Cannot call *228 or *22899 - Thunderbolt General

So after I tried to root I had to put the stock rom back on. Now when I try to update my prl at *228 it says call ended right after it tries to dial. Any ideas ?
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

I don't think you have to do this with the Thunderbolt. The SIM card should take care of it.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

According to vzw there is no need to update the prl, as it is done auto when the phone is restarted.

you cannot dial *228 with the TB..it does the updates automatically with the sim card...i thought i read some where that dialing it could mess up your sim some how...

jr313 said:
you cannot dial *228 with the TB..it does the updates automatically with the sim card...i thought i read some where that dialing it could mess up your sim some how...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Misconception. The phone is smart enough not to let the call go through. Go ahead, try to. It won't.

Yeah verizon said not to dial that because with some it was ruining the sim cards.

Yeah not true. Is not the phone stopping you from dialing 228, three actual network its stopping you. The first few days you could dial it and it would nuke your sim card.
Sent from the Ole TB

There is no point to program the phone as the SIM provides the provisioning of features and activation OTA, automagically. It programs when you first turn the phone on, this is a network feature. Furthermore, it shouldn't lose the programming as suscriber info is stored on the SIM itself and would be read by the phone on boot up if no provisioning is present.
And no, the *228 option, should you manage to make it complete a call, would not ruin a SIM card anyway.

there is no need to use *228, it's only ruining sim cards for representatives. Basically if we put the sim card in, don't activate in the system and dial *228 it sometimes fries 'em. This is nothing you as a user have to worry about.

You guys rock ! Thank you for the quick replies. Thought I did something trying to root it.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

The tech at our local verizon dialed it at least a dozen times trying to activate my bolt on day 1 and my sim didn't get fried. Took several hours to fully activate though.
Sent from my LogicPD Zoom2 using XDA Premium App

The lady at Best Buy dialed it and it did kill the first sim card that they tried. They finally call Verizon and they were told to not dial it again becase of the chance of it killing the sim.

Same here one sim actually fried but after that they didn't spent an hour trying to connect my phone
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

this thread
belongs in general, not dev.

worm- said:
Yeah not true. Is not the phone stopping you from dialing 228, three actual network its stopping you. The first few days you could dial it and it would nuke your sim card.
Sent from the Ole TB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The rep at verizon burned one trying to activate my thunderbolt, luckily I got one of the first few so there were extras

That's hilarious. I had a guy on the phone tell me to not do it as it would "FRY YOUR SIM CARD".

