I have done some searching bad have no found what I am looking for. This could very well be because I suck at thinking up good search terms.
Anyways, I am something of a smartphone noob. I have a TMobile vibant, which is my first smartphone. My child loves playing with various apps and games I have downloaded for her.
I had the idea of buying one of the very cheap, poor condition, phones off ebay so I can have my phone back.
My plan would be to never activate it on any cell network. I would connect via my home wifi, download some apps, then put it in airplane mode and let her have fun.
Questions:
1. Most of the cheap-o phones are cdma, which I have no experience with. If I never activate it on a network, am I likely to have any problems? I know that with my phone, if I pull the sim, I can still used it as a pda, but is that true of all phones?\, or do some require some sort of network login first?
2. Is there are way to disable a phone from making emergency calls? I don't want her accidentally doing that.
3. Other than the ethical questions of a "bad esn" phone, would one cause me any problems for this uses?
4. Are there are pitfalls to my idea that I should consider?
i have been using an old phone of my sons that way. its an old samsung moment (sprint) i down load new apps / games and try them out before i put them on my good phone
1. Though there may be some inconveniences with not being connected to a phone network (it will keep telling you to activate or put in your sim card) you will have basically the same ability as if you were connected besides making calls.
2. As far as I know, if the phone is not connected to a network, there is no possibilty of making a call. Some newer phones might be able to call over wifi but probably not.
3. Don't qoute me on it, but esn numbers are used only for cdma (no sim card) phones to connect to the network and for the network to identify what phone it is. When it has a bad esn, it is because it wont connect or activate to the network. You should have no problem.
4. This is something many people do. Its just like having an android iPod touch.
Hit thanks if I helped
Sent from my HD2
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I talk to us cellular a few weeks ago and they said I could activate a HTC touch Pro without the data package. Well, I bought one on ebay and went to activate the phone and then they said I had to have a data package. Is there anyway to activate the htc touch pro as a phone only? I would still like to use the wifi, gps and and sync my calendar to my computer. I tried to find info on the web but have found nothing that really helped me.
I think US Cellular is a CDMA network, which means, unlike GSM where you just swap the SIM card from an existing phone, US Cellular actually has to activate your phone for you for your account to be active. So this isn't really a phone issue, its really a matter of whether US Cellular will permit you to use a smartphone w/o a data plan.
Call back a few times asking the same thing, sometimes different customer service reps will give you different answers/service.
Yes, us cellular reps seems to give different answers and it is a CDMA. Is it possible to activate the phone without them knowing it is a smart phone and just activate the phone option. I would need to know how to activate the phone before hand and know what option I need to fill out. I would give them the dec number and than ask for the number I need to make the phone work.
Not sure if this rings true for CDMA, but the IMEI number for GSM phones identify each phone uniquely (manufacturer, model, plus unique code for each phone). So if you need to give them a similiar number for a CDMA phone (its called the ESN number I think), they'll know right away if its a smartphone (if they cared to look it up).
Best bet is probably keep calling until you get a nice rep that won't ask too many questions.
Not sure if this rings true for CDMA, but the IMEI number for GSM phones identify each phone uniquely (manufacturer, model, plus unique code for each phone). So if you need to give them a similiar number for a CDMA phone (its called the ESN number I think), they'll know right away if its a smartphone (if they cared to look it up).
Best bet is probably keep calling until you get a nice rep that won't ask too many questions.
Hello,
I have a Samsung Galaxy S without a data-connection, I really need a data-connection becouse I think the phone really needs a data-connection.
So here's my question:
Is it possible to get a subscription of a data-only SIM (the subscriptions they use for tablets etc.)
It is possible to use that kind of SIM/subscription in a phone?
Since I don't really make calls or send text's I really need that but I still want to be able to call and send text's.
Does anyone got a answer?
I think it would be helpful if you told us where you're from. I'm pretty sure the conditions for data-only plans differ from country to country.
I'm from The Netherlands.
Data only sim should work fine. Curious to know, why you need data only sim on a phone. It kills the purpose of having a phone.
I tried some time ago in HTC Desire and it didn't work, still don't know why. (it works with PC + USB Huawei modem on both Windows and Linux, i have E1752 model)
And as an answer for qustion "why do you need it?" for example in Poland there is company which for the government licence for some frequences is obligated to offer free internet for 3 years. Don't think its lika a fairytale - internet disconnects after one hour and the speed is limited, but still can be very usefull when you are tight on budget or just need to check something quickly.
PS. maybe i should add that in this case voice service is disabled on the sim card level (tele service (ts11)) what seems to be a reason for some devices not to work.
edit: finally it appears to work. Dosen't display signal strength but websites (slowly) load.
