Verizon branded phone that uses a nano SIM or by cutting down an existing micro SIM card;
2) If you deal with Verizon instead of Google or Motorola for warranty issues, you are going to get a Verizon branded 32GB Midnight Blue N6 as a replacement regardless of whether or not you have the light grey or the 64GB N6 - so IMO, dealing with Verizon is not an option;
3) Asurion insurance likely won't replace your device with a non-Verizon branded N6 should you need to use insurance coverage so again, you would be getting a 32GB Midnight Blue Verizon N6 as a replacement regardless of what device you actually have on the line if you pay for Asurion insurance;
4) Asurion insurance may not cover your device at all since your line will just show Non-Verizon Device on it - hence another the reason I bought from Motorola directly and bought the MotoCare policy;
5) To get HD Voice/Advance Calling/VoLTE active on your line, you would need to first put a Verizon branded device that is VoLTE eligible on your line to add it as a feature or search the forum for other ideas on how to do it; and
6) People with More Everything plans and the month-to-month or Edge discount on their lines are having trouble getting the discount to stick even after the reps add it to their lines.
I had a Moto X on my line, which uses a nano SIM card so I had no issues with #1. I bought the MotoCare policy so I have eliminated issues #2-#4 for myself. I used an iP6 to get VoLTE added to my line and have a legacy nationwide plan so issues #5 and #6 aren't problems for me.
I haven't yet flashed to 5.1 so I can't test the VoLTE yet but others say it works and I will do that soon and report back my results.
Nickchapstick said:
So I have never purchased a Google play version of a phone before so I am wondering something.
I always root and install ROMs on my phones and I have only had non-nexus devices and know that installing a sprint ROM on a Verizon phone makes it not work correctly... So if I buy a Google play version can I install Verizon ROMs since I'm on the Verizon network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no "carrier" version, there's a nexus 6 made by motorola, endorsed by Google, that's it, your particular carrier may sell said device on their network, but it's not their device or their variant, there are two variants, a US model and an international model and even then, there's literally only a band availability difference. All nexi are the same phone not matter who's providing the service for it
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Awesome I appreciate all the replies and I have the info I needed. Thanks for being educational.

Cut current sim card to nano OR get new nano sim card using iphone IMEI - Verizon

My carrier is Verizon. I have an individual plan with a 2 year contract. My phone is an LG G3.
I recently just bought a Nexus 6 right off of the Google Store. The Nexus 6 takes a nano Sim card and unfortunately for me my current Verizon sim card in my LG G3 is a micro sim.
After going back and forth with Verizon I realized there is no official way of getting a nano sim card for a Nexus 6 IMEI bought directly from Google.
My unnoficial options:
1. Get a sim card cutter off of Amazon and cut my current sim card and put it in my Nexus 6. Then sell my LG G3 on EBay. When the next user gives the IMEI to a Verizon rep will this cause a problem since technically the IMEI / Sim number combo is still on my account?
2. An employee at a 3rd party Verizon reseller said he could just activate a new nano sim card using an IMEI number from a dummy iPhone that he has laying around. If I go this route my account will have an iPhone and a G3 on it I guess. Would I have to worry if the employee does the same thing for someone else? Does Verizon keep track of IMEIs or just device names on peoples accounts? If I go this route I will also be selling my G3 on EBay.
Can someone who has knowledge on this topic please tell me which path they would prefer and why? I would like to know the downsides of each method.
HunterT said:
My carrier is Verizon. I have an individual plan with a 2 year contract. My phone is an LG G3.
I recently just bought a Nexus 6 right off of the Google Store. The Nexus 6 takes a nano Sim card and unfortunately for me my current Verizon sim card in my LG G3 is a micro sim.
After going back and forth with Verizon I realized there is no official way of getting a nano sim card for a Nexus 6 IMEI bought directly from Google.
My unnoficial options:
1. Get a sim card cutter off of Amazon and cut my current sim card and put it in my Nexus 6. Then sell my LG G3 on EBay. When the next user gives the IMEI to a Verizon rep will this cause a problem since technically the IMEI / Sim number combo is still on my account?
2. An employee at a 3rd party Verizon reseller said he could just activate a new nano sim card using an IMEI number from a dummy iPhone that he has laying around. If I go this route my account will have an iPhone and a G3 on it I guess. Would I have to worry if the employee does the same thing for someone else? Does Verizon keep track of IMEIs or just device names on peoples accounts? If I go this route I will also be selling my G3 on EBay.
Can someone who has knowledge on this topic please tell me which path they would prefer and why? I would like to know the downsides of each method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you pop the SIM in the N6, it will show up on your account as "Non-VZW device". The phone you use to activate the SIM will no longer show. So it doesn't matter what you do with the other phone afterwards.
I would go with the second option though so you don't have worry about cutting the SIM down. I thought it was really easy and I cut my micro down with scissors while I was sitting in traffic, but some people have had issues.
joshm.1219 said:
Once you pop the SIM in the N6, it will show up on your account as "Non-VZW device". The phone you use to activate the SIM will no longer show. So it doesn't matter what you do with the other phone afterwards.
I would go with the second option though so you don't have worry about cutting the SIM down. I thought it was really easy and I cut my micro down with scissors while I was sitting in traffic, but some people have had issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the response this is exactly what I was looking for!!! Any idea why my google voice won't work. Is it possibly because I was subscribed to Verizon Visual Voicemail Basic on my previous phone? I have never had problems setting google voice up on any of my past verizon phones until the N6.
HunterT said:
Thank you for the response this is exactly what I was looking for!!! Any idea why my google voice won't work. Is it possibly because I was subscribed to Verizon Visual Voicemail Basic on my previous phone? I have never had problems setting google voice up on any of my past verizon phones until the N6.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NP, wish I could help you with that too but I've never used G-Voice before.
HunterT said:
Thank you for the response this is exactly what I was looking for!!! Any idea why my google voice won't work. Is it possibly because I was subscribed to Verizon Visual Voicemail Basic on my previous phone? I have never had problems setting google voice up on any of my past verizon phones until the N6.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure that call forwarding didn't get turned off on your line. I had to call Verizon support & get a rep to turn it back on. Or dial *72 and then your Google voice number.

[Q] Unlocked N6 from Amazon on Sprint, a no go?

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/”
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.

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