International calling with the GS4 and GS3?? - Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshoot

Going to Cancun on Thursday. So I called Spring about my GS4 & GS3. They enabled the codes so that they connect to the towers in Mexico. But you still get charged $2.99 per call and for each text message. But I thought i read you could put a Sim-Card in these phones for them to work international. Anyone ever tried this?

shaun0207 said:
Going to Cancun on Thursday. So I called Spring about my GS4 & GS3. They enabled the codes so that they connect to the towers in Mexico. But you still get charged $2.99 per call and for each text message. But I thought i read you could put a Sim-Card in these phones for them to work international. Anyone ever tried this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, you need to do a little more research on the phones themselves. The GS3 does not have a removable SIM, it is embedded, so there's no chance of you inserting a local SIM etc.
The GS4 does have an accessible SIM slot but it is locked to Sprint. Even if you insert a non-Sprint SIM it won't work. Sprint want's you to pay their rates for international GSM roaming.
Even if you meet their requirements and get Sprint to unlock your GS4 SIM slot, it will work for calls and SMS with a non-Sprint SIM but no data (apparently some have found out, look in the forums)..

LordLugard said:
Ok, you need to do a little more research on the phones themselves. The GS3 does not have a removable SIM, it is embedded, so there's no chance of you inserting a local SIM etc.
The GS4 does have an accessible SIM slot but it is locked to Sprint. Even if you insert a non-Sprint SIM it won't work. Sprint want's you to pay their rates for international GSM roaming.
Even if you meet their requirements and get Sprint to unlock your GS4 SIM slot, it will work for calls and SMS with a non-Sprint SIM but no data (apparently some have found out, look in the forums)..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't been out of the country yet to verify it, but I believe if you're rooted you will be able to get data by making a build.prop edit so you can add the appropriate APNs. Some people have reported though that they didn't need to do this, and data just worked automatically when they put in the SIM. I believe it was a UK carrier's SIM that just worked. I'll have a chance next week to try it out in Costa Rica and see if I can get data working.

Ingenium13 said:
I haven't been out of the country yet to verify it, but I believe if you're rooted you will be able to get data by making a build.prop edit so you can add the appropriate APNs. Some people have reported though that they didn't need to do this, and data just worked automatically when they put in the SIM. I believe it was a UK carrier's SIM that just worked. I'll have a chance next week to try it out in Costa Rica and see if I can get data working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm. Lots of conflicting info on this. Someone did the build.prop thing and mentioned that the apn options were grayed out, so he basically couldn't edit anything. Even posted screenshots. Please try out your scenario and keep us informed. Thanks.

Related

Limited service w/o Data foreign SIM

I am trying to see if I can use my limited skills to fix the no data problem I am having. I unlocked my motorola Atrix and I put in a local SIM (Softbank). I get voice/text fine, not data though, even with correct APNs (verified APNs with another phone).
So what I am looking for is to get a list of people who have unlocked their phones and use them on different carriers. I would like to know this information:
Did you activate the phone with AT&T SIM?
Did you activate the phone in the US?
What country are you using your phone in?
What is the MCC of your carrier (in APN)?
Were the APNs preloaded or not?
Are you able to get data to work? Voice?
I think that is all I need.....like I said I am not a developer and it may not be useful at all but I want to try.
Not received it yet but as soon as I do I'll post the requested info.
Sent from my Nexus S
how would i unlock the atrix.
i have and atrix that i use in the US, but i work in angola africa...how would i unlock the phone to use a local gsm sim card..in not worried about data but would like to use the phone while im out of the US..
CellUnlock.net does it, $40 but there are codes on XDA (I forgot were) that give you 50% off

Do I need to activate a service to check coverage?

