I read a few threads and am confused, so I thought I would just ask. I have a few 4G LTE devices for Verizon and am ready to switch to AT&T. Let's just say that Verizon and I had an argument and it is time to switch. Plus I would be saving over $50 to switch to AT&T with a month to month with a BYOP plan.
I visited the AT&T store today and had them insert a SIM into my S4. I get the error "This SIM card is from an unknown source" in the banner. I get a signal strength and a H for where the data symbol 4GLTE is. Then it drops the signal and refuses to have a data connection. At this time the APN settings were NOT adjusted. This was a straight out of the box S4 rooted on NC5 with Android version 4.4.2. After messing with the S4 for awhile he moved to the S3 and entered the proper APN settings. It pulled data, but only at EDGE speeds or 1X. Also, my last device, a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, has no way of editing the APN settings. It is NOT rooted and is still on stock firmware.
My questions are these:
1. Can this be done?
2. What do I need to do to the phone(s)/tablet to make it work?
3. Will I be able to get 4G speeds?
I do not want to purchase phones with AT&T today because I just don't have the money. I already have these devices, I just want to swap them over. I am comfortable with flashing using ODIN and even so far as using safe-strap. I have flashed some custom roms, but my phone is a daily grind phone and I really want something that works 90% of the time.
Thanks in advance for any help!
EDIT:
None of the codes work either:
*#0*#
*#06#
ECT...
ghost0001 said:
I read a few threads and am confused, so I thought I would just ask. I have a few 4G LTE devices for Verizon and am ready to switch to AT&T. Let's just say that Verizon and I had an argument and it is time to switch. Plus I would be saving over $50 to switch to AT&T with a month to month with a BYOP plan.
I visited the AT&T store today and had them insert a SIM into my S4. I get the error "This SIM card is from an unknown source" in the banner. I get a signal strength and a H for where the data symbol 4GLTE is. Then it drops the signal and refuses to have a data connection. At this time the APN settings were NOT adjusted. This was a straight out of the box S4 rooted on NC5 with Android version 4.4.2. After messing with the S4 for awhile he moved to the S3 and entered the proper APN settings. It pulled data, but only at EDGE speeds or 1X. Also, my last device, a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, has no way of editing the APN settings. It is NOT rooted and is still on stock firmware.
My questions are these:
1. Can this be done?
2. What do I need to do to the phone(s)/tablet to make it work?
3. Will I be able to get 4G speeds?
I do not want to purchase phones with AT&T today because I just don't have the money. I already have these devices, I just want to swap them over. I am comfortable with flashing using ODIN and even so far as using safe-strap. I have flashed some custom roms, but my phone is a daily grind phone and I really want something that works 90% of the time.
Thanks in advance for any help!
EDIT:
None of the codes work either:
*#0*#
*#06#
ECT...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already answered in another thread.
k1mu said:
Already answered in another thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool beans, but I have read about 20 threads, specifically what one are you referencing? Link please?
ghost0001 said:
Cool beans, but I have read about 20 threads, specifically what one are you referencing? Link please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was an answer to this same question asked by you. This thread is redundant.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-verizon/help/verizon-to-att-t2801297
k1mu said:
It was an answer to this same question asked by you. This thread is redundant.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-verizon/help/verizon-to-att-t2801297
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That thread just asks if the SIM card would work and if they would need to flash a GSM ROM to their S4. That thread does not answer the questions I asked. I just gave my insight after a visit with the AT&T store. Store techs tend to not know as much as the XDA community. That is why I asked here. So no, it is not a redundant thread. I appreciate your answer, but it isn't what I am looking for. Not a straight up yes or no, this or that.
As for the GSM locks I discussed, it was from an experience I had with a Motorola Droid 2 and using it on a local GSM provider in the USA. So yes, that was pre LTE.
ghost0001 said:
That thread just asks if the SIM card would work and if they would need to flash a GSM ROM to their S4. That thread does not answer the questions I asked. I just gave my insight after a visit with the AT&T store. Store techs tend to not know as much as the XDA community. That is why I asked here. So no, it is not a redundant thread. I appreciate your answer, but it isn't what I am looking for. Not a straight up yes or no, this or that.
As for the GSM locks I discussed, it was from an experience I had with a Motorola Droid 2 and using it on a local GSM provider in the USA. So yes, that was pre LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My point, which you apparently missed, is that there is no reason for starting up yet another thread to ask questions that have already been answered. That''s why I said that this is redundant.
OK, let me answer your questions.
