I'm posting this as a new thread because of all of the answers that contradict my experience in similar threads. I took a Verizon SCH-I535 set to 'global' to T-Mobile to have a GSM SIM put in. Even the Verizon customer service said that switching to a GSM card would work as the phone is not locked.
I also took an SCH-I545 in and switched SIMs without any problem. The APN data was reset automatically and my old number was ported over to T-Mobile. All was good.
However, when they put the T-Mobile SIM card (and we tried 3 different SIMS) in the SCH-I535, the T-Mobile APN entry showed up, but the T-Mobile network won't recognize the SIM card. Since they had also transferred the number from Verizon to T-Mobile, even returning the Verizon SIM card is useless. The phone can't make or receive calls on either network. I don't think I can get Verizon to reset the number back to Verizon even temporarily since I am a couple days past-due on my bill and VZW won't give you ANY help until you pay past-due amts (won't have the check for a week ).
Any suggestions? I need an exploit to break the "non-existent" SIM lock so I can return the T-Mobile SIM to the phone and have it recognized.
Playa Cat said:
I'm posting this as a new thread because of all of the answers that contradict my experience in similar threads. I took a Verizon SCH-I535 set to 'global' to T-Mobile to have a GSM SIM put in. Even the Verizon customer service said that switching to a GSM card would work as the phone is not locked.
I also took an SCH-I545 in and switched SIMs without any problem. The APN data was reset automatically and my old number was ported over to T-Mobile. All was good.
However, when they put the T-Mobile SIM card (and we tried 3 different SIMS) in the SCH-I535, the T-Mobile APN entry showed up, but the T-Mobile network won't recognize the SIM card. Since they had also transferred the number from Verizon to T-Mobile, even returning the Verizon SIM card is useless. The phone can't make or receive calls on either network. I don't think I can get Verizon to reset the number back to Verizon even temporarily since I am a couple days past-due on my bill and VZW won't give you ANY help until you pay past-due amts (won't have the check for a week ).
Any suggestions? I need an exploit to break the "non-existent" SIM lock so I can return the T-Mobile SIM to the phone and have it recognized.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried changing the apn settings? It may be defaulting to the VZW network
Sent from my Nexus 5
SOLVED
ShapesBlue said:
Have you tried changing the apn settings? It may be defaulting to the VZW network
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response, but I called T-Mobile's tech services at 611 and (unlike years of dealing with VZW doofs with technical IQs approaching that of a stale Cheez Doodle) immediately got a highly knowledgeable techie. When I was in the store and the SIMs they tried didn't work, I pleaded with them to call tech support, but they insisted that it was the phone's fault since they tried multiple SIMs. Seems that, when T-Mobile (or at least this store) breaks a SIM out of its cardboard holder, but doesn't actually sell it, they simply tape the SIM back to the card and consider it cherry. When I got home and called the techie, he had me read him the SIM id and it turned out it had been tried out before and was still associated with the other cellphone (probably true also with the other "recycled" SIMs they tied. I read him my APN numbers and it turned out that the only problem there was the original name, which should be "T-Mobile" (it was slightly different).
He got the store's number from me, called somebody at the store, told him exactly what to do to get the phone working, and told me to go back within half an hour to get a brand-new unsullied SIM. I edited the APN name, he put the SIM in and - voila!
The onlyl problem I'm having now is that, though I was able to set up my T-Mobile mailbox for my Galaxy 4 with it automatically defaulting to a long-press of key 1 (or dialing 123 and hitting the call button), on the Galaxy III, the mailbox was set up, but a long-press on key 1 calls the non-functioning Verizon voicemail, and there is nothing in the stock system to allow you to edit the quick-dial assignment for button 1 (yes, I removed the Verizon voice-mail app and stuff down at root level). So, I set up button 2 to quick-dial 123 and now button 2 is my long-press voicemail button. Weird - I need to dig a bit more into the innards and find a way to clear the first button assignment - maybe set in build.props???
So, the phone was not at fault and T-Mobile's tech department was a revelation in totally unexpected competence and depth of knowledge (unexpected after 26 years with VZW), but the three people who mucked around with the phone at the retail store are not only proof that we descended from ape-like ancestors, but that many of us are still descending .
