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Hey guys. This should be a relatively easy one for some of the people here I think.
I recently bought a Verizon GS3, the i535. I'm in Canada, and was unaware this phone did not access the 3g/4g/lte bands here.
Quick question: I have my phone rooted and I'm looking at installing custom roms. I've been lead to believe some roms can unlock the bands that I need on this phone. Is this true?
I have obviously tried searching but the results always come up with EVERYTHING lol. I would just like a clear decisive answer, from someone who has possibly done it?
Ok so maybe it's not an easy one? ...
btw there are way too many image verifications on this forum, holy moly lol
2KXJ said:
Ok so maybe it's not an easy one? ...
btw there are way too many image verifications on this forum, holy moly lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A rom will not change any of those settings, the best you're going to get is probably edge data, but 3g is possible under some circumstances.
Are you on Verizon's network? If not you're going to have to change the apn to get it to work on your carrier.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
No I'm not with Verizon. I'm not even in the US lol.
I bought a phone stupidly and believe I am now paying for it. The phone technically has all the bands and settings. You can do the #*2263# thing and get into options to select / "force" them...but they just dont take or something?
I only have edge connectivity right now, you are correct.
This whole APN thing is very confusing or I'm very stupid. I"ve entered my carrier, Fido's APN settings and it does nothing because the phone isnt using the correct bands.
The Verizon phone is technically an international, or global phone whatever you wanna call it. in the hidden menus of the phone there is a place where you can manually select the CMDA, GSM and LTE frequencies.
Does this not mean that the phone -has- these frequencies and that its just something Verizon has done to keep the phone on THEIR network?
2KXJ said:
The Verizon phone is technically an international, or global phone whatever you wanna call it. in the hidden menus of the phone there is a place where you can manually select the CMDA, GSM and LTE frequencies.
Does this not mean that the phone -has- these frequencies and that its just something Verizon has done to keep the phone on THEIR network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theoretically it should be able to work, but the development for that feature never took off and all the bands weren't unlocked for all carriers. But changing your apn might enable a band you need for your specific carrier to give you 3g data.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1809314
This might work, and the simplified method might open a band that you need.
Edit: and yes, locking down other bands is Verizon's way of keeping it on their carrier. You can pay them a hefty fee to unlock the band you need if you're traveling, but this isn't really an option for you. There's a bounty thread trying to unlock these bands in the general section, but it's pretty much dead nowadays because most of the devs capable of figuring it out are on newer phones.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
I have found both of these threads mentioned. The bounty thread was very interesting, but unfortunately came to an end.
Every other option I've read is installing 16 apps, 1000 people saying "how do i do this??", and one guy saying "i did it"
I think i'm just going to sell this thing...
BadUsername said:
Theoretically it should be able to work, but the development for that feature never took off and all the bands weren't unlocked for all carriers. But changing your apn might enable a band you need for your specific carrier to give you 3g data.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1809314
This might work, and the simplified method might open a band that you need.
Edit: and yes, locking down other bands is Verizon's way of keeping it on their carrier. You can pay them a hefty fee to unlock the band you need if you're traveling, but this isn't really an option for you. There's a bounty thread trying to unlock these bands in the general section, but it's pretty much dead nowadays because most of the devs capable of figuring it out are on newer phones.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2KXJ said:
I have found both of these threads mentioned. The bounty thread was very interesting, but unfortunately came to an end.
Every other option I've read is installing 16 apps, 1000 people saying "how do i do this??", and one guy saying "i did it"
I think i'm just going to sell this thing...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, yes basically that's what that entire thread says, but the basis of it is converting an apn manager to a system app. That will allow you to make an apn stick, which should force enable the bands you weren't able to get working in the first place.
Selling the phone isn't a bad idea either, then you can do a little more research and find something that might give you 4G signal. There's no way you're getting anything that good with this phone.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Well when you say that you make it seem so easy LOL. I've had the same blackberry for four years and just 3 days ago bought this S3. I had no idea companies would still be doing this locking bands nonsense. If I do sell the phone, anyone I sell it to will just be in the same boat I am right now... and theres no way I can sell this things to an American for what I paid for it.
Sigh
BadUsername said:
Haha, yes basically that's what that entire thread says, but the basis of it is converting an apn manager to a system app. That will allow you to make an apn stick, which should force enable the bands you weren't able to get working in the first place.
Selling the phone isn't a bad idea either, then you can do a little more research and find something that might give you 4G signal. There's no way you're getting anything that good with this phone.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another thing that is very confusing to me is a lot of people are posting that they need APN manager to be able to edit APN settings. My phone allowed me to do that out of the box, and like I mentioned, I was able to add my carriers APN stuff, but only get 2G speed.
2KXJ said:
Another thing that is very confusing to me is a lot of people are posting that they need APN manager to be able to edit APN settings. My phone allowed me to do that out of the box, and like I mentioned, I was able to add my carriers APN stuff, but only get 2G speed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Somebody will take it, if it's brand new then $400 isn't unreasonable. You'd do better with the i9300 model.
Any phone tied into a carrier is going to have issues like that, but I'd look into either getting the international versions of phones, or possibly a nexus 5 if it works on your carrier. That phone looks pretty amazing.
