So I learned the hard way that you can't have it all.
I travel for work quite a bit and I was in the Middle East working when my Verizon S7 Edge started to have problems. I looked for a replacement in Dubai and was happy to find the S9+ at a reasonable price and with the 256GB option (which I wasn't finding in the US). I popped in my Verizon sim and life was good.
Then I returned to the US and. nothing. worked. I had forgotten that Verizon was strictly CDMA in the US and this phone had no CDMA radio.
I also was noticing that the samsung pay app was locked to the UAE version which was annoying but not a huge issue...I couldn't add American Express credit card which may or may not have been due to that region setting.
So in order to actually get service I switched to T-Mobile and have had decent data rates. However the phone doesn't use volte or wifi calling which is very bad since where I am staying is somewhat of a dead spot for mobile coverage. I basically can't receive phone calls here and making a call requires me to wait about a minute for the phone to figure out what protocol to connect to (dowleveling to either a 3g or H to actually connect and dial).
My initial research tells me that I don't want to root the phone and lose all ability to use samsung pay, but I would love to do as much as I can to the phone to get it working as best as possible.
Can someone chime in here to let me know what's possible? I don't want to experiment too much, and it's been rare over the years for me to keep up with all the root/firmware/rom etc. that has become available. My last real era of rooting phones was many years ago with iPhone and even then it was a lot to keep up with.
thanks in advance!
bump.
Anyone?
I had the same issue. I ended up rooting to get TMobile volte/wifi-calling. Also, by rooting you can also use Verizon Wireless; however, only with LTE.
You could use Google Pay lol.
Furthermore, I suck at giving reasons, but that's what I did.
Don't quote me on this, but from what I understand, you can use the patched ODIN and flash the firmware's CSC outside of it's region and change it to XAA. There is also a guide to changing CSC without root that may work as well.
From what I understand, the G965F is unable to load the XAA csc without root since it is only for the Snapdragon version
I ended up using Tekhd's tmobile detonator after I bricked my G965F/DS atleast 3 times. It works great now.
The way to change csc without root is via a combination rom and using Realterm. Using TMB CSC on a global G965F/DS ROM will end up in a PUK code lock. I tried ALL the US CSC on my G965F to confirm this.
Hello everyone,
First i want to thank everyone at XDA Forum community for being a great resource of information and providing great community support.
I purchased Moto G Power 2021 (Android 11), locked to verizon. I am trying to unlock it to be used on other carrier such as tmobile and for traveling. I came across websites that sell the unlock code.
However the problem is when NON-Verzion sim card is inserted in the phone, its does not ask for sim unlock code. Therefore not sure how to carrier unlock the phone.
If someone has insight how to go about network sim unlocking the phone, that will be very helpful and greatly appreciated. thank you
i'm in the same boat
Verizon is a cdma network and boost is a gsm network. The radio files included in your Verizon firmware probably aren't capable of connecting to a gsm network as the two networks operate on different frequencies and I assume employ different connection/communication protocols. You MIGHT could flash the firmware from boost for the same model, but even doing that could be frought with problems like if the boost firmware is older then anti rollback protection wouldn't allow it to boot when flashed, and I'm not sure if the Verizon and boost versions have exactly identical hardware, which could cause massive problems even if it did flash and boot. For example, this model phone has like 3 different touchscreens and using a firmware with the wrong touchscreen drivers would render the touchscreen useless. If you're determined to carrier unlock, be ready to do some serious digging and read everything you possibly can before doing anything that could have irreparable consequences. Best of luck
mine is a cricket, I'm trying to go to T-mobile, same protocol, just don't want to pay the extra $$$
sajk420 said:
Hello everyone,
First i want to thank everyone at XDA Forum community for being a great resource of information and providing great community support.
I purchased Moto G Power 2021 (Android 11), locked to verizon. I am trying to unlock it to be used on other carrier such as tmobile and for traveling. I came across websites that sell the unlock code.
However the problem is when NON-Verzion sim card is inserted in the phone, its does not ask for sim unlock code. Therefore not sure how to carrier unlock the phone.
If someone has insight how to go about network sim unlocking the phone, that will be very helpful and greatly appreciated. thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the model number of it?
