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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 :/
The wife and I have Atrix HD phones that we bought used but in great condition a couple months ago. We purchased the Straight Talk at&t compatible micro sim kits from walmart.com and set up our service. We previously had Samsung Captivates also on Straight Talk and they worked flawlessly. I put in my APN settings and I get data and MMS perfectly but occasionally I get a red triangle where my signal bars should be and my phone says "Emergency Calls Only" and I will wait 30 seconds or so and my signal returns. There is no steady decline in signal that leads up to this. It goes from like 4 bars to a red triangle with a cross inside it.
I live in a fair sized town and have always had 3 or more bars of at&t service with phones in the past so I do not think its an issue with poor coverage. I am attaching pictures of my APN settings.
Any help would be appreciated.
Applehater87 said:
The wife and I have Atrix HD phones that we bought used but in great condition a couple months ago. We purchased the Straight Talk at&t compatible micro sim kits from walmart.com and set up our service. We previously had Samsung Captivates also on Straight Talk and they worked flawlessly. I put in my APN settings and I get data and MMS perfectly but occasionally I get a red triangle where my signal bars should be and my phone says "Emergency Calls Only" and I will wait 30 seconds or so and my signal returns. There is no steady decline in signal that leads up to this. It goes from like 4 bars to a red triangle with a cross inside it.
I live in a fair sized town and have always had 3 or more bars of at&t service with phones in the past so I do not think its an issue with poor coverage. I am attaching pictures of my APN settings.
Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having the exact same issue since switching to to the 4G LTE micro sim. It only seems to happen on mine when I'm connected to Wifi though. I get the red triangle intermittently. This never happened to me until I went from the old sim to the new one. Can't find anything on it yet.
same thing
The same thing is happening to me here as well but using a Net10 LTE sim card (same as straight talk basically). I notice it the most after I complete a phone call. It takes a minute or two to regain service again. This is really annoying. Would like to see a solution to this problem.
So I worked with Straight Talk support for about 5 days, back and forth, bounced to several reps throughout and nothing substantial has come of it. It seems a little better after they made "adjustments" to my account as they put it, but I still get disconnected from mobile data when on wifi.
Don't get me wrong, their support people were very responsive and seemed to genuinely want to help me, but in the end they said "your ticket has been open for more than 24 hours so it has been closed. If you continue to have issues please open a new ticket." Anyone else have any luck on this?
I also was having this problem found that if you edit existing att apn (phone needs to be rooted)with sqlite editor it seems to work fine.
tether also works fine this way.I am still not able to get lte to work with straight talk even with new sim.
Just to follow up. As usual, it seems with ST support, one rep tells me they have some things they can try once I call back on another line and then I get a new rep who says nothing can be done until 10 people complain about the exact same issue I'm having. I'm assured this is an isolated incident...
I went ahead and purchased a new SIM card (looks different than the first LTE card I had) in case I had a faulty SIM. Worked flawlessly for a day and now it's back to the same issue of cutting out completely throughout the day.
same problem here on wifi get red triangle (especially after phone call).
More since i switched from 4g sim card to lte sim noticed that data disconnect from time to time like make impossible to watch video flawlessly...
with old 4g was yes only 4g but never loss a bite....could watch anything also streaming tv.....now it is impossible.....
the end of the month going to switch to old sim and see if the problem is in the new sim cards they tried may be to limit access or is in the new service doesn't matter what sim card you possess..
we'll see...
htchd2fix said:
same problem here on wifi get red triangle (especially after phone call).
More since i switched from 4g sim card to lte sim noticed that data disconnect from time to time like make impossible to watch video flawlessly...
with old 4g was yes only 4g but never loss a bite....could watch anything also streaming tv.....now it is impossible.....
the end of the month going to switch to old sim and see if the problem is in the new sim cards they tried may be to limit access or is in the new service doesn't matter what sim card you possess..
we'll see...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Switching to my old sim was my first thought to. However when I tried it didn't work. I called ST and they informed me that once you switch sims, the old one can never be reactivated. On top of that they don't offer the non LTE sims anymore. Such a pain. Hope you have better luck though.
pentjaksilat8 said:
Switching to my old sim was my first thought to. However when I tried it didn't work. I called ST and they informed me that once you switch sims, the old one can never be reactivated. On top of that they don't offer the non LTE sims anymore. Such a pain. Hope you have better luck though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some one could correct me if I'm wrong here but I'm pretty sure this is a result of ROMS using a 4.4 rom. Modem crashes. If you want to test it run a Stock ROM... If you are already using a completely stock ROM then Idk what to tell you. But same thing happens to me using any version besides stock. And yes only when on WiFi
metalmike6 said:
Some one could correct me if I'm wrong here but I'm pretty sure this is a result of ROMS using a 4.4 rom. Modem crashes. If you want to test it run a Stock ROM... If you are already using a completely stock ROM then Idk what to tell you. But same thing happens to me using any version besides stock. And yes only when on WiFi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on a 100% stock ROM, I haven't unlocked my boot loader, just rooted.