Again, trying those settings wouldn't hurt anything and might give you what you're looking for, post 108 has the simplified procedure in only like 5 steps.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
BadUsername said:
Somebody will take it, if it's brand new then $400 isn't unreasonable. You'd do better with the i9300 model.
Any phone tied into a carrier is going to have issues like that, but I'd look into either getting the international versions of phones, or possibly a nexus 5 if it works on your carrier. That phone looks pretty amazing.
Again, trying those settings wouldn't hurt anything and might give you what you're looking for, post 108 has the simplified procedure in only like 5 steps.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found that post, and read a few following pages and there didnt seem to be any input. Its almost like no one saw his post. I did go into my phone, and all of those settings are there. The GS3 they dole out up here is the i747.
This things could go for upwards of $400 in the states? I only paid 315 up here, and it had all the protective stickers and nothings been opened lol.
Well I bricked the phone playing around with it...
Installed CWM for some reason, cant remember why. First thing I click was backup current rom, phone rebooted and now says software not authorized by verizon. I hope some of you more mentally capable folk out there find some comedy in my errors, because I have no clue what im doing
[I'd like to create a thread to collect information for all variants of the R530. I'll update this first post with additional information people give during discussion. Sorry it is here in the Verizon sub, but this is the closest model]
The SCH-R530 is a special flavor of the Samsung Galaxy S3 with sub-favors: (you should probably puke now)
SCH-R530U is a US Cellular variant
SCH-R530C is a Cricket variant
SCH-R530M is a MetroPCS variant
SCH-R530X is a Generic variant
I suspect these are all the same hardware, but just different ROMs. I would like to confirm this.
I would like to know and post the newest firmware versions for each. (at least the names, if not the ROM files themselves) I'd like to know if ROMs are compatible, if modem firmwares are compatible, if bootloaders are compatible. The small community of owners need to pull together as much as possible.
Model -- Hardware Version / Firmware Versions / Baseband
SCH-R530U --
SCH-R530C --
SCH-R530M --
SCH-R530X -- R530X.01 / JSS15J.R530XWWUBMK4 / R530XWWUBMK4
Please post if you can add to this information!
I'm working on my dad's SCH-R530X (Generic CDMA). It was on a regional CDMA provider that he was not happy with -- he paid $500 to them in January for the phone. Edit: Today, he's on PagePlus, but without data for some reason.
Concerns (that someone may be able to help me with):
Once you go to KK 4.4 you can not go back? Your bootloader is updated and will not boot 4.3?
I'm running 4.3, can I root -> replace recovery -> custom ROM ... without tripping the KNOX warranty void? I've read that saferoot will not trip KNOX?
This phone seems to have an odd Call Audio Quality problem. While listening during a phone call (on the R530), the other party's voice cuts out. Specifically, it cuts out when the other person isn't speaking in their mic close enough or loud enough. It's as if the R530 is filtering out anything under a certain volume level. I've turned off Call Equalizer and Noise Reduction to try to solve this problem. I believe I've read people say a firmware/ROM update from US Cellular fixed this problem.
So you can see, I have some constraints: Still in warranty and don't want to void it by tripping KNOX. Want to try a newer firmware for call audio problem. Don't want to brick phone with incompatible firmware, unless US Cellular will work on this X/Generic phone.
Help would be appreciated.
I do have the USC and Cricket variants but the USC version is soft bricked.
HW: R530C.01
Firmware: JSS15J.R530CVVUCMK3
Baseband: R530CVVUCMK3
Also fyi, this and the USC version requires a sim card.
motoyola said:
I do have the USC and Cricket variants but the USC version is soft bricked.
HW: R530C.01
Firmware: JSS15J.R530CVVUCMK3
Baseband: R530CVVUCMK3
Also fyi, this and the USC version requires a sim card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks... I'll add the info. I think I'll make a spot to record if it has a SIM slot too -- as my 530X does not have a SIM slot and was labeled with a little sticker "3G CDMA"... but the MEID starts with a "9" and LTE visible in DFS.
syserr said:
Thanks... I'll add the info. I think I'll make a spot to record if it has a SIM slot too -- as my 530X does not have a SIM slot and was labeled with a little sticker "3G CDMA"... but the MEID starts with a "9" and LTE visible in DFS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a regional version of the s3 as well, d2xar (sch-r530x) on Inland Cellular, primarily based in the north west US. as far as i can tell, i havent dissasembled my phone to see if there is a lte radio, in the original build.prop for my phone it is disabled on boot so it will not consume power since it is not being used. thus the 3g cdma only sticker. for the us cellular version i do not know if there is a kitkat firmware but if there is there is always the possiblity you will not beable to go back. as for the generic version it is only on 4.3 right now. eitherway the higher the bootloader version is better for customroms due to recoveries and features working better. as for saferoot i dont remember if it trips the warranty bit or not since ive long since written a custom recover to the device which tripped it but i do know itll make the stock rom list itself as custom in the settings after being rooted. also something to keep in mind with a custom rom is, unless you have the apns for your carrier eg, pageplus, usc, ect. you will not have mms capabilities. Im still tearing my build.prop and apn back up apart to see if i can include some of that info into a custom rom to fix mms, or a recovery that will inject it after a rom flash.
Update?
