Database Users

Old sim card.. New Vibrant?

Hello all. Long time reader/lurker here. I'm coming from a Moto q, to a Touch Pro 2 and now a Vibrant. So all of this android stuff is new to me. Long story short, I have a Vibrant. I love it, but I get really terrible reception. No, I'm not stuck on the whole bars thing. The actual quality of my calls are weak. I get a lot of voice fading and my sister and a few others say I sound like I'm in a hole. I was wondering: is my old sim card the reason why I'm getting dropped calls and a lot of 'failed' text message errors? I also get a lot of 'network error messagess' when I'm on the browser or in youtube. I ask because yes, it's not a old sim card, but maybe a new one out the box could help me hold a signal or should I swap out? Sorry if it's a noob question.

i went into the t-mobile store the other day and they said i should have been givin a new sim card with my vibrant, and that if your current sim is older than a year old you should get a new one, they gave me one for free. Everything seems about the same on the phone for me but it might fix your problem

watermonkey said:
i went into the t-mobile store the other day and they said i should have been givin a new sim card with my vibrant, and that if your current sim is older than a year old you should get a new one, they gave me one for free. Everything seems about the same on the phone for me but it might fix your problem
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Thanks for replying water monkey. Did you experience any problems as far as call quality or anything? I have dropped 4 calls since picking up the Vibrant and have had several failed text messages. It's kind of frustrating when the phone is so beautiful and expensive. Really hope the new sim will fix all my network/reception issues!

no i didnt have any problems with dropped or fading calls but my card was only 2 years old, if yours is older then you might have problems

Mines is barely a year old. (Original sim from Touch Pro 2). Maybe it's an outage or something in my area? I'm in Chicago. Maybe that could be the reason.

My SIM card is over five years old. The problems I'm having appear to be the fault of the phone. The SIM works perfectly in every other phone I pop it into.

My SIM card is from 2002 from when I first signed up with T-Mobile, it came with the original PocketPC Phone Edition. My network speeds are fine as you can see.

Reading that makes it even more frustrating... Guess I'll just take it back and start over with a new one/new sim card.

My sim is also from 2002. I too have no issues.

You guys think doing a full swap will set things right? (new phone/new sim)?

It may just be the design of the phone, my man. Lots of us are having problems.
It could also just be bad coverage in your area? You'll have to check T-Mo's maps and see where you're sitting with coverage (voice and data have their own maps).
I have great coverage in my city, but my reception is extremely disappointing. It appears to be the only T-Mo device I've used that has these issues. My first Vibrant (that came stock with a broken headphone jack) had problems, and my second does as well.
You could try swapping the SIM and try a new Vibrant. I'll bet you'll have the same issues, unfortunately.
One test to try would be to compare your results with a friend's 3G phone (provided you have a friend on T-Mo). Use the phones in the same conditions, and see if both devices have issues. If it's only you, then you know it's your phone.

thanks guys. I think I'll just return it and maybe pick up a droid x. (I'm an official android convert)

Jon C you should do the same thing. See how easy that was? Problem solved... Credit, exchange, sell or wait.
Catchin' the VIBE on the XDApp

Oh, the old internet mob mentality...

Jon C said:
Oh, the old internet mob mentality...
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sorry, but thats my own opinion. I just dont understand why you still own the phone. Why put yourself through all this just to run out of time to claim buyers remorse? This phone is obviously not living up to your standard, do something about it.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=738327
I just called tmobile and they confirmed it does help the 3G signal. The latest sim card are numbered 50.01.

Verizon Note 3 not getting service, maybe root will solve??

Hey guys my Note 3 is activated on my Verizon acct but I can't get service anywhere in my area code (Virginia Beach, VA). I went to another market about 2 hours away (Richmond, VA) and stuck the sim card from my note 2 in my Note 3 and it worked fine for over 24 hours. As soon as I got out of Richmond, I made a phone call that lasted until I got back home and hung up the call then I lost service again and can't get it back. It is still activated on my line though. I have tried 5 different Note 3's and about 10 different SIM cards, all with the same issue, so I think I've ruled out a faulty device.
Verizon Tech support and I have tried everything we can to resolve the issue, and reading the Verizon support forums, I have found that there are others with the same issue...phone will activate, but not connect to service.
My question to any of you is do you think rooting the device will help to resolve this issue? I know root has recently been achieved (or at least I thought it had) and am wondering about this...
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I do still have 14 days to return my device worry free, and Verizon has given me $55 in acct credit, plus they are going to extend my "worry free" return time for the device in question.