Thanks again.
Related
With AT&T you can simply throw a sim card in and away you go with any phone you want. What do you do on AT&T namely if you have an iPhone and TBolt?
You wont be able to do it without going through Verizon to have your TB Sim card reset everytime you want to use your TB after using your iPhone.
Normally you just have to do a simple ESN swap (can do online). Unfortunately with the Thunderbolt and it's LTE SIM, things might be more complicated. I'd check with a Verizon rep to see what would be involved.
Sadly its a complete pain in the butt. One of the guys I work with had to deactivate it and reactivate it a couple of days later. The guy in the store couldn't figure out how to do it, and it took him about 3 hours on the phone with various techs to finally get it working. They ended up having to swap out the SIM card in the store.
Not sure if its the process that is tough, or if they just don't know what they are doing. Either way, I wouldn't recommend it if you can avoid it. If you really need to do it, it is possible, but its not as simple as just swapping out a SIM card like on AT&T.
Once there are more phones utilizing LTE wouldn't you just be able to swap out your sim card and put it in any LTE phone?
dirtyfingers said:
Once there are more phones utilizing LTE wouldn't you just be able to swap out your sim card and put it in any LTE phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, this is correct. I can go buy the Droid Charge, and put in the SIM from my Thunderbolt, and I'll be good to go.
Thats pretty sweet, I wish I had the cash to drop on some more LTE phones when they come out.
WilliamStern said:
Yes, this is correct. I can go buy the Droid Charge, and put in the SIM from my Thunderbolt, and I'll be good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure about that? I thought we were still using CDMA for calls and there is no voice over 4G/LTE on VZW just yet.
WilliamStern said:
Yes, this is correct. I can go buy the Droid Charge, and put in the SIM from my Thunderbolt, and I'll be good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty sure this is wrong.
When setting up my phone the rep had to set up the sim card and phone separately.
Razorz is right, we still utilize cdma for voice, so it may be possible to get data on a new phone but no voice?
A rep told me you could, never tried I don't have another Verizon phone to swap it out with. Also ATT charges activation when you swap sims "if the sim is in a different phone for a lengthy time". Also ATT will add a data plan to your account if the phone you put it in requires one.
the id number for the sim card and the ESN for the phone both must be in the verizon system associated with your phone number or the device will not work.
stuckhere4ever said:
Sadly its a complete pain in the butt. One of the guys I work with had to deactivate it and reactivate it a couple of days later. The guy in the store couldn't figure out how to do it, and it took him about 3 hours on the phone with various techs to finally get it working. They ended up having to swap out the SIM card in the store.
Not sure if its the process that is tough, or if they just don't know what they are doing. Either way, I wouldn't recommend it if you can avoid it. If you really need to do it, it is possible, but its not as simple as just swapping out a SIM card like on AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they didn't know what they were doing.
When I had data problems with my TB, I switched to my INC via the activate phone link on the "my account" web page. An hour later when I tried to return to the TB, I got a prompt for the phone's IMEI, then prompted for the SIM card's number.. It error-ed. After calling CS, the rep couldn't help, got TS on the line, they manually entered the SIM number to make it work...
So it appears switching away from the TB deactivated the SIM, to switch back, VZW's TS had to re-add or re-activate the SIM.
And as thetwiztidfreak said, they did need BOTH the IMEI and SIM numbers to re-activate the TB.
thetwiztidfreak said:
the id number for the sim card and the ESN for the phone both must be in the verizon system associated with your phone number or the device will not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct but when you put the registered SIM in another LTE device it registers that handsets IMEI with your account. You can infact do a SIM swap with LTE, since your phone number is tied to the SIM putting the sim in another device effectively activates the phone on your account.
I should know, it's my job ;-)
It works the same way as GSM, but going from an LTE phone to a CDMA phone is a bit different, the SIM gets decactivated and becomes useless and if you want to switch back you need to go the a Verizon store for them to sell you out a new SIM for $0(some times old SIMs can be reactivated however there may b e issues with this). It's a PITA so I don't reccomend switching back and forth between CDMA and LTE devices unless you absolutely HAVE to.
chaoscentral said:
Correct but when you put the registered SIM in another LTE device it registers that handsets IMEI with your account. You can infact do a SIM swap with LTE, since your phone number is tied to the SIM putting the sim in another device effectively activates the phone on your account.
