[Q] Question about moving Sim Cards and Carriers W/ N5 - Nexus 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Right now i have my N5 up and running on AT&T'S Mobile share 4gb plan. Works awesome, But im looking at over $100/ Month. My question is this, I purchased a T mobile Sim starter Kit and i was thinking to try the $70 Unlimited plan, But my biggest concern is speed and coverage.
What would happen if i took my att sim out of my n5, Then set up t mobiles sim and plan on the N5 and tried it out and it doesn't work (Coverage isn't good). Does this cancel my att plan and what not? Can i simply put my att sim back in and go on with what i had before?
Thanks in advance!
FREE Spigen Slim armor case to whoever solves my concern!

You have the freedom to swap Sim cards at will. Taking your Sim out doesn't cancel your service.
Sent from my C6906 using xda app-developers app

Only way to cancel your service is if you either call in and cancel the line or port out your number.
Sent from my AOSP on Flo using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
---------- Post added at 07:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:10 AM ----------
Also T-Mobile does have a roaming agreement with at&t.
Sent from my AOSP on Flo using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

If i like T Mobiles service and want to stick with it, Can i port my # from att even tho i set up a new # with T Mobile?

Changing Sim cards doesn't affect you service at all. I use google voice as my primary number, so I change Sim cards all the time. That means that I never have to port my number anywhere.
Although AT&T usually has better coverage, T-Mobile generally has better non-LTE speeds. This is a valuable fact to look at, especially when you realize that LTE consumes more battery power. That and the fact that T-Mobile has a much bigger data allowance (unlimited), means that I tend to switch to them several times a year.
One advantage you'll get from using the carriers, and not their MVNOs, is that you automatically get their data APN settings.
Go to settings/wireless and networks/mobile networks/ access point names , and check that you are using the proper APN.
Also, you may have mobile data turned off.
PS, the roaming agreement may not include data roaming, as that costs companies the most money, so you shouldn't assume that you will depend on ATT roaming.
The case will work perfectly on my white 16gb nexus 5. I actually had one in my amazon shopping cart
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Related

Inspire on prepaid?