Lrs121 said:
I have a regional version of the s3 as well, d2xar (sch-r530x) on Inland Cellular, primarily based in the north west US. as far as i can tell, i havent dissasembled my phone to see if there is a lte radio, in the original build.prop for my phone it is disabled on boot so it will not consume power since it is not being used. thus the 3g cdma only sticker. for the us cellular version i do not know if there is a kitkat firmware but if there is there is always the possiblity you will not beable to go back. as for the generic version it is only on 4.3 right now. eitherway the higher the bootloader version is better for customroms due to recoveries and features working better. as for saferoot i dont remember if it trips the warranty bit or not since ive long since written a custom recover to the device which tripped it but i do know itll make the stock rom list itself as custom in the settings after being rooted. also something to keep in mind with a custom rom is, unless you have the apns for your carrier eg, pageplus, usc, ect. you will not have mms capabilities. Im still tearing my build.prop and apn back up apart to see if i can include some of that info into a custom rom to fix mms, or a recovery that will inject it after a rom flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any update to this? I have the sticker too and it'd be great to have LTE on since this phone supports it, it seems. I've made this post
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/general/s3-d2xar-cdma-how-to-set-straight-talk-t3012846
uplusion23 said:
Any update to this? I have the sticker too and it'd be great to have LTE on since this phone supports it, it seems. I've made this post
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/general/s3-d2xar-cdma-how-to-set-straight-talk-t3012846
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Last I checked there was a bug with the d2lte builds that break the ability to set apns... I made a cm10.2, I think, build that allowed changing the APN. Um if I remember right the physical design of the d2xar has hardware similar to the Verizon s3. I still don't know if there is an lte modem in the phone since there doesnt seem to be a sim card slot, though there maybe an integrated uicc. I haven't played with it much since I switched to using my nexus 5 on T-Mobile.
Lrs121 said:
Last I checked there was a bug with the d2lte builds that break the ability to set apns... I made a cm10.2, I think, build that allowed changing the APN. Um if I remember right the physical design of the d2xar has hardware similar to the Verizon s3. I still don't know if there is an lte modem in the phone since there doesnt seem to be a sim card slot, though there maybe an integrated uicc. I haven't played with it much since I switched to using my nexus 5 on T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got to the service mode settings, which oddly enough it listed GSM and CDMA. Quite weird. To get there was even weirder. Sadly the D2xar doesn't support TWRP Recovery, and the only one that works is CWM by Philz.
uplusion23 said:
I got to the service mode settings, which oddly enough it listed GSM and CDMA. Quite weird. To get there was even weirder. Sadly the D2xar doesn't support TWRP Recovery, and the only one that works is CWM by Philz.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yah I noticed that to when I was digging around for apns for my old carrier. As for twrp I got around that problem by building my own version using cyanogenmod and the d2lte device files. It made cyanogenmod delta updates possible on the d2lte build. Which are really nice. My source is floating around github, though you'd have to do a little digging to find everything. I do have precompiled twrp images on my webserver that I try to keep up to date for my friend who's brother has the same phone. If you go to my site its safe to ignore the certificate warnings, I have it set to force HTTPS and the reason the warning pops up is because I self signed it instead of paying for a company like verisign
Sorry for my superbly late reply. I've done a ton of digging with this phone. Turns out it only supports Evdo. So no LTE sadly. Even worse, using the Test Menu I can't bands to USA bands, only the (800 or 850?) Hz Global band. I can't get a connection. Well. The bars are listed as 2-3 generally, but it says "Roaming Indicator Off". I have the latest and only baseband, too.
(Wow. After two months of fiddling, as of typing this, I turned on cellular service, which is usually in Airplane mode, I got a " 3G" connection for the first time. Only for a second.)
I don't think I'll be able to switch this over to Straight Talk any time soon, though. I'll check your GitHub soon for that TWRP.
---------- Post added at 11:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:49 AM ----------
uplusion23 said:
Sorry for my superbly late reply. I've done a ton of digging with this phone. Turns out it only supports Evdo. So no LTE sadly. Even worse, using the Test Menu I can't bands to USA bands, only the (800 or 850?) Hz Global band. I can't get a connection. Well. The bars are listed as 2-3 generally, but it says "Roaming Indicator Off". I have the latest and only baseband, too.
(Wow. After two months of fiddling, as of typing this, I turned on cellular service, which is usually in Airplane mode, I got a " 3G" connection for the first time. Only for a second.)
I don't think I'll be able to switch this over to Straight Talk any time soon, though. I'll check your GitHub soon for that TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, just of now I've been unable to re-acquire the "3G" that caused me to have a boost of hope. Now even when I attempt calling which it usually would bring me to the Verizon automated system, asking to make a collect call, since around here is primarily Verizon, I can't even get it to call. It now states that no mobile network is available, even when I have 2-3 bars.
You have no "3g" because your keys are wrong. Y'all need some QPST and see the whole logon process and baseband messages. Then you can really troubleshoot your phone.
