I currently have a photon, and one great convenience of the phone is that when I travel I just buy a local SIM and pop it in. But Sprint has been making that more difficult. The Photon Q didn't even have a removeable SIM, and I've read that the Sprint version of the HTC One needs to be unlocked by Sprint, and it's a nuisance to get them to do that. (and they don't always succeed with the first try, and...)
Does anyone know the status of this phone with regards to using a local SIM overseas?
you have to have sprint unlock it and it depends on some "qualifications" from them based on who you talk to and what your account looks like. The sim card used in the gs4 is so we can have lte.(just a reminder, wont need this over seas) but essentially you should be able to pull it off as long as you plan for it.
So theoretically it should work. But it didn't for me.
- Before leaving the US, I called sprint and asked them to unlock the phone
- They said they would
- I got an email saying the phone was unlocked
- I called sprint, asked "Is there a way for me to confirm it's unlocked?". They said no, trust the email.
- I traveled to Hungary.
- Got a Tmobile SIM. Inserted, got "Invalid SIM" message
- Called Sprint tech support- they were completely unhelpful. Blamed T-Mobile
- Went to Vodafone and tried a SIM here (the agent even pulled a 2nd out of his personal phone). Neither worked, I just got the "Invalid SIM" message
- Called sprint again. Unhelpful. Blamed the foreign SIMs
- Friend arrived in Hungary w/ an unlocked iphone. The Hungarian T-Mobile SIM worked instantly.
- Called sprint again- still blamed the foriegn SIMs. "It shows as unlocked on my screen!"
By the way, I was able to hit the "UICC Unlock" in my phone's settings. Didn't help.
So- I'm a sample size of 1- but don't count on it working. Bring a backup phone if you've got one, and/or be prepared to buy a burner.
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Consigliere2 said:
So theoretically it should work. But it didn't for me.
- Before leaving the US, I called sprint and asked them to unlock the phone
- They said they would
- I got an email saying the phone was unlocked
- I called sprint, asked "Is there a way for me to confirm it's unlocked?". They said no, trust the email.
- I traveled to Hungary.
- Got a Tmobile SIM. Inserted, got "Invalid SIM" message
- Called Sprint tech support- they were completely unhelpful. Blamed T-Mobile
- Went to Vodafone and tried a SIM here (the agent even pulled a 2nd out of his personal phone). Neither worked, I just got the "Invalid SIM" message
- Called sprint again. Unhelpful. Blamed the foreign SIMs
- Friend arrived in Hungary w/ an unlocked iphone. The Hungarian T-Mobile SIM worked instantly.
- Called sprint again- still blamed the foriegn SIMs. "It shows as unlocked on my screen!"
By the way, I was able to hit the "UICC Unlock" in my phone's settings. Didn't help.
So- I'm a sample size of 1- but don't count on it working. Bring a backup phone if you've got one, and/or be prepared to buy a burner.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bummer...
Just to confirm, you hit the "UICC Unlock" when you were in the US? or when you were overseas?
jj14 said:
Bummer...
Just to confirm, you hit the "UICC Unlock" when you were in the US? or when you were overseas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both.
I ended up giving the SIM to my friend. When I got back in the states, and the phone had connected back to Sprint's network, I figured I would give the SIM another try just in case I had somehow missed the OTA unlock.
Still no luck.
Consigliere2 said:
Both.
I ended up giving the SIM to my friend. When I got back in the states, and the phone had connected back to Sprint's network, I figured I would give the SIM another try just in case I had somehow missed the OTA unlock.
Still no luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you rooted? I ask because if so I would be curious to see your /carrier/properties.db file. I think there's a line in there that says your lock status. I am pretty sure mine is unlocked, and under SDM/SESSION_TYPE it says CI_DC but people with locked phones said theirs has CI_SIM_LOCK.
When did you get the unlock done? Supposedly there was an "old" tool and a "new" tool to unlock the phones internally at Sprint. Many people said that unlocks performed with the old tool didn't work, but when they had them unlock it again with the new tool it worked.
Now, the real problem seems to be adding the proper APNs for an international SIM. The menu item isn't there, but you can get into it with a trick. However, when you try to add a new APN everything is greyed out.
Related
Hey guys,
I tried searching on the topic but I'm hoping for more information specific to this phone.
I'm traveling to Germany in September. This will be my first time out of the country. I just called Sprint and requested for the phone to be unlocked for international travel. Since I've had the GS4 less than 90 days, I'm told this process will take a few days.
My questions are:
Now that my phone is unlocked, I can use international/locally bought micro-SIM cards, correct?
