Database Users

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.
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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.
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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

International calling with the GS4 and GS3??

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?
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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.

Verizon compatibility broken after update?

Hey guys, I just saw a YouTube video that was posted yesterday where the guy shows that after the update he no longer could connect with his Verizon SIM card in the axon 7. Has anybody else run into this? Mine won't be here until Monday but if this is true I'm going to be sorely disappointed. Thanks for your input.

I am on verizon with no additional problems after the update. I am still always roaming, and my signal is the same (more bars but still the same reception). LTE, MMS, SMS, Cdma all work the same.

I'm really glad to hear that. I'm not so sure the guy knew what he was doing either... Lol :silly:

CaptainElwood said:
I am on verizon with no additional problems after the update. I am still always roaming, and my signal is the same (more bars but still the same reception). LTE, MMS, SMS, Cdma all work the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quick question for you bud. I currently have the Moto Z-Force, but I want an unlocked phone that I can root and mess around with and unfortunately this phone doesn't have that capability. Would you say this is a great alternative in terms of functionality and specs? Tia

CaptainElwood said:
I am on verizon with no additional problems after the update. I am still always roaming, and my signal is the same (more bars but still the same reception). LTE, MMS, SMS, Cdma all work the same.
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Click to collapse
I second this. No issues on Verizon unlimited plan after update. Always showing roaming also. Mms, sms, calls work as suppose to. All out of the box settings.
Sent from my ZTE A2017U using XDA-Developers mobile app

tolymatev said:
I second this. No issues on Verizon unlimited plan after update. Always showing roaming also. Mms, sms, calls work as suppose to. All out of the box settings.
Sent from my ZTE A2017U using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can third it lol no issues here. Mine actually has better signal after update on verizon and sms/mms everything works still no issues anywhere

My VZW situation. Just an FYI post AND how to fix it.
I'm on Verizon, have had my Axon 7 for over a month now. No issues other than not having VoLTE, and the occasional software farts (Using Nova Launcher now). When I initially set-up my phone, I imported all previous apps directly from the Play Store. I should have known not to install the VZW apps that were previously installed on my HTC One M8 (purchased directly from VZW), but in my excitement for the new phone, it skipped my mind. Anyhow, no issues through 9/19. "Verizon" displayed as my carrier, and full access to the LTE network.
Fast forward to 9/20 (post B27 update) when one of the VZW updated automatically (I don't recall which of the 2 apps I had installed), and BAMM, "123456" displayed as my carrier and no more access to the LTE network (3G only). Later that evening, my VZW account showed my number with an "unauthorized, non-VZW device", whereas, before the VZW app update it showed my HTC one M8. I removed the SIM and shut down the phone, re-installed the SIM and re-booted....nada. Tried what seemed to be every permutation of replacing the SIM card, played around with APN settings...no dice.
My feeling is they booted me off 4G LTE once the app recognized I was using an unauthorized, non-VZW device. The steps below solved the issue (Provided by "vzwcdma" via the ZTE Community Forum).
"As for losing LTE connectivity, I've had a similar problem before, both on the A7 and other devices. On other devices, like Motorola devices, I could just boot into the bootloader and clear the modem state partitions via fastboot, but ZTE seems to have disabled that function in the A7's bootloader. So, for the A7, I had to mess around a bit with the modem mode. Download "Network" or "4G LTE Switch" from the Play Store. Open it and scroll down to "Set preferred network type", where it should say "LTE/GSM/CDMA auto (PRL)". There isn't really a set guide for what you have to do, but try switching into LTE-only mode, try hitting "Turn off radio" and "Turn on radio" (not Airplane Mode), maybe try "LTE/CDMA audo (PRL)", maybe turn off radio, switch to LTE-only mode, turn on radio, etc. At some point (I'm not sure what) the phone will reset its modem state, and should re-connect to Verizon LTE (and when it does, switch the network type back to LTE/GSM/CDMA auto PRL.
My Verizon account also shows "unauthorized, non-VZW device". Shouldn't affect anything. I've been using an unauthorized/non-VZW device prior to the A7 with no issues as well."