Related

Lost reception doesn't come back without restart

I've been having a problem lately with my Captivate. At my work there's a complete dead zone where I lose reception completely (the 4 bars are replaced by a circle with a cross through it). However, when I leave work and go back home the reception never comes back - I've waited and waited and waited, but it still stays Xed out.
The phone requires a restart, and after that it picks up reception normally.
has anyone experienced this?
Did you try enabling flight mode, then turning it back off? Same effect as restarting the phone for your signal problem.
But in answer to your question, I've never had that problem. I have had a problem getting my signal back, but I just hold the phone in the open for a bit, and then stick it in my pocket again once I obtain service.
miztaken1312 said:
Did you try enabling flight mode, then turning it back off? Same effect as restarting the phone for your signal problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have, and it doesn't work. I have to turn the phone off and back on again.
I have the exact same issue.
I was having the same problem. They changed out the SIM card and have not had the problem sense. If your SIM has been through a few phones my not hurt to get a new one.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
thedoodle said:
I was having the same problem. They changed out the SIM card and have not had the problem sense. If your SIM has been through a few phones my not hurt to get a new one.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I just ordered a new SIM card online. My existing one is 4 years old and scratched up like crazy, that may be it.
On a different note, once I receive my new SIM card does anyone know how to associate it with my plan? The ebay listing for the SIM card said to do it through the following website but I'm not sure which option is correct ("upgrade phone" perhaps?)
https://www.wireless.att.com/activations/
Paladuck said:
Thanks, I just ordered a new SIM card online. My existing one is 4 years old and scratched up like crazy, that may be it.
On a different note, once I receive my new SIM card does anyone know how to associate it with my plan? The ebay listing for the SIM card said to do it through the following website but I'm not sure which option is correct ("upgrade phone" perhaps?)
https://www.wireless.att.com/activations/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For simplicities sake and for your own safety, take it into at&t and have them do it. At least you know it will be done correctly.
Sent from my Captivate
att gives u free sim card if goto their main stores
If you get a new sim just call at&t and tell them you need to change the sim number.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk
ViniD said:
att gives u free sim card if goto their main stores
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been through many AT&T stores and they always charge me $25 for a new SIM. How'd you get free ones?
miztaken1312 said:
I've been through many AT&T stores and they always charge me $25 for a new SIM. How'd you get free ones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must be going to private franchises because AT&T charges them for SIMs. If you call 611, they would make a notation to your account that you get a free one and the franchise would get reimbursed by AT&T.
I had to get a new SIM with my phone and it experiences this same issue. Has anybody had any luck with getting rid of the problem?
dennistaylor said:
You must be going to private franchises because AT&T charges them for SIMs. If you call 611, they would make a notation to your account that you get a free one and the franchise would get reimbursed by AT&T.
I had to get a new SIM with my phone and it experiences this same issue. Has anybody had any luck with getting rid of the problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't believe they were private. They are regular at&t stores. But next time I'm definitely calling 611 for my similar problems
Sent from my Captivate
i have the same issue. i got a new sim when i got the phone and i rarely touch the sim. I bought the phone on launch day and have only just started seeing the issue. it seems to me that it started after the OTA patch but it is still happening after i flashed Cognition v2.1.7