If I use these SIMs, will I still be subject to Sprint's high usage billing or will it operate entirely independently of Sprint's service?
If I flash a ROM, should I stick to the TW-based variants to ensure international capability? Or is it safer to leave the phone entirely stock until my trip is over?
If you have any tips and tricks for traveling (best SIM card, how to save money, the ROM you used while traveling, best apps for using minimal data, etc.) please do so! I appreciate your advice, everybody.
Thanks
-Tory
Edit:
D'oh! Thought I was in the Q&A forum. Mods, please move.
-Tory
mynameistory said:
Edit:
D'oh! Thought I was in the Q&A forum. Mods, please move.
-Tory
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you lucky and your unlocking will go through without issues that some of us here are having then you should be able to use any non-US sim cards while outside the US. You will be subject to those carriers charges only. Just don't forget to turn off CDMA roaming and switch the phone to GMS/UMTS mode.
I cannot comment on the ROMs though.
I'm currently delpoyed with the military. Had my gs4 remotely unlocked and I now use a rebelphone sim card for my local area. Just turn your phone to gsm and I turn off data because its not included in my rebel phone package. Should be all good to go once u get that done.
Oh and I use blue kabans ROM
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
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Thread moved
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Possible to use US sim?
obender said:
If you lucky and your unlocking will go through without issues that some of us here are having then you should be able to use any non-US sim cards while outside the US. You will be subject to those carriers charges only. Just don't forget to turn off CDMA roaming and switch the phone to GMS/UMTS mode.
I cannot comment on the ROMs though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it possible to use a US sim card from another carrier in the US to check that the phone has successfully been unlocked before traveling? Sprint's told me that they unlocked my phone, but I want to be absolutely sure before I step on a plane in two weeks. I also have an update procedure to unlock the phone - I'd like to do that here in the US before I leave so that if there's any problem, I can work them in advance.
Thanks for moving Kenny!
Kate, from what I've been reading, under no circumstances will Sprint allow the phone to connect to a US GSM network using a T-Mobile or AT&T SIM card. I think this is analogous to "unlocking" the phone from its carrier, which carriers do not tolerate.
Buck, I will look at rebel phone among others. It seems data will be expensive, no matter what SIM card I choose. I expect things like Facebook updates and photo uploads should wait until I connect to wireless at hostels or my friend's place.
kate98 said:
Is it possible to use a US sim card from another carrier in the US to check that the phone has successfully been unlocked before traveling? Sprint's told me that they unlocked my phone, but I want to be absolutely sure before I step on a plane in two weeks. I also have an update procedure to unlock the phone - I'd like to do that here in the US before I leave so that if there's any problem, I can work them in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same boat as you are, from what I could gather from forums and Sprint itself, the answer is NO, you cannot verify that you phone was unlock while here in the US with _ANY_ SIM card.
obender said:
I'm in the same boat as you are, from what I could gather from forums and Sprint itself, the answer is NO, you cannot verify that you phone was unlock while here in the US with _ANY_ SIM card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey obender, when you use international SIM cards, you lose your phone number for one they provide, correct?
mynameistory said:
Hey obender, when you use international SIM cards, you lose your phone number for one they provide, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's correct.
And does the phone need to be rooted? It sounds like maybe not for voice, probably for data? I will want both when we go to Spain in a few months. I don't have the phone yet but plan to pick one up this week - love my S3 but I can't use it internationally, and I don't think I can go back to my Photon for the trip.
RhinoDoc said:
And does the phone need to be rooted? It sounds like maybe not for voice, probably for data? I will want both when we go to Spain in a few months. I don't have the phone yet but plan to pick one up this week - love my S3 but I can't use it internationally, and I don't think I can go back to my Photon for the trip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People report issues with data but according to sprint once it is unlocked it should work just fine both gsm voice and data, no rooting should be needed.
You can verify your UICC(sim) slot is unlocked by sticking in any "non-Sprint" sim card... if you get an error saying "Invalid Sim" then it's not unlocked... if you see no error.. you are probably unlocked. You can further verify this by going into About Device > Status and seeing if it's reading the ICCID of your new sim card.
You can test this with domestic sims too(ATT/Tmo etc).. though you will not get service due to Samsung blocking them. But yes.. the phone will read the ATT/Tmo ICCID if unlocked.
autoprime said:
You can verify your UICC(sim) slot is unlocked by sticking in any "non-Sprint" sim card... if you get an error saying "Invalid Sim" then it's not unlocked... if you see no error.. you are probably unlocked. You can further verify this by going into About Device > Status and seeing if it's reading the ICCID of your new sim card.
