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I generally understand how SIM cards work in the GSM world, but I am curious as to how it works within Verizon. I know Verizon uses both SIM/4G and CDMA in one phone.
So my question is, if anyone has two Thunderbolts handy:
Can you swap the SIM cards between the two units and will the phone number and data usage STAY with the SIM? Or will the phone number STAY and the data usage MOVE with the SIM? Or some other variant? Or will you need to get a new SIM and/or call Verizon to reactivate the SIM when you move it?
AND, are you swapping between two Thunderbolts on the same account or different accounts?
Thanks.
Verizon told me it works just like GSM.
Sent from my Thunderbolt
From my experience yesterday with swapping my dinc and bolt numbers you can not swap cards. Had to get a new sim card to swap numbers.
SIM card is assigned to your phone number, and not to the phone itself. If you exchange your phone, but you keep your phone number, you can use the same Sim with new phone. If you put your Sim into a different phone with different phone number, even on the same account, and even it would be a TB, it would not work.
I only believe half of what comes out of a VZW CSR and about 10% that comes from a sale rep at a VZW store.
Looking for hard examples.
youneek said:
Verizon told me it works just like GSM.
Sent from my Thunderbolt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DINC doesn't have a SIM, but interesting info.
Looking for a hard example that is two Thunderbolts on the same account or separate accounts.
ripster said:
From my experience yesterday with swapping my dinc and bolt numbers you can not swap cards. Had to get a new sim card to swap numbers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The TB is there first sim card phone.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
I'm confused. At first you say the SIM is assigned to your phone number and not the phone. Later on you say the SIM in another phone with a different number, does not work.
"If you put your Sim into a different phone with different phone number"???
You can only have 1 SIM card in a thunderbolt at a time. Are you speaking from experience or is this what VZW told you?
fuzio1963 said:
SIM card is assigned to your phone number, and not to the phone itself. If you exchange your phone, but you keep your phone number, you can use the same Sim with new phone. If you put your Sim into a different phone with different phone number, even on the same account, and even it would be a TB, it would not work.
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Click to collapse
Never said dinc has a Sim card. In order for me to change the number on the TBolt i had to get a new Sim card. So you can't swap cards like gsm.
ripster said:
Never said dinc has a Sim card. In order for me to change the number on the TBolt i had to get a new Sim card. So you can't swap cards like gsm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why does being unable to change your number without getting a new sim mean you can't swap the sim card into a different phone.
You can move your sim into whichever phone you choose, which as of now would be from one tbolt to another tbolt, no need to call verizon or anything. You will be able to simply move your sim from tbolt to the samsung droid charge or the bionic when they come out if you wish.
Actually you can swap the sim cards between phones, I have done it. The reason you had to call was to activate your number on the sim.
bunklung said:
So my question is, if anyone has two Thunderbolts handy:
Can you swap the SIM cards between the two units and will the phone number and data usage STAY with the SIM? Or will the phone number STAY and the data usage MOVE with the SIM? Or some other variant? Or will you need to get a new SIM and/or call Verizon to reactivate the SIM when you move it?
AND, are you swapping between two Thunderbolts on the same account or different accounts?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone number is tied to the SIM like GSM. I got a replacement shipped to me and swapping the SIM back and forth did all the activating.
When I got a new droid shipped to me I always had to call and tell them the MEID of my new phone before it would activate.
So, when you stick your SIM in another phone, that phone get's your phone number, data, etc. the same as a GSM phone.
bunklung said:
DINC doesn't have a SIM, but interesting info.
Looking for a hard example that is two Thunderbolts on the same account or separate accounts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In other words.....he has dinc, and he wants his dinc ph number on his new TB. He never said, dinc had sim.....
bunklung said:
I'm confused. At first you say the SIM is assigned to your phone number and not the phone. Later on you say the SIM in another phone with a different number, does not work.
"If you put your Sim into a different phone with different phone number"???