1. Can this be done?
Yes, you can install an AT&T SIM, set up the APN, and it will work. What bands you get and what bandwidth you get depends on what bands AT&T are using in your area. You won't likely be able to get LTE speed; most likely just Edge. You can't fix that, as it's a limitation of the phone's radio hardware. Again, some people have made claims that you can flash the AT&T GS4 modem on a Verizon phone and change that, but that's pretty risky as it will likely brick your phone.
2. What do I need to do to the phone(s)/tablet to make it work?
It works, for some level of "work". If you're stock,some people have reported that the firmware requires CDMA for some functions, like SMS. I haven't verified that. I was able to send SMS with my phone and a UK SIM which uses the AT&T network.
3. Will I be able to get 4G speeds?
Not likely. For example, see here http://phandroid.com/2012/12/10/nexus-4-att-lte/ - the common band, LTE Band 4, has limited AT&T coverage.
I haven't gone over the specs of the two phones lately to match them up, so that may be worth looking at again.
k1mu said:
My point, which you apparently missed, is that there is no reason for starting up yet another thread to ask questions that have already been answered. That''s why I said that this is redundant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your answer. I decided to trade the phones into AT&T and get a credit towards a Samsung S4 and a Asus Padphone X. After I read a few more posts over the internet and a few more hours figuring out how LTE works I came across the answer. I did miss what you meant and I apologize. Again, thank you for your answer.
Related
I have been around the forum for many years now, but am new to Android. I purchased a GT-i9100 in India for work travel between US and there. I have rooted and upgraded to 2.3.4, and applied a new kernel to remove the exclamation point. So, with that said, here is my question:
I am in the US right now, and in an area supported by T Mobile HSPA, but the phone will only connect to Edge. I am PRETTY sure it was only connecting to Edge before I did the work, but I cannot be sure. Would there be anything I did to the phone that would prevent it from getting onto the "4G" network? Is there anything I need to do now to change so it can connect?
I am not sure if this is related either, but I have a Verizon LTE data card, and if I place that SIM in the GT-i9100, it won't recognize it at all. It seems to only see T Mobile and ATT in the US.
I have spoken to T Mobile and they confirmed the 4g availability where I am, and they also reset my network connection, so the issue does not appear to be on my account or with TMobile.
Sorry for the long post, but I have been searching around and can't seem to get my small mind around resolution.
The SGS2 does not work with T-Mobile's 4G bands here in the US. If you want 4G you'll need AT&T.
dvinnola said:
Sorry for the long post, but I have been searching around and can't seem to get my small mind around resolution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because there is no resolution. As stated in several other threads on these forums (learn to do a search, and there's even one on the main page of Q/A right now) THERE IS NO WAY to get 3G on T-Mobile. The hardware in the phone does not support their 1700MHZ band.
Your 2 options:
1. Buy a T-Mobile phone
2. Switch to AT&T
I've done some research on the topic but am having a hard time finding a definative answer on the topic.
I bought my phone thru Verizon (paid in full) intially to ensure I would keep my unlimited data plan. Since this purchase I've discovered that T-Mobile has s $30/mo plan that fits my lifestyle just fine. My intent is to sell my plan (craigslist/ebay/etc) to get out of our contract and make some $$$ on the side.
When I bought this phone 1 of the major draws I saw was that, even though it's a Verizon phone, it wasGSM compatible. I've read plenty of posts about users throwing in a ATT sim card and being good to go. On the tmobile side of things, the results aren't as clear.
So.... Long story short, I'm looking for a definative answer if the Verizon GS4 will fully work on T-Mobile's GSM network and if so, where might one find some guidance on what I need to do if there are any necessary steps involved.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Plain and simple... No, the Verizon GS4 will not work on Tmobile. Verizon is cdma and tmobile is gsm. It will not work
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
teqknique said:
I've done some research on the topic but am having a hard time finding a definative answer on the topic.
I bought my phone thru Verizon (paid in full) intially to ensure I would keep my unlimited data plan. Since this purchase I've discovered that T-Mobile has s $30/mo plan that fits my lifestyle just fine. My intent is to sell my plan (craigslist/ebay/etc) to get out of our contract and make some $$$ on the side.
When I bought this phone 1 of the major draws I saw was that, even though it's a Verizon phone, it wasGSM compatible. I've read plenty of posts about users throwing in a ATT sim card and being good to go. On the tmobile side of things, the results aren't as clear.
