[Q] Month-to-Month and off-contract - G2 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey guys,
Just wanted to ask if anyone knows whether AT&T's "month-to-month" means that you have to activate the phone, with a new plan, on AT&T only. I talked to a Verizon rep yesterday and unfortunately that's true with VZW (so I can't pay the full price and run away, i have to open a new line with them).
The good news is that "all of [their] 4G phones are sim-unlocked" (quoting Verizon rep here). But what's the good in that if I have to start a line of service with them?
Can someone ask for me pretty please (AT&T's live chat is for their customers only)?
This would be rather annoying; i'd prefer not to buy the Canadian version because I'd have to wait for everything to be confirmed compatible.
1) AT&T's has a back mic that no one else has. SUPRISE!
2) TMO's has a 2.4MP front vs 2.1MP for all other versions?? SUPRISE!
3) I'm not going to even mention Verizon's.
4) F320 G2s are veryyyyy expensive on the web and so far don't have much support here.
5) Telling from the above, the Canadian D803 is probably going to come up with another surprise of its own.
Thanks.

I'm not sure what you're asking. If you want this phone at a subsidized price, you have to be on a contract with one of the providers that have the G2. If you want to buy it outright you can buy it anywhere for full retail price. You don't have to be a customer to pick up the G2 at full retail price. Or at least I don't think you do. Then you can use whatever carrier you want so long as the hardware is compatible with the carrier (for example, straight talk would work in an at&t G2 or an unlocked Verizon G2, I believe). What are you asking, more specifically?
Sent from my LG-D800 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

colbyfink said:
I'm not sure what you're asking. If you want this phone at a subsidized price, you have to be on a contract with one of the providers that have the G2. If you want to buy it outright you can buy it anywhere for full retail price. You don't have to be a customer to pick up the G2 at full retail price. Or at least I don't think you do. Then you can use whatever carrier you want so long as the hardware is compatible with the carrier (for example, straight talk would work in an at&t G2 or an unlocked Verizon G2, I believe). What are you asking, more specifically?
Sent from my LG-D800 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. Let's just say I want to buy the Verizon G2. I need to know if I can pay $600 up front at a store, then take it back to Canada to put it on TELUS. What Verizon is telling me is that I have to open a line with them (I'm guessing for one month) first, basically activate it with Verizon first.
I need to know if this is true or just BS, and if AT&T does the same.

They may have changed the rules to be that way but I've never known at&t to do that.
Sent from my LG-D800 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Your buying the phone. Not service
When you open the line you open a contract unless prepaid.when you open a contraxt you should not be paying full price for the phone. When you buy the phone at full price its yours. You do what you want. I buy full price phone all the time. And i dont even need a account with thrm. Go in ask for the phone and say device only . Your buying the hardware
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

jason4962 said:
Your buying the phone. Not service
When you open the line you open a contract unless prepaid.when you open a contraxt you should not be paying full price for the phone. When you buy the phone at full price its yours. You do what you want. I buy full price phone all the time. And i dont even need a account with thrm. Go in ask for the phone and say device only . Your buying the hardware
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man. I'll do that.

jason4962 said:
Your buying the phone. Not service
When you open the line you open a contract unless prepaid.when you open a contraxt you should not be paying full price for the phone. When you buy the phone at full price its yours. You do what you want. I buy full price phone all the time. And i dont even need a account with thrm. Go in ask for the phone and say device only . Your buying the hardware
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh but one more question though, will they unlock it for me right then and there? What about AT&T?

Verizon usually makes all of their devices unlocked out of the box if they have GSM radios. At&t may unlock it or may not. If they don't there is a website that I saw in the General section that will unlock the G2 for a few dollars.
Sent from my LG-D800 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

colbyfink said:
Verizon usually makes all of their devices unlocked out of the box if they have GSM radios. At&t may unlock it or may not. If they don't there is a website that I saw in the General section that will unlock the G2 for a few dollars.
Sent from my LG-D800 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't that illegal in the US though?

Bit of a grey area. The sites are still around and functional so I guess there is a reason they aren't closed down.
Sent from my LG-D800 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Related

IS AT&T SGSIII carrier-locked when paying for the full price?

