Hi guys.. So I bought a Samsung Galaxy S8 from Best Buy Mobile last month. I had to use sprint because at&t (my fav. carrier) would not finance me on the phone. I was told if I paid off the phone I could switch carriers. So that's what I did. Sprint even unlocked it. Now people are telling me I can't use this certain phone on at&t, or even verizon because it is a cdma phone. No one told me this when buying the phone.
Is it true that I am stuck with sprint?! I have horrible coverage in my area and I can't even use the internet and such unless I'm on a wireless connection. What can I do? Please help!
Did you try putting in a non sprint sim?
If it is SIM unlocked, just flash the unlocked (G950U1) firmware on it.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3625817
KARVEGA79 said:
Hi guys.. So I bought a Samsung Galaxy S8 from Best Buy Mobile last month. I had to use sprint because at&t (my fav. carrier) would not finance me on the phone. I was told if I paid off the phone I could switch carriers. So that's what I did. Sprint even unlocked it. Now people are telling me I can't use this certain phone on at&t, or even verizon because it is a cdma phone. No one told me this when buying the phone.
Is it true that I am stuck with sprint?! I have horrible coverage in my area and I can't even use the internet and such unless I'm on a wireless connection. What can I do? Please help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the Sprint unlocked your phone, then it won't hurt inserting another sim in it. Theoretically speaking it should work and if it won't, then flashing is another way of making it work.
KARVEGA79 said:
Now people are telling me I can't use this certain phone on at&t, or even verizon because it is a cdma phone. No one told me this when buying the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who are these ignorant people telling you this and why are you listening to them?
1) Verizon also uses CDMA, so having CDMA is the reason it WOULD work with Verizon.
2) All the carriers in the U.S. get the same phone. All the bands needed for a specific carrier are activated when the SIM card is installed. The only reason it wouldn't work is if Sprint had not unlocked the phone after you paid it off. It would be locked to Sprint to prevent you from not honoring the purchase agreement. And even then it would be blacklisted on Sprint network, if you didn't honor the purchase agreement.
3) if inserting the SIM card for another carrier doesn't automatically change the firmware, then do what this guy said:
lancemoreland said:
If it is SIM unlocked, just flash the unlocked (G950U1) firmware on it.
Guide for Flashing Standard Firmware, Carrier Switching, and Flashing Unlocked Firmware
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3625817
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint, at&t and even verizon said my phone wasn't compatible even after I told them sprint unlocked it. I had no idea about all this cdma, gsm crap when buying the phone. I have never had a decent phone like an S8. All my phones have been cheap prepaid phones since now due to the fact no one would ever finance me for one. I was SOO freakin surprised and happy when someone actually agreed to finance me, I figured I could pay off the phone and then switch. After paying off the phone is when these companies said it was incompatible. Weird thing is I went to IMEI.info and it says it IS compatible and IS unlocked for sure. I then went to at&t online and after typing in my imei number it also said it was compatible. I'm so confused. I am going to take it up to at&t tomorrow and see what happens when I buy and insert a sim card. If it turns out to be sim locked is there a way to bypass this? I truly have paid the phone off and after doing so I asked sprint (on the phone) to sim unlock it, they said they did.
Please do not listen to the idiots at the mobile companies. There is ZERO difference in the S8, ZERO!!!!! If It's not sim locked it will work on ALL carriers, both cdma and gsm.
If It's still sim locked, some people have had success paying a third party to provide a code. But I would try sprint first since They said it should be unlocked.
My guess is that it will work fine with another sim card.
I would either flash the att firmware or the unlocked firmware on it.
Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
Should I flash the att firmware before inserting the sim or only if the sim does not work? Also is there a way and should I back up my sprint firmware or should I be ok? Thanks.
KARVEGA79 said:
Should I flash the att firmware before inserting the sim or only if the sim does not work? Also is there a way and should I back up my sprint firmware or should I be ok? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would flash the unlocked firmware on the phone. Will get rid of bloatware. No reason to backup sprint firmware, Its everywhere.
Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
ChazzMatt said:
Who are these ignorant people telling you this and why are you listening to them?
1) Verizon also uses CDMA, so having CDMA is the reason it WOULD work with Verizon.
2) All the carriers in the U.S. get the same phone. All the bands needed for a specific carrier are activated when the SIM card is installed. The only reason it wouldn't work is if Sprint had not unlocked the phone after you paid it off. It would be locked to Sprint to prevent you from not honoring the purchase agreement. And even then it would be blacklisted on Sprint network, if you didn't honor the purchase agreement.
3) if inserting the SIM card for another carrier doesn't automatically change the firmware, then do what this guy said:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It says this guide is only for snapdragon S8's I have an exynos S8. Is there another guide for that one? Nevermind, IMEI.info said I has an exynos, I guess it was wrong info. CPU-Z says it's a snapdragon 835. I'm assuming the CPU-Z info is the correct info?
