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Using the Samsung S3 as wi-fi only device

I'm thinking about buying a used Verizon Samsung S3 from a friend of mine.
Since my AT&T contact doesn't run out for a few months... I'd like to buy his Verizon S3 today... and just use it as a wi-fi only device for the next few months. (No Verizon contract, No SIM, No cell calls, etc.)
Possible? Without rooting? Would I need to buy a blank Verizon SIM? Where?
Thanks.

You probably won't need a blank SIM; just pull the LTE SIM from the phone. CDMA connectivity, on the other hand, is built into the phone. You'll probably have to get Verizon to deactivate the device. Interestingly enough, my old cellphone (from my previous 2--year contract with Verizon) gets service when I boot it up, so I don't think it's as simple as activating a new phone on the line will deactivate the old one.

Wi-fi Only, Wi-fi Only. Wi-fi Only. Wi-fi Only.
Taehee. said:
You probably won't need a blank SIM; just pull the LTE SIM from the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And what do I do when it demands I put the SIM back before I can do anything?
Taehee. said:
You'll probably have to get Verizon to deactivate the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh? I have to call them and say "I'm *NOT* a Verizon user. Please deactivate my phone (that I never activated in the 1st place.)
Taehee. said:
Interestingly enough, my old cellphone (from my previous 2--year contract with Verizon) gets service when I boot it up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh? You get free Verizon? Or are you still paying for it all these years?
Taehee. said:
so I don't think it's as simple as activating a new phone on the line will deactivate the old one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do *NOT* want to activate my new phone. I do *NOT* want any Verizon coverage. (I'm trying to get *WI FI* only.)

should work fine
just deactivate the phone and take the sim card out
the phone will report no sim card and will only allow 911 calls
other then that you can use it as a wifi device just fine

^^^Yup. When I upgraded my phone, I can use my old phones on WiFi with no issues. I do it all the time. I even flash ROMs on them still, lol.
You can do it just fine. Turn it on, connect WiFi and have at it. Doesn't matter youre not a customer or that the phone was never activated. You dont need to contact Verizon for ANY of this at all, either.
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2

Hot-Donna said:
I'm thinking about buying a used Verizon Samsung S3 from a friend of mine.
Since my AT&T contact doesn't run out for a few months... I'd like to buy his Verizon S3 today... and just use it as a wi-fi only device for the next few months. (No Verizon contract, No SIM, No cell calls, etc.)
Possible? Without rooting? Would I need to buy a blank Verizon SIM? Where?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's no problem at all. You don't need to root the phone or buy a blank Verizon SIM. Just start up the phone, connect to your Wi-Fi and ta da. You should be ready to go :]

Anyone in canada get a hold of one of these yet?

Im just curious if it has the same MMS and tethering issues the lumia 920 did with telus/koodo

I have one but don't use Telus...use Bell

shollywood said:
I have one but don't use Telus...use Bell
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and the data works?

ABSOLUTELY!! You have to manually add the APN but get LTE on phone no problem.
QUOTE=slight22;44417125]and the data works?[/QUOTE]

Access Point?
shollywood said:
ABSOLUTELY!! You have to manually add the APN but get LTE on phone no problem.
QUOTE=slight22;44417125]and the data works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[/QUOTE]
Did you need to use Access Point to get tethering working?
Also, where did you get the phone?

Did you need to use Access Point to get tethering working?
Also, where did you get the phone?[/QUOTE]
You just turn on internet sharing to tether. Got phone at Microsoft Store (kiosk).

shollywood said:
Did you need to use Access Point to get tethering working?
Also, where did you get the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just turn on internet sharing to tether. Got phone at Microsoft Store (kiosk).[/QUOTE]
Incredible! What did it take to get it unlocked as a Canadian?

tomcahill said:
You just turn on internet sharing to tether. Got phone at Microsoft Store (kiosk).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Incredible! What did it take to get it unlocked as a Canadian?[/QUOTE]
a phone call to AT&T and about 6 minutes of my time.