I should know, it's my job ;-)
It works the same way as GSM, but going from an LTE phone to a CDMA phone is a bit different, the SIM gets decactivated and becomes useless and if you want to switch back you need to go the a Verizon store for them to sell you out a new SIM for $0(some times old SIMs can be reactivated however there may b e issues with this). It's a PITA so I don't reccomend switching back and forth between CDMA and LTE devices unless you absolutely HAVE to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm that it is a royal pain in the ass to go to the vzw store to get a new sim...
I just got a replacement for my tbolt. I had 5 days to return the "defective" one. I bounced the SIM card back and forth between the two phones a dozen times trying to see which one got better 3G/4G reception. The rep told me to decide which one works better and send the other phone back. It didn't matter.
IF YOU HAVE ACCESS TO LTE ON AN AT&T PHONE, YOU DONT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING!!!!!!!!
IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A SIM CARD THAT WILL FIT IN THE N5, YOUR SIM IS LTE CAPABLE AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GET THE RIGHT DATA PROVISION. YOU DO NOT NEED TO GET A NEW SIM!!!!!!!
This happened when the N4 came out and I came to the rescue far too many times to count...and I've already started to read threads about it so here we go!
You just bought an N5 and are either worried about getting LTE or can't get LTE connectivity on your N5. It's a really big issue with a really simple solution. You need to make sure of a few things.
1. You have a SIM that can receive LTE frequency
2. Your data plan is a LTE provisioned plan
3. Your APNs include an LTE ANP
1 & 2 can be solved at the same time and 3 should solve itself in most cases.
Here's the big issue: AT&T doesn't have a data provision for the N5 (or the N4). Your customer service rep will take the IMEI number from your phone when you ask for a new SIM and it will come back with their basic GSM plan by default. This caused awful data speeds on the N4 and will disallow LTE on the N5 so you need to inform them that this will happen before they go through the process. A nice rep will understand. An unknowledgeable rep will claim there is nothing they can do. Ask to speak to the manager. If none of them can help, take your new LTE capable SIM and walk away.
Now after you leave the store call up customer service and tell them you just got a new *insert LTE capable AT&T device here* and you can't find the IMEI number. Tell them you tried to go into the store and they were unhelpful so you're calling. The person will immediately become helpful and generate an IMEI number. They will provision your data using said serial number and you'll be good to go.
BEFORE inserting your SIM, start up your N5. Go through the setup process that you have to go through and then turn it back off. Plug in your SIM and reboot.
Go to Settings > Wireless & Networks > more > Mobile Networks > Access point Names. In there you should see an AT&T LTE APN and it should be already selected. If not, select it. This should be all you need to do. It really is that simple.
NOTES:
- All SIMs that fit in the N4 and N5 are LTE capable
- Here is what your AT&T APN should look like
- If you have any issues, post and I'll do my best to help
As always, Thanks are appreciated.
So even if the rep in store "can't help" I'll still walk out with the SIM card I need? Also, If I don't have my N5/IMEI in hand when I go in can I still setup a plan and get a SIM card? Thanks for the post!
EDIT: Going in with no phone I don't know rather to tell them I have a N5 coming or try to find a friends that will give me their IMEI that I can give them...
You'll get a SIM card no matter what because those are free...it just won't be provisioned properly unless you get a knowledgeable rep.
Having an IMEI in hand makes life easier; having your N5 will make it way easier. The SIM needs to be activated in the store and they will need an IMEI to activate. Just wait till you get your N5 to go through all this. It won't do anything to help you until you get it.
The IMEI will be on the SIM tray!
spitefulcheerio said:
You'll get a SIM card no matter what because those are free...it just won't be provisioned properly unless you get a knowledgeable rep.
Having an IMEI in hand makes life easier; having your N5 will make it way easier. The SIM needs to be activated in the store and they will need an IMEI to activate. Just wait till you get your N5 to go through all this. It won't do anything to help you until you get it.
