[Q] Swapping phone SIMs - General Questions and Answers

I was thinking about getting a used phone and I was wondering if I would have to go to the Verizon Store in order to activate it or could I just throw my SIM in it?

Uhhhh, what phone and service do you have now and are you switching to Verizon or what ?
Verizon doesn't use SIM cards, they use CDMA. Some of their phones have embedded SIMs and maybe even full ones - but they won't get you on Verizon's actual network.

Pennycake is partially correct. If it's an LTE phone, it uses a SIM. If you are going from one LTE phone to another (assuming you aren't coming from another carrier or anything) you can pop your SIM into the new phone and boot up. Everything will work fine.
Their old phones didn't utilize a SIM except for international purposes on certain phones, but now most do and it makes switching phones as easy as the GSM carriers. Have fun!
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

TJBunch1228 said:
PTheir old phones didn't utilize a SIM except for international purposes on certain phones, but now most do and it makes switching phones as easy as the GSM carriers. Have fun!
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
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That's a pretty nice advancement, I hadn't heard of them actually being functional in that way until now.

Related

Putting thunderbolt sim chip in droid charge?

What will happen? Will the phone activate just like on AT&T? I know you cant switch back and forth with an iPhone since its all 3G CDMA etc... but will the sim chip change that? Can you hot swap?
It should, from what I heard, work like any other GSM phone.
So yea, your SIM should make you be able to make calls, text and data on the Charge.
Yes you are correct
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
You still must register the device in their system. However, once you do, its all activated.
Is there a reference, like a white paper or a tech spec that can actually answer this question? This Tbolt is not the first Verizon phone I've had with a SIM card, and just like this thing, they worked just fine without the thing. How do calling functions transfer with the card when it has nothing to do with the SIM card or LTE?
loonatik78 said:
Is there a reference, like a white paper or a tech spec that can actually answer this question? This Tbolt is not the first Verizon phone I've had with a SIM card, and just like this thing, they worked just fine without the thing. How do calling functions transfer with the card when it has nothing to do with the SIM card or LTE?
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Click to collapse
Per Verizon Website:
http://support.vzw.com/clc/faqs/VZAccess/4g_sim_card.html
Yes. You may activate any 4G LTE device that has been certified by Verizon Wireless to be compatible with our 4G LTE network, including devices not purchased directly from Verizon Wireless. Simply activate your 4G SIM card on a Verizon Wireless price plan.
I don't see anything that say you have to activate the device only the sim card.
psufan5 said:
What will happen? Will the phone activate just like on AT&T? I know you cant switch back and forth with an iPhone since its all 3G CDMA etc... but will the sim chip change that? Can you hot swap?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have done this numerous times. Just insert SIM and you can instantly make a test call.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

[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...
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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
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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?
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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
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Not 100% true. The Skyrocket is pentaband and can be used on t-mobile.

