[Q] ROM to make smartphone into basic (dumb) phone? - General Questions and Answers

Not even sure how to search for this and tried Google and some other forums, but settled on asking the question here when I couldn't find an answer.
To be specific: I have a Droid Incredible that is left over once a member of family plan upgraded to iPhone. We are on Verizon. Another member of the family plan has a basic phone (enV3) which is breaking so we need a non-data replacement. Since I have this extra Droid, I am trying to understand why we can't use it...
I know that Verizon requires a data package with any smart phone. My understanding of the magic you all do here is limited, but I have a vague thought that it has to do with ESN or MEID that tells Verizon what make & model phone you have, alerting them to the fact that you activated a smartphone on the line, and giving them the signal to slam some charges on the account for monthly data.
My question (finally) is why can't I just flash a ROM on the phone that disables the 3G antenna thing and makes the phone look like a basic phone to Verizon? Ideally I'd like to still have the ability to get on WiFi and use the phone features, just not the 3G data side of it. We already use it as an "iPod" like device. Even though it isn't activated, I can connect to Google Play and Amazon App Store over Wifi and install apps. I can check email. I can play games. I can even dial and get the operator where they say I can make a call if I enter a credit card. Why cant I keep all that functionality I already have and just hook it up to my family plan to make calls with it too? Maybe the answer is that it IS possible, but nobody is interested in creating such a ROM. Maybe there is some technical problem making it not feasible. Or maybe it does exist, but searching couldn't find it cause people rarely want to do such a thing...
I just want to learn why this cant be done, so someone enlighten me. If it actually can be done, all the better. Again, specific details are Droid Incredible on Verizon Wireless family plan.

jmb.filter said:
Not even sure how to search for this and tried Google and some other forums, but settled on asking the question here when I couldn't find an answer.
To be specific: I have a Droid Incredible that is left over once a member of family plan upgraded to iPhone. We are on Verizon. Another member of the family plan has a basic phone (enV3) which is breaking so we need a non-data replacement. Since I have this extra Droid, I am trying to understand why we can't use it...
I know that Verizon requires a data package with any smart phone. My understanding of the magic you all do here is limited, but I have a vague thought that it has to do with ESN or MEID that tells Verizon what make & model phone you have, alerting them to the fact that you activated a smartphone on the line, and giving them the signal to slam some charges on the account for monthly data.
My question (finally) is why can't I just flash a ROM on the phone that disables the 3G antenna thing and makes the phone look like a basic phone to Verizon? Ideally I'd like to still have the ability to get on WiFi and use the phone features, just not the 3G data side of it. We already use it as an "iPod" like device. Even though it isn't activated, I can connect to Google Play and Amazon App Store over Wifi and install apps. I can check email. I can play games. I can even dial and get the operator where they say I can make a call if I enter a credit card. Why cant I keep all that functionality I already have and just hook it up to my family plan to make calls with it too? Maybe the answer is that it IS possible, but nobody is interested in creating such a ROM. Maybe there is some technical problem making it not feasible. Or maybe it does exist, but searching couldn't find it cause people rarely want to do such a thing...
I just want to learn why this cant be done, so someone enlighten me. If it actually can be done, all the better. Again, specific details are Droid Incredible on Verizon Wireless family plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simple answer is that changing the ESN of a phone is illegal and will not be talked about on XDA. Can it be done. Maybe but you won't any info here on it. A search for change ESN would have told you this.
Thread closed