shollywood said:
Incredible! What did it take to get it unlocked as a Canadian?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a phone call to AT&T and about 6 minutes of my time.[/QUOTE]
Do/did you have an AT&T account already? I'm going to be in the US next week and I would like to buy one from a MS store, call AT&T and get it unlocked, but I have heard you need to be an existing AT&T customer and I am not.

tomcahill said:
a phone call to AT&T and about 6 minutes of my time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do/did you have an AT&T account already? I'm going to be in the US next week and I would like to buy one from a MS store, call AT&T and get it unlocked, but I have heard you need to be an existing AT&T customer and I am not.[/QUOTE]
no never had AT&T account. Don't believe what you've heard.

iadlhh tically
shollywood said:
Do/did you have an AT&T account already? I'm going to be in the US next week and I would like to buy one from a MS store, call AT&T and get it unlocked, but I have heard you need to be an existing AT&T customer and I am not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no never had AT&T account. Don't believe what you've heard.[/QUOTE]
Thanks--do you think tethering would work on a rogers account with this phone? I am currently in the US ( ) but coming back to Canada next year and should still be using the phone if i buy it...just want to make sure that the phone will work 100% up there and that ATT didn't block some real features. Also travelling to UK next month and was going to buy version there, but super expensive. Thanks!

So easy!!
whatup12 said:
no never had AT&T account. Don't believe what you've heard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks--do you think tethering would work on a rogers account with this phone? I am currently in the US ( ) but coming back to Canada next year and should still be using the phone if i buy it...just want to make sure that the phone will work 100% up there and that ATT didn't block some real features. Also travelling to UK next month and was going to buy version there, but super expensive. Thanks![/QUOTE]
I bought mine last week at a Microsoft store. Called AT&T and just as previously reported, got it unlocked with no issues. They took about 5 minutes to verify it wasn't stolen and then provided me with the code.
Now I am back in Canada, running on the Bell network, the phone works 100%. MMS, Internet Sharing, Data, etc.... It automatically selected Bell in access point when I put my Bell sim card in. (I use straight talk when in the US).
Very happy with the phone!

tomcahill said:
Thanks--do you think tethering would work on a rogers account with this phone? I am currently in the US ( ) but coming back to Canada next year and should still be using the phone if i buy it...just want to make sure that the phone will work 100% up there and that ATT didn't block some real features. Also travelling to UK next month and was going to buy version there, but super expensive. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought mine last week at a Microsoft store. Called AT&T and just as previously reported, got it unlocked with no issues. They took about 5 minutes to verify it wasn't stolen and then provided me with the code.
Now I am back in Canada, running on the Bell network, the phone works 100%. MMS, Internet Sharing, Data, etc.... It automatically selected Bell in access point when I put my Bell sim card in. (I use straight talk when in the US).
Very happy with the phone![/QUOTE]
Good to hear it all went well. One piece of advice, be very careful when swapping SIM cards. Mine is in for repairs already as the SIM slot seems a little flimsy and it stopped reading ANY SIM card altogether!

shollywood said:
I bought mine last week at a Microsoft store. Called AT&T and just as previously reported, got it unlocked with no issues. They took about 5 minutes to verify it wasn't stolen and then provided me with the code.
Now I am back in Canada, running on the Bell network, the phone works 100%. MMS, Internet Sharing, Data, etc.... It automatically selected Bell in access point when I put my Bell sim card in. (I use straight talk when in the US).
Very happy with the phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to hear it all went well. One piece of advice, be very careful when swapping SIM cards. Mine is in for repairs already as the SIM slot seems a little flimsy and it stopped reading ANY SIM card altogether![/QUOTE]
Do you guys know anything about using this device with Fido?