I was considering buying a used HTC phone on eBay to start tinkering around with Android. I noticed that there were several phones listed as having a "bad ESN" and they were generally cheaper. Now, I know if a phone has a bad ESN it can't be activated with service from the carrier. But, can I still use it as a fully functioning device via Wi-Fi? (without calling, texting, 3G obviously)
Thanks
tpat212 said:
I was considering buying a used HTC phone on eBay to start tinkering around with Android. I noticed that there were several phones listed as having a "bad ESN" and they were generally cheaper. Now, I know if a phone has a bad ESN it can't be activated with service from the carrier. But, can I still use it as a fully functioning device via Wi-Fi? (without calling, texting, 3G obviously)
Thanks
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Click to collapse
it sounds like it could, seeing that you only would use it with wifi and local internet.
I haven't owned an Android phone before, and don't know much about ESN, but I have some hacking experience with iPhone/iOS. if the ESN is used to activate a phone on a carrier/network, who's to say it isn't used to activate the phone itself. Iphones require activation on a network prior to being used as a device, and it can only make emergency calls until activated
rayzeur22 said:
if the ESN is used to activate a phone on a carrier/network, who's to say it isn't used to activate the phone itself. Iphones require activation on a network prior to being used as a device, and it can only make emergency calls until activated
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That's what I was worried about. Basically I just want to get a used HTC Evo or Incredible, flash CyanogenMod 7 on it and use it like a tablet, not a phone. Anybody have experience with phones that have a bad ESN?
I had a Sprint Evo 4G that had a bad ESN and WiFi, BT, GPS, etc. all worked fine. I believe the iPhone series are the only phones that require device activation, and you could always push custom software to the phone. I'm pretty sure you can even run a stripped-down version of Ubuntu on most Android phones if you want to use it as a tablet
No experience with bad ESNs, but just a heads up - if you want to get an Evo, make sure that it's either already rooted or on 2.2, as Evos with GB cannot be rooted yet. There's talk that it's coming soon, so you may want to check when you get ready to purchase.
For what it's worth, I use my Evo in airplane mode with wifi only when I don't have a signal and everything works. But mine is activated, so that could make a difference. I only run AOSP roms, but it should be the same for Sense.
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arcticwolf8 said:
I had a Sprint Evo 4G that had a bad ESN and WiFi, BT, GPS, etc. all worked fine.
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That's what I wanted to hear! Thanks
tpat212 said:
I was considering buying a used HTC phone on eBay to start tinkering around with Android. I noticed that there were several phones listed as having a "bad ESN" and they were generally cheaper. Now, I know if a phone has a bad ESN it can't be activated with service from the carrier. But, can I still use it as a fully functioning device via Wi-Fi? (without calling, texting, 3G obviously)
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YES, Definitely!
I have a one-plan three sim that I have been using for ages as my unlimited portable internet access without any problems, then I put it in a tablet - still no problem. They don't mention any restriction on device use in the T&Cs. So I bought a PAYG SIM for my wife to use in her tablet. It worked for a few days then popped up with the message:
Taking your SIM card out of your mobile phone and putting it into a different device – like a dongle or tablet – isn’t what our phone plans of Add-ons were designed for.
There's no mention in the T&Cs of this but they obviously like the idea of me using it in a phone.
- - - My Questions are : How do they detect that a SIM is being used in a Tablet and not a Phone? (I'm assuming IMEI lookup or sth)
Are they going to do the same to my pay monthly SIM in my tablet?
How do I block it/reverse it if I need to (It's not in their T&Cs so it seems a little unfair)
There doesn't seem much on this when I googled it, though someone from PC Advisor had the same problem last year:
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/opinion/...-only-pay-monthly-account-from-use-with-ipad/
beeste said:
I have a one-plan three sim that I have been using for ages as my unlimited portable internet access without any problems, then I put it in a tablet - still no problem. They don't mention any restriction on device use in the T&Cs. So I bought a PAYG SIM for my wife to use in her tablet. It worked for a few days then popped up with the message:
Taking your SIM card out of your mobile phone and putting it into a different device – like a dongle or tablet – isn’t what our phone plans of Add-ons were designed for.
There's no mention in the T&Cs of this but they obviously like the idea of me using it in a phone.
- - - My Questions are : How do they detect that a SIM is being used in a Tablet and not a Phone? (I'm assuming IMEI lookup or sth)
Are they going to do the same to my pay monthly SIM in my tablet?
How do I block it/reverse it if I need to (It's not in their T&Cs so it seems a little unfair)
There doesn't seem much on this when I googled it, though someone from PC Advisor had the same problem last year:
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/opinion/...-only-pay-monthly-account-from-use-with-ipad/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm interested in this too. I had an All You Can Eat data sim (PAYG) in my iPad and it worked fine for like 6 months.
That was like between just before Christmas of 2012 up to June/July 2013. I used like 30GB a month, it was EPIC!
Then, one day, everything stopped working. Just like that! And no matter what I try it's never worked again since!
I've even tried different sims in different tablets. They all work for like a day then the next day they're blocked again.
