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Questions about this phone unlocked.

Is it true I can simply put an at&t sim card in the phone and use a dumb phone plan if I buy an unlocked ones? Also does it get at&t 3g?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

Besides SIM unlocking you need to perform the US band unlock as described both here, on Rootzwiki, and who knows where else, to use the DROID2 GLOBAL on AT&T or T-Mobile.
As AT&T uses standard WCDMA bands, yes, it will work with their 3G voice/data network as long as the band unlock hack is in place.

Gasai Yuno said:
Besides SIM unlocking you need to perform the US band unlock as described both here, on Rootzwiki, and who knows where else, to use the DROID2 GLOBAL on AT&T or T-Mobile.
As AT&T uses standard WCDMA bands, yes, it will work with their 3G voice/data network as long as the band unlock hack is in place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I couldn't find any posts that were newer than a year ago. Now to find someone selling one here with everything done.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

I doubt there are a lot of band unlocked D2Gs on sale as reflashing the SBF image breaks the hack.
You can perform the hack yourself provided you buy a SIM unlocked device.
Refer to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=22769743 for instructions. Do note that whenever you soft-brick your device you will need to SBF back to 2.4.x and apply this hack.
Remember to never ever update the device to 4.5.629.

Thanks. Hopefully I get lucky but its Greta to have that link
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

Gahh Its Lee said:
Is it true I can simply put an at&t sim card in the phone and use a dumb phone plan if I buy an unlocked ones? Also does it get at&t 3g?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dumb phone plan from who? If you get everything done (band unlock as described in the other posts) you can use your phone with an AT&T SIM and don't need any plan at all from Verizon. Is the theory that AT&T won't recognize it as a smart phone because it is not one that they ever sold?

silver6054 said:
Dumb phone plan from who? If you get everything done (band unlock as described in the other posts) you can use your phone with an AT&T SIM and don't need any plan at all from Verizon. Is the theory that AT&T won't recognize it as a smart phone because it is not one that they ever sold?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess so. I found a list of every phone that works for att dumb plans and it was on it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

Any non-carrier-locked GSM phone that has compatible bands can work on AT&T's network. You don't even need a list, just check which bands AT&T uses and check the phone's tech specs.

Gasai Yuno said:
Any non-carrier-locked GSM phone that has compatible bands can work on AT&T's network. You don't even need a list, just check which bands AT&T uses and check the phone's tech specs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the problem is that people don't want AT&T to recognize the phone as a smartphone and helpfully add on a data package on postpaid plans, (presumably these people are intending to use Wifi for data). The claim was made that some people had moved a SIM from dumb phone to a smartphone purchased elsewhere, and suddenly they got billed for a data package. See, for example, http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/can-at-t-really-add-a-pricey-data-plan-onto-your-wireless-bill/2667
In the past, there were posts saying that you were "safe" if you used a model that AT&T had never sold, as their system would not be able to recognize it as a smartphone. Not sure how true this really is!

They probably detect it based on IMEIs. But yeah, it's just a speculation without clear facts.

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.

[Q] How do I add APNs on Verizon Galaxy S3 running 4.1.1?

I have a Verizon Galaxy S3 (SCH-I535) running Android 4.1.1. I was told by Verizon prior to moving to England that, with this version of Android which unlocked the "world phone" capabilities (GSM), that I would be able to use my phone abroad with a new sim on a local network.
Fast forward a few weeks, and I am in England with an Orange sim in my phone. I have no problems with voice, but I cannot access any data services (I have no trouble receiving texts, but cannot send them - I think this is a problem with the sim though). After searching around the internet for a while, it seems that the solution to my problem would be to add the Orange APN settings to my phone.
HOWEVER, Verizon's version of 4.1.1 does not allow you to edit APN settings! When you go to the APN menu, there is nothing displayed and the only settings option is to Reset to Default.
The closest thing I've found to a solution is here, but it's a bit out of date as the method isn't for 4.1.1. I'm a bit wary of rooting my phone and installing a rom, as I've never done anything like that before.
Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing that might be able to offer a solution? I would be willing to root my phone if necessary, but I'd need to be directed to a pretty explicit noob guide for doing that :silly:
Thanks!