[Q] rooted with custom rom cant activate to new number

I left sprint recently sold my phone with it rooted and and a patched ota rom on it. The guy went to get it activated and they couldn't get it done, said it was freezing up, sprint rep knew it was rooted, and said it needs to be back to stock unrooted???? Is this true? Anybody know?
Any time you take your phone to sprint ALWAYS UNROOT. They can tag the account. You should of unrooted before selling the phone
Sent from my PG06100 using Xparent Pink Tapatalk 2
saw429 said:
I left sprint recently sold my phone with it rooted and and a patched ota rom on it. The guy went to get it activated and they couldn't get it done, said it was freezing up, sprint rep knew it was rooted, and said it needs to be back to stock unrooted???? Is this true? Anybody know?
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They were probably trying to get into the Activation Menu in ESPT. If they could not get it to work, that would be a clue that the phone was Rooted. But as mentioned in the post above. As a Rule of Thumb, never sell a phone Rooted. Also never take a phone into a Sprint store for any type of Tech work if it's Rooted. They can and most times do Flag the account. Not what you want. After that any phone issues you run into they may try to claim it's because your device is rooted.
Thanks I put it back to stock.
I didn't realize a rooted phone would not allow you to get into the "Activation Menu in ESPT"
You can get more money some times for rooted phones, but i guess not with Sprint. My bro sold a SGSII rooted for T-mobile for big bucks, but i guess with sim cards, it makes it easy.
Is the "Rule of Thumb" to return phones back to stock before selling for Sprint and Verizon phones only?
I'm sorry, I didn't properly explain. Rooting doesn't affect if you can get into ESPT or not. Rooted phones can still use ESPT without issue. But it does depend on the Rom on the phone. But yes as a " Rule of Thumb " , if the device is going to be Sold or taken in for service. No matter who the person, or carrier is it's always better if it's Unrooted.
TEAM MiK
MikROMs Since 3/13/11
saw429 said:
Thanks I put it back to stock.
I didn't realize a rooted phone would not allow you to get into the "Activation Menu in ESPT"
You can get more money some times for rooted phones, but i guess not with Sprint. My bro sold a SGSII rooted for T-mobile for big bucks, but i guess with sim cards, it makes it easy.
Is the "Rule of Thumb" to return phones back to stock before selling for Sprint and Verizon phones only?
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Click to collapse
Yup when i sold my epic a few months back that was a huge issue trying to get it activiated if rooted, i always take it to a third part store like spring wireless it's possible to activate mine did eventually but took like a hour in half.. but verizon all you do is put a sim in activate and done...
Bfitz26 said:
Yup when i sold my epic a few months back that was a huge issue trying to get it activiated if rooted, i always take it to a third part store like spring wireless it's possible to activate mine did eventually but took like a hour in half.. but verizon all you do is put a sim in activate and done...
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Click to collapse
Not to be rude but Verizon uses CDMA (like Sprint excluding Nextel products that use iDEN). Verizon phones domestically do not use sim cards. The only CDMA phones that use sim cards are dual mode international phones (the sim card is only used for GSM networks abroad). AT&T and T-mobile use sim cards domestically (GSM) so maybe one of those?
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium
Dread 7us said:
Not to be rude but Verizon uses CDMA (like Sprint excluding Nextel products that use iDEN). Verizon phones domestically do not use sim cards. The only CDMA phones that use sim cards are dual mode international phones (the sim card is only used for GSM networks abroad). AT&T and T-mobile use sim cards domestically (GSM) so maybe one of those?
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium
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Thats not entirely true. LTE uses sim cards. Any Verizon phones with 4G will have a sim card.
nullstring2 said:
Thats not entirely true. LTE uses sim cards. Any Verizon phones with 4G will have a sim card.
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Click to collapse
A sim card that is ONLY used to connect to 4G, not 3G (CDMA)...
Sent from my PG06100
drob311 said:
A sim card that is ONLY used to connect to 4G, not 3G (CDMA)...
Sent from my PG06100
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Actually, from what I have read on the internet, Verizon LTE SIM cards are tied to activation of 3G CDMA on LTE equipped phones. I don't know how they did it, though. Also, I heard that Verizon LTE devices have the PRL loaded on the SIM card making it nearly impossible to flash a different PRL onto the phone. I even heard that Sprint is doing that with their LTE phones.

Anyone switching sim back and forth between iPhone and one x..?