KARVEGA79 said:
It says this guide is only for snapdragon S8's I have an exynos S8. Is there another guide for that one? Nevermind, IMEI.info said I has an exynos, I guess it was wrong info. CPU-Z says it's a snapdragon 835. I'm assuming the CPU-Z info is the correct info?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You said you purchased that phone from Sprint directly. It's a snapdragon. Exynos is in the international version, which Sprint does not sell.
rkennison said:
You said you purchased that phone from Sprint directly. It's a snapdragon. Exynos is in the international version, which Sprint does not sell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I purchased it from Best Buy Mobile, had to sign with sprint because no other carrier would finance me.
KARVEGA79 said:
It says this guide is only for snapdragon S8's I have an exynos S8. Is there another guide for that one? Nevermind, IMEI.info said I has an exynos, I guess it was wrong info. CPU-Z says it's a snapdragon 835. I'm assuming the CPU-Z info is the correct info?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you bought it from Sprint (or even just used it on Sprint), then you have a Snapdragon 835 S8. Only the Snapdragon variants have CDMA bands for Sprint and Verizon. Only the Snapdragon S8/S8+ variants are sold by carriers in North America -- so they can be cross compatible with Sprint/Verizon/AT&T/T-mobile/Canadian carriers. That's why whoever told you this nonsense is so ignorant.
If you had IMPORTED an Exynos variant from like England, then you would be limited to AT&T or T-mobile. But you have the "universal" Snapdragon model. Now the Exynos variant has an easily unlocked bootloader, which is a reason people import them, but that's another topic altogether.
As long as your Snapdragon 835 S8 is SIM unlocked (you have paid for it in full, and Sprint says they have unlocked it), you can take it to any other carrier or even an MVNO (like Straight Talk) and use it.
---------- Post added at 08:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 AM ----------
KARVEGA79 said:
I purchased it from Best Buy Mobile, had to sign with sprint because no other carrier would finance me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you used it on Sprint, you have Snapdragon 835. Only the Snapdragon S8/S8+ variants have CDMA bands for Sprint and Verizon, in addition to LTE bands.
---------- Post added at 08:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:04 AM ----------
KARVEGA79 said:
Should I flash the att firmware before inserting the sim or only if the sim does not work? Also is there a way and should I back up my sprint firmware or should I be ok? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thor2j said:
Please do not listen to the idiots at the mobile companies. There is ZERO difference in the S8, ZERO!!!!! If It's not sim locked it will work on ALL carriers, both cdma and gsm.
If It's still sim locked, some people have had success paying a third party to provide a code. But I would try sprint first since They said it should be unlocked.
My guess is that it will work fine with another sim card.
I would either flash the att firmware or the unlocked firmware on it.
Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you phone is paid off, when you go to AT&T, try AT&T Prepaid (formerly called GoPhone). It's really for people who already own their phones.
Same high speed data off the same low-lag data servers used by "contract"/postpaid AT&T customers (with one exception, which I'll warn you about),
same in-store AT&T customer service as contract/postpaid AT&T customers,
same AT&T SIM card as contract/pospaid service. (The store may have SIM cards labelled "AT&T Prepaid", but underneath it's the same AT&T SIM card. If they try to charge you for one, tell them you want the FREE AT&T SIM card. It's the exact same thing.)
Make sure you go to an AT&T corporate store, not a "franchise" store. At the AT&T corporate store they will even give you free AT&T SIM card to use for AT&T Prepaid. (Franchise stores will try to sell you SIM cards.)
The advantage is AT&T Prepaid is much less expensive service than "postpaid" AT&T (contract service). Since you already own your phone in full, all you need to pay for is monthly service. You don't need to pay extra each month so you can get a "free" upgrade to a new phone in 2 or 3 years. (Not free, you are really paying for it with extra fees each month.)
You would want the $45/6GB plan on AT&T Prepaid. Do not fall for the $60 "unlimited" plan. The $45/6GB plan gives you plenty of UNCAPPED high speed data/unlimited calls/unlimited texts. Whereas the $60 plan caps your data speeds at 3mbps to compensate for it being "unlimited". AT&T Prepaid uses same data servers as their AT&T postpaid customers and I get ping speeds often less than 30ms, most often 26-29ms, which is fantastic low lag speed. (Lower pings are better, lower ping speed = less lag). If you go to even a service like Cricket (owned by AT&T, but you won't see any AT&T logos anywhere), they use proxy server farms and you often get triple digit ping speeds (high lag). This is also why Cricket has to use a DIFFERENT SIM card from regular AT&T. Higher ping speeds make it seems like your download speeds are much slower than they are.. due to LAG. Plus Cricket caps ALL download speeds at 8mbps. Until AT&T Prepaid (formerly called GoPhone) introduced their $60 "unlimited" plan, ALL their plans were uncapped high speed data. They didn't cap download speed at all. But now they have started capping speeds with the $60 "unlimited" plan. So STAY AWAY FROM THAT.