SIM Card Swapping

I generally understand how SIM cards work in the GSM world, but I am curious as to how it works within Verizon. I know Verizon uses both SIM/4G and CDMA in one phone.
So my question is, if anyone has two Thunderbolts handy:
Can you swap the SIM cards between the two units and will the phone number and data usage STAY with the SIM? Or will the phone number STAY and the data usage MOVE with the SIM? Or some other variant? Or will you need to get a new SIM and/or call Verizon to reactivate the SIM when you move it?
AND, are you swapping between two Thunderbolts on the same account or different accounts?
Thanks.
Verizon told me it works just like GSM.
Sent from my Thunderbolt
From my experience yesterday with swapping my dinc and bolt numbers you can not swap cards. Had to get a new sim card to swap numbers.
SIM card is assigned to your phone number, and not to the phone itself. If you exchange your phone, but you keep your phone number, you can use the same Sim with new phone. If you put your Sim into a different phone with different phone number, even on the same account, and even it would be a TB, it would not work.
I only believe half of what comes out of a VZW CSR and about 10% that comes from a sale rep at a VZW store.
Looking for hard examples.
youneek said:
Verizon told me it works just like GSM.
Sent from my Thunderbolt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DINC doesn't have a SIM, but interesting info.
Looking for a hard example that is two Thunderbolts on the same account or separate accounts.
ripster said:
From my experience yesterday with swapping my dinc and bolt numbers you can not swap cards. Had to get a new sim card to swap numbers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The TB is there first sim card phone.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
I'm confused. At first you say the SIM is assigned to your phone number and not the phone. Later on you say the SIM in another phone with a different number, does not work.
"If you put your Sim into a different phone with different phone number"???
You can only have 1 SIM card in a thunderbolt at a time. Are you speaking from experience or is this what VZW told you?
fuzio1963 said:
SIM card is assigned to your phone number, and not to the phone itself. If you exchange your phone, but you keep your phone number, you can use the same Sim with new phone. If you put your Sim into a different phone with different phone number, even on the same account, and even it would be a TB, it would not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never said dinc has a Sim card. In order for me to change the number on the TBolt i had to get a new Sim card. So you can't swap cards like gsm.
ripster said:
Never said dinc has a Sim card. In order for me to change the number on the TBolt i had to get a new Sim card. So you can't swap cards like gsm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why does being unable to change your number without getting a new sim mean you can't swap the sim card into a different phone.
You can move your sim into whichever phone you choose, which as of now would be from one tbolt to another tbolt, no need to call verizon or anything. You will be able to simply move your sim from tbolt to the samsung droid charge or the bionic when they come out if you wish.
Actually you can swap the sim cards between phones, I have done it. The reason you had to call was to activate your number on the sim.
bunklung said:
So my question is, if anyone has two Thunderbolts handy:
Can you swap the SIM cards between the two units and will the phone number and data usage STAY with the SIM? Or will the phone number STAY and the data usage MOVE with the SIM? Or some other variant? Or will you need to get a new SIM and/or call Verizon to reactivate the SIM when you move it?
AND, are you swapping between two Thunderbolts on the same account or different accounts?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone number is tied to the SIM like GSM. I got a replacement shipped to me and swapping the SIM back and forth did all the activating.
When I got a new droid shipped to me I always had to call and tell them the MEID of my new phone before it would activate.
So, when you stick your SIM in another phone, that phone get's your phone number, data, etc. the same as a GSM phone.
bunklung said:
DINC doesn't have a SIM, but interesting info.
Looking for a hard example that is two Thunderbolts on the same account or separate accounts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In other words.....he has dinc, and he wants his dinc ph number on his new TB. He never said, dinc had sim.....
bunklung said:
I'm confused. At first you say the SIM is assigned to your phone number and not the phone. Later on you say the SIM in another phone with a different number, does not work.
"If you put your Sim into a different phone with different phone number"???
You can only have 1 SIM card in a thunderbolt at a time. Are you speaking from experience or is this what VZW told you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you change the phone, you are "taking" your phone number from old one to the new one. Then, you don't need a new sim card, cus you still have the same phone number on your new phone. But, lest say, your friend has TB as well....if you put your sim into his phone (and vice versa), your sim will not be working. (it won't recognise his ph number as yours - the one it has been assigned to).
Morkai Almandragon said:
Actually you can swap the sim cards between phones, I have done it. The reason you had to call was to activate your number on the sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, true!! But you have the same phone number on you new/next handset, right?
I switched from T-Mobile and a Nexus S to a TB hoping that the SIM card swapping works the same. A couple year ago Verizon had a press release about being more open to devices so I hope that it means the same deal as I used to be able to pop my SIM card to any upcoming LTE phone
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
jinvox said:
I switched from T-Mobile and a Nexus S to a TB hoping that the SIM card swapping works the same. A couple year ago Verizon had a press release about being more open to devices so I hope that it means the same deal as I used to be able to pop my SIM card to any upcoming LTE phone
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
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Click to collapse
No, T-Mo is a GSM, and VZW is CDMA. Verizon SIM is only for DATA.
Darn oh well
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
Have you tried this between two Thunderbolts or are you just assuming this works?
I assume it to work too, but I want to know if someone has actually tried this.
shaddix2 said:
Why does being unable to change your number without getting a new sim mean you can't swap the sim card into a different phone.
You can move your sim into whichever phone you choose, which as of now would be from one tbolt to another tbolt, no need to call verizon or anything. You will be able to simply move your sim from tbolt to the samsung droid charge or the bionic when they come out if you wish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Between two Thunderbolts?
Morkai Almandragon said:
Actually you can swap the sim cards between phones, I have done it. The reason you had to call was to activate your number on the sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yesterday i called *611 CS and tried to swap numbers between my dinc and tbolt. He did in fact switch numbers but the sim in the tbolt was deactivated. He might have screwed up something but told me he could send me a new one or i can take it to a verizon store. I was still able to make calls with the tbold but didnt have any data until they program a new sim card.
Missed this one. Thanks for responding directly to my question.
My last question is, can you swap it between different accounts? The phone sent to you was to be activated on your account. Can you take any strangers phone and SIM swap?
ERIFNOMI said:
The phone number is tied to the SIM like GSM. I got a replacement shipped to me and swapping the SIM back and forth did all the activating.
When I got a new droid shipped to me I always had to call and tell them the MEID of my new phone before it would activate.
So, when you stick your SIM in another phone, that phone get's your phone number, data, etc. the same as a GSM phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Is it possible on Verizon to own 2 phones on one line?

