Database Info

[Q] Does unlocking mean any cell operator use?

Hi!
Quick question - if I buy Google Galaxy Nexus for Verizon and unlock it - does it mean I will be able to use any GSM operator?
Up to the moment I was only buying only unlocked phones and had no opportunity to mess with a locked device, but here is a real chance to save a buck by means of ebay and so called Verizon phones..
Thanks!

Negatory. It would only work on other cdma carriers. Pretty useless. Unlocking is only really worth a damn for gsm devices. There is not even a SIM card slot on the VZW GN, other than the LTE SIM that goes there, but that's not compatible with gsm.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App

Yep. Plus if you travel a lot, cdma is utterly useless because of all the processes required to sign it up to a carrier.

So say I were to buy an AT&T phone and use my T-Mobile pay as you go 4G monthly SIM in it... Smooth sailing, right?
I'm currently under the impression that it's more of a phone to phone issue, rather than a definitive yes or no. Doesn't help I've been locked up in CDMA since I started playing around with phones.

Well for me the unlocking mobile it is preaty useless (in my opinion of course)

Thanks a lot for help!
Without all of your advice I'd have ended up with $550 spent on a phone which can't be used
I have a corporate GSM SIM card (11 years old it is) with local Russian cell phone operator, and I have to stick with it...

net_wonder said:
Without all of your advice I'd have ended up with $550 spent on a phone which can't be used
I have a corporate GSM SIM card (11 years old it is) with local Russian cell phone operator, and I have to stick with it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good god 11 year old sim?! pics!

TJBunch1228 said:
Negatory. It would only work on other cdma carriers. Pretty useless. Unlocking is only really worth a damn for gsm devices. There is not even a SIM card slot on the VZW GN, other than the LTE SIM that goes there, but that's not compatible with gsm.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the verizon galaxy nexus does have a sim slot and there is a possibility it could be used with GSM carriers. This theory started with the Rezound. So when you pop in a sim, you can turn off LTE and select GSM. Everything works except outgoing SMS (don't know about 3rd party messenging apps).

Please use the Q&A Forum for questions &
Read the Forum Rules Ref Posting
Moving to Q&A

UVClay said:
So say I were to buy an AT&T phone and use my T-Mobile pay as you go 4G monthly SIM in it... Smooth sailing, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not quite. Phone functions would be ok. But for data you would have only 2G (edge). No 3G or 4G.
Sent from HTC G2

Crashdamage said:
Not quite. Phone functions would be ok. But for data you would have only 2G (edge). No 3G or 4G.
Sent from HTC G2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not 100% true. The Skyrocket is pentaband and can be used on t-mobile.

[Q] Flash US Cellular GS3 to Verizon?

So we all have heard about the locked bootloader on the Verizon GS3. I was looking at the differences between the many GS3s, and I noticed that the US Cellular and Verizon phones had the same radios. Would it be possible to buy the US Cellular version for the unlocked bootloader and activate it on Verizon's network?

Verizon won't activate a phone that doesn't have their logo on it. The ESNs are completely under their control.

If you have a really good friend working at Verizon, they may be able to hook you up, but like the previous poster said, they won't generally activate any phone that isn't a Verizon phone.

What i been wondering is maybe they could take something from the us cellular phone to unlock the bootloader or something for verizon because they are pretty much the same radios
Sent from my DROID4 using xda app-developers app

Again, no. They don't give a damn about the radios, it's all by the ESN. If Verizon doesn't have that ESN in their database, they will NOT activate it, period.
Also, for EndlessDissent, your "good friend" would have to be one of their database engineers, because a retail employee can not and will not add an ESN to the database.

entropism said:
Again, no. They don't give a damn about the radios, it's all by the ESN. If Verizon doesn't have that ESN in their database, they will NOT activate it, period.
Also, for EndlessDissent, your "good friend" would have to be one of their database engineers, because a retail employee can not and will not add an ESN to the database.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know. I didn't know they had a database and everything. I thought it would be more like activating a Sprint phone on, say, Cricket or Boost, but they just weren't supposed to.