So.... Long story short, I'm looking for a definative answer if the Verizon GS4 will fully work on T-Mobile's GSM network and if so, where might one find some guidance on what I need to do if there are any necessary steps involved.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a VZW customer and I work at T-Mobile. I've tried popping in my manager's T-Mobile micro sim-card into my VZW S4. The voice service worked flawlessly but there was neither 3G nor 4G connectivity. No idea why.
jkuczy16 said:
Plain and simple... No, the Verizon GS4 will not work on Tmobile. Verizon is cdma and tmobile is gsm. It will not work
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WRONG! I'm using a Verizon GS4 on AT&T HSPA+ right now.
izgil82 said:
I'm a VZW customer and I work at T-Mobile. I've tried popping in my manager's T-Mobile micro sim-card into my VZW S4. The voice service worked flawlessly but there was neither 3G nor 4G connectivity. No idea why.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you change the APN's?
T-Mobile is NOT GSM. The only way would be change the apn settings to see if it will work.
Okay I guess I made a mistake, sorry for causing any confusion. Guess you really do learn something new everyday lol
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
sk337sk337 said:
WRONG! I'm using a Verizon GS4 on AT&T HSPA+ right now.
Did you change the APN's?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I read Verizon S4 will work with AT&T H+, but not T-mobile.. they only get edge even with the APN changed
TheAxman said:
T-Mobile is NOT GSM. The only way would be change the apn settings to see if it will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wait what? T-mobile is gsm..
TheAxman said:
T-Mobile is NOT GSM. The only way would be change the apn settings to see if it will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah they are GSM
Sent from my LG-P880 using Tapatalk 2
So I am right about tmobile being gsm
Sent from my DROID RAZR
These questions are tricky. Work!? You have to define that word before you get your answer. Voice works and so as data IF you add APN manually (or if it comes automatically from T-Mo). Now by data you mean 2G(EDGE)? 3G(HSPA)? 4G(LTE)? It also depends on whether you are in an area where T-Mo has re-farmed 1900 HSPA. If you are in one of these areas then you got 3G for data. If not, 2G for you. No 4G anywhere for this phone on T-Mo.
teqknique said:
I've done some research on the topic but am having a hard time finding a definative answer on the topic.
I bought my phone thru Verizon (paid in full) intially to ensure I would keep my unlimited data plan. Since this purchase I've discovered that T-Mobile has s $30/mo plan that fits my lifestyle just fine. My intent is to sell my plan (craigslist/ebay/etc) to get out of our contract and make some $$$ on the side.
When I bought this phone 1 of the major draws I saw was that, even though it's a Verizon phone, it wasGSM compatible. I've read plenty of posts about users throwing in a ATT sim card and being good to go. On the tmobile side of things, the results aren't as clear.
So.... Long story short, I'm looking for a definative answer if the Verizon GS4 will fully work on T-Mobile's GSM network and if so, where might one find some guidance on what I need to do if there are any necessary steps involved.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is %100 possible. It's involved...to the extent that it might not be for those who aren't willing to turn their phone into a PDA.
In this post I explain (condescendingly, because some guy was so sure it wasn't possible) that phones nowadays are capable of multiband...because it's just not cost effective for manufacturers to produce one phone for CDMA, then one for GSM, one for LTE, one for AWS bands, etc etc...you get the picture. If you look up the specs of the chips in the S4 (probably the same across the carriers) you'll see that it's a pentaband phone.
Short story long...I come from a time where there wasn't a "It's not possible"...my job bought me a VZ S4 which I plan on using with my Tmobile simcard...because I don't feel like carrying a Nexus 4 AND an S4...I'll post my progress in the forums for all to benefit from. Until then...
I only tested it for a few minutes.... but I did get lte on it but not sure about aws... on T-Mobile. Sorry I couldn't do a more extensive experiment.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Yes it is possible. And it is actually not that much work.
#1 be rooted
#2 put in tmobile sim and restart phone (cant change apn with vzw sim)
#3 change the apn settings for voice and data to t mobile (google it)
I have been using a verizon i545 S4 on tmobile for 3 weeks now. I have voice text and 4g h+ data.
The S4 is global, even if verizon tries to lock it down.
justda said:
Yes it is possible. And it is actually not that much work.
#1 be rooted
#2 put in tmobile sim and restart phone (cant change apn with vzw sim)
#3 change the apn settings for voice and data to t mobile (google it)
I have been using a verizon i545 S4 on tmobile for 3 weeks now. I have voice text and 4g h+ data.
The S4 is global, even if verizon tries to lock it down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how are you getting 4g? I'm only getting 2g ;-; i'v ebeen asking everywhere but everybody seems to think it cant be done i guess? I just get ignored by the usually helpful community.
I am also on hyperdrive, have you looked at their coverage map? And what apn are you using tmobile has 3. Standard phones, smart phones, and I believe one for hipsters aka apple? The proper apn starts with fast. (Its 645 in the morning google it yourself)
Another thing to consider, you might be getting 4g or h what ever, t mobile is half as fast as verizon. I had to use xposed framework to turn on the proper icons.
