Database Users

Caught wifi sharing

As of tonight I have been getting an sms from t-mo U.S. everytime i start up the wifi sharing. This is the message "Free T-Mobile Msg: Phone Tethering & Wi-Fi Sharing access has been blocked. Please add a Phone Tethering & Wi-Fi......."
I never used it much so its not the end of the world, nor am I here to discuss wether or not it is. I am more interested in simply understanding how it is that they determine I was using the data on my laptop as opposed to my phone. Im sure others have discussed how this could be done in the past but I specifically curious how T-MO US detects this.

Because your phone turns into a NAT router and a major carrier's proxy server is not exactly monitored by one fat slob in a basement.

The moment you open the browser on your laptop you give the game away. Each request for a web page carries information on the browser you are using. If the browser is non-mobile then they know you are tethered.
You say you never used it much but I spoke at length with an AT&T tech regarding tethering and he told me that they don't actively look for non-mobile browsers but rather they look at the data usage. Mobile browsers tend to request the mobile friendly pages with less data so large chunks of data trigger a flag.

I have been with T-MOUS tech for the better part of the day, apparently my apps that are not working are being recognized as tethering activity by the network. No one at TMO at this point understands why but they can tell that certain applications that access data are triggering the tethering notification, rendering them unable to gain network access. I have had trouble getting F.IM last.fm, internet explorer (at times) yet opera browser and slacker radio work just fine. To prove to T-MO it wasn't my device we initially tested all this again on other SIM Cards and all was well. It sounds to me like they are blocking internet 80 but they assure me that is not the way they prevent tethering. They said that the new system for blocking tethering went up in the last few days at the same time they cut our throttling pt from 10gig to 5gig. I am the first to have this problem or anything similar according to tech. I must add they have been very kind and understanding, they believe me when I tell them I know something and they don't make me hard reset the device or replace battery when I told them I already did that myself. ATT never believed me and always made me repeat myself and processes.

I'm not entirely sure but I think most of the major providers just changed to the "unlimited" plan that is limited as standard so changing provider might not be a good option.
There have to be a bazillion unprotected WAP's near where ever you are...

I've experienced the same in the last 2 days. Now, when I do try to tether, it routes me to a T-Mobile site offering their tethering option for 15 bucks.

Tried the hotspot about an hour ago. so far so good
I was sharing with my zune hd, not a laptop, so that might make a difference. logged into msn messenger and sent some messages, used the FB app, and dl a song. so far no nasty-gram texts from T-mo. I'll let you know if one comes later.

Airborne Aircrew said:
The moment you open the browser on your laptop you give the game away. Each request for a web page carries information on the browser you are using. If the browser is non-mobile then they know you are tethered.
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that's a bit of a broad method. i have opera set to present the FireFox useragent, to bypass mobile sites, are you saying i wouldn't be allowed to do this on t mo us? surely that's illegal? i mean its not like you have to hack opera to make it do it, its a user setting.
what if you wrote your own browser? surely they can't be allowed topresume you are tethering on such flimsy evidence.it would be a bit like doing you for downloading music just because you have some speakers and a computer.
the easy way to test of course is to set your pc useragent to opera.

samsamuel said:
that's a bit of a broad method. i have opera set to present the FireFox useragent, to bypass mobile sites, are you saying i wouldn't be allowed to do this on t mo us? surely that's illegal? i mean its not like you have to hack opera to make it do it, its a user setting.
what if you wrote your own browser? surely they can't be allowed topresume you are tethering on such flimsy evidence.it would be a bit like doing you for downloading music just because you have some speakers and a computer.
the easy way to test of course is to set your pc useragent to opera.
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barring online privacy acts and what-have-you, they could easily read your header and determine that the client/laptop/tethering device does not contain mobile protocol and with reasonable doubt that traffic is getting moved fairly quickly (amount of data relay, TTL, etc) on a "mobile" device, they'll flag the activity. Changing user-agent isn't a problem when they have other concrete methods to track you by.
Like airborne aircrew said, the OP must've sent a huge amount of traffic when he's tethering. That's like saying I only tether once a month, but when I do, I download 4GB torrent...