The IMEI will be on the SIM tray!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I will wait until Wednesday to go in then...one last thing, if it gets to the point I have to call ATT, when I say I can't find the IMEI won't they just tell me to flip the phone over or look in the settings, etc.. instead of generating one?
No.
They will ask you if there is a barcode / serial thing on the back of your device. You say no. Boom, done.
edit: don't forget to hit the thanks button!
So just going in and asking to exchange your sim for a micro sim isn't enough?
I have a note 3 right now with 4g. I was going to use the same Sim card in the note and put in the N5. Should it work out of the box or do I still have to take it in the store? How will I know that I have a an imei card?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
GldRush98 said:
So just going in and asking to exchange your sim for a micro sim isn't enough?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. The SIM must be activated and an IMEI is required to activate.
marcusva79 said:
I have a note 3 right now with 4g. I was going to use the same Sim card in the note and put in the N5. Should it work out of the box or do I still have to take it in the store? How will I know that I have a an imei card?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll make this even easier!
Do you have a SIM that will fit in the N5? If not, follow my steps. If so, skip ahead to calling AT&T customer support because ALL MICRO SIMS ARE LTE CAPABLE.
What do you mean by an IMEI card? All phones come with an IMEI.
great. AT&T why are you so terrible.
Im sim is in the note 3 rught now. Sending it back to att. Getting the n5 tomorrow. New to the Sim card thing. Coming from sprint. Just had to ask.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
Hey guys I'm going to switching to straight talk att am I ordered the lte micro sim from them and plan to activate tomorrow should I expect to jump through hoops to get lte or expect the same issues as att users...not sure this is my first try at prepaid
same things will happen. You'll need to get an LTE data provision but will be unable to using your N5 IMEI
marcusva79 said:
I have a note 3 right now with 4g. I was going to use the same Sim card in the note and put in the N5. Should it work out of the box or do I still have to take it in the store? How will I know that I have a an imei card?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have 4g on your note 3 it means you already have a LTE data plan. All you need to do is take the sim out of your note 3 and pop it into your n5, no need to call anyone or make an unnecessary trip to the store.
4g =/= LTE in AT&Ts case. 4g can mean HSPA+ 4g!
If you have access to LTE currently YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO ANYTHING.
spitefulcheerio said:
Now after you leave the store call up customer service and tell them you just got a new *insert LTE capable AT&T device here* and you can't find the IMEI number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have a device and you can't find the IMEI, just go to the settings and about device to view it.. Wouldn't they ask you to do that?
Look, I know you want to dumb down stuff and give advise but some of it is just incorrect, not dumbed down.
Dial *#06# on any Android smartphone and it'll display the IMEI.
spitefulcheerio said:
Here's the big issue: AT&T doesn't have a data provision for the N5 (or the N4). Your customer service rep will take the IMEI number from your phone when you ask for a new SIM and it will come back with their basic GSM plan by default. This caused awful data speeds on the N4 and will disallow LTE on the N5 so you need to inform them that this will happen before they go through the process. A nice rep will understand. An unknowledgeable rep will claim there is nothing they can do. Ask to speak to the manager. If none of them can help, take your new LTE capable SIM and walk away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's possible that the reps @ the AT&T Stores in different areas aren't properly keying the IMEI in properly. If at all possible have them SCAN the IMEI barcode on the back of the phone.
I went down to the AT&T store here locally (Bay Area, CA) and the only problem I had in the process was a 30 minute wait to see one of the reps.
I was previously on an unlimited data plan that I've had setup since I got my original iPhone 3G - 5 years ago. NOT an LTE plan by any stretch.
He went in the back and grabbed the sim and started the process of adding it to the account.
He scanned the sim and then scanned my phone -- It CORRECTLY recognized the device as a D820 **AND** automatically updated my data plan to the LTE Unlimited.
The only thing the rep had to do was press confirm a number of times. Not once did he have to manually adjust anything.
We waited about 5 minutes for the sim to activate, slipped it into my N5 and powered it up - Instant LTE service.
So AT&T *does* have the IMEI Registered for the N5 with a corresponding LTE Plan. If someone is trying to key it in and getting an error.. they're likely not typing something correctly.