I'm attempting to buy the AT&T SGSIII with the full price since it's probably the cheapest you can get among all the options.
As I am going to use it on Rogers network in Canada, I would like to know if it's carrier-locked even i pay for the full price???
I know Android phones are pretty easy to get unlocked. I just don't want the hassle.
I plan on driving down to the Seattle this upcoming weekend and nail one!!! Cannot wait anymore!
Even if you get it without commitment, the device will still be locked. AT&T won't unlock it for about six months (I don't know the exact length). Why not just try cellunlocker.net? It unlocked my phone in thirty mins. It's just 25$ so give it a try
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
amgpower63 said:
Even if you get it without commitment, the device will still be locked. AT&T won't unlock it for about six months (I don't know the exact length). Why not just try cellunlocker.net? It unlocked my phone in thirty mins. It's just 25$ so give it a try
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow..... 6 months.... So, if i get it unlocked through cellunlocker.net, and I flash back to the factory setting and have AT&T unlocked it for me 6 months later?? Will they still honor the warranty??
Sorry for my noob question. Coming from iPhone and not quite familiar with American carrier.
AT&T says they have a 6 month period when they have exclusivity on the phones, but they obviously don't have exclusive rights in the US. Also, they've been unlocking iPhones that were purchased outright, so you can use that to your advantage.
noahattic said:
Wow..... 6 months.... So, if i get it unlocked through cellunlocker.net, and I flash back to the factory setting and have AT&T unlocked it for me 6 months later?? Will they still honor the warranty??
Sorry for my noob question. Coming from iPhone and not quite familiar with American carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you do a sim unlock, it's unlocked forever. No need to get a code from AT&T when it's available.
AT&T is interested in selling phones for it's network, not selling to people looking to sell or take them somewhere else.
zaisaroni said:
Once you do a sim unlock, it's unlocked forever. No need to get a code from AT&T when it's available.
AT&T is interested in selling phones for it's network, not selling to people looking to sell or take them somewhere else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there's a way to unlock the phone allay, check the dev section in the international s iii forum
noahattic said:
I'm attempting to buy the AT&T SGSIII with the full price since it's probably the cheapest you can get among all the options.
As I am going to use it on Rogers network in Canada, I would like to know if it's carrier-locked even i pay for the full price???
I know Android phones are pretty easy to get unlocked. I just don't want the hassle.
I plan on driving down to the Seattle this upcoming weekend and nail one!!! Cannot wait anymore!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not just wait until tomorrow when Rogers releases the same phone?
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda premium
dLo GSR said:
there's a way to unlock the phone allay, check the dev section in the international s iii forum
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it work with the US variant? Last time I checked, it was only for I9300 version...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

How to unlock the phone

I'm thinking to buy AT&T version of Galaxy S4. I would like to use the phone abroad when I travel with local sim cards, so I want to have it unlocked.
As I understand, even if I buy unsubsidized phone, it will be still locked to AT&T network.
So the question, if I have it root'ed using this method
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2252248
will it automatically become carrier unlocked ? Or do I need to install a custom ROM as well (are there any custom ROMs for I9505 version) ?
No, rooting a phone does not make it carrier unlocked. I don't particularly know if there is a carrier unlock method for the S4 yet (go search the forms), but Negri Electronics (online shop) sells an unlocked AT&T version of the phone that you might look in to, though it is a little more expensive.
Thanks for pointing to them !
They do have a model I want to buy, but it's available only for pre-order and about $100 more expensive than AT&T's version
Buy the unlock code. I did it already.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
So there is an unlock code available for the att s4?
I'm going to Paris next week, bringing my s4 for fun, but would love to have it unlocked to use more
Yea Www.fastgsm.com $29.99 but they'll refund you $20 if you upload a video when ur doing it. I just did it on a upgraded line. Ill be getting another one
On Wednesday and ill upload pictures. Att i337
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Android3220 said:
Yea Www.fastgsm.com $29.99 but they'll refund you $20 if you upload a video when ur doing it. I just did it on a upgraded line. Ill be getting another one
On Wednesday and ill upload pictures. Att i337
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANKS.