You can only have 1 SIM card in a thunderbolt at a time. Are you speaking from experience or is this what VZW told you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you change the phone, you are "taking" your phone number from old one to the new one. Then, you don't need a new sim card, cus you still have the same phone number on your new phone. But, lest say, your friend has TB as well....if you put your sim into his phone (and vice versa), your sim will not be working. (it won't recognise his ph number as yours - the one it has been assigned to).
Morkai Almandragon said:
Actually you can swap the sim cards between phones, I have done it. The reason you had to call was to activate your number on the sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, true!! But you have the same phone number on you new/next handset, right?
I switched from T-Mobile and a Nexus S to a TB hoping that the SIM card swapping works the same. A couple year ago Verizon had a press release about being more open to devices so I hope that it means the same deal as I used to be able to pop my SIM card to any upcoming LTE phone
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
jinvox said:
I switched from T-Mobile and a Nexus S to a TB hoping that the SIM card swapping works the same. A couple year ago Verizon had a press release about being more open to devices so I hope that it means the same deal as I used to be able to pop my SIM card to any upcoming LTE phone
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, T-Mo is a GSM, and VZW is CDMA. Verizon SIM is only for DATA.
Darn oh well
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
Have you tried this between two Thunderbolts or are you just assuming this works?
I assume it to work too, but I want to know if someone has actually tried this.
shaddix2 said:
Why does being unable to change your number without getting a new sim mean you can't swap the sim card into a different phone.
You can move your sim into whichever phone you choose, which as of now would be from one tbolt to another tbolt, no need to call verizon or anything. You will be able to simply move your sim from tbolt to the samsung droid charge or the bionic when they come out if you wish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Between two Thunderbolts?
Morkai Almandragon said:
Actually you can swap the sim cards between phones, I have done it. The reason you had to call was to activate your number on the sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yesterday i called *611 CS and tried to swap numbers between my dinc and tbolt. He did in fact switch numbers but the sim in the tbolt was deactivated. He might have screwed up something but told me he could send me a new one or i can take it to a verizon store. I was still able to make calls with the tbold but didnt have any data until they program a new sim card.
Missed this one. Thanks for responding directly to my question.
My last question is, can you swap it between different accounts? The phone sent to you was to be activated on your account. Can you take any strangers phone and SIM swap?
ERIFNOMI said:
The phone number is tied to the SIM like GSM. I got a replacement shipped to me and swapping the SIM back and forth did all the activating.
When I got a new droid shipped to me I always had to call and tell them the MEID of my new phone before it would activate.
So, when you stick your SIM in another phone, that phone get's your phone number, data, etc. the same as a GSM phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way to use the phone without a SIM card? I don't have LTE in my area, and I keep getting the "no SIM Error" so was thinking that the SIM was useless anyways.
On the stock ROM every time I get the SIM error, or if I remove the SIM card itself, I get no data on the phone at all. When I try to turn on Mobile Data it prompts me to insert the SIM.
On other CUSTOM or JB ROMs, I don't get the SIM error prompt but I simply get no data.
On older Sprint phones, I know you can go into the DEBUG menu to see that EVDO/3G was actually being authenticated, the handshake was negotiated, then connection type/speed/tower/hand-off status, etc. Is there such an option with Verizon phones? I'm wondering if Data is completely shut off without the SIM, or if the data connection is actually established on the network but simply blocked from being used?
PS - per recommendation I have tried using the PHONE INFO app to switch the option to NV only, but am still getting no data. Voice/Text work perfectly.
black7 said:
Is there a way to use the phone without a SIM card? I don't have LTE in my area, and I keep getting the "no SIM Error" so was thinking that the SIM was useless anyways.
On the stock ROM every time I get the SIM error, or if I remove the SIM card itself, I get no data on the phone at all. When I try to turn on Mobile Data it prompts me to insert the SIM.
On other CUSTOM or JB ROMs, I don't get the SIM error prompt but I simply get no data.