I have a Verizon Samsung Galaxy S3 on the Straight Talk network. I check for software updates and it tells me the software is up to date however it says my phone is running off of 4.4.2 instead of the Lollipop or the one just under. Does anyone know if Lollipop 5.0 or 5.1 has reached the S3 yet? Or how to manually update my phone software so its not so low?
flash a custom rom with 5.x for your model.
nxb said:
flash a custom rom with 5.x for your model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phone is not rooted so how do I do that? I need or to be updated. My phone doesnt work right on 4.4.2
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
you will have to root, trip knox and lose your warranty... there is no way to go back. on verizon you may be screwed if you have signed/locked bootloaders. search on XDA about unlocked bootloaders for verizon. also: http://androidforums.com/threads/verizon-verizon-bootloader-unlock.856221/
aaaand... make sure to back up your mmc boot partitions so you can debrick if you mess up.
p.s. prepare to learn a lot of technical things. if that sounds annoying and you don't want to spend a lot of time on it you might be better off buying a used phone.
nxb said:
you will have to root, trip knox and lose your warranty... there is no way to go back. on verizon you may be screwed if you have signed/locked bootloaders. search on XDA about unlocked bootloaders for verizon. also: http://androidforums.com/threads/verizon-verizon-bootloader-unlock.856221/
aaaand... make sure to back up your mmc boot partitions so you can debrick if you mess up.
p.s. prepare to learn a lot of technical things. if that sounds annoying and you don't want to spend a lot of time on it you might be better off buying a used phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not using Verizon. I'm using straight talk on a Verizon phone
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
ST only has GSM AT&T and CDMA verizon... if you have an I535 past 4.3 you have locked bootloader problems.
Needing the pit file for the SCH-R530C. PLEASE! I am at the end of my tether. Thank you in advance, DaMoose
DaMoose517 said:
Needing the pit file for the SCH-R530C. PLEASE! I am at the end of my tether. Thank you in advance, DaMoose
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have any idea if the 530c and the 530x share a similar partition table? If they do then I can pull the one from my 530x
Lrs121 said:
Do you have any idea if the 530c and the 530x share a similar partition table? If they do then I can pull the one from my 530x
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not know. I'd love to take the chance, but the risk of totally bricking the R530C is there . . . heck, let me try it.
Hi,
I was recently gifted an unlocked ATT S8+ (SM-G955U) which I'm trying to activate to my Verizon account. I've read conflicting information about this, and after going to the Verizon store and calling them directly I'm thoroughly confused.
The rep on the phone told me that the phone is "incompatible" with their network based on the IMEI number. From what I gather, the hardware (and model numbers) on all the major carrier's S8+s are the same and simply have different firmware. I've also read that they're interchangeable. Has anyone successfully gotten the ATT S8+ on Verizon? I'm almost feeling like it's something where I would need to jump through more hoops and speak to a manager to get them to do it, but before I did I wanted to get others input. Thanks!
I heard that the phone will work, you'll need to flash the Verizon firmware onto the AT&T phone.
Thanks Richie. Do you think that Verizon is telling me that the IMEI is "incompatible" because I may need to flash another firmware to enable CDMA? Or are some versions of the S4+ really incompatible on their network.
May there be possible success to get them to activate it anyway?
kebas239 said:
Hi,
I was recently gifted an unlocked ATT S8+ (SM-G955U) which I'm trying to activate to my Verizon account. I've read conflicting information about this, and after going to the Verizon store and calling them directly I'm thoroughly confused.
The rep on the phone told me that the phone is "incompatible" with their network based on the IMEI number. From what I gather, the hardware (and model numbers) on all the major carrier's S8+s are the same and simply have different firmware. I've also read that they're interchangeable. Has anyone successfully gotten the ATT S8+ on Verizon? I'm almost feeling like it's something where I would need to jump through more hoops and speak to a manager to get them to do it, but before I did I wanted to get others input. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kebas239 said:
Thanks Richie. Do you think that Verizon is telling me that the IMEI is "incompatible" because I may need to flash another firmware to enable CDMA? Or are some versions of the S4+ really incompatible on their network.
May there be possible success to get them to activate it anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you already have an active Verizon SIM card? Like in another phone?
Mr. Orange 645 said:
Do you already have an active Verizon SIM card? Like in another phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not - only because I'm coming from an S4 (which has the larger SIM card). I had to get a new one.
kebas239 said:
Hi,
I was recently gifted an unlocked ATT S8+ (SM-G955U) which I'm trying to activate to my Verizon account. I've read conflicting information about this, and after going to the Verizon store and calling them directly I'm thoroughly confused.
The rep on the phone told me that the phone is "incompatible" with their network based on the IMEI number. From what I gather, the hardware (and model numbers) on all the major carrier's S8+s are the same and simply have different firmware. I've also read that they're interchangeable. Has anyone successfully gotten the ATT S8+ on Verizon? I'm almost feeling like it's something where I would need to jump through more hoops and speak to a manager to get them to do it, but before I did I wanted to get others input. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The IMEI thing and Verizon not provisioning your phone to activate on their network is the ONLY obstacle you have.
All the US S8/S8+/Note8 variants are identical and can be cross-flashed to whatever carrier you want. You can easily grab the VZW firmware and flash it on to your AT&T device, fully converting it, however the IMEI won't be in Verizon's system since your particular phone wasn't sold by Verizon.
Somehow get around that and your phone will be fully compatible on VZWs network.
kebas239 said:
Thanks Richie. Do you think that Verizon is telling me that the IMEI is "incompatible" because I may need to flash another firmware to enable CDMA? Or are some versions of the S4+ really incompatible on their network.
