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Able to use 3G only without physical SIM card? Network debug menu?

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
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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

sgs3 is eating SIM cards

How many people have had to get a new SIM card to get their phone working properly?
How many different reasons have a new SIM card been needed for?
I've heard of a lot of people needing a new SIM card to receive the OTA.
I had to get a new SIM card as my phone would no longer switch to 4G.
Is there a hardware or software issue with this phone causing SIM cards to malfunction?
Is there anyone who's needed a SIM card replaced that has Not flashed or rooted their phone in anyway?
thanks,

I needed one to be able to check for updates.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

Ryno77 said:
I needed one to be able to check for updates.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Do you root and flash roms or other things on your phone?
I'd like to narrow down if this only happens on phones where that is done.
and then to nail down what we are flashing that is wrecking these sim cards if that is the common factor.

I had to get one once I went back to stock to receive ota. I do run a custom rom normally.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Mine is fine, but the other three in my household after receiving g7 can no longer check for updates. I wonder if Samsungs "no sim fix" somehow killed them. All three are unrooted, and never have been.
I have not yet replaced their sims.

Odin'd back to stock to receive updates, had to get a new sim in order for it to work. I run custom as well. I think it has something to do with how the sims are identified on the LTE network since Sprint and At&t don't have this issue.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

rfranken said:
Do you root and flash roms or other things on your phone?
I'd like to narrow down if this only happens on phones where that is done.
and then to nail down what we are flashing that is wrecking these sim cards if that is the common factor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never rooted or ran a custom rom...100% stock. Someone mentioned that the update may have fried the sim cards....that's my thought as well.

Ryno77 said:
Never rooted or ran a custom rom...100% stock. Someone mentioned that the update may have fried the sim cards....that's my thought as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem with that theory though is lots of people had to get a new sim card just to be able to take the ota.
Good to know this isn't necessarily cause from flashing roms and what not.

I also had the problem checking for OTA updates. I received the update just fine and then had the problem. I went to the Verizon store and the switched the SIM card out and problem was resolved.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

rfranken said:
How many people have had to get a new SIM card to get their phone working properly?
How many different reasons have a new SIM card been needed for?
I've heard of a lot of people needing a new SIM card to receive the OTA.
I had to get a new SIM card as my phone would no longer switch to 4G.
Is there a hardware or software issue with this phone causing SIM cards to malfunction?
Is there anyone who's needed a SIM card replaced that has Not flashed or rooted their phone in anyway?
thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both my brother and I had to get new sim cards for 4g due to the phone warping our cards.

I had to get a new sim card when I upgraded from the galaxy nexus to the gs3. I believe it was because I had done a manual prl update when it was in the nexus. it seemed to work just fine in that phone but once I put it in the gs3 I couldn't get 4g unless I switched to 4g only.

I was on the latest OTA and I hadn't checked for an OTA since Oct. 3rd and tried yesterday and got a error. Went to Verizon and he said he didn't know if any issue with SIM cards being fried with GS3. I'm all stock and he argued that a new SIM wouldn't fix. I got him to do it anyways and now checking for updates works again. He still doesn't think it was a SIM card. But i beg to differ.

cvbcbcmv said:
Had to pay 10 dollars and 40 minutes of my time at the corporate store for them to tell me they couldn't give me one, had to buy one, but it fixed my OTA issue. I'm gonna rub it in the "it appears you have done this thing called rooting your phone" guy's face. No s***. I flash a new rom every hour...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hahah
thats good.
Those punks should have giving it to you for free. They have to know by now that the sgs3 is eating sim cards.

Using 3G data in Europe

So I'm looking into traveling to Portugal this summer and I'm wondering if I can grab a 3G data only card from Vodofone and pop it into my S3. I know the phone needs to be unlocked for this to work and I have seen a long involved tutorial on here on how to unlock the phone, but I've also heard Verizon will unlock a phone for you if you are a customer in good standing. Is this true? If I can get Verizon to unlock my phone should I theoretically be able to use this data sim card in Portugal?
Also, I know Vodafone lets you make calls to other Vodafone users for free, will I be able to do this if a get a sim card with some prepaid data on it only? Am I still considered to be on Vodafone's cellular network?
Thanks so much!
As a side: If anyone has an experience with Vodafone's 3G in and around the Lisbon area let me know how it is!! I'm mainly looks to tether my phone to a laptop and do some development work while I'm over there.

Would you happen to have that link yo the process of where you can unlock the phone? Or you just mean the process for changing the apn
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

djteotancolis said:
Would you happen to have that link yo the process of where you can unlock the phone? Or you just mean the process for changing the apn
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure the thread they're referring to is the GSM travel thread. If using a JB TW rom, one just needs to edit the apn's like you mentioned.