You can test this with domestic sims too(ATT/Tmo etc).. though you will not get service due to Samsung blocking them. But yes.. the phone will read the ATT/Tmo ICCID if unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to sprint what you just said is not true. It should show "invalid SIM" all the time while you are in US no matter if you unlocked or not.
obender said:
According to sprint what you just said is not true. It should show "invalid SIM" all the time while you are in US no matter if you unlocked or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I got my sprint s4 unlocked by sprint for international use. I've got a europe orange sim, and when I put it in the phone, I don't get any error msg. (BTW, when I leave the phone without any sim card, it shows some small icon on top saying I'm missing a sim, also it won't let me go into network settings..) is it how it's suppose to be when Sprint unlock the phone for 3rd party sim (international) card? meaning If the phone was "unlocked" i would have get some error msg. saying the device "Can't access" the sim card etc.?
Thanks!
wolf1_o said:
Hi,
I got my sprint s4 unlocked by sprint for international use. I've got a europe orange sim, and when I put it in the phone, I don't get any error msg. (BTW, when I leave the phone without any sim card, it shows some small icon on top saying I'm missing a sim, also it won't let me go into network settings..) is it how it's suppose to be when Sprint unlock the phone for 3rd party sim (international) card? meaning If the phone was "unlocked" i would have get some error msg. saying the device "Can't access" the sim card etc.?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The error message would be the same small icon but it would just say "Invalid SIM", but this is just on my phone that was supposedly unlocked by Sprint, I cannot confirm that it actually works with non US SIM card since I haven't had a chance yet to travel outside the US. Your phone can be unlocked as well or not, you, unfortunately, have no way of telling this until you travel outside the US and try it.
obender said:
The error message would be the same small icon but it would just say "Invalid SIM", but this is just on my phone that was supposedly unlocked by Sprint, I cannot confirm that it actually works with non US SIM card since I haven't had a chance yet to travel outside the US. Your phone can be unlocked as well or not, you, unfortunately, have no way of telling this until you travel outside the US and try it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, If it says invalid sim after you put international card in it's definitely not unlocked. Me and me friend got the phone on the same day and called sprint about 100 time to get the phones working. After sprint told me and my buddy that phones are unlocked, we put it German sim card in and it said invalid sim, but sprint said it will change when you go to Germany. So i didn't believe them and called them another 100 times till about mid June I talked to some supervisor and she said that phone is unlocked. So I put it my German sim back in and it sent me an SMS about the rates of that German service in USA. After that my friend called those assholes another 100 times and they assured him that it will definitely work even though it says invalid SIM. Long story shor... we get there and he is screwed for 3 weeks. Even more so, he was willing to pay $10 per minute to roam in Germany with Sprint... NO SIGNAL ANYWHERE... AND my data did not work with different sim card. only calls and sms. Later i found out that it could be fixed by going to a local branch and downloading something but it was too late. SO Sprint sucks.
Here's the email I got upon requesting the unlock:
Hello Torrance,
This email is intended to confirm that Sprint has successfully processed the unlock request for your Samsung Galaxy s4 Device.* In order for the unlock to be completed, the device has to be connected to the CDMA Network or Wi-Fi connection for the update to finalize.
*Once the update has been completed, please follow the steps below to unlock the device after you have the third party SIM:
*Turn off device > Insert 3rd party SIM > go to Settings > More (tab) > System Update > UICC unlock.* You will receive the update and it should change to GSM Mode.* *
*Phone number: XXX-XXX-XXXX
*If you have any additional questions comments or concerns please contact Sprint World Wide care 24/7 at 888-226-7212
*Thank you,
Ayesha J.
Sprint eCare
tarasator said:
Alright, If it says invalid sim after you put international card in it's definitely not unlocked. Me and me friend got the phone on the same day and called sprint about 100 time to get the phones working. After sprint told me and my buddy that phones are unlocked, we put it German sim card in and it said invalid sim, but sprint said it will change when you go to Germany. So i didn't believe them and called them another 100 times till about mid June I talked to some supervisor and she said that phone is unlocked. So I put it my German sim back in and it sent me an SMS about the rates of that German service in USA. After that my friend called those assholes another 100 times and they assured him that it will definitely work even though it says invalid SIM. Long story shor... we get there and he is screwed for 3 weeks. Even more so, he was willing to pay $10 per minute to roam in Germany with Sprint... NO SIGNAL ANYWHERE... AND my data did not work with different sim card. only calls and sms. Later i found out that it could be fixed by going to a local branch and downloading something but it was too late. SO Sprint sucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version of the firmware are you running, is it the latest OTA MF9?