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Sooo Many Questions

Okay First I have to say Hi! haha anywho I just bought the Droid 2 Global and I am rather confused, I bought it from a guy and he had cricket on it, but it doesn't have any internet or at the very least it wont let me connect to the internet(He still hasn't canceled his service on the phone) it has a single 1x up top that seems to be pushing out but not receiving anything....I don't know if this is an issue of it not being fully flashed or perhaps he just didnt pay his bill an I wonder will it get fixed once I get it turned on in my name, for some reason I doubt it, so how do I find out if the phone is fully flashed or just half flashed and if it is only half can I change it to full myself? And also with this phone what type of ummm system I guess should it be running because when I took out the verizon simcard it said switching to CDMA soooo yeah kinda confused any help is appreciated and also if I go on a head an root this will it mess with anything need for me to fully flash it, if it's not fully flashed already?
The issues your having isn't a matter of needing to be flashed. The phone sounds like it's been deactivated. You need to activate it on your service now for you to be able to use it.
-Gilgamesh- said:
The issues your having isn't a matter of needing to be flashed. The phone sounds like it's been deactivated. You need to activate it on your service now for you to be able to use it.
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Click to collapse
Well the thing is it's still activated in his name I can send text and call just not get on the net
Maybe he didn't have a data plan...
War-Rasta said:
Maybe he didn't have a data plan...
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Click to collapse
Bingo. You have no way of knowing what he did or didn't have, thus at this point you have no idea what really is or isn't working.
Why are you complaining about not being able to get on the internet on a phone activated in somebody else's name? You should have it properly activated in your name with the correct plan and make sure the balance is current then complain if it doesn't work then.
apollyon0810 said:
Why are you complaining about not being able to get on the internet on a phone activated in somebody else's name? You should have it properly activated in your name with the correct plan and make sure the balance is current then complain if it doesn't work then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey troll, why waste your time posting? You are of ZERO help to anyone. I fkn hate annoying trolls like you.
First off, if you are still on cricket, cricket is CDMA only, so sim cards are a no-no.
Second, if there is only a 1x up top, the culprits could be POOR RECEPTION first, or if not, a bad PRL file, which you can update easily by hitting *228. It could be a damaged radio, it could be a ****ty ROM. I flash crickets all the time, err I mean droids to cricket, and usually people pay the least amount of money they can to flash their $300 to $600 phones, ill never get it.
If its a cricket rom with a green iris on boot, then you're in trouble. That's the worst rom PERIOD.
My adive to you, without being liek the TROLL above this post, is to get the phone in your name first, and then find someone who knows what they are doing first, unless you are really dedicated to fixing this yourself.
If you want to ride it solo, then start from a clean wipe, and reflash the PRL, flash a new ROM, reset your APNs, and get on the 55 plan. So you don't worry about autostart and running .sh scripts at startup.
Good luck.
Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
I fail to see how he was "trolling" since he said the exact same thing that we were saying. Old phone that I have that are now deactivated still show 1x, but will not access any data. Hence, that is the most likely culprit.
1 sentence answer = no help
Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
I don't know, I kind of agree with the others. How can you know what services are provisioned on the device if you haven't procured service for it. I work in IT and we deal with alot of phones and when we deactivate phones we experience the same thing.

Question: Sprint Touch Pro 2 be activated on Verizon

After much searching I found lots of 'no you can't's, but I haven't found any posts that are recent, ...in the last 6 months.
I have a Sprint Touch Pro 2 that I successfully got working on Page Plus. I would like to get it on my folks' Verizon family plan. I called an agent and they said if it doesn't have a Verizon logo on it, it's not possible.
I question this, but I've found no one of late posting about this.
I think the phone will work on Verizon, it may just need the ESN number activated on their network.
I remember someone here or at PPCGeeks activated it for me on PagePlus, is there anyone/any way to activate it on Verizon?
I like the phone, I just don't need data, so I don't want a regular Verizon phone.
thanks,
Yes, you can get it activated on VZW... The only problem is this... you can't do it legally or ethically... It would involve doing things against VZW's rules as well as the law... and you would need a "broken" TP2 (or other VZW phone) to do it... But that aside... the reason it worked with PagePlus is because they allow outside phones on their network, with giving you the responsibility to make it work on their network.. VZW is vey explicit that they will NOT allow anyone elses phones on their network (same with Sprint)... They are the worse 2 when it comes to that IMO..... Sorry to the bad news.... But sometimes that is how it goes.... Maybe you can post an ad on here offering to trade someone yours for the VZW version.. or maybe Craigslist?
Thanks,
Trading for a verizon phone won't work, as then I'll have to get data.
My bottom line question:
I need a smart phone, but I NEVER need data, wifi is always available for me. But I guess there is no way to have an Android phone on a Verizon network, without a data plan?
Not legally anyways, that's one of the downsides to using CDMA, the carrier has much greater control over what kind of phone you use. Thankfully they can't control the Rom/OS you run on it .
You need a Verizon rep that knows what they're doing, it can be done.
Sent from E.133rd & Caine using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

[Q] Can I use a data-only SIM in my phone?

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.

Need help please using phone sim in tab

I have a 3uk iphone sim with calls,texts and unlimited data which I would like to use on my tab - it works fine for voice and texts, but 3uk have blocked the data as they have detected that it's being used in a tab - I have tried the arguement that the 7 plus is actually a fully fledged phone, but that fell on deaf ears. So my question - has anyone managed to change the tabs identity by ammending the build.prop or similar to make it appear to the network that it's a different handset and allow a phone sim to work unrestricted. I would gladly buy a tablet sim if such a thing existed with voice minutes aswell as a decent ammount of data.
its likely your IMEI which is blacklisted, etc. Wow I havent even heard of any reports of AT&T doing this in the US which they are well known for.
Im sure there are others here tab plus as phone on 3 in UK.
my honest advice, as you said youve tried arguing already. search around on 3 customer support forums, ask about it, maybe you'll find a nice rep, which is may be your only hope. I would search sites like xda maybe for a person with a signature saying they work as a three support rep. Other than change networks, thats my best advice.
lets just say i found a nice rep here on xda which did me a great favor. dont get anyone in trouble though. peace and good luck.
oh yeah and F#€% anyone that tells you this is not a phone, their awareness is obviously limited.

[Q] AT&T: How do they recognize IMEI of smartphones?

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.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

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