With the $45/6GB plan, if you autopay each month, you can save $5 and only pay $40 per month. So, $40 per month for 6GB data, with UNCAPPED low lag data straight from AT&T. Don't let them charge you for a SIM card! AT&T Prepaid uses the exact same SIM card as "regular' AT&T.
If you decide you don't like it, for whatever reason, you can switch to "regular" postpaid AT&T. But since I always pay for our phones in full, I like to save on monthly service. Although there are tons of MNVOs with prepaid service, they all use proxy servers with high lag (high ping speeds). Even AT&T's own Cricket is configured as an MVNO, to compete with MNVOs like Straight Talk. But AT&T Prepaid is not. It's "pure" AT&T, but at budget prices -- which AT&T uses to compete with actual carriers like T-mobile and Sprint.
You can "bring your own phone" , which in this case is your fully paid for Galaxy S8.
How do I know which ones are the corporate stores and which are the franchise stores? I'm looking at the St. Louis map now. Some say at&t authorized retailer and then some just say at&t.
I have a sprint model and I unlocked it.
It works with T-Mobile and gets LTE
It works with att and gets LTE
It works with Verizon my current carrier now and also gets LTE
Highly recommend flashing the unlocked software if you go this route the sprint software with non sprint SIM cards is very annoying.
Sheon849 said:
I have a sprint model and I unlocked it.
It works with T-Mobile and gets LTE
It works with att and gets LTE
It works with Verizon my current carrier now and also gets LTE
Highly recommend flashing the unlocked software if you go this route the sprint software with non sprint SIM cards is very annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked! Thank GOD! In my room now I get -90/-100 with att and had -100/-125 with sprint. It is using HSPA and I can't find LTE on here to switch over. It stays on 3g, it never goes to 4g or LTE, how can I fix that?
So please tell me what I need to do to delete the sprint crap on here and put att on it. Thanks guys.
Not being rude, but you've been told many times on here What to do , reread the posts.
Follow the directions, we can't spoon feed every little thing.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3625817
Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
Ok, so I want to do the prerequisites - check.
Then just do the carrier switching part and I'm done right?
Do I do all this with the sim card installed or not installed?
Sorry, this is my first time doing this.
Ok, I did what the guide said. During the flashing standard firmware part after clicking start is said FAIL! SHA256 is invalid. I ended up going back into ADB, rebooting and trying a different att firmware download and now the phone works. Weird thing is, I don't see alot of the apps that I had on an old phone with go phone and 4g LTE is not working, it's not even an option. What should I do if I want to wipe clean the phone to stock samsung android, not stock sprint as I bought it. Then I could insert the new go phone sim and it will install those apps and turn on 4g LTE? I'm learning guys, slowly but surely. I love this kinda stuff, so please bear with me here.
KARVEGA79 said:
How do I know which ones are the corporate stores and which are the franchise stores? I'm looking at the St. Louis map now. Some say at&t authorized retailer and then some just say at&t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://www.att.com/maps/store-locator.html
Authorized retailers are code for "franchise stores". They are not owned by AT&T nor run by AT&T. They do not have actual AT&T employees and they will nickel and dime you for every little item, like SIM cards. Whereas "corporate" AT&T stores will give you free AT&T SIM cards.
When AT&T Prepaid was called GoPhone, event the AT&T stores sold a GoPhone SIM card "kit" that had various sizes SIM cards with plastic shims for $15 -- which was totally unnecessary. I just told them, "NO, I want a FREE AT&T SIM card which fits my phone." And at the corporate stores they have to give it to you. AT&T and AT&T Prepaid (formerly branded as GoPhone) uses the EXACT same SIM cards. It's just they had some "labelled" as GoPhone but underneath it was the exact same thing.
3or 4 years ago, I had a friend buy a brand new Samsung Galaxy phone "on contract" INSIDE an AT&T corporate store, then immediately paid it off with his credit card, and switched to GoPhone -- all in the same visit -- and they did NOT even touch his AT&T SIM card inside his phone. It's just an internal AT&T accounting change. Now GoPhone has been re-branded as AT&T Prepaid to make it less confusing.
Related
I'm getting conflicting information from Verizon employees as to whether I could use one of their LG G2s in Europe, specifically Switzerland. I don't want to pay Verizon for international roaming. I want to buy a local SIM card and use that. Some tell me it works; others say paying Verizon for international roaming is the only option.
Anyone here know for sure?
AirDiamond said:
I'm getting conflicting information from Verizon employees as to whether I could use one of their LG G2s in Europe, specifically Switzerland. I don't want to pay Verizon for international roaming. I want to buy a local SIM card and use that. Some tell me it works; others say paying Verizon for international roaming is the only option.