I'm already using a note 3 on at&t with LTE already enabled on my plan. Also,my note 3 already uses a micro-SIM. I should be good to just swap my SIM into the n5 right? I have written down the default AT&T APN just in case it gets list on the n5.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app
misfit0r said:
It's possible that the reps @ the AT&T Stores in different areas aren't properly keying the IMEI in properly. If at all possible have them SCAN the IMEI barcode on the back of the phone.
I went down to the AT&T store here locally (Bay Area, CA) and the only problem I had in the process was a 30 minute wait to see one of the reps.
I was previously on an unlimited data plan that I've had setup since I got my original iPhone 3G - 5 years ago. NOT an LTE plan by any stretch.
He went in the back and grabbed the sim and started the process of adding it to the account.
He scanned the sim and then scanned my phone -- It CORRECTLY recognized the device as a D820 **AND** automatically updated my data plan to the LTE Unlimited.
The only thing the rep had to do was press confirm a number of times. Not once did he have to manually adjust anything.
We waited about 5 minutes for the sim to activate, slipped it into my N5 and powered it up - Instant LTE service.
So AT&T *does* have the IMEI Registered for the N5 with a corresponding LTE Plan. If someone is trying to key it in and getting an error.. they're likely not typing something correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is good to know, I am going to do this today as my nexus 5 should be arriving sometime today. So have the rep scan and should be good to go, at least I have a game plan if I run into some problems.
Thanks
Great thread. Could you please take a look at my issue with LTE being slower than 3G here? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2513844
I've tried adding a new APN but the phone keeps deleting it!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Hello. I'm trying to get FreedomPop service on my Nexus 5 I got from Google Play a while back and have been using it mosly with Virgin Mobile, which is a GSM/LTE carrier (Bell's MVNO). I tried going through the FreedomPop's BYOD wizard, put in my IMEI, it told me there was a problem and instructed to call an 1-800 number. I did that, and the rep on the other end seemed to have been able to create an account and activate it. She told me to wait 15 minutes and powercycle the phone. I asked her specifically about a SIM card, and she told me I didn't need anything and that they don't use SIM cards.
I waited 15 minutes, powercycled my phone, but didn't get any service - the phone has the "no sim" icon, all network settings are greyed out because of that. If I got to the testing menu (*#*#4636#*#*), under the phone info the preferred netowork type is LTE/GSM auto (PRL). I tried switching to CDMA, LTE/CDMA auto (RPL), LTE/GSM/CDMA auto (RPL), but as soon as I go back and to phone info, the setting is back on LTE/GSM auto (PRL).
I've searched all over internet and couldn't find an answer about getting service. Most posts are about the other way (FreedomPop's phone to use with GSM carriers like TMo). Any ideas what I'm doing wrong? I wanted to ask on FreedomPop forum, but it seems you have to wait until your new forum account is approved by a moderator to even be able to PM/post/reply.
If anyone could please clarify the whole story behind Nexus 5 on Sprint/MVNO networks, whether SIM/UUIC is/is not required and how to force the phone to switch to CDMA mode, I would be really grateful.
Ok. Looks like the rep that activated the phone was not competent. She told me I didn't need a SIM (UUIC) card, which in fact I did. I got one from Sprint. This was yet another challenge, as if I told them I needed one for Nexus 5, they were saying they don't carry that phone, and don't have SIM cards for it, telling me to go to Best Buy, which wanted to charge me $30 for it. When I told them that I needed one for Galaxy S5, they surely enough gave me exactly what I needed - SIMGLW206R
I plugged in the SIM, and immediately the phone switched to CDMA mode, started displaying proper MEID (14 digit) instead of IMEI (15 digits), allowing to update profile and PRL. I called FreedomPop customer service and gave them the UUIC number, and after several minutes my phone started working on the FreedomPop network!