Its not when I use my PC browser because the message comes as soon as I launch the wi-fi sharing app. If I USB tether then I get a message on my desktop browser.
I called t-mo us
Now apparently my threshold is 5g a month instead of the 10g when I signed up. Also since this tether block several apps can't get online via 3g on my HD2 such as F.IM Facebook instant messenger. (This all stinks because the reason I went to T-MO U.S. is because they never removed usb tether from winmo, and they had the threshold for speed throttling at 10 gigs. Now they have lowered my throttle to 5 gigs and expect me to pay an additional 15 to access those same 5 gigs with my laptop.)
Im not trying to start a debate on their policies or anything just after all that my HD2 itself can't access that value raped service with some apps.
***I added the Wi-Fi Internet sharing app to the phone my self. This is why its so puzzling that they message me as soon as I launch the app.

hecatombercm said:
Now they have lowered my throttle to 5 gigs and expect me to pay an additional 15 to access those same 5 gigs with my laptop.)
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You'll need to do some digging on local state laws but down under if you've signed a term contract the carrier can only upgrade your plan (e.g. 10G to 15G) not downgrade your service until the contract expires. With tactics like that I'd be looking at another carrier and port your phone number across.

visser said:
You'll need to do some digging on local state laws but down under if you've signed a term contract the carrier can only upgrade your plan (e.g. 10G to 15G) not downgrade your service until the contract expires. With tactics like that I'd be looking at another carrier and port your phone number across.
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Yep same here - in my T&C it said that if they change your plan and give you less, you have the right to get out of it there and then.

Very interesting cause the customer service rep admits that I had a 10g throttle point that is now 5g and also admits that the sales rep would have told me I'm allowed to use the built in tethering app modestly. This was my first attempt to tether in several months, and the one time I reached the 10g throttle point I didn't own a laptop so it was all done through the handset. I imagine I'll easily hit the new throttle point now even if I never utilize tethering. Heres and interesting thread over on the t-mo us forums. Someone talks a little bit about how T-Mo determines someone is tethering. http://forums.t-mobile.com/t5/myTouch-4G/tethering/m-p/551487/highlight/false#M5025

[Q] ATT and Tethering

I sometimes use wired and WIFI tethering from my focus when my internet goes out. Well today I got an email stating that I have to change my unlimited data plan to a tethering plan with 4gb of data if I want to continue tethering. If I continue without changing the plan it states they will change it without my consent. Now none of this crap makes sense, I have an unlimited plan so I should be able to chose what I want to use it for. I was wondering is there a way for ATT not to know I'm tethering from my phone?

raujaku said:
I sometimes use wired and WIFI tethering from my focus when my internet goes out. Well today I got an email stating that I have to change my unlimited data plan to a tethering plan with 4gb of data if I want to continue tethering. If I continue without changing the plan it states they will change it without my consent. Now none of this crap makes sense, I have an unlimited plan so I should be able to chose what I want to use it for. I was wondering is there a way for ATT not to know I'm tethering from my phone?
Click to expand...
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Oh and here's how much data I used last month 804.27 MB.

I just got this email too, as well as a text saying i'm in the top 5% of data users and they'll start throttling my speed for the rest of the month whenever I get to 5%. Yes I do tether, and I don't really want to stop. If there was an option to add just a tethering feature to my account I would consider it, but the only option is to downgrade from my unlimited data plan to a 4GB plan that would allow tethering. Pretty damn lame.
Does anyone know how they know you're tethering? I've used wired tethering since I got my Focus in January and never had an issue. I tried the wifi hotspot option for maybe half an hour, which was a couple weeks ago when that hack first became available. I know the iPhone users who were using wifi hotspot app were getting caught a couple months ago. I'm just trying to figure out if it makes any difference if I use it wired or hotspot? Is wired safer or can they just tell either way? It's also speculated they check browser user agent strings, which could be spoofed though. So is there any way to get around this and continue tethering?