Infuse owner here asking this for a friend. Can a inspire be unlocked to work with a att gophone simcard? If so are there any data limitations? Thanks
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
Did some research and it appears it will work but inorder to have data ill have to root it, and its only on edge. So after I root it what do I have to do next?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
I don't have exact answers per se, but as an AT&T Mobility employee I have some advice and some warnings.
Advice: It would be much better to get a "4G" SIM instead of the GoPhone one, just in case this causes any issues.
When you go activate the SIM, take another, non-smartphone, phone with you and say that that's what you will use. We will put the non-smartphone IMEI in the system and it will allow you to get the $50 unlimited talk,text, and web.
Once you have the "4G" SIM activated, and the non-smartphone IMEI registered, put the SIM in the Inspire. Now, the seemingly difficult part.
Warning: You MUST find the APN settings for our feature phones somewhere, if you can't, I will try to find them for you. The reasoning behind this is that more then likely the "web" included on the $50 package is only one the feature phone APN, instead of the smartphone one.
Secondly, don't be surprised if one day you stop having internet connectivity. As we do with our postpaid customers, we also have a system for prepaid that sweeps every IMEI used and applies (or in your case, removes) the appropriate data packages.
I know that our prepaid data packages are a ripoff, but this is one way to do it, if only temporarily.
P.S. Where did you hear it would only be EDGE? That seems incorrect to me.
Bronk93 said:
Did some research and it appears it will work but inorder to have data ill have to root it, and its only on edge. So after I root it what do I have to do next?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look up H2O its a prepaid service that uses at&t towers and band so you don't have to unlock the phone and its 60$ a month for unlimited talk text and web
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Bronk93 said:
Did some research and it appears it will work but inorder to have data ill have to root it, and its only on edge. So after I root it what do I have to do next?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The inspire will work ina go phone similar card as it is what I run mine one. Data speeds are the same but cost more in the long run.
danielsaenz said:
I don't have exact answers per se, but as an AT&T Mobility employee I have some advice and some warnings.
Advice: It would be much better to get a "4G" SIM instead of the GoPhone one, just in case this causes any issues.
When you go activate the SIM, take another, non-smartphone, phone with you and say that that's what you will use. We will put the non-smartphone IMEI in the system and it will allow you to get the $50 unlimited talk,text, and web.
Once you have the "4G" SIM activated, and the non-smartphone IMEI registered, put the SIM in the Inspire. Now, the seemingly difficult part.
Warning: You MUST find the APN settings for our feature phones somewhere, if you can't, I will try to find them for you. The reasoning behind this is that more then likely the "web" included on the $50 package is only one the feature phone APN, instead of the smartphone one.
Secondly, don't be surprised if one day you stop having internet connectivity. As we do with our postpaid customers, we also have a system for prepaid that sweeps every IMEI used and applies (or in your case, removes) the appropriate data packages.
I know that our prepaid data packages are a ripoff, but this is one way to do it, if only temporarily.
P.S. Where did you hear it would only be EDGE? That seems incorrect to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I am understanding this right, the phone must be rooted, and the APN needs to be changed to reflect a featured phone data plan instead of the smartphone data plan that the droid is expecting to use. Along with using a 4G simcard, that should be it right? The apn settings are all over the internet, i just read them, its like wap.cingular.com or something, but whats this sweeping system you speak of, does it compare the sim card over the air to the imei its 'registered with' opposed to the imei of the phone its installed in?
twizt3d said:
So if I am understanding this right, the phone must be rooted, and the APN needs to be changed to reflect a featured phone data plan instead of the smartphone data plan that the droid is expecting to use. Along with using a 4G simcard, that should be it right? The apn settings are all over the internet, i just read them, its like wap.cingular.com or something, but whats this sweeping system you speak of, does it compare the sim card over the air to the imei its 'registered with' opposed to the imei of the phone its installed in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will work just fine stock. I have been running prepaid for awhile now and have not had a single issue. The apns will set on their own to the proper ones once you insert your similar card.
And they are right att dies sweep the IMEI but it doesn't matter as I gave reps my IMEI when I got the inspire and swapped my account from my old captivate. Also I font use a data plan as I am normally around wifi at all times. The only backdraw is if you have less then $5 on your account the data won't connect. ATT can't stop you from having any phone you want on prepaid. They tried with the IPhone and a lawsuite ended that.
go with h20..no contract means no problem
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
jmollabi said:
go with h20..no contract means no problem
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Except, data speeds are kinda slow and the "Unlimited Data" on the $60/Mo plan is actually capped at 3GB..
so what happens after you reach the "cap"
Bronk93 said:
Infuse owner here asking this for a friend. Can a inspire be unlocked to work with a att gophone simcard? If so are there any data limitations? Thanks
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im actually using an Inspire via GoPhone. I have been for a few months. I just went to a local att store and simply bought a simcard, some airtime, and activated that sim card, popped it in and voila! I dont recommend buying a cheap GoPhone and using the sim out of that because recently, att decide to start locking the sim that comes with that phone to that specific phone. I made that mistake the first time and found it out the hard way.
I only have the $25/mo plan and i buy a $25 data package when needed. I dont use a lot of data, since I have wifi available most of the time.
throttle
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Works good with prepaid just had to put apn in manually to get data working other than that perfect .
sent from my juiced up Atrix
Bronk93 said:
Did some research and it appears it will work but inorder to have data ill have to root it, and its only on edge. So after I root it what do I have to do next?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You did horrible research.
Sent from my HTC Inspire 4G using XDA App

Should I get the 3G version?

Even tho I have T-Mobile?
Sent from my GT-N8013 using XDA Premium HD app
If u have the classic plan unlimited data for tmo is 30. If u have the value plan its 20. Its suppose to be TRUE unlimited.
So if u have a smart phone already(I have the sg2) can simply tether(share) mobile data from ur phone to ur tablet. Saves u $$150!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Shop around, however I'm in Australia.
I pay $12. Monthly, no contract, for 1.5GB data, $500 worth of calls a month.
I think 3G is the way to go, otherwise if I wanted something light and portable, I'd just get an ultrabook.
My Note cost me 599. AUD, 16gb 3G version.
Sent from my GT-N8000 using xda premium
In Australia it's a no-brainer as you can get a pre-paid sim from just about anywhere (even the local 7-Eleven) and still get great low data rates with no contract.
I can get top-ups that are valid for 365 days - great for low usage or letting your use change a lot from month to month - but it's still only $15/GB - which in Australia is decent.
As for whether you can just wifi-tether with your phone, well you could but to me that is just that little bit extra hassle - tempting me to use the tablet less. To look something up on the tablet would mean pulling two devices out - one from your pocket and one from your bag - and it'd be easier just to use your phone instead. It'd probably mean I'd be tempted to use the tablet a bit less.
Buy 3G. Tethering will kill the phone quickly and you will be left with nada
my only concern is if i get the the 8000 will it work with my t mobile SIM card? Like make call send text/MMS and 3G not EDGE ?
You would have to compare the frequencies that work in the states for AT&T and what the note 10.1 uses...
I know Telstra here in Oz has decided to go their own way with 4g making ANY 4G phone I buy here COMPLETELY incompatible in any other country and any 4G phone I can buy less overseas won't work on Telstra's network at 4G speeds...
nightfox11 said:
my only concern is if i get the the 8000 will it work with my t mobile SIM card? Like make call send text/MMS and 3G not EDGE ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are on AT&T you will get HSPA+, no problem.
References:
http://www.att.com/network/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_HSPA+_networks