[Q] Verizon Samsung Galaxy S3-SCH-I535-Unlocking

I am by far no where near the caliber of technology that lie within this web site, however, I am simply trying to get some direction regarding my S3.
I purchased it from Verizon-2 yrs ago, contract expired 7/8/13; did not renew. I went with Consumer Cellular (more fitting for the older generation) but my S3 WON'T WORK ON THEIR NETWORK!
I have spent the last 3 weeks doing research on this phone to see if it can be 'unlocked' to work with a another carrier. The phone is like brand new and I don't want to get rid of it, I'd prefer to use it with the new carrier.
Is there anyone who can give me some direction to this issue? Can the phone infact be "unlocked' to work with Consumer, it has the Verizon SIM card in it, I was able to root it, successfully, now if I can just get it unlocked. Had to purchase another phone so that I would not be without phone service while I work on trying to get this one unlocked.
I've been told it can't because Verizon is a CDMA carrier and Consumer is a GSM..if this in fact true than I've no options but to sell the phone.
I do have "Preferred Network Mode' and it gives me the following options, Global, LTE/CDMA & GSM/UMTS.
Any help, directions or information would be greatly appreciated. With my thanks to all those who have taken the time to read this post.

Southern66 said:
I am by far no where near the caliber of technology that lie within this web site, however, I am simply trying to get some direction regarding my S3.
I purchased it from Verizon-2 yrs ago, contract expired 7/8/13; did not renew. I went with Consumer Cellular (more fitting for the older generation) but my S3 WON'T WORK ON THEIR NETWORK!
I have spent the last 3 weeks doing research on this phone to see if it can be 'unlocked' to work with a another carrier. The phone is like brand new and I don't want to get rid of it, I'd prefer to use it with the new carrier.
Is there anyone who can give me some direction to this issue? Can the phone infact be "unlocked' to work with Consumer, it has the Verizon SIM card in it, I was able to root it, successfully, now if I can just get it unlocked. Had to purchase another phone so that I would not be without phone service while I work on trying to get this one unlocked.
I've been told it can't because Verizon is a CDMA carrier and Consumer is a GSM..if this in fact true than I've no options but to sell the phone.
I do have "Preferred Network Mode' and it gives me the following options, Global, LTE/CDMA & GSM/UMTS.
Any help, directions or information would be greatly appreciated. With my thanks to all those who have taken the time to read this post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you get this phone 2 years ago? It barely came out a little more than a year ago.
Next, you can unlock it, but only if you pay for the full retail for the phone and then contact Verizon about what you want to do and then get an unlock code. After that, you're going to need a SIM card from Consumer Cellular.
There shouldn't be a problem with radio frequencies since the Verizon GS3 is a global phone. So the SIM card should work after you get it set up.
If I'm wrong in some aspect, someone feel free to correct me.
sent from my Infected Bonestock GS3

david_hume said:
How did you get this phone 2 years ago? It barely came out a little more than a year ago.
Next, you can unlock it, but only if you pay for the full retail for the phone and then contact Verizon about what you want to do and then get an unlock code. After that, you're going to need a SIM card from Consumer Cellular.
There shouldn't be a problem with radio frequencies since the Verizon GS3 is a global phone. So the SIM card should work after you get it set up.
If I'm wrong in some aspect, someone feel free to correct me.
sent from my Infected Bonestock GS3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In regards to Unlocking the phone, the phone is unlocked out of the box, you just pop in your sim and select GSM mode! you have to set the APN for DATA yourself tho!

