[Q] verizon s4 sch-i545 flashing or unlocking to use on straight talk - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4

Hello, I am new to xda this is my first post so I hope I put it in the right place.
I bought an s4 from a private seller assuming that because it wa a verizon and that means cdma where I live , that I would be able to activate it as a cdma straight talk phone with the activation kit from straight talk ,
I tried but it when I get to the part of the ctivation were it askes for my sim card to be put in the phone ........I get lost because I thought cdma Verizon required no sim,
so I think this means that they want to activate my phone as a gsm phone ...... this wont get any service in my area I need cdma.
so I went and had my phone flashed ....with a donor phone and it works but I hate it the pic messaging is all screwed up ....I just want a stock feel and not to have to you third party apps to txt
BIG question.. is it possible to reflash my phone back to stock and activate it the right way? if not are there any s4's that straight talk will accept under the cdma ?
I know this is a mess but any input would be great thanks in advance

robquillan said:
Hello, I am new to xda this is my first post so I hope I put it in the right place.
I bought an s4 from a private seller assuming that because it wa a verizon and that means cdma where I live , that I would be able to activate it as a cdma straight talk phone with the activation kit from straight talk ,
I tried but it when I get to the part of the ctivation were it askes for my sim card to be put in the phone ........I get lost because I thought cdma Verizon required no sim,
so I think this means that they want to activate my phone as a gsm phone ...... this wont get any service in my area I need cdma.
so I went and had my phone flashed ....with a donor phone and it works but I hate it the pic messaging is all screwed up ....I just want a stock feel and not to have to you third party apps to txt
BIG question.. is it possible to reflash my phone back to stock and activate it the right way? if not are there any s4's that straight talk will accept under the cdma ?
I know this is a mess but any input would be great thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know about flashing CDMA, but have you checked your APN settings?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2672843
That's about using GSM, but using those APN settings may fix your pic messaging issue.

so....
Oishikatta said:
Don't know about flashing CDMA, but have you checked your APN settings?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2672843
That's about using GSM, but using those APN settings may fix your pic messaging issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well since all of that is for the gsm version I dont think it would help honestlly I'm about to toss this s4 in the trash ...

The Verizon s4 can be used for straight talk gsm. It is unlocked out of the box. Just put in a straight talk sim t mobile or att compatible and set your apn and everything should work perfectly.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

yep>>>> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2672843

robquillan said:
Hello, I am new to xda this is my first post so I hope I put it in the right place.
I bought an s4 from a private seller assuming that because it wa a verizon and that means cdma where I live , that I would be able to activate it as a cdma straight talk phone with the activation kit from straight talk ,
I tried but it when I get to the part of the ctivation were it askes for my sim card to be put in the phone ........I get lost because I thought cdma Verizon required no sim,
so I think this means that they want to activate my phone as a gsm phone ...... this wont get any service in my area I need cdma.
so I went and had my phone flashed ....with a donor phone and it works but I hate it the pic messaging is all screwed up ....I just want a stock feel and not to have to you third party apps to txt
BIG question.. is it possible to reflash my phone back to stock and activate it the right way? if not are there any s4's that straight talk will accept under the cdma ?
I know this is a mess but any input would be great thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, what model phone do you actually have? The Verizon Galaxy S4 (SCH-i545) is in fact a CDMA/GSM/LTE phone, which does have a SIM.
It sounds like you should re-flash the factory ROM. Perhaps the easiest way to do that is to plug it in and use the Verizon Recovery Assistant. Or, use Samsung Kies to re-flash it - those will WIPE your phone, however.

no gsm has to be cdma
ok thankyou to all... here is the problem I got a cdma phone because were I live cdma is all that works no t-mobile - no att and sprint is also bad
only cdma versions of tracfone , straight talk, and verizon work well here.
my phone is the verizon cdma phone
but i'm only interested in activating it under cdma not gsm
Straight talk has a s3 that runs on the cdma here some friends have it

I also am interested in doing this, I have talked to Walmart and straight talk as well and they both say the same if its true or not I'm not sure but they said that all you need is the sim kit and set the right apn , and yes we do have a sim in this phone so I would guess you will need it.

robquillan said:
ok thankyou to all... here is the problem I got a cdma phone because were I live cdma is all that works no t-mobile - no att and sprint is also bad
only cdma versions of tracfone , straight talk, and verizon work well here.
my phone is the verizon cdma phone
but i'm only interested in activating it under cdma not gsm
Straight talk has a s3 that runs on the cdma here some friends have it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, so if you're using a Verizon Galaxy S4, which supports the following bands: (see here)
LTE: Bands 4/13;
CDMA 1x/EVDO Rev.A: 800/1900MHz;
HSPA+/UMTS: 850/900/1900/2100MHz;
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz
All you should have to do is to read out the ESN and activate it if your carrier is on 800/1900 MHz CDMA.