I'd imagine you maybe could flash the firmware for the carrier you want to switch to using the fastboot flash method, the rescue tool will only flash your phone's official firmware. But you can download different builds for different carriers off of lolinet and if they don't work you could flash the correct firmware to get back to where you are now. You might flash your official fw with the vendor stuff from the other carrier's rom if flashing the whole firmware doesn't take or isn't compatible in some way.
iBowToAndroid said:
What's the model number of it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello sorry for late reply due to work i been busy.
its Motorola Moto G power (2021) XT2117-3.
Jason Hugg said:
I'd imagine you maybe could flash the firmware for the carrier you want to switch to using the fastboot flash method, the rescue tool will only flash your phone's official firmware. But you can download different builds for different carriers off of lolinet and if they don't work you could flash the correct firmware to get back to where you are now. You might flash your official fw with the vendor stuff from the other carrier's rom if flashing the whole firmware doesn't take or isn't compatible in some way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello thank you for your advice, unfortunately i don't have much experience in flashing different firmware. Also i think it causes too many problems, which are difficult to fix. Therefore i was hoping if there is a way or hidden menu i gotta go into will activate the phone to ask for unlock code when different sim in inserted.
aerowerks said:
mine is a cricket, I'm trying to go to T-mobile, same protocol, just don't want to pay the extra $$$
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tmobile is much cheaper in comparison to other carriers. I think once the phone is unlocked it will work pefectly.
When you insert a non-cricket sim card does your phone ask for network unlock code?
sajk420 said:
Tmobile is much cheaper in comparison to other carriers. I think once the phone is unlocked it will work pefectly.
When you insert a non-cricket sim card does your phone ask for network unlock code?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, it does. it is network locked and "not eligible" for unlocking.
I called Cricket, but they won't unlock it because it hasn't been on their network for the six months they want.
I bought the phone really cheap on ebay for its long battery life., it's damaged (bent as if someone sat on it) but works fine, no cracked screen or anything else. I want to use it on my T-mobile account.
aerowerks said:
yes, it does. it is network locked and "not eligible" for unlocking.
I called Cricket, but they won't unlock it because it hasn't been on their network for the six months they want.
I bought the phone really cheap on ebay for its long battery life., it's damaged (bent as if someone sat on it) but works fine, no cracked screen or anything else. I want to use it on my T-mobile account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have a G Power 2021 from Cricket, then no, your device does NOT ask for an unlock code when you insert a non Cricket SIM
iBowToAndroid said:
If you have a G Power 2021 from Cricket, then no, your device does NOT ask for an unlock code when you insert a non Cricket SIM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it does not ask for a PIN to use it like a tablet.
I need it network unlocked so I can use it with different carrier.
i downloaded the RETUS rom, i'll try to flash it and see what happens
sajk420 said:
Hello thank you for your advice, unfortunately i don't have much experience in flashing different firmware. Also i think it causes too many problems, which are difficult to fix. Therefore i was hoping if there is a way or hidden menu i gotta go into will activate the phone to ask for unlock code when different sim in inserted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe the issue of why it's not asking for unlock code may be two fold. For one, since you mentioned you bought the phone locked to Verizon, was it purchased from them or was this a second hand purchase like ebay/FBMarketplace etc? Because either way you'll have to meet the carrier minimum requirements for unlocking a device, the former scenario of you having bought the device yourself being much easier to deal with than the latter case.
Second, as was mentioned here earlier, you may be dealing with different hardware. I'm not sure if the G Power 2021 all contain the capabilities to run all network frequencies or not. But if it's hardware restricted or dissimilar to other models in kind based on network carriers & OEM agreements, you might not be getting the chance to input an unlock code because the third party SIM inserted may simply have no way of being recognized by the device, either from a software vendor blob limitation, a hardware radio restriction or lack of capable hardware, or both!
I know this is an old one, but was a solution ever found? Currently stuck with Moto G Power 2021 as well, locked to cricket. It doesn't prompt to enter a code either.
scorp006 said:
I know this is an old one, but was a solution ever found? Currently stuck with Moto G Power 2021 as well, locked to cricket. It doesn't prompt to enter a code either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only free solution is to meet all of Cricket's requirements, and have them do it for you. Otherwise a 3rd party company can do it, for a fee
iBowToAndroid said:
Only free solution is to meet all of Cricket's requirements, and have them do it for you. Otherwise a 3rd party company can do it, for a fee
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds better honestly. I'm open to using a 3rd party company, but point me in the right direction if possible. I've been looking, but no idea what service to use if the moto g power isn't asking for a code.