roseykr said:
My VZW situation. Just an FYI post AND how to fix it.
I'm on Verizon, have had my Axon 7 for over a month now. No issues other than not having VoLTE, and the occasional software farts (Using Nova Launcher now). When I initially set-up my phone, I imported all previous apps directly from the Play Store. I should have known not to install the VZW apps that were previously installed on my HTC One M8 (purchased directly from VZW), but in my excitement for the new phone, it skipped my mind. Anyhow, no issues through 9/19. "Verizon" displayed as my carrier, and full access to the LTE network.
Fast forward to 9/20 (post B27 update) when one of the VZW updated automatically (I don't recall which of the 2 apps I had installed), and BAMM, "123456" displayed as my carrier and no more access to the LTE network (3G only). Later that evening, my VZW account showed my number with an "unauthorized, non-VZW device", whereas, before the VZW app update it showed my HTC one M8. I removed the SIM and shut down the phone, re-installed the SIM and re-booted....nada. Tried what seemed to be every permutation of replacing the SIM card, played around with APN settings...no dice.
My feeling is they booted me off 4G LTE once the app recognized I was using an unauthorized, non-VZW device. The steps below solved the issue (Provided by "vzwcdma" via the ZTE Community Forum).
"As for losing LTE connectivity, I've had a similar problem before, both on the A7 and other devices. On other devices, like Motorola devices, I could just boot into the bootloader and clear the modem state partitions via fastboot, but ZTE seems to have disabled that function in the A7's bootloader. So, for the A7, I had to mess around a bit with the modem mode. Download "Network" or "4G LTE Switch" from the Play Store. Open it and scroll down to "Set preferred network type", where it should say "LTE/GSM/CDMA auto (PRL)". There isn't really a set guide for what you have to do, but try switching into LTE-only mode, try hitting "Turn off radio" and "Turn on radio" (not Airplane Mode), maybe try "LTE/CDMA audo (PRL)", maybe turn off radio, switch to LTE-only mode, turn on radio, etc. At some point (I'm not sure what) the phone will reset its modem state, and should re-connect to Verizon LTE (and when it does, switch the network type back to LTE/GSM/CDMA auto PRL.
My Verizon account also shows "unauthorized, non-VZW device". Shouldn't affect anything. I've been using an unauthorized/non-VZW device prior to the A7 with no issues as well."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know! I've had so many phones and this hardware looks so awesome for the price, but of course vzw isn't gonna play nice with it without some work. Looking forward to getting mine

Verizon still working fine for me.

After the b27 update I saw improved signal strength. I'm on page plus mvno. After driving in a fringe reception area, I lost lte,and I showed as roaming. It seemed to be using boost Mobile from what the phones network menus displayed. Axon doesn't have a mobile network setting for 'system b', only auto & home only. Tried both, rebooting each time, no fix. I ended up resetting phone, fixed it all. I then switched mobile network to home only, and hoping that it's done.
PS-after b27 I had to re-enable a couple settings, pinch for screen shot, etc.
Edit: it's now been several weeks with it set to home network only. I daily drive in fringe reception areas and have better signal strength than ever, with any phone/carrier combo. All is great, no more issues. Great phone!
For reference, I'm on page plus mvno, dropped in my activated sim from my old phone into the right-side sim slot for CDMA services. Then set to home only. Done.
Sent from my Axon 7 using XDA Labs

Just wanted to see if anyone else had inputs of post update Verizon service, good and bad... hasn't been a ton of chatter in the last week. I have a phone on its way from the egg, trying to decide if it's worth starting a new sim card with Verizon and dealing with that work around... is getting the number off a display and ordering online still the easiest way to get activated?