Getting root is easy with the toolkit linked. Should you have any questions you can read the thread or search galaxy s3 toolkit on YouTube. Just keep in mind some videos are outdated and that you have a Verizon cdma galaxy S3 running 4.1.1.
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2092244
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

Search this same thread and the APN fixes are here. There is also an APN fix in Note 2 forum that should work. Once you change APN should be good to go with Orange. Say hi to my Uncle in Birmingham. He on Orange also. Cheers. :laugh:

What ended up being your solution?
I'm going to Italy tomorrow with a Verizon S3 and APN settings are locked. The phone is rooted and I would love to be able to use a local SIM on data!
Thanks in advance.

sundayradio said:
What ended up being your solution?
I'm going to Italy tomorrow with a Verizon S3 and APN settings are locked. The phone is rooted and I would love to be able to use a local SIM on data!
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No solution yet. I'm going to look at the link above when I can get some time to sit down and focus on it. Hopefully it fixes it.
BTW, although it's billed as a CDMA phone, it is able to operate on GSM as well. That's the whole "world phone" thing that Verizon has been talking about.

expatabroad said:
BTW, although it's billed as a CDMA phone, it is able to operate on GSM as well. That's the whole "world phone" thing that Verizon has been talking about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand it's a world phone, but I wanted to drop that in because I wasn't sure if the Toolkit states "CDMA" under the device selection screen. I know the Galaxy Nexus or Razr Toolkit specifically stated CDMA. I just didn't want you to accidentally pick the wrong one. After looking at screen shots of the Toolkit you shouldn't have a problem it doesn't mention CDMA only Verizon is stated.

Unable to add APN.
prdog1 said:
Search this same thread and the APN fixes are here. There is also an APN fix in Note 2 forum that should work. Once you change APN should be good to go with Orange. Say hi to my Uncle in Birmingham. He on Orange also. Cheers. :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there,
Sorry for going there, but I have not been able to find a fix for adding in the APN on a Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III. I have it on Cincinnati Bell at the moment, and have it rooted. I have voice and text, but not data. I have used the APN Manager Pro to see the APN that I need to use, but for some reason it will not use it or be able to edit it? Any thoughts?

deca2499 said:
Hey there,
Sorry for going there, but I have not been able to find a fix for adding in the APN on a Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III. I have it on Cincinnati Bell at the moment, and have it rooted. I have voice and text, but not data. I have used the APN Manager Pro to see the APN that I need to use, but for some reason it will not use it or be able to edit it? Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
Get titanium backup pro and make apn mgr pro a system app.
You should be good after that.
This is confirmed working on Vodafone Italy and ill post results from China and hk in about a month

And please spread the word on this.
Spiting Verizon is my new favorite hobby.

I have a very similar problem. I have a Samsung S3, not rooted, but unlocked from Verizon. I have been in Kandahar for a month or so. My SGS3 with a local provider will make and receive calls great when coverage is there. My problem is, I can only seem to text local here not back to the US, or get email and no Google Talk. I went to the shop where I got my card here, they told me that Verizon needed to unlock my phone. I know it is unlocked but I made the call home, Verizon told me what I already knew. I went back into the store, once again, next they said Verizon needed to unlock my APN? I called again, finally I got a response from Verizon saying that Samsung needs to release the patch so Verizon can unlock it. If anyone knows of such a APN patch I would greatly appreciate it. My lap top screen got cracked during a patrol so doing all of this and email is quite the B!tch! I have always had success with this forum and hope it will continue. Once I send my lap top back home to be warrantied, I will not have any way of getting the usual business done for at least a month. I'm trying to hold off on the lap top until I can get my phone fully functional. I do not have internet connection on my phone, just my computer, I guess that is the APN, that is still locked. I could do all of this if I had WiFi, but it is not allowed here by the company that provides internet. They do have WiFi in some areas, but it is always bogged down with everyone else trying to use it. Also, I am not too sure if I want to attempt to do a root, the internet service here is very slow. Thanks for your help. Please remember, I am atleast 8 1/2 hours ahead of you, so response time will be delayed.
A very helpful member of GalaxyS3forums sent me here.

