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Sprint Activation

How does activation work once I get my device? I've never bought an unlocked phone. Do I just have to take it to a Sprint store? Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

that's a tough one. I might would have waited and bought it straight from Sprint. But you could try doing the activate new device feature online, if that doesn't work you could walk it in the store

Cheater912 said:
How does activation work once I get my device? I've never bought an unlocked phone. Do I just have to take it to a Sprint store? Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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I wasn't sure about this either so I'm going to have to wait until Nov 8th when sprint has them in stock. would assume all you would have to do is go into a sprint store and have them activate it for you. You most likely will have to purchase a sim card from them to be able to use any kind of data

Okay. Is it possible that my Galaxy S4 SIM card will work with it once activated?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/31/...release-date-november-8-t-mobile-coming-weeks
If you look down at the bottom of that article where it says "Update", they talk about a Sprint representative saying there there should be no problems activating devices purchased from the Google Play Store.

Cheater912 said:
Okay. Is it possible that my Galaxy S4 SIM card will work with it once activated?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Click to collapse
You can activate it online or in store. The SIM card is only for international use, but yes. You can move the SIM from the S4 to the N5.

jharre08 said:
The SIM card is only for international use, but yes. You can move the SIM from the S4 to the N5.
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Click to collapse
I thought the SIM card was for LTE service...

You'll probably be able to do it thru the website... Well i'm going to try once my N5 arrives.

sim is for Sprint LTE authentication and gsm/international roaming. I assume we will activate as usual.
the big question is if sprint is going to start allowing us to swap sims between devices rather then having to activate each time.

I am a manager at a sprint store. The only difference between the play store version and the one from sprint directly is that the play store one doesn't come with a Sim card that is needed to activate the phone on the sprint network. We were advised today that anyone purchasing the phone from the play store should be directed to a sprint service and repair center as they will have the cards needed to identify the device on the sprint network. Hope this helps!

cmucooper said:
I am a manager at a sprint store. The only difference between the play store version and the one from sprint directly is that the play store one doesn't come with a Sim card that is needed to activate the phone on the sprint network. We were advised today that anyone purchasing the phone from the play store should be directed to a sprint service and repair center as they will have the cards needed to identify the device on the sprint network. Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I'm going from another LTE Sprint phone to a Nexus 5. Would it be best to use the same sim card or get one at the Sprint store?

My understanding is that it is a special card for the Nexus 5 they will be in stores by 11-8 at the very latest.

cmucooper said:
I am a manager at a sprint store. The only difference between the play store version and the one from sprint directly is that the play store one doesn't come with a Sim card that is needed to activate the phone on the sprint network. We were advised today that anyone purchasing the phone from the play store should be directed to a sprint service and repair center as they will have the cards needed to identify the device on the sprint network. Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that actually really sucks. I don't want to have to hunt down a sim card just to activate my new phone.

look what i found.. http://newsroom.sprint.com/news-rel...-sprint-unlimited-data-guarantee-for-life.htm

P.Mobile said:
look what i found.. http://newsroom.sprint.com/news-rel...-sprint-unlimited-data-guarantee-for-life.htm
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Click to collapse
maybe I missed it but what does this have to do with activation?

lafester said:
maybe I missed it but what does this have to do with activation?
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well till i seen it from the sprint site i really didnt kno if sprint was gonna have the nex 5.. now i kno... all the other info was here say... not now... that made me happy to see that.. my guess is we get the phone we take it to the sprint store and they activate it.. im not worried anymore.. goodnite guys!! on to the next one 1

P.Mobile said:
well till i seen it from the sprint site i really didnt kno if sprint was gonna have the nex 5.. now i kno... all the other info was here say... not now... that made me happy to see that.. my guess is we get the phone we take it to the sprint store and they activate it.. im not worried anymore.. goodnite guys!! on to the next one 1
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gotcha.... I just don't see to many stores actually receiving these on time.