Works great on VZW still. Love the phone.
methcat said:
Just wanted to see if anyone else had inputs of post update Verizon service, good and bad... hasn't been a ton of chatter in the last week. I have a phone on its way from the egg, trying to decide if it's worth starting a new sim card with Verizon and dealing with that work around... is getting the number off a display and ordering online still the easiest way to get activated?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say that the Axon works just as well on Verizon as it did prior to the update, but with potentially better signal strength though I didn't really have a big issue with that prior to the update so I'm not sure (the T-Mobile SIM does seem to do a lot better post-update...but Verizon has always worked well).
I really doubt you'll have any substantive trouble with VZW on this device, especially if you're willing and able to mess a bit with some of the more advanced settings just in case a problem does arise. Here are the oddities, and I'm trying to list *all* of them!
1. No VoLTE or (I presume) HD calling
2. Voicemail appears to have to be accessed by dialing *86 as opposed to long-pressing the '1' key
3. Roaming icon is present intermittently
4. Data roaming *must* be enabled to ensure consistent and reliable data service
5. Verizon's website won't recognize the device at all in the Account Overview pages (mine still shows the last "approved" device I had with my VZW SIM - an iPhone 6S)
6. MMS *may* require a hack to get the proper APN, though I've had no trouble with this (I'm prepaid though); the hack requires a GSM SIM, so beware of this
7. 1X reception *seems* a tad weak in terms of dBm but functionally it almost seems better than my other Verizon phones (weird!)
8. Carrier label will be either '123456,' '002127' (EvDO only), or (I think?) '31000' when not using LTE (i.e., 1X or 3G). When on LTE the phone should show "Verizon Wireless" as normal
9. A SIM/modem reset may be necessary once in a great while it seems...so it's good to understand how to navigate to the "Phone Information" screen to toggle radio settings...also, I've found just SIM-cycling with a GSM SIM will often fix any connectivity problems as well...and sometimes just rebooting the phone with no SIM at all can help too (or a combo of all the above!)
If you can tolerate the above issues then the phone is great. I really enjoy it. I've found the Verizon side of things to be pretty reliable on the Axon 7, even with my endless tinkering with radio modes and other stuff, which has seemed to get me into (recoverable) trouble a few times.
Most importantly - the endless chatter on various forums that Verizon "blocks" the Axon 7 and other non-approved devices is total bunk. In every case where I've run into an issue it can be resolved on my side - Verizon is doing nothing whatsoever to inhibit the use of the Axon 7 on its network as far as I can tell (notwithstanding activation hurdles, admittedly)...many of the people making such claims seem to be speaking from a standpoint of total ignorance and it's kind of getting annoying, to be honest...it seems like the minute someone has an issue with the Axon 7, some ignoramus gets on the relevant forums/comments and claims that Verizon is "blocking" the device. Total BS IMO.
Good luck! As far as activation is concerned...I'd say it might be best to just go to Wal-Mart and buy a cheap prepaid phone or something (looks like the HTC Desire 526 has a nano-SIM and is only $37.49 on their website)...or maybe a cheap nano-SIM'd Verizon phone off of Swappa or eBay? That's probably what I'd do...But I know neither of those solutions are particularly helpful...VZW definitely makes it a bit of a pain.