---------- Post added at 02:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:29 AM ----------
tarasator said:
Later i found out that it could be fixed by going to a local branch and downloading something but it was too late. SO Sprint sucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you be more specific?
obender said:
According to sprint what you just said is not true. It should show "invalid SIM" all the time while you are in US no matter if you unlocked or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint doesnt know what theyre talking about half the time. that is incorrect info.
no matter what sim you put in... if its PROPERLY unlocked... then you wont see a "invalid sim error". even att/tmobile.
if you put a sim in and it says "invalid sim" then the OTA sim unlock was not properly done and despite saying unlocked in sprints system.. it's really not.
I have both a sprint gs4 and sprint htc one. it's exactly the same on both.
Hello everybody, sorry if this has been asked I tried searching everywhere and have come up with nothing that has been helpful to me. I am new here so if I'm posting in the wrong place I'll be happy to remove this.
I will try to provide you with every detail but my main problem is this: I have obtained an unlock code I received directly from Sprint for a Galaxy S5 I received from a friend. The friend made sure the device and his account met their qualifications, and he received a six digit "MSL Code" that he was told is the unlock code.
I have been told by Sprint, AT&T, countless YouTube videos and forums that the sequence for unlocking this phone is as simple as 1.) Entering a foreign sim into your device. 2.) When you turn the device on you will be prompted to enter the sim unlock code. 3.) Enter the unlock code and your device will be unlocked.
Of course it's turned out to be way less simple than that. My most obvious problem is with step #2. I am never prompted to enter the sim unlock code and instead only receive the message "Invalid Sim card."
Okay here is a back story if you want more details: I am on a family plan with AT&T right now that I believe is a good deal and would not like to switch carriers, although AT&T hires some of the biggest idiots I've ever encountered to work in their retail stores and tech support. I have been tempted to switch to Sprint because throughout all of this they have been the only ones to give me straightforward information and any help at all so far.
The Galaxy S5 in my possession meets all of Sprint's requirements to be unlocked and the previous owner received the unlock code directly from Sprint. It should be good to go.
I went to AT&T retail store with the locked device and unlock code for assistance and to make sure the process would go smooth and easy. The first time I was told it's impossible to sim unlock a phone and all I can do is sell the phone on eBay. I called tech support after this and they told me my problem was that I was using the AT&T sim card from my old HTC One, that SIM Card would be incompatible with the Samsung, so therefore I am receiving an "Invalid Sim card" error. The second time I went in I requested a sim card for a Samsung Galaxy S5 because AT&T tech support told me the SIM card in my HTC will not work. The dude grabbed an empty SIM card and gave it to me without asking me for my information or anything about my account and when I asked him about this he told me that it's not necessary, "SIM cards don't have any memory or carry any information on them for the phone to read other than what service the phone is supposed to use". I honestly don't know much about cell phone technology but I knew this was bull**** but he was no further help after I told him I think he might be wrong about that. I called AT&T tech support and they told me that guy was an idiot and to go back to them and request another SIM card.
I don't want to go back into that stupid store until I'm absolutely sure what the **** I need to do to get this stupid phone to work with my AT&T account. Please educate me on how this process works and what the correct steps I need to take are. Thanks a million times in advance for whatever help you can give me, and again let me know if this is being asked in the wrong place I'm still new here.
Hi guys. Long time reader, been fortunate, but finally have to post a question.
Thanks up front, this forum is very awesome.
We are Verizon customers. I recently bought an SM-930P from a local guy. He's had his phone stolen, he got another, then it was recovered so he sold the replacement to me.
He called and made sure all was good and deactivated it before the sale.
Well from what I can tell, Sprint didn't push the unlock to the phone before he took it offline. From what I've gathered, the 930P is unusual in that it can't be manually unlocked via a code. Correct?
I called Sprint - (aside - boy it is very hard to get to a human being to talk to you if you aren't a customer) - the rep said, oh yes, the EMEI is OK, phone was paid off, we'll unlock it for you.
Yet it does not work.
Symptoms: My Verizon SIM won't work (just says invalid SIM), and when I tried a friend's SIM from their Spring S7 it also didn't work, said it was invalid.
Today I called Sprint back again, and this time the rep - this time it was somebody from the S7 tech group - said that the phone was still associated w/ the other guy's account. Since I didn't have authorization on the account she wouldn't do anything else. So now I have heard 2 different stories from Sprint.
Well, that guy is in the Army and can't be reached now to call himself.
So, I need to have it unlocked, but I'm stuck. I don't care about Sprint b/c I want to use it on Verizon.