With AT&T you can simply throw a sim card in and away you go with any phone you want. What do you do on AT&T namely if you have an iPhone and TBolt?
You wont be able to do it without going through Verizon to have your TB Sim card reset everytime you want to use your TB after using your iPhone.
Normally you just have to do a simple ESN swap (can do online). Unfortunately with the Thunderbolt and it's LTE SIM, things might be more complicated. I'd check with a Verizon rep to see what would be involved.
Sadly its a complete pain in the butt. One of the guys I work with had to deactivate it and reactivate it a couple of days later. The guy in the store couldn't figure out how to do it, and it took him about 3 hours on the phone with various techs to finally get it working. They ended up having to swap out the SIM card in the store.
Not sure if its the process that is tough, or if they just don't know what they are doing. Either way, I wouldn't recommend it if you can avoid it. If you really need to do it, it is possible, but its not as simple as just swapping out a SIM card like on AT&T.
Once there are more phones utilizing LTE wouldn't you just be able to swap out your sim card and put it in any LTE phone?
dirtyfingers said:
Once there are more phones utilizing LTE wouldn't you just be able to swap out your sim card and put it in any LTE phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, this is correct. I can go buy the Droid Charge, and put in the SIM from my Thunderbolt, and I'll be good to go.
Thats pretty sweet, I wish I had the cash to drop on some more LTE phones when they come out.
WilliamStern said:
Yes, this is correct. I can go buy the Droid Charge, and put in the SIM from my Thunderbolt, and I'll be good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure about that? I thought we were still using CDMA for calls and there is no voice over 4G/LTE on VZW just yet.
WilliamStern said:
Yes, this is correct. I can go buy the Droid Charge, and put in the SIM from my Thunderbolt, and I'll be good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty sure this is wrong.
When setting up my phone the rep had to set up the sim card and phone separately.
Razorz is right, we still utilize cdma for voice, so it may be possible to get data on a new phone but no voice?
A rep told me you could, never tried I don't have another Verizon phone to swap it out with. Also ATT charges activation when you swap sims "if the sim is in a different phone for a lengthy time". Also ATT will add a data plan to your account if the phone you put it in requires one.
the id number for the sim card and the ESN for the phone both must be in the verizon system associated with your phone number or the device will not work.
stuckhere4ever said:
Sadly its a complete pain in the butt. One of the guys I work with had to deactivate it and reactivate it a couple of days later. The guy in the store couldn't figure out how to do it, and it took him about 3 hours on the phone with various techs to finally get it working. They ended up having to swap out the SIM card in the store.
Not sure if its the process that is tough, or if they just don't know what they are doing. Either way, I wouldn't recommend it if you can avoid it. If you really need to do it, it is possible, but its not as simple as just swapping out a SIM card like on AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they didn't know what they were doing.
When I had data problems with my TB, I switched to my INC via the activate phone link on the "my account" web page. An hour later when I tried to return to the TB, I got a prompt for the phone's IMEI, then prompted for the SIM card's number.. It error-ed. After calling CS, the rep couldn't help, got TS on the line, they manually entered the SIM number to make it work...
So it appears switching away from the TB deactivated the SIM, to switch back, VZW's TS had to re-add or re-activate the SIM.
And as thetwiztidfreak said, they did need BOTH the IMEI and SIM numbers to re-activate the TB.
thetwiztidfreak said:
the id number for the sim card and the ESN for the phone both must be in the verizon system associated with your phone number or the device will not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct but when you put the registered SIM in another LTE device it registers that handsets IMEI with your account. You can infact do a SIM swap with LTE, since your phone number is tied to the SIM putting the sim in another device effectively activates the phone on your account.
I should know, it's my job ;-)
It works the same way as GSM, but going from an LTE phone to a CDMA phone is a bit different, the SIM gets decactivated and becomes useless and if you want to switch back you need to go the a Verizon store for them to sell you out a new SIM for $0(some times old SIMs can be reactivated however there may b e issues with this). It's a PITA so I don't reccomend switching back and forth between CDMA and LTE devices unless you absolutely HAVE to.
chaoscentral said:
Correct but when you put the registered SIM in another LTE device it registers that handsets IMEI with your account. You can infact do a SIM swap with LTE, since your phone number is tied to the SIM putting the sim in another device effectively activates the phone on your account.
I should know, it's my job ;-)
It works the same way as GSM, but going from an LTE phone to a CDMA phone is a bit different, the SIM gets decactivated and becomes useless and if you want to switch back you need to go the a Verizon store for them to sell you out a new SIM for $0(some times old SIMs can be reactivated however there may b e issues with this). It's a PITA so I don't reccomend switching back and forth between CDMA and LTE devices unless you absolutely HAVE to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm that it is a royal pain in the ass to go to the vzw store to get a new sim...
I just got a replacement for my tbolt. I had 5 days to return the "defective" one. I bounced the SIM card back and forth between the two phones a dozen times trying to see which one got better 3G/4G reception. The rep told me to decide which one works better and send the other phone back. It didn't matter.

