I bought a new AT&T factory unlocked G4 Active off eBay. It is running Gingerbread and has not been rooted.I then bought a StraightTalk sim card and everything works fine except two things,
I have used Applications Manager and discovered (I will confess I have learned a lot from this forum AFTER I tried that) it will not allow me to move the useless(????) AT&T apps to the SD card. Is there any way to do that since I don't think I am using them since I have a StraightTalk sim installed? And #2, since I get lousy service on the GSM network (AT&T), is it possible to convert this phone so it runs on VZ?
Thanks
The Galaxy S4 Active is barely 4 months old and shipped with Android 4.2.2 aka Jellybean - if yours has Gingerbread on it (Android 2.3) something is very wrong.
And GS4A's are not sold unlocked, even from AT&T. You have to buy one that's carrier locked, then contact their support to get the unlock code (as I understand it). Even paying full price for the phone off-contract in an AT&T corporate store means you still end up having to contact their support by phone, providing the necessary info, and they'll provide the unlock code as required - the store personnel just don't do that or even have access to those codes even if you pay full price on the spot for one "unlocked."
As for moving the apps to the microSD card, I don't think that's a possibility with the stock apps; your best bet to get rid of them is with Titanium Backup (the paid version) and freeze 'em all out. I could be wrong on that so someone else can answer it perhaps.
The LTE capability of the GS4A won't work with Verizon's CMDA network that I'm aware of, and obviously Verizon isn't a GSM carrier at all so there goes that idea too.
Are you 100% confident of what you actually bought?
Moving AT&T apps to sd card
br0adband said:
The Galaxy S4 Active is barely 4 months old and shipped with Android 4.2.2 aka Jellybean - if yours has Gingerbread on it (Android 2.3) something is very wrong.
And GS4A's are not sold unlocked, even from AT&T. You have to buy one that's carrier locked, then contact their support to get the unlock code (as I understand it). Even paying full price for the phone off-contract in an AT&T corporate store means you still end up having to contact their support by phone, providing the necessary info, and they'll provide the unlock code as required - the store personnel just don't do that or even have access to those codes even if you pay full price on the spot for one "unlocked."
As for moving the apps to the microSD card, I don't think that's a possibility with the stock apps; your best bet to get rid of them is with Titanium Backup (the paid version) and freeze 'em all out. I could be wrong on that so someone else can answer it perhaps.
The LTE capability of the GS4A won't work with Verizon's CMDA network that I'm aware of, and obviously Verizon isn't a GSM carrier at all so there goes that idea too.
Are you 100% confident of what you actually bought?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I am sure it is unlocked. I bought it advertised as unlocked and activated it on StraightTalk. It came with an AT&T sim card (unused) and I bought a StraightTalk sim card for it and have been using it for about a month. My only "gripe" is one AT&T app (My AT&T) is still in the App menu and I recently downloaded and launched GPS/Mapquest. AT&T came on in the middle of my drive with their AT&T travel app and I could not get back to my original course. Not to be argumentative but is there any way I can tell for sure I am unlocked given the info above? I have 4.2.2. Guess I'll have to give up on deleting the AT&T apps. PS I have disabled all AT&T apps, except the one above, in my phone App Mgr Haven't checked the Mapquest routing since I did that so don't know if that very big problem went away.
Thanks for the help
The StraightTalk SIM card will be using AT&T's cellular network so that's why it won't complain with it in there - stick a SIM card from T-Mobile or some other network provider and you'll find out instantly if it's carrier locked or not as soon as you turn it on because it'll ask for the unlock code if it is.
AT&T doesn't sell the GS4A unlocked - it is sold locked to their network and if you pay the full price for the phone (meaning you own it at that point) you will be given a number to call (an AT&T support rep) where you have to provide the IMEI of the phone and the transaction number from the purchase receipt; they will provide you with the carrier unlock code which is entered when you put in SIM card from another carrier and turn on the phone.
While I got mine unlocked using an official AT&T unlock code from an eBay reseller, before I got this one off craigslist I had considered buying it brand new back in June from AT&T at the full retail price so I asked how the carrier unlock would be accomplished and was told by the AT&T corporate store employee here in Las Vegas exactly what I just said above: the boxed phones at the stores are locked to AT&T and must be unlocked with the carrier unlock code.