Still under contract but new phone

I bought skyrocket in june 2012 2 year contract, but i have unlocked no contract i777 phone for use with at&t can i put my sim card from my skyrocket and data,call,text plan on the i777 for free? Or do i have to pay or "hidden fees crap.
I don't see why not. Its not like you're moving from an old blackberry to an android. This would then complicate things because blackberry plans are specialized in how they use blackberry servers to retrieve email by text (thus the instantaneous notification without the battery drain). But I digress.
Simple answer yes, with no "hidden fees" lol
I agree. I don't thnk AT&T cares what specific device you have. Just regular phone, smartphone or blackberry. I've swapped my SIM card between devices before and it was fine. Hopefully you'll have the same experience.
ok so i can swap sim+ plans to i777/ my mom has iphone 3gs under contract still october 2011, if i put my plans in i777 can my mom put her sim card and plans into my skyrocket with no hidden fees/pay to use crap? Also, BONUS QUESTION which one is better for gaming i777 or ipod touch 5g?
Ive swapped sims on AT&T...from my Captivate. ..Infuse...Skyrocket...Iphone 4S...no fees just swap n go
Sent from my BadA$$ S4
If i buy unlocked phone can i MANUALLY put sim card in it and when sim is in phone will it call/text/ activate 3g 4g or do i need to go to AT&T * which i hate* for them to activate those features?
ian619420 said:
If i buy unlocked phone can i MANUALLY put sim card in it and when sim is in phone will it call/text/ activate 3g 4g or do i need to go to AT&T * which i hate* for them to activate those features?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Threads a little old, but thanks for not starting a new one. Yes you can put the sim in. And no they can activate it remotely. You might have to call them.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
So if I want to activate call text data 3g 4g I HAVE to COMMUNICATE with AT&T?
ian619420 said:
So if I want to activate call text data 3g 4g I HAVE to COMMUNICATE with AT&T?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe. You might be able to just insert the sim and be good to go. But if it doesn't work then you may have to call to have them activate it. Good luck to you.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
As long as the sim was from an active phone/account. It will work just fine in an unlocked phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
You mentioned an unlocked phone, but from which carrier? It is a good rule of thumb that, if it's not an AT&T phone, it might not be capable of receiving all of the AT&T frequencies. (LTE, 4g, 3g ....).
A current sim card will allow a phone acess to AT&T's network. Sims are swappable, the phone you are using will be bound to the bands (frequencies) the internal radio is programmed to use. I suggest, a person wanting to use an unlocked phone, in any carriers network to first research (Google) the phone specs, and your network, to see if they are compatible. Their are several carriers that share the same bandwidth, but some only share some bands. Like AT&T shares some bands with T-Mobile but not all (LTE).
I hope this helps anybody with the decision on which phone it's capable of working on any given network.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA Premium HD app

AT&T Micro SIM?