The steps I posted are all I did, other than being on hyperdrivre rom. Try setting to gsm as your preffered network?
Im sorry people have ignored this and claim its impossible, the tmobile guy in store actually got his manager to come use my phone after I got it working in front of him in store. The store manager told the employee I must be some super hacker and this isnt possible for normal people. All i did was imout the apn and the sim nothing crazy.
justda said:
Yes it is possible. And it is actually not that much work.
#1 be rooted
#2 put in tmobile sim and restart phone (cant change apn with vzw sim)
#3 change the apn settings for voice and data to t mobile (google it)
I have been using a verizon i545 S4 on tmobile for 3 weeks now. I have voice text and 4g h+ data.
The S4 is global, even if verizon tries to lock it down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will this always work with straight talk... I am now rooted
silentshadow310 said:
Will this always work with straight talk... I am now rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is already a guide for straight talk here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2672843
Drake9897 said:
how are you getting 4g? I'm only getting 2g ;-; i'v ebeen asking everywhere but everybody seems to think it cant be done i guess? I just get ignored by the usually helpful community.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I have been out of the loop for a while with work and such... Did you ever get your 4G or LTE to work properly?
silentshadow310 said:
Will this always work with straight talk... I am now rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What this guy said above this comment. I know nothing about straight talk, and someone already wrote a guide on how to do it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2672843:good:
So I looked around the threads on both Verizon, and Sprints side of the fences for an answer to this question and couldn't find any thing.
I have a Verizon Galaxy S3, and my contract with Verizon recently came to a close. I want to switch to sprint due to pricing and other options, but I don't have the money to drop on a new phone at the time, so I have been looking into unlocking the phone to work with Sprint, however I haven't much of luck...
That's when I came to XDA. While I was looking around the forum, I got to thinking.
Is there any possible way that I could take the Sprint version of the Samsung Galaxy S3's ROM, and load it onto my Verizon Galaxy? And has anyone tried this yet?
It's essentially the same hardware, right? To the best of my understanding, the only difference in the phones would be software related according to the carrier.
I am really struggling with this one, and I have witnessed the vast knowledge and great work by this forum before, so I am hoping I'll be able to find the help I need.
-Mortem Obrie
Verizon and Sprint do use the same cdma networks but will not activate each others devices on their network so the answer is no I do not think this is going to be possible for you.
alekurkudi said:
Verizon and Sprint do use the same cdma networks but will not activate each others devices on their network so the answer is no I do not think this is going to be possible for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I did talk to Sprint, and Sprint said they would be willing to activate an unlocked Galaxy. It's just the unlocking process that I am unsure of.
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?
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have but don't understand. I have zero knowledge/experience.
orgndnr said:
I have but don't understand. I have zero knowledge/experience.
Click to expand...
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..
Click to expand...
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?
Click to expand...
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.
I'm overseas right now and I got a SIM card from work and slid it in to my VZW S4. I'm assuming I should have at least got a couple signal bars in the notification bar, as I have another phone with full signal sitting next to me. Also the SIM made a call from a GSM Galaxy note right before I put it in my phone.
With just the Cyta SIM in I get a message (that cannot be dismissed):
Phone activation
This SIM card is from an unknown source.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After changing my network mode to Global and adding the APN according to THIS, I am still not showing any signal bars. I was able to pull up a couple networks in the Network Operators menu, one being Cyta-Vodaphone but still no bars and no connection.
The phone is rooted and on 4.4.2.
Am I missing something?
QUESTION kind of related to the question below.
Hey Guys... If anyone is online, please reply.
I was wondering if there was a way to get the Verizon GS4 to be able
to work on the Metro PCS servers and towers. I know that they have
different types of network bands, but I was just trying to make sure
if there was any way to get the phone to work on that network with
a flashable something in ODIN. My Verizon GS4 is rooted and on the
ROM called Hyperdrive.
Any replies are welcomed. And for the question above, I'm sorry i do not
have an answer for you.
thepianoman77 said:
Hey Guys... If anyone is online, please reply.
I was wondering if there was a way to get the Verizon GS4 to be able
to work on the Metro PCS servers and towers. I know that they have
different types of network bands, but I was just trying to make sure
if there was any way to get the phone to work on that network with
a flashable something in ODIN. My Verizon GS4 is rooted and on the
ROM called Hyperdrive.
Any replies are welcomed. And for the question above, I'm sorry i do not
have an answer for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you might be able to get some 3g but i doubt any 4g