I'm thinking about switching to this from the S4. I'm not eligible for an upgrade. Do you know if Sprint would still let me trade my S4 in? If not, what's the best way to go about this? I'm not big into Craigslist.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Stores will get them just fine.
If you are looking to upgrade check with your local store and see what they can do for you. There is the 1 up program

mjs2011 said:
I'm thinking about switching to this from the S4. I'm not eligible for an upgrade. Do you know if Sprint would still let me trade my S4 in? If not, what's the best way to go about this? I'm not big into Craigslist.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I'm in the same boat with my evo lte... I doubt Sprint will let you trade if you're not eligible for an upgrade (or would at least make you renew), so I'm planning to just sell mine after I get the n5. Some people around here have vouched for Swappa and the evo lte is going for a decent price on there so that's probably what I'll do. Looks like you could get close to 400 for a Sprint s4 in good condition
http://swappa.com/buy/samsung-galaxy-s-4-sprint
Sent from my Evo LTE

[Q] How to activate on Sprint?

I am switching from AT&T to Sprint and I just purchased the Unlocked Nexus 5 on Google Play. What exactly do I have to do in order to activate my phone on the Sprint Network? I am used to just popping my SIM card into the new phone and it works but I know Sprint is a CDMA network and does not use SIM cards.
1. How do I get the phone activated on Sprint
2. Will it run just as good on Sprint as it would on AT&T? It will still work with LTE right?

jedinegotiator said:
I am switching from AT&T to Sprint and I just purchased the Unlocked Nexus 5 on Google Play. What exactly do I have to do in order to activate my phone on the Sprint Network? I am used to just popping my SIM card into the new phone and it works but I know Sprint is a CDMA network and does not use SIM cards.
1. How do I get the phone activated on Sprint
2. Will it run just as good on Sprint as it would on AT&T? It will still work with LTE right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint does not have a byod line as far as I know unless you are going prepaid. Nobody knows yet if any of the mvnos will activate the nexus 5. You could always get an Iphone or something on your new line and sell it to cover your nexus cost and then some.
For a new line it would be much easier just to buy from sprint for $49.
Coverage/LTE will depend on your area but yes it will work.

lafester said:
Sprint does not have a byod line as far as I know unless you are going prepaid. Nobody knows yet if any of the mvnos will activate the nexus 5. You could always get an Iphone or something on your new line and sell it to cover your nexus cost and then some.
For a new line it would be much easier just to buy from sprint for $49.
Coverage/LTE will depend on your area but yes it will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to this page the Unlocked version will work on Sprint:
http://www.ibtimes.com/nexus-5-release-date-unlocked-model-will-run-sprint-network-1452872
I probably will get an iPhone or something just to sell it since I will be able to get a new phone on contract pricing but I still need to know how to actually activate my Nexus when I get it. I was thinking about getting the $50 Nexus through Sprint but I am afraid if I do that I it will not be the exact same model. I don't want any Sprint bloatware on my phone and I don't want to get updates later than the rest. I also want to make sure the phone I get is heavily supported by developers. There is just too many unknowns on the Sprint model that I am scared to get it.
So anyway, do I just call Sprint to activate my device?

jedinegotiator said:
According to this page the Unlocked version will work on Sprint:
http://www.ibtimes.com/nexus-5-release-date-unlocked-model-will-run-sprint-network-1452872
I probably will get an iPhone or something just to sell it since I will be able to get a new phone on contract pricing but I still need to know how to actually activate my Nexus when I get it. I was thinking about getting the $50 Nexus through Sprint but I am afraid if I do that I it will not be the exact same model. I don't want any Sprint bloatware on my phone and I don't want to get updates later than the rest. I also want to make sure the phone I get is heavily supported by developers. There is just too many unknowns on the Sprint model that I am scared to get it.
So anyway, do I just call Sprint to activate my device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no 'sprint' model they are the same device. So to activate you will need to get a sim card from sprint and then you can either chat, call, use the online activation or go to the store to get set up.

lafester said:
There is no 'sprint' model they are the same device. So to activate you will need to get a sim card from sprint and then you can either chat, call, use the online activation or go to the store to get set up.
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Click to collapse
How do you get a sim without going to a store? I see no where online to order one.