Got it, thanks!
I've also heard that the Verizon GSIII does not have the radio's for internation GSM 3G, is this correct?

skytbest said:
Got it, thanks!
I've also heard that the Verizon GSIII does not have the radio's for internation GSM 3G, is this correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would say that's incorrect given the thread I posted which contains plenty of user experiences contradicting that statement. I'm eager to do this myself if I travel again this year.
The primary thing you just need to do is have an international sim and also use one of the mentioned apps that adjusts your APNs.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

SlimSnoopOS said:
I would say that's incorrect given the thread I posted which contains plenty of user experiences contradicting that statement. I'm eager to do this myself if I travel again this year.
The primary thing you just need to do is have an international sim and also use one of the mentioned apps that adjusts your APNs.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! When you say 'international sim' do you mean just a sim from another country or do I have to ask for some specific type of sim card? Meaning, if I got to a Vodafone kiosk and get a prepaid sim card would it work?

skytbest said:
Thank you! When you say 'international sim' do you mean just a sim from another country or do I have to ask for some specific type of sim card? Meaning, if I got to a Vodafone kiosk and get a prepaid sim card would it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I mean a sim from another country.
From what I've read, that's pretty much what you do. You just pay for whichever plan you want then follow those steps in the link. I can't speak from experience so I'm useless there. Depending on the carrier and country, some folks seem to have gotten HSPA others have gotten 2G. I'd love to know what you're results were after your trip either here or in that thread.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Rooted and S-off... Will Verizon notice?

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.

T-Mobile not working with OPO

Hey everyone thanks for your help in advance... I just bought my phone and went to T-Mobile to get a new micro Sims card. After putting it in, the phone didn't recognize it. I put in the APN settings and it doesn't save it. This really sucks right now because I don't know what else to do. Any help will be greatly appreciated. And my phone isnt rooted yet, just want the stock for now. Thanks again

Is the sim activated? Sometimes on a new sim it takes a few hours to start working.
I was already on Tmo with an N5. I just moved the sim over and all was good.

NaterTots said:
Is the sim activated? Sometimes on a new sim it takes a few hours to start working.
I was already on Tmo with an N5. I just moved the sim over and all was good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he said. If OP has another phone that uses a MicroSIM, put the sim in that phone and see if it works.
Also did u insert the sim properly into its slot?

zephiK said:
What he said. If OP has another phone that uses a MicroSIM, put the sim in that phone and see if it works.
Also did u insert the sim properly into its slot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You Quoted the wrong post.

NaterTots said:
You Quoted the wrong post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually didn't. I agreeing with what you said and added onto your point.
I didn't mean the u to be directed to NaterTots but to the OP. Sorry for the confusion.

I screwed up and instead of using my old Sim card and cutting I went into T-Mobile and had them activate a new micro Sim card and put it straight in. The old one is deactivated.

The new micro Sim does work in my old gslaxy S2 phone which used an older big Sim card. Its now using a Sim adapter.

suaverc118 said:
I screwed up and instead of using my old Sim card and cutting I went into T-Mobile and had them activate a new micro Sim card and put it straight in. The old one is deactivated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you insert the SIM card in the right direction and not upside down? I know thats silly to ask.

to be honest its simple man and actually nothing you needed to make a thread about. Simple go to TMobile store and try an already active sim card. Go to AT&T and see if they can put an active sim card to help you out. Basically go to anywhere that works with a TMobile or AT&T derivative and try it out. Nothing really else we can do to help you on this.
Not try to be rude or anything but its the truth. If none of that works then you may have to RMA. Also maybe find a friend or family member and try their sim . Good luck :good:

Should work. Using my one plus with Solavei (t-mobile based company) and having no issues.
Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

zephiK said:
Did you insert the SIM card in the right direction and not upside down? I know thats silly to ask.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First time i've also put the tray wrong. True story

Just had this problem after coming from using the phone overseas and no signal whatsoever on the phone despite numerous restarts, SIM cleaning, and chats with T mobile. After verifying the APN was correct I went to Settings-->About Phone-->Status-->SIM Status and checked to see if the SIM was connected(it showed my phone number, but was disconnected). So from here went to Settings-->Mobile Networks-->Network Operators and let the phone find carriers automatically. Mine showed T-mobile(with a little SIM icon to the right of it), Verizon, and ATT. I clicked on T-Mobile and it registered and is now working.
Probably saved me $15 at the T-Mobile store. Hope this helps even just one of you.