I switched my sprint s8+ to metropcs which is a prepaid plan running under the tmobile network.
I lost features such as wificalling and LTE calling. Metropcs does offer wifi calling, but the option completely disappeared from my phone.
Also, how do I check if I have the updated software version. What should it be? I had to factor reset my phone so I am not sure if it's running the original android software now.
Any ideas? Would the best thing to do involve just flashing tmobile firmware over my phone? If so, how?
Thank you.
Related
I just bought a brand new Verizon S4 that has never been activated on Verizon for $125. I am trying to get it working with a prepaid carrier in the US. I have been reading that it can be done with T-Mobile and ATT but am not sure where to start with this thing. For starters, the Android OS version is 4.3. I know there is an update out for it through Verizon. I can't do the update OTA with no Verizon service. I'd like to get this thing as close to stock Android/Samsung as possible and kill all the Verizon BS and then get it working on StraightTalk, Cricket, SIMple Mobile, or MetroPCS. Can anyone give me a good place to start or any tips. I've flashed ROMs before, changed PRLs, etc, so I'm no dummy when it comes to this stuff. The terminology/technology has changed some since I was messing with Boost Mobile phones. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
wemis said:
I just bought a brand new Verizon S4 that has never been activated on Verizon for $125. I am trying to get it working with a prepaid carrier in the US. I have been reading that it can be done with T-Mobile and ATT but am not sure where to start with this thing. For starters, the Android OS version is 4.3. I know there is an update out for it through Verizon. I can't do the update OTA with no Verizon service. I'd like to get this thing as close to stock Android/Samsung as possible and kill all the Verizon BS and then get it working on StraightTalk, Cricket, SIMple Mobile, or MetroPCS. Can anyone give me a good place to start or any tips. I've flashed ROMs before, changed PRLs, etc, so I'm no dummy when it comes to this stuff. The terminology/technology has changed some since I was messing with Boost Mobile phones. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try searching.
You will need to ODIN to 4.4.2.
You will then need to root with "towelroot".
The phone should work with most any GSM carrier with the right setting. (T-Mobile, AT&T and Metro GSM).
Which will give you LTE, I can't answer.
tech_head said:
Try searching.
You will need to ODIN to 4.4.2.
You will then need to root with "towelroot".
The phone should work with most any GSM carrier with the right setting. (T-Mobile, AT&T and Metro GSM).
Which will give you LTE, I can't answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used ODIN before when working with my Samsung Galaxy Prevail through Boost Mobile so I'm sure I can figure it out. Thanks for the info. I tried searching and found all kinds of different terminology such as SafeStrap and talking about the different bootloaders. It's a little overwhelming, but I'm sure I can figure it out. I did all of my original stuff through AndroidForums and there as a root section with all kinds of guides, FAQs, etc. Is there a beginners guide or FAQ for the Verizon S4?
I have read where I need to change the APN settings to get HSPA+ or 4G LTE with the different GSM carriers. It seems like HSPA+ is the best I'll get and that's through ATT. I'll keep digging! Thanks!
So I had my s9 repaired by Samsung, sent it in and once I got it back the phone was factory reset to Sprint. With all the bloatware. I've tried installing the T-mobile firmware but nothing happen still have all the sprint stuff. I don't have Wifi Calling or Roaming Option anymore.
Build #: G965USQS3ARG8
OK, so I was with T-Mobile forever, and I bought this phone from them at launch. I decided to switch over to MetroPCS by T-Mobile because it's cheaper, so I paid off my phone then unlocked it (Even though I didn't need too, the Metro SIM worked in it before I unlocked it).
It worked fine for two weeks, and I had WiFi calling and everything, and then the RJ5 (I believe?) update came out, and when my phone booted up it said new sim detected, and WiFi calling was gone. My APN settings were set to MetroPCS', so I set it back to the T-Mobile one since it's essentially the same network, but the WiFi calling option is *completely* gone; it's not there, trust me. I call MetroPCS support and they said they can't enable it for devices that weren't bought from them, and I tried to argue like sure you can, send it up to a higher level support team, but I could hardly understand her and gave up.