[Q] Buying an AT&T S4 for running custom ROM / GPe ROM

Hi,
I am planning to buy an AT&T S4 and then terminate the contract early by paying of the fee.
Once the device is unlocked will I be able to run it on T-Mobile as well ? I know one of the HSPA+ bands is not available on the AT&T device, so will only the HSPA+ speeds be affected or will I still be able to use the phone on LTE/EDGE ?
Also, from what I read in the forums, there is a bootloader lock on the device, is that easily bypassed ? cause I want to run the Google play edition ROM/Slimbean /CM ROM on this phone.
Thanks
What do you mean, break the contract?
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jd1639 said:
What do you mean, break the contract?
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Click to collapse
I mean by paying off the 325 early termination fee.
Let me give you some advice. Instead of trying to "break contract" with AT&T, why don't you just buy a T-Mobile s4 which already comes with an unlocked bootloader out of the box. I know it may cost a little more for the T-mo s4 but believe me, it's going to cost you a lot more later in life if you decide to go the route of stealing, I mean breaking contact from AT&T.
getbuzzin said:
Let me give you some advice. Instead of trying to "break contract" with AT&T, why don't you just buy a T-Mobile s4 which already comes with an unlocked bootloader out of the box. I know it may cost a little more for the T-mo s4 but believe me, it's going to cost you a lot more later in life if you decide to go the route of stealing, I mean breaking contact from AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1:thumbup:
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getbuzzin said:
Let me give you some advice. Instead of trying to "break contract" with AT&T, why don't you just buy a T-Mobile s4 which already comes with an unlocked bootloader out of the box. I know it may cost a little more for the T-mo s4 but believe me, it's going to cost you a lot more later in life if you decide to go the route of stealing, I mean breaking contact from AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is it stealing if I am legally terminating the contract and paying off the fee ?
vortexmak said:
How is it stealing if I am legally terminating the contract and paying off the fee ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol. Jedi mind tricks. But editing your original post to cover for yourself is not cool.
getbuzzin said:
Lol. Jedi mind tricks. But editing your original post to cover for yourself is not cool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No mind tricks. Since the original post did'nt convey the ETF part, I edited it to convey what I meant by 'break the contract'
+1 I saw the same thing.
Xda doesn't condone anything illegal or immoral, or smelling of such.
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Guys, there's nothing wrong with doing this. It's all legal, and aboveboard. It's what the early termination fee is there for.
That said, I wouldn't do it myself. Using this route, the cost would be $200 for the phone + $36 activation fee + $325 early termination fee = $561 total. The outright cost for a T-Mobile S4 is $580. That's a hell of a lot of trouble to go to to save $19. Especially since you end up with a locked bootloader.
mattdm said:
Guys, there's nothing wrong with doing this. It's all legal, and aboveboard. It's what the early termination fee is there for.
That said, I wouldn't do it myself. Using this route, the cost would be $200 for the phone + $36 activation fee + $325 early termination fee = $561 total. The outright cost for a T-Mobile S4 is $580. That's a hell of a lot of trouble to go to to save $19. Especially since you end up with a locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I have been trying to explain before the lynching . I am no trying to do anything illegal here.
Phone is $100 currently That's $461 compared to the TMobile $670 (580 phone + 40 Tax + 50 first month service)
Anyway, please ignore all the above. I'll just stick to the technical questions
It would be helpful if someone could let me know if currently there is anyway past the locked bootloader ?
