Database Develop

[Q] No service / No sim card

A. Introduction: I had the HTC Desire C working smooth and fine. Then one fine day, I realized that the microphone is not working properly, the person at the other side of phone call would not be able to listen to me unless I'd literally shout over phone. So I gave the phone to the HTC service center because it was under warranty. They changed some parts and handed back the phone to me. But the problem was still there. I again submitted my phone. They changed the same parts again and now the mic was working classic, phone was working smooth.
B. Twist in the scene: Just after few days, I was on my way to home after some work and I noticed that phone had a cross (x) against the signal and when I pulled down the notification thing, it said NO SERVICE. This used to happen a lot of times from then onward. Switching to Flight Mode and then reverting back (OR a restart OR a sim pullout and insert again) would sometimes fix the issue, but only temporarily. Sometimes after reboot, it would say NO SIM CARD, sometimes NO SERVICE and sometimes proper functioning with 2-3 bars.
C. Attempts from my end: I thought that they have messed the sim card slot while assembling my phone back and it is a hardware issue. But I was finding it hard to believe. I tried switching to GSM ONLY, then it would show full bars, but again only temporarily -- later NO SERVICE again.
The same SIM card in other phones (standard Nokia b&w phones aka hammers) shows full bars. And I have tried 3+ sim cards in the HTC, but all say NO SERVICE after sometime, maybe due to some activity (connecting internet) or just randomly on its wish.
I studied about radios(modems/baseband) and found that they are drivers and they also decide when and how to switch between 2G and 3G network etc.
D. Other Information and Background: Many times, when there is NO SERVICE error, when I check the Signal Strength it says -83dBm 15asu, so that is pretty hard to digest. The other times it says 0dBm 99asu, which should be obvious for a NO SERVICE error.
With point number E.2. in this post I have unlocked the bootloader and rooted my phone, installed CWM recovery, took a backup.
E. Options that are/aren't available from my perspective and my doubts:
1. Warranty period is over now, and I do not want to take my phone to the service center.
2. Can flashing a custom rom and radio fix this issue? If yes, direct me to some reliable ROMs for the same. CM10 build#3 (from here) didn't boot.
3. I have a Linux laptop, so options strictly based on Windows PC will not apply.
Has anyone faced similar issue? I found many pages with similar issue, but nowhere was the exact solution/troubleshoot mentioned.

I did have a problem with sim cards. What I tried doing is borrowing a friends sim card to see if it works on my phone. To my relief it worked and meant that my current one just died. So I went to one of the offices of my Phone plan providers and just changed it and it worked. If you can try that and give back results, it would be awesome.

Depending on the age of your SIM card can give those errors but as you stated you tried other SIMS and same occurred so my guess is it's either Hardware or Baseband Software, unless there's a Baseband update or simply reflash same Baseband, if it still persists I'd more suspect Hardware.
Bashing away at my HTC Desire C

me4488 said:
I did have a problem with sim cards. What I tried doing is borrowing a friends sim card to see if it works on my phone. To my relief it worked and meant that my current one just died. So I went to one of the offices of my Phone plan providers and just changed it and it worked. If you can try that and give back results, it would be awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I, myself have a lot of sim cards to check this and I have already tried other sim cards. Some cards are not even recognized. Some are being recognized but it says NO SERVICE after sometime. Switching to Flight mode and back or restarting the phone or Going in Testing Mode > turning off radio > and turning it on again, sometimes solves the issue but only temporarily.
Antagonist42 said:
Depending on the age of your SIM card can give those errors but as you stated you tried other SIMS and same occurred so my guess is it's either Hardware or Baseband Software, unless there's a Baseband update or simply reflash same Baseband, if it still persists I'd more suspect Hardware.
Bashing away at my HTC Desire C
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably. And that's why I installed mini CM10 and flashed the radio with the latest HTC Desire Radio (for CM), but it still says NO SERVICE and the same baseband version as it was saying with the stock ROM. :/
Even though the signal strength is -63dBm 25asu

Can you call or something if it is showing signal strength?
Sent from my HTC Desire C using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

rudi_j7 said:
Can you call or something if it is showing signal strength?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I wasn't able to call. And when I would search for a network it would say "Error while searching for networks"

I'm more likely to suspect the actual SIM card holder hardware and not the SIM Card itself or the Baseband (No errors reflashing and other SIM's no different than your own), the fact it's showing signal strengths but you're not getting onto the network suggests RADIO hardware is most likely working along with software but a hardware failure could just be 1 connection to the SIM
Q. Are all other SIM's working in other phones and does your SIM work in another phone?
If so I'd suspect the SIM Slot onwards.
Q. may or may not apply but possibly relevant, does Bluetooth and Wi-Fi still work?