Anyone here know for sure?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use a local SIM card with the G2. All current Verizon LTE phones automatically come unlocked and are global ready so you have nothing to worry about.
Good luck and have fun!
Hey guys. Is the Verizon S5 CDMA + GSM?
Is it factory unlocked?
Can it be used on T-mobile with everything working correctly (LTE/4G)?
Thanks
nthydro said:
Hey guys. Is the Verizon S5 CDMA + GSM?
Is it factory unlocked?
Can it be used on T-mobile with everything working correctly (LTE/4G)?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know the answer to your question but I can confirm that the Galaxy S5 that I received from TMobile was in fact LOCKED.
I called the support # and was told that I had to have service and use it for 40 days before it could be unlocked.
I PAID THE FULL PRICE ($720 with tax)!!!
I asked to speak with a supervisor -- after 10 minutes on hold -- no change.
I told the store that I was going to bring it back because I didn't pay $700 for a locked phone. Everyone has been nice but it's locked for policy issues and not for technical reasons. I flew to Canada when I bought my iPhone4.
And, AT&T is worse -- one guy told me 3 months and tech support said it had to be active for 6 months.
>> So, my AT&T sim card is not working in my SM-G900T model.
It is GSM/LTE unlocked (as are all Verizon LTE devices), but I'm pretty sure it doesn't have T-Mobile's LTE bands (or at the very least it doesn't have all of their bands).
From what I have been reading, on a Verizon phone, calls and data using GSM and WCDMA bands would work. But LTE bands are Verizon specific hence would not work.
Tl; Dr Voice /data using GSM/WCDMA. No LTE.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 07:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:26 AM ----------
alex_tytn said:
I don't know the answer to your question but I can confirm that the Galaxy S5 that I received from TMobile was in fact LOCKED.
I called the support # and was told that I had to have service and use it for 40 days before it could be unlocked.
I PAID THE FULL PRICE ($720 with tax)!!!
I asked to speak with a supervisor -- after 10 minutes on hold -- no change.
I told the store that I was going to bring it back because I didn't pay $700 for a locked phone. Everyone has been nice but it's locked for policy issues and not for technical reasons. I flew to Canada when I bought my iPhone4.
And, AT&T is worse -- one guy told me 3 months and tech support said it had to be active for 6 months.
>> So, my AT&T sim card is not working in my SM-G900T model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this mean, once unlocked, T-Mobile and AT&T versions would work on each other's networks including LTE?
I also noticed that with S5, there aren't GSM carrier specific versions. Meaning they are going IPhone route with making all GSM phones enabled that for that country's LTE bands. Is that right reading?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
it is unlocked
I am using the verizon s5 on tmobile. It is unlocked and can be used on tmobile LTE. However there are only set modes. LTE/CDMA GSM/UMTS AND GLOBAL. Which means you can't use lte and gsm at the same time (no lte data and voice calls). I usually keep it on gsm, and when I need speedy data I switch it to lte.
alex_tytn said:
I don't know the answer to your question but I can confirm that the Galaxy S5 that I received from TMobile was in fact LOCKED.
I called the support # and was told that I had to have service and use it for 40 days before it could be unlocked.
I PAID THE FULL PRICE ($720 with tax)!!!
I asked to speak with a supervisor -- after 10 minutes on hold -- no change.
I told the store that I was going to bring it back because I didn't pay $700 for a locked phone. Everyone has been nice but it's locked for policy issues and not for technical reasons. I flew to Canada when I bought my iPhone4.
And, AT&T is worse -- one guy told me 3 months and tech support said it had to be active for 6 months.
>> So, my AT&T sim card is not working in my SM-G900T model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile isn't locked.
Sent from my SM-G900T
drworsley said:
I am using the verizon s5 on tmobile. It is unlocked and can be used on tmobile LTE. However there are only set modes. LTE/CDMA GSM/UMTS AND GLOBAL. Which means you can't use lte and gsm at the same time (no lte data and voice calls). I usually keep it on gsm, and when I need speedy data I switch it to lte.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How? If you put a TMobile SIM in the phone, or any other foreign SIM, it boots but receives no service. This is in line with almost all other Verizon branded phones (excluding Apple) -- where the phone works (unlocked) outside the US, but won't roam to ATT/TMo in the US.
Pictures please. For the record, my S5 doesn't register on a network with a TMobile or Australian SIM. The Australian SIM in a Nexus 5 roams to TMobile.
-- Dan
Cpudan80 said:
How? If you put a TMobile SIM in the phone, or any other foreign SIM, it boots but receives no service. This is in line with almost all other Verizon branded phones (excluding Apple) -- where the phone works (unlocked) outside the US, but won't roam to ATT/TMo in the US.