Hi all -
I signed up for the t-mobile $30/month plan, but get spotty coverage. I want to try and see if the straight talk AT&T coverage is any better. If I get a micro-sim card from straight talk and put it in, and reboot the phone, would I be able to see my connection? Or would it be 'no service' until I've gone through the process of activating with straight talk?
I'm hoping it's the former as I'd like to know if my signal would be any better before going through the hassle of porting my number over. Thanks.
Zimako said:
Hi all -
I signed up for the t-mobile $30/month plan, but get spotty coverage. I want to try and see if the straight talk AT&T coverage is any better. If I get a micro-sim card from straight talk and put it in, and reboot the phone, would I be able to see my connection? Or would it be 'no service' until I've gone through the process of activating with straight talk?
I'm hoping it's the former as I'd like to know if my signal would be any better before going through the hassle of porting my number over. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you should still be able to see bars. :good: atleast this is how it was on all my unlocked phones.
daddioj said:
you should still be able to see bars. :good: atleast this is how it was on all my unlocked phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. Hopefully this is the case; I've ordered the SIM so I guess we'll see shortly!
I have Straight Talk (AT&T), you won't see any bars until you activate the SIM card. If you port your number, there may be a delay also.
tatical said:
I have Straight Talk (AT&T), you won't see any bars until you activate the SIM card. If you port your number, there may be a delay also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I was afraid that would be the case. I would want to port my number as well. I'll run over to my local AT&T store and see if they'll give me a micro-sim too; I figure if I get signal with that one, then I should be fine with straight talk on AT&T (unless that sim would have the same issue?)
Whatever may be the plan or carrier doesnt change a thing: You do not have any signal until the SIM is activated. The SIM isnt related to a network before it is activated.
_Johnito_ said:
Whatever may be the plan or carrier doesnt change a thing: You do not have any signal until the SIM is activated. The SIM isnt related to a network before it is activated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure that when I got my t-mobile sim card, I had bars showing prior to activation.
If it was, then your SIM card was pre-activated. This is the only explanation
As stated before, you will not get signal/bars until the SIM is activate. Period.
_Johnito_ said:
If it was, then your SIM card was pre-activated. This is the only explanation
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odd, I wonder why they sent me an activated sim! I was still able to go online and put my IMEI, serial, etc in and activate it a few hours later.
Ah well, guess I'll have to activate service for a month to test with straight talk. I was just hoping to avoid the hassle of porting my number over prior to checking signal coverage.
Zimako said:
Odd, I wonder why they sent me an activated sim! I was still able to go online and put my IMEI, serial, etc in and activate it a few hours later.
Ah well, guess I'll have to activate service for a month to test with straight talk. I was just hoping to avoid the hassle of porting my number over prior to checking signal coverage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just switched out my plans from TMo Monthly 4G to Straight Talk AT&T. When I inserted the Straight Talk micro sim into the phone I got a message saying no sim card and had no bars until I activated it and had changed the APN numbers in the phones settings.
tatical said:
I have Straight Talk (AT&T), you won't see any bars until you activate the SIM card. If you port your number, there may be a delay also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it must be only with this phone. because all my other unlocked phones have had bars showing no matter activated or not.
I think in some cases I've had bars / proper dBn showing in the settings in the past.
daddioj said:
it must be only with this phone. because all my other unlocked phones have had bars showing no matter activated or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then it should be easy enough to test as you'd just have to pull your sim card out and see if you had a signal. You could then look in the phones settings under network operators to see who's signal it is.
daddioj said:
it must be only with this phone. because all my other unlocked phones have had bars showing no matter activated or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The original question was about a signal on an unactivated Straight Talk SIM card. I've had unactivated AT&T and T-Mobile SIM cards show a signal, but Straight Talk SIMs require activation to show a signal. I think it has something to do with them being a MVNO.
tatical said:
The original question was about a signal on an unactivated Straight Talk SIM card. I've had unactivated AT&T and T-Mobile SIM cards show a signal, but Straight Talk SIMs require activation to show a signal. I think it has something to do with them being a MVNO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would make a lot of sense! I'll post my findings when I pick up an at&t official sim card, and with the straight talk sim card.
Well, I have the straight talk sim, and sure enough - no signal at all. So that seems in line with what people here were saying. I visited two different AT&T stores as well to get an 'official' microsim, but neither place would give or even sell me a sim card. They said that I would not see signal without activation, and to not worry! That they could check coverage and tell me if I'd get signal! *rolls eyes* So that was a waste of time. I'll probably just bite the bullet and activate my next month on straight talk and see.
One question though - if I do NOT port my number right now, and instead get a new number via straight talk, would I then later be able to port my number or would I need to buy a new micro sim first?
You probably will be just fine, since you usually have a certain time to port your phone number. Even if you choose to port it right now, you will be given a temporary number during the procedure. But this is more of a question you should ask to the carrier, since it may be related to carrier policies or country laws. I have to admnit if i were you i'll be very careful to what they says

