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I bought a new AT&T factory unlocked G4 Active off eBay. It is running Gingerbread and has not been rooted.I then bought a StraightTalk sim card and everything works fine except two things,
I have used Applications Manager and discovered (I will confess I have learned a lot from this forum AFTER I tried that) it will not allow me to move the useless(????) AT&T apps to the SD card. Is there any way to do that since I don't think I am using them since I have a StraightTalk sim installed? And #2, since I get lousy service on the GSM network (AT&T), is it possible to convert this phone so it runs on VZ?
Thanks
The Galaxy S4 Active is barely 4 months old and shipped with Android 4.2.2 aka Jellybean - if yours has Gingerbread on it (Android 2.3) something is very wrong.
And GS4A's are not sold unlocked, even from AT&T. You have to buy one that's carrier locked, then contact their support to get the unlock code (as I understand it). Even paying full price for the phone off-contract in an AT&T corporate store means you still end up having to contact their support by phone, providing the necessary info, and they'll provide the unlock code as required - the store personnel just don't do that or even have access to those codes even if you pay full price on the spot for one "unlocked."
As for moving the apps to the microSD card, I don't think that's a possibility with the stock apps; your best bet to get rid of them is with Titanium Backup (the paid version) and freeze 'em all out. I could be wrong on that so someone else can answer it perhaps.
The LTE capability of the GS4A won't work with Verizon's CMDA network that I'm aware of, and obviously Verizon isn't a GSM carrier at all so there goes that idea too.
Are you 100% confident of what you actually bought?
Moving AT&T apps to sd card
br0adband said:
The Galaxy S4 Active is barely 4 months old and shipped with Android 4.2.2 aka Jellybean - if yours has Gingerbread on it (Android 2.3) something is very wrong.
And GS4A's are not sold unlocked, even from AT&T. You have to buy one that's carrier locked, then contact their support to get the unlock code (as I understand it). Even paying full price for the phone off-contract in an AT&T corporate store means you still end up having to contact their support by phone, providing the necessary info, and they'll provide the unlock code as required - the store personnel just don't do that or even have access to those codes even if you pay full price on the spot for one "unlocked."
As for moving the apps to the microSD card, I don't think that's a possibility with the stock apps; your best bet to get rid of them is with Titanium Backup (the paid version) and freeze 'em all out. I could be wrong on that so someone else can answer it perhaps.
The LTE capability of the GS4A won't work with Verizon's CMDA network that I'm aware of, and obviously Verizon isn't a GSM carrier at all so there goes that idea too.
Are you 100% confident of what you actually bought?
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Yep, I am sure it is unlocked. I bought it advertised as unlocked and activated it on StraightTalk. It came with an AT&T sim card (unused) and I bought a StraightTalk sim card for it and have been using it for about a month. My only "gripe" is one AT&T app (My AT&T) is still in the App menu and I recently downloaded and launched GPS/Mapquest. AT&T came on in the middle of my drive with their AT&T travel app and I could not get back to my original course. Not to be argumentative but is there any way I can tell for sure I am unlocked given the info above? I have 4.2.2. Guess I'll have to give up on deleting the AT&T apps. PS I have disabled all AT&T apps, except the one above, in my phone App Mgr Haven't checked the Mapquest routing since I did that so don't know if that very big problem went away.
Thanks for the help
The StraightTalk SIM card will be using AT&T's cellular network so that's why it won't complain with it in there - stick a SIM card from T-Mobile or some other network provider and you'll find out instantly if it's carrier locked or not as soon as you turn it on because it'll ask for the unlock code if it is.
AT&T doesn't sell the GS4A unlocked - it is sold locked to their network and if you pay the full price for the phone (meaning you own it at that point) you will be given a number to call (an AT&T support rep) where you have to provide the IMEI of the phone and the transaction number from the purchase receipt; they will provide you with the carrier unlock code which is entered when you put in SIM card from another carrier and turn on the phone.
While I got mine unlocked using an official AT&T unlock code from an eBay reseller, before I got this one off craigslist I had considered buying it brand new back in June from AT&T at the full retail price so I asked how the carrier unlock would be accomplished and was told by the AT&T corporate store employee here in Las Vegas exactly what I just said above: the boxed phones at the stores are locked to AT&T and must be unlocked with the carrier unlock code.
Since I'm not the original owner I couldn't just call in and ask for it myself so that's why I used a person off eBay and haven't had any issues so far, it was worth the $9 to get it unlocked.
Whoever owned that phone you have may have already unlocked it, but AT&T doesn't sell them that way...