flyer_andy said:
I'd say that the Axon works just as well on Verizon as it did prior to the update, but with potentially better signal strength though I didn't really have a big issue with that prior to the update so I'm not sure (the T-Mobile SIM does seem to do a lot better post-update...but Verizon has always worked well).
I really doubt you'll have any substantive trouble with VZW on this device, especially if you're willing and able to mess a bit with some of the more advanced settings just in case a problem does arise. Here are the oddities, and I'm trying to list *all* of them!
1. No VoLTE or (I presume) HD calling
2. Voicemail appears to have to be accessed by dialing *86 as opposed to long-pressing the '1' key
3. Roaming icon is present intermittently
4. Data roaming *must* be enabled to ensure consistent and reliable data service
5. Verizon's website won't recognize the device at all in the Account Overview pages (mine still shows the last "approved" device I had with my VZW SIM - an iPhone 6S)
6. MMS *may* require a hack to get the proper APN, though I've had no trouble with this (I'm prepaid though); the hack requires a GSM SIM, so beware of this
7. 1X reception *seems* a tad weak in terms of dBm but functionally it almost seems better than my other Verizon phones (weird!)
8. Carrier label will be either '123456,' '002127' (EvDO only), or (I think?) '31000' when not using LTE (i.e., 1X or 3G). When on LTE the phone should show "Verizon Wireless" as normal
9. A SIM/modem reset may be necessary once in a great while it seems...so it's good to understand how to navigate to the "Phone Information" screen to toggle radio settings...also, I've found just SIM-cycling with a GSM SIM will often fix any connectivity problems as well...and sometimes just rebooting the phone with no SIM at all can help too (or a combo of all the above!)
If you can tolerate the above issues then the phone is great. I really enjoy it. I've found the Verizon side of things to be pretty reliable on the Axon 7, even with my endless tinkering with radio modes and other stuff, which has seemed to get me into (recoverable) trouble a few times.
Most importantly - the endless chatter on various forums that Verizon "blocks" the Axon 7 and other non-approved devices is total bunk. In every case where I've run into an issue it can be resolved on my side - Verizon is doing nothing whatsoever to inhibit the use of the Axon 7 on its network as far as I can tell (notwithstanding activation hurdles, admittedly)...many of the people making such claims seem to be speaking from a standpoint of total ignorance and it's kind of getting annoying, to be honest...it seems like the minute someone has an issue with the Axon 7, some ignoramus gets on the relevant forums/comments and claims that Verizon is "blocking" the device. Total BS IMO.
Good luck! As far as activation is concerned...I'd say it might be best to just go to Wal-Mart and buy a cheap prepaid phone or something (looks like the HTC Desire 526 has a nano-SIM and is only $37.49 on their website)...or maybe a cheap nano-SIM'd Verizon phone off of Swappa or eBay? That's probably what I'd do...But I know neither of those solutions are particularly helpful...VZW definitely makes it a bit of a pain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
#6 might not need the GSM SIM workaround anymore after the B27 update. The + sign shows up for me all the time now, even if I only have a Verizon SIM inserted.

thanks for the list guys, i think i'll give it a shot. i'm going to try to add it as a second line to my wifes plan online. is borrowing a friends imei from a nano phone still the best way to get a new activated sim for this phone?
that 526 is a predaid, will verizon just switch that sim to plan if i call in? or are they different?
---------- Post added at 03:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:18 PM ----------
methcat said:
that 526 is a predaid, will verizon just switch that sim to plan if i call in? or are they different?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
found this, not sure if this is still the rule...
http://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2016/02/new-policy-may-require-verizon-prepaid.html
"It turns out that Verizon made a policy change effective 1/17/16 that requires Verizon Prepaid Phones to be activated on Verizon Prepaid and have at least $30 in airtime applied to them before they cam be used on Verizon postpaid. A Reddit user posted a copy of an internal Verizon document detailing the new rule:
Effective 1/17/2016, customers who purchase a Prepaid 4G device must activate on a $30, $45, or $60 Prepaid plan and make at least 1 monthly service payment before they are eligible to move the device to a new or active Postpay account .
Device remains locked until first month’s payment is made on their Prepaid plan.
Device is unlocked automatically upon successful first month’s payment and can be used on Postpaid plan (new SIM or SIM swap).
Attempting to use an active Postpay SIM Card with a new 4G LTE Prepaid PIB smartphone prior to making the required monthly payment, hotlines the Postpay MDN (SFO 83643) . The hotline remains until first month’s payment is made.
Customers who activate on the $45 or $60 Prepaid plans and enroll in Auto Pay, receive bonus 1GB data per month.
If account is hotlined:
Data access, outgoing calls, and text messaging do not work.
Text message is sent to smartphone.
*VZW FREE MSG: Phone must be activated on Verizon Wireless Prepaid service and first monthly payment must be made before it can be used with any other service. *
Auto-remark is placed on the customer's account.
*SIM Swap attempted: MDN Hotlined. Phone must be activated on VZW Prepaid service and first month paid before it can be activated as postpaid. *"