dead batteries said:
Hey guys my Note 3 is activated on my Verizon acct but I can't get service anywhere in my area code (Virginia Beach, VA). I went to another market about 2 hours away (Richmond, VA) and stuck the sim card from my note 2 in my Note 3 and it worked fine for over 24 hours. As soon as I got out of Richmond, I made a phone call that lasted until I got back home and hung up the call then I lost service again and can't get it back. It is still activated on my line though. I have tried 5 different Note 3's and about 10 different SIM cards, all with the same issue, so I think I've ruled out a faulty device.
Verizon Tech support and I have tried everything we can to resolve the issue, and reading the Verizon support forums, I have found that there are others with the same issue...phone will activate, but not connect to service.
My question to any of you is do you think rooting the device will help to resolve this issue? I know root has recently been achieved (or at least I thought it had) and am wondering about this...
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I do still have 14 days to return my device worry free, and Verizon has given me $55 in acct credit, plus they are going to extend my "worry free" return time for the device in question.
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Click to collapse
I don't think Root is going to help solve your problems. Sounds like a Verizon issue to me.

dead batteries said:
Hey guys my Note 3 is activated on my Verizon acct but I can't get service anywhere in my area code (Virginia Beach, VA). I went to another market about 2 hours away (Richmond, VA) and stuck the sim card from my note 2 in my Note 3 and it worked fine for over 24 hours. As soon as I got out of Richmond, I made a phone call that lasted until I got back home and hung up the call then I lost service again and can't get it back. It is still activated on my line though. I have tried 5 different Note 3's and about 10 different SIM cards, all with the same issue, so I think I've ruled out a faulty device.
Verizon Tech support and I have tried everything we can to resolve the issue, and reading the Verizon support forums, I have found that there are others with the same issue...phone will activate, but not connect to service.
My question to any of you is do you think rooting the device will help to resolve this issue? I know root has recently been achieved (or at least I thought it had) and am wondering about this...
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I do still have 14 days to return my device worry free, and Verizon has given me $55 in acct credit, plus they are going to extend my "worry free" return time for the device in question.
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Click to collapse
Root is not going to fix this type of Issue. I would return it for another device. nd make sure you get a new SIM card as well.

pdykstra said:
I don't think Root is going to help solve your problems. Sounds like a Verizon issue to me.
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This.
I'm sure with time we'll have Better radios but your issue is malfunction.
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

I understand and thank you for your answers thus far. I don't believe it's a device issue as I've tried this on at least 5 different Note 3's and tried at least 10 different SIM cards, none of this worked. Again, once I took my Note 3 to Richmond VA (about 2 hours away) it got service and worked for the entire time I was there. While I do believe this is a Verizon network issue, I was hoping rooting and maybe flashing a new radio would solve the issue? Sounds like there may not be a new radio yet though...

dead batteries said:
I understand and thank you for your answers thus far. I don't believe it's a device issue as I've tried this on at least 5 different Note 3's and tried at least 10 different SIM cards, none of this worked. Again, once I took my Note 3 to Richmond VA (about 2 hours away) it got service and worked for the entire time I was there. While I do believe this is a Verizon network issue, I was hoping rooting and maybe flashing a new radio would solve the issue? Sounds like there may not be a new radio yet though...
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I too live in the 757 and my service has been pretty good. I'm in between Richmond and VA beach. I haven't been to Virginia Beach but I have been to Norfolk with this phone and it worked fine there.
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Other devices currently owned and in use At&t Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Google Nexus 7 2013

Bsmith0731 said:
I too live in the 757 and my service has been pretty good. I'm in between Richmond and VA beach. I haven't been to Virginia Beach but I have been to Norfolk with this phone and it worked fine there.
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Other devices currently owned and in use At&t Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Google Nexus 7 2013
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Click to collapse
I have a Q for you then sir... The number you have associated with your account, is it a Verizon original number or did you port it from another company?