entropism said:
Again, no. They don't give a damn about the radios, it's all by the ESN. If Verizon doesn't have that ESN in their database, they will NOT activate it, period.
Also, for EndlessDissent, your "good friend" would have to be one of their database engineers, because a retail employee can not and will not add an ESN to the database.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. At the store we cannot do anything about it. If you know someone that has a 4g phone you can try putting the sim card in the us cellular phone and see if that works. Normally when we activate a new sim card in the system we don't need to input the esn number, just the sim card number. Worth the shot. Let me know if it works. Thanks.

AcE XBOX said:
This. At the store we cannot do anything about it. If you know someone that has a 4g phone you can try putting the sim card in the us cellular phone and see if that works. Normally when we activate a new sim card in the system we don't need to input the esn number, just the sim card number. Worth the shot. Let me know if it works. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright. Thank you for the information. I thought it might be worth a shot but I guess it is not feasible to do.

entropism said:
Again, no. They don't give a damn about the radios, it's all by the ESN. If Verizon doesn't have that ESN in their database, they will NOT activate it, period.
Also, for EndlessDissent, your "good friend" would have to be one of their database engineers, because a retail employee can not and will not add an ESN to the database.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You completely missread his question. He asked if the phone was close enough to the Verizon version for developers to unlock a Verizon gsiii bootloader/ use that companies unlocked bootloader on a Verizon gsiii. Has nothing to do with ESNs
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

edgex said:
You completely missread his question. He asked if the phone was close enough to the Verizon version for developers to unlock a Verizon gsiii bootloader/ use that companies unlocked bootloader on a Verizon gsiii. Has nothing to do with ESNs
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm...
Pompsy said:
So we all have heard about the locked bootloader on the Verizon GS3. I was looking at the differences between the many GS3s, and I noticed that the US Cellular and Verizon phones had the same radios. Would it be possible to buy the US Cellular version for the unlocked bootloader and activate it on Verizon's network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah... I think you misread the question. Activating a phone on a different network is completely dependent on the ESN (which I learned a few posts ago). Also, his question doesn't seem to involve helping to unlock the Verizon bootloader at all.

icebear8 said:
What i been wondering is maybe they could take something from the us cellular phone to unlock the bootloader or something for verizon because they are pretty much the same radios
Sent from my DROID4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See this, which you replied directly after.
entropism said:
Again, no. They don't give a damn about the radios, it's all by the ESN. If Verizon doesn't have that ESN in their database, they will NOT activate it, period.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

but like the one guy said, if you already have an activated sim, it may just work.

My Verizon 4G LTE SIM Works with the US Cellular GS3
I bought a Galaxy S iii for U.S. Cellular used from someone. I was planning on selling it since I got it cheap, but i decided to put my galaxy nexus sim card in there for the hell of it. IT WORKS! But I warn you, it's not fully working. Here's what works:
Phone, Text Messaging, and pretty slow Data (NO 4G)
Doesn't Work: MMS (picture/video messages) 4G Data
I am pretty excited and am trying to figure out a way to get MMS and 4G Data working. For the price I paid for the phone, I'd say I got a pretty sweet deal on a GS3 that works with Verizon.

entropism said:
Also, for EndlessDissent, your "good friend" would have to be one of their database engineers, because a retail employee can not and will not add an ESN to the database.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is very untrue, I have my phones flashed from any carrier, to my network through a retail employee. Not completely sure how the process works, but I do have issues with MMS, (I have to use GoSMS for MMS) and I can not get support for my phone from customer service, as well as insurance, etc..
Although, Flashing it is the easy part, and activating it is the issue. The only reason I am able to activate is because he is a retail (Store front owner) employee with the carrier.
Flashing to Boost or Cricket is exceptionally easy with flashing and activation.
---------- Post added at 12:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:15 PM ----------
phonefight said:
Doesn't Work: MMS (picture/video messages) 4G Data
I am pretty excited and am trying to figure out a way to get MMS and 4G Data working. For the price I paid for the phone, I'd say I got a pretty sweet deal on a GS3 that works with Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try using GoSMS Pro, as I said (In my previous post) it is required for me to use MMS after I flash a phone to my network.

help
Can someone tell me how to flash US Cellular's Samsung Galaxy Note2 to Verizon?