SCH-R530 from US Cellular - why no worky?

Hey ladies and gets,
I am new here and I do not have much experience. I have been on an android binge for a week now and I have read a lot of threads, and flashed my phone so many times already.
Here is the info:
Samsung Galaxy SIII (LTE I guess)
SCH-R530, and in some places it shows SCH-R530U
Currently running on the latest nightly cyo..10.2
IMEI starts with 99000... and I have checked its not stolen or anything - there is also a sticker behind the bat that confirms it.
Originally a US Cellular Phone, I want to get it working with T-Mobile.
Things I have tried:
-I got the Samsung Tool Kit (donated), received all the updates - and the phone still does not unlock the network operators.
-Used a method from youtube - CDMA Workshop - connect to the serial port - security - samsung defaults - screen on pc says unlocked but phone is not although it is answering to the program.
- No option for the network lock as known in the 530
-Used three different online services - but they said no can do.
- Called tmobile - and placed a request and they said - that IME does not correspond to the model of the phone(???)
I am a student, I can't afford to get anything else - so please help or point me in the right direction. Thank you

I don't think you can do it.

I don't believe it will work because Us cellular is cdma and T-Mobile is gsm.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

GottaProblemBro said:
I don't believe it will work because Us cellular is cdma and T-Mobile is gsm.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There seem to be different opinions on the net. Phone like mine have the added abillity to receive CDMA radios i guess, but they do not lack any of the hardware for gsm.
I am not sure about any of this however, thats why I came here.

Bsqueeze44 said:
There seem to be different opinions on the net. Phone like mine have the added abillity to receive CDMA radios i guess, but they do not lack any of the hardware for gsm.
I am not sure about any of this however, thats why I came here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in my experience with all the cdma gs3 varian, only the verizon one that have gsm capability.

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Just a little update:
I have not been able to make any progress at all.
I have updated my 4.3 on the regular basis - however when I did the nightly 6, and 7 both locked up on the boot menu.
Anyways, today i reinserted my tmobile sim card and when I try to make a call - I get Verizon Wireless automated services that say that i can be transferred to complete the call with a credit card and stuff.
Why verizon? this is a us cellular phone?
Also when i switch to gsm mode - it still does not locate any tmobile operators?
US Cell phone is a dead end. This thread might as well be deleted.

Bsqueeze44 said:
Just a little update:
I have not been able to make any progress at all.
I have updated my 4.3 on the regular basis - however when I did the nightly 6, and 7 both locked up on the boot menu.
Anyways, today i reinserted my tmobile sim card and when I try to make a call - I get Verizon Wireless automated services that say that i can be transferred to complete the call with a credit card and stuff.
Why verizon? this is a us cellular phone?
Also when i switch to gsm mode - it still does not locate any tmobile operators?
US Cell phone is a dead end. This thread might as well be deleted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Vzw bought out USC... in some areas I believe? Any how now no the USC will not work on T-Mobile. At least not stock....yet. It may be possible to get voice working but that would be about it. If you could vet data the most it would possibly be is edge as far as I know.... If you want to try something I would try flashing a sch-i535 ROM of 4.0.x-4.1.1 Odin would be best but do not flash the radio/modem. I am not Of 100% on this but Odin might skip over the modem if flashing i535 ROM to the r530. If not mobile Odin is able to only flash selected partitions of choice. Make sure you use a pre rooted ROM. After that and it is successful you may be able to follow the guide posted some where in here on how to use the i535 globally. It will require APN pro I believe. And another app to be able to select gsm global (don't recall for sure) if you find the guide it will tell you. . good luck and let me know if that helps.