I am going through the same thing on my captivate with GB rom on it. The problem (based on the research i have been able to do) is that the phone uses a different APN to connect to Att's network when tethering. I am trying to find a hack or a mod that would use the same APN as the phone... but I am having no luck.

mrnice225 said:
I am going through the same thing on my captivate with GB rom on it. The problem (based on the research i have been able to do) is that the phone uses a different APN to connect to Att's network when tethering. I am trying to find a hack or a mod that would use the same APN as the phone... but I am having no luck.
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iPhone users that were using the MyWi app were getting the same message about tethering. The developers of MyWi said this on twitter:
"MyWi has always used the primary APN (the same as Safari/Mail/etc). All data is on one connection."
So it must be more than the APN.

clfosk said:
I just got this email too, as well as a text saying i'm in the top 5% of data users and they'll start throttling my speed for the rest of the month whenever I get to 5%. Yes I do tether, and I don't really want to stop. If there was an option to add just a tethering feature to my account I would consider it, but the only option is to downgrade from my unlimited data plan to a 4GB plan that would allow tethering. Pretty damn lame.
Does anyone know how they know you're tethering? I've used wired tethering since I got my Focus in January and never had an issue. I tried the wifi hotspot option for maybe half an hour, which was a couple weeks ago when that hack first became available. I know the iPhone users who were using wifi hotspot app were getting caught a couple months ago. I'm just trying to figure out if it makes any difference if I use it wired or hotspot? Is wired safer or can they just tell either way? It's also speculated they check browser user agent strings, which could be spoofed though. So is there any way to get around this and continue tethering?
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How much data are you using? I'm using around 3-4GB's a month and have not received an email yet.

Seed 2.0 said:
How much data are you using? I'm using around 3-4GB's a month and have not received an email yet.
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just wait and u might since I barely use a gig and I got it :/

Seed 2.0 said:
How much data are you using? I'm using around 3-4GB's a month and have not received an email yet.
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And I'm currently over 10gb for the current billing cycle which ends in a few days.

AT&T can tell if you're tethering by analyzing packet data. Mobile devices and desktop/laptop computers can be easily distingueshed.

I got the ssame message today and i used only 200mb from my unkimited data plan on my focus this month so far, and in avergae below 2gb monthly. Funny part, no where in their agreement they mention that they will sniff your data packets, which they seem to do lately. There is no other way for them to know what are you doing with your phone, the internet sharing uses exactly the same APN on these phones. I replied to the message with a pure "F..CK OFF" and guess what, you get right away a reply saying that I opted out of their marketing text messaging. All they do at this time, unless you use gigs of data they just send advertisment spam text to all smartphone users to get them on tethering plans, they don't have any real proof of anything at this time if you do or not tethering. You can call them and they will tell you the same thing. I just did that too.

I did the same thing, I kept demanding to see the evidence against me and she said it belongs to ATT lol. SO back to the original question. Has anyone found a way to make them not know we're tethering?

You should read this, and also understand that if they start doing packet analysis, they will find out you're tethering pretty easily.
You can test this easily by capturing all packets from a shared wireless adapter (for example with Connectify) yourselves.
Also, from what I read in AT&Ts Wireless Customer agreement, they can do whatever they want: "We may change any terms, conditions, rates, fees, expenses, or charges regarding your Services at any time". Also, the Acceptable Use Policy says: "However, AT&T may monitor content of any such materials as necessary to comply with applicable laws, regulations or other governmental or judicial requests; or to protect the AT&T network and its customers.".
Btw, I don't live in US and the above was pretty easy to find; it proves that people don't read their contracts. Calling them and asking for proof might work if they "guessed" now, but next time be sure they'll have something.

I'm done with ATT, I received the text message saying that they detected tethering and they automatically switched my unlimited data plan to the new $50/5GB with tethering. I switched yesterday to straight talk, and my Samsung Focus works exactly as before, now for only $45/month, unlimited everything.

dendron said:
I'm done with ATT, I received the text message saying that they detected tethering and they automatically switched my unlimited data plan to the new $50/5GB with tethering. I switched yesterday to straight talk, and my Samsung Focus works exactly as before, now for only $45/month, unlimited everything.
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Your Focus works with Straight Talk?

Fiberop said:
Your Focus works with Straight Talk?
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yes, just add the apn: att.mvno, get the 45 dollars unlimited prepaid and you're good to go, it's time to show att the finger.
www.straighttalksim.com

dendron said:
yes, just add the apn: att.mvno, get the 45 dollars unlimited prepaid and you're good to go, it's time to show att the finger.
www.straighttalksim.com
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Click to collapse
Thanks I appreciate the information. That might be an option when my contract is up this year.

dendron said:
I'm done with ATT, I received the text message saying that they detected tethering and they automatically switched my unlimited data plan to the new $50/5GB with tethering. I switched yesterday to straight talk, and my Samsung Focus works exactly as before, now for only $45/month, unlimited everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how much data do you use a month
I myself am concedering straight talk, but i need to know if tethering will boot me off straigt talk, thanks

AnyMal said:
AT&T can tell if you're tethering by analyzing packet data. Mobile devices and desktop/laptop computers can be easily distingueshed.
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I only tethered with my Android Tablet and I got the notice. I don't think that's what they're doing.