EDIT: Actually, I finally found someone at a reasonable price to do it, and it worked, phone unlocked. They used USB Redirector and did their thing. Took all of 10 minutes. Now I just need to flash a different rom to rid myself of the cricket bloatware.
Have you tried another sim card in your phone, I'm pretty sure these all come unlocked by default. Mine was bought at US Cellular & I'm using a prepaid Verizon service by simply throwing the new sim card in the phone. It works perfectly as it did with US Cellular with no setup or changes required. I believe all moto g power phones do this I had a regular moto g power not 2021 that was on Verizon I switched to straight talk the exact same way.
Matiaco said:
Have you tried another sim card in your phone, I'm pretty sure these all come unlocked by default.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Incorrect.
iBowToAndroid said:
Incorrect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, another random question, but is there no way to update without unlocking the bootloader? LMSA? Just making sure.
I am on red pocket service. I just received an email stating I do not have VOLTE enabled and may lose service. Supposedly, I should be able to enable VOLTE. I reached out to customer service in the past and they stated it is active on their side. Their website says I should be able to see it under settings -> mobile network; but I see not options for VOLTE. I have had **** service the past few months, with texts not being sent despite it showing bars or texts incoming taking a while; I wonder if this is related. Can anyone please help me?
I am on Android 8.0.0
Kernel 4.4.78
Version: US99820h
If it helps, VoLTE plus app says VOLTE is enabled. Do I need to be concerned? Is there any reason my service seems to run like crap? It's red pocket GSM-T. Had many people tell me calling me goes straight to voicemail, I get texts late, for confirmation texts I often have to restart the phone to get the texts to come through... Any fix to this? Should I switch to a different image and go onto a different set of towers/service?
Many V30 phones require the carrier's ROM to operate VOLTE. For example, when I was on Verizon, I had to have VS996 to get VOLTE to work. I also used it on Total Wireless (which is a VZ MVNO) for the same reason.
I'm guessing your GSM-T means you're on TMo, so you may need a TMo ROM to get VOLTE to work. US998 is a world-phone ROM, so it's not carrier specific, which may be why it doesn't work.
As for the general operation, you should be fine on US998 for all other functions... so if you're having issues then there may be something else going on.
You might also just need some updates - 20h is nougat level, which is ancient. You may need to move to Oreo... which worked great for me on my V30 in the past.
schwinn8 said:
Many V30 phones require the carrier's ROM to operate VOLTE. For example, when I was on Verizon, I had to have VS996 to get VOLTE to work. I also used it on Total Wireless (which is a VZ MVNO) for the same reason.
I'm guessing your GSM-T means you're on TMo, so you may need a TMo ROM to get VOLTE to work. US998 is a world-phone ROM, so it's not carrier specific, which may be why it doesn't work.
As for the general operation, you should be fine on US998 for all other functions... so if you're having issues then there may be something else going on.
You might also just need some updates - 20h is nougat level, which is ancient. You may need to move to Oreo... which worked great for me on my V30 in the past.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, do you think I would need switch to a newer ROM, specifically for tmobile? I have been on us998 since buying it, always had some issues with texts coming in late and connectivity (although not as bad as when I had a S5 on Ting's t-mobile network). I had called and been told VOLTE is active with red pocket twice in the past, but despite always being on wifi I've still had people tell me I do not always come in clear when talking on the phone.
Can you point me to a newer ROM you used? I can try updating and messing with the phone later this month.
You can't use my ROM (VS996), as it was for Verizon. I doubt that will work for you. You need to find the proper on for your carrier (TMobile most likely) and see if that fixes the issues. All my ROMs I sourced from this website/forum, so you just need to search the V30 section here.
Note, when switching ROMs, you will need to wipe it so be prepared with backups for your data.
SuperUser1010 said:
So, do you think I would need switch to a newer ROM, specifically for tmobile? I have been on us998 since buying it, always had some issues with texts coming in late and connectivity (although not as bad as when I had a S5 on Ting's t-mobile network). I had called and been told VOLTE is active with red pocket twice in the past, but despite always being on wifi I've still had people tell me I do not always come in clear when talking on the phone.
Can you point me to a newer ROM you used? I can try updating and messing with the phone later this month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just be careful NOT to flash H932 ROM on your device, it will brick your phone.