pentjaksilat8 said:
I'm on a 100% stock ROM, I haven't unlocked my boot loader, just rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then unlock your bootloader and try flashing different radios from the different stock fastboots we have. Depending on the fastboot I can have next to none or almost full in my bedroom. For me, ATT JB is in the middle, JB Mex Retail is the best, Bell ICS is the worst. ATT ICS was about the same as ATT JB.
skeevydude said:
Then unlock your bootloader and try flashing different radios from the different stock fastboots we have. Depending on the fastboot I can have next to none or almost full in my bedroom. For me, ATT JB is in the middle, JB Mex Retail is the best, Bell ICS is the worst. ATT ICS was about the same as ATT JB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the time being, I just switched to Aio and so far so good with LTE coverage and no disconnecting issues. If they return I'll try different radios as you suggested.
So I've been with Aio for about a week now and everything is working great (knock on wood). I've had 2 mobile data drops at work with Wifi turned on, but they only lasted for a second and I do have really bad reception here inside the building. Outside of that no issues at all so far. I'll update if anything changes.
Well, here I go again with not only another smartphone but I finally got my hands on the GT-N7000 International model with the physical home button. So I get it home, check it out, everything appears to be working fine:
- battery is brand new, just manufactured in January 2014, not a fake one (I checked that out with Samsung directly based on the battery serial number)
- was originally on Android 2.3.6 and upgraded to 4.1.2 through Kies without issues
- no hardware problems noted, everything works great, no damage to the phone at all
Here's where it gets a bit confusing. This is the International version which means it should be unlocked without me having to do anything to or with it, so - when the phone was on 2.3.6 - I took one of my newer T-Mobile microSIM cards and using the adapter to make it a proper miniSIM I slid it into the SIM slot, put the battery back in the phone and turned it on, and nothing gets detected at all.
I pull the battery, find another microSIM, do it again, still the same result. In fact, every microSIM I have (4 T-Mobile, 1 AT&T, all within a year old but none of them are currently activated - whenever I use the T-Mobile SIMs it will still connect to T-Mobile and allow me to pull up the billing web page; the AT&T SIMs never do that and just complain about the SIM not being provisioned).
Since my intention is to use the $30/monthly plan with T-Mobile that I've had in the recent past, I went looking into my little canister of older full size miniSIM cards and found two of them that I used with T-Mobile over the past few years. As most devices use microSIMs and even nanoSIMs nowadays, I figured I better keep them around just in case.
SO... I put one of them in and voila, I get a connection - or so I thought. When inserted, and again when using 2.3.6 I was able to get into the service menu (*#*#4636#*#*) and it would show the number assigned to that SIM originally, etc but it wouldn't show the network. Tried the second SIM card, it gets recognized, same thing - it just doesn't show T-Mobile.
Now, I've never had an International Galaxy Note so I'm kinda confuzzled here so the primary question is this:
Is the GT-N7000 simply incompatible with some SIM cards, even when they're in an adapter so they fit into the SIM slot proper? I know this isn't an LTE capable phone, that's not a concern at all - I suppose I'm not 100% sure that it's even compatible with T-Mobile given the bands but since T-Mobile works nicely here in Las Vegas (at least for me) and they're using more bands nowadays, I'm very interested in attempting to figure this out.
I went ahead and performed the Kies upgrade to 4.1.2 and it's working great so far, but again the same issue: the phone can't or won't see or access anything but these two older T-Mobile miniSIM cards - not anything else that I happen to have which includes two brand new T-Mobile microSIMs I ordered a few weeks back.
Could it be that perhaps the leaf-spring contacts inside the SIM slot are just not making contact on some of the other SIM cards that I'm trying to get recognized, or could this be something with the phone itself due to it being the International variant, or maybe it just not supporting the bands that T-Mobile happens to be using nowadays...?
Any help or info is greatly appreciated as I'd really love to get this thing up and running. If it means I have to get yet another SIM card from T-Mobile to get it working then that's what I'll have to do I suppose.
Thanks for any input...
ps
Just for the record I popped the back housing (not the battery cover, I mean the back housing held down by screws) off just now to get a look at the SIM card slot itself, it appears to have a 3-2 configuration (meaning the 3 visible leaf-spring connectors and the other two are not visible unless you remove that back housing). Maybe a lead snapped off, perhaps? Seems like there should be 6 leaf-spring leads...
pss
And after looking at parts on eBay it does seem like there should be 6, I guess one of them snapped off at some point with the previous owner and probably the reason they were selling it. Odd...
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.
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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..
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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
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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
I am contemplating purchase of one of these phones, and tried entering some of their IMEI numbers in the imei checker at https://www.t-mobile.com/resources/bring-your-own-phone , and was shocked to find they are ALL described as "Incompatible".
This is a bit confusing after the articles saying the AT&T and Verizon versions would not work after Jan 2021 but that the T-Mobile version would continue working. I tried looking for a later article saying that support for the T-Mobile version this model was being cancelled but could not find any such announcement.