On older Sprint phones, I know you can go into the DEBUG menu to see that EVDO/3G was actually being authenticated, the handshake was negotiated, then connection type/speed/tower/hand-off status, etc. Is there such an option with Verizon phones? I'm wondering if Data is completely shut off without the SIM, or if the data connection is actually established on the network but simply blocked from being used?
PS - per recommendation I have tried using the PHONE INFO app to switch the option to NV only, but am still getting no data. Voice/Text work perfectly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ASFAIK, the SIM does 3g and 4g. WHY? because 3g on the gs3 is ehrdp and that also requires a handshake between 3g and lte. I believe it is like using 3g tech but with the pipeline size of lte... or thats as far as I've read into it.
xicewallx said:
ASFAIK, the SIM does 3g and 4g. WHY? because 3g on the gs3 is ehrdp and that also requires a handshake between 3g and lte. I believe it is like using 3g tech but with the pipeline size of lte... or thats as far as I've read into it.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, xicewallx. I was afraid of that, however I've read of people flashing both Sprint and Verizon variants of the SGS3 to Boost, Straight Talk (CDMA), Verizon Pre-Paid which all I assume do not use LTE/SIM. I presume this means that the SGS3 can certainly use 3G without the need of the SIM card. I'm looking for a way to default to this on the SGS3 for us poor folk who do not have the luxury of LTE yet and have to deal with the SIM error until Verizon/Samsung fixes it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I was able to get to a debug screen using the IOTHiddenMenu option (through Any Cut) but it simply stated that EVDO was in "sleep state." I wasn't able to figure out how to get it to start a connection yet.
Go to the Verizon store and get a free SIM card? Why go through all of this trouble.
Sent from my Nexus 7
TheBiles said:
Go to the Verizon store and get a free SIM card? Why go through all of this trouble.
Sent from my Nexus 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion. Issue is that the phone is having the NO SIM error randomly. Have already tried a different SIM from Verizon (friend's account) but still have that same issue.
black7 said:
Thanks for the suggestion. Issue is that the phone is having the NO SIM error randomly. Have already tried a different SIM from Verizon (friend's account) but still have that same issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So get a new phone? That one is obviously faulty. Go get a free replacement. You have to live with it for 2 years. I wouldn't want a faulty device for a week let alone 2 years.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Are you in a poor signal area? Only time I've received the "No Sim" error was at my parents where the signal is crap. As for using it without the sim card, doubt that's possible since the sim is used for authentication if I'm not mistaken.
hello,
if i understand correctly, the sim card in the S3 is basically the same as all the previous world phones, meaning its just RUIM card. The MEID and IMEI are on the phone, the card it comes with is just basically a storage device in simple terms. can someone who has access to another verizon active S3 sim try putting the card into their phone and checking the IMEI that the phone reports? does swapping the cards change the IMEI in other words. I do not think it will, but interested to know for sure.
i just started playing with one of these, but i feel realy confident you can get non 4G services to work without a sim in it.
cheers,
disco
disco_y2k said:
hello,
if i understand correctly, the sim card in the S3 is basically the same as all the previous world phones, meaning its just RUIM card. The MEID and IMEI are on the phone, the card it comes with is just basically a storage device in simple terms. can someone who has access to another verizon active S3 sim try putting the card into their phone and checking the IMEI that the phone reports? does swapping the cards change the IMEI in other words. I do not think it will, but interested to know for sure.
i just started playing with one of these, but i feel realy confident you can get non 4G services to work without a sim in it.
cheers,
disco
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have it just about backwords. The sim is the real identifier on vzw 4g devices. You can take a working authorized sim and use it to activate another 4g Verizon phone and it will activate under the phone number associated with the sim.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
thats interesting, S3 still has an MEID also doesnt it?
thanks for the info!
cheers,
disco
disco_y2k said:
thats interesting, S3 still has an MEID also doesnt it?
thanks for the info!
cheers,
disco
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is still an ESN /MEID that the network uses to identify the phone for the CDMA side of the network. The process is all handled by the LTE SIM on LTE phones, though.