You could try updating to us998 Pie ROM and see if it helps.
tech_infinity said:
Just be careful NOT to flash H932 ROM on your device, it will brick your phone.
You could try updating to us998 Pie ROM and see if it helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a us998 pie rom you recommend for me to try?
tech_infinity said:
Just be careful NOT to flash H932 ROM on your device, it will brick your phone.
You could try updating to us998 Pie ROM and see if it helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw chazzmatt mention in another thread that when t mobile and sprint merged, VoLTE/VoWiFi calling on US998 firmware phones may have been lost. He suggested that changing to verizon version is a way to fix this. Is this something I may have to do? And is there a guide on how to do it? I only see switching to us998.
And this would this be the rom to flash to for android 9?
[US998][STOCK][PIE]LG V30 US998 US99830b_00_0902.KDZ
RECOVERY TIPS if you get stuck on logo while updating to this wonky US998 Pie. < Please stop asking in Telegram thread or creating new XDA threads when it's right here. We will just direct you back here. OK? ____________ * Do NOT update to Pie...
forum.xda-developers.com
@ChazzMatt is the resident expert, so you can certainly take his advice. I saw that post as well.
Converting to VS996 just means you will use LGUP to flash that ROM over your current one. The end of the WTF post/thread talks about this process as well (be sure to read that post on a computer, as phones often cut-off the bottom).
Note that this will erase your data, so backup/etc as necessary before doing that. My recommendation is to use the last Oreo version of the ROM, as Pie on VS996 had issues last time I had heard... that's the last ROM I used before switching to my other phone.
SuperUser1010 said:
I saw chazzmatt mention in another thread that when t mobile and sprint merged, VoLTE/VoWiFi calling on US998 firmware phones may have been lost. He suggested that changing to verizon version is a way to fix this. Is this something I may have to do? And is there a guide on how to do it? I only see switching to us998.
And this would this be the rom to flash to for android 9?
[US998][STOCK][PIE]LG V30 US998 US99830b_00_0902.KDZ
RECOVERY TIPS if you get stuck on logo while updating to this wonky US998 Pie. < Please stop asking in Telegram thread or creating new XDA threads when it's right here. We will just direct you back here. OK? ____________ * Do NOT update to Pie...
forum.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And in doing so, they still need an already-activated Verizon SIM card or Verizon MVNO SIM card. Verizon won't activate a SIM card with a phone that doesn't have native Verizon IMEI. But you can stick in an already activated SIM card into a v30 with VS996 firmware and it's fine. So whoever does this needs to also have an old Verizon phone for that purpose. Buy some cracked screen Verizon phone off eBay, activate Verizon or Verizon MVNO SIM card, THEN put that SIM card into Frankenstein'ed phone flashed with VS9996 (Verizon) firmware.
ChazzMatt said:
And in doing so, they still need an already-activated Verizon SIM card or Verizon MVNO SIM card. Verizon won't activate a SIM card with a phone that doesn't have native Verizon IMEI. But you can stick in an already activated SIM card into a v30 with VS996 firmware and it's fine. So whoever does this needs to also have an old Verizon phone for that purpose. Buy some cracked screen Verizon phone off eBay, activate Verizon or Verizon MVNO SIM card, THEN put that SIM card into Frankenstein'ed phone flashed with VS9996 (Verizon) firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are phone numbers attached to the sim? So I would have to: obtain verizon sim card, transfer my phone # while activating a plan on it using another phone, then place it into my current phone after flashing it into VS9996 and upgrading it to 9.0?
Yes, the phone number is attached to the SIM card.
Yes, your steps are correct - activate SIM on some other phone, then put it into the VS996.
schwinn8 said:
Yes, the phone number is attached to the SIM card.
Yes, your steps are correct - activate SIM on some other phone, then put it into the VS996.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm, perhaps before I spend money to switch to verizon I should try upgrading from US99820h to US99830b using that thread I posted above? Maybe that will fix things for me. I thought I had fixed something when I updated my redpocket APN point, but I still get random loss of service where I live and work at (despite constant wifi). According to redpocket customer service, being locked into 240 MNC sim card does not change anything compared to 280 MNC.
Perusing the us99830b thread, I saw if I have TWRP installed then I must use johnfawk's image to flash. I cannot "upgrade" and keep all my data using the firmware off LG's website with LGUP. Am I understanding that part correctly? And the TWRP image for me to download is this link? Mirror Link
First, my recommendation is to stay at Oreo (20-series) ROMs. Last I recall, the V30 Pie rom had issues that were never fixed.