Related

GSM Works on DINC4G, Here is how to do it...

I was curious because I heard that the Droid Incredible 4G has a GSM radio in it so I did an experiment. I used a T-mobile micro SIM. I used the 4GLTE switch app for the Thunderbolt to access the hidden menu and I changed the radio mode to one that included GSM/W-CDMA. I popped in my T-mobile SIM and, presto, I got a T-mobile signal. I tested and I was able to make and receive calls and text messages. I had to manually set the APN for data to epc.tmobile.com and now I have EDGE data. I am sure an AT&T Sim will get HSPA+. The GSM appears unlocked now but hard to access. I am afraid, however, that once Verizon releases the update to make GSM roaming available, that it will be locked. Anyway, for now, you can pop in a GSM SIM and use your phone native.
Brooose said:
I was curious because I heard that the Droid Incredible 4G has a GSM radio in it so I did an experiment. I used a T-mobile micro SIM. I used the 4GLTE switch app for the Thunderbolt to access the hidden menu and I changed the radio mode to one that included GSM/W-CDMA. I popped in my T-mobile SIM and, presto, I got a T-mobile signal. I tested and I was able to make and receive calls and text messages. I had to manually set the APN for data to epc.tmobile.com and now I have EDGE data. I am sure an AT&T Sim will get HSPA+. The GSM appears unlocked now but hard to access. I am afraid, however, that once Verizon releases the update to make GSM roaming available, that it will be locked. Anyway, for now, you can pop in a GSM SIM and use your phone native.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if its like verizon other global settings (inc2) you can request the unlock code from them (they ll give you crap about using their intl plans first, but just yell until someone does it)
Brooose said:
I was curious because I heard that the Droid Incredible 4G has a GSM radio in it so I did an experiment. I used a T-mobile micro SIM. I used the 4GLTE switch app for the Thunderbolt to access the hidden menu and I changed the radio mode to one that included GSM/W-CDMA. I popped in my T-mobile SIM and, presto, I got a T-mobile signal. I tested and I was able to make and receive calls and text messages. I had to manually set the APN for data to epc.tmobile.com and now I have EDGE data. I am sure an AT&T Sim will get HSPA+. The GSM appears unlocked now but hard to access. I am afraid, however, that once Verizon releases the update to make GSM roaming available, that it will be locked. Anyway, for now, you can pop in a GSM SIM and use your phone native.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very nice info there Broose. Thanks for taking the time to try it.
Brooose said:
I was curious because I heard that the Droid Incredible 4G has a GSM radio in it so I did an experiment. I used a T-mobile micro SIM. I used the 4GLTE switch app for the Thunderbolt to access the hidden menu and I changed the radio mode to one that included GSM/W-CDMA. I popped in my T-mobile SIM and, presto, I got a T-mobile signal. I tested and I was able to make and receive calls and text messages. I had to manually set the APN for data to epc.tmobile.com and now I have EDGE data. I am sure an AT&T Sim will get HSPA+. The GSM appears unlocked now but hard to access. I am afraid, however, that once Verizon releases the update to make GSM roaming available, that it will be locked. Anyway, for now, you can pop in a GSM SIM and use your phone native.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works on AT&T with EDGE data as well. I haven't gotten HSPA (any variant) or AT&T LTE working, and I can't play with it too much because it's not my SIM
ATT LTE won't work because the frequencies are different from Verizon but I am surprised that HSPA didn't work. Did you use a setting that included W-CDMA? GSM only would likely mean Edge only.
Sent from my ADR6410LVW using xda premium
Can you link the app you used that worked?
No problems switching back?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.andirc.lteonfoff
from my ADR6410LVW using xda premium
Im afraid I cant get this to work. Does it require a rooted phone?
I have the app, I have a T Mobile micro sim installed. I click on the drop down menu (within the app) and choose the first menu item "Select radio band" and pick PCS (1900-MHz Band) and I get a "successful" prompt afterwards (only when the Tmo sim is installed btw).
I am unable to choose "GSM Only & GSM auto (PRL)" menu choices. Is this normal? I am able to choose GSM/WCDMA/LTE auto though. I dont get any sim error messages, but the phone never seems to want to camp on any GSM network.
You are looking in the wrong place. You need the drop down menu that includes GSM, W-CDMA, EVDO, LTE in various combinations. Select one with GSM in it. Also, I found that you need to have your Verizon SIM in first and then hot swap it with the t-mobile sim.
On the Rezound if you make a couple build.prop tweaks it fixes texting and data on GSM.
Brooose said:
You are looking in the wrong place. You need the drop down menu that includes GSM, W-CDMA, EVDO, LTE in various combinations. Select one with GSM in it. Also, I found that you need to have your Verizon SIM in first and then hot swap it with the t-mobile sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I was in the right place to begin with, I just thought it would be able to pick just gsm but it wont.
And you left out that piece of informationin bold, but still not working...
Can you give us your firmware & radio version, perhaps some phones have been updated to block this.
Anyone have any luck with this?
OP, is your phone stock? Rooted?
What if it has a bad ESN will this work or a way to make gsm work even with a bad ESN I'm asking because if Verizon does not have droid 3 s I will get this phone then go with at&t but will like to know if I can change the radio so I can so this
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
One additional thing I found was that I got it to work by hot swapping the Sims. It seems like the Verizon sim has to be in when the phone boots. Once it boots, use Phone Info to change the mode to GSM and then switch your sim.
Sent from my SGH-I535 using xda premium
Brooose said:
One additional thing I found was that I got it to work by hot swapping the Sims. It seems like the Verizon sim has to be in when the phone boots. Once it boots, use Phone Info to change the mode to GSM and then switch your sim.
Sent from my SGH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So your saying this works on a bad ESN one?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
leerpsp said:
What if it has a bad ESN will this work or a way to make gsm work even with a bad ESN I'm asking because if Verizon does not have droid 3 s I will get this phone then go with at&t but will like to know if I can change the radio so I can so this
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think it should work. The ESN is used for the CDMA networks, the IMEI is used for GSM. Stick with GSM and you should be ok...
Dinc 4G now Global Ready
I was just chatting with a VZ rep online and was told that Verizon has already released a software update, thus making Dinc 4G officially global ready. Can anyone confirm/deny?
I asked her for a software version number which enables this, but she wasn't able to provide it.
Pete7874 said:
I was just chatting with a VZ rep online and was told that Verizon has already released a software update, thus making Dinc 4G officially global ready. Can anyone confirm/deny?
I asked her for a software version number which enables this, but she wasn't able to provide it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Deny. No update has come out so far. You would be able to read about here if it had come out.
JDMpire said:
I would think it should work. The ESN is used for the CDMA networks, the IMEI is used for GSM. Stick with GSM and you should be ok...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I think I will go buy one cheep forum ebay
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Confused, I have Samsung galaxy Axiom and....