jedinegotiator said:
According to this page the Unlocked version will work on Sprint:
http://www.ibtimes.com/nexus-5-release-date-unlocked-model-will-run-sprint-network-1452872
I probably will get an iPhone or something just to sell it since I will be able to get a new phone on contract pricing but I still need to know how to actually activate my Nexus when I get it. I was thinking about getting the $50 Nexus through Sprint but I am afraid if I do that I it will not be the exact same model. I don't want any Sprint bloatware on my phone and I don't want to get updates later than the rest. I also want to make sure the phone I get is heavily supported by developers. There is just too many unknowns on the Sprint model that I am scared to get it.
So anyway, do I just call Sprint to activate my device?
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Click to collapse
Solutions Etcetera said:
How do you get a sim without going to a store? I see no where online to order one.
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Click to collapse
To get a SIM, either go into the Sprint store. Or go online to the chat (you'll need an existing Sprint acct for this).
To activate, just call the big S and give them the info that they ask for

There's a thread going about this already that has some good info:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2507893
Sent from my Evo LTE

lafester said:
There is no 'sprint' model they are the same device. So to activate you will need to get a sim card from sprint and then you can either chat, call, use the online activation or go to the store to get set up.
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Click to collapse
So there is nothing different? No sprint bloatware? And is it unlocked?

jedinegotiator said:
So there is nothing different? No sprint bloatware? And is it unlocked?
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Click to collapse
Correct. There's one APK that all of the phones have though. Sprint Hidden Menu. I wouldn't consider it bloatware though.
Sent from my Nexus 7

Cheater912 said:
Correct. There's one APK that all of the phones have though. Sprint Hidden Menu. I wouldn't consider it bloatware though.
Sent from my Nexus 7
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Sorry but just to be clear, Sprint will sell an unlocked phone? Has that ever been done before? Do you have a source? Not to discredit you but it seems that I should just buy it from Sprint instead of Google Play if there is no real differences. I just want to be sure.

jedinegotiator said:
Sorry but just to be clear, Sprint will sell an unlocked phone? Has that ever been done before? Do you have a source? Not to discredit you but it seems that I should just buy it from Sprint instead of Google Play if there is no real differences. I just want to be sure.
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I don't have a source atm, but that's all I've heard around the forums. You need to start a 2 year contract to get the phone at their low price though ($50 I think?). They're selling an off-contract one for $400 too. Same device all around.
Sent from my Nexus 7

Cheater912 said:
Correct. There's one APK that all of the phones have though. Sprint Hidden Menu. I wouldn't consider it bloatware though.
Sent from my Nexus 7
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Click to collapse
So is it the sim card that creatures this apk? Because if you order it from the play store it obviously will not come with that apk.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

mjs2011 said:
So is it the sim card that creatures this apk? Because if you order it from the play store it obviously will not come with that apk.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I'm pretty certain it does come with it.
Sent from my Nexus 7

jedinegotiator said:
Sorry but just to be clear, Sprint will sell an unlocked phone? Has that ever been done before? Do you have a source? Not to discredit you but it seems that I should just buy it from Sprint instead of Google Play if there is no real differences. I just want to be sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the first time they have ever done it. This also means that the phone will be updated directly by google, with no carrier approvals/delays- which is also unprecedented for CDMA.
I myself am very surprised more people are not talking about this.

I stopped at a Sprint store today and asked about activating a phone bought from Google directly and they said it couldn't be done? Is that the case? I have about 5 months remaining on my contract with Sprint before I go on to another carrier.

mumbles202 said:
I stopped at a Sprint store today and asked about activating a phone bought from Google directly and they said it couldn't be done? Is that the case? I have about 5 months remaining on my contract with Sprint before I go on to another carrier.
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It's been confirmed that you can activate this phone on Sprint. The guys at the store didn't know what they were talking about.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

robber said:
This is the first time they have ever done it. This also means that the phone will be updated directly by google, with no carrier approvals/delays- which is also unprecedented for CDMA.
I myself am very surprised more people are not talking about this.
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Click to collapse
Yeah it seems like this would be big news. Its also the first sprint tri band phone to be released unless you count the few sprint g2s out in the wild.

mumbles202 said:
I stopped at a Sprint store today and asked about activating a phone bought from Google directly and they said it couldn't be done? Is that the case? I have about 5 months remaining on my contract with Sprint before I go on to another carrier.
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Good deal. Will order a SIM tomorrow. So 1 device, all 3 carriers? Perfect.
Tried chat last night, and then calling in today but getting the run around. Was told I had to go corporate repair store; called store and was told that they don't normally stock SIM cards and that they won't have a N5 compatible one for a while until there shipment of phones comes in. I have sero account but this is the first time it has been an issue getting service.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app