Any new info on switching back and forth between LTE phones and Standard 3G phones?

Given the TBolt has the sim card, it seems it would be a little crazy to switch back and forth (if not impossible). This issue was touched a while ago, but is there an easier way yet? I guess anytime you wanted to switch back to the tBolt you needed to get a new SIM card. Is this still the case? Or can you use the website to switch back and forth between phones.
Reason I am asking is that I would like to use the iPhone during my work day since all of our machines are Apple based... and tBolt any other time. It just doesn't seem possible unless something changed?
I was also wondering how this would work. I have several phones and, until recently when I got my Tbolt, would switch between them quite often. Now with my first 4G phone, I wasn't sure that would work. From your post, it sounds like I could go online and switch from my Bolt to one of my 3g devices as I always have, but going back to the 4g Bolt might be a problem? I don't have 4g in my area, but I really am liking my bolt and don't feel the itch to switch devices yet, but I would like to be able to have the option.
Why not just call VZW and ask ?
That would be the easy way to answer your question.
Sent by my HTC Incredible
jbh00jh said:
Why not just call VZW and ask ?
That would be the easy way to answer your question.
Sent by my HTC Incredible
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They give different answers each time you call! Depends who you talk to.
if it helps, sim cards are sim cards and the one in the tb (though it works in a slightly different way than what would be normal for a sim) is the same as any other sim card. However, if you switch to activating a 3g phone without a sim card, they will deactivate your tb sim card for sure. They may even if you don't, just because they're verizon and are slightly clueless on how sim cards work still.
psufan5 said:
Given the TBolt has the sim card, it seems it would be a little crazy to switch back and forth (if not impossible). This issue was touched a while ago, but is there an easier way yet? I guess anytime you wanted to switch back to the tBolt you needed to get a new SIM card. Is this still the case? Or can you use the website to switch back and forth between phones.
Reason I am asking is that I would like to use the iPhone during my work day since all of our machines are Apple based... and tBolt any other time. It just doesn't seem possible unless something changed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you ever switch phones online without calling Verizon. I have never been able to do it other than when setting up maybe a new phone but never switching back to an old one. Good luck though it would be nice to be able to freely switch. I have a DInc and OG Droid just sitting here
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Switching from 4g to 3g phones you have to call in each time
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App
I have tried switching from 3g phone to 4g phone and it is a pain. You need to call or go into the store and get a new sim card each time. The minute you place a 3g device on your 4g account the sim card is deactivated.
I switch back and forth now because i talked the store manager into giving me a few sim cards. You can also call every other day and have the customer service send you a new one. They are free but some stores will try to charge you.
Once you have the sim card all you need to do is turn off the 3g phone, place the new sim card in and it should activate itself.
Wow thats pretty sad that its this difficult.
I had tried this once and it brought up a question that I did not have the guts to answer myself. If you went back to 3g for a short while then afterwards reactivated on 4g would you loose the grandfathered unlimited data?
Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt using XDA Premium App
theryanguy said:
I had tried this once and it brought up a question that I did not have the guts to answer myself. If you went back to 3g for a short while then afterwards reactivated on 4g would you loose the grandfathered unlimited data?
Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No since you aren't changing your plan
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App