You know how there are hacks out there that enable tethering without the carrier knowing you're doing it?
Not many of them work in my experience but I have come across a couple that have, and still "do" work.
Is there a hack of some kind that can bypass this detection of a phone sim being used in an iPad?
phone sim in tablet
Quiver2014 said:
I'm interested in this too. I had an All You Can Eat data sim (PAYG) in my iPad and it worked fine for like 6 months.
That was like between just before Christmas of 2012 up to June/July 2013. I used like 30GB a month, it was EPIC!
Then, one day, everything stopped working. Just like that! And no matter what I try it's never worked again since!
I've even tried different sims in different tablets. They all work for like a day then the next day they're blocked again.
You know how there are hacks out there that enable tethering without the carrier knowing you're doing it?
Not many of them work in my experience but I have come across a couple that have, and still "do" work.
Is there a hack of some kind that can bypass this detection of a phone sim being used in an iPad?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the sameproblem with giffgaff. Does no one no a solution?
:crying:
I'm curious as to a solution too.
No need to spoon feed me if you dont have the time.. Further reading links will do
still no answer to this?
Anyone got around this? Ive a feeling its browser based.
Right,... So I'm a newbie from London, England. I splurged on a new Galaxy Tab S t705 to use as my primary phone. I unfortunately found that my line carrier (3mobile) have a block that prevents using a normal voice sim card phone plan on their tablets. I have complained to no avail that its a phablet because it has a stock phone app but they will not budge. For personal reasons, I dont want to move carriers, so Im between a rock and several hard places.
I have tried every way for 4 days to get around this (and in the promise have been come a semi expert on firmware, flashing, odin, custom recovery, rooting, etc. I've soft-bricked my device several times and encountered numerous bootloops.
The end result is that I am a considerably wiser android user and will never go back to Apple or Windows after being enlightened to the world of Droid, BUT...I can't crack this sim block. How do they know I'm using a tablet and how do I get around it. There's a drink waiting for anyone who can help me and thousands of other Brits solve this riddle.
:good::good::good:
The only info I have found is that I suspect it is browser based. As the internet seems to work fine for other things until you open a browser. Then it detects it and boom. SIM001 error.
This was on my Ipad. It was detecting both safari and chrome based sessions. So I suspect the build number of the browsers is what it reads. Of course this is all my own speculation. I ended up getting an ASDA mobile pay as you go for the rare occasions I am outside wifi with my iPad. If your tablet truly is a phone then 3 should allow you. But I appreciate you will get nowhere with there tech support. Computer says no.
The mobile service provider gets a lots of ID of your connection when you logon their network: SIM S/N, device IMEI, etc... and this is the important ID: the device. I guess they are able to identify the device as at least what kind, like phone, table, dongle, hotspot, etc... that's the only thing what they need... so my suggestion is changing the IMEI to another device to one which is on the whitelist. But I don't know how it could affect on the device...
I'm hoping to get a smartphone (either a Moto-G or Nexus 5) without having to pay for a data plan. Yes, I know there are dozens of topics asking whether or not this can be done; I've read everyone--that's why I'm making this new thread.
There are a lot of different things I see stated on ways to get around AT&T automatic application of expensive data-plans when they detect that you're using a smartphone. Some people have said that all you have to do is turn off 3G Data Use from the menu of the new phone BEFORE inserting a new SIM card, and then insert the old dumphone sim card and everything will work. Some people make vague allusions to changing the IMIE--to which some people claim that's illegal, and others claim AT&T or random clerks at Radio Shack will do this for you upon request. Still others claim that all you need to do is install a "data blocker" program onto the smartphone before switching SIM cards, and it will do the trick.
The basic goal seems to be "hiding" the IMEI number from AT&T.
So, my question: how does AT&T recognize the IMEI number? Will they see it only if the phone is active on their 3G/4G/LTE networks? Or do they see it "through" the normal dumbphone calling networks?
My apologies if this is a stupid question. I really don't know anything about phones are anything about non-PC electronics or software in general. Basically, I'd like a smartphone but refuse to pay an exhorbitant monthly fee for a feature I'd never use (wifi is everywhere I go), and am not in a position where I can switch carriers, and it's like I'm part of a(n evidently sizable) demographic that no one wants to market to.
If times haven't changed too much from when I tried the same thing 2 years ago, you should just be able to request that all data on your line be blocked. I would try calling them before you switch the SIM to the smartphone and ask for all data to be disabled to your line, then swap the SIM. I would also leave the data turned off on the smartphone for good measure. This is basically how I got around your same issue with AT&T, and it doesn't have to necessarily come down to illegally changing the IMEI or "hiding" the IMEI from the carrier. Eventually they'll cross-check your device and figure out it's a smartphone and add your data. But to my knowledge, the adding of the data is all automatically done by computers; so if the system sees that all data is disabled for you, it shouldn't attempt to add anything.
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