T-Mobile Nexus 5 won't work on Sprint

So I sold a Nexus 5 to someone my dad knows and for some reason it won't connect to sprint! They already paid me for the device.
I thought this device can work on all three major carriers and are all one model? Tried going to the store and they still couldn't activate it.
It does however detect the network but it just doesn't want to to connect at all. My T-mo card works on it and it has been factory reseted.
It's 16GB unlocked boot loader and not rooted with a stock recovery. Any ideas?
Edit: please don't tell me to tell them to switch carriers. It's their choice to be with sprint. I've read other threads with people jumping straight to that. :/
Sent from my Ñ£×Ú$ 5

Dragn4rce said:
So I sold a Nexus 5 to someone my dad knows and for some reason it won't connect to sprint! They already paid me for the device.
I thought this device can work on all three major carriers and are all one model? Tried going to the store and they still couldn't activate it.
It does however detect the network but it just doesn't want to to connect at all. My T-mo card works on it and it has been factory reseted.
It's 16GB unlocked boot loader and not rooted with a stock recovery. Any ideas?
Edit: please don't tell me to tell them to switch carriers. It's their choice to be with sprint. I've read other threads with people jumping straight to that. :/
Sent from my Ñ£×Ú$ 5
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Click to collapse
I think it is carrier locked when bought from a carrier. Only unlocked is from Google, but I am not 100% on this.

RIPng said:
I think it is carrier locked when bought from a carrier. Only unlocked is from Google, but I am not 100% on this.
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Click to collapse
All Nexus 5s are unlocked!

vin4yak said:
All Nexus 5s are unlocked!
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Click to collapse
Factory unlocked and carrier unlocked are two different things.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

RIPng said:
Factory unlocked and carrier unlocked are two different things.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Okay. I'll make myself clear.. All Nexus 5s are Factory and Carrier unlocked!

RIPng said:
Factory unlocked and carrier unlocked are two different things.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
No all nexus 5's are carrier unlocked. My device wouldn't work on Sprint period and that one is FROM Google themselves. The one I sold actually detects their networks.
Sent from my Ñ£×Ú$ 5

vin4yak said:
Okay. I'll make myself clear.. All Nexus 5s are Factory and Carrier unlocked!
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Click to collapse
Until the carrier locks it down because it's subsidized.
Dragn4rce said:
No all nexus 5's are carrier unlocked. My device wouldn't work on Sprint period and that one is FROM Google themselves. The one I sold actually detects their networks.
Sent from my Ñ£×Ú$ 5
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Click to collapse
That is like what Apple says about iPhones until the carrier locks them. You have a device issue then.
Have you tried with other carriers or than the two mentioned?

All nexus devices have never been carrier locked and would never be locked. That's why it's called a Nexus device. Carriers don't lock/alter the phone in any way after it's been already made clear that it will be Unlocked at the time of release.
@Dragn4rce: have you tried using a different Sprint Card on that device? Does it work? I've seen many issues with Nexus users who are on Sprint all over xda

Dragn4rce said:
No all nexus 5's are carrier unlocked. My device wouldn't work on Sprint period and that one is FROM Google themselves. The one I sold actually detects their networks.
Sent from my Ñ£×Ú$ 5
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it works on sprint fine if you buy it from google play. my friend's wife has one on sprint fine.
you need to put the sprint sim LTE sim in, factory reset and go through the setup process again.

Zepius said:
it works on sprint fine if you buy it from google play. my friend's wife has one on sprint fine.
you need to put the sprint sim LTE sim in, factory reset and go through the setup process again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here. on sprint, got my n5 from google play

RIPng said:
Until the carrier locks it down because it's subsidized.
That is like what Apple says about iPhones until the carrier locks them. You have a device issue then.
Have you tried with other carriers or than the two mentioned?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Att works too.
vin4yak said:
All nexus devices have never been carrier locked and would never be locked. That's why it's called a Nexus device. Carriers don't lock/alter the phone in any way after it's been already made clear that it will be Unlocked at the time of release.
@Dragn4rce: have you tried using a different Sprint Card on that device? Does it work? I've seen many issues with Nexus users who are on Sprint all over xda
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We used the old and they got a new. Still doesn't work they say.
Zepius said:
it works on sprint fine if you buy it from google play. my friend's wife has one on sprint fine.
you need to put the sprint sim LTE sim in, factory reset and go through the setup process again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We'll try a factory reset. Hoping that does it. My device is Google play and won't even work on our detect sprint So far.
The Tmo does detects it at least a d actually did say please wait for connection to be completed or somthing along those lines.
Sent from my Ñ£×Ú$ 5