methcat said:
thanks for the list guys, i think i'll give it a shot. i'm going to try to add it as a second line to my wifes plan online. is borrowing a friends imei from a nano phone still the best way to get a new activated sim for this phone?
that 526 is a predaid, will verizon just switch that sim to plan if i call in? or are they different?
---------- Post added at 03:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:18 PM ----------
found this, not sure if this is still the rule...
http://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2016/02/new-policy-may-require-verizon-prepaid.html
"It turns out that Verizon made a policy change effective 1/17/16 that requires Verizon Prepaid Phones to be activated on Verizon Prepaid and have at least $30 in airtime applied to them before they cam be used on Verizon postpaid. A Reddit user posted a copy of an internal Verizon document detailing the new rule:
Effective 1/17/2016, customers who purchase a Prepaid 4G device must activate on a $30, $45, or $60 Prepaid plan and make at least 1 monthly service payment before they are eligible to move the device to a new or active Postpay account .
Device remains locked until first month’s payment is made on their Prepaid plan.
Device is unlocked automatically upon successful first month’s payment and can be used on Postpaid plan (new SIM or SIM swap).
Attempting to use an active Postpay SIM Card with a new 4G LTE Prepaid PIB smartphone prior to making the required monthly payment, hotlines the Postpay MDN (SFO 83643) . The hotline remains until first month’s payment is made.
Customers who activate on the $45 or $60 Prepaid plans and enroll in Auto Pay, receive bonus 1GB data per month.
If account is hotlined:
Data access, outgoing calls, and text messaging do not work.
Text message is sent to smartphone.
*VZW FREE MSG: Phone must be activated on Verizon Wireless Prepaid service and first monthly payment must be made before it can be used with any other service. *
Auto-remark is placed on the customer's account.
*SIM Swap attempted: MDN Hotlined. Phone must be activated on VZW Prepaid service and first month paid before it can be activated as postpaid. *"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dang...yeah I think you're right about this. My mistake...ugh I wish they'd just make it easy! In that case I'd say Swappa would be the best route...I've bought a few phones off of there and it's always been a great experience.

What are your APN settings? I'm having issues getting my data to work on Verizon.

Salmonella lolz said:
What are your APN settings? I'm having issues getting my data to work on Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=68263623&postcount=61

So frustrating. Before update used today Verizon in upper left corner. Switched to 123456 after update. Rebooted and it went back. After another reboot it only says 123456 and nothing I do will change it back. And now when I get an MMS hangouts tells me it needs to download it but nothing happens. I never get LTE anymore either.
Edit: not sure what I did but it's back now. Might have something to do with bearer in apn settings being lte.

KyJelly69 said:
So frustrating. Before update used today Verizon in upper left corner. Switched to 123456 after update. Rebooted and it went back. After another reboot it only says 123456 and nothing I do will change it back. And now when I get an MMS hangouts tells me it needs to download it but nothing happens. I never get LTE anymore either.
Edit: not sure what I did but it's back now. Might have something to do with bearer in apn settings being lte.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's #9 in the above list that was posted. Need to cycle the modem state of the device.

so, can someone help me with a little clarification? did ZTE ever actually disable anything regarding Verizon on this phone? i know when people quote the webinar, it sounded like they were going to. i understand that the functionality is basically all still working, but i'm wondering if maybe i'm confused on the terminology.
in this post on reddit, i heard the same thing that has been repeated by some, and i am wondering if i have my band terminology confused. is the cdma part different from the 4g lte part(and that's why it's still working)?, or is sarah just incorrect?
SarahSchmera 3 points 9 hours ago
Axon 7
Doesn't work on Verizon yet. It supposedly has CDMA radios but the radio firmware has them disabled. ZTE can't by law enable the CDMA radios because they didn't get FCC approval for the CDMA radios. They would have to pay for the testing and then resubmit the device to the FCC to get approval before they turned on the CDMA radios through a software update.
And the device doesn't have the firmware for VoLTE, HD calling or WiFi calling on Verizon.
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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.
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You able to place calls??

juggamonkey said:
You able to place calls??
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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
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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
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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.
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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?
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.