You bought it off eBay, not directly from AT$T. Many eBay sellers unlock phones to make them easier to sell, but no carrier sells phones already unlocked. And 4.2.2 is definitely not Gingerbread. All S4 Actives came with Jellybean. As was said, you will not get this phone to work on Verizon's 4G network.
Someone Local to me is selling a note 8. It's supposed to be unlocked. Will it work on Sprint or no?
powerstroke said:
Someone Local to me is selling a note 8. It's supposed to be unlocked. Will it work on Sprint or no?
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Before I'd buy,I'd visit T-Mobile with the seller & phone in-hand,to ensure the phone is free & clear of any financial obligations.
Otherwise,you risk the possibility of it being blacklisted if any remaining balances are unpaid.
Not sure about compatibility,but,if the T-Mobile S8+ is any indication,it's only compatible with LTE,probably won't get voice/calls:
https://willmyphonework.net/
Regardless,with it being a new phone,you're in uncharted territory,no one can know for sure at this point,less a visit to Sprint & the mentioned visit to T-Mobile.
powerstroke said:
Someone Local to me is selling a note 8. It's supposed to be unlocked. Will it work on Sprint or no?
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Unfortunately, probably not. Sprint is very strict with the phones it allows under it's BYOD program, it'll only allow activation of Sprint and Unlocked models. It knows when phones are carrier versions as Samsung provides Sprint with the IMEIs of the Sprint and Unlocked models.
Sprint is the only major carrier that still uses a database whitelist for phones that can be activated on their network. Bit of a **** policy, but there's not much you can do about it.
Source: Just tried the same thing with my T-Mobile S8+. Even when I flashed the unlocked firmware on it(something you'd need to do anyway to enable the CDMA radio on the Note8, T-Mobile firmware has it disabled), still wouldn't work. Found out it was because of Sprint's stupid policy.
Just wanted to chime in on this in the hopes that no one wastes their time and money trying to activate AT&T/T-Mobile branded Note 8's with Sprint.
Flashed my AT&T device with unlocked firmware to enable CDMA features (MEID HEX/DEC)
Bought a Sprint BYOD SIM
Gave Sprint technicians device information in an attempt to add it to their inventory (HEC/DEX)
They kept getting random incompatibility errors, kind of silly given all US Note 8's have identical hardware.
Case closed, looking for a Sprint or Samsung official unlocked device now..
Evening Folks! I've been doing a ton of searching and haven't found a solution yet, or anything specific to an unlocked Note 9 on the Verizon network.
I'm trying to figure out how I go about enabling (in some form or fashion) the Verizon video calling feature. I have two small girls at home, and travel often. I didn't realize when I purchased an unlocked phone, I would miss out on these features!
Anyone point me to a forum, or article that might shed a little light? I'm hoping for a workaround. Unfortunately the workaround for the Note 8 doesn't work for the Note 9.
Any help is extremely appreciated!!!!
Sincerely, Paul.
Pdub,
When you buy an unlocked phone on the Verizon network you loss WiFi calling, visual voicemail and network video calls. There is a forum were you can flash the Verizon version of Android 8.1. it's on XDA forum with instructions. That's how you can get it on an unlocked phone.
Also if you have Asurion for insurance with Brian, cancel it. They will not cover unlocked phone
Visual voicemail works (when you insert the Verizon SIM, the Voicemail app appears in Galaxy Apps).
Video calling was able to be enabled on Nougat phones, but has been blocked by Verizon. I've been using Duo instead which isn't ideal, but works well.
The Unlocked firmware has much less bloat, the Samsung Caller ID and Spam feature works (Verizon makes you pay extra), and I appreciate that there is no Verizon bootscreen, no annoying announcement when you're near a Verizon store, and seems to be less invasive.
Bxrider117 said:
Pdub,
When you buy an unlocked phone on the Verizon network you loss WiFi calling, visual voicemail and network video calls. There is a forum were you can flash the Verizon version of Android 8.1. it's on XDA forum with instructions. That's how you can get it on an unlocked phone.
Also if you have Asurion for insurance with Brian, cancel it. They will not cover unlocked phone
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Wow, I wish I would have known that. I didn't know Asurion didn't cover unlocked. Is there another insurance out there that does?
Also, if I were to flash the Verizon version of Android, would updates come through still?
Does anybody know if the unlocked s10 will have access to Multi-line settings or has had experience with previous unlocked variants having access?
On T-Mobile this setting is specifically used for native "Digits" functionality without having to use an app. It's the only concern I have purchasing the unlocked variant.