it is from us cellular if you ask me its the s3 mini anyways itsa cdma phone that has a sim slot which has a card in it for us ceullar. now im confused the phone specs say its cdma only but with a sim card that makes me t hink its gsm global(locked to any us gsm providers im sure) and cdma so I would assume it will work with say cricket wireless.
I am leaving u ceulluar and would like to use the phone with c ricket wireless and being its a cdma phone im surei could it is just that sim card confused me.
I know on phone in past cricket can take your imei i think it is and use a tool over the phone to convert it to propperly work on their network.
So basically anyone know if this phone can be used with cricket? is it locked? do I ahve to flash it. if the gsm part is locked that wont matter since i will only be ising the cdma part. here is the link to the phone on us cellular
http://www.uscellular.com/uscellula...tandard&device-category=device-category-phone
Edited: The sim card has your programing for CDMA & 4g/LTE access. Just took mine out and it has zero service without it. I would guess as long as you put it in another compatible phone you would get service.
Hoping someone will figure out a simple rooting method, but doesn't appear there is a lot of interest yet.
Sent from my SCH-R830 using xda app-developers app
mrtwisty said:
Edited: The sim card has your programing for CDMA & 4g/LTE access. Just took mine out and it has zero service without it. I would guess as long as you put it in another compatible phone you would get service.
Hoping someone will figure out a simple rooting method, but doesn't appear there is a lot of interest yet.
Sent from my SCH-R830 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks but nah not what I was wanting, i wanted to be able to use the phone on cricket but since they dont use sim cards since their phones are cdma was why I was confused that this one has a card since usually only GSM phones use those. so im guessing I wont be able to use it on their network if they added it..I know they can convert certain imei's over the phone with a tool they ahve with cricket support but have not tried that yet.
talrune said:
Thanks but nah not what I was wanting, i wanted to be able to use the phone on cricket but since they dont use sim cards since their phones are cdma was why I was confused that this one has a card since usually only GSM phones use those. so im guessing I wont be able to use it on their network if they added it..I know they can convert certain imei's over the phone with a tool they ahve with cricket support but have not tried that yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mrtwisty said:
Edited: The sim card has your programing for CDMA & 4g/LTE access. Just took mine out and it has zero service without it. I would guess as long as you put it in another compatible phone you would get service.
Hoping someone will figure out a simple rooting method, but doesn't appear there is a lot of interest yet.
Sent from my SCH-R830 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, just wondering, would the Samsung Axiom work on T-Mobile or AT&T ?
yes and no
The R830 by U.S cellular is a CDMA phone. now ah days having a sim card slot does not symply mean its GSM ....TMobile....GSM ALL DAY. ATT GSM all day. Vzw,sprint, uscellular...CDMA. the Sim card in question is a 4glite. it controls the 4g side and basically activates the phone upon new activation. the question is: WELL THIS PHONE WORK ON CRICKET? Answer...yes...I put one on Pageplus by just activatiing the imei and then OTA...but I'm having trouble with the DAta side... cant get data or MMS (picture messaging) to work..talk and texts works fine.....Now im on to figuring out how to get this thing into DiagMode without rooting it Oh yeah.....try activating your Imei on cricket and then star code it. . if it asks you to press 1 or 2 but you dont see a keyboard,....thats okay...just let the lady run her mouth until the music starts playing....when its done the phone will restart and you'll have talk and text
answer
joellecool said:
So, just wondering, would the Samsung Axiom work on T-Mobile or AT&T ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, your phone will not work on either. The sim slot in question is for 4glte, all 4g phones will have this sim slot. A GSM sim will not provide any functionality at all.
oleskool1970 said:
but I'm having trouble with the DAta side... cant get data or MMS (picture messaging) to work..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was anyone got success in enabling the data ???