Am I correct that the only option is to do a USB direct-connect unlock, like some people are offering as services (through eBay etc)? My understanding is that they manually update the phone so it thinks it's getting the unlock from the carrier?
And although I don't intend to use Sprint - what happens if, later, I or somebody else wants to put it back on Sprint if it has been unlocked this way? Will there be a whitelist issue with their records?
Thanks
RatLabGuy said:
Hi guys. Long time reader, been fortunate, but finally have to post a question.
Thanks up front, this forum is very awesome.
We are Verizon customers. I recently bought an SM-930P from a local guy. He's had his phone stolen, he got another, then it was recovered so he sold the replacement to me.
He called and made sure all was good and deactivated it before the sale.
Well from what I can tell, Sprint didn't push the unlock to the phone before he took it offline. From what I've gathered, the 930P is unusual in that it can't be manually unlocked via a code. Correct?
I called Sprint - (aside - boy it is very hard to get to a human being to talk to you if you aren't a customer) - the rep said, oh yes, the EMEI is OK, phone was paid off, we'll unlock it for you.
Yet it does not work.
Symptoms: My Verizon SIM won't work (just says invalid SIM), and when I tried a friend's SIM from their Spring S7 it also didn't work, said it was invalid.
Today I called Sprint back again, and this time the rep - this time it was somebody from the S7 tech group - said that the phone was still associated w/ the other guy's account. Since I didn't have authorization on the account she wouldn't do anything else. So now I have heard 2 different stories from Sprint.
Well, that guy is in the Army and can't be reached now to call himself.
So, I need to have it unlocked, but I'm stuck. I don't care about Sprint b/c I want to use it on Verizon.
Am I correct that the only option is to do a USB direct-connect unlock, like some people are offering as services (through eBay etc)? My understanding is that they manually update the phone so it thinks it's getting the unlock from the carrier?
And although I don't intend to use Sprint - what happens if, later, I or somebody else wants to put it back on Sprint if it has been unlocked this way? Will there be a whitelist issue with their records?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the Android Doctor, a quick Google search will find it. Super easy, remote unlock...they will stay in contact with you and make sure your phone works before they charge you. Reasonable price. I've done my s7 and s7 edge. Both work flawlessly. I'm on Straight Talk/AT&T.
Just as an update - yes, after more reading what I learned was that the USB-key approach is the only solution to this.
I went through GSM-Zambia.com - pretty much the same as Android Doctor but slightly cheaper.
That did the trick.
Also FYI - once it was unlocked, I flashed the based G930u version firmware - the one intended for unlocked, non-carrier specific phones - instead of the G930p as intended for Sprint. No problems w/ it whatsoever, seems to have all the radio bands active AND no bloatware.
Only hitch was that I still had to call Verizon and work w/ a tech to activate it on their network b/c if you give the IMEI online to do it manually yourself it just complains that they don't recognize it as compatible.
I am switching from my old Nexus 6 to a brand new Moto G5 Plus. I am with the carrier Total Wireless which is a Verizon MVNO. Their cellular service and pricing is excellent. Their CSRs are low functioning. What I want to know is if I can just pop out the SIM from my old phone and put it into my new one without any issues. They both take the same size SIM and they're both compatible with Verizon. I won't have to buy a new SIM card or anything like that, will I? I ask because a CSR told me that the SIM cannot be removed and is part of the phone so I would have to buy a new one. Yeah...I know. It was painful. I just left the chat. Thanks in advance for the help!
adamshumpisxxx said:
I am switching from my old Nexus 6 to a brand new Moto G5 Plus. I am with the carrier Total Wireless which is a Verizon MVNO. Their cellular service and pricing is excellent. Their CSRs are low functioning. What I want to know is if I can just pop out the SIM from my old phone and put it into my new one without any issues. They both take the same size SIM and they're both compatible with Verizon. I won't have to buy a new SIM card or anything like that, will I? I ask because a CSR told me that the SIM cannot be removed and is part of the phone so I would have to buy a new one. Yeah...I know. It was painful. I just left the chat. Thanks in advance for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as sim is not locked then you should be able to put it in the g5+, log in to your total wireless account on WiFi and input your IMEI or MEID (which ever is longer) into your account for that SIM, and boom your rocking. You might not even have to do all that sometimes popping the SIM in just works.
redman321 said:
As long as sim is not locked then you should be able to put it in the g5+, log in to your total wireless account on WiFi and input your IMEI or MEID (which ever is longer) into your account for that SIM, and boom your rocking. You might not even have to do all that sometimes popping the SIM in just works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, cool. Thanks! Do you have experience with this? I ask because I have not seen anywhere on the website where I can edit the existing IMEI in my account. All I see is their Compatibility Checker.