May there be possible success to get them to activate it anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't worry about what Verizon reps are telling you because most often than not they are following a standard procedure. And they only Input your IMEI into a service like this one:https://www.verizonwireless.com/bring-your-own-device/#checkDevice
As your IMEI is for an AT&T phone, the brand model has an A appended at the end (as in AT&T).
However, you should still investigate this issue and try the steps recommended by the other guys. You will be able to use your phone with a VZV sim without reaching to Verizon
kebas239 said:
Hi,
I was recently gifted an unlocked ATT S8+ (SM-G955U) which I'm trying to activate to my Verizon account. I've read conflicting information about this, and after going to the Verizon store and calling them directly I'm thoroughly confused.
The rep on the phone told me that the phone is "incompatible" with their network based on the IMEI number. From what I gather, the hardware (and model numbers) on all the major carrier's S8+s are the same and simply have different firmware. I've also read that they're interchangeable. Has anyone successfully gotten the ATT S8+ on Verizon? I'm almost feeling like it's something where I would need to jump through more hoops and speak to a manager to get them to do it, but before I did I wanted to get others input. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an AT&T S8 + on Verizon's network, had to unlock the phone, I did flash VZV firmware.
Works for me.
Thanks all for the responses! So it does look like I can do it then, but I just need to get Verizon to activate the new SIM. Think if I could find another phone that's compatible, throw the SIM in, activate, then switch the SIM to the S8+ it would work? (Assuming I've flashed the Verizon firmware on it).
Also, I'm trying to find out how to flash the phone properly. I don't really need root, but I'll take it if its easy. Thinking in my scenario, I'd follow this thread, correct?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...opment/rom-s8-allcarriersrootedstock-t3659232
kebas239 said:
Thanks all for the responses! So it does look like I can do it then, but I just need to get Verizon to activate the new SIM. Think if I could find another phone that's compatible, throw the SIM in, activate, then switch the SIM to the S8+ it would work? (Assuming I've flashed the Verizon firmware on it).
Also, I'm trying to find out how to flash the phone properly. I don't really need root, but I'll take it if its easy. Thinking in my scenario, I'd follow this thread, correct?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...opment/rom-s8-allcarriersrootedstock-t3659232
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if you can get VZW to activate a nano SIM then all you have to do is pop it in your S8+, and it will work perfectly.
You don't HAVE to flash the Verizon firmware, but you'll won't be able to use certain features such as VoLTE and WiFi calling with the ATT firmware, so I recommend it. Not a necessity though.
To change carrier firmware, follow this thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8+/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3627255
Can't help you with rooting. Sorry, I stopped rooting my phones long ago.
Mr. Orange 645 said:
Yes, if you can get VZW to activate a nano SIM then all you have to do is pop it in your S8+, and it will work perfectly.
You don't HAVE to flash the Verizon firmware, but you'll won't be able to use certain features such as VoLTE and WiFi calling with the ATT firmware, so I recommend it. Not a necessity though.
To change carrier firmware, follow this thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8+/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3627255
Can't help you with rooting. Sorry, I stopped rooting my phones long ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is great information! I'll call back Verizon and knowing all this I have something to back myself up with to at least try to convince them to activate the SIM (if not, I'll find a temporary phone to activate).
Thank you (and everyone else) for all the help!
I was able to get Verizon to activate the SIM and IMEI of the new S8. When I checked my account online to verify, it shows the correct numbers. Unfortunately, the phone is still not able to make calls or connect to the mobile network.
Following this, I rooted and flashed a deodexed stock ROM/firmware that is compatible with all carriers. This made no difference in the issue.
On the status bar, normal reception for my area is shown. There is no data (LTE/3G, etc.) connection, however. In looking at the APN settings, there are multiple Verizon options to choose. "Verizon Internet" (VZWINTERNET) is what is selected. Under the network operators, Automatic is selected. I tried changing it to Manual, but I do not get an option to select Verizon. Only ATT or T-Mobile. Under SIM Card Status, It's says that I'm on an unknown network.
Any ideas on what I could do to diagnose this? Sorry for all the questions, but I want to be able to get this phone to work so bad!
Thanks!
Success! I was about to give up, but decided to try a few more things.
1) To register a new SIM on VZW, it needs to initially go into a VZW based phone to work correctly. Once doing this, I saw some changes:
- I could now see my phone number.
- Verizon was an option under the network operators setting.
This did not solve my problem, however, as I still could not connect to the network. When selecting VZW, the request would fail and say to try again later. So onto the next (and last!) thing I did...
2) Download VZW firmware and flash via ODEN (The Comsey version, but I don't think that matters). I added the BL, AP, CP & CSC (included in the zip file) using the default options. I found this firmware at the below link and grabbed the latest version. The download was very slow for me (I had to run it overnight), but numerous posters stated that they are a reliable source so I took a chance.
https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-s8-plus/SM-G955U1/VZW/download/G955U1UES2AQL1/201500/
I'm just so glad everything is working now. Thank you so much to all who have responded to the thread to guide me in the right direction! Hope this helps someone else who may be having the same trouble.
Does anyone have a definite solution to this problem? I've read many opinions but haven't run across a solution. I have a Samsung unlocked S9+ running official AT&T firmware and userdata but the carrier specific apps and features still don't work. The best infomation I've found is that the IMEI numbers of the unlocked devices are not in AT&T system so the features/apps won't work.