Verizon

Anyone check to see if other gsm sim cards would work in the Verizon version of the moto e4?
Also will this verizon model work on Jio network (850 band available in this set) in India?
I can confirm it works with AT&T Freedompop GSM SIM after buying a $2 unlock code on ebay. Noted it picks up LTE bands 2,4,5,17. Band 5 is the 850 Mhz frequency.
Whyzor said:
I can confirm it works with AT&T Freedompop GSM SIM after buying a $2 unlock code on ebay. Noted it picks up LTE bands 2,4,5,17. Band 5 is the 850 Mhz frequency.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You able to place calls??
juggamonkey said:
You able to place calls??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use T-Mobile and after buying the SIM unlock on eBay, I am able to use both voice and data.
That's crazy cricket doesn't allow voice calls for me .I ordered unlock code from eBay also
juggamonkey said:
That's crazy cricket doesn't allow voice calls for me .I ordered unlock code from eBay also
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may need to change the settings to use T-Mobile/GSM network or something like that. Some people mentioned it in the slickdeals forum:
https://slickdeals.net/f/10418732-verizon-moto-e4-prepaid-39-88-walmart
juggamonkey said:
That's crazy cricket doesn't allow voice calls for me .I ordered unlock code from eBay also
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I first inserted the cricket sim, it wont allow the voice calls. I switched the preferred network from 4g to 3g, the calls worked. Switched it back to 4g and they still work. Try doing this, it works..
EDIT: Remember, it switches from LTE to 3G when making the calls. I got the unlock code from ebay for $2.09.
cyclops13 said:
When I first inserted the cricket sim, it wont allow the voice calls. I switched the preferred network from 4g to 3g, the calls worked. Switched it back to 4g and they still work. Try doing this, it works..
EDIT: Remember, it switches from LTE to 3G when making the calls. I got the unlock code from ebay for $2.09.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks ! That worked
so, 100% sure that it works to make calls, data and sms when try unlock code from ebay? is yes, i´ll buy one to try in México
I unlocked mine with a code off eBay. I am currently using it on Cricket(At&t). Everything is working fine..data, calls, texts, MMS. Just had to find the correct APN settings. From my understanding...it should be usable on Sprint/Boost but who would want to.
Hi, anyone know how to dial special numbers like *611 or *264 when your using another sim (from other carrier, nota Verizon) ? Because im trying but always appear +1 simbol before i dial
My friend bought the Verizon prepaid version and isn't able to connect to many WiFi networks, like the airport ones (he tried in a couple different airports and none worked), any ideas how to fix that?
I unlocked my verizon E4 through ebay and checked it works with Jio in Mumbai -
4G was working without setting up the APN - just put the sim
I unlocked mine for $2 on ebay and my at&t sim works. sms does have a slight delay sending at times but lte and calls work.
This might sound like a stupid question, but this could be used with a Verizon post-paid SIM, correct? My son has the HTC 10 and it got dropped in water but he is away at school. He should be able to just run to Target, grab one for $40, and take that nano SIM out of his bad HTC 10 and pop it in the Verizon Pre-paid Moto E4 and that's it, correct? No need to call Verizon or anything?
acejavelin said:
This might sound like a stupid question, but this could be used with a Verizon post-paid SIM, correct? My son has the HTC 10 and it got dropped in water but he is away at school. He should be able to just run to Target, grab one for $40, and take that nano SIM out of his bad HTC 10 and pop it in the Verizon Pre-paid Moto E4 and that's it, correct? No need to call Verizon or anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that is correct from what I've read here.
Supposedly, already activated Verizon post-paid sims are good to go. It's when you try to activate the Verizon prepaid phone that you run into problems because the prepaid IMEI is NOT whitelisted. Of course, 'm only repeating what I've read. I don't use Verizon, so YMMV.
acejavelin said:
This might sound like a stupid question, but this could be used with a Verizon post-paid SIM, correct? My son has the HTC 10 and it got dropped in water but he is away at school. He should be able to just run to Target, grab one for $40, and take that nano SIM out of his bad HTC 10 and pop it in the Verizon Pre-paid Moto E4 and that's it, correct? No need to call Verizon or anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also not a Verizon user here, but as I understand it, putting postpaid VZW sim in a prepaid device that hasn't been active on a prepaid account will result in a lock being put on your postpaid account. This will necessitate a call to VZW customer service to 'reactivate' the account - no calls messages or data until you make that call (from another line)
This is what I recall from discussion around similar use case in the Moto e 2015 forums. Ymmv.
dandrumheller said:
Also not a Verizon user here, but as I understand it, putting postpaid VZW sim in a prepaid device that hasn't been active on a prepaid account will result in a lock being put on your postpaid account. This will necessitate a call to VZW customer service to 'reactivate' the account - no calls messages or data until you make that call (from another line)
This is what I recall from discussion around similar use case in the Moto e 2015 forums. Ymmv.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm... That could be a problem, at least in the short term, but he was able to come up with a Verizon LG G2 and popped his SIM in and it worked. A couple days in rice may help, but I have my doubts.
In the mean time, since Target had these on sale for $39.99, I picked one up (my local store had about a dozen in stock) in case the phone is dead and he decides not to get it repaired under the service agreement by paying the deductible (which is $150 I think). Not going to open it for the time being, but will see what happens as time goes on.
I am a little concerned when you say "will result in a lock being put on your postpaid account", since this account has 3 lines in it and neither of us is the account holder. :/ To you have a link back to that information?
I read that they freeze your account and won't let it work with the prepaid phone (on Slickdeals)