I can't speak for the S10. The Note 9 however has built in Digits support in the TMobile variant, but requires downloading the app for the US unlocked variant. Chances are the S10 is also like this.
mosi76 said:
Does anybody know if the unlocked s10 will have access to Multi-line settings or has had experience with previous unlocked variants having access?
On T-Mobile this setting is specifically used for native "Digits" functionality without having to use an app. It's the only concern I have purchasing the unlocked variant.
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So I had Unlocked S8 on T-Mobile and I believe S9 and S10 might have the same thing. Basically unlocked version only had: WiFi Calling, Band 12 and VoLTE and there was no Milti-Line setting, unless if you get T-Mobile branded phone. What I have done to my S8, is I flashed it with T-Mo firmware and got all the features without bloatware
This time I ordered S10e unlocked and upon getting it, will inspect and see which features unlocked model will offer and if need be, will flash to T-Mobile firmware
Charkatak said:
So I had Unlocked S8 on T-Mobile and I believe S9 and S10 might have the same thing. Basically unlocked version only had: WiFi Calling, Band 12 and VoLTE and there was no Milti-Line setting, unless if you get T-Mobile branded phone. What I have done to my S8, is I flashed it with T-Mo firmware and got all the features without bloatware
This time I ordered S10e unlocked and upon getting it, will inspect and see which features unlocked model will offer and if need be, will flash to T-Mobile firmware
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you say that you didn't have any TMobile bloatware when you flashed the TMobile firmware, are you referring to the general TMobile apps (like TMobile account app, VVM, etc)? or are you referring to some other 3rd party apps that TMobile puts on post-firmware. I always thought the TMobile apps would be there if flashing TMobile firmware, but I could be wrong.
Kjn246 said:
When you say that you didn't have any TMobile bloatware when you flashed the TMobile firmware, are you referring to the general TMobile apps (like TMobile account app, VVM, etc)? or are you referring to some other 3rd party apps that TMobile puts on post-firmware. I always thought the TMobile apps would be there if flashing TMobile firmware, but I could be wrong.
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Click to collapse
3rd party apps, for example "Lookout" antivirus app wasn't there and other that T-Mobile might put there. These apps need to be disabled and can't be uninstalled. I am fine with T-Mobile account app and VVM. When flashing, just need to flash main firmware files(4 of them) and the 5th one was userdata, which has all the unneeded stuff
When you do this, don't you void something that doesn't let you use samsung pay, etc?
Charkatak said:
So I had Unlocked S8 on T-Mobile and I believe S9 and S10 might have the same thing. Basically unlocked version only had: WiFi Calling, Band 12 and VoLTE and there was no Milti-Line setting, unless if you get T-Mobile branded phone. What I have done to my S8, is I flashed it with T-Mo firmware and got all the features without bloatware
This time I ordered S10e unlocked and upon getting it, will inspect and see which features unlocked model will offer and if need be, will flash to T-Mobile firmware
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gotnoypi said:
When you do this, don't you void something that doesn't let you use samsung pay, etc?
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No, because I flashed my phone with an official Samsung firmware
Should have known so I could have purchased the unlocked version. Thanks for the info.
Charkatak said:
No, because I flashed my phone with an official Samsung firmware
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Click to collapse
gotnoypi said:
Should have known so I could have purchased the unlocked version. Thanks for the info.
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Not a big deal as there were times when T-Mobile for example would release monthly security patches couple of weeks earlier and possibly the Android upgrade version early too(not always though). As I understand that Samsung is obligated to release an update for carrier branded phones and then can released for their unlocked units. If you would want to flash your phone down the road, you could. It is just the process may not be as straight forward as flashing unlocked model
Ok one thing I learned today as I was setting up my s10+. The Multi-line feature is still not activated in S10+ (most likely in other s10 variant as well). I spoke with Tmobile Digits team and it was just confirm to them yesterday that S10 doesn't support multi-line yet. The only way to use DIGITS is trough the digits app. It's definitely a bummer.
I was also told that the same situation applies to the previous phones during launch (S9 or Note9) where it wasn't initially activated. It was delivered through a software upgrade afterwards. So I'm hoping this software update arrives sooner than later.
Hope this helps other member's using DIGITS.
gotnoypi said:
Ok one thing I learned today as I was setting up my s10+. The Multi-line feature is still not activated in S10+ (most likely in other s10 variant as well). I spoke with Tmobile Digits team and it was just confirm to them yesterday that S10 doesn't support multi-line yet. The only way to use DIGITS is trough the digits app. It's definitely a bummer.
I was also told that the same situation applies to the previous phones during launch (S9 or Note9) where it wasn't initially activated. It was delivered through a software upgrade afterwards. So I'm hoping this software update arrives sooner than later.