[Q] Unlock Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4

Is it possible to unlock the Verizon version of the S4? I'm deploying in 4 weeks and would like to use my phone with international carriers. I have an SCH-I545 build and I'm still running on stock. Thanks
I think ATT has begun to unlock phones internationally when asked.
Verizon? Not sure... one think to check is if the Verizon GS4 supports a carrier in the country you travel to.
Take a look at Leo Laporte's Tech Guy show... he has callers ask this quetion on average every other week... I think he has show notes on his site now days... techguylabs.com
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
PetrichorXFi said:
I think ATT has begun to unlock phones internationally when asked.
Verizon? Not sure... one think to check is if the Verizon GS4 supports a carrier in the country you travel to.
Take a look at Leo Laporte's Tech Guy show... he has callers ask this quetion on average every other week... I think he has show notes on his site now days... techguylabs.com
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon phones are unlocked out of the box, but you have to make sure that the country you are going to has a GSM network.
After a lot of searching, I decided to ask this here:
I have a Verizon S4, but I was wondering if it was actually unlocked out-of-box or if there is something I have to do in order to use it with, for instance, Cricket, or U.S. Cellular. I have done lots of rooting/developing for Android, but have never tried to use an Android phone with a differing carrier. Can anyone help or point me to a thread that helps? (Again, did lots of Googling and XDA-searching)
furballbeethoven said:
After a lot of searching, I decided to ask this here:
I have a Verizon S4, but I was wondering if it was actually unlocked out-of-box or if there is something I have to do in order to use it with, for instance, Cricket, or U.S. Cellular. I have done lots of rooting/developing for Android, but have never tried to use an Android phone with a differing carrier. Can anyone help or point me to a thread that helps? (Again, did lots of Googling and XDA-searching)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is GSM-unlocked. This means that you buy a SIM, plug it in, then add the proper APN to enable data. (Settings, Connections, More networks, Mobile networks, Access Point Names). The "+" (Add APN) button is disabled if you have a VZ SIM installed but will be enabled if you insert a non-VZ SIM.
Whoever you get the SIM from will tell you what to enter for the APN.
Whether or not it'll work and how fast a network you'll get depends on the bands that the local carrier uses.
k1mu said:
The phone is GSM-unlocked. This means that you buy a SIM, plug it in, then add the proper APN to enable data. (Settings, Connections, More networks, Mobile networks, Access Point Names). The "+" (Add APN) button is disabled if you have a VZ SIM installed but will be enabled if you insert a non-VZ SIM.
Whoever you get the SIM from will tell you what to enter for the APN.
Whether or not it'll work and how fast a network you'll get depends on the bands that the local carrier uses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI k1mu,
So do you mean to say if I purchase this device with full price from VZW ~$400 (month to month plan),
the next thing I can do is take off VZW SIM and would it work on my AT&T GSM SIM in US?
malhotra.aakash said:
HI k1mu,
So do you mean to say if I purchase this device with full price from VZW ~$400 (month to month plan),
the next thing I can do is take off VZW SIM and would it work on my AT&T GSM SIM in US?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe. While the VZW version is GSM-unlocked for international use, it is unclear how well it works with US GSM carriers. Some people say they can get it to work, some say they can't. Theoretically, it should only take you putting in an AT&T SIM then plugging in the APN data for it to work, but some people still say it won't.
So, you should be able to, but going by the accounts of XDA members, it doesn't always work, which may or may not come down to user error.
joshm.1219 said:
Maybe. While the VZW version is GSM-unlocked for international use, it is unclear how well it works with US GSM carriers. Some people say they can get it to work, some say they can't. Theoretically, it should only take you putting in an AT&T SIM then plugging in the APN data for it to work, but some people still say it won't.
So, you should be able to, but going by the accounts of XDA members, it doesn't always work, which may or may not come down to user error.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks joshm.1219,
It still leaves me in a dilemma.. I do really want to get a "S4 mini" model but don't want to stuck up with CDMA providers to be true. Might want to use with ATT or Tmobile or H2O.. I visited the VZW store and the model has option under networks as
1. Global
2. LTE/CDMA
3. GSM/UTMS
Now the Qs are,
1. If this model does have a SIM card slot, how at the first point VZW has lock on it
2. When i asked the VZW associate, he was not sure whether they ever do unlock the device or not
3. If I am ready to pay off complete price of the device which is ~400, what else I would need from them to really 'UNLOCK' it?