Since I'm not the original owner I couldn't just call in and ask for it myself so that's why I used a person off eBay and haven't had any issues so far, it was worth the $9 to get it unlocked.
Whoever owned that phone you have may have already unlocked it, but AT&T doesn't sell them that way...
You bought it off eBay, not directly from AT$T. Many eBay sellers unlock phones to make them easier to sell, but no carrier sells phones already unlocked. And 4.2.2 is definitely not Gingerbread. All S4 Actives came with Jellybean. As was said, you will not get this phone to work on Verizon's 4G network.
Related
Ok I have a moderate grasp that it is definately possible to use the Note on Straight Talk. I recently read the only other thread on it here in these forums. But I thought to start one here so that the information is available for others who need in its own post. This is also, of course for my benifit.
I am about to purchase an International Note from Amazon or Newegg this week. I plan to use it on StraightTalk wireless. I know specific APN settings are necessary for it to be usable to its full potential. So i have a couple of questions:
1) What is the correct APN settings for Straighttalk using the Note?
2)When ordering the Sim, so I chose unlocked phone or ATT compatible phone?
3)I currently have Straighttalk service on a dumbphone. Is that Sim usable in the Note? If it is, will just be able to change my plan to the Unlimited all for $45 and get the same service as I would if i ordered the unlocked or att sim?
4)I also saw some loose mention of a Data cap in the other thread but to my knowledge Straighttalk clearly says unlimited. Which is it?
Thank you in advance.
imho, the best thing to do is call your provider? anyway, for comparison, i purchased my note from company A with their own sim. Note is unlocked. im using company B's sim on my note without any problem.
SO...
Anyone using it know the exact settings and if i need to purchase new unlocked sim from them or if i can use my old sim from my original straighttalk dumbphone?
you can find the info you need here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1487293
those are the settings most of us are using.
I didnt want straight talk to set me up on tmobile so I ordered the at&t sim..i would suggest the same if you have good at&t coverage cause you'll only get edge speeds on tmobile.
Is Sim Card in the Moto W418G same as the "AT&T Compatible Phone Sim Card" from ST??
Hello my fellow XDA-Developers,
Just have a quick question for anyone who can answer, I am coming from a Black Samsung Galaxy S2 [which I love] (on BS Sprint <--- who i HATE... no wait... who I DESPISE...) to my (sexy white) Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note, that of which, arrives today! IM SO HAPPY ABOUT THIS!!! ;-)
My question is... is the Sim Card that comes with the Motorola W418G (www shopstraighttalk dot com/bpdirect/straighttalk/PhoneDetails.do?action=view&productVariantExtensionId=13092337) [which I had to purchase, because I really needed a phone at the moment) the same Sim Card as the "AT&T Compatible Phone Sim Card" that can be purchased separately online from StraightTalk for $14.99?? (www straighttalk dot com/ShopSims)
I would like to know this because I am planning on taking the sim that I activated with the $45 Unlimited plan yesterday, out of the Motorola W418G and putting it into the Galaxy Note that will arrive today... I am assuming/hoping that everything will function correctly (Voice, Text+MMS, & Data) once I update the APNs appropriately... This should be ok... right?? Or are they different Sim Cards??
Worst Case Senario... if they are different Sim Cards and I am forced to purchase one from StraightTalk separately... how would I go about putting my account onto that Sim Card and not the one that came with the Motorola W418G??
Thanks in advance for your help!
Best Regards,
dbC4G
Hi Guys,
Long story short I'm a long time Sprint customer getting ready to bail. There is a new MVNO using TMO's network launching in September and I'm in the pre-release and get my SIM later this week.
I picked up my Note Friday night after several days of searching. Also picked up a SimpleMobile SIM and a one month card so I could play with it as much as possible and confirm it unlocked before receiving my new SIM here shortly.
I made a request to T-Mobile as I paid full retail and according to their website if you do that from an Authorized Dealer you would be eligible for an unlock code. Gal was very nice on the phone and seemed to understand the process. The next morning prior to receiving the confirmation email from TMO I dropped in the SimpleMobile SIM and it booted right up and never prompted for an unlock code. I changed the MMS and APN to SM's settings from their website and it's worked perfectly.