I have a iPhone 4 now and am eligible for an upgrade...would like get a one x but don't want to carry it to work..(firefighter)..
Would I be able to switch sims back and forth without any issues...?
Same Scenario
I am also an AT&T customer who had the iphone 4 and switched to the HTC One X. I can confirm that switching the SIM card from one phone to the other allows each device to work just fine. No worries here (I was thinking about this question as well before making the decision to upgrade). Hope this helps!
SeeSection said:
I am also an AT&T customer who had the iphone 4 and switched to the HTC One X. I can confirm that switching the SIM card from one phone to the other allows each device to work just fine. No worries here (I was thinking about this question as well before making the decision to upgrade). Hope this helps!
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Sorry to be nit-picky, but are you switching from your HOX sim card to your iPhone? Or vice versa. Thank you.
SeeSection said:
I am also an AT&T customer who had the iphone 4 and switched to the HTC One X. I can confirm that switching the SIM card from one phone to the other allows each device to work just fine. No worries here (I was thinking about this question as well before making the decision to upgrade). Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
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That's exactly what I needed to know....Thanks!!!
Would you still be able to use data if you did that. You can only have one or the other right? (IPhone or smartphone data plan)
Functional data, voice, and text
Nitpicking is fine with me. I received my HOX in the mail initially and used the SIM card out of my iphone 4. With the iphone's SIM card in the HOX I was able to utilize data, voice and text on the new handset. I then went to the AT&T store and was told that my old sim (iphone 4) needed to be re-calibrated in order to take advantage of 4G and LTE network speeds. I received a new SIM card from them and, upon testing it in my iphone, found that I am still able to connect and utilize the 3G network (as well as voice and text services). So, to sum up:
Your old iphone 4 SIM card will work interchangeably in both devices but you will be limited to 3G speeds
A new SIM card will allow for 4G and LTE connectivity in the HOX but still be functional at 3G speeds in the iphone 4
Thank you very much! That's exactly what I wanted to know.
When I went to bestbuy mobile they tried to provision an iPhone microSIM and the system would not allow it. They could only provision one of the new LTE capable micro sims to work with the phone. Good to know it's backwards compatible with 3G. Only thing that sucks is all of my other phones use standard size sims.
If u put iPhone sim in one X then u won't get lte speeds, only 4g...if other way around then lte on one X and 4g on one X..unless the 4s has lte but I don't think it does..I quit iPhone when 4s came out...best decision ever...I will say that sim cards are not made to be taken in/out with the kind of frequency u are talking about...could cause issues after a while..
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

Sprint SGSIII to Verizon?

Is it possible to flash, with a custom ROM, a Sprint Galaxy SIII over to Verizon or am I dreaming?
You will break your phone
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
hopesrequiem said:
You will break your phone
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
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Ok, so it's not possible then or are you just commenting for fun?
you can if your going to use other sim cards. check out the post in the verizon galaxy android dev sect that says gsm works
crazydad said:
you can if your going to use other sim cards. check out the post in the verizon galaxy android dev sect that says gsm works
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Click to collapse
GSM? My Sprint SGSIII does not have a sim card. But I will go see what you're referring to. Thanks.
crazydad said:
you can if your going to use other sim cards. check out the post in the verizon galaxy android dev sect that says gsm works
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Unfortunately the sim card for the sprint version is internal so that wouldn't work for sprint phones.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
It won't happen, unless you have an in with someone in Verizon that can add your ESN to the system manually (not bloody likely), the ability to flash a Verizon ROM on your phone (difficult, but not impossible, but a fast way to a softbrick), the ability to unsolder the Sprint LTE SIM from the phone and replace it with a Verizon one, and the ability to live without LTE for the life of the phone.
AlexDeGruven said:
It won't happen, unless you have an in with someone in Verizon that can add your ESN to the system manually (not bloody likely), the ability to flash a Verizon ROM on your phone (difficult, but not impossible, but a fast way to a softbrick), the ability to unsolder the Sprint LTE SIM from the phone and replace it with a Verizon one, and the ability to live without LTE for the life of the phone.
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Well, that doesn't sound very appealing, living without LTE. But heck, I can't use it now anyway since Sprint's LTE service is up in almost NO locations
KOKJ said:
Well, that doesn't sound very appealing, living without LTE. But heck, I can't use it now anyway since Sprint's LTE service is up in almost NO locations
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Exactly why I switched to Verizon I was tired off having a 3g only phone
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
much easier to just sell the Sprint one, turn around and buy a Verizon one

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