I recently received a Sprint Note 5 and am trying to use it on my existing MetroPCS account. I went in to the Metro store for an ESN swap, received a new sim card, yet when I popped it in my phone it says "sim not recognized" or something to that effect; also the APN settings section disappears when the Metro sim is installed (visible when Sprint sim is in, but the options are greyed-out). I've searched for almost two hours online for a solution, to no avail. I am certain that at least a few of these LTE bands are going to work on MetroPCS, but not sure why the sim registers as unrecognizable. I called Sprint and they assured both the previous owner of the phone and myself (separate calls) that the phone is unlocked. Are they lying? Did I receive a defective sim from Metro? Am I the ultimate idiot because my search parameters are faulty and this is some common sense issue? I appreciate any help you guys can offer. Love my XDA fam.
It is like Sprint says "OK, your phone is "unlocked" (wink wink)...but you will never be able to use the portable Hotspot or edit the APNs". That's why I will never ever get another carrier branded phone. Altough my phone was unlocked by a "box" device (Octoplus) and I can add/edit APN. But wont receive or send MMS and the Hotspot is unavailable.
I am having problems connecting to TotalWireless Mobile Data with my new Pixel 2. (I can make calls and get texts without problem - just no access to Mobile Data). I have been on the phone with Customer Service (with Google, TotalWireless and Verizon - which provides the service for TotalWireless) and nothing we have tried has helped (Factory Resets, new SIM, etc). We've even had 3 way conversations and no one can figure it out.
First, I am wondering if anyone else out there has successfully connected a new Pixel 2 to Total Wireless. One of the customer service reps thought perhaps the phone was "too new" to be supported on their network. If I know someone has succeeded, that would be helpful.
Second, the Verizon Customer Service guy said the problem is that I can't edit my APN Settings. When I go to "Settings / Network & Internet / Mobile Network / Access Point Names" I am given an error: "Access Point Name settings are not available for this user". Google confirmed there is no way to enable this option. It sounds like more recent versions of Android stopped allowing users to edit these values - instead they are automatically set by the carrier. The carrier said if I could enter "TRACFONE.VZWENTP" for Name and Access Point Value it would fix my issue.
I have debated trying to root the phone, but it sounds a bit too complicated for me. (I did try to enable some of the Developer Options on the phone, and I tried to Reset the APN values but nothing helped.). I know my SIM card is good because when I put it in my daughter's phone, her phone and Mobile Data worked fine.
The Google Pixel 2 allows Google Customer Service to do a screenshare on your phone (a new feature....and only if you give them access). They can't actually click on any buttons - you have to do that. That is a nice feature. But, they didn't find any way to get around this APN issue either.
Does anyone have any other suggestions for how to edit APN settings on the Google Pixel 2 without gaining ROOT access. While I am an engineer, the process does sound a bit too complicated and risky to try on a brand new (and expensive) phone.
Thanks.
Same for me. I use Tracfone with Verizion and I cannot add a new APN to the empty list as well.
You can't make a new one?
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
No. Verizon doesn't allow you to change APN.
Tidbits said:
You can't make a new one?
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nealllee said:
No. Verizon doesn't allow you to change APN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So no + to make a new one. That sucks.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 09:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:16 AM ----------
Google store or Verizon bought?
Blue color?
If Google and no
Try factory reset without the sim.
Go through setup
Go in and try and add a apn.
Then put in your sim.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
Same exact issue for me. On phone with Total Wireless and they are just instructing me to change the APN settings which pop up as "Access Point Names are not available for this user." Phone/SMS working fine but mobile data is never going to get through without the proper APN. Looking online for some sort of profile setting that can be opened on the net that will set the APN to the correct settings without having to manually enter them (i've done that with iPhones in the past) but i don't have high hopes.
Sadly, this beautiful piece of hardware may soon be heading back to the google popup.
Same issue here. New Pixel 2 5-inch on Straight Talk Wireless - which uses Verizon towers. Says "Access point names are not available for this user" and I can't add an APN, edit an APN, see a list of APNs, etc. - only option in three-dot menu is to reset to defaults. I've factory reset the phone four times, checked the sim's placement, etc. Have been on phone and chat with both Google and Straight Talk for hours and they can't fix it. Latest is Google had me put phone into developer mode and create and submit a bug report. If they don't fix it soon I'm sending it back to Google. Ridiculous for Google's flagship, $800 phone to have such a fundamental problem.