4. Is there any means by root/flashing to make such model work for US GSM carriers like H2O or even T-mobile.
Sorry to be so annoying but m new to all these things and quite confused :crying:
many Thx in advance..
malhotra.aakash said:
Thanks joshm.1219,
It still leaves me in a dilemma.. I do really want to get a "S4 mini" model but don't want to stuck up with CDMA providers to be true. Might want to use with ATT or Tmobile or H2O.. I visited the VZW store and the model has option under networks as
1. Global
2. LTE/CDMA
3. GSM/UTMS
Now the Qs are,
1. If this model does have a SIM card slot, how at the first point VZW has lock on it
2. When i asked the VZW associate, he was not sure whether they ever do unlock the device or not
3. If I am ready to pay off complete price of the device which is ~400, what else I would need from them to really 'UNLOCK' it?
4. Is there any means by root/flashing to make such model work for US GSM carriers like H2O or even T-mobile.
Sorry to be so annoying but m new to all these things and quite confused :crying:
many Thx in advance..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I can't be of more help, I've been on Verizon for 10 years now, but it is by all intents & purposes, fully SIM-unlocked. It's simply unclear as to why some people report problems of using Verizon phones on US GSM carriers. If you really don't want to worry about it & are willing to pay full price, purchase a device through the carrier you want to use it on.
here is the code to choose network
you might need to change the network frequency to gsm if you wanna use it on att or tmobile and when you wanna switch back to verizon choose wcdma try dialing *#*#4636#*#*:good:
joshm.1219 said:
Sorry I can't be of more help, I've been on Verizon for 10 years now, but it is by all intents & purposes, fully SIM-unlocked. It's simply unclear as to why some people report problems of using Verizon phones on US GSM carriers. If you really don't want to worry about it & are willing to pay full price, purchase a device through the carrier you want to use it on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had people argue with me over this, but the fact is that NO Verizon LTE phone is SIM-locked. None. Nada.
People who claim differently are simply misinformed. (My I545 comes up on AT&T when I plug in my UK SIM and switch to GSM.)
Not to say that all VZ phones are unlocked - my Inc2 had to be unlocked before it would work with that same SIM. If I remember right, it wouldn't connect in the US, either, even after being unlocked. Not so for the GS4.
I appreciate the posts here from people who know. As for me, I am switching to tmobile and will attempt to use this there. If it doesnt work out, I will sell it on swappa and get a nexus 5!
Hi,
Verizon S4 with 4.3 is international unlocked by default.
You just need to select network mode 'GLOBAL'. Then add the right APN.
I am using Indian GSM SIM with the GLOBAL mode selected. All is well for me.
I can provide screenshots if anybody wanna see.
Verizon phones are unlocked out of the box and they DO work fine on US carriers I'm running my Verizon S4 right now on AT&T and I also ran it on tmobile for short time,
even works with Walmart straight talk and Net10 as those are just subsidies of T Mobile and AT&T anyway.
so don't sweat it if you have a verizon phone that uses a sim card, you can run it on any network that uses a SIM card US or international.
baseband issue
Doesn't the MK2 baseband with jb 4.3 block US Sim cards?
Or do I just have a weird s4?
kendonsh said:
Doesn't the MK2 baseband with jb 4.3 block US Sim cards?
Or do I just have a weird s4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine dont? Im on mk2,
soon as I got my verizon s4 replacement from a damaged model that I turned in,
I threw a net10/att sim card in it.
completely stock phone not even rooted nothin, and it works fine, I did get a popup that said non Verizon SIM card but it works fine
calls in and out MMS works fine
---------- Post added at 01:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:53 PM ----------
CafeAdrutico said:
The S4 is supposed to work globally right out of the box, as long as you've called Verizon to enable International roaming on your account. But, used that way, you'll be paying Verizon for International roaming and it's bloody expensive.
The question is, can you remove the SIM and put in a SIM for a local carrier in the foreign country where you are and use the phone on that carrier? That is what being unlocked would allow you to do. Past Verizon phones have not been unlocked to allow this. But, if you called Tech Support and told them you were going to, for example, Europe and wanted to use a local SIM, they would walk you through unlocking (at no charge).
I read a report that the S4 is not locked and that you can use a SIM for a local carrier in Europe, as it comes out of the box. But, I would not trust that. I would call VZW Tech Support and tell them exactly what you want to do - i.e. don't say "can I use my phone in Europe?" The answer to that is yes, you can, at about $1/minute. What you should ask them is, "can I travel to Europe and purchase a SIM from a local carrier and use that in my phone?" If not, they should be able to walk you through unlocking the phone, so you can do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to answer your question simply yes.