Hope this helps other member's using DIGITS.
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Luckily you got to speak to someone who actually knows or at least should know. I have messaged them through the app and through Twitter and got the same basic kinda answer but no specifics and that's if they even knew what I was talking about. Hopefully it happens soon. Thanks for the update
mosi76 said:
Luckily you got to speak to someone who actually knows or at least should know. I have messaged them through the app and through Twitter and got the same basic kinda answer but no specifics and that's if they even knew what I was talking about. Hopefully it happens soon. Thanks for the update
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I took multiple tries on chat and call. Luckily I got forwarded to DIGITS team and the person knows exactly the issue and is not reading off knowledge base or written instructions.
Hopefully it arrives soon as I don't want to use the DIGITS app for it.
T-Mobile DIGITS team has actually been telling customers that the native multiline feature will not be coming to the S10 or supported on other devices anymore because they destaffed that dev team. They are phasing out the feature. Absolutely horrible decision. The DIGITS app is hot trash. They have a **** load of customer pissed about it. Especially in the business segment like me. There's a scathing thread over on the T-Mobile's forums about it.
So, now T-Mobile DIGITS experts are telling people that they are waiting on an update from Samsung to make the feature possible again.
So, I don't what the **** is going on. It's ****ery.
Unless we hear something directly from Samsung, everything is now just hear say. I'm still hoping for a software update to push out the feature.
Actually, the multi-line setting was garbage. Even on my previous Note 8 and current unlocked Huawei P20 Pro, I use the DIGITS app. Luckily, with previous T-Mobile lines, got DIGITS for free. For new customers and new lines, I think it costs some monthly fees.
Thank you!
gotnoypi said:
Ok one thing I learned today as I was setting up my s10+. The Multi-line feature is still not activated in S10+ (most likely in other s10 variant as well). I spoke with Tmobile Digits team and it was just confirm to them yesterday that S10 doesn't support multi-line yet. The only way to use DIGITS is trough the digits app. It's definitely a bummer.
I was also told that the same situation applies to the previous phones during launch (S9 or Note9) where it wasn't initially activated. It was delivered through a software upgrade afterwards. So I'm hoping this software update arrives sooner than later.
Hope this helps other member's using DIGITS.
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Hey, thank you so much for posting this. I tried to contact thru customer support, Twitter, calls, walk-ins.. Seems like T-Mobile employees aren't aware not only of this issue, but of the option at all..
don't mean to resurrect this old thread, but i got my S10 a few days ago and just got off the phone with the DIGITS support, after being transferred numerous times by people that didn't know what i was even talking about. the guy said that samsung told them (tmobile) a few months ago that they are removing multi-line settings from all new devices and that users need to start using the DIGITS app instead. he even said that with any further updates on the phones that currently have multi-line settings, the updates will actually remove those settings from the phones. pretty crappy if you ask me.
I'm still using a Samsung S7 with multi-line set to On, with T-Mobile. I didn't like their Digits app, much prefer the phone's native multi-line ability. However, as others above have said, T-Moble Digits support told me that Samsung was going to remove that ability. For now, it still works albeit buggy. I have to turn the phone off then on multiple times a day to keep the second line working properly. Does anyone know another Android phone that supports multi-line with T-Mobile, but correctly?
I have a new Galaxy S10 from Verizon but I use a Verizon prepaid SIM and they don't support VVM on prepaid. Is there an app that works? I was told Google Voice but it forces you to use a new number. Do you have to pay to use Google Voice and their new number?
New to Android but can't go back to Apple. Done with their locked down iOS.
The only way to make that work with a MVNO provider on my S7 Edge Verizon was to flash the unlocked firmware on it.
Now I bought my S10 is unlocked and VMM is working (Total Wireless).
Also, using Google Voice is free. First number is free too, only if you want later to change it costs money.
SoNic67 said:
The only way to make that work with a MVNO provider on my S7 Edge Verizon was to flash the unlocked firmware on it.
Now I bought my S10 is unlocked and VMM is working (Total Wireless).
Also, using Google Voice is free. First number is free too, only if you want later to change it costs money.
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Not flashing nothing on my new S10 but thanks.
Then you can either sell it and get the unlocked version... or live without VVM.
SoNic67 said:
Then you can either sell it and get the unlocked version... or live without VVM.
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Unlocked doesn't allow VVM unless you use Google voice. Had the S9 unlocked version.
Why sell it? Android phones on Verizon prepaid don't come with VVM it how Verizon tries to get you into a contract.
If you have an iPhone it's baked in and Verizon has no control over that.