Sorry I just assumed, not helpful I know that's just how it's been for me with other. Carriers. Sorry about to bad answer. Sounds like they must lock the SIM to the phone.
https://www.reddit.com/r/NoContract/comments/4zzx47/total_wireless_sim_swapping_and_tethering/
According to that you can just pop in the Card though.
Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance
redman321 said:
Sorry I just assumed, not helpful I know that's just how it's been for me with other. Carriers. Sorry about to bad answer. Sounds like they must lock the SIM to the phone.
https://www.reddit.com/r/NoContract/comments/4zzx47/total_wireless_sim_swapping_and_tethering/
According to that you can just pop in the Card though.
Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I do appreciate the effort! That's more than I could find. When my new Moto G5 Plus comes in I'll pop my existing SIM in and go from there. I figure if it doesn't work I'll just play stupid, tell them my phone was working then all of a sudden it isn't and make them fix it. Worst comes to worst, I have to buy a new SIM for a dollar or whatever. Thanks again! I'll report back here with the conclusion
I bought a new unlocked phone for Total Wireless but it used a different SIM size. Once I put the new sim card in the new phone, I logged into my Total Wireless account online, clicked the upgrade to new device and went through the steps. Once I completed that I powered up the new device and it worked.
Hope this helps in some way.
dmeeks72 said:
I bought a new unlocked phone for Total Wireless but it used a different SIM size. Once I put the new sim card in the new phone, I logged into my Total Wireless account online, clicked the upgrade to new device and went through the steps. Once I completed that I powered up the new device and it worked.
Hope this helps in some way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see "upgrade to new device" anywhere listed on the site. Can you direct me more specifically? Thanks.
adamshumpisxxx said:
I don't see "upgrade to new device" anywhere listed on the site. Can you direct me more specifically? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Log into your account. It should be at the account options screen. If not, click on link to the left.
Once that comes up, click on view details. It should list your phone. Over to the right it should give you the option to upgrade the device.
If it doesn't then something is most likely wrong with the account and you'll need to get in touch with Customer Service.
dmeeks72 said:
Log into your account. It should be at the account options screen. If not, click on link to the left.
Once that comes up, click on view details. It should list your phone. Over to the right it should give you the option to upgrade the device.
If it doesn't then something is most likely wrong with the account and you'll need to get in touch with Customer Service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you post a screenshot or something? Nothing you're saying is even remotely on this site. Are we talking about the same company?! Also, I just got a hold of them and now they are demanding I buy a new SIM card because apparently I can't transfer service to a new phone. That makes ZERO sense. Do you have to be UNDER a certain IQ to work for this company or what?!
So the verdict is in. With Total Wireless you CAN pop out the SIM from your old phone and put it into your new one BUT...there is an issue. The old phone's IMEI stays associated with the SIM you just put into your new phone. That will never be an issue should you just put the phone into the "old phone drawer" but it MAY become an issue if you sell or give away your phone to be used with Verizon or another Verizon MVNO. From what I gather, that IMEI will show as in use and not allow another user to register it with a new SIM. Will it matter if you go with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, etc...? I'm unsure but from what I gather, I doubt it. The really dumb part about this whole thing is Total Wireless's unwillingness to just unregister the old IMEI from your current SIM and register a new one. From speaking to a Verizon representative this is totally possible but Total Wireless refuses to do it. Instead they demand you buy a new SIM card. I assume this is from complete ignorance as their CSRs are almost completely inept. It's the best "bang for your buck" company to go with when you want / need Verizon service but if you need help...may the force be with you. Put it this way...They didn't even know what an APN was and insisted it was only a single word long (not even the right word).
I have two Moto G5 Plus's that I bought from Best Buy on the same day at the same time. I checked both IMEIs about 2 months ago to see if they were compatible both where. Now that my auto for ATT Gophone got turned off in time bought the CDMA sim kit. I went online to activate. Total Wireless said one is compatible and one is not. I called customer support and talked to a supervisor still got same thing. Was told if the phone wasnt activated on VZW then it would be unable to work. I told her both have been on ATT since day one. WTF! So looks like I am staying with ATT.
I finally unlocked my LG V20 LS997 (Sprint version). There is no trick.
I bought my LG V20 LS997 from ebay and the seller claimed it is unlocked. I called Sprint and they also told me the phone is unlocked domestically and internationally.