[Q] Will my carrier know if i am tethering?

I am unsure if this is the correct area to post this question as i am new to xda...
I am a Sprint user with a Nexus 5. I rooted it in order to enable my wifi hotspot on my phone.
Now i know that Sprint could theoretically check logs and see what type of traffic is going to my line, and see that it is not just mobile data, but instead data going to my desktop. But my question is, do they have any automatic checks in place, to automatically bill me or send warning letters... anything like that? Have any of you done this and encountered any issues? I guess what i'm asking is if Sprint cares?
I did a few Google searches and found similar questions but none that were recent. I know that in 2014 the FCC and other parties starting cracking down on carriers because they were cutting users short on their "unlimited plans".

ryan4888 said:
I am unsure if this is the correct area to post this question as i am new to xda...
I am a Sprint user with a Nexus 5. I rooted it in order to enable my wifi hotspot on my phone.
Now i know that Sprint could theoretically check logs and see what type of traffic is going to my line, and see that it is not just mobile data, but instead data going to my desktop. But my question is, do they have any automatic checks in place, to automatically bill me or send warning letters... anything like that? Have any of you done this and encountered any issues? I guess what i'm asking is if Sprint cares?
I did a few Google searches and found similar questions but none that were recent. I know that in 2014 the FCC and other parties starting cracking down on carriers because they were cutting users short on their "unlimited plans".
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I have been using my Sprint Galaxy S4 as a wifi hotspot for 18 months. Haven't had any issues however I've never gone over maybe 8GB or so per month.
Not exactly an answer to your question but just my experience.

reb1995 said:
I have been using my Sprint Galaxy S4 as a wifi hotspot for 18 months. Haven't had any issues however I've never gone over maybe 8GB or so per month.
Not exactly an answer to your question but just my experience.
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From what I've read i think you'll be fine as long as you aren't roaming. If you're roaming it throws a lot of red flags for the carrier to start looking into logs and whatnot. And obviously don't exceed your data limit if you're not an unlimited customer.

I never heard of anyone getting "caught" for tethering so you should be safe. Even if they do detect you, they'll probably send a warning letter theyll never bill you.

No, Traffic is traffic, if you send a lot of data they might complain for example p2p, excessive downloading on an unlimited data plan, If your phone is running stock the tethering capability is spoiled and bloated with useless software that checks with your carrier and let the servers now you activated tethering, that's why you should tether with a different app besides the stock one, also it's better that you use a custom rom or root the stock one and unbloat the phone's software.

They could know as you phone most likly has 2 APN one is Provide LTE and LTE Tethering
I have deleted LTE tethering ( I have 6 GB tethering anyways included )

It depended on how you report traffic, but in general they can only analyze your data usage and profile you accordingly. If you turn your phone in to a wifi hotspot or use P2P through your LTE connection it is going to be very obvious that your making NAT based request or running applications that people do not normally run directly on the phone, but if you stick to web traffic and IMs your not likely to be noticed let alone trigger any alarms. People run Netflix and Pandora almost 24/7 over there phones now so its not even a matter of total consumption as the type of it.

Is there a working free hot spot apps?

No root won't be a problem if there is a working hot spot app for us unlimited users.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

FoxFi used to work with a VPN tunnel... but I don't know now. I use VZW as my ISP, so I pay for tethering.

All the phones I have had are rooted with hot spot carrier check bypass so not having a hot spot will be a no go on this phone.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

bulvine420 said:
No root won't be a problem if there is a working hot spot app for us unlimited users.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
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hbar98 said:
FoxFi used to work with a VPN tunnel... but I don't know now. I use VZW as my ISP, so I pay for tethering.
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Click to collapse
No big need for an app, the turning on hot spot while signal refreshes method works.....Look up details in the Turbo2 forum.