How are people able to load custom ROMs ? and is it possible to activate AWS band on it ?
Thanks
vortexmak said:
That's what I have been trying to explain before the lynching . I am no trying to do anything illegal here.
Phone is $100 currently That's $461 compared to the TMobile $670 (580 phone + 40 Tax + 50 first month service)
Anyway, please ignore all the above. I'll just stick to the technical questions
It would be helpful if someone could let me know if currently there is anyway past the locked bootloader ?
How are people able to load custom ROMs ? and is it possible to activate AWS band on it ?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't forget to add in a month of service with AT&T - Voice and Data - they want their 2 lbs of flesh as well.
As for your other questions - did you read any of the threads in the forums? The ones about loading ROMS or activating Tmo bands?
But as others have said, if you want to run on TMO, it may be worth the cost to not have a locked boot loader. The exploit being used may be patched, and some have created quite the issue trying to unlock and such. If your time is not worth money, then save some $$$$ - but I would spend the extra and go for official unlocked. Maybe even the google version since you are basically buying it outright.
The information you ask for is all here at the top of this forum and the general forum.
vortexmak said:
Phone is $100 currently That's $461 compared to the TMobile $670 (580 phone + 40 Tax + 50 first month service)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
alphadog00 said:
Don't forget to add in a month of service with AT&T - Voice and Data - they want their 2 lbs of flesh as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alphadog brings up a good point that I didn't consider: you'll still have to pay the first month of the AT&T service.
vortexmak said:
Anyway, please ignore all the above. I'll just stick to the technical questions
It would be helpful if someone could let me know if currently there is anyway past the locked bootloader ?
How are people able to load custom ROMs ? and is it possible to activate AWS band on it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The bootloader lock is fairly easy to baypass right now. But, that could change in the future, with a software update.
mattdm said:
Alphadog brings up a good point that I didn't consider: you'll still have to pay the first month of the AT&T service.
The bootloader lock is fairly easy to baypass right now. But, that could change in the future, with a software update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you that's informative.
However, I'm wondering, once custom kernels and ROMs are loaded, doesn't AT&T lose all control. I mean if you don't want the stock update from AT&T and you already have everything enabled, how will they be able to disable the bypass?
vortexmak said:
Thank you that's informative.
However, I'm wondering, once custom kernels and ROMs are loaded, doesn't AT&T lose all control. I mean if you don't want the stock update from AT&T and you already have everything enabled, how will they be able to disable the bypass?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would have to apply the att update for the exploit to be patched. If you don't apply the update you'd be ok.
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jd1639 said:
You would have to apply the att update for the exploit to be patched. If you don't apply the update you'd be ok.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you have a future warranty replace or repair situation.
scott14719 said:
Unless you have a future warranty replace or repair situation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
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I have a few follow-up questions in regards to the topic of using an AT&T S4 on T-Mobile. Aside from having to bypass the locked bootloader, are there any other disadvantages to using an AT&T S4 on T-Mobile that can't be overcome? I know that you can unlock the AWS bands, so does that mean that an AT&T S4 can end up functionally exactly the same as a T-Mobile S4?