Dragn4rce said:
We'll try a factory reset. Hoping that does it. My device is Google play and won't even work on our detect sprint So far.
The Tmo does detects it at least a d actually did say please wait for connection to be completed or somthing along those lines.
Sent from my Ñ£×Ú$ 5
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Click to collapse
you cant swap between them without the reset. there's something that gets stored for the CDMA network to be a priority, just dont remember what it is.
make sure the sprint LTE SIM is in the phone, and factory reset/flash factory images.

If the device was purchased from Google Play or from Sprint, it should work fine on the 3 major carriers in the US (just not Verizon).
But if the device was purchased from T-Mo, there is a possibility that it won't work on Sprint.
This has nothing to do with the device not being carrier unlocked or anything like that. It is simply because Sprint may not have that IMEI in their databases, and Sprint will not permit such a device (for which they don't have the IMEI in their databases) on their network.
I see that op indicated that the device was from Google Play. Can you ask Sprint why it is not working? (ask to check if device is blacklisted, or if IMEI is missing, or something else)

jj14 said:
If the device was purchased from Google Play or from Sprint, it should work fine on the 3 major carriers in the US (just not Verizon).
But if the device was purchased from T-Mo, there is a possibility that it won't work on Sprint.
This has nothing to do with the device not being carrier unlocked or anything like that. It is simply because Sprint may not have that IMEI in their databases, and Sprint will not permit such a device (for which they don't have the IMEI in their databases) on their network.
I see that op indicated that the device was from Google Play. Can you ask Sprint why it is not working? (ask to check if device is blacklisted, or if IMEI is missing, or something else)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's two devices I'm talking about. Mine is GP the one I sold is TMO. and that's what I'm really worried about. It not being in the system.
PS. Tmo device detects sprint. Mine doesn't
Sent from my Ñ£×Ú$ 5

Dragn4rce said:
There's two devices I'm talking about. Mine is GP the one I sold is TMO. and that's what I'm really worried about. It not being in the system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the device causing the problem was purchased from T-Mo, then it is very likely that Sprint may not have the IMEI in their system, which is causing the activation issue. Ask the store rep to verify that. If they confirm that is the issue, ask if they can add it (I doubt they can). If they can't, try Sprint phone support (again, I don't know if they will).

jj14 said:
If the device causing the problem was purchased from T-Mo, then it is very likely that Sprint may not have the IMEI in their system, which is causing the activation issue. Ask the store rep to verify that. If they confirm that is the issue, ask if they can add it (I doubt they can). If they can't, try Sprint phone support (again, I don't know if they will).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do Google play devices work then. Their IMEI didn't get added to sprint most likely.
Which BTW mine, the Google play version, didn't work with sprint at all. But the TMO version did actually detect sprint and offer an option to establish a connection (it failed after a few minutes).
Mine, the Google play, didn't offer monkey doodles about establishing a connection.
I hate CDMA carriers. Sooooo much. *sigh*
Sent from my Ñ£×Ú$ 5

Did the factory reset and that didn't work.
Sent from my Ñ£×Ú$ 5

Dragn4rce said:
Why do Google play devices work then. Their IMEI didn't get added to sprint most likely.
Which BTW mine, the Google play version, didn't work with sprint at all. But the TMO version did actually detect sprint and offer an option to establish a connection (it failed after a few minutes).
Mine, the Google play, didn't offer monkey doodles about establishing a connection.
I hate CDMA carriers. Sooooo much. *sigh*
Sent from my Ñ£×Ú$ 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, the ones purchased directly from Google Play do have their IMEI added to Sprint (funny thing - for the first few days after the Nexus 5 was made available from Google Play, the IMEI for the 32GB ones were not in Sprint's database, and those didn't get activated. Several escalations later, and about 1-2 days later, those got added, and users were finally able to get it activated on Sprint - read more here).
If your Google play one is not working with Sprint, you should get Google to look into it. That should not be an IMEI issue.