Pictures please. For the record, my S5 doesn't register on a network with a TMobile or Australian SIM. The Australian SIM in a Nexus 5 roams to TMobile.
-- Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was probably true about a year ago but the recent releases from Verizon, e.g. iPhone 5/5s and galaxy s4 has been fully unlocked world phones. I'm sure there are a few other phones... I think lg g2? I'm not exactly sure. But I have personally stuck my sim(T-Mobile) into my friend's Verizon phones (s4 and iPhone 5s) and they work right away after a reboot. Only problem might be an edit in APN for data and mms. Just sharing my experience, you should check out your phones again.
Teo032 said:
This was probably true about a year ago but the recent releases from Verizon, e.g. iPhone 5/5s and galaxy s4 has been fully unlocked world phones. I'm sure there are a few other phones... I think lg g2? I'm not exactly sure. But I have personally stuck my sim(T-Mobile) into my friend's Verizon phones (s4 and iPhone 5s) and they work right away after a reboot. Only problem might be an edit in APN for data and mms. Just sharing my experience, you should check out your phones again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not trying to be a jerk, but unless you tried this process in the actual phone in question, then you don't really know if it works. The phone DOES NOT just magically work on TMobile if you put a SIM in, you receive NO service. Now, I didn't go mess around with APNs -- typically those are only for MMS/Data. This is also true for several other phones:
Razr HD / Maxx HD
Galaxy S3
In the past, when the phones were SIM locked, a foreign SIM would prompt for an unlock code before the phone even booted into "normal" Android. That's not the case here -- because the phone is not SIM locked -- but I do believe it is network locked to VZW only when in the US.
For the record, I did try this in my S5. I will be going to Australia next week and will try a Telstra (or perhaps Optus) SIM over there to see what happens.
-- Dan
Cpudan80 said:
Not trying to be a jerk, but unless you tried this process in the actual phone in question, then you don't really know if it works. The phone DOES NOT just magically work on TMobile if you put a SIM in, you receive NO service. Now, I didn't go mess around with APNs -- typically those are only for MMS/Data. This is also true for several other phones:
Razr HD / Maxx HD
Galaxy S3
In the past, when the phones were SIM locked, a foreign SIM would prompt for an unlock code before the phone even booted into "normal" Android. That's not the case here -- because the phone is not SIM locked -- but I do believe it is network locked to VZW only when in the US.
For the record, I did try this in my S5. I will be going to Australia next week and will try a Telstra (or perhaps Optus) SIM over there to see what happens.
-- Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I haven't tried it on the s5, but I was pointing out fact that it does work on recent releases which someone confirmed worked on s5 by just plugging it in. I'm also correcting your statement " This is in line with almost all other Verizon branded phones (excluding Apple) -- where the phone works (unlocked) outside the US, but won't roam to ATT/TMo in the US." because Verizon apple does work in the US on T-Mobile and AT&T beginning from iPhone 5. I believe the 4s was still carrier locked.
I was a wireless agent not to long ago, so I know how these things work, not that it magically just works... I'm just sharing you how some recent releases from Verizon has been world unlocked and a few others have mentioned that they just plugged it in and it worked. So good luck and have fun in Australia.
Teo032 said:
Yes, I haven't tried it on the s5, but I was pointing out fact that it does work on recent releases which someone confirmed worked on s5 by just plugging it in. I'm also correcting your statement " This is in line with almost all other Verizon branded phones (excluding Apple) -- where the phone works (unlocked) outside the US, but won't roam to ATT/TMo in the US." because Verizon apple does work in the US on T-Mobile and AT&T beginning from iPhone 5. I believe the 4s was still carrier locked.
I was a wireless agent not to long ago, so I know how these things work, not that it magically just works... I'm just sharing you how some recent releases from Verizon has been world unlocked and a few others have mentioned that they just plugged it in and it worked. So good luck and have fun in Australia.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK Thanks.
It is odd that the apple phones -- and some of the Android phones -- are totally unlocked so that you can use them on ATT/TMobile in the US -- but some (like the S5, apparently) are not. I still am interested to know how some of the other users in this thread got their S5s working on TMobile...
Why would anyone want to buy a Verizon GS5 and use it on T-Mobile? The bootloader is locked and there is currently no unlock method available.
Would you like to exchange?
Would you like to exchange your verizon s5 with my tmobile s5?
i wanted to use it for verizon but the phone is locked to tmobile and at&t.
It would be ideol if i can find someone to exchange it with someone who has a verizon s5 and is looking for tmobile or at&t s5.
thanks,
sy3dal29 said:
Would you like to exchange your verizon s5 with my tmobile s5?
i wanted to use it for verizon but the phone is locked to tmobile and at&t.