Just talked to a VZW rep on the phone, who I'm assuming went to talk to a supervisor or a tech, and she said as long as I keep the sim card in a place where the gold contacts don't get harmed (like in the phone), then I can keep the same sim card between activations, I just have to either call in to switch back to the TB or activate it online.. She talked to someone about this after I asked if I could have a few sent to me, so I'm assuming whomever told her this at least had some knowledge on the situation, but I guess we'll find out when it's time to switch back
joshnichols189 said:
No since you aren't changing your plan
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, thanks.
Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt using XDA Premium App
the verizon rep that told you you can keep the sim card between activations is wrong. The sim card for verizon doesnt store any data its just basically a key to there 4g service. They can only be used for one activation and once they are deactivated they are dead. The only way to switch back and forth would be to have a surplus of sim cards. You would still have to call in and have them activate the new sim card before using it.
Ii have done this a few times on my thunderbolt so I know from experience.
Not sure on that having multiple SIM cards is right. I have switched between my DX and Tbolt numerous times and never gotten a new sim card. I do have to call every time when reactivating the bolt though.
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using Tapatalk
I can't see how this would work since LTE and gsm cards aren't compatible. If you could do that, you could drop it in most of the decent BlackBerrys and run... But ya can't. Anyone telling you that you can isn't at all familiar with the specs.
What a pain in the butt.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk
just my experience...
Using the My Account web site, I can...
Change between multiple 3G phones, no problems.
Change from 4G/LTE phone to 3G phone, no problems other than... the Web site warns the LTE SIM will be disabled after 90 days of non-use, implying that you could re-use it for up to 90 days, BUT the SIM gets deactivated immediately.
If I try to change from 3G phone to 4G/LTE phone, no problems IF I have a NEW SIM card. If I try to re-use my SIM it fails and I need to call in. When I call in, its hit or miss if they can enter that same SIM back into the System (customer service can't, but tech support has done it) or make me get a new SIM.
I haven't tried switching in about 3 weeks. So I don't know if anything has changed since.
Also, I find it best to complete the equipment change before 11pm eastern, otherwise the device change could get hung up in VZW's switch/system and not complete/clear until the morning.
SIM card/switching from 4G to 3G
psufan5 said:
Given the TBolt has the sim card, it seems it would be a little crazy to switch back and forth (if not impossible). This issue was touched a while ago, but is there an easier way yet? I guess anytime you wanted to switch back to the tBolt you needed to get a new SIM card. Is this still the case? Or can you use the website to switch back and forth between phones.
Reason I am asking is that I would like to use the iPhone during my work day since all of our machines are Apple based... and tBolt any other time. It just doesn't seem possible unless something changed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this time, it is still necessry to relace the SIM card if changing from a 4G device to a 3G device. So, if you were to change devices each day, you would need a new SIM card each time. Please check out our forums for updates at our website. Go to the website for Verizon Wireless, click Contact Us, then Customer Forums. You can also sign up for email updates from this site.
Thank you and have a good day!
Christina B
VZW Support
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
VZWSupport said:
At this time, it is still necessry to relace the SIM card if changing from a 4G device to a 3G device. So, if you were to change devices each day, you would need a new SIM card each time. Please check out our forums for updates at our website. Go to the website for Verizon Wireless, click Contact Us, then Customer Forums. You can also sign up for email updates from this site.
Thank you and have a good day!
Christina B
VZW Support
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
verizon actually semi pays attention to xda

Able to use 3G only without physical SIM card? Network debug menu?