Today I received the email from TMO saying that they couldn't approve the unlock request until I made a new request including all the required info (predominately my TMO Phone Number and Account Number). I've never been a TMO customer and as such don't have that. Gal at Customer Service said I didn't need it.
Now I wonder what's up, is the phone already unlocked hence the non-issue using the SimpleMobile SIM? Is this going to bite me in the butt later?
Coming from Sprint and the ESN system it's a whole different world and you can move phones to another account if the ESN is clean but doesn't have to be unlocked but they cannot unlock the phone to take to Verizon for example. So this is my first foray into the GSM world.
Thanks!
Just fyi your phone is still Carrier locked. Exemption with simple mobile, any TMobile phone would work with simple mobile without unlocking. Since they use the TMobile network they don't need to have the phones unlocked in order to work properly.
In order to get the phone unlocked there are different ways on doing it. If you had an account with TMobile they'll unlock it for free but since you don't I don't think they are or would even if you paid retail on the phone.
Hope that helps.
Sent from my SGH-T879 using xda premium
I have a friend who's interested in buying my Droid 4. And he wanted me to unlock it for him, so I was looking around... pretty much everything out there looks like a scam (either it wants me to install software, and makes me take a survey to get a password, or they want $28 for a code, etc)
He lives in Italy, uses the Wind network, which he says uses 4G LTE. I've seen on other posts that it doesn't need to be unlocked to be used internationally... is that correct? Or would I have to do something in order for him to use it?
Right now I've got my Verizon SIM card in there, obviously I would remove that before selling it to him. Can it be used with the stock ROM and still work internationally?
Should be no problem. I have used my D4 in Germany. Just popped in a local SIM, got a text which provided the necessary changes for APNs, and was good to surf and call away. My Droid is stock rooted, but I don't think you need to have root.
Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk now Free
So basically, any of those sites claiming to help you "unlock" the Droid 4 are scams?
Well, don't know what they claim to do. But you only need to unlock if you want to use a different provider within the US. Verizon locks you to their network within the US. Outside you can have any provider you like.
Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk now Free
They claim to give you an "unlock code"... which as far as I know doesn't even exist or it would be common knowledge by now.
But that's nice to know, I've never traveled abroad with a cellphone (I didn't even own a phone back in 2006 when I went to England) so I thought "unlocking" a phone was a universal thing to remove carrier restrictions.
No unlock required
I just got back from Ireland. Per Verizon's instructions, I had originally called the International Customer Support number to have it unlocked for European GSM usage. Customer support informed me at the time, that the phone is unlocked for international GSM from the factory. Once I arrived, I just swapped out the Verizon SIM card for a local one. It took a little configuration to get the APN/MMS settings correct, but the local phone rep was able to fix all those basic settings.
Good Luck. I'm sure everything will go smoothly for you.
I'm confused. Are the N6 phones carrier locked?
I travel to Europe every other year for about two months to see family and I normally just pickup a pre-paid SIM while I'm there for my phone. Last trip I called up AT&T International and told them my plans and they got my IMEI from me and gave me the code to unlock my phone so I could pick up a pre-paid SIM. This was in there best interest as it kept me a happy customer and I renewed my contract when it was up. I've since sold that phone to help cover part of the cost of my AT&T N6.
Yesterday I contacted AT&T International again and asked for the same thing. This time I'm told they do not do that and never have and that I need to go threw some link to request it to be unlocked. Unfortunately that link very specifically says you have to finish your contract of pay the ETF or if Next, pay off the device.
This is NOT what happened last time. I was 100% for sure under contract, I was 6 months into my new contract with AT&T as a NEW customer. This time around I'm a renewed customer and they will not do this for me.
This is going to make me leave AT&T on principal. Unlocking my phone does not release me from the agreement I signed but as mentioned above does keep me a happy customer.
Googling I found this... Seems this is a new thing and others have had issues. Interesting the way they kissed his ass when they found out he writes tech reviews and said they were looking into ways to help out international travelers with this, looks like they have done nothing.
http://arstechnica.com/staff/2014/11/atts-outdated-unlock-policies-cost-it-a-loyal-customer-me/
So I happened to mention to a friend I need to look into moving to Sprint or something else that will buy out my contract so I can have a phone to take with and he said ummm I don't think N6's are carrier locked.