HELP - Data works fine but cannot make or receive calls Net10

Moto G+ XT-1687 - Net10 activated the new SIM (AT&T compatible) and phone. Data works fine, LTE. Cannot make or receive phone call. Net10 failed to troubleshoot.
Phone call error message - The number you are trying to call is not allowed from this line every number I dialed. #21# showing -Connection problem or invalid MMI code. Done factory reset several times no luck.
goodjuju said:
Moto G+ XT-1687 - Net10 activated the new SIM (AT&T compatible) and phone. Data works fine, LTE. Cannot make or receive phone call. Net10 failed to troubleshoot.
Phone call error message - The number you are trying to call is not allowed from this line every number I dialed. #21# showing -Connection problem or invalid MMI code. Done factory reset several times no luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to say it, but this most likely a Net10 issue. If they won't fix it there is nothing you can do. There is an off chance that it is a bad SIM, but Net10 will just make you get a new one (with a NEW payment) anyway so...
Seriously, dump that garbage and go to AT&T Prepaid which used to be called Go Phone, or Cricket, if you have to be on AT&T's network (I get it, I'm in the same boat)... It will work.
acejavelin said:
Sorry to say it, but this most likely a Net10 issue. If they won't fix it there is nothing you can do. There is an off chance that it is a bad SIM, but Net10 will just make you get a new one (with a NEW payment) anyway so...
Seriously, dump that garbage and go to AT&T Prepaid which used to be called Go Phone, or Cricket, if you have to be on AT&T's network (I get it, I'm in the same boat)... It will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My current SIM from Net 10 is too big for this phone. Had to buy a new SIM. AT&T pre-paid is more expensive than Net10 for similar service.
Interestingly Amazon site says XT-1687 is fully AT&T compatible!! Really would appreciate if someone would can confirm this. Need GSM for occasional International use.
goodjuju said:
My current SIM from Net 10 is too big for this phone. Had to buy a new SIM. AT&T pre-paid is more expensive than Net10 for similar service.
Interestingly Amazon site says XT-1687 is fully AT&T compatible!! Really would appreciate if someone would can confirm this. Need GSM for occasional International use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm it... I have had several SIMs in my XT1687, it supports all AT&T bands... I have had AT&T PrePaid (my current service), Cricket, and H2O wireless, all in AT&T "service". I have also had a Verizon and Boost Mobile SIM (T-Mobile) in mine for testing and they all work fine.
In previous phones I actually used Net10, but after struggling for months with MMS service, I dropped it and moved away from all TracFone service and haven't seen a problem since. A few bucks more a month are well worth it in my opinion.
acejavelin said:
I can confirm it... I have had several SIMs in my XT1687, it supports all AT&T bands... I have had AT&T PrePaid (my current service), Cricket, and H2O wireless, all in AT&T "service". I have also had a Verizon and Boost Mobile SIM (T-Mobile) in mine for testing and they all work fine.
In previous phones I actually used Net10, but after struggling for months with MMS service, I dropped it and moved away from all TracFone service and haven't seen a problem since. A few bucks more a month are well worth it in my opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the confirmation. In the meantime also asked NewEgg to confirm, perhaps the phone has a problem or the SIM is the problem. Newegg may end up sending a replacement I will hear in about 3 days. I have been with Net10 since 2013, BYOP AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2 no problems. Then again I am not a power user.
Now that I think of it - I had put the new SIM in the Galaxy S2 to experiment - same problem no phone service but data worked fine on 3G HSPA. Makes me think SIM is the problem, or Net10 did something when moving my service.

H918 (T-Mobile) - Is it carrier unlocked?