Galaxy s3 sCH-I535
david_hume said:
How did you get this phone 2 years ago? It barely came out a little more than a year ago.
Next, you can unlock it, but only if you pay for the full retail for the phone and then contact Verizon about what you want to do and then get an unlock code. After that, you're going to need a SIM card from Consumer Cellular.
There shouldn't be a problem with radio frequencies since the Verizon GS3 is a global phone. So the SIM card should work after you get it set up.
If I'm wrong in some aspect, someone feel free to correct me.
sent from my Infected Bonestock GS3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi:
I do not recall the date of purchase but know that when I purchased it I had to sign for a 2 yr contract with Verizon..that contract was up July 8,2013.
That is not important, what is important is to find out if in fact the phone can be unlocked, VERIZON swears it is unlocked so they are not going to be of any use to me to get their help. It is up to me to find someone who can unlock this phone via a cable. The code places I have contacted can't come up with a code, they have instructed me that it needs to be done with a cable.
As I stated, I am simply trying to get the phone unlocked to use on Consumer Celluar, of which I am already a memeber and have the SIM card activated on another SAMSUNG phone of which I had to buy.
I do not have to buy the phone outright, as the phone is paid for, thus the 2 yr contract. the phone is mine, but as long as it is in the state it is now, I can only use it on VERIZON.
The I535 has a sim card in it from Verizon, when I take out the Verizon SIM card and put in the Consumer SIM card I get the message, "this is a non verizon SIM card.
I am researching this everyday to find out if IT CAN BE UNLOCKED, AND #2 WHO CAN I GET TO UNLOCK IT? Verizon went so far as to tell me that all the person needs is a USB cable and PC...how true this is, I don't know.
Thank You

Southern66 said:
Hi:
I do not recall the date of purchase but know that when I purchased it I had to sign for a 2 yr contract with Verizon..that contract was up July 8,2013.
That is not important, what is important is to find out if in fact the phone can be unlocked, VERIZON swears it is unlocked so they are not going to be of any use to me to get their help. It is up to me to find someone who can unlock this phone via a cable. The code places I have contacted can't come up with a code, they have instructed me that it needs to be done with a cable.
As I stated, I am simply trying to get the phone unlocked to use on Consumer Celluar, of which I am already a memeber and have the SIM card activated on another SAMSUNG phone of which I had to buy.
I do not have to buy the phone outright, as the phone is paid for, thus the 2 yr contract. the phone is mine, but as long as it is in the state it is now, I can only use it on VERIZON.
The I535 has a sim card in it from Verizon, when I take out the Verizon SIM card and put in the Consumer SIM card I get the message, "this is a non verizon SIM card.
I am researching this everyday to find out if IT CAN BE UNLOCKED, AND #2 WHO CAN I GET TO UNLOCK IT? Verizon went so far as to tell me that all the person needs is a USB cable and PC...how true this is, I don't know.
Thank You
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon is right by saying its unlocked, and thats the most anyone can help you, if you are going to try unlocking the phone by cable, you might as well throw money down the drain! and 2 you need to update to the MF1 software! as MB1 and MD3 would tell you its non verizon sim card, but even on that update if you put the phone in GSM mode in Network settings the phone should work fine for calling and texting!

having the same issue, if you find out anything will you please let me know how to do this too. i would greatly appriciate it

SIM
Did you get the free Consumer Cellular SIM yet? Your post said you have rooted and have the Verizon SIM, and you can't get on CC network without their SIM card.
The phone is already "unlocked" for global/GSM use with the JB update, so you should be able to just pop in a SIM card from CC and change settings (they should provide you with this info).

A lot of ppl are saying the Verizon GS3 is already unlocked, but when i pop in my metro pcs sim card and switch network to cdma, nothing happens. What would I have to do to make it work with this metro carrier?

No Data, No Voice, No SMS
Hi. Im also having the same issue. I have a Verizon GS3 that was originally running 4.0.4, VRALHE. I rooted, updated the baseband to MF1, and installed RLS16 of Hyperdrive, so I now am on 4.1.2. I have the option to go GSM or Global, but when I put in my MetroPCS sim, I get nothing. It prompts me for Global, but I cant make calls or send sms. I also put in the APN and no data as well. Anyone know whatbI should do next? I have an IMEI, it doesnt appear to be lost, and I have tried the phone info app, as well as trying to go through the secret menu, the network lock menu is blank.

Hey, I got the same problem, and considering how it's been a while since the last post I wonder if there is any new news on this front. Thanx!
P.s: It came preinstalled with 4.3 stock, not rooted yet. I have the option to instal 4.4.2 via Kies {PDA:NE1 / PHONE:NE1 / CSC:NE1 (VZW)}.