Secondly, yes, I don't believe you can upgrade the ROM... you will need to flash the full ROM which would erase things. That being said, since you're already converting between ROMs you will need to wipe the phone anyway, so do all the updates/upgrade BEFORE you install anything else on your phone. And, of course, backup everything you need before doing that...
schwinn8 said:
First, my recommendation is to stay at Oreo (20-series) ROMs. Last I recall, the V30 Pie rom had issues that were never fixed.
Secondly, yes, I don't believe you can upgrade the ROM... you will need to flash the full ROM which would erase things. That being said, since you're already converting between ROMs you will need to wipe the phone anyway, so do all the updates/upgrade BEFORE you install anything else on your phone. And, of course, backup everything you need before doing that...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mentioned before that 20h is nougat level, but my android version says 8.0.0, isn't that oreo already?
Looking at this site: https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-us998-firmwares/
I am already at the latest Oreo software. So, several questions:
1. I could back up all my stuff and risk missing something, but I can also just create a current TWRP image and go back to where I am presently in terms of all my stuff?
2. Should I be trying a https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-vs996-firmwares/ VS99620k version? When I reboot my phone it says it is a LG V30+ThinQ and I vaguely remember the box it came with said LS998 crossed off, with it booting as a US998 phone.
3. I have an old CDMA Galaxy S3 (best phone I've had). Assuming I am able to boot it up, can I buy a verizon MVNO sim card (let's say off of TING), switch my phone # to that and pop it in the S3? Or can I bum someone else' verizon phone and do this, then give the phone back instantly?
4. If a friend has an old verizon sim card, can I use that to utilize either red pocket or ting services?
5. Then, flash this US99820h to VS99620k, swap the sim card out of the S3 into the newly flashed V30?
6. Assuming I do all this and I still see no menu for VOLTE, assuming I still have the same issues of service dropping constantly, any suggestions for moving to a new phone, or what to use to find a new phone? Many new phones seem to have lots of stuff I do not care for (fancy cameras...) and no 3.5mm jack; but I really crave a phone that is functional.
Sorry for lots of questions. But each day this phone is pissing me off more and more and reminding me to do something about it - been busy and have stuff I do not want to risk losing.
I didn't say 20-series was nougat... I said it was Oreo?
1) TWRP will backup everything, so you could use this as a way to "keep safe" what you have now, and maybe you can break into the ZIP and extract things here and there as needed, but I don't think you can use this as a way to restore just your programs/data... it's a whole-image that you need to restore, which includes the OS and such. But if you're already on Oreo, I don't think you need to do any of that?
2) Yes, you can apply VS99620k. I believe that's what I had on my V30 before I left it. I wouldn't pay much attention to the splash screens on bootup... they change between versions but don't really mean/do anything from what I could see. My phone started as US998 (without the "ThinQ" branding) and I believe it showed the ThinQ branding when I was on VS996.
3) Yes, you'll need an activated SIM on VZ to transfer. Yes this is one way to do it. I did something similar with my Droid Turbo. VZ won't activate anything unless the IMEI matches THEIR phone, so this is one way to get that to happen. The trick, today, is that VZ may not activate the old phone because it's not VOLTE capable, so they'll say it's not supported, so that's a risk you should be aware of. For that matter, a newer SIM also may not work on the older phone... I don't know if that's a thing or not.
4) I don't know if MVNOs will let you use VZ SIM cards. Technically, they should be able to, but my guess is they will require their "own" SIM. You'd have to ask the MVNO.
I moved to the Galaxy S10+, which is a similar size phone, has a headphone jack, and is older so it's lower cost (I think I paid $300 about a year or two ago). A few other V30 faithfuls have followed this path as well. I think ChazzMatt went to a Note because that's what ATT gave him to help him transition to a VOLTE-capable phone. I believe he's still using his V30 though.
Newer Galaxy phones lost the headphone jack. I would recommend getting yourself ready for this eventuality... it may mean just getting a dongle, which isn't convenient, or getting bluetooth adapters... but my point is that it's going away whether you like it or not, so start preparing now.