Orangwutang said:
Same issue here. New Pixel 2 5-inch on Straight Talk Wireless - which uses Verizon towers. Says "Access point names are not available for this user" and I can't add an APN, edit an APN, see a list of APNs, etc. - only option in three-dot menu is to reset to defaults. I've factory reset the phone four times, checked the sim's placement, etc. Have been on phone and chat with both Google and Straight Talk for hours and they can't fix it. Latest is Google had me put phone into developer mode and create and submit a bug report. If they don't fix it soon I'm sending it back to Google. Ridiculous for Google's flagship, $800 phone to have such a fundamental problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you buy the Blue or bought a Pixel intended for Verizon(popups also is Verizon)
If you did then I believe best to return it and get an unlocked one. Then the options would be different.
If one of you guys have an unlocked version. Try factory reset WITHOUT the sim in it and go through the setup process. Once that done try putting in the sim and restart the phone. Then see if you can switch the APN.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
I had this problem activating on Straight Talk. I actually put a sim in from another Verizon MVNO and it added the APN for me. FWIW, it was Page Plus. I used to be on their plans before switching to Straight Talk. I kept the sim just in case I wanted to switch back some day. Just swapping sims made the APN for Verizon pop up with the wrong name. I changed the name to the correct one, then I was good to go.
lightningdude said:
I had this problem activating on Straight Talk. I actually put a sim in from another Verizon MVNO and it added the APN for me. FWIW, it was Page Plus. I used to be on their plans before switching to Straight Talk. I kept the sim just in case I wanted to switch back some day. Just swapping sims made the APN for Verizon pop up with the wrong name. I changed the name to the correct one, then I was good to go.
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Wow. this is super interesting. Will give it a shot. I can't wait for Page Plus to figure out why no one is sticking on their plans.
I bought the totally unlocked Pixel from the Google store. (Not the one that is pre-configured with Verizon as the carrier)
I did try several factory resets - with and without the SIM card. (These phones comes with some eSIM so do work without a SIM - unlike the new iPhones).
No matter which way I restarted, was never able to add an APN. This feature seems to be disabled in newer Android versions. And the "Reset" option (under three dots in APN menu) didn't change anything.
gesrowley said:
I bought the totally unlocked Pixel from the Google store. (Not the one that is pre-configured with Verizon as the carrier)
I did try several factory resets - with and without the SIM card. (These phones comes with some eSIM so do work without a SIM - unlike the new iPhones).
No matter which way I restarted, was never able to add an APN. This feature seems to be disabled in newer Android versions. And the "Reset" option (under three dots in APN menu) didn't change anything.
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Might need to put in a T-Mobile SIM or some other sim that'll let you modify the APN. The swap.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
I got mine working. I took out the Straight Talk Wireless (Verizon) sim and put in an old, inactive sim from another network (Mobiphone from Vietnam - the only sim I had lying around). That allowed me to edit the APN settings, and I edited one of the Mobiphone settings so that the name and APN were both TRACFONE.VZWENTP, then saved it. Then swapped the Straight Talk Wireless (Verizon) sim back in and was still able to see the TRACFONE.VZWENTP APN. I selected that and my LTE mobile data immediately started working. What a pain in the ass. Still amazed that such a hokey workaround was required to get an $800+ flagship phone working, but at least it's working. Good luck!
I'm having the same issues, no mobile data or sms pics. Brand new unlocked google pixel 2 xl. Was with Net10 and tried 4 hours with their support and no love. Then switched to Total Wireless and no luck either and have spent 5 hours with their support people and 4 hours with google support and their both clueless. A factory reset of the phone did not help.
granitepeaker said:
I'm having the same issues, no mobile data or sms pics. Brand new unlocked google pixel 2 xl. Was with Net10 and tried 4 hours with their support and no love. Then switched to Total Wireless and no luck either and have spent 5 hours with their support people and 4 hours with google support and their both clueless. A factory reset of the phone did not help.