I am also using a usc s3 on my Verizon. But that's right no 4g or mms everything else works fine just went in a retail store he activated me a new SIM and boom. I'm going to try the go sms for the mms. But is there ANY way to get 4g working can someone help me with that plz and Thx

Can't get go sms to work for mms still. Can I just flash a stock Verizon Rom to this phone if so can someone give me a link for 1 to use been working to try and get everything working for like 2 days on and off Thx

Bump

I once called Verizon to see if i could activate a flashed iphone 4s. They said no because they would need the ESN number in their database which it wasn't. However, he said if it was a flashed 4g phone with the SIM card , it would be possible.
Verizon Samsung SIII
ROM: Jelly Beans 8
THEME: Magnum Cream

I have a US cellular GS3 and put my Verizon sim card in it. the phone works fine, data, calls and txt etc. the only issue i have is the phone wont go to 4g. 3g perfectly fine and i know the bands are the same for LTE. and i have LTE coverage from Verizon in my area.. any thoughts?

Can I simunlock i9020A for international use?

I'm about to buy a Nexus S i9020A (AT&T) on eBay, but I need to know if there's an application here to simunlock it or a good site to buy a code (if you have a website, please tell me price). I've been reading and in one thread someone replied saying It's already unlocked and that Nexus device sold has always been sim unlocked (even those sold subsidized by the carriers)... so I don't know what to think about it. In another thread the user said he bought on in Craigslist and he said it was unlocked and rooted... which got my attention the "unlocked" part... so, there's a way to simunlocked or not?
Please help me.
I'm waiting for your response to buy it.
Best regards.

It will probably be unlocked but if it isn't, the Nexus is is one of the easiest phones to unlock. Look up a tutorial somewhere here on xda, or wait for a more senior member to give you his advice here.
Good luck
Sent from my Nexus S using xda app-developers app

FirePoncho86 said:
It will probably be unlocked but if it isn't, the Nexus is is one of the easiest phones to unlock. Look up a tutorial somewhere here on xda, or wait for a more senior member to give you his advice here.
Good luck
Sent from my Nexus S using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Unlocked" wrt/Nexus S refers to bootloader unlocking. IIRC the Nexus S cannot be SIM-locked at all - the baseband doesn't support it.

It doesn't need to be Sim unlocked. They are all unlocked by default.

albundy2010 said:
It doesn't need to be Sim unlocked. They are all unlocked by default.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See? That's what worries me. Are you sure about that dude? The thing is in this thread the author said the i9020A doesn't work with a T-Mobile SIM card... so?

alainalemany said:
See? That's what worries me. Are you sure about that dude? The thing is in this thread the author said the i9020A doesn't work with a T-Mobile SIM card... so?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's obvious it doesn't work with a T-Mobile SIM card.
The Nexus S GSM has 2 versions:
i9020A, working on HSDPA 850/1900/2100
i9020T, working on HSDPA 900/1700/2100
Both are GSM, but different bands. They're not "software locked" but simply unable to connect because it's a modem issue.

So if you have a T-Mobile SIM, you need a Nexus S whose model number is I9020T

FirePoncho86 said:
So if you have a T-Mobile SIM, you need a Nexus S whose model number is I9020T
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exact.