Update here:
I digged into some settings and found that switching it into either Global or GSM seems to make the phone capable of voice calls.
Idk about 3G, I did manually type in the APN settings, but I never use anything other than wifi because internet here is expensive unless you go with one of their plans.
So if you haven't tried it, on 4.3 go to settings, under wireless and networks select 'More Settings', Mobile Networks, Network Mode.
Worked for me, although I still get "Non-Verizon SIM" in the notifications bar and it looks like my signal is a bit weaker than before. But still works.

guys you are wrong
guys there is no way metropcs, Boost mobile or sprint networks Work cause these are CDMA carriers and verizon and the other CDMA Carriers has a different activation way on Verizon smartphones the GSM module(gsm networks as well) come unlocked for foreigner carriers even the GSM US carriers(AT&T or TMOBILE) sometimes doesnt work hope that info help

[Q] SIM Unlock Rooted and Custom Flashed Verizon SCH-i535 GS3? for MetroPCS

Hello whats up everyone, I'm in a need of help this evening!
After doing much heavy research i still have not been found a 100% concrete wat to unlock my verizon SGS3 so that i can use it with other sim cards such as MetroPCS or T-Mobile
I currently have it running EZ-Unlocked and rooted with CleanRom 4.1.2 when i put in a non verizon sim such as a non-activated T-Mobile card, it doesn't say "sorry, this SIM is not supported. please....." but says simply no service. Is my phone already SIM unlocked?
I also saw this handy method:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cmiEZcw1z8
but when the NETWORK LOCK option came up..it just said NETWORK LOCK and no 3 options I could choose..hmmm
EDIT: heard that 4.1.1 HAS the option to get rid of the NETWORK LOCK option and this feature was apparently removed on purpose with 4.1.2? But i'm running CleanROM?
BTW: i've tried "galaxsim unlock" but it's not compatible with the US Variant yet.
MetroPCS will get my phone working on their network and do all the trickery...I just need to know if my phone is SIM unlocked.

BUMP: Look Guys, I've seen quite a few people view this with nothing to say...It's URGENT. i can't afford a new handset and verizon is cutting us off for good because my girlfriends cousin who was also on the plan that her mom was on the name for...went over on data twice. Her Cousin doesn't live with us but was on the plan...he was suppose to be grounded for going over the FIRST time but fooled his mom into giving her the MicroSD card and lied and said that was the SIM card. so he went over another month probably downloading porn and ****.
verizon said there is no rush to pay the overages....as we will not be turning back on service. We use our cell phones as the priority communication tool..no home phone....right now we have no provider. I need an answer please

stanleyopar2000 said:
BUMP: Look Guys, I've seen quite a few people view this with nothing to say...It's URGENT. i can't afford a new handset and verizon is cutting us off for good because my girlfriends cousin who was also on the plan that her mom was on the name for...went over on data twice. Her Cousin doesn't live with us but was on the plan...he was suppose to be grounded for going over the FIRST time but fooled his mom into giving her the MicroSD card and lied and said that was the SIM card. so he went over another month probably downloading porn and ****.
verizon said there is no rush to pay the overages....as we will not be turning back on service. We use our cell phones as the priority communication tool..no home phone....right now we have no provider. I need an answer please
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Drag...

[Q] Verizon Samsung Galaxy s3

I have a Verizon Samsung Galaxy s3, I have moved it to a straight talk plan, as most of u know there service runs off AT&T and T-moble, Verizon hates AT&T and blocks data use on there network everything but E, What i am trying to find out is can I root my phone and flash a AT&T rom over my Verizon branded phone so it will unlock my 4G? I already have the AT&T sim card in the phone.