dead batteries said:
I have a Q for you then sir... The number you have associated with your account, is it a Verizon original number or did you port it from another company?
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Years ago it was ported from sprint/Nextel maybe 2009 or 2010
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Other devices currently owned and in use At&t Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Google Nexus 7 2013

dead batteries said:
Hey guys my Note 3 is activated on my Verizon acct but I can't get service anywhere in my area code (Virginia Beach, VA). I went to another market about 2 hours away (Richmond, VA) and stuck the sim card from my note 2 in my Note 3 and it worked fine for over 24 hours. As soon as I got out of Richmond, I made a phone call that lasted until I got back home and hung up the call then I lost service again and can't get it back. It is still activated on my line though. I have tried 5 different Note 3's and about 10 different SIM cards, all with the same issue, so I think I've ruled out a faulty device.
Verizon Tech support and I have tried everything we can to resolve the issue, and reading the Verizon support forums, I have found that there are others with the same issue...phone will activate, but not connect to service.
My question to any of you is do you think rooting the device will help to resolve this issue? I know root has recently been achieved (or at least I thought it had) and am wondering about this...
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I do still have 14 days to return my device worry free, and Verizon has given me $55 in acct credit, plus they are going to extend my "worry free" return time for the device in question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also had the same issue, I live in Richmond,VA and just switched from Sprint. Went to Newport News and had no service about a couple weeks back. Lost service right at Busch Gardens and I had the No service popup with service for 2 seconds and back to no service. It kept doing this and would keep restarting my phone. Verizon is blaming Samsung, Samsung is blaming Verizon. My sim card worked in a G4 in Newport News just fine. I wasted 3-4 hours of my day from phone support to in-store time trying to resolve this issue. The best solution they could provide was get another phone but I refused to downgrade from the Note series. I am about to go to Newport News again, I am hoping they resolved the issue by now. Sounds like a Verizon network issue or a possible firmware problem on the device.

dead batteries said:
Hey guys my Note 3 is activated on my Verizon acct but I can't get service anywhere in my area code (Virginia Beach, VA). I went to another market about 2 hours away (Richmond, VA) and stuck the sim card from my note 2 in my Note 3 and it worked fine for over 24 hours. As soon as I got out of Richmond, I made a phone call that lasted until I got back home and hung up the call then I lost service again and can't get it back. It is still activated on my line though. I have tried 5 different Note 3's and about 10 different SIM cards, all with the same issue, so I think I've ruled out a faulty device.
Verizon Tech support and I have tried everything we can to resolve the issue, and reading the Verizon support forums, I have found that there are others with the same issue...phone will activate, but not connect to service.
My question to any of you is do you think rooting the device will help to resolve this issue? I know root has recently been achieved (or at least I thought it had) and am wondering about this...
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I do still have 14 days to return my device worry free, and Verizon has given me $55 in acct credit, plus they are going to extend my "worry free" return time for the device in question.
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Click to collapse
Hey Op.
If you haven't already fixed it. I actually came across this a couple days ago. The fix for this is to create a new line to activate. For some reason the note needs to be activated on a new line.

RCH800 said:
I also had the same issue, I live in Richmond,VA and just switched from Sprint. Went to Newport News and had no service about a couple weeks back. Lost service right at Busch Gardens and I had the No service popup with service for 2 seconds and back to no service. It kept doing this and would keep restarting my phone. Verizon is blaming Samsung, Samsung is blaming Verizon. My sim card worked in a G4 in Newport News just fine. I wasted 3-4 hours of my day from phone support to in-store time trying to resolve this issue. The best solution they could provide was get another phone but I refused to downgrade from the Note series. I am about to go to Newport News again, I am hoping they resolved the issue by now. Sounds like a Verizon network issue or a possible firmware problem on the device.
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Click to collapse
Went to Newport News this weekend and drove around and had service everywhere. Seems to be a Verizon issue and seems to be resolved.

Note 7 Still Fully Functioning

Hey guys,
So I thought I'd make an account and post that I still have a Note 7 on VZW and it's still functioning, it doesn't seem to be re-directing calls to Verizon's customer support.
A bit about why this may be:
I turned in my Note 7 last year and got a Pixel XL. This Note 7, which was on my wife's account in December was swapped with my old Nexus 6P. Since we never actually ordered a replacement phone on my wife's line, about a week or two ago we finally received a box to return her Note 7, which we have not done yet. I decided to go ahead and put my Pixel XL's SIM in to the Note 7, and everything seems to work perfectly.
I even wiped the phone and I'm not getting any update notifications, if I check for updates I am told that there is one available (no description on what it does like usual) and am asked if I would like to install the update with three options. Yes, Later, or no. I clicked no and no further prompts occur.
If you guys who are still holding out on your Note 7 want any information or anything to perhaps figure out workarounds, let me know and I will do what I can.