It would be ideol if i can find someone to exchange it with someone who has a verizon s5 and is looking for tmobile or at&t s5.
thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could check out Swappa. There may be some people that are interested.
nthydro said:
Hey guys. Is the Verizon S5 CDMA + GSM?
Is it factory unlocked?
Can it be used on T-mobile with everything working correctly (LTE/4G)?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm the Verizon GS5 is compatible with T-Mobiles LTE network I'm using one now with LTE all you have to do is go to settings mobile network and switch to Global mode some times you'll have to toggle LTE then back to global to get LTE to kick in.
I am able to successfully use my VZ Galaxy Note 3 and my wife uses her VZ Galaxy S5, both devices on T-mobile Edge, HSPA, HSPA+ (21mbps), and LTE (band 4) frequencies. These devices unfortunately will not do DC-HSPA+ (42mbps), but that's not a big deal for us because LTE coverage is good where we live. We have no issues with making voice calls, or sending SMS/MMS, and don't have to switch APN's or toggle between Global Mode or GSM/UMTS mode. We leave them on Global Mode with the correct APN settings.
Here's the guide I followed for both (with correct APN settings screenshots to accommodate for MMS on page 4 or 5 i believe):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2582747
..
How
drworsley said:
I am using the verizon s5 on tmobile. It is unlocked and can be used on tmobile LTE. However there are only set modes. LTE/CDMA GSM/UMTS AND GLOBAL. Which means you can't use lte and gsm at the same time (no lte data and voice calls). I usually keep it on gsm, and when I need speedy data I switch it to lte.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you unlock the Verizon S5? BTW theres a bounty on doing so.
..
This is all new info to me. I have an AT&T galaxy S5 that I want to use on Verizon. Is it possible or do I need to trade for a Verizon-specific model?
I want to purchase a Sprint GS 7 and sim unlock to use on GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile.
What is the process official and other options for sim unlock.
Never had Sprint service before, thanks for your assistance.
First step is to not stick a sprint sim card in the phone. I played around with mine without a sim card and to get the stupid vr game promo i stuck the card in and next thing it did was install all the carrier garbage bloatware automatically and it changes the boot screen and to my understanding it sim locks to the carrier that the sim card uses. Complete bullsh!t I am irate and stuck with all of this garbage bloat courtesy of sprint and the locked bootloader thanks to samsung. Im returning mine
I bought my sprint s7 full price through best buy.
First thing I did was swap the sprint Sim with my AT&T Sim (testing first Sim inserted). Prompted with invalid Sim error.
Appears the sprint phones come with activation software pre-installed that locks it to their network. You need them to unlock it from their end, no unlock codes.
When I put the sprint Sim back in, it didn't install all the bloat. It installs everything if you activate the phone; unactivated Sim, no account.
According to sprint, the phone needs to be activated on the network for 50 days and paid in full to be unlocked. They unlocked mine without meeting those standard because of poor support from a rep before I bought it.
After you get it unlocked, you can just insert any sim (gsm/cdma) after?
I don't see any settings to change the network mode.
I'd like to know the same. I'm traveling over seas in less than two week and would like to use while over seas with the local carrier. Not so much concerned with using it with other carriers domestically though.
I'm also curious if the phone can be used for data on other carries once unlocked. I wonder because with my current Sprint GS5, Sprint unlocked it, but it does not work with data when over seas. Come to find out after a lot of research, there is no solution and everybody with unlocked Sprint GS5s also cannot get data to work without wifi.
OP, you may want to keep that in mind and do your research. If Sprint's GS7 is like their GS5, you will not be able to get data on the phone with other carriers even if unlocked, unless connected to wifi.
Yes, any Sim CDMA or GSM will work. And data works perfectly for me. The s7 is the same device for every carrier where the only thing that changes is the software.
Here's a screenshot of my sprint phone on cricket with data.
noreboy said:
I'd like to know the same. I'm traveling over seas in less than two week and would like to use while over seas with the local carrier. Not so much concerned with using it with other carriers domestically though.
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With the Sprint model, there will be LTE issues overseas depending on where you go and which carrier you use.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=65825260&postcount=14
noreboy said:
I'm also curious if the phone can be used for data on other carries once unlocked. I wonder because with my current Sprint GS5, Sprint unlocked it, but it does not work with data when over seas. Come to find out after a lot of research, there is no solution and everybody with unlocked Sprint GS5s also cannot get data to work without wifi.
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I went to UK in 2013, had my S4 with me and was able to get data. I was not, however, able to get fast LTE speeds. Sprint cripples their LTE bands on purpose for some reason so that they become less useful on many international carriers.
---------- Post added at 11:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:13 AM ----------
TehPirate_ said:
The s7 is the same device for every carrier where the only thing that changes is the software.