Is there a way to use the phone without a SIM card? I don't have LTE in my area, and I keep getting the "no SIM Error" so was thinking that the SIM was useless anyways.
On the stock ROM every time I get the SIM error, or if I remove the SIM card itself, I get no data on the phone at all. When I try to turn on Mobile Data it prompts me to insert the SIM.
On other CUSTOM or JB ROMs, I don't get the SIM error prompt but I simply get no data.
On older Sprint phones, I know you can go into the DEBUG menu to see that EVDO/3G was actually being authenticated, the handshake was negotiated, then connection type/speed/tower/hand-off status, etc. Is there such an option with Verizon phones? I'm wondering if Data is completely shut off without the SIM, or if the data connection is actually established on the network but simply blocked from being used?
PS - per recommendation I have tried using the PHONE INFO app to switch the option to NV only, but am still getting no data. Voice/Text work perfectly.
black7 said:
Is there a way to use the phone without a SIM card? I don't have LTE in my area, and I keep getting the "no SIM Error" so was thinking that the SIM was useless anyways.
On the stock ROM every time I get the SIM error, or if I remove the SIM card itself, I get no data on the phone at all. When I try to turn on Mobile Data it prompts me to insert the SIM.
On other CUSTOM or JB ROMs, I don't get the SIM error prompt but I simply get no data.
On older Sprint phones, I know you can go into the DEBUG menu to see that EVDO/3G was actually being authenticated, the handshake was negotiated, then connection type/speed/tower/hand-off status, etc. Is there such an option with Verizon phones? I'm wondering if Data is completely shut off without the SIM, or if the data connection is actually established on the network but simply blocked from being used?
PS - per recommendation I have tried using the PHONE INFO app to switch the option to NV only, but am still getting no data. Voice/Text work perfectly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ASFAIK, the SIM does 3g and 4g. WHY? because 3g on the gs3 is ehrdp and that also requires a handshake between 3g and lte. I believe it is like using 3g tech but with the pipeline size of lte... or thats as far as I've read into it.
xicewallx said:
ASFAIK, the SIM does 3g and 4g. WHY? because 3g on the gs3 is ehrdp and that also requires a handshake between 3g and lte. I believe it is like using 3g tech but with the pipeline size of lte... or thats as far as I've read into it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, xicewallx. I was afraid of that, however I've read of people flashing both Sprint and Verizon variants of the SGS3 to Boost, Straight Talk (CDMA), Verizon Pre-Paid which all I assume do not use LTE/SIM. I presume this means that the SGS3 can certainly use 3G without the need of the SIM card. I'm looking for a way to default to this on the SGS3 for us poor folk who do not have the luxury of LTE yet and have to deal with the SIM error until Verizon/Samsung fixes it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I was able to get to a debug screen using the IOTHiddenMenu option (through Any Cut) but it simply stated that EVDO was in "sleep state." I wasn't able to figure out how to get it to start a connection yet.
Go to the Verizon store and get a free SIM card? Why go through all of this trouble.
Sent from my Nexus 7
TheBiles said:
Go to the Verizon store and get a free SIM card? Why go through all of this trouble.
Sent from my Nexus 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion. Issue is that the phone is having the NO SIM error randomly. Have already tried a different SIM from Verizon (friend's account) but still have that same issue.
black7 said:
Thanks for the suggestion. Issue is that the phone is having the NO SIM error randomly. Have already tried a different SIM from Verizon (friend's account) but still have that same issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So get a new phone? That one is obviously faulty. Go get a free replacement. You have to live with it for 2 years. I wouldn't want a faulty device for a week let alone 2 years.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Are you in a poor signal area? Only time I've received the "No Sim" error was at my parents where the signal is crap. As for using it without the sim card, doubt that's possible since the sim is used for authentication if I'm not mistaken.
hello,
if i understand correctly, the sim card in the S3 is basically the same as all the previous world phones, meaning its just RUIM card. The MEID and IMEI are on the phone, the card it comes with is just basically a storage device in simple terms. can someone who has access to another verizon active S3 sim try putting the card into their phone and checking the IMEI that the phone reports? does swapping the cards change the IMEI in other words. I do not think it will, but interested to know for sure.
i just started playing with one of these, but i feel realy confident you can get non 4G services to work without a sim in it.
cheers,
disco
disco_y2k said:
hello,