Antagonist42 said:
I'm more likely to suspect the actual SIM card holder hardware and not the SIM Card itself or the Baseband (No errors reflashing and other SIM's no different than your own), the fact it's showing signal strengths but you're not getting onto the network suggests RADIO hardware is most likely working along with software but a hardware failure could just be 1 connection to the SIM
Q. Are all other SIM's working in other phones and does your SIM work in another phone?
If so I'd suspect the SIM Slot onwards.
Q. may or may not apply but possibly relevant, does Bluetooth and Wi-Fi still work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Answer #1: Yes
Answer #2: Yes
Q. I still don't get that when I have flashed the radio, how is it still saying the same baseband version? Doesn't flashing a new radio change it?
Recent UPDATE: Somehow, the phone is behaving well... (always 3 bars or full 4 bars), after the mini CM flash and NOPE 750 flash. Initially it was NO SIM CARD or NO SERVICE but multiple reboots and pulling out and reinserting the sim card have made it this far. Let's see if this good behavior persists.
UPDATE: Back to the same state of disconnecting/No Service/No Sim Card

I still suspect the SIM slot as you could have disturbed what's known as a 'dry joint' essentially made it make contact until it disconnects again even with just a change in any kind of pressure (placing the cover on or placing it on a table).
Then again it could be down to ROM and Kernel, I wouldn't totally rule it out without going back to stock ROM and Kernel and seeing any change
Bashing away at my HTC Desire C

Antagonist42 said:
I still suspect the SIM slot as you could have disturbed what's known as a 'dry joint' essentially made it make contact until it disconnects again even with just a change in any kind of pressure (placing the cover on or placing it on a table).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any DIYs to fix this?
Then again it could be down to ROM and Kernel, I wouldn't totally rule it out without going back to stock ROM and Kernel and seeing any change
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sucks!

UPDATE: The network seems quite reliable when I am on GSM only (2G only). That again indicates that somehow the problem lies in only the radio driver.
Any ideas?

Same Problem
I am facing exactly same problem on my HTC Desire C. Did lot of hard reset problem reappears after couple of days. got my phone reinstall OS at HTC service centre problem reappeared after a week.
Same sim is working fine in other phone, even got new sim still same problem.
Am confused if its hardware or software issue, problem comes only when phone is in GSM only mode, works fine on WCDMA only or AUTO mode.
But in WCDMA only since network is not good signals are low and in AUTO mode when signals are low it switches to GSM and if at that particular moment there is problem then NO SIGNALS.

Update, Phone fine. Help with the settings!
I checked a lot of sim cards and found that my phone is perfect! There is no hardware issue.
So I am presenting the present scenario. Please help!
I have 2 phones: HTC Desire C and a Nokia B&W aka hammer.
1. TATA DOCOMO sim card work fine on both phones.
2. AirTel sim card works fine in Nokia but HTC says "No Sim Card" regardless of the numerous attempts.
3. Reliance sim card (brand new, bought today) works fine in Nokia but HTC says "No Sim Card".
4. A friend's Reliance sim card was working fine in HTC.
If any Indian friend might help, then it would be great as this issue is more local specific I guess. Or any user who might have faced similar issue and then found a fix please help.

You tried Vodafone?
Sent from my HTC Desire C using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

rudi_j7 said:
You tried Vodafone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not yet.
And believe it or not, but the AirTel sim that I mentioned in my last post was working once I washed it with some alcohol. So it might indicate that the sim was old and dirty maybe.
But what about the new Reliance sim, I just bought it today and it works in Nokia. I'd have switched to Vodafone but I can't afford its high 3G plan rates as I have to maintain an MTS MBlaze for laptop as well.
And the thing that friend's Reliance sim works fine in my phone is troubling me even more.

Data connection OK, but no voice calling

im using my SGN4 in a brazilian carrier, and everything was working perfectly till from nowhere the phone lost connection from network.
I was unable to make phone calls , but strangely my 4g connection was on i could browse on the web normally. How this is possible? I popped out the sim card and tried in another phone, it worked normally. I also tried another carrier on SGN4, i was ok too. Anyone have an idea what is going on?

factory reset, problem persists, i have data connection, but cant make phone calls.

Is the phone unlocked. Yes I have to ask.
BAD ASS NOTE 4

Yes it is as I told I was using it with my Brazilian SIM card

Is their anyway to check if it still unlocked. I know some people said when they unlocked it was a temp unlock. Did you check APN to make sure they set right for that carrier
BAD ASS NOTE 4

hey guys, im back to this post because the problem persists.
Here is the scenario:
I bought the phone from a Swappa Seller. Phone is t-mobile branded and was in the box, Brand new.
http://swappa.com/listing/ZPB505/view
Brand New Samsung Galaxy Note 4 SM-N910T White ( UNLOCKED) 32GB
Phone is brand new in its original box. The phone has never been used. All Accessories are still sealed in plastic - The phone model is SM-N910T. This is a great deal on a BRAND new - NEVER USED phone!
This phone is guaranteed to work with AT&T. There is no regional lock whatsoever
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Achraf G. Seller - Nov 03, 2014 - 11:47 PM
Also note that this phone won't work with T-Mobile. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can anybody tell me why a T-mobile unlocked phone won't work with T-mobile?
I used the phone on my carrier and it was flawless. Everything was fine till suddenly i lost phone signal. It always show "NO SERVICE" message now, but strangely I still have 4G Connection. I can use the phone to navigate, not to make phone calls.
So I swapped carriers, and the phone was working ok, phone calls, data connection.... then the thing happened again: no service, but i have 4g LTE connection.
Inserted a third sim card, from another carrier. Phone is fine, workin as it should! But this is not my main sim card and i would like it very much to work with ANY carrier. Do you guys have any idea what the problem is? Factory reset did not work at all. For the others sim cards, it recognize the network for a second and then "no service". How can i have data connection if there is "no service"?
Im really desperate because i payed a lot for this note 4... Maybe if i root the phone and flash another ROM?
help please!