If this is the case, has anyone had any luck getting AT&T to register their IMEI and get the features working?
What worked for me and others (see the at&t fw thread) is to call or chat with AT&T and give them a imei from a carrier branded phone(with your sim in, though this might not be required). Tell them you are trying to get wifi calling to activate and it is failing at the provisioning step and they will input your imei and it will reprovision. Then pull your sim and put it into your s9/+ running at&t fw and it will allow volte, wifi calling and call protect to work (these are the only ones I use).
Good luck
I talked with someone in AT&T technical support and they remoted directly into my phone, reset all app defaults and network settings.. This of course didn't fix anything so they opened a trouble ticket. They told me my IMEI was in their system and was OK. Haven't heard back yet.
why not just flash ATT U firmware?
I'm running AT&T official U firmware G965USQS2ARF4. What just occurred to me was that I didn't do a factory reset before or after applying it via ODIN.
Stuart R said:
I'm running AT&T official U firmware G965USQS2ARF4. What just occurred to me was that I didn't do a factory reset before or after applying it via ODIN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just did that... Didn't help.
Stuart R said:
Does anyone have a definite solution to this problem? I've read many opinions but haven't run across a solution. I have a Samsung unlocked S9+ running official AT&T firmware and userdata but the carrier specific apps and features still don't work. The best infomation I've found is that the IMEI numbers of the unlocked devices are not in AT&T system so the features/apps won't work.
If this is the case, has anyone had any luck getting AT&T to register their IMEI and get the features working?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stuart R said:
I talked with someone in AT&T technical support and they remoted directly into my phone, reset all app defaults and network settings.. This of course didn't fix anything so they opened a trouble ticket. They told me my IMEI was in their system and was OK. Haven't heard back yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes your IMEI is in their system. But it's not an IMEI from a branded ATT phone. You have to have the IMEI from an ATT phone like others have said, and like i had to do or you will not get the features, no matter what firmware you flash. This has been discussed in many threads. You have to have ATT change your IMEI in their system.
elliwigy said:
why not just flash ATT U firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wont help unless you have a 965U or the IMEI from an ATT phone . ATT Features will not work on 965U1 IMEI. AT&T told me theses features wouldn't work on an unlocked phone and asked if i had the unlocked version. I told them no, it was an ATT phone i bought from Best Buy and it has an ATT logo (not the truth, got it from Samsung) and that i read in the forums that there were some issues with the S9 and that changing the IMEI fixed everyone's problems. I said i had my s8 here that everything works on and she said it's worth a shot to try and she changed mine in their system to the IMEI from my AT&T Branded S8 that i provided them. 965U1 has worked flawless ever since. All features work.
nugzo said:
Yes your IMEI is in their system. But it's not an IMEI from a branded ATT phone. You have to have the IMEI from an ATT phone like others have said, and like i had to do or you will not get the features, no matter what firmware you flash. This has been discussed in many threads. You have to have ATT change your IMEI in their system.
Wont help unless you have a 965U or the IMEI from an ATT phone . ATT Features will not work on 965U1 IMEI. AT&T told me theses features wouldn't work on an unlocked phone and asked if i had the unlocked version. I told them no, it was an ATT phone i bought from Best Buy and it has an ATT logo (not the truth, got it from Samsung) and that i read in the forums that there were some issues with the S9 and that changing the IMEI fixed everyone's problems. I said i had my s8 here that everything works on and she said it's worth a shot to try and she changed mine in their system to the IMEI from my AT&T Branded S8 that i provided them. 965U1 has worked flawless ever since. All features work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sounds about right.. i mean you can switch csc while on U1 depending on the sim card inserted but U1 isnt meznt to have all the carrier crap they need for the special features to work so u get the bare minimum..
while on U firmware, it seems the csc doesnt fully switch like they did on the S8 devices.. i tested this on my sim unlocked vzw s9+ with an att sim and a sprint sim and although data and calls worked,it stsyed on verizon bootani and bloat etc etc no matter what i did.. before on s8 devices after a reset it would have changed the boot ani,bloat and woulda had all the carrier features..
im also surprised they changed your imei lol.. i thought that was illegal lol.. i guess if the carrier does it then its fine haha
nugzo said:
Yes your IMEI is in their system. But it's not an IMEI from a branded ATT phone. You have to have the IMEI from an ATT phone like others have said, and like i had to do or you will not get the features, no matter what firmware you flash. This has been discussed in many threads. You have to have ATT change your IMEI in their system.
Hard to believe that they would just accept another IMEI and register it to your phone. I thought these were all unique numbers that couldn't be used on more than one device. How did that change affect the phone that originally had the branded IMEI?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stuart R said:
nugzo said:
Yes your IMEI is in their system. But it's not an IMEI from a branded ATT phone. You have to have the IMEI from an ATT phone like others have said, and like i had to do or you will not get the features, no matter what firmware you flash. This has been discussed in many threads. You have to have ATT change your IMEI in their system.