I went into a MetroPCS store and they had a spare T-Mobile SIM, popped it in, boom WiFi calling was back.
Come OneUI Pie update one, I opt in and update, and voila, WiFi calling is back!
I just downloaded the second update last night, and now it's gone again. This **** is driving me crazy, if anyone can help me figure out a way to fix this I will love you forever.
Wow, that was a gripping good yarn! I think there's a good chance that if you switch to the unlocked G965U1 firmware, it might work. I have an unlocked Verizon S9+ running on TMO, and once I flashed it to U1, wifi calling and volte worked automatically. I'm not positive how it will be with Metro but it is worth looking into. When you flash the collect unlocked firmware, when the phone boots up it will detect your sim and then reboot and configure all the settings for you.
P.S. I don't suppose there's Metro firmware out there?
I don't think there's Metro firmware, because my updates still come from T-Mobile. T-Mobile owns Metro. So what you're saying is flash the firmware via Odin and my phone would be like truly unlocked and I would get updates from Samsung rather than T-Mobile? I don't want to go through all this if it isn't a a certain fix, but sadly there's no way to tell that.
YrrchSebor said:
Wow, that was a gripping good yarn! I think there's a good chance that if you switch to the unlocked G965U1 firmware, it might work. I have an unlocked Verizon S9+ running on TMO, and once I flashed it to U1, wifi calling and volte worked automatically. I'm not positive how it will be with Metro but it is worth looking into. When you flash the collect unlocked firmware, when the phone boots up it will detect your sim and then reboot and configure all the settings for you.
P.S. I don't suppose there's Metro firmware out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think there's Metro firmware, because my updates still come from T-Mobile. T-Mobile owns Metro. So what you're saying is flash the firmware via Odin and my phone would be like truly unlocked and I would get updates from Samsung rather than T-Mobile? I don't want to go through all this if it isn't a a certain fix, but sadly there's no way to tell that.
For some carriers, the Wifi calling requires the phone to have carrier firmware. Verizon is one. I bought my 9+ from Samsung unlocked, and it didn't have wifi calling on Verizon until I reflashed the phone (using Patched ODIN) to a Verizon firmware and Wifi calling works... as does the Verizon bloat, but most of that can be disabled with Package Disabler pro or similar app.
creedicd said:
For some carriers, the Wifi calling requires the phone to have carrier firmware. Verizon is one. I bought my 9+ from Samsung unlocked, and it didn't have wifi calling on Verizon until I reflashed the phone (using Patched ODIN) to a Verizon firmware and Wifi calling works... as does the Verizon bloat, but most of that can be disabled with Package Disabler pro or similar app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think MetroPCS has it's own firmware for the s9+. Plus, they're owned by T-Mobile now. The plan I'm on is called MetroPCS by T-Mobile lol. This is driving me nuts.
C-4Nati said:
I don't think MetroPCS has it's own firmware for the s9+. Plus, they're owned by T-Mobile now. The plan I'm on is called MetroPCS by T-Mobile lol. This is driving me nuts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of curiosity I read around a little bit and it seems to be really hit and miss, which definitely seems to match up with your experience. I did find this post on Reddit from someone saying they got Wi-Fi calling to work with a Metro Sim: https://www.reddit.com/r/tmobile/co...g_volte_not_working_with_metropcs_sim/cymnvhf
Have you come across that, tried any of that?
YrrchSebor said:
Out of curiosity I read around a little bit and it seems to be really hit and miss, which definitely seems to match up with your experience. I did find this post on Reddit from someone saying they got Wi-Fi calling to work with a Metro Sim: https://www.reddit.com/r/tmobile/co...g_volte_not_working_with_metropcs_sim/cymnvhf
Have you come across that, tried any of that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not, thanks for the link, I shall try that. Funnily enough, there was a hotfix pushed out last night and WiFi calling not working was on that list. I now have the WiFi calling icon in the notification bar, and it shows like it's on, but it doesn't actually work, and me pressing it does nothing. The setting itself still isn't in connections or anywhere in the settings. This is so dumb, lol.