They will most likely brick the SIM in your note 7 tonight at midnight. Expect it to happen. They can certainly tell what kind of phone the sim is in, even if the sim was originally in a different phone. Most likely any sim in a note 7 that is connected to a Verizon network will be bricked. Today is literally the last day our N7's will work with a Verizon SIM. Unless there have been some last minute changes to what VZ is going to do - and I doubt that, as they have already been bricking peopls sims in N7's for at least a week now - the chances are almost certain that your N7 will not work sometime later tonight.

Still going strong with my note 7 everything works perfect like it should on Verizon
Sent from my Explosive Galaxy Note 7

They won't "brick" a sim card. It called a hot-line. Its done on the server to disable certain functions from certain models. Its easily reversed and can be avoided.

eskomo said:
Its easily reversed and can be avoided.
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Are you suggesting that there's something that we can do / could have done to retain service to our Note7's?

I had my N7 hot lined by Verizon on 1/26. 3 days later I had my N4 activated on the line after telling an online chat rep that I had misplaced the 7. Texts still didn't work, so after another online chat and again having to confirm my N7 wasn't in my possession they fixed it. I figured since both agents were eager to fix the line, but only if I had returned the N7 or "lost" it that it was pretty likely I'd be able to activate my 7 again. I waited a few days for the 1/31 deadline for hotlines to pass and went and activated this beautiful black onyx Note 7, and voila it worked. Unless they manually church imei on an account that's been signed off as no longer being tied to a n7 and in good standing, I think I'm all good till the N8.

tricktaylor said:
I had my N7 hot lined by Verizon on 1/26. 3 days later I had my N4 activated on the line after telling an online chat rep that I had misplaced the 7. Texts still didn't work, so after another online chat and again having to confirm my N7 wasn't in my possession they fixed it. I figured since both agents were eager to fix the line, but only if I had returned the N7 or "lost" it that it was pretty likely I'd be able to activate my 7 again. I waited a few days for the 1/31 deadline for hotlines to pass and went and activated this beautiful black onyx Note 7, and voila it worked. Unless they manually church imei on an account that's been signed off as no longer being tied to a n7 and in good standing, I think I'm all good till the N8.
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Did you use your original Note7 SIM*when reactivating the phone?

raneym305 said:
Did you use your original Note7 SIM*when reactivating the phone?
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*if you work for or are affiliated with Samsung or Verizon, I'm not sure what Note 7 we are talking about. I lost mine* yes never touched the sim. It was the same one that came with the N7.

tricktaylor said:
*if you work for or are affiliated with Samsung or Verizon, I'm not sure what Note 7 we are talking about. I lost mine* yes never touched the sim. It was the same one that came with the N7.
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HAHAHA
The reason I ask is that, when I found that service had been cut to my Note7 I wasn't able to reactivate my Note 4 via the MyVerizon portal- I actually had to call into Verizon to do it. I was told by*multiple Customer Service Reps that they had put a block on the SIM card itself, not the actual device. Furthermore, while trying to reactivate my Note 4 (which had been working just fine the week before) they killed that SIM too... It ended up taking umpteen phone calls, 3 online chats, and a trip to the Verizon store (all-in-all, basically an entire afternoon) just to get*my Note 4 reactivated with*a*new SIM.
I'm just trying to avoid going through that process again.

raneym305 said:
HAHAHA
The reason I ask is that, when I found that service had been cut to my Note7 I wasn't able to reactivate my Note 4 via the MyVerizon portal- I actually had to call into Verizon to do it. I was told by*multiple Customer Service Reps that they had put a block on the SIM card itself, not the actual device. Furthermore, while trying to reactivate my Note 4 (which had been working just fine the week before) they killed that SIM too... It ended up taking umpteen phone calls, 3 online chats, and a trip to the Verizon store (all-in-all, basically an entire afternoon) just to get*my Note 4 reactivated with*a*new SIM.
I'm just trying to avoid going through that process again.
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I hear ya I too was hesitant just because I didn't feel like having too contact them again after saying the N7 was lost and have it mysteriously in my possession and trying to connect to the network. During my 1st contact after N7 data went down I did mention I was an attorney and that what they were doing was really gray legally. All I got from only online chat reps was that my number had been hot lined and that they would fix it. Halfway through activating my note 4 they asked if I had returned n7 I said no I didn't see how it was even relevant but that I had lost it. Not another word. But my texts did not work. So next day again via online chat the rep asked about the N7. I said I "misplaced" it. She asked when. I said 3 days prior, 1/26. The day they hot lined it. She didn't say anything else, asked me to reboot the note 4 and it was calling and texting again. Fast forward five days I went to Verizon and activated my "misplaced" N7 via online hub without issue. No mention off a sim card ever and I touched neither phones sim card since the days I bought the phones.