Hard to believe that they would just accept another IMEI and register it to your phone. I thought these were all unique numbers that couldn't be used on more than one device. How did that change affect the phone that originally had the branded IMEI?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didnt affect original s8 i used at all. or the s9. I replaced the s8 with the s9 when it came out so i just used the sim out of the s8 when the s9 arrived. s8 is just a spare phone now. I asked the operator if this would disable the other phone that the IMEI came from and she said no. I put sim from s9 in s8 afterwards just to test and it worked fine. They arent changing the IMEI of your actual s9, it still shows your original IMEI in your phone settings. They are just using the IMEI you provided on their end. What is actually going on behind the scenes i dont know. Maybe somebody that works in carrier support or may just have knowledge on how this actually works could chime in. I'm guessing they just use the IMEI to activate the features, since the unlocked one isn't eligible. I saw a better explanation in one of the firmware threads, if i run across it i'll post the link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will reiterate what is said above and clarify my post. You aren't asking the support team to change your phones imei. I think as stated previously that is a forbidden/illegal maneuver. The support request is to change the imei which is active in the at&t system as only carrier branded phones are able to use certain at&t features.
If you have an old AT&T phone its imei can be used to "trick" at&t into activation/provisioning. Then you can put your sim into a U1 phone using at&t firmware and use carrier specific features.
Hopefully, this is easier to understand and clears up some of the confusion I may have introduced in my original reply.
jay2o01 said:
I will reiterate what is said above and clarify my post. You aren't asking the support team to change your phones imei. I think as stated previously that is a forbidden/illegal maneuver. The support request is to change the imei which is active in the at&t system as only carrier branded phones are able to use certain at&t features.
If you have an old AT&T phone its imei can be used to "trick" at&t into activation/provisioning. Then you can put your sim into a U1 phone using at&t firmware and use carrier specific features.
Hopefully, this is easier to understand and clears up some of the confusion I may have introduced in my original reply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I presume I can use the IMEI from another brand of working AT&T phone such as an iPhone 6S (in this case, my wife's)?
Stuart R said:
I presume I can use the IMEI from another brand of working AT&T phone such as an iPhone 6S (in this case, my wife's)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another thought... Say I get an old Galaxy S6 which uses the same size Nano SIM as my S9+. I move my S9+ SIM to the S6, update it to the latest AT&T firmware and enable WIFI calling. If I then move my SIM back to my S9+, will the carrier features now work?
Stuart R said:
Another thought... Say I get an old Galaxy S6 which uses the same size Nano SIM as my S9+. I move my S9+ SIM to the S6, update it to the latest AT&T firmware and enable WIFI calling. If I then move my SIM back to my S9+, will the carrier features now work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly what I'm doing. I use an older LG phone and the sim/IMEI then swap it to my u1 with AT&T fw after the device is provisioned.
jay2o01 said:
This is exactly what I'm doing. I use an older LG phone and the sim/IMEI then swap it to my u1 with AT&T fw after the device is provisioned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to know that works. I can pick up an old AT&T S6 pretty cheaply on ebay. Guess I'll give that a try. Thanks
Download visual voicemail from apk mirrow
jay2o01 said:
This is exactly what I'm doing. I use an older LG phone and the sim/IMEI then swap it to my u1 with AT&T fw after the device is provisioned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I previously had an AT&T branded S8+ with the same SIM that I'm using in the unbranded S9+ but I guess I never provisioned (enabled) WIFI calling. Dunno.
The "trick" of giving them an IMEI from an ATT branded phone doesn't usually work any more, maybe it used to, years ago.
This is why I won't buy OnePlus phones any more. I love their devices, best bang for the buck on the market, but no amount of my fiddling would get ATT to recognize it and provision VoLTE... so no wifi calling, no HD calling... when you make a call, your data drops to 3G, etc...
My Essential, somehow was on their "BYOD" plan and so it would give me VoLTE and HD calling, but no wifi calling. No wifi calling is stupid, because you aren't using their network at that point, so why should they even care?
SquireSCA said:
The "trick" of giving them an IMEI from an ATT branded phone doesn't usually work any more, maybe it used to, years ago.
This is why I won't buy OnePlus phones any more. I love their devices, best bang for the buck on the market, but no amount of my fiddling would get ATT to recognize it and provision VoLTE... so no wifi calling, no HD calling... when you make a call, your data drops to 3G, etc...
My Essential, somehow was on their "BYOD" plan and so it would give me VoLTE and HD calling, but no wifi calling. No wifi calling is stupid, because you aren't using their network at that point, so why should they even care?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"maybe it used to, years ago"... That doesn't apply in this context does it as carrier features VOLTE and Wi-Fi calling weren't even in existence years ago. And I'm not sure you have to give them anything. The claim by some is that just provisioning the features with your SIM on a branded device is enough.
Stuart R said:
"maybe it used to, years ago"... That doesn't apply in this context does it as carrier features VOLTE and Wi-Fi calling weren't even in existence years ago. And I'm not sure you have to give them anything. The claim by some is that just provisioning the features with your SIM on a branded device is enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And as someone who has repeatedly tried it, it doesn't seem to work. You can give them an IMEI from another phone, but it usually doesn't work. Either the IMEI is "on their list", or from a phone that is on the BYOD list, or it isn't. It's not the phone's fault, it is that AT&T is kinda being dicks about this... They want you to buy their phones, because most people sign a contract to get the cheaper price, or use their NEXT financing to spread the costs out. That creates a barrier to exit for most customers and protects AT&T's revenue stream from monthly invoices.