Is that IMEI checker correct? Or is it because the samples I checked may not have gotten the last modem update installed from T-Mobile?
Is anyone still using this phone (specifically the T variant) on T-Mobile in USA? I'm assuming that last update will be important, but does this still work once it is installed?
If yes to the above, do phone calls work as VoLTE, or is it doing the fallback to 2G?
I've also seen threads about enabling more LTE bands, has anyone done that on this phone? In particular is it possible to add support for B71 (600MHz), or is this radio hardware just too old to allow that?
Thanks much, I would really like to know whether I can use this phone or if I would need to find a different model.
https://swappa.com/blog/3g-network-shutdown/ Your phone is fine.
SM-N910T with 2ETI1 OTA modem update works fine. 4g/LTE Data, WiFi Calling works. Does not drop out of 4G/LTE for voice. SM-N910V w/ MODestROM v11 (6.01 TW-based N910VVRU2CQI2 ) w/ a vzw 2CTI baseband update, has working 4gLTE data, but no WiFi Calling, or VoLTE (falls back to 2g, but I still have 2g coverage here, so it's usable, if not optimum. Here's the thing: on the VZW phone, if I set the the salescode to TMB, suddenly VoLTE works, but the Setup pages/menus/statusbar are screwed up, so it's not really useable. Here's where it gets REAL interesteing. On a VZW phone w/ VZW 2CTI1 baseband, & VZW BL, flashed with a custom TMB ROM (trltetmo_N910TUVU2EQI2_Stock_Deodexed, debloated, but still TW), EVERYTHING works. But it's not stable, it periodically loses 4g/lte. What it tells me is that the VZW h/w is NOT THE PROBLEM. I've been at this all day, everyday since VZW turned off CDMA on 01/01/23 and killed my service here. Be warned: If you go down this path, you're gonna be mostly on your own. A LOT of dead links, 'retired' devs, etc. Everyone except you, me, and three other people here have long since moved on from this awesome phone. I'll help you if I can. I bought an SM-N910T , but the damn usb port is dead. Already changed the charging board, not the problem. It's the mobo. If I could identify the usb chip (if it's not the 805 itself, I'd change it. So I have a phone with no adb that I can't unlock/root. I'd much rather get my VZW phone fully working on TMB, since I'm heavily invested in the MODestROM. Haven't given up yet. But search my posts, you'll hear the deafening silence, lol.
Seeing this forum has so little activity, on 1/21 I ended up getting a used Moto E6 (XT-2005-3 is a tmobile aka carrier unlocked MetroPCS version). While overall this is not as nice a device and has fewer features than Note 4, it does cover what for me are the essentials - removable battery, SD card slot, support for 5.8GHz wifi. Best of all, it supports B71 which will be helpful for, well, making phone calls!
I still ponder someday getting one of these as a hobby device, but that would be second place to the E6 for use as a phone, and won't be for a couple more months yet (too many expensive household issues are taking their toll on my "toy" budget right now).
ForestCat said:
SM-N910T with 2ETI1 OTA modem update works fine. 4g/LTE Data, WiFi Calling works. Does not drop out of 4G/LTE for voice.
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Thank you, this was the part I needed to find out. With that in place, the only thing missing would be the B71 coverage but the E6 is already in place for that.
Re your Verizon adventures, I have no experience with any of that. What I read about T-Mobile dropping support for the verizon version in the last network update is all I know, and I don't have the skills to dispute what they say there. The best I could do is offer some links to threads on this forum but on double checking them it seems you've already been there and got no answers.
The only thing I see that might help you with that is if you could update just the t-mobile modem without disturbing the verizon bootloader. I see you tried that but it didn't stick when using Odin. I don't know if it would be any different using SmartSwitch that seemed to work for MarineWonder as he posted at https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...pgrade-on-jan-29th-2021.4224237/post-87464609 ?
Then again he may have been putting it on a t-mobile phone rather than mixing with the verizon bootloader so who knows?
My guess since it has been so problematic for you on the verizon phone is that you may need to only use a tmobile phone since that may be the only way to get the last t-mobile modem update. Bummer that the one you bought has a dead usb port. How are you charging it? Is there any chance you could return it to the seller since it came pre-broken? Then put the refund money toward another, hopefully working, tmobile phone? And would that MODestROM work on a non-verizon phone?
The only other thought I had is there are apps to connect to ADB over wifi. Sadly most of these need root. The ones that don't, seem to need at least once using a usb connection to do the "adb tcpip 5555" command to set it all up. . . . how annoying that it is all so circular!
There is also https://telnetd.en.aptoide.com/app?store_name=apps&app_id=59202144 , maybe a telnet connection could do the "adb tcpip 5555" command instead of using the USB connection? Sadly the documentation (at https://waxrain.com/docs/010.html ) appears to be written in Chinese, and I never had much luck with google translate.
The N910T still supports VoLte.. It is still compatible with cellular networks.