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The main difference between models on each carrier are bloatware they add and LTE bands they add and delete. Sprint always gets rid of useful LTE bands like LTE 7 which is a popular worldwide band.
asuh said:
The main difference between models on each carrier are bloatware they add and LTE bands they add and delete. Sprint always gets rid of useful LTE bands like LTE 7 which is a popular worldwide band.
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LTE 7 is enabled for me.
TehPirate_ said:
LTE 7 is enabled for me.
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Correct. Cricket is owned by AT&T, a carrier who did not get rid of band 7, despite the fact that they use Sprint's 3G network as well as CDMA. Do you have bands 25 and 26 as well? If so, that would be great!
asuh said:
Correct. Cricket is owned by AT&T, a carrier who did not get rid of band 7, despite the fact that they use Sprint's 3G network as well as CDMA. Do you have bands 25 and 26 as well? If so, that would be great!
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You're also correct but this is a Sprint S7 network unlocked. And yes, I do. 25 and 26 are the first priority for me.
TehPirate_ said:
You're also correct but this is a Sprint S7 network unlocked. And yes, I do. 25 and 26 are the first priority for me.
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Interesting. Okay, so do you *also* have LTE 29/30/40 that AT&T has been adding to their phones?
asuh said:
Interesting. Okay, so do you *also* have LTE 29/30/40 that AT&T has been adding to their phones?
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I don't actually. Knowing this I'm going to focus on attempting to add these bands (toggle them). Trying to get a hold of Sprint currently to get my MSL code.
The Galaxy S7 is DUC meaning it can be unlocked for domestic use, and it will automatically unlock tru a programming update sent OTA after the device has been active on the account(in good standing) for more than 50 days.
TehPirate_ said:
LTE 7 is enabled for me.
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Where can I get to see which bands are enabled on my phone?
YankyA said:
Where can I get to see which bands are enabled on my phone?
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Bands available i believe
For those not in good standing, or who don't feel like waiting, find somebody with a Z3X-box, like myself, on craigslist. $45 (or usually in that area,) takes us 5-10 minutes, don't need root, and doesn't need to be clean. =]
sml2004 said:
Bands available i believe
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Yup. how do I get to this menu?
YankyA said:
Yup. how do I get to this menu?
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##3282#
Just bought a sprint s7 yesterday since it was cheaper for me and had it unlock from an ebay listing for about $15. It was quick like 2 minutes and easy. Its done remotely on the person's end with your phone connected to computer. I'm using it on Tmobile and is working great. I get lte speeds and call quailty is great. Getting to the service menu above ##3282# you can edit the band priorities so you can have the wanted bands 1st, 2nd, and so forth. Just need the MSL# which they can get you.
If this is against the rules sorry, but just thought I give my experience with unlocking the sprint s7.
I'm trying to find detailed specs without luck, can someone please clarify which LTE bands the Sprint variant of the S7 has?
Please list all that are physically on the radio, and specify if they are actually available for use or blocked.
I'm trying to find my wife a S7 Edge but only can find other service providers for sale around me. Can I use a att, Verizon, or Tmobile S7 edge on Sprint?
powerstroke said:
I'm trying to find my wife a S7 Edge but only can find other service providers for sale around me. Can I use a att, Verizon, or Tmobile S7 edge on Sprint?
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Check on https://www.frequencycheck.com
I got a Sprint SM-G935P got it factory unlocked and turned it into a SM-G935T. Mine works perfectly with T-Mobile.
Sent from my SM-G935T using XDA-Developers Legacy app
DJSmoove said:
Check on https://www.frequencycheck.com
I got a Sprint SM-G935P got it factory unlocked and turned it into a SM-G935T. Mine works perfectly with T-Mobile.
Sent from my SM-G935T using XDA-Developers Legacy app
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How did you do that? Did you just flash the 935T firmware?
singchi said:
How did you do that? Did you just flash the 935T firmware?
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Yeah, it's easy to do. I can flash anything on this phone that is US now. Samsung got my phone listed and registeredas unlocked now.
Could you let me know how to do this process?
singchi said:
Could you let me know how to do this process?
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1. Make sure your phone passes and clears all the checks like Blacklisted,Activation,and FED (Financed) You can find that information at http://www.swappa.com/esn
(It's got to pass all these check for it to be registered as Unlocked with Samsung)
2. Find someone that can do factory unlocks on your phone. [ I had a friend do mine at his house with a Z3X box], I would suggest Z3X seems to work the best from what phone techs tell me.
3. Insert a SIM card that is active from another carrier it should work without it asking for a code. If it works your unlocked.
4. Flash any US Rom with Odin, You can find the Roms on Sammobile.
5. After a few days check on Samsung.com and check your account and look for you phone with the imei you should see it Unlocked on the site. If you see others with the same imei delete them.
I think my phone is already factory unlocked, since my unlock was done using USB.