My son has an S9+ G9560 on my ATT plan. He had to get a new SIMM. After getting the new simm he can''t get connection for calls or text or data.
He is in Texas, I'm not.
He was told by ATT, I have no idea how good the rep was, that ATT is no longer compatible with the international unlocked phone.
He has no experience with flashing anything with a phone. His software version is g9650zhu9FUE3, with a May 1 patch.
Broadband version g9650ZCU9FUE3.
Any ideas on what to do? Or is the ATT rep correct?
Thanks,
Have him call AT&T advance tech support, see if they will help.
Or have him go to a Best Buy, Samsung Experience center. They can flash stock roms.
Not sure if they will though because it's not what it was loaded with... they are sort of pricks.
Or maybe they can sort out the sim card issue.
Since the Galaxy S6 Edge days I've been getting AT&T branded Samsung phones. This time around due to initial perks of a trade in were better for the unlocked version of S23U, I went ahead and pre-ordered the unlocked version. Are there any drawbacks anyone has experienced with the unlocked version that would warrant me to cancel the order? Are there any AT&T features such as visual voicemail, personal hotspot or HD voice that isn't compatible with the unlocked, non carrier version? Any help would be appreciated as i believe I can still cancel the order.
Thank you.
With an unlocked phone, you cant call. But if you add a sim card into it you can do anything such as mobile data, call, hotspot, etc. An unlocked phone can work on any carrier. But it is still the same thing as an at&t version unless you add the sim card in it.
So I assumed if i insert my AT&T simcard it'll work just like an AT&T phone?
AeroSatan said:
So I assumed if i insert my AT&T simcard it'll work just like an AT&T phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I have done for every phone I have had since the S7 Edge on T-Mobile. Still using the same simcard since I started out with the (S7 Edge), then Note 8, S20U, S22U and now S23U and has worked fine with T-Mobile but without the carrier bloat. The only downside is Unlocked versions always get the updates last.
You can always flash U (carrier firmware) that is bit different from from U1 (factory unlocked) firmware. This way you'll get exactly the same experience as for the phone of any carrier directly. You can always switch back and forth with data wipe.
AeroSatan said:
So I assumed if i insert my AT&T simcard it'll work just like an AT&T phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes. and sorry for the late reply.
irshansk said:
You can always flash U (carrier firmware) that is bit different from from U1 (factory unlocked) firmware. This way you'll get exactly the same experience as for the phone of any carrier directly. You can always switch back and forth with data wipe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First time Sammy user here, so possibly a stupid question but... from my search it appears that other than carrier bloatware you don't loose anything by going to U1 firmware and possibly gain faster updates. Is that a correct? Seems to be the case for WiFi calling but what about ATT wifi hotspots for example?
Unlocked phones were useful for sticking local SIMs in them for international travel but with the new international plans pricing is actually reasonable so it is not worth the hassle.
AeroSatan said:
Since the Galaxy S6 Edge days I've been getting AT&T branded Samsung phones. This time around due to initial perks of a trade in were better for the unlocked version of S23U, I went ahead and pre-ordered the unlocked version. Are there any drawbacks anyone has experienced with the unlocked version that would warrant me to cancel the order? Are there any AT&T features such as visual voicemail, personal hotspot or HD voice that isn't compatible with the unlocked, non carrier version? Any help would be appreciated as i believe I can still cancel the order.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was in the same situation as you, and ordered the Unlocked version this time instead of the AT&T version. I am happy to report that everything is working. Visual Voicemail (Samsungs App), Personal Hotspot (aka Mobile Hotspot), HD Voice (VoLTE), and WiFi Calling.