Well, it worked... for three days...

raneym305 said:
Well, it worked... for three days...
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Yea mine nu just bit it again too. This is ridiculous.

Back on the Note 4. I'll give it a day or two before attempting to reactivate my Note7. As of now, there's been nothing to indicate that this round of hotlining will have different results than the last.

I got antsy. I reactivated my Note 7 last night and haven't had a single issue.
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 7 using XDA Labs

raneym305 said:
I got antsy. I reactivated my Note 7 last night and haven't had a single issue.
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 7 using XDA Labs
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Got hotwired as well, What method are you using to reactivate you're phone? The online service or are you calling in and activating? It seems as if my sim card itself is what hotwired.

Y0sHii said:
Got hotwired as well, What method are you using to reactivate you're phone? The online service or are you calling in and activating? It seems as if my sim card itself is what hotwired.
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That's why I reactivated my Note 4, then trimmed down the SIM and used today. I now have 3-4 Nano SIM Cards, and a Nano to Micro SIM adapters. Assuming the hotlining will continue on a weekly basis, I'll just reactivate my Note 4 with one of the Nano SIMs not in use, then slip it into my Note7.
The first time I was hotlined, I didn't do any SIM swapping. I reactivated my Note 4 then, a few days later, went online and reactived my Note7 that was still loaded with SIM that had been hotlined.
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 7 using XDA Labs

Hi guys. I've been going with this for about a week or two now, similar to you guys and want to share my experience. My device was purchased through 3rd party means, and has no purchase history in my Verizon account. I was hot lined this past Tuesday, the 7th. I called and was on the phone with a manager for over an hour, who was extremely reluctant to help me (obviously). She told me that the recall had changed status to involuntary, and that Samsung is forcing them to hot line the phones due to whatever reason.
This is obviously crap, but boy was she reluctant to prove it and everything. So i said whatever and hung out. Two days later, I went to reactivate the phone on using their Online activation, and I received an error message saying my account was blocked from doing so. I spoke with an online rep who reactivated my phone with no questions asked. I asked her if there was anything wrong with my account or line, to which she said No. I asked her about anything relating to hot line and she told me specifically this: "If a Note7 is active on the line, block services to drive customer to upgrade". She totally disregarded the message, and said she'll place a flag on my account that if I continue to have an interrupt of service, I will look into it further.
It's obvious that if you are hot lined, and your calls get redirected to Verizon's special reps specifically for Note7 users, and will be their to assist you and leave you with no choice but to upgrade. If you contact verizon differently, whether it be over the phone through their normal tech lines or through their web portal, you are handled by the run of the mill employees who either don't care, or aren't told to handle your case by special means. Just keep fighting them.