OP: You have a broken phone. The no-SIM error is not something that goes away. Take it to a store and get a new SIM and/or order a replacement.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2
im gonna have to dig in some more i am still not convinced the card is not a ruim card. like the other sprint and verizon world fones the imea is in the fone im pretty sure, until you instroduce another networks actual gsm card. i still the card it comes with is a simple ruim that holds the login info and other data, etc, well you know what ruim is.
does anyone have a service manual or white papers on this one yet? i would love to read through them.
thanks again bro
cheers,
disco
I'm still looking for an answer to this if anyone has any suggestions. Any way to get 3G without a SIM card?
Did you ever get a new phone from Verizon? It seems like an issue with your phone, not the network.
I have been trying something similar along the way as I have been able to get rock solid data by switching to EvDo only using the Phone Info app.
I gave determined I am connecting to a US Cellular tower when I have solid data.
But while in EvDo only I cannot send or receive calls or texts.
I am looking for a way to enable calls and text while in EvDo only mode.
Not trying to highjack just thought this is somewhat related.
TheBiles said:
Did you ever get a new phone from Verizon? It seems like an issue with your phone, not the network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
New phone and new SIM from Verizon seems to have made the problem less apparent, but it still happens, especially when driving through areas where reception is a bit spotty. It's really become an issue as I rely on getting emails for business, especially while traveling, and I don't get notifications of new emails if I have no data service which I don't become aware of until I actually look at the phone. Missed a couple of important emails/meeting invites because of this already...
Brenardo said:
I have been trying something similar along the way as I have been able to get rock solid data by switching to EvDo only using the Phone Info app.
I gave determined I am connecting to a US Cellular tower when I have solid data.
But while in EvDo only I cannot send or receive calls or texts.
I am looking for a way to enable calls and text while in EvDo only mode.
Not trying to highjack just thought this is somewhat related.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be fantastic if you come across something that will allow voice/text/EvDO(3G)! Have you made any headway on this? Would be glad to help in any way I can also to get this working.
black7 said:
I'm still looking for an answer to this if anyone has any suggestions. Any way to get 3G without a SIM card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed a VZW GS3 to Sprint. 3G data is working fine w/o a SIM card. If I put a non activated VZW card, data doesn't work obviously.
The trick in getting this to work is to use QPST to configure Profile 0 and Profile 1. When flashing to Sprint or Boost, you must also load a Sprint PRL into the device using QPST.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
AlpineMan said:
I flashed a VZW GS3 to Sprint. 3G data is working fine w/o a SIM card. If I put a non activated VZW card, data doesn't work obviously.
The trick in getting this to work is to use QPST to configure Profile 0 and Profile 1. When flashing to Sprint or Boost, you must also load a Sprint PRL into the device using QPST.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Choose nv only, cdma evdo in phone info and program nv items and flash prl.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
jclendineng said:
Choose nv only, cdma evdo in phone info and program nv items and flash prl.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A little off subject but I how did you get it on sprint I'm trying to get mine on verizon prepaid and have it set to nv only. I must be missing somethin because my esn/meid all look right I get data but yet no calls
I'm setting up a VZW SGS3 for a relative but can't activate it on his line until I see him next week, so I've been using my own SIM to set everything up. If I install Google Wallet and then swap SIMs, will that cause any problems?
Thanks
Don't think so.
The checks that are done to verify whether you are eligible for installing the app are based off of the build.props file. And, SIM card doesn't have anything to do with it.