let's say I take my phone to Spain are somewhere in the UK, I'll go to store buy a SIM card for local network and BAM local phone number in Europe making phone calls, you can even get Data to work if you have that local carrier's APN settings
no unlocking is required because it is not locked.
other companies AT&T, Sprint, t-mobile, yes you have to get The phone sim unlocked.
k1mu said:
I've had people argue with me over this, but the fact is that NO Verizon LTE phone is SIM-locked. None. Nada.
People who claim differently are simply misinformed. (My I545 comes up on AT&T when I plug in my UK SIM and switch to GSM.)
Not to say that all VZ phones are unlocked - my Inc2 had to be unlocked before it would work with that same SIM. If I remember right, it wouldn't connect in the US, either, even after being unlocked. Not so for the GS4.
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This is 100% correct. NO LTE phones on verizon are sim locked. They are REQUIRED to keep them unlocked because of their agreement with the FCC for their use of the spectrum they lease. NO OTHER CARRIER must abide by these rules. Only VZW. Sprint I've heard will unlock ANY phone that is capable if you ask them too, and AT&T will NOT unlock any of their phones unless it 2 years old and out of contract (which makes no sense if you have to pay them while under contract anyway). There was a big deal about the Iphone 5 when it came out with LTE for verizon. If you bought a Verizon Iphone, you could put an ATT sim in it and it works, but not an ATT on VZW because ATT keeps them locked.
The Dinc 2 above was NOT an LTE device. Therefore no sim card....and it wouldn't work on most overseas networks anyway as it was a CDMA only phone. I believe VZW tested the limits of the "unlocked" SIM with their first few LTE phones. My Rezound worked with a GSM network sim....but voice and SMS only. It took some unlocking of the bootloader and rooting to run a special Rom to get Data to work on it.
I am heading to the Caribbean in a few weeks, and I will be using a rented SIM card to be able to message back and forth with my wife (with a data based messenger service as data rates are far cheaper than SMS rate there)
318sugarhill said:
This is 100% correct. NO LTE phones on verizon are sim locked. They are REQUIRED to keep them unlocked because of their agreement with the FCC for their use of the spectrum they lease. NO OTHER CARRIER must abide by these rules. Only VZW. Sprint I've heard will unlock ANY phone that is capable if you ask them too, and AT&T will NOT unlock any of their phones unless it 2 years old and out of contract (which makes no sense if you have to pay them while under contract anyway). There was a big deal about the Iphone 5 when it came out with LTE for verizon. If you bought a Verizon Iphone, you could put an ATT sim in it and it works, but not an ATT on VZW because ATT keeps them locked.
The Dinc 2 above was NOT an LTE device. Therefore no sim card....and it wouldn't work on most overseas networks anyway as it was a CDMA only phone. I believe VZW tested the limits of the "unlocked" SIM with their first few LTE phones. My Rezound worked with a GSM network sim....but voice and SMS only. It took some unlocking of the bootloader and rooting to run a special Rom to get Data to work on it.
I am heading to the Caribbean in a few weeks, and I will be using a rented SIM card to be able to message back and forth with my wife (with a data based messenger service as data rates are far cheaper than SMS rate there)
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I just spent a week in the UK with an ekit.com SIM in my Verizon GS4 - no problem with getting service, no Verizon charge (even though I was on the Vodaphone network for at least some times.)
And the dinc 2, while not LTE, was CDMA/GSM - not just CDMA (yes, the dinc was CDMA-only), so it did accept a SIM card. I'm using that in the GS4 now that it's cut down to micro SIM.
That phone WAS SIM-locked, but VZ happily unlocked it. For the GS4, I didn't have to do anything with VZ to use it off their network.
bickin said:
Is it possible to unlock the Verizon version of the S4? I'm deploying in 4 weeks and would like to use my phone with international carriers. I have an SCH-I545 build and I'm still running on stock. Thanks
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DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO
UNLFOK s4 UK VERSION sorry I'm new to the website
furballbeethoven said:
After a lot of searching, I decided to ask this here:
I have a Verizon S4, but I was wondering if it was actually unlocked out-of-box or if there is something I have to do in order to use it with, for instance, Cricket, or U.S. Cellular. I have done lots of rooting/developing for Android, but have never tried to use an Android phone with a differing carrier. Can anyone help or point me to a thread that helps? (Again, did lots of Googling and XDA-searching)
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Click to collapse
The phone is already unlocked for SIM and other carriers, all you need is the correct APN for the carrier. I currently have T-Mobile on my i545 and everything works on it.