if i understand correctly, the sim card in the S3 is basically the same as all the previous world phones, meaning its just RUIM card. The MEID and IMEI are on the phone, the card it comes with is just basically a storage device in simple terms. can someone who has access to another verizon active S3 sim try putting the card into their phone and checking the IMEI that the phone reports? does swapping the cards change the IMEI in other words. I do not think it will, but interested to know for sure.
i just started playing with one of these, but i feel realy confident you can get non 4G services to work without a sim in it.
cheers,
disco
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have it just about backwords. The sim is the real identifier on vzw 4g devices. You can take a working authorized sim and use it to activate another 4g Verizon phone and it will activate under the phone number associated with the sim.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
thats interesting, S3 still has an MEID also doesnt it?
thanks for the info!
cheers,
disco
disco_y2k said:
thats interesting, S3 still has an MEID also doesnt it?
thanks for the info!
cheers,
disco
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is still an ESN /MEID that the network uses to identify the phone for the CDMA side of the network. The process is all handled by the LTE SIM on LTE phones, though.
OP: You have a broken phone. The no-SIM error is not something that goes away. Take it to a store and get a new SIM and/or order a replacement.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2
im gonna have to dig in some more i am still not convinced the card is not a ruim card. like the other sprint and verizon world fones the imea is in the fone im pretty sure, until you instroduce another networks actual gsm card. i still the card it comes with is a simple ruim that holds the login info and other data, etc, well you know what ruim is.
does anyone have a service manual or white papers on this one yet? i would love to read through them.
thanks again bro
cheers,
disco
I'm still looking for an answer to this if anyone has any suggestions. Any way to get 3G without a SIM card?
Did you ever get a new phone from Verizon? It seems like an issue with your phone, not the network.
I have been trying something similar along the way as I have been able to get rock solid data by switching to EvDo only using the Phone Info app.
I gave determined I am connecting to a US Cellular tower when I have solid data.
But while in EvDo only I cannot send or receive calls or texts.
I am looking for a way to enable calls and text while in EvDo only mode.
Not trying to highjack just thought this is somewhat related.
TheBiles said:
Did you ever get a new phone from Verizon? It seems like an issue with your phone, not the network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
New phone and new SIM from Verizon seems to have made the problem less apparent, but it still happens, especially when driving through areas where reception is a bit spotty. It's really become an issue as I rely on getting emails for business, especially while traveling, and I don't get notifications of new emails if I have no data service which I don't become aware of until I actually look at the phone. Missed a couple of important emails/meeting invites because of this already...
Brenardo said:
I have been trying something similar along the way as I have been able to get rock solid data by switching to EvDo only using the Phone Info app.
I gave determined I am connecting to a US Cellular tower when I have solid data.
But while in EvDo only I cannot send or receive calls or texts.
I am looking for a way to enable calls and text while in EvDo only mode.
Not trying to highjack just thought this is somewhat related.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be fantastic if you come across something that will allow voice/text/EvDO(3G)! Have you made any headway on this? Would be glad to help in any way I can also to get this working.
black7 said:
I'm still looking for an answer to this if anyone has any suggestions. Any way to get 3G without a SIM card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed a VZW GS3 to Sprint. 3G data is working fine w/o a SIM card. If I put a non activated VZW card, data doesn't work obviously.
The trick in getting this to work is to use QPST to configure Profile 0 and Profile 1. When flashing to Sprint or Boost, you must also load a Sprint PRL into the device using QPST.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
AlpineMan said:
I flashed a VZW GS3 to Sprint. 3G data is working fine w/o a SIM card. If I put a non activated VZW card, data doesn't work obviously.
The trick in getting this to work is to use QPST to configure Profile 0 and Profile 1. When flashing to Sprint or Boost, you must also load a Sprint PRL into the device using QPST.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Choose nv only, cdma evdo in phone info and program nv items and flash prl.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
jclendineng said:
Choose nv only, cdma evdo in phone info and program nv items and flash prl.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A little off subject but I how did you get it on sprint I'm trying to get mine on verizon prepaid and have it set to nv only. I must be missing somethin because my esn/meid all look right I get data but yet no calls

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