I can get the signal refresher method to work, but the hotspot shortcut in the notification panel only turns it off for me. It will not turn it on. Any suggestions? I have to queue the hotspot settings then switch to activate from there.

Mangu said:
No big need for an app, the turning on hot spot while signal refreshes method works.....Look up details in the Turbo2 forum.
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Searched through the Turbo 2 forums and dont see anything. Anyway you could post a link please? Thank you.

I currently am working with the FCC and the EFF to address this
Below you can read my complaint. I have removed identifying information for the time being but have at this point escalated beyond the FCC. Last night I was contacted by the FCC and we discussed plans for next steps. They have forwarded my complaint to Verizon and I was contacted by Verizon Enterprise Resolutions Team. I spoke with VZW today and had a 45 minute conversation discussing their restriction on the fact that Verizon is treading very close to the 2012 ruling. At this point I am waiting to hear back from Crystal from Verizon's internal team on next steps.
VERIZON WIRELESS - 700MHZ C BLOCK RESTRICTING USERS ABILITY TO UTILIZE OPEN FREQUENCY
On Friday August 19th I purchased a new phone from Verizon Wireless. I was surprised to find out that the applications that I normally use to tether my wireless broadband no longer worked due to a combination of efforts set by Google to patch security holes and Verizon Wireless' modification of the stock rom that was shipped from Motorolla Mobility.
Verizon has modified the stock internal mobile broadband hook in settings and forced it to call a 'Subscription Check' service that requires end users to enroll in a 30$ a month mobile broadband service in addition to their current bill.
While the second part is not new, the first; disabling tethering applications, is.
In 2011 the Free Press filed a complaint with the FCC located here
freepress.net/sites/default/files/fp-legacy/FreePress_CBlock_Complaint.pdf
In this complaint it holds that Verizon Wireless choice and collusion with Google to disable or limit third party tethering apps steering users to their paid server is not only poor business practice but against the fair use of the C block LTE frequency and in the FCC's 2012 ruling found below, they agree.
transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db0731/DOC-315501A1.pdf
The settlement of 1.25 million against Verizon not only solidifies fault, but reinforces the necessity to keeping the use of this frequency open to competition for applications and use.
I feel that the current situation that I am facing also affect other end users and is simply a rehash of the 2011 issue.
I have contacted Verizon and have the recorded messages located here:
Call 1 -REMOVED-
Received email response listed here:
-REMOVED-
Call 2 -REMOVED-
Verizon Wireless HQ
Dispute Resolution manager
one Verizon way, VC52S417 Baskin Ridge NJ, 07920-1097
I am looking for advise primarily if I should pursue this issue, if I am off base or if this is something that the FCC has interest in pursuing.
Thanks very much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Method
This is put together from the droid turbo 2 thread. Works for me on unlimited data.
1. Download "Network Signal Refresher Lite By 8JAPPS"
2. Run the app, Hit the refresh button.
3. Pull down notification drawer, pull down again to get to the quick settings tiles
4. Wait until the Sim card icon changes to the completely empty signal bars icon
5. Hit the hotspot button only once, wait a few seconds it will turn on.
It works for me all the time. Posting from a tethered computer as we speak.

The stock wifi hotspot app work for me on cricket , using moto z force

Drhoot said:
This is put together from the droid turbo 2 thread. Works for me on unlimited data.
1. Download "Network Signal Refresher Lite By 8JAPPS"
2. Run the app, Hit the refresh button.
3. Pull down notification drawer, pull down again to get to the quick settings tiles
4. Wait until the Sim card icon changes to the completely empty signal bars icon
5. Hit the hotspot button only once, wait a few seconds it will turn on.
It works for me all the time. Posting from a tethered computer as we speak.
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Click to collapse
Works great thanks [emoji8]
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

bulvine420 said:
Works great thanks [emoji8]
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
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Have you taken/installed the recent software update?...
Trying to cinfirm thart signal refresh native hotapot procedure still works afyer the software update.

Tether Update
Just got my Moto Z Force today WoW!!! this is one motorola mother ship, anyway while we wait for the sunshine miracle, Tether is great with the PDANet app using Bluetooth, Super fast, not like the unfortunate HTC devices that try the same thing (BT is real slow) on the Z, BT is blazing fast, not much different than the Native Hotspot I used on HTC M9. Hey its free so WTF right?