[Q] will selecting cdma from the testing tab make phone work on verizon network

I noticed that if you type *#*#4636#*#* you get a testing screen under phone info you can select your radio type if i change it to CDMA will a verizon sim card work????????????
overboard1978 said:
I noticed that if you type *#*#4636#*#* you get a testing screen under phone info you can select your radio type if i change it to CDMA will a verizon sim card work????????????
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Click to collapse
This is not a CDMA device. I have a Droid X (Verizon). Where is this sim card you speak of? not there.
Close Thread.
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...d=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=328164732792468718&hvpone=
verizon does have sim cards and if you have an atrix go to hiding window there is a choice for cdma all am asking is if it works if any one has and unlocked gsm and a verizon card could they try it. before i buy a card
inside my house verizon is only service that works decent have to go outside to use att phone. turned atrix into wifi phone for that reason but has bad leg so if verizon will work after changing to cdma would consider it
palmbeach05 said:
This is not a CDMA device. I have a Droid X (Verizon). Where is this sim card you speak of? not there.
Close Thread.
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Answered my own question. IEMI filtering will kick the phone and im not going to hack verizons data base to add my iemi to there database.
overboard1978 said:
Answered my own question. IEMI filtering will kick the phone and im not going to hack verizons data base to add my iemi to there database.
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i may not have said it, but yes, that was the one piece of info i did not put into my answer that i was aware of.
Atrix 4G is not a CDMA phone, only GSM.
Also, if you select CDMA the app will crash.
Feche said:
Atrix 4G is not a CDMA phone, only GSM.
Also, if you select CDMA the app will crash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did alittle research and atrix 4g radio is capable of CDMA but all CDMA networks do IMEI filtering there is also a block on turning CDMA on it says sim doesnt allow it so i was wondering if a verizon sim would allow it but doesnt matter if the network boots the phone off anyway so either way its a no go unless someone wants to hack data base on magor networks which isnt worth it and im sure verizon wouldn't be very happy with you as a customer if you did that.
To my knowkedge Verizon uses SIM cards for LTE only, it has nothing to do with normal voice/text operation of the phone.
ravilov said:
To my knowkedge Verizon uses SIM cards for LTE only, it has nothing to do with normal voice/text operation of the phone.
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Click to collapse
exactly, and this is a 3G/hdsupa or whatever the acronym is phone, not a 4G/LTE device.