raneym305 said:
That's why I reactivated my Note 4, then trimmed down the SIM and used today. I now have 3-4 Nano SIM Cards, and a Nano to Micro SIM adapters. Assuming the hotlining will continue on a weekly basis, I'll just reactivate my Note 4 with one of the Nano SIMs not in use, then slip it into my Note7.
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 7 using XDA Labs
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....Beautiful, simply beautiful. THIS has been the answer I've been trying to squeeze out of the Verizon rep's from going to the local store, chat and even 3+ hour phone sessions. Literally all i needed to know was if my device's info was being broadcasted from the sim card that was previously hot wired!! It seems like it is therefore all i need now is to activate my old note 3. have it activated for a bit then shave that card down to fit the note 7. Go to the store and get a new sd card for the note 3 then activate and reactivate on a weekly basis until the note 8 comes out. Still looks like there is a way to Limp to the finish line with this recall/hotline issue.
---------- Post added at 08:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:32 PM ----------
CarbonMan said:
Hi guys. I've been going with this for about a week or two now, similar to you guys and want to share my experience. My device was purchased through 3rd party means, and has no purchase history in my Verizon account. I was hot lined this past Tuesday, the 7th. I called and was on the phone with a manager for over an hour, who was extremely reluctant to help me (obviously). She told me that the recall had changed status to involuntary, and that Samsung is forcing them to hot line the phones due to whatever reason.
This is obviously crap, but boy was she reluctant to prove it and everything. So i said whatever and hung out. Two days later, I went to reactivate the phone on using their Online activation, and I received an error message saying my account was blocked from doing so. I spoke with an online rep who reactivated my phone with no questions asked. I asked her if there was anything wrong with my account or line, to which she said No. I asked her about anything relating to hot line and she told me specifically this: "If a Note7 is active on the line, block services to drive customer to upgrade". She totally disregarded the message, and said she'll place a flag on my account that if I continue to have an interrupt of service, I will look into it further.
It's obvious that if you are hot lined, and your calls get redirected to Verizon's special reps specifically for Note7 users, and will be their to assist you and leave you with no choice but to upgrade. If you contact verizon differently, whether it be over the phone through their normal tech lines or through their web portal, you are handled by the run of the mill employees who either don't care, or aren't told to handle your case by special means. Just keep fighting them.
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Click to collapse
Interesting, i was told that the service of hotlining phones were "automatically done by a computer at Samsung" -__- . Yes Samsung the manufacturer not the one providing service to the phone and literally got the run around for hours. So what im getting from your entry here is that they're are explicitly told to deny, deny, deny until you're give up and use an upgrade which will tie you to a phone for 2 years that you never wanted in the first place or activate an old device that you'll have to keep upwards of about 6 months until the note 8 comes out.. Unless you find that Golden employee that either doesn't know or doesn't care and will restore service to the phone even if its temporary. Ok *opens support Verizon chat* lets do this again..

Although this process of hotlining our phones affects our SIM cards (and not our phones), it isn't permanent. A few days after my first hotlining, I was able to reactivate my Note7 still using the original SIM card.
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 7 using XDA Labs

raneym305 said:
Although this process of hotlining our phones affects our SIM cards (and not our phones), it isn't permanent. A few days after my first hotlining, I was able to reactivate my Note7 still using the original SIM card.
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 7 using XDA Labs
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Click to collapse
By activating a different device in place of it, then activating the note 7?
Or just deactivating the device waiting a few days and reactivating it?

Do Not Contact carrier to add IMEI, service became not supported by carrier

Hi guys, just word of caution, do not try to contact your carrier to add IMEI for better speed. I just added my Note FE SM-N935K IMEI to AT&T database trying to have data connection optimize for device, but right after the IMEI was added into the system, and a reboot, phone popped a message saying data service not supported, along with total loss of data connection and ability to make phone calls. AT&T customer representative have no idea what happened and abandoned me in middle and chat, and left me with a disabled new phone. most likely AT&T is not up to date with new device IMEI, and considered Note FE as Note 7 and not supported anymore, since Note FE shares old IMEI with note 7 in my opinion. I have no idea what to do now except using the phone as a paper weight. :crying:
Update: SIM card replacement did not work, still showing data service not supported with new SIM. but using Dummy IMEI worked. so mostly like AT&T carrier still blocking service to Note 7 series's IMEI. despite they got news its been releasing back to market. anyway Note FE is back working now. but regret that extra step I took to update IMEI. The best way is to plug and play, so easy.

Phasewalker said:
Hi guys, just word of caution, do not try to contact your carrier to add IMEI for better speed. I just added my Note FE SM-N935K IMEI to AT&T database trying to have data connection optimize for device, but right after the IMEI was added into the system, and a reboot, phone popped a message saying data service not supported, along with total loss of data connection and ability to make phone calls. AT&T customer representative have no idea what happened and abandoned me in middle and chat, and left me with a disabled new phone. most likely AT&T is not up to date with new device IMEI, and considered Note FE as Note 7 and not supported anymore, since Note FE shares old IMEI with note 7 in my opinion. I have no idea what to do now except using the phone as a paper weight. :crying:
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Click to collapse
Hi, contact at&t and tell them to put a dummy IMEI in your account. That will work.

Abdiel1224 said:
Hi, contact at&t and tell them to put a dummy IMEI in your account. That will work.
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AT&T specialist ask me to bring device to store and get a new SIM card, I will do it tomorrow and see if it fixed the issue. thanks for suggestion

Phasewalker said:
AT&T specialist ask me to bring device to store and get a new SIM card, I will do it tomorrow and see if it fixed the issue. thanks for suggestion
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Let me know what they said!! I want one too .