Not exact. T mobile will work just fine. T mobile 3g data service will not
All gsm networks will work on any 9020/9023. 3g not so much

albundy2010 said:
Not exact. T mobile will work just fine. T mobile 3g data service will not
All gsm networks will work on any 9020/9023. 3g not so much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong again, in parts. Since we're not talking about the US only.
Not all operators around the world actually serve their users with 2G. Just up north, in the beautiful country called Canada, many operators only offer 3G, including mine. Thus, in the end, you end up with no service if 3G isn't supported.

polobunny said:
Wrong again, in parts. Since we're not talking about the US only.
Not all operators around the world actually serve their users with 2G. Just up north, in the beautiful country called Canada, many operators only offer 3G, including mine. Thus, in the end, you end up with no service if 3G isn't supported.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see we have the same location Is Bell 3G only? I'm on Rogers and I use 2G unless im out of my wifi range.
*To be safe* if you have a T-Mobile SIM, you need a Nexus S whose model number is I9020T, and it will work without a doubt

I'm using a i9020a on tmo
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk 2

messed nexus
Hey, I have a similar problem, I bought a nexus S i9020a second-hand and flashed it to JB using Nexus Root Toolkit...I am getting no service. Something must have gone wrong, the sim works in my other phone and I have tried calling my wireless provider rogers to repush the sim card anyways. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

S&H_prometheus said:
Hey, I have a similar problem, I bought a nexus S i9020a second-hand and flashed it to JB using Nexus Root Toolkit...I am getting no service. Something must have gone wrong, the sim works in my other phone and I have tried calling my wireless provider rogers to repush the sim card anyways. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need a i9020a for Rogers, so that's good. Check for broken pins in the SIM slot. Happens too often with the Nexus S.

polobunny said:
You need a i9020a for Rogers, so that's good. Check for broken pins in the SIM slot. Happens too often with the Nexus S.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Change radios
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk 2

sdhanjal15 said:
Change radios
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any compatible radio would work however. Only if he flashed one that isn't compatible.

Does the new JB update bring unlocked 3G GSM?

I've read that the update will bring new global roaming capability, so has anyone tried to stick a GSM SIM into the phone yet? Does the new JB update bring unlocked 3G GSM?

No, it does not. I updated to 4.1.1 bone stock and got it to register on T-Mobile's network, but there is no way to change APN's, so data and text/mm do not work.
Now, before the update you could root and get a program to add in the APN of whichever network you wanted... folks (including myself) have had it on AT&T and T-Mobile's GSM networks, albeit without WCDMA ("3g"). Check out http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1895684 for progress on getting WCDMA working on the 1900 band. The phone works on the 2100 band out of the box, but no US carrier uses that for WCDMA.
Okay, that said, post-update, I am sure the same APN tricks that worked pre-update, will work now, but sadly one has to be rooted to do that. Attached are two screenshots from while I was farking about with it.

Why not root, then? No disadvantages that I can see
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

I like how they're legally supposed to have it unlocked but still, here we are a half a year later.

ac21365 said:
No, it does not. I updated to 4.1.1 bone stock and got it to register on T-Mobile's network, but there is no way to change APN's, so data and text/mm do not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, I'm amazed that VZW is allowing you to use another carrier's GSM SIM at all without some sort of unlock code (since this is the case with most phones sold in this country).
I assumed that their "Global Roaming" capability meant that you can take your SGS3 with the VZW SIM to countries (e.g. everywhere other than the USA) that only have GSM (WCDMA/HSDPA) and pay Verizon's extortion (roaming) fees. Maybe the lack of unlock is due to the fact that the phone's primary radios are LTE and CDMA?
If someone can confirm that rooting the phone will allow you to change the APNs it would be greatly appreciated. My family is vacationing in Costa Rica this winter. I've already acquired a couple of unlocked AT&T phones that we plan to use with local prepaid SIM cards, but it'd be nice to be able to have the option of using my I535 there as well.
Thanks!

gm2racer said:
If someone can confirm that rooting the phone will allow you to change the APNs it would be greatly appreciated. My family is vacationing in Costa Rica this winter. I've already acquired a couple of unlocked AT&T phones that we plan to use with local prepaid SIM cards, but it'd be nice to be able to have the option of using my I535 there as well.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1809314
Yep, had it on T-Mobile and AT&T (GSM only) here in the states, and worked great on O2 (with HSPA+ YAY) in Germany. Page 6 for my screenshots of Domestic carriers, page 9 for screenshot of me on O2.