Now I know I could buy a cheap phone but its the point of the matter. EVERYTHING I do is on "this" phone. I don't want to take two phones, I want to take THIS phone and I don't want to pay for AT&T International service.
@kdoggy
Yes, AT&T N6 is carrier locked. You can not get the unlock code from AT&T unless your device is paid off.
But there are a number of 3rd party companies that will sell you the code for $10 to $25. Look for an older thread in this General section with a title something like "undo AT&T customization".
Or do a Google search for carrier unlock codes.
This phone wasn't carrier locked out of the box was it? I remember now when I first set it up I followed some instructions to NOT get the AT&T customizations that involved removing the SIM etc but then the second time I re-flashed the phone I forgot to do that and now I get the carrier crap. Previous to that my Google Play account KNEW it was an Nexus phone but did not know what carrier it was. It just said Unspecified Nexus 6. After that refresh without removing the SIM for the first part of the setup, it now gets the crap and Play says AT&T Nexus 6.
Sigh, OK yeah I'll pay $10~25.00 dollars. I'm not happy about this on principal though. Them unlocking my phone does not release me from my contract. Looks like I may have to evaluate in another few months when my Next is up.
@kdoggy
Yes, the AT&T version was carrier locked out of the box.
Ah OK. Yeah just read the thread you spoke of. Sounds like the SIM card thing was just for the bloat.
OK well this helped, screw AT&T, I'll just pay the money and remember this next go around. We have been on a family plan for the past few years but I'm in the middle of a divorce right now so I may just go Verizon when this contracts up. Nothing keeping me on AT&T anymore. Previously it was just because the wife and kids were on AT&T too.
I can say for a fact that the Tmobile version of the N6 comes unlocked. I got mine and was able to pop in my att sim without having to unlock it. I even got it replaced through warranty (bad battery) and was able to use my At&t sim on this one too. But as far as I know Tmobile and the international version are the only ones to come unlocked.
The Sprint and Verizon models are unlocked as well.
The US Cellular version is totally unlocked as well...for all carriers.
Sorry if this has already been talked about, I couldn't find it.
I think I managed to get one of the-less-than stellar Fi reps on a chat and didn't get an answer I was confident with.
My invite is looking to be ready in 4 weeks. I haven't purchased an N6 yet - I'd much prefer to get one used on eBay. My question is whether one from T-Mo, AT&T, VZW, Sprint will work with Fi assuming it's unlocked - or does it need to be one originally purchased as unlocked and not tied to a carrier at any point?
Is there a preferred go-to device assuming that's true? I read that the AT&T version comes with bloatware.
Bonus question (another I've had trouble getting a clear answer for): Since Sprint uses CDMA last I checked - will international texting work when it latches onto their network? VZW and Sprint have always tooted international texting capabilities but I have not once had CDMA->GSM work when sending or receiving messages from stateside to Europe. Any chance it carries on using GSM?
Thanks much.
olly666 said:
My invite is looking to be ready in 4 weeks. I haven't purchased an N6 yet - I'd much prefer to get one used on eBay. My question is whether one from T-Mo, AT&T, VZW, Sprint will work with Fi assuming it's unlocked - or does it need to be one originally purchased as unlocked and not tied to a carrier at any point?
Is there a preferred go-to device assuming that's true? I read that the AT&T version comes with bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1st, all Nexus 6 are SIM unlocked, EXCEPT the AT&T version. The AT&T version can be unlocked via a code once the device is paid off, and 60 days have lapsed since it was first registered for service on AT&T.
Any version of the Nexus 6 will work on Fi (including the AT&T version if it has been SIM unlocked).
2nd, the AT&T version and the Verizon version have a few of their carrier apps. These are easily removed. And flashing a new factory image via fastboot does away with them too. So I wouldn't worry about this.
And remember to not confuse bootloader unlocked with carrier unlocked, FWIW.