I won an LG G2

So, it looks like I won a phone through the unlimityourlg promotion.
The only problem is that it's on the Sprint Network, and I'm on Verizon.
One of the stipulations of the competition is that it has to be activated on the SPrint Network.
Can I do that, then cancel the service within 30 days and keep the phone ?
Has anyone else won one of these and done similar
I want the phone but don;t know if its compatible on Vrizon. It looks unlikely
Sell it and buy one?
Sent from my LG-D802 using XDA Free mobile app

[Q][New Verizon Activation]

Has anyone activated the MXP as a new Verizon contract? I have read thorough the post and have seen mostly people that have already had Verizon contracts and just put that Sim in the MXP.
Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk
I'm wondering the same having only used GSM phones. So far I'm using my AT&T SIM but believe Verizon has better coverage in my area (western CT).
On their site I started here (scroll down) with the 'I'm not with Verizon' button, then chose 'I have my own device' on the popup and got to a page I can't directly link that asks for my device ID/IMEI, and then tells me "The phone associated with the Device ID you entered is not compatible with the Verizon Wireless network."
I would like the 3 GB $45/mo plan and am assuming that's with no contract and should be available for the Moto XPE, right? I can go to a store but I'd like to know the facts first to avoid getting derailed by unknowledgeable/uncooperative staff, though I'd prefer doing it online if I can get past the phone ID barrier. Maybe they'll update their approved phones soon but I'd like to shift over before the 20th when my current month ends with AT&T. Should I try calling them and has anyone done that successfully?
Dahenjo1 said:
I'm wondering the same having only used GSM phones. So far I'm using my AT&T SIM but believe Verizon has better coverage in my area (western CT).
On their site I started here (scroll down) with the 'I'm not with Verizon' button, then chose 'I have my own device' on the popup and got to a page I can't directly link that asks for my device ID/IMEI, and then tells me "The phone associated with the Device ID you entered is not compatible with the Verizon Wireless network."
I would like the 3 GB $45/mo plan and am assuming that's with no contract and should be available for the Moto XPE, right? I can go to a store but I'd like to know the facts first to avoid getting derailed by unknowledgeable/uncooperative staff, though I'd prefer doing it online if I can get past the phone ID barrier. Maybe they'll update their approved phones soon but I'd like to shift over before the 20th when my current month ends with AT&T. Should I try calling them and has anyone done that successfully?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. I am thinking we have to take it to the store and have it activated. Tell me how it goes and what you decide.
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk
I called the number on the website and got a sales associate who also took my IMEI and said it's not currently 'registered' (the word he used) on Verizon, so I can't get a new account using it. He couldn't/wouldn't give any clear idea on if/when it will be but did say the new plans are no-contract now. My guess is a store will tell us the same thing, so won't bother unless we hear of success stories from others and how they did it.
Dahenjo1 said:
I called the number on the website and got a sales associate who also took my IMEI and said it's not currently 'registered' (the word he used) on Verizon, so I can't get a new account using it. He couldn't/wouldn't give any clear idea on if/when it will be but did say the new plans are no-contract now. My guess is a store will tell us the same thing, so won't bother unless we hear of success stories from others and how they did it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone on motorola forums wrote to activate without entering any IMEI number,because system will show that IMEI is not in their system.
I wonder if buying a prepaid Verizon Sim then using that to open a normal Verizon.
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Orion116 said:
I wonder if buying a prepaid Verizon Sim then using that to open a normal Verizon.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or simply buy a regular sim card for htc m9 on ebay or wherever and then chat with them or call and ask them to activate without device,tell them you are using non-vzw device which works just fine on Verizon,or some people had success at corporate stores with managers activating,or if you have a good premium retailer try that as well.
Need an imei of a device that takes a nano sim that is allowed on VZW network. I wasn't making a new account but I needed the nano sim. Wife's device (galaxy s6)is on the account and had the VZW rep use her device imei to issue me a simcard. Works perfect.
patt2k said:
Or simply buy a regular sim card for htc m9 on ebay or wherever and then chat with them or call and ask them to activate without device,tell them you are using non-vzw device which works just fine on Verizon,or some people had success at corporate stores with managers activating,or if you have a good premium retailer try that as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it all depends on the tech I think. I have heard of all kinds of stories about the "techs", lol
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NoFear1183 said:
Need an imei of a device that takes a nano sim that is allowed on VZW network. I wasn't making a new account but I needed the nano sim. Wife's device (galaxy s6)is on the account and had the VZW rep use her device imei to issue me a simcard. Works perfect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is why I think using a prepaid Sim might work, because since is under Verizon's BYOD, Bring Your Own Device, that they will allow it to be activated. I am then wondering if I then ask for a normal contract if it would be simpler.
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What a pain in the @$$ all this seems... If Verizon isn't doing contracts what do they care? We are still paying for there service... I don't get how what phone you will use on it matters? I am planning to go back to Verizon but I don't want to deal with this when I do. Grr
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
Tfast500 said:
What a pain in the @$$ all this seems... If Verizon isn't doing contracts what do they care? We are still paying for there service... I don't get how what phone you will use on it matters? I am planning to go back to Verizon but I don't want to deal with this when I do. Grr
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am now thinking if the device is purchased directly for Motorola then it will active on Verizon but if it is bought else where then it is an issue.
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Bump
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Orion116 said:
I am now thinking if the device is purchased directly for Motorola then it will active on Verizon but if it is bought else where then it is an issue.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's only 3 places to buy from: Motorola, Amazon and Best Buy. If you're buying from Best Buy, they can activate it for you. I believe with Amazon, you would have to go to your carrier just like if you bought from Motorola.
Pretty irritating
I bought the prepaid sim pack yesterday & spent an hour and a half on the phone with them and can't get it activated. Does anyone know what to do? Apparently the device isn't in the system according to the techs I spoke with even though you can enter it in the device compatibility and it says it is

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