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The above mentioned trick work, thanks. First I tried my earlier Net10 sim and the APN settings weren't imported. Then I was able to find one of my older Straight Talk sim cards and the Pixel 2 imported its APN settings and then I was able to edit it to Total Wireless APN settings and put the TW sim back in and now I'm in business. Wonder if this is google's fault or the way TW and Net10 makes their sim cards. I suppose i'm satisfied for now, but good grief!
Interesting that using an old SIM card might help you edit APN settings...
Orangwutang said:
I got mine working. I took out the Straight Talk Wireless (Verizon) sim and put in an old, inactive sim from another network (Mobiphone from Vietnam - the only sim I had lying around). That allowed me to edit the APN settings, and I edited one of the Mobiphone settings so that the name and APN were both TRACFONE.VZWENTP, then saved it. Then swapped the Straight Talk Wireless (Verizon) sim back in and was still able to see the TRACFONE.VZWENTP APN. I selected that and my LTE mobile data immediately started working. What a pain in the ass. Still amazed that such a hokey workaround was required to get an $800+ flagship phone working, but at least it's working. Good luck!
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So interesting that entering an old SIM card worked! When talking to Google support, the woman said she too was seeing that the APN menu was disabled on the sample Pixel 2 she had in the support center. I got the impression from her that this was an Android 8.0.0 feature and NOT related to the carrier I had chosen. I saw another post in another thread about someone taking an old (larger) SIM card (from their old cell phone) and they cut it down to fit in the Pixel 2 phone (which is a smaller SIM) and that it worked. Perhaps I'll have to try that!
Thanks!
gesrowley said:
So interesting that entering an old SIM card worked! When talking to Google support, the woman said she too was seeing that the APN menu was disabled on the sample Pixel 2 she had in the support center. I got the impression from her that this was an Android 8.0.0 feature and NOT related to the carrier I had chosen. I saw another post in another thread about someone taking an old (larger) SIM card (from their old cell phone) and they cut it down to fit in the Pixel 2 phone (which is a smaller SIM) and that it worked. Perhaps I'll have to try that!
Thanks!
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Adding APN settings didn't work on the Pixel 1 either. Not sure if this is Google's fault or Total Wiress / Net10.
granitepeaker said:
The above mentioned trick work, thanks. First I tried my earlier Net10 sim and the APN settings weren't imported. Then I was able to find one of my older Straight Talk sim cards and the Pixel 2 imported its APN settings and then I was able to edit it to Total Wireless APN settings and put the TW sim back in and now I'm in business. Wonder if this is google's fault or the way TW and Net10 makes their sim cards. I suppose i'm satisfied for now, but good grief!
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The only old SIM card I have (from TMobile) is too big. Does anyone know if it will work if I just go in and buy an unactivated SIM card at the TMobile store (for 10$) and try it with that? Or will the phone not accept the SIM until it gets activated with that service? (I don't want TMobile - I want Total Wireless service). If I asked a friend to borrow their SIM card, would making the APN changes alter their SIM in any way they might not like?
gesrowley said:
The only old SIM card I have (from TMobile) is too big. Does anyone know if it will work if I just go in and buy an unactivated SIM card at the TMobile store (for 10$) and try it with that? Or will the phone not accept the SIM until it gets activated with that service? (I don't want TMobile - I want Total Wireless service). If I asked a friend to borrow their SIM card, would making the APN changes alter their SIM in any way they might not like?
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You can always ask a friend if they have T-Mobile. I believe it doesn't have to be active because if you try to do anything it routes you to T-Mobile portals.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
Old T-Mobile card didn't help me
granitepeaker said:
The above mentioned trick work, thanks. First I tried my earlier Net10 sim and the APN settings weren't imported. Then I was able to find one of my older Straight Talk sim cards and the Pixel 2 imported its APN settings and then I was able to edit it to Total Wireless APN settings and put the TW sim back in and now I'm in business. Wonder if this is google's fault or the way TW and Net10 makes their sim cards. I suppose i'm satisfied for now, but good grief!
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Click to collapse
So, I took my old T-Mobile SIM card, cut it to the small nano size ( with exacto knife and nail file). The phone started up fine and now allowed me to add a new TW APN value and select it. But when I put my old TW card back in, mobile data still didnt work. And APN menu still didn't show any values to chose from.
Anyone else have any other suggestions?