First let me start this post by explaining my situation.....
I am on my parents AT&T family plan as a $10 add on dumb phone. Previously I have been using other networks (T-Mobile) smart phones to get around having to pay for a data plan. This has worked for the last several years but I have just now upgraded to a phone with a micro SIM (Nexus 5 if course).
Now to the real reason I am posting...
Will AT&T give me a micro SIM without a smart phone plan? I'm not quite sure, but I am fairly certain micro SIMs are only in smart phones. So logically they would require a data plan to get a micro SIM. I have already cut my regular sized SIM to fit, but I botched the cut a little and while it works I'm afraid it may end up falling into if the tray and getting stuck inside the phone.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I wouldn't worry about it falling into the phone. The tray should keep it where it should be. But you can always go to the at&t store and ask. Just don't give them your name and number until you know they won't charge you. Otherwise you could ask for a new Sim card and try the cut again.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Since AT&T doesn't have a full IMEI listing of Google's Nexus 5 in their databases, it' unlikely that they care or would bother to check - you just won't have access to mobile data - roaming or "home" since the account or line isn't provisioned for it - I used to have a line on Gophone but now keeping one on T-Mo's PAYG only, and, T-Mo doesn't recognize or "identify" it as a Nexus 5 under "My Account" - I just get redirected to the Data Plan web page to sign up or switch plan. WiFi on the N5 functioning well & I'm using Talkatone to call out while sitting in the living room.
Can you request a new micro-Sim over the telephone & switch your line to it instead of making a trip to the store, have your "folks" call - if necessary, you can pop the new micro-Sim into an full-size Sim adapater, and get it activated/working on a "non-smart" or dumb phone first. Then, move it to the N5 to use - those of us with multiple GSM unlocked phones do the moving around all the time and AT&T WS really never give me any hassle, you just won't have access to unpaid for Mobile Data, whether it's 4G LTE, 3G/HSPA or + or 2G/Edge, etc. etc.
Or if your current Sim is truly screwed, order a Sim cutter online, bring an old dumb phone to the store and ask for a new regular Sim and then cut it using the Sim cutter they are less than $5 and they are really easy to use. I've cut quite a few without any issues
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
mlopes1988 said:
I wouldn't worry about it falling into the phone. The tray should keep it where it should be. But you can always go to the at&t store and ask. Just don't give them your name and number until you know they won't charge you. Otherwise you could ask for a new Sim card and try the cut again.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You sure? When I went I asked about that and he said the nexus 5 imei showed up in the database.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
sluflyer06 said:
You sure? When I went I asked about that and he said the nexus 5 imei showed up in the database.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know personally since I use LTE. But from what I hear the imei doesn't register. I would take anything the store says with a grain of salt. They want to charge you more if they can.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
nexus 4 was detected by at&t
nexus 5 will be as well, especially since it'll be sold by t-mobile (t-mobile phones are detected on at&t, the two carriers probably share IMEI lists)
some people have luck by first adding a data block (no MMS though) on the line while using a dumbphone, then switching SIMs (but you'll need to keep that data block)
I don't think they share lists. I have been using a LG G2X for the last three years without them detecting it. Even when they did detect a smart phone (used a HTC inspire for a while) I just popped my SIM in my old flip phone called them up, gave them imei from the dumb phone and had the data plan dropped.
Sounds like I just need to go to an AT&T store and try my luck. Think I will stick my SIM in my old phone before I go.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
If u don't want to ask for a new Sim just cut your dumb phone full size down to a micro (see YouTube). Whether they change your plan is a gamble based in on the imei. Since they do not sell the n5 like tmo and sprint then chances are it's not on their list as a smart phone.
RubiconJoey said:
I don't think they share lists. I have been using a LG G2X for the last three years without them detecting it. Even when they did detect a smart phone (used a HTC inspire for a while) I just popped my SIM in my old flip phone called them up, gave them imei from the dumb phone and had the data plan dropped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
go read this thread. a lot of t-mobile phones are detected... those who aren't are either lucky or didn't get caught in the sweeps
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1446373

Porting number to aio from st

So I've had st since n5 release and I'm fed up and switching.
Anyway during the aio checkout. I entered my account number and pin and last four of social. And they billed me and its processing.
Now.. I hear nightmares of people having to call st to authorize a port. Which sounds like a major pain.
Will aio still ship my stuff to me and I can figure out the port and stuff when I'm trying to activate my new service and sim?
Or do you think they'll reject my order?... And refund me :/
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Are you switching from an AT&T Sim on net10 to AIO? I ask because ports only work when your actually switching carriers for instance T-Mobile ST to AIO.
Otherwise AT&T has to handle it internally which can be a real mess.
Switching mvno but staying with the same carrier can be a really pita.
Otherwise it should be fine, I switch and port quite often.
It should be noted that if your frustration with ST is Latency and data issues your unlikely to be happier with AIO. they actually throttle the data about the same , latency is the same and they also limit your maximum speed. If you want better latency on prepaid AT&T you pretty much have to go to go phone.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 11:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:16 PM ----------
I'd it's an actual port and your have the right information acct # and password I've never had to call the company I'm porting from. I just ported from Net10 (same company) AT&T to MetroPCS this week
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

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