Please post questions in Q&A
Thread moved
Thanks
FNM

Imatoasta said:
I like how they're legally supposed to have it unlocked but still, here we are a half a year later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not as cut and dry as that. If you have to root the phone to move carriers technically you are in the wrong. If that is what you mean by unlocked.

Dagger_Prime said:
Its not as cut and dry as that. If you have to root the phone to move carriers technically you are in the wrong. If that is what you mean by unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually you are wrong. He is referring to the FCC ruling. And we should not need to root to be unlocked. I think that is the point he was trying to make.

Does the inability to change APN affect only the domestic US carriers or is it true for any country's Sim card you put in for gsm use. (Verizon global phones have in the past operated where domestic sims don't work but international ones do)

systemf said:
Does the inability to change APN affect only the domestic US carriers or is it true for any country's Sim card you put in for gsm use. (Verizon global phones have in the past operated where domestic sims don't work but international ones do)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently updated to the leaked K3 while traveling on business in the Philippines. While voice and text work, there is no way to add any new APN settings in both GSM/UMTS and Global modes. When clicking on Menu in the APN settings, the only option is to restore to default.
Note that while voice and text do work, there is a notification i the notification menu stating "Non-Verizon SIM: Sorry, this SIM card is not supported. Please..."
I believe that the frequency the carrier runs on is GSM900. Hope that helps clarify things. I spent way too much time trying to get 3G to work over here to no success.

Has anyone just tried using Verizon's Global Data Plan ($25 for 100 MB)? Is the S3 somehow not compatible with that plan?
I'm looking at getting the VZW S3 but I've heard all kinds of things about getting the Verizon S3 to work globally pre/post JB update. I know the local sim rates are much cheaper, but for an occasional traveler this is supposed to be the easy solution.

SM-N920R US Cellular (International) work on Verizon

I am trying to buy the international SM-N920R version of a Note 5 so I can root it.
Will it work on Verizon? I found out that it will work on all of Verizon's bands from this site willmyphonework.net but just want to double tap to ensure I am not wasting my money because just because it should work on Verizon's network I need to know if it is Verizon approved. I don't have the Meid or the ESN to check this so does anyone know for sure? I should be able to pop my Sim from my Turbo and it should work on the international version right?

RoachHero said:
I am trying to buy the international SM-N920R version of a Note 5 so I can root it.
Will it work on Verizon? I found out that it will work on all of Verizon's bands from this site willmyphonework.net but just want to double tap to ensure I am not wasting my money because just because it should work on Verizon's network I need to know if it is Verizon approved. I don't have the Meid or the ESN to check this so does anyone know for sure? I should be able to pop my Sim from my Turbo and it should work on the international version right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I highly doubt it, but I'd love to know the answer too. I'd switch phones in a heartbeat.
Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Why do you doubt it would work? Just curious. The phone operates on all the same bands Verizon does. I could just ask Verizon permission to operate on their network, I'd rathered not. I don't see why it wouldn't work after I throw my SIM in it, but if it doesn't I can ask permission. The only carrier that Verizon says outright no to is Sprint.

I kinda doubt it'll work, but I'm very interested as well, if it works, I'd switch right away.