jj14 said:
Actually, the ones purchased directly from Google Play do have their IMEI added to Sprint (funny thing - for the first few days after the Nexus 5 was made available from Google Play, the IMEI for the 32GB ones were not in Sprint's database, and those didn't get activated. Several escalations later, and about 1-2 days later, those got added, and users were finally able to get it activated on Sprint - read more here).
If your Google play one is not working with Sprint, you should get Google to look into it. That should not be an IMEI issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont really care about mine, the fine
Google play version. I'm sticking to TMO no matter what.
But the one I sold, the TMO version, I need to get it to work. did the factory reset and still nothing.
But don't the TMO devices come from Google. I'm pretty sure they get added too once they're made sitting in Google's warehouse and then TMO orders them and ships it to the stores.
Sent from my Ñ£×Ú$ 5

Dragn4rce said:
I dont really care about mine, the fine
Google play version. I'm sticking to TMO no matter what.
But the one I sold, the TMO version, I need to get it to work. did the factory reset and still nothing.
But don't the TMO devices come from Google. I'm pretty sure they get added too once they're made sitting in Google's warehouse and then TMO orders them and ships it to the stores.
Sent from my Ñ£×Ú$ 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-mo devices likely do come from Google. That doesn't however mean that Sprint will have their IMEIs.
Do note that I neither work for Sprint, nor for Google (and not for T-Mo). I remember reading about this issue at s4gru and at some other sites. I don't know if that issue is still there, but you can check that by asking Sprint if the IMEI on your T-Mo nexus 5 is in their system or not.

T Mobile N5 used on Sprint network?

Going to buy my friends T Mobile N5 and would like to use it on Sprint network.
Ive researched this a little and I have seen people run into trouble, saying that Sprint wont activated it because it wasn't purchased from google or sprint.
All Nexus's from North America are the same from what I understand and should be able to be used on any carrier.
Anyone have any suggestions on whether this can be done?
Thanks

Yes, all you need is a Sprint sim card
sent from my HAMMERHEAD

More accurately, if your current LTE phone has a nano SIM, then you can simply pop it out, put it in your friend's Nexus 5 and it should work. The problem comes if you need a new SIM, or if your current SIM doesn't have LTE service assigned to it. In either of those cases, you'll need to contact Sprint either for a new SIM, or to activate LTE service. At that time, they may fight you, stating that the phone isn't supported. However, if you don't back down, ask for a supervisor, or try another store, eventually you will get a reasonable person.
Worst case, call the customer service line, and say that you got a Nexus 5 from Google, and need them to send you a new SIM card. They don't have to know you didn't actually buy it from Google. Again, it may take talking to a supervisor or even multiple calls, but eventually, you'll succeed.

iammrhappy123 said:
Going to buy my friends T Mobile N5 and would like to use it on Sprint network.
Ive researched this a little and I have seen people run into trouble, saying that Sprint wont activated it because it wasn't purchased from google or sprint.
All Nexus's from North America are the same from what I understand and should be able to be used on any carrier.
Anyone have any suggestions on whether this can be done?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) the NA nexus 5 cannot be used on any carrier. it cannot be used on verizon. the other 3 major carriers are fine (tmobile, sprint, and att)
2) sprint has to add the IMEI to their databases to allow the CDMA portion to connect to their network. This is how the auth the phone to make phone calls, etc. They have added the IMEI from google play devices, and obviously the ones they sell. They do not have a list of the IMEIs tmobile sells.

jt3 said:
More accurately, if your current LTE phone has a nano SIM, then you can simply pop it out, put it in your friend's Nexus 5 and it should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nexus 5 needs a Micro SIM. If you use a nano SIM, you will need an adapter
Zepius said:
2) sprint has to add the IMEI to their databases to allow the CDMA portion to connect to their network. This is how the auth the phone to make phone calls, etc. They have added the IMEI from google play devices, and obviously the ones they sell. They do not have a list of the IMEIs tmobile sells.
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That was the case till recently. Last week, I saw a Sprint store employee call customer care for a potential customer and supposedly get the IMEI added into the Sprint database for a N5 bought from T-mo. The customer had to provide invoice etc to show that he owned the device, but I think they were able to get it sorted out.
YMMV of course.