[Q] unlock verizon Samsung galaxy S4 for straight talk

How do I unlock a Verizon Galaxy S4 to use with Straight Talk?
orgndnr said:
How do I unlock a Verizon Galaxy S4 to use with Straight Talk?
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Click to collapse
It's getting to be time for a sticky about this. Search the forums for "Straight Talk" - using their SIMs is pretty easy.
The Verizon Galaxy S4 is not SIM locked. Install the SIM, set the APN, and done.
k1mu said:
It's getting to be time for a sticky about this. Search the forums for "Straight Talk" - using their SIMs is pretty easy.
The Verizon Galaxy S4 is not SIM locked. Install the SIM, set the APN, and done.
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I have but don't understand. I have zero knowledge/experience.
orgndnr said:
I have but don't understand. I have zero knowledge/experience.
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Click to collapse
I'm not sure how to respond to this, but here's a try.
You change from one carrier (Verizon is a carrier) to another (Straight Talk is another carrier) by removing the Verizon SIM from your phone and installing a Straight Talk SIM into your phone. A "SIM" is a Subscriber Identity Module that tells your phone what carrier to use and what your phone number is.
You asked about unlocking. You don't have to, since the phone will accept a SIM from any carrier.
For data to work, your phone has to be configured to use your new carrier's network. That's configured by setting up the Access Point Name corresponding to that new carrier.
The "Search" suggestion was because there's already an active thread in this forum discussing using Straight Talk on the I545. Since this is not a tutorial site, you should follow that thread and ask questions there.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=50880216
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
k1mu said:
I'm not sure how to respond to this, but here's a try..
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Click to collapse
I couldn't have explained it better myself. Alot of people get so grumpy about "noobs" coming in and asking questions.
+1 to you for not chewing him out for asking a noob question.
At Least he put it in the Q&A section though not in a general or dev. thread right...
orgndnr said:
How do I unlock a Verizon Galaxy S4 to use with Straight Talk?
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Click to collapse
Straight Talk Wireless uses the AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint networks. You want to check with Verizon to see if you can register your phone with Straight Talk using the Verizon network. Just go to the Straight Talk Wireless web site.
You’ll enter your phone’s serial number and your location and check if it is possible to transfer your phone to Straight Talk. I have never used a Verizon phone on Straight Talk. They also use the Sprint network. You might want to confirm with Straight Talk support that they won’t register your phone on the Sprint network. I looked it up, your phone should be a SCH-I545 model, which I doesn’t look like its compatible with Sprint. You can call them and ask.
I’ll also mention that as far as I know the Straight Talk’s Verizon network is 3G only, not 4G LTE. Supposedly, Verizon doesn’t allow any of the prepaid cellular services to use their LTE network. If you get 4G LTE service where you live on Verizon, you may notice a difference in data speeds. If your S4 is still active on Verizon, install the SpeedTest app, and see what types of data speeds you are getting on Verizon.
You don’t need a SIM card to use your phone on Straight Talk. In the US, we use two different cellular technologies: CDMA and GSM. Verizon and Sprint use CDMA. AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM. Since there is not AT&T service where you live it doesn’t matter but If you want to use a Verizon phone on the AT&T or T-Mobile network your phone model needs to be compatible with the network you want to use it on and the phone needs to be SIM unlocked.
You might want to take a look at Verizon prepaid as well.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions or need more help. I’d also love to hear how it works out for you.

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