Hi everyone.
I bought a V20 T-Mobile version H918 on eBay. Seller claims it's carrier unlocked. As a precaution, I bought a $10 Red Pocket prepaid SIM card to test it with (because my current phone is CDMA). First, I tested it with Red Pocket's "GSMA" sim card, which uses AT&T's network. When using this SIM, the phone mostly didn't work. Out of 30 tries, I was only able to make a phone call once. All other times, I got no dial tone. And I wasn't able to receive data at all. APN settings were correct, verified with Red Pocket customer service; also tried many other APNs I found on google, but they made no difference.
Next, after doing a factory reset, I tried Red Pocket's "GSMT" SIM card, which uses T-Mobile's network. When using this SIM, all services including calling, texting, mms, and data work perfectly. Although, despite it working, the phone is using the wrong APN (fast.t-mobile.com). This seems to be a hard default setting, and the phone doesn't allow me to select a different APN while this SIM card is inserted.
Red Pocket tells me that an unlocked phone should work fine with either the "GSMA" or the "GSMT" card. So, their advice, together with the fact that the phone isn't letting me change the APN when on T-Mobile's network, leads me to believe it might not be unlocked. How can I know for sure?
Note: IMEI registers as clean in the database. Also, the IMEI in settings, the one shown by dialing *#06#, and the one on the sticker all match.
Thanks!
cyberspectre said:
Hi everyone.
I bought a V20 T-Mobile version H918 on eBay. Seller claims it's carrier unlocked. As a precaution, I bought a $10 Red Pocket prepaid SIM card to test it with (because my current phone is CDMA). First, I tested it with Red Pocket's "GSMA" sim card, which uses AT&T's network. When using this SIM, the phone mostly didn't work. Out of 30 tries, I was only able to make a phone call once. All other times, I got no dial tone. And I wasn't able to receive data at all. APN settings were correct, verified with Red Pocket customer service; also tried many other APNs I found on google, but they made no difference.
Next, after doing a factory reset, I tried Red Pocket's "GSMT" SIM card, which uses T-Mobile's network. When using this SIM, all services including calling, texting, mms, and data work perfectly. Although, despite it working, the phone is using the wrong APN (fast.t-mobile.com). This seems to be a hard default setting, and the phone doesn't allow me to select a different APN while this SIM card is inserted.
Red Pocket tells me that an unlocked phone should work fine with either the "GSMA" or the "GSMT" card. So, their advice, together with the fact that the phone isn't letting me change the APN when on T-Mobile's network, leads me to believe it might not be unlocked. How can I know for sure?
Note: IMEI registers as clean in the database. Also, the IMEI in settings, the one shown by dialing *#06#, and the one on the sticker all match.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it was locked, I don't think it would have accepted the ATT sim at all. You can try playing around with the Device unlock app, but on the first screen it seems to pretty much always claim its locked for me
On my (pretty sure its unlocked, havn't stuck another sim in it almost since I got it months ago)
H918 that's running on a T-Mobile (proper, not mvno) sim I can freely add and switch between APNs
Keep in mind that the H918 isn't going to be good on ATT's network.
Phoenix591 said:
If it was locked, I don't think it would have accepted the ATT sim at all. You can try playing around with the Device unlock app, but on the first screen it seems to pretty much always claim its locked for me
On my (pretty sure its unlocked, havn't stuck another sim in it almost since I got it months ago)
H918 that's running on a T-Mobile (proper, not mvno) sim I can freely add and switch between APNs
Keep in mind that the H918 isn't going to be good on ATT's network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. You're saying if it were still locked, it would give an error message with the AT&T SIM?
cyberspectre said:
Thanks for the reply. You're saying if it were still locked, it would give an error message with the AT&T SIM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
right, if it were locked, you wouldn't even get 1/30 phone calls to work, you'd get like invalid sim or something. Locked means it wouldn't even try to use the other sim.
Happend to find a video of someone with a simlocked h918 unlocking it, it shows networked locked where the carrier name goes.
Phoenix591 said:
If it was locked, I don't think it would have accepted the ATT sim at all. You can try playing around with the Device unlock app, but on the first screen it seems to pretty much always claim its locked for me
On my (pretty sure its unlocked, havn't stuck another sim in it almost since I got it months ago)
H918 that's running on a T-Mobile (proper, not mvno) sim I can freely add and switch between APNs
Keep in mind that the H918 isn't going to be good on ATT's network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phoenix591 said:
right, if it were locked, you wouldn't even get 1/30 phone calls to work, you'd get like invalid sim or something. Locked means it wouldn't even try to use the other sim.
Happend to find a video of someone with a simlocked h918 unlocking it, it shows networked locked where the carrier name goes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll take your word for it. Time to take off the wrapper! Thanks

Categories

Resources