Bonkurei said:
in my experience with all the cdma gs3 varian, only the verizon one that have gsm capability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with
that verizon is (gsm+cdma)
Sent using Tapatalk

[Q] Using the verizon variant internationally

Hi,
Just bought today the verizon variant of the galaxy s6, and I need help with a couple of questions:
I'm moving to Europe in the near future, would I still be able to use the phone?
From who do I get software updates? Will I get updates from verizon even if I'm abroad?
Would it be able to flash international firmware on this phone in the future? Are the models fundamentally different from each other or are they just handicapped by firmware?
Thanks in advance

yuviyuval said:
Hi,
Just bought today the verizon variant of the galaxy s6, and I need help with a couple of questions:
I'm moving to Europe in the near future, would I still be able to use the phone?
From who do I get software updates? Will I get updates from verizon even if I'm abroad?
Would it be able to flash international firmware on this phone in the future? Are the models fundamentally different from each other or are they just handicapped by firmware?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it works internationally, I'm using it on GSM right now and plan to use it in Egypt over the summer. You will get updates but I think verizon needs a verizon sim to check for updates but when one releases you can always check through a computer if you need to. As far as I know verizon one is the bay because it supports CDMA radios and GSM radios and comes pre unlocked while other versions like tmobile only support gsm. That's the only hardware difference, the rest is all software.
Also be careful with your phone! Nor sure where in Europe yuppie going but some classes visited Spain recently and lots of them we're pickpocketed and had something stopen.
Sent from my Verizon S6,
formerly abdel12345

supersmash19 said:
Yes it works internationally, I'm using it on GSM right now and plan to use it in Egypt over the summer. You will get updates but I think verizon needs a verizon sim to check for updates but when one releases you can always check through a computer if you need to. As far as I know verizon one is the bay because it supports CDMA radios and GSM radios and comes pre unlocked while other versions like tmobile only support gsm. That's the only hardware difference, the rest is all software.
Also be careful with your phone! Nor sure where in Europe yuppie going but some classes visited Spain recently and lots of them we're pickpocketed and had something stopen.
Sent from my Verizon S6,
formerly abdel12345
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So just to clarify, I can just purchase an EE nano sim card from amazon, take my s6 to london, pop it in, and it should work? I don't have to call Verizon before hand to get it network unlocked?

voldyy said:
So just to clarify, I can just purchase an EE nano sim card from amazon, take my s6 to london, pop it in, and it should work? I don't have to call Verizon before hand to get it network unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. You may have to set up apns for data though. But text and voice should work out the box.

What can I do to use the GSM network, 3G !!!!
I live in china

zintung2911 said:
What can I do to use the GSM network, 3G !!!!
I live in china
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3G only for China Unicom. Add the APN of Unicom and then H+ will work.

voldyy said:
So just to clarify, I can just purchase an EE nano sim card from amazon, take my s6 to london, pop it in, and it should work? I don't have to call Verizon before hand to get it network unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
920V is different from the international version. It supports very few LTE bands and i'm not sure it supports as many 2g/3g bands as the internation one. you may have voice but you won't have LTE.

toskabab said:
Correct. You may have to set up apns for data though. But text and voice should work out the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Didn't u have the same issue with texting?
I bought my s6 from verizon on a trip in the USA, but I live in UK and using 3 network. The only issue is the texting. I spent lot of time to figure out what is the real problem, and it seems like it is sort of prefix problem. If I receive message from someone with new number with +4407 (obviously all of them start) and I reply, message is not going to be sent and I always get a message: " Your text to speech message to 0114407..... has been rejected by recipient phone." I never use text speech btw, and it definitely prefix problem because if I send to 07... only they receive it. I changed all my contacts to 07... but still after that I couldn't reply to messages for a long time just only with the Handcent next sms app. But If I receive a new message from a new number I'll get with +447.. and I need to save it and change the number to 07.. otherwise it will never work. I found some people had the same issue in the past, but there was no final solutions: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2106370
http://thedroidguy.com/2015/07/solutions-for-samsung-galaxy-s4-sms-mms-problems-part-2-110209
I am just wondering how is this gonna work abroad if I even can't use in the UK. I rooted and put clear rom, but still same.

toskabab said:
Correct. You may have to set up apns for data though. But text and voice should work out the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I add a new APN? I found Settings -> Mobile networks -> Access Point Names but the "Add" button is greyed out

I am seeing it greyed out as well. I was planning on getting UK 3 sim cards for our trip next year.
Sent from my SM-G920V using XDA Free mobile app