Abdiel1224 said:
Let me know what they said!! I want one too .
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Update: SIM card replacement did not work, still showing data service not supported with new SIM. but using Dummy IMEI worked. so mostly like AT&T carrier still blocking service to Note 7 series's IMEI. despite they got news its been releasing back to market. anyway Note FE is back working now. but regret that extra step I took to update IMEI. The best way is to plug and play, so easy.

Phasewalker said:
Update: SIM card replacement did not work, still showing data service not supported with new SIM. but using Dummy IMEI worked. so mostly like AT&T carrier still blocking service to Note 7 series's IMEI. despite they got news its been releasing back to market. anyway Note FE is back working now. but regret that extra step I took to update IMEI. The best way is to plug and play, so easy.
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My friend is not because the Note FE is because AT&T have an old database like 2015. I know that because I have a Xiaomi Mi Mix and that happend to me too. They saw in the system that I have a Nokia 2G Lol but glad that they fixed. Do u recommend the Note?

Abdiel1224 said:
My friend is not because the Note FE is because AT&T have an old database like 2015. I know that because I have a Xiaomi Mi Mix and that happend to me too. They saw in the system that I have a Nokia 2G Lol but glad that they fixed. Do u recommend the Note?
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highly recommend, since changing battery not only fixed exploding phones, it solved overheating issue for Exynos 8890 as well. the device now is running cooler under load than before. also the phone is clean, comes with very little bloatware and run smoother than my gf's s8. Considering note 8 is going to be at least $1000 with awkward screen ratio, I say $800 including tax for a one year old device is still reasonable. just find a seller will to cover manufacturer warranty if unit is defect.

Phasewalker said:
highly recommend, since changing battery not only fixed exploding phones, it solved overheating issue for Exynos 8890 as well. the device now is running cooler under load than before. also the phone is clean, comes with very little bloatware and run smoother than my gf's s8. Considering note 8 is going to be at least $1000 with awkward screen ratio, I say $800 including tax for a one year old device is still reasonable. just find a seller will to cover manufacturer warranty if unit is defect.
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Last question the battery? How much last the battery?

Abdiel1224 said:
Last question the battery? How much last the battery?
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too early to tell. but after a full day of use still 40% left as of now.

I cannot wait for my baby next week! I was depressed returning the second note7 which imho had no issues.

bonerp said:
I cannot wait for my baby next week! I was depressed returning the second note7 which imho had no issues.
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I hear that....my FE will be delivered today!
Havent been this excited about a phone in ages despite having 3 of them last year lol
Sent from my S8+, S7 edge or S6

force70 said:
I hear that....my FE will be delivered today!
Havent been this excited about a phone in ages despite having 3 of them last year lol
Sent from my S8+, S7 edge or S6
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+1 On the anticipation,glad the seller I chose didn't drag arse & shipped within a few hrs after ordering.
Ordered @ 0230 CDT & was already en route three hrs later,w/an updated delivery estimate of Monday 7-17,1-4 days ahead of advertised schedule.
It's actually arriving a day earlier than I wanted,gotta go in late to work,wait for delivery,but,I'll take it vs the alternative,LOL......

I wanted to keep it...

Once I got the phone setup and on the Sprint network I tried a test SMS to someone. They replied and the message came in. Then it repeated itself over and over indefinitely. I had someone else send me a SMS message but that message never came through. I received the last message that was sent once again.
Countless hours on the phone with Sprint escalated through tech support. Took it back to the store. They tried to "flash" it but could not. Swapped out for another Essential Ph-1 and it did the same thing.
I told them to keep it. It has caused enough stress in my life for years at this point.

Curious, there have been a few random issues (not just on Sprint) that have turned out to be APN related. Do you know if they checked the APN settings and verified they were correct for their network? I changed a couple settings on TMobile to match what their recommendation is on their website and I know a couple AT&T people have had to change a thing or two as well.

ack154 said:
Curious, there have been a few random issues (not just on Sprint) that have turned out to be APN related. Do you know if they checked the APN settings and verified they were correct for their network? I changed a couple settings on TMobile to match what their recommendation is on their website and I know a couple AT&T people have had to change a thing or two as well.
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To be honest I do not know if they checked that and I did not know to check it.