Thanks @cam30era. I've always just relied on eBay sellers for unlock codes. Never had an issue with it. Is the Nexus any different in that regard? Does your mention of AT&T being the only sim-locked one mean that VZW, etc. sells/sold the N6 as a full priced unlocked N6 just like any other? Thanks.
olly666 said:
Thanks @cam30era. I've always just relied on eBay sellers for unlock codes. Never had an issue with it. Is the Nexus any different in that regard? Does your mention of AT&T being the only sim-locked one mean that VZW, etc. sells/sold the N6 as a full priced unlocked N6 just like any other? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus 6 is no different than any other device regarding carrier unlocking. All others (VZW etc.) are carrier unlocked out of the box.
Sprint issue
So I own a nexus 6 through Sprint and I still owe money on it (installment billing, not contract) my question is I have a project fi sim card and I want to port my number over (I know I'll owe the remaining balance) but can I do this while I pay my balance off of does it need to be paid off first. I ask for two reasons, one is because its supposed to be carrier unlocked out of box, and two, because I had one project fi card activated already and it worked just fine. Just wanted to make sure
neku889 said:
So I own a nexus 6 through Sprint and I still owe money on it (installment billing, not contract) my question is I have a project fi sim card and I want to port my number over (I know I'll owe the remaining balance) but can I do this while I pay my balance off of does it need to be paid off first. I ask for two reasons, one is because its supposed to be carrier unlocked out of box, and two, because I had one project fi card activated already and it worked just fine. Just wanted to make sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Installment billing is a contract. If you port your number before you finish paying it, Sprint will hit you with the remaining balance - I don't know whether or not they throw in a penalty fee on top of that. You would need to have them unlock it once your account is squared away (or just pay $5 for a code on eBay).
From Sprint website:
What happens if a customer on an Installment Agreement cancels service prior to completing their 24 device payments?
If a customer on an Installment Agreement cancels service prior to completing their 24 device payments, the full remaining unpaid balance on the device will be due on customer's next invoice.
olly666 said:
From Sprint website:
What happens if a customer on an Installment Agreement cancels service prior to completing their 24 device payments?
If a customer on an Installment Agreement cancels service prior to completing their 24 device payments, the full remaining unpaid balance on the device will be due on customer's next invoice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I'll have to pay it off, or get that eBay code thing? Even though I've activated a fi sim card in it before but with a different number?
neku889 said:
So I'll have to pay it off, or get that eBay code thing? Even though I've activated a fi sim card in it before but with a different number?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck on the Ebay code. Another user tried to bypass ATT and there was no code available for the N6.
prdog1 said:
Good luck on the Ebay code. Another user tried to bypass ATT and there was no code available for the N6.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Blah I just wana enjoy fi
neku889 said:
So I'll have to pay it off, or get that eBay code thing? Even though I've activated a fi sim card in it before but with a different number?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From my understanding a Fi sim card would have been able to activate and work on it, by connecting to Sprint's network only. You can't get out of paying off the rest of the phone and keep it, since that would be stealing and phone companes generally frown upon that kind of thing.
olly666 said:
From my understanding a Fi sim card would have been able to activate and work on it, by connecting to Sprint's network only. You can't get out of paying off the rest of the phone and keep it, since that would be stealing and phone companes generally frown upon that kind of thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have every intention of paying it off, bug as for being only to connect to Sprint only. I had it connect to lte and get lte speeds where I live, and where I live Sprint only has 3g while T-Mobile has lte...this is where I get confused as to it not working even though it's already carrier unlocked out of box
neku889 said:
So I own a nexus 6 through Sprint and I still owe money on it (installment billing, not contract) my question is I have a project fi sim card and I want to port my number over (I know I'll owe the remaining balance) but can I do this while I pay my balance off of does it need to be paid off first. I ask for two reasons, one is because its supposed to be carrier unlocked out of box, and two, because I had one project fi card activated already and it worked just fine. Just wanted to make sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
olly666 said:
Installment billing is a contract. If you port your number before you finish paying it, Sprint will hit you with the remaining balance - I don't know whether or not they throw in a penalty fee on top of that. You would need to have them unlock it once your account is squared away (or just pay $5 for a code on eBay).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint N6 are not carrier locked. You do not not need an unlock code to move your device to Fi. With that said, you are still legally and ethically bound by the termination requirements of your contract.
FWIW: the only US carrier N6 that is carrier locked is AT&T.