RoachHero said:
I am trying to buy the international SM-N920R version of a Note 5 so I can root it.
Will it work on Verizon? I found out that it will work on all of Verizon's bands from this site willmyphonework.net but just want to double tap to ensure I am not wasting my money because just because it should work on Verizon's network I need to know if it is Verizon approved. I don't have the Meid or the ESN to check this so does anyone know for sure? I should be able to pop my Sim from my Turbo and it should work on the international version right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't have band 13 which I think is Verizon's main LTE band

I wonder if the OP has tried it and gotten it to work.
Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

RoachHero said:
I am trying to buy the international SM-N920R version of a Note 5 so I can root it.
Will it work on Verizon? I found out that it will work on all of Verizon's bands from this site willmyphonework.net but just want to double tap to ensure I am not wasting my money because just because it should work on Verizon's network I need to know if it is Verizon approved. I don't have the Meid or the ESN to check this so does anyone know for sure? I should be able to pop my Sim from my Turbo and it should work on the international version right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If its an unlocked international version and it for sure is CDMA compatible it will work on Verizon's network, and I doubt there will be any hassle connecting it other than the usual service fees. However, I highly doubt that taking your SIM card from your Turbo will actually work, as SIM cards on Verizon's CDMA network are not like the SIM cards of GSM networks where you can take and switch from phone to phone and they work. I have tried this with my phones , a Note 5 and a Note 2 and also a Google Nexus and had anywhere from limited service to no service, I think because Verizon has their SIM cards tied to the actual IMEI of the phone, at least that's my thought. But hey If it works be sure to let us know as I know I would do the same to get root.

it does work. you need to have a verizon sim card that is already active. you have to activate the sim in a verizon phone before starting. you can use any us cellular device that is unlocked on verizon. the s6 edge, edge plus , note 5 all ship unlocked. theyre gsm capable also. the only issue with gsm is that you cant edit the apn. which is what brought me here. looking for a custom rom that would allow me to do so. you get 3g only using a uscc device on verizon and no mms.
---------- Post added at 11:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:40 AM ----------
LvnInOC said:
If its an unlocked international version and it for sure is CDMA compatible it will work on Verizon's network, and I doubt there will be any hassle connecting it other than the usual service fees. However, I highly doubt that taking your SIM card from your Turbo will actually work, as SIM cards on Verizon's CDMA network are not like the SIM cards of GSM networks where you can take and switch from phone to phone and they work. I have tried this with my phones , a Note 5 and a Note 2 and also a Google Nexus and had anywhere from limited service to no service, I think because Verizon has their SIM cards tied to the actual IMEI of the phone, at least that's my thought. But hey If it works be sure to let us know as I know I would do the same to get root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
verizon sim cards are just like gsm cards. all you have to do is put the card in your new device to switch the service. obvisouly the device would have to have a cdma radio to connect to anything other than lte service but you dont need to provide verizon with meid of your phone when switching.

bradsinram said:
it does work. you need to have a verizon sim card that is already active. you have to activate the sim in a verizon phone before starting. you can use any us cellular device that is unlocked on verizon. the s6 edge, edge plus , note 5 all ship unlocked. theyre gsm capable also. the only issue with gsm is that you cant edit the apn. which is what brought me here. looking for a custom rom that would allow me to do so. you get 3g only using a uscc device on verizon and no mms.
---------- Post added at 11:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:40 AM ----------
verizon sim cards are just like gsm cards. all you have to do is put the card in your new device to switch the service. obvisouly the device would have to have a cdma radio to connect to anything other than lte service but you dont need to provide verizon with meid of your phone when switching.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if my experience applies here, but I did once switch a user's iPad Air 2 to verizon by just switching the SIM card to a Verizon card. This was done in conjuction with Verizon's corporate customer service who even sent me the SIM card I needed free of charge (probably because it was part of our corporate contract - assume they would probaly not do that for an individual).

I am currently on a Us Cellular r4 variant, and Using a Note 7 ported rom I messed with to work on it.
I often see the carrier on my notification tab say "Verizon"
I know that our phones are locked open, which means in the advanced system menu, ALL channels are locked open, and at least on my phone, I am able to recieve and process signal from most carriers. Our service is LTE/CDMA
I havent tried using a verizon sim to see if it works, but the r4 variant is supposedly "International"... The rom I ported was done by a Vietnamese guy...IDK. All i know is that it works after twrp restoring modem and efs