Yeh sim don't have nothing to do with the Google wallet
Sent from Land Line using pay phone
Thank you guys
SGMD1 said:
Thank you guys
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Click to collapse
Your welcome
Sent from Land Line using pay phone
Has anyone been able to do this? Activate on Sprint with just the MEID and no sim card (so you won't have LTE) and also activate on Tmo/Att/MVNO with a sim card. Is there anything in the software that allows the switching between the two - like a typical "world phone" has?
eyeballer said:
Has anyone been able to do this? Activate on Sprint with just the MEID and no sim card (so you won't have LTE) and also activate on Tmo/Att/MVNO with a sim card. Is there anything in the software that allows the switching between the two - like a typical "world phone" has?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Registered here just to say I'm interested in the answer to this. Please post in here again if you find an answer somewhere else. Thanks!
From my activation experience you need to active the sim on sprint. And of there is no sim in the phone I couldn't make a call.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I don't think this is possible out of the box. We'll have to dig in and see what we can find for settings.
eyeballer said:
Has anyone been able to do this? Activate on Sprint with just the MEID and no sim card (so you won't have LTE) and also activate on Tmo/Att/MVNO with a sim card. Is there anything in the software that allows the switching between the two - like a typical "world phone" has?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must have a Sim in order to activate on Sprint. I tried over the phone, chat, and self service and was unable to activate without a SIM.
hammester said:
You must have a Sim in order to activate on Sprint. I tried over the phone, chat, and self service and was unable to activate without a SIM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you remove the sim after activation? I read somewhere that someone just had 3g on Sprint with no sim, but can't find where.
eyeballer said:
Can you remove the sim after activation? I read somewhere that someone just had 3g on Sprint with no sim, but can't find where.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think once you activate it you could remove the SIM and just get 3g service but I can't say that with 100% accuracy. You could give it a try using the T-mobile $3 a day plan to make sure it works that way your not out a whole month of service.
There is no "activating" on T-mobile and AT&T. The activation lies with the SIM card. I can swap out a T-mobile SIM or an AT&T SIM anytime I want.
Hey guys, i have a rooted and soffed m8 currently running viperrom. I plan on switching the phone around to another line soon. Will anything the reps do flag that my phone has been modded? Also, if they will be able to know, is there anyway to return the phone to complete stock and not have the tampered sign on the fastboot screen? Thanks guys
Is it an existing line on your account? If so, you just need to pop in the SIM card from that line without vzw even touching it. If you're adding a line and want to put the m8 on it, just call them and have them send out a SIM to you. You don't even need to have them see the device if I understand your intentions.
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk
As far as I know carriers don't care unless you are trying to claim a warranty then there is a small chance they could void it.
garywojdan81 said:
Is it an existing line on your account? If so, you just need to pop in the SIM card from that line without vzw even touching it. If you're adding a line and want to put the m8 on it, just call them and have them send out a SIM to you. You don't even need to have them see the device if I understand your intentions.
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was under the impression that the 4g sim card only gave you service, and did not switch your number and everything?? Sorry, to clarify, I will be swapping phones with another person on my plan. (All with Verizon) The other person is using their upgrade, and then we are trading phones, but want to keep our numbers.
Sim card changes phones numbers and everything, I do it all the time. Only issue you might run into is if the sim cards are different sizes, then you need to either get crafty with scissors or have Verizon activate the actual sim cards.
teckels said:
Sim card changes phones numbers and everything, I do it all the time. Only issue you might run into is if the sim cards are different sizes, then you need to either get crafty with scissors or have Verizon activate the actual sim cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks
teckels said:
Sim card changes phones numbers and everything, I do it all the time. Only issue you might run into is if the sim cards are different sizes, then you need to either get crafty with scissors or have Verizon activate the actual sim cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Crafty with scissors works just fine. I just trimmed down my micro SIM from my G2 to use in my new m8. Getting the nano to micro adapter to swap back whenever I want to.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
TylerG3 said:
Sorry, to clarify, I will be swapping phones with another person on my plan. (All with Verizon) The other person is using their upgrade, and then we are trading phones, but want to keep our numbers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you might be able to do what you want on the VZW website w/o having anyone actually see the phone, if so, you have no worries.