Is that possible that previous owner reported is lost and now imei is blocked? Your carrier may participate in that program.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

thank you im going to check with my carrier.

* BUMP *
Sorry to revive this old thread, but has anybody figured this out?
I too have data with No Service (no voice) when roaming to the USA from Mexico (Telcel). My Note 4 was purchased on T-Mobile USA (contract free) but got it unlocked by gsmunlockers.
Everything was perfect until I got my Note 4 upgraded to 5.1.1 rooted. I have tried several other ROMS and Basebands with no avail.
Any ideas?
Cheers!

Same IMEI for both sims?

I have a weird problem that I think is preventing me from adding a second sim to my device. Yesterday I activated a Google Fi Sim with a Google Pixel and then put the sim into a OnePlus 3T. I think during that process it disabled dual sim functionality. I abandoned Google Fi altogether and went to T-Mobile yesterday and got a sim from them directly. I now show the same IMEI number for both sims. I think this problem is not allowing me to setup a data connection for the new T-Mobile SIM. It worked before with no issues, now it doesn't. I would really like to fix this problem myself and not return it to OnePlus. Is there a program I can use with USB debugging? I am in school for IT, so I have a pretty good knowledge on how this kind of stuff works, but I am in no way a expert. As long as I have clear detailed instructions I can probably handle whatever advise you may have.
summary:
I have a one plus 3t showing the same IMEI of both sim trays in settings and *#06#.
Cant setup data or MMS for T-Mobile, phone calls work.
Moderate knowledge of computers, but need clear instructions.
Phone is rooted, not able to use xposed because using nougat (not sure if it matters, just FYI)
Based in USA

Solved
I ended up reloading the ROM and the IMEI issue was fixed.

Mi 9 - Android Q Mobile Network isn't available

Hi,
I just bought a Mi 9 for my gf as Birthday gift and have a big problem with it.
We use her Simcard from her further phone, which works there without issues, but the Mi 9 just let her use Data on the simcard (internet). No calls or texts in-/ outbound are possible. It always shows that no mobile network is available.
I already readded all APNs (Internet, LTE, GPRS) and tried a couple different network settings (*#*#4636#*#*). I'm not sure why this issue appears and searched allover the internet. Seems like noone else have this problem.
Version is 11.0.2.0(QFAMIXM) with locked bootloader. Could it be that seller flashed something wrong, modem type or whatever? Carrier lock wouldn't let us use the actual sim right? My own sim as well just work with data so it need to be an issue with the phone.
Thanks in advance
Chris

Noone have any idea what the issue could be?

This seems like an operator related issue and probably has nothing to do with the Mi9. Try operator related forums for more help. The only thing that comes to mind is to get a new sim from the operator.

ChrisMNL said:
Noone have any idea what the issue could be?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question:
Does mi9 recognize the SIM Card? Does mi9 ASK for your SIM Card PIN? Or does mi9 say 'no SIM Card installed'?

Hi,
Sim is recognized and contacts shown. Sim pin is deactivated so the Phone don't ask.
Mobile Network is shown and active and data/ internet works. Its just the GPRS funtions (Text, Calls) which don't work. When I try to call I get the "Mobile Network isn't available" message and texts don't sent.
Thanks

This seems like an operator related issue and probably has nothing to do with the Mi9. Try operator related forums for more help. The only thing that comes to mind is to get a new sim from the operator.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Sim works fine in another phone and my sim which works as well, shows the same errors in the Mi 9. So it must be an phone issue.

ChrisMNL said:
The Sim works fine in another phone and my sim which works as well, shows the same errors in the Mi 9. So it must be an phone issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What operator do you use? What operators are the respective cards you have tried in the Mi9? Did you buy the phone from a private person and not new in a sealed package? In this case contact the seller.

ChrisMNL said:
The Sim works fine in another phone and my sim which works as well, shows the same errors in the Mi 9. So it must be an phone issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have 2 simcards installed?
You also might try to reset the modems, howto you can find when searching the forum

Just 1 sim installed. 2nd slot shows the same issues. Will check the forum for modem reset thanks.

Hi,
Weirdly the phone seem to have a Carrier Lock. My gf uses SMART Prepaid here on the Philippines and as said just mobile data was working. Yesterday she switched the SIM for testing to Globe and with this SIM everything works. 4G is available and calls/ texts work as they should.
I'm still confused about this. If the Phone would be carrier locked, should another Carrier SIM not be functional at all? I don't get why Data connections are working then.
For now the solution is to get another SIM. Probably let it unlock in a store.
Regards
Chris

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).