Mangu said:
Have you taken/installed the recent software update?...
Trying to cinfirm thart signal refresh native hotapot procedure still works afyer the software update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am also looking to see if someone has updated and still had it work.
I mean the Network Signal Refresher Lite app. Theres an update but I want to be sure the hotspot workaround still works before I update it.
Hopefully someone sees this and can advise???????

Yup still confirmed working!
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Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

bulvine420 said:
Yup still confirmed working!
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
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Do you know if the signal refresher hack still works with the MCOS24.104-35-1-9 latest update?

Yes works after update! I just got a surface rt for work and was trying to find a root for t2 but with no luck but this worked!!! Very awesome! I came across the pull sim card out and out back in with little luck everytime I out card back in hotspot would disable. But this did the trick thank you!

Does this work with the nougat update?
Don't want to upgrade if it means losing hotspot.
Kd
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

I can't get it to work with the Network Refresh method. Shoot.

Just out of curiosity what is everyone using the mobile hotspot for? I never feel the need to use it, maybe I can offer some alternative insight.

I use it for when other people need wifi, doing homework at the park, my 3DS, very useful if you're traveling. Used it for like two years when I lived alone as my home wifi. Used to sell phones in a store that didn't have wifi and used it to backup and restore stuff for customers. Lots of little uses that add up quickly.

Xfinity Mobile?

I'm seeing people having to jump through some hoops at Verizon to get incoming SMS/MMS up and running on the 6T, and I use Xfinity Mobile (don't judge me; it's half the price, but uses Verizon's network!). My fear is that Comcast customer service being the literal worst in the world, no one there is going to know what "CDMA-less" means. Furthermore, I don't expect them to be willing to help me given that BYOD is currently for iPhones only. That said, I'm using an Essential PH-1 with no issues, so I'm hopeful I can get the 6T working. My unlocked 8/128 is waiting for me to pick up after work, so I guess I'll find out tonight, but I wanted to see if anyone's given it a go yet with Xfinity.
I'll post an update after I try tonight. I'm not thrilled about the likelihood of the restocking fee, but I'm really excited about this phone, so I'm willing to take that shot...
EDIT:
As a test, I threw my Essential PH-1 into just LTE mode and was able to receive a text and a picture message, so it may be that Xfinity Mobile already operates on the CDMA-less protocol on Verizon's network.

chrisliphart said:
I'm seeing people having to jump through some hoops at Verizon to get incoming SMS/MMS up and running on the 6T, and I use Xfinity Mobile (don't judge me; it's half the price, but uses Verizon's network!). My fear is that Comcast customer service being the literal worst in the world, no one there is going to know what "CDMA-less" means. Furthermore, I don't expect them to be willing to help me given that BYOD is currently for iPhones only. That said, I'm using an Essential PH-1 with no issues, so I'm hopeful I can get the 6T working. My unlocked 8/128 is waiting for me to pick up after work, so I guess I'll find out tonight, but I wanted to see if anyone's given it a go yet with Xfinity.
I'll post an update after I try tonight. I'm not thrilled about the likelihood of the restocking fee, but I'm really excited about this phone, so I'm willing to take that shot...
EDIT:
As a test, I threw my Essential PH-1 into just LTE mode and was able to receive a text and a picture message, so it may be that Xfinity Mobile already operates on the CDMA-less protocol on Verizon's network.
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Are you able to make a call on LTE only?

deskjet390 said:
Are you able to make a call on LTE only?
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On the Essential PH-1? No. But I expected that. Everything works perfectly in Global mode with Advanced LTE turned on.
I only put it in LTE only mode to test the incoming SMS/MMS.