jj14 said:
The Nexus 5 needs a Micro SIM. If you use a nano SIM, you will need an adapter
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Duh. I knew that. I don't know why I said Nano. I came from a Galaxy S4 Active, and remember being happy that it still had a Micro SIM, the same as the N5. Thanks for the correction.
As for the IMEI issue, I guess when the OP said T-Mo Nexus 5, I thought Play Store N5 used on T-Mo. I didn't realize T-Mo was selling them directly, and thought only Sprint was doing that. (Play Store IMEIs are in Sprint's system.) My mistake. Still, I know that they can add IMEIs to their network, but it usually requires quite a battle. This is one of the key reasons I'm not on Sprint.

jt3 said:
Duh. I knew that. I don't know why I said Nano. I came from a Galaxy S4 Active, and remember being happy that it still had a Micro SIM, the same as the N5. Thanks for the correction.
As for the IMEI issue, I guess when the OP said T-Mo Nexus 5, I thought Play Store N5 used on T-Mo. I didn't realize T-Mo was selling them directly, and thought only Sprint was doing that. (Play Store IMEIs are in Sprint's system.) My mistake. Still, I know that they can add IMEIs to their network, but it usually requires quite a battle. This is one of the key reasons I'm not on Sprint.
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I hear ya, and totally agree - it is a pain to get them to do something that is not their normal process! I'm still with them, just because they have better coverage outside of cities than T-Mo. But I'm getting tired of their terrible data speeds, and eCFSB issues - ugh

Hey All!
Thanks for the replies! You all are very helpful. I wasn't expecting any replies haha.
I'm currently on Sprint iPhone 5 which uses a Micro Sim.
First time ever going to android, so I"m excited.
I just hope that when I call Sprint to activate the N5, they wont give me crap. And hopefully they add my IMEI to their network.
Or hopefully, when I just switch the SIM, it'll work off the bat lol.
Ill just keep being persistent at getting them to activate it if not.

Can't activate the US unlocked Note 10+ on Sprint

Anyone else with the US unlocked Note 10+ unable to activate on Sprint? Chat rep and corporate store are unable to and seem to be confounded. Their systems don't want to take the IMEI. No clue what's going on...

jygsaw said:
Anyone else with the US unlocked Note 10+ unable to activate on Sprint? Chat rep and corporate store are unable to and seem to be confounded. Their systems don't want to take the IMEI. No clue what's going on...
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Samsung hasn't given sprint the first batch of unlocked IMEI to Sprint yet. Probably a Verizon issue too. Ask sprint what they can do in tech to override and give them your IMEI. If not call Samsung support and demand they process the list.

Sprint techs say they can't do an override because "the phone is not compatible on our system". Trying with Samsung support now.

They told me to go get a new SIM card

zedwards said:
They told me to go get a new SIM card
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I have a feeling that the SIM isn't the issue. I have a new SIM and they still couldn't do anything. It's in Samsung's hands at this point.

jackdforme said:
Samsung hasn't given sprint the first batch of unlocked IMEI to Sprint yet. Probably a Verizon issue too. Ask sprint what they can do in tech to override and give them your IMEI. If not call Samsung support and demand they process the list.
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Just chewed out a Samsung rep. It's funny because they tried to not take the blame on this. "Oh, we don't know that the IMEIs are the problem". Basically... They said try again tomorrow and keep trying til it works.

I got it working! Someone on reddit is helping out Sprint customers! Hope this allowed to post. Check it out over here if you're having trouble:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Sprint/comments/ctki52/galaxy_note_10/

jygsaw said:
I got it working! Someone on reddit is helping out Sprint customers! Hope this allowed to post. Check it out over here if you're having trouble:
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Update from the Reddit thread as of 14 min agao
We are holding off doing it manually for now Samsung is in the process of sending their data feed and they have to remove any IMEIs that we add manually before they submit it.
If you can wait please, I’ll update you when it is done.
They are being loaded now by the OEM but this will take some hours and will need to validate once it is done.

That's the one thing I like better about Att over sprint and Verizon... easy sim swap