So you only had the phone for a few hours? Your call but I think you may have jumped the gun.

spotmark said:
So you only had the phone for a few hours? Your call but I think you may have jumped the gun.
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I did not know what else to do. Guess I should have asked you guys first.

chasdw said:
I did not know what else to do. Guess I should have asked you guys first.
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No use crying over spilled milk. Enjoy whatever you went with.

This is entirely speculation, but it could be on either Sprint's side or the Messenger app itself. What you describe mirrors my experience with my unlocked Galaxy S8 and using the Messenger app. I switched that line over to the Essential phone it started working fine with text messages. If you try again in the future, try disabling the advanced SMS features (called RDS I think?).

CollinFX45 said:
This is entirely speculation, but it could be on either Sprint's side or the Messenger app itself. What you describe mirrors my experience with my unlocked Galaxy S8 and using the Messenger app. I switched that line over to the Essential phone it started working fine with text messages. If you try again in the future, try disabling the advanced SMS features (called RDS I think?).
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Thank you, appreciate the advice.

I work for sprint and this is an uncommon issue that has plagued the network for years. If your phone is not rooted, a simple profile update can fix this. One common issue we have seen with the essential phones bought through sprint is it not activating fully the first time. After the phone says it's activated still go through the settings, tap about, tap "OMADM updates" and click profile update. It was reprovision the phone correctly and reboot again. Sometimes it gets stuck on the last step. As long as the reception goes blank and then comes back with a LTE logo then you are done and can reboot the phone.
I know you already went with another phone but you could just as easily have the same issues on another phone. This comment is more for those who are looking for answers to your issue.

hellot1M said:
I work for sprint and this is an uncommon issue that has plagued the network for years. If your phone is not rooted, a simple profile update can fix this. One common issue we have seen with the essential phones bought through sprint is it not activating fully the first time. After the phone says it's activated still go through the settings, tap about, tap "OMADM updates" and click profile update. It was reprovision the phone correctly and reboot again. Sometimes it gets stuck on the last step. As long as the reception goes blank and then comes back with a LTE logo then you are done and can reboot the phone.
I know you already went with another phone but you could just as easily have the same issues on another phone. This comment is more for those who are looking for answers to your issue.
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Very much appreciate the reply. I have not gone with a different phone because I am not really interested in any others at this time.
I did try what you suggested on both of the essential phones. It did not work on either.
I will probably go back by the Sprint store tomorrow to see if they figured anything out.
I cannot be without a phone and I do not currently have time to troubleshoot one that is not working.
I will keep chugging along with my old phone for the time being.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

To be clear, Sprint Technical Support is so close to useless you might as well ask your dog how to fix your phone. You'd get the same quality of information and save yourself some time to boot. This is not necessarily Sprint's fault. It's very likely that Essential isn't giving them enough information. For example, I was trying to get files transfered from my PC to my Essential Phone earlier today. All I got was an big empty nothing telling me "This Folder is Empty." Figured it was something very simple but I couldn't figure out what. Sprint's second level support told me to call HP (computer OEM). Came onto this forum and somebody mentioned "just change the setting in notifications from charging to file transfer." Yep! It really was that easy! And Sprint should have easy fixes like that extremely well documented.
It makes me more that a little nervous to realize that Sprint is completely clueless about this phone and that Essential is next to impossible to get in touch with. Makes me wish I could have held out for the other Sprint exclusive coming soon: The LG V30+. Same 128GB internal, better screen, waterproof certification, drop proof certification, OLED screen instead of the PH-1's disappointing LCD panel, bigger screen, has an SD card slot, better camera, and above all else, well supported. Unfortunately, my old phone was broken and I needed to replace it immediately and as cheaply as possible. $15 per month made the PH-1 the best option available for me. Even the LG G6 with it's inferior specs, processor, etc. would have cost me more -- $20 per month.
We'll see how I'm feeling about my PH-1 in a week. Right now there's a lot of good and a lot of bad, so it's hard to say. At least by shear dumb luck I got the PH-1 at a budget phone price.

I had the same issue and took it to a Sprint store today. After a lot of trial and error, turning off Google voice did the trick for me. Even though they already switched me to a new phone.

I wanted to keep it but Pixel 2 coming out in October and camera subpar.
Sent from my Pixel XL using XDA-Developers Legacy app

I am on sprint and I have had zero issues, in fact I have a better signal with this phone because it utilizes the LTE + network. This is very interesting to me.