chrisliphart said:
I'm seeing people having to jump through some hoops at Verizon to get incoming SMS/MMS up and running on the 6T, and I use Xfinity Mobile (don't judge me; it's half the price, but uses Verizon's network!). My fear is that Comcast customer service being the literal worst in the world, no one there is going to know what "CDMA-less" means. Furthermore, I don't expect them to be willing to help me given that BYOD is currently for iPhones only. That said, I'm using an Essential PH-1 with no issues, so I'm hopeful I can get the 6T working. My unlocked 8/128 is waiting for me to pick up after work, so I guess I'll find out tonight, but I wanted to see if anyone's given it a go yet with Xfinity.
I'll post an update after I try tonight. I'm not thrilled about the likelihood of the restocking fee, but I'm really excited about this phone, so I'm willing to take that shot...
EDIT:
As a test, I threw my Essential PH-1 into just LTE mode and was able to receive a text and a picture message, so it may be that Xfinity Mobile already operates on the CDMA-less protocol on Verizon's network.
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Click to collapse
I'll be trying here with my XM sim shortly once FedEx delivers it

Yeah... No dice on Xfinity. On the phone right now trying to work up the chain and explain to them what I actually need. Up to Teir 3 now.

Tier 3 was actually pretty helpful, but I'm still not getting messages right now.. The feature that needs to be *removed* is called "Premium Message Block", apparently. I'm waiting on her to call me back to check in on me so we can move forward...

chrisliphart said:
Tier 3 was actually pretty helpful, but I'm still not getting messages right now.. The feature that needs to be *removed* is called "Premium Message Block", apparently. I'm waiting on her to call me back to check in on me so we can move forward...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please continue to update your progress and what, if anything, was able to get things working. I ordered my 6t as soon as I could after seeing that it had Verizon certification. However, I'm extremely disappointed that my 6t does not work with xfinity mobile. So frustrating for something that should work and doesn't. Are you able to get data to work? My data does not work. Right now I get incoming and outgoing phone calls (including VoLTE), outgoing texts, but no data and no text reception

thompsr2 said:
Please continue to update your progress and what, if anything, was able to get things working. I ordered my 6t as soon as I could after seeing that it had Verizon certification. However, I'm extremely disappointed that my 6t does not work with xfinity mobile. So frustrating for something that should work and doesn't. Are you able to get data to work? My data does not work. Right now I get incoming and outgoing phone calls (including VoLTE), outgoing texts, but no data and no text reception
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Click to collapse
She's going to do more research and get back to me. I'm just happy she's willing to help me out even though they don't do Android BYOD.
Data's working fine for me. The only issue I have is SMS/MMS incoming. And the only real issue I have with that is that I need that for 2FA. Right now, in order to get the phone set up, I put my SIM back in my Essential phone to get the codes. It's clunky, and in the process of that, I goofed up my settings in my Essential phone, so now I can't make calls on it. Again. lol So I've got one phone that does everything but get SMS/MMS, and one that does everything but make and receive phone calls. :sad trombone:

chrisliphart said:
She's going to do more research and get back to me. I'm just happy she's willing to help me out even though they don't do Android BYOD.
Data's working fine for me. The only issue I have is SMS/MMS incoming. And the only real issue I have with that is that I need that for 2FA. Right now, in order to get the phone set up, I put my SIM back in my Essential phone to get the codes. It's clunky, and in the process of that, I goofed up my settings in my Essential phone, so now I can't make calls on it. Again. lol So I've got one phone that does everything but get SMS/MMS, and one that does everything but make and receive phone calls. :sad trombone:
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Click to collapse
Well that's frustrating. I don't understand why my data doesn't work. Has all of your troubleshooting been over the phone with xfinity? Did you have to call a special number to get the level of support that you're receiving?

thompsr2 said:
Well that's frustrating. I don't understand why my data doesn't work. Has all of your troubleshooting been over the phone with xfinity? Did you have to call a special number to get the level of support that you're receiving?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I started with chat, but that guy was completely clueless. I then called the normal support number, and Tier 1 pushed me straight to Tier 3 after I explained that I knew exactly what I needed. Alice (Tier 3) knew exactly what I was talking about as soon as I said CDMA-less, told me what they call it in their system, made the change, and told me she'd call back in a bit to make sure it worked. When it didn't, she said she needed to do some research, and she'd call me back. That they're not outright dismissing it as "No BYOD!" is promising, but I'm concerned that her fix didn't work when she had such high confidence.