However when I put non-Sprint sim card, I always got invalid sim card icon in the status bar and cannot get the phone work. Many people had the same issues.
Some people can unlock it and work but after update to Oreo, the phone will be locked again.
I found place in Sprint community talking about the unlocked LG V20 but still getting invalid sim card. I read through all the articles one by one. And I found that there are basically three steps:
1) Update PRL;
2) Update Profile;
3) Unlock UICC;
I can do the first two without any problem. But I never succeeded in step 3. So in Sprint community, I sent Em_Will_I_Am (please remember this guy, he is really good and can help you out) a private message telling him my IMEI, ICCD(sim card) and what problem I had. He will check if the phone is unlocked in the system or not first and make sure the phone can be unlocked by Sprint standard (fully paid, not stole phone, no unpaid charge etc.). Since my phone is in good standing and can be unlocked. He first re-locked my phone and I had to restart my phone using ##72786# to reset network settings. After that he unlocked my phone. After I do ##72786# again and wait for my phone is hand-free activated and wait for several minutes. I did
1) Update PRL;
2) Update Profile;
3) Unlock UICC;
What I got was something like 'Your phone is unlocked to any UICC that supported by the phone.'
Then I removed my sprint sim card and into a H2O wireless (AT&T MVNO) sim card. It works! You have to manually configure the APN in order to get data working. Since this is Sprint version V20, it only support 3G in at&t network. But at least I can have voice and 3G data from other vendor. I tried rebooting my V20 and factory resetting my V20. All of these operations have no impact on accepting the non-Sprint sim card. It looks to me is really unlocked now. My LG V20 was update to Oreo OTA one week back. so it is on the latest version of android now.
Thanks a lot to Em_Will_I_Am. When he relocks and unlocks your phone, he basically sends out a signal and your phone will pop up and say 'Updating profile' and then 'Profile update is completed'. During the whole process, Em_Will_I_Am will send you private message to tell you what he did and what you need to do.
My LG V20 was still in Sprint network and was active. I don't know if you don't have your phone actively on Sprint network will that work. But I would suggest to send private message to Em_Will_I_Am and seek his help. He may be able to help.
How can I get in contact with him
How can I get contact with him?
I need help too. Bought V20 phone off ebay and it worked great for about 4 months with Straight Talk and Cricket and then it got the Oreo update and now it gives me the invalid SIM message. I never used it on Sprint but it was a Sprint phone. Any help would be appreciated or if you can pass along the way for me to contact the person that helped you that would be great.
dreorlando said:
How can I get in contact with him
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please go to Sprint Community website. Register a user if you don't have. Then you will be able to find user Em_Will_I_Am and ask him for help.
pscook said:
I need help too. Bought V20 phone off ebay and it worked great for about 4 months with Straight Talk and Cricket and then it got the Oreo update and now it gives me the invalid SIM message. I never used it on Sprint but it was a Sprint phone. Any help would be appreciated or if you can pass along the way for me to contact the person that helped you that would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please go to Sprint Community website. Register a user if you don't have. Then you will be able to find user Em_Will_I_Am and ask him for help.
i need more ppl conrfirming this
V20 Invalid SIM
pscook said:
I need help too. Bought V20 phone off ebay and it worked great for about 4 months with Straight Talk and Cricket and then it got the Oreo update and now it gives me the invalid SIM message. I never used it on Sprint but it was a Sprint phone. Any help would be appreciated or if you can pass along the way for me to contact the person that helped you that would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to contact Em_Will_I_Am and they helped me out. I think an unlock code was sent again. I also did a couple of things that I think finally allowed the unlock code to come through. I went into developer mode and turned on Enable OEM unlock and then powered off. Then I powered back on while holding the power button and volume down. When the menu came up I chose Wipe Cache Partition. Then when I rebooted it came up and recognized the SIM again and so far all is good. Thanks again to Em_Will_I_Am on the Sprint community forums for all the help.
i paid for a unlock via ebay after he was finish unlocking my phone i inserted my sim. sginal kept droping every few seconds. so i cleared the network settings via phone dialer couple of times, same issue everytime so i just fk it and just updated to oreo now its still unlocked and signal don't drop!!!
Greetings.
I can confirm this. The Sprint assistant knows exactly how to solve the issue in just a few steps. Had the same problem associated to the phone locked since Oreo update and he helped me in a matter of few steps. Create the Sprint account and message him. He'll give you the support.
How long did it take for you to get the support?
Sprint sim card
So the sprint agent Em_I_will asked me for a sprint sim card and i don't have one. Can someone help me out here?