JasonCallis said:
I have a Verizon Samsung Galaxy s3, I have moved it to a straight talk plan, as most of u know there service runs off AT&T and T-moble, Verizon hates AT&T and blocks data use on there network everything but E, What i am trying to find out is can I root my phone and flash a AT&T rom over my Verizon branded phone so it will unlock my 4G? I already have the AT&T sim card in the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it's going to work. When you signed contract with VZ, they locked your phone to their network. After the contract expired, they will unlock your phone so you can use it on any carrier. If you're not under contract, you can check with Verizon to make sure your network is unlocked, from here on you can use your ATT sim card to register with ATT. Second method, you can search for how to unlock Verizon network and try it. (input a special dial code to access the network unlock hidden menu and unlock from here).Good luck and post back.

JasonCallis said:
I have a Verizon Samsung Galaxy s3, I have moved it to a straight talk plan, as most of u know there service runs off AT&T and T-moble, Verizon hates AT&T and blocks data use on there network everything but E, What i am trying to find out is can I root my phone and flash a AT&T rom over my Verizon branded phone so it will unlock my 4G? I already have the AT&T sim card in the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The hardware does not support LTE for AT&T. I'd you want LTE on AT&T, buy A GSM phone (or AT&T S3) and live your life. Flashing another carrier rom is not advised by any means on the Verizon S3. Best you'll get with our S3 is edge or 3G. Verizon doesn't hate AT&T, they're incompatible networks because AT&T uses GSM bands and Verizon uses CDMA bands. A small number of phones work across multiple carriers as far as LTE but that's because they have every band included in the phone (for example the iPhone 5S). Other phones on Verizon will only get edge or 3G.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4

SlimSnoopOS said:
The hardware does not support LTE for AT&T. I'd you want LTE on AT&T, buy A GSM phone (or AT&T S3) and live your life. Flashing another carrier rom is not advised by any means on the Verizon S3. Best you'll get with our S3 is edge or 3G. Verizon doesn't hate AT&T, they're incompatible networks because AT&T uses GSM bands and Verizon uses CDMA bands. A small number of phones work across multiple carriers as far as LTE but that's because they have every band included in the phone (for example the iPhone 5S). Other phones on Verizon will only get edge or 3G.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats all I really wanted to know i guess, is if the hardware was the same in all samsung galaxy sIII, I am still a noob with smart phones, I thought the hardware was all the same just the firmware was branded to whatever comp. sells them, and with the GSM\CDMA the galaxy sIII runs both.

buhohitr said:
I don't think it's going to work. When you signed contract with VZ, they locked your phone to their network. After the contract expired, they will unlock your phone so you can use it on any carrier. If you're not under contract, you can check with Verizon to make sure your network is unlocked, from here on you can use your ATT sim card to register with ATT. Second method, you can search for how to unlock Verizon network and try it. (input a special dial code to access the network unlock hidden menu and unlock from here).Good luck and post back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not under a contract anymore and the network is unlocked, I can make calls and get mms, also with the AT&T SIM card the phone says AT&T at the top of the screen all the time, just still boots as a Verizon.

s3
Im so glad the devs are still making these awesome roms for the s3...Now that kit kat is here there is so many out there!!!!!:laugh:

JasonCallis said:
I am not under a contract anymore and the network is unlocked, I can make calls and get mms, also with the AT&T SIM card the phone says AT&T at the top of the screen all the time, just still boots as a Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, now I understand what you are looking for. It's not recommend to flash rom from one carrier to another, you could hurt your device. I thought you 're looking to move from VZ to ATT, but seems like you already done that (network unlocked), and now you just want to change the boot animation (Verizon logo during boot up). You should search for VERIZON modified rooted stock rom or custom rom with bootanimation kernel support. Once you installed custom rom/kernel you should able to pick and chose from many bootanimation liking to your taste..and change greeting, display etc...

Questions and Help issues go in Q&A and Help section
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Thanks
FNSM

This is very very Dangerous because you can destroy EFS-Partition (IMEI, etc) so you cannot call or surf anymore!!!
Don't do something like that!
Games are a part of Life but Life is not a part of a game!