chrisliphart said:
I started with chat, but that guy was completely clueless. I then called the normal support number, and Tier 1 pushed me straight to Tier 3 after I explained that I knew exactly what I needed. Alice (Tier 3) knew exactly what I was talking about as soon as I said CDMA-less, told me what they call it in their system, made the change, and told me she'd call back in a bit to make sure it worked. When it didn't, she said she needed to do some research, and she'd call me back. That they're not outright dismissing it as "No BYOD!" is promising, but I'm concerned that her fix didn't work when she had such high confidence.
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Click to collapse
Ok, one more question for tonight. Were you upfront with them about the fact that you're trying to get OnePlus 6t to work? Otherwise, I hope to see an update from you in the next day or so with a success story.

thompsr2 said:
Ok, one more question for tonight. Were you upfront with them about the fact that you're trying to get OnePlus 6t to work? Otherwise, I hope to see an update from you in the next day or so with a success story.
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Click to collapse
Yep. I started off with "I'm going to preface this with I know you don't support BYOD with unlocked Android phones, and that's exactly what I'm trying to do with a OnePlus 6T." lol She appreciated me being upfront and once I explained the backstory with this phone on the Verizon network and said I needed CDMA-less provisioning, she knew just what I was looking for.

duffman452001 said:
I'll be trying here with my XM sim shortly once FedEx delivers it
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Click to collapse
I apparently fat fingered my address when I ordered so ill be picking it up tomorrow. Hopefully you get it working otherwise I may just return it if they cant fix it.

Still haven't heard anything back. I remembered that I had an old Google Voice number that I haven't used in forever, so I've switched my 2FA stuff over to that, and told the whole 3 people I still SMS with to message me using other apps, so I'm minimally effected at this point, but I'm not going to give up. Hoping that one of us can get this working, as the phone is perfect in every other aspect.

chrisliphart said:
Still haven't heard anything back. I remembered that I had an old Google Voice number that I haven't used in forever, so I've switched my 2FA stuff over to that, and told the whole 3 people I still SMS with to message me using other apps, so I'm minimally effected at this point, but I'm not going to give up. Hoping that one of us can get this working, as the phone is perfect in every other aspect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What model is your phone? Mine is 8GB/256. I went to the verizon BYOD site and entered my IMEI. It said my phone wasn't compatible. It seems that some IMEIs are compatible. I wonder if this is why my data isn't working. Or maybe it has nothing to do with it. Who knows?

thompsr2 said:
What model is your phone? Mine is 8GB/256. I went to the verizon BYOD site and entered my IMEI. It said my phone wasn't compatible. It seems that some IMEIs are compatible. I wonder if this is why my data isn't working. Or maybe it has nothing to do with it. Who knows?
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Click to collapse
8/128 here. I wouldn't trust that IMEI checker. Lots of people with phones that work get that same error there. It seems to be a crapshoot for accuracy.

thompsr2 said:
What model is your phone? Mine is 8GB/256. I went to the verizon BYOD site and entered my IMEI. It said my phone wasn't compatible. It seems that some IMEIs are compatible. I wonder if this is why my data isn't working. Or maybe it has nothing to do with it. Who knows?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been giving your data issue some thought, since you're the only person I've heard with it (I've been keeping up with the Verizon threads in case I find something that helps). Did you monkey around with the settings in Phone app using the dialer code? And You're set to 2G/3G/4G in the regular settings with Mobile data turned on?

chrisliphart said:
I've been giving your data issue some thought, since you're the only person I've heard with it (I've been keeping up with the Verizon threads in case I find something that helps). Did you monkey around with the settings in Phone app using the dialer code? And You're set to 2G/3G/4G in the regular settings with Mobile data turned on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am set to 2G/3G/4G, but I did mess with the settings within the dialer app. I tried all of the different combos with no success.

thompsr2 said:
I am set to 2G/3G/4G, but I did mess with the settings within the dialer app. I tried all of the different combos with no success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure in there you're set to TD-SCDMA/CDMA/UMTS. And that Mobile Radio Power and VoLTE Provisioned are both turned on.

chrisliphart said:
I've been giving your data issue some thought, since you're the only person I've heard with it (I've been keeping up with the Verizon threads in case I find something that helps). Did you monkey around with the settings in Phone app using the dialer code? And You're set to 2G/3G/4G in the regular settings with Mobile data turned on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
chrisliphart said:
Make sure in there you're set to TD-SCDMA/CDMA/UMTS. And that Mobile Radio Power and VoLTE Provisioned are both turned on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I double checked that I left it that way when I was done messing with it. But still no data.
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