Check samsung.com
It should look like this
My phone use to be a SM-G935P
Prepaid:unlocked, Postpaid: sprint
.As long as it is unlocked and you are not on any post paid sprint plan. i.e a contract.If you are on a prepaid sprint plan then any unlocked s7 edge will work. If you are on a contract andjust want to switch phones then you have to buy a sprint version. My story is that I first bought a iPhone 6S on two year contract. I wanted to switch to the s7 edge so I bought a tmobile unlocked version. I went into a sprint store and called in and they both said that unlocked models will only work with prepaid. So I ended up having to buy a sprint model, luckily i found one with with a 200gb micro sd, samsung vr and wireless charger for 550 on ebay.
To answer your question in the simplest terms: post paid plans (on contract) require a sprint s7 edge while prepaid plans (pay as you go) can use unlocked models.
nghia0423 said:
.As long as it is unlocked and you are not on any post paid sprint plan. i.e a contract.If you are on a prepaid sprint plan then any unlocked s7 edge will work. If you are on a contract andjust want to switch phones then you have to buy a sprint version. My story is that I first bought a iPhone 6S on two year contract. I wanted to switch to the s7 edge so I bought a tmobile unlocked version. I went into a sprint store and called in and they both said that unlocked models will only work with prepaid. So I ended up having to buy a sprint model, luckily i found one with with a 200gb micro sd, samsung vr and wireless charger for 550 on ebay.
To answer your question in the simplest terms: post paid plans (on contract) require a sprint s7 edge while prepaid plans (pay as you go) can use unlocked models.
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Yeah Sprint is only network you can't really bring in unlocked phones. But you can bring their phones to other carriers that accepts them. Like for me I was a customer with sprint for 15 years on a post paid account . I haven't had a plan contract since 2013 which expired in 2015. I had a phone contract with sprint when the S7 Edge came out and paid it off back in December. I got sick of all the taxes we have here in Chicago. I got my phone connected to MetroPCS for a month. Now I'm on a Tmobile post paid plan with the $70 unlimited plan with an unlocked Sprint phone.
So I need a phone for a while on a pre-paid cash only plan. I was going to pick up a straight talk card from Walmart. I have 2 old Samsung S4 phones from Verizon and T-Mobile. Will the sim card activation chip I get work on either one of them, or does it have to be specific to the previous carrier. Is there an advantage to going with one or the other. I would prefer to put my own rom on there if possible since it is such an old phone. Is one going to be better suited than the other. As far as I know, both phones are out of contract. I know for sure the Verizon phone is already unlocked via verification from Verizon.
Thank you.
If you're buying an activation package from WalMart ($45 airtime card plus SIM), it should come with multiple SIM cards for Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Thus you can use the service on any phone. If it doesn't, you'll likely have a GSM SIM, meaning you would need to use the T-Mobile S4 to get service.
The advantage to using Verizon is access to Verizon's network, which is the largest in the country. The disadvantage is that your LTE speeds are throttled to 5MBps. With T-Mobile, your network is much smaller, but your LTE I don't believe is throttled. I personally would take the time to carrier unlock your T-Mobile device (see the thread we have on unlocking phones in the General section), and then use the AT&T SIM. With AT&T, you get a network nearly as large as Verizon, plus LTE is not throttled.
As to ROMs, you're simply going to have to try them. Regardless of the ROM you use, so long as you know how to set up an APN in settings, you're good. Straight Talk changes their APNs from time to time, and the ROMs don't always use the latest APN.
Very good information and exactly what I was looking for. One more question on that if you don't mind. If I start out on Straight talk with the AT&T, can I switch over to Verizon a week or two later effortlessly, or would I need to do something to switch sims?
I do not know how to change APN's, but I am sure I can find the answer to that using search.
Thank you.
If you wanted to switch over to Verizon from AT&T, you would need to transfer your service from the AT&T SIM to the Verizon SIM. To do this, you have to go online to Straight Talk's website. Now, while they do offer an automated procedure to do this, the best thing to do is open up a chat window to one of their support reps, and have the support rep process the service swap.
Keep in mind two things.
Once you switch SIM cards, the old SIM is no longer usable. Should you change your mind and want to go back to AT&T, you would need to purchase an AT&T SIM off Straight Talk's website. They normally charge $15 plus shipping for the privilege, but if you hit it right you can often get the SIM cards for a dollar plus shipping, which is somewhat more palatable. I will say that when you get your next phone, you'll likely have to get a Nano SIM. However, you can then go onto Amazon and purchase a SIM adapter, just in case.
I am a person who believes in getting everything that you pay for, and with Verizon, a throttled LTE service doesn't qualify as getting everything that you pay for. Thus, I do not recommend switching to Verizon, ever. Stay with AT&T.
Ok. Good advice. Thank you.
The only reason I wanted to try both was because I am in a high rise where service can be sketchy. Not sure which one will work best up here. I currently have Sprint which does not work at all.