While bringing your own device makes them just as much money from the monthly bill, it doesn't help them "retain customers by locking them into a contract", so they usually don't give you full functionality...
I have had a working SIM from an ATT branded phone that was properly provisioned, popped it into my other device, and VoLTE went away. I would call them up and give them the IMEI from the phone, or one that I know worked, and still no go. The one exception was the Essential, and that was because for whatever reason, Essential went to the effort to get it on their BYOD list.
Trust me, if it was easy, I would be doing it and buying OnePlus phones exclusively every 6 months and that would be the end of it. LOL
Mod edit: @theproman23 Thread closed as duplicate of
Porting from Verizon to ATT
I have a Galaxy S20+ 5G and I recently ported my number over to ATT from Verizon and everything seemed to working fine with the exception of VM and few other things. After being on numerous calls and chats with ATT tech support they suggested I...
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I have a Galaxy S20+ 5G and I recently ported my number over to ATT from Verizon and everything seemed to working fine with the exception of VM and few other things. After being on numerous calls and chats with ATT tech support they suggested I perform a factory reset which definitely didn't fix anything. I found the following thread and followed the instructions and I still can't seem to get the Verizon Software off my phone:
G986U and G986U1 Firmware Links and Flashing Discussion Here
For those who aren't already aware, G986U is the model number of all of the US carrier versions of the S20+. The G986U1 is the model number of the same device, but sold by Samsung SIM unlocked and with no carrier bloatware. Firmware is 100%...
forum.xda-developers.com
I've used different versions of the ATT user data file and no matter what I do the carrier software version on my phone still reads VZM. I know the flashing process worked as I now boot to a Samsung screen as opposed to the Verizon one. I'm sure I'm missing something but after 12 straight hours of trying to fix this I'm running out of things to try. Any help you can provide will be much appreciated.
PS I read something about the carrier info. being locked to the phone but the phone is definitely unlocked as it works for calls and texts using my ATT sim.
You can request the carrier not send you updates to that device. Disable on their end.
This is what I've been using for 2 years.
Home - Package Disabler
The only NON-root solution that let’s you disable any unwanted packages that come pre-installed / installed with your phone / tablet.
www.packagedisabler.com
Thanks but I'm not sure I understand how to connect what you're saying with my ask. Are you saying there's no way to get rid of this carrier software and replace it with the ATT one?
theproman23 said:
Thanks but I'm not sure I understand how to connect what you're saying with my ask. Are you saying there's no way to get rid of this carrier software and replace it with the ATT one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bad... skim reading badly again
The AT&T update app is just as bad as the Verizon one.
AT&T bloatware sucks. I use their texting app, the rest is package blocked.
If your phone's running fast, stable and fulfilling its mission... let it be. AT&T updates can break your phone.
Yeah the factory reset just wasted time more than likely.
Not sure your variant's hardware is compatible with AT&T firmware. Carrier phones can have different hardware as speced by that carrier as the major carriers and Samsung are partnered to the bone.
blackhawk said:
My bad... skim reading badly again
The AT&T update app is just as bad as the Verizon one.
AT&T bloatware sucks. I use their texting app, the rest is package blocked.
If your phone's running fast, stable and fulfilling its mission... let it be. AT&T updates can break your phone.
Yeah the factory reset just wasted time more than likely.
Not sure your variant's hardware is compatible with AT&T firmware. Carrier phones can have different hardware as speced by that carrier as the major carriers and Samsung are partnered to the bone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So that's the problem I still don't have VM and the ATT tech support claims that it's because it's a Verizon provided phone and that they can't guarantee that all features will work which just seems like a cop out on their part. My wife has a iPhone 12 and everything works just fine for her and the rep claimed that Apple phones are easily interchangeable between carriers and that Androids always have problems which again seems like a BS explanation.
theproman23 said:
So that's the problem I still don't have VM and the ATT tech support claims that it's because it's a Verizon provided phone and that they can't guarantee that all features will work which just seems like a cop out on their part. My wife has a iPhone 12 and everything works just fine for her and the rep claimed that Apple phones are easily interchangeable between carriers and that Androids always have problems which again seems like a BS explanation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never use VM...or call waiting anymore.
Found this:
verizon phone now att-can't set up voice mail | AT&T Community Forums
I moved Galaxy S3 from Verizon to ATT. All works except I can not set up voice mail. The "1" key apparently is still trying to call Verizon. I have tried calling the 800 number to set up voice m...
forums.att.com
There's a way if that doesn't work. Anytime a tech tells you to do a factory reset for a settings or usage issue they are either inept, blowing you off or both.
Try advance tech support. Eventually you'll get someone who knows what they're doing.
blackhawk said:
I never use VM...or call waiting anymore.
Found this:
verizon phone now att-can't set up voice mail | AT&T Community Forums
I moved Galaxy S3 from Verizon to ATT. All works except I can not set up voice mail. The "1" key apparently is still trying to call Verizon. I have tried calling the 800 number to set up voice m...
forums.att.com
There's a way if that doesn't work. Anytime a tech tells you to do a factory reset for a settings or usage issue they are either inept, blowing you off or both.
Try advance tech support. Eventually you'll get someone who knows what they're doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, unfortunately it doesn't look like there's any sort of resolution on that thread. I'll try calling ATT again.