EDIT: I forgot to mention, the S10 is not rootable (at least with Snapdragon). Exynos can be rooted, but I don't know how usable those are in the USA. That's another thing you may need to get used to - not being able to root/ROM. IMO, it's not necessary anymore, and I have given up on it on my phones... and I haven't missed it AT ALL. But I know some have gotten into heated arguments with me over that... one I recall was particularly nonsensical, but whatever. If I could root, I would do that... but I don't see it as a requirement anymore.
SuperUser1010 said:
Hmmm, perhaps before I spend money to switch to verizon I should try upgrading from US99820h to US99830b using that thread I posted above? Maybe that will fix things for me. I thought I had fixed something when I updated my redpocket APN point, but I still get random loss of service where I live and work at (despite constant wifi). According to redpocket customer service, being locked into 240 MNC sim card does not change anything compared to 280 MNC.
Perusing the us99830b thread, I saw if I have TWRP installed then I must use johnfawk's image to flash. I cannot "upgrade" and keep all my data using the firmware off LG's website with LGUP. Am I understanding that part correctly? And the TWRP image for me to download is this link? Mirror Link
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As @schwinn8 recommends staying on Oreo, I also concur.
1) If you have TWRP, just flash the Verizon last Oreo by John Fawkes. See link below.
LG V30 Verizon VS996-20k ROM
Working downlink mirror: VS996 20K Verizon TWRP-flashable ZIP
2) If you don't have TWRP installed -- for people who are not bootloader unlocked -- then you would flash full stock ROM VS996 20K "KDZ" file from US998. See top post in this thread. (For those who are still bootloader locked, the stock Verizon ROMs and US998 ROMs are the only ones for North America variants which are safely fully cross flashable without first having to go through the "Frankentein" conversion "Nougat" stage.)
As for spending money on Verizon to get VOLTE, there are several Verizon MVNOs that are less expensive than Verizon proper and will still do the trick. Both Visible and Total Wireless are even owned by Verizon, like Cricket is owned by AT&T.
RedPocket also offers Verizon-network SIM cards. They are also a Verizon MVNO. Which carrier service are you using with your RedPocket? They offer choice of AT&T (most common), T-Mobile and Verizon. I searched your posts in this thread and you don't say which you have -- so I assume the AT&T-linked SIM card? If you flash the last Oreo TWRP-flashable zip for Verizon, and you want to keep RedPocket, just have them ship you the Verizon-linked SIM card. You should then have VoLTE.
NOTE: You would still need to use an old Verizon phone to activate that SIM card, but then you could put it into your "VS996". I'm only suggesting a way to not have to actually switch to Verizon, you can still use Redpocket but have them send you a Verizon linked SIM once you are on Verizon firmware.
ChazzMatt said:
As for spending money on Verizon to get VOLTE, there are several Verizon MVNOs that are less expensive than Verizon proper and will still do the trick. Both Visible and Total Wireless are even owned by Verizon, like Cricket is owned by AT&T.
RedPocket also offers Verizon-network SIM cards. They are also a Verizon MVNO. Which carrier service are you using with your RedPocket? They offer choice of AT&T (most common), T-Mobile and Verizon. I searched your posts in this thread and you don't say which you have -- so I assume the AT&T-linked SIM card? If you flash the last Oreo TWRP-flashable zip for Verizon, and you want to keep RedPocket, just have them ship you the Verizon-linked SIM card. You should then have VoLTE.
NOTE: You would still need to use an old Verizon phone to activate that SIM card, but then you could put it into your "VS996". I'm only suggesting a way to not have to actually switch to Verizon, you can still use Redpocket but have them send you a Verizon linked SIM once you are on Verizon firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it, if flashing is all I have to do, this will be simple.
I was not clear, I did mean verizon MVNOs, meant more verizon in broader sense: CDMA. I am currently on red pocket T mobile. I was previously on Ting. Had similar issues on both with randomly losing service. It was bearable, but since 3G shutdown timeframe, this became a larger and more frequent issue. Currently, if I turn on data, I get Edge service (I read this is 2g?), otherwise when I am having a texting conversation, I am regularly losing service completely and do not have strong service in places where other Tmobile users have regular service.
On another note, I am looking to swap from red pocket; I spoke to customer service about call records, was told several times they would be sent to me, never received anything. Red pocket prices are hard to beat though.
I impulse bought a pixel 7 unlocked too (there were some incentives that were hard to resist). So, I will probably swap to that phone while holding onto this one and tinkering to see if it was a phone issue, US998 issue, SIM issue, service issue... then give the phone to family in a year or so.