My phone has been unlocked
zhuhuilin said:
I finally unlocked my LG V20 LS997 (Sprint version). There is no trick.
I bought my LG V20 LS997 from ebay and the seller claimed it is unlocked. I called Sprint and they also told me the phone is unlocked domestically and internationally.
However when I put non-Sprint sim card, I always got invalid sim card icon in the status bar and cannot get the phone work. Many people had the same issues.
Some people can unlock it and work but after update to Oreo, the phone will be locked again.
I found place in Sprint community talking about the unlocked LG V20 but still getting invalid sim card. I read through all the articles one by one. And I found that there are basically three steps:
1) Update PRL;
2) Update Profile;
3) Unlock UICC;
I can do the first two without any problem. But I never succeeded in step 3. So in Sprint community, I sent Em_Will_I_Am (please remember this guy, he is really good and can help you out) a private message telling him my IMEI, ICCD(sim card) and what problem I had. He will check if the phone is unlocked in the system or not first and make sure the phone can be unlocked by Sprint standard (fully paid, not stole phone, no unpaid charge etc.). Since my phone is in good standing and can be unlocked. He first re-locked my phone and I had to restart my phone using ##72786# to reset network settings. After that he unlocked my phone. After I do ##72786# again and wait for my phone is hand-free activated and wait for several minutes. I did
1) Update PRL;
2) Update Profile;
3) Unlock UICC;
What I got was something like 'Your phone is unlocked to any UICC that supported by the phone.'
Then I removed my sprint sim card and into a H2O wireless (AT&T MVNO) sim card. It works! You have to manually configure the APN in order to get data working. Since this is Sprint version V20, it only support 3G in at&t network. But at least I can have voice and 3G data from other vendor. I tried rebooting my V20 and factory resetting my V20. All of these operations have no impact on accepting the non-Sprint sim card. It looks to me is really unlocked now. My LG V20 was update to Oreo OTA one week back. so it is on the latest version of android now.
Thanks a lot to Em_Will_I_Am. When he relocks and unlocks your phone, he basically sends out a signal and your phone will pop up and say 'Updating profile' and then 'Profile update is completed'. During the whole process, Em_Will_I_Am will send you private message to tell you what he did and what you need to do.
My LG V20 was still in Sprint network and was active. I don't know if you don't have your phone actively on Sprint network will that work. But I would suggest to send private message to Em_Will_I_Am and seek his help. He may be able to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm this. The Sprint assistant knows exactly how to solve the issue in just a few steps. Had the same problem associated to the phone locked since Oreo update and he helped me in a matter of few steps. Create the Sprint account and message him. He'll give you the support.
elixir92 said:
So the sprint agent Em_I_will asked me for a sprint sim card and i don't have one. Can someone help me out here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assumed I would need a Sprint sim to do this, so I just bought a new Sprint sim card off of ebay for a couple dollars. Then you will be able to give the sim information to Em_Will_I_Am
He'll put you on the list if your phone is able to be unlocked (ie. not blacklisted, not listed as stolen etc) and soon you'll be unlocked.
I'm so thankful to have found this thread and so thankful to Em_I_will for all his help. Amazingly helpful person.
hgib said:
I assumed I would need a Sprint sim to do this, so I just bought a new Sprint sim card off of ebay for a couple dollars. Then you will be able to give the sim information to Em_Will_I_Am
He'll put you on the list if your phone is able to be unlocked (ie. not blacklisted, not listed as stolen etc) and soon you'll be unlocked.
I'm so thankful to have found this thread and so thankful to Em_I_will for all his help. Amazingly helpful person.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem; Em_Will_I_Am told me that I would be on the waiting list from last week and still no answer.
Could you please tell me more or less what time it took you to complete the unlocking process?
xian2786 said:
I have the same problem; Em_Will_I_Am told me that I would be on the waiting list from last week and still no answer.
Could you please tell me more or less what time it took you to complete the unlocking process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I waited just over a week. Keep in mind, they are done in the order they are received and I'm sure the first priority is dealing with customers actually staying with Sprint
Just keep your phone powered up so that you're ready when your time comes.
hgib said:
I waited just over a week. Keep in mind, they are done in the order they are received and I'm sure the first priority is dealing with customers actually staying with Sprint
Just keep your phone powered up so that you're ready when your time comes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, then I'll keep waiting.
I can do these remotely but unfortunately not free
hec2k said:
I can do these remotely but unfortunately not free
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but the Sprint Community Manager (Em_Will_I_Am) solved my issue and now my phone it's unlocked for free.
hec2k said:
I can do these remotely but unfortunately not free
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how much will it cost?