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[Q] T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S 4G on AT&T Network..

I gave my old Samsung Galaxy S 4G phone that I had on T-Mobile to my girlfriend and unlocked it through t-mobile to be able to use it on her AT&T network. She placed her AT&T sim card in the phone and I unlocked it. The phone works fine but it will not go past "Edge" speed, is this due to the different network frequencies or is there anything else there can be done so she can get 3g at least? Would I have to Root the phone to be able to do so or is there any other easier ways to go about it? Thanks in advance for your help.

MeetGameteXY said:
The phone works fine but it will not go past "Edge" speed, is this due to the different network frequencies or is there anything else there can be done so she can get 3g at least? Would I have to Root the phone to be able to do so or is there any other easier ways to go about it? Thanks in advance for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I switched to AT&T to get the HTC One X, but I hated that phone (but it had a nice camera), so I got the AT&T Galaxy Note.
I unlocked my SGS4G so I could use it on AT&T to test radio changes, but also I noticed that I only got edge. If I go outside on a really sunny day sometimes I see it get hspa, but I don't think t-mobile phones can get 4G on AT&T's network.
I would expect at most getting edge. The ONE time I did see the phone go to hspa, I still didn't see xfer rates increase. It was slow as hell.
I think the answer is finding the right modem.bin. Our radio device is a little different then the other galaxy s phones, and most of the ones that use this same modem are on t-mobile. I'm hoping to find another phone that uses the same modem on at&t.

What he ^^ said

What he ^^ said

yea, I know... old thead is old.
bhundven said:
I switched to AT&T to get the HTC One X, but I hated that phone (but it had a nice camera), so I got the AT&T Galaxy Note.
I unlocked my SGS4G so I could use it on AT&T to test radio changes, but also I noticed that I only got edge. If I go outside on a really sunny day sometimes I see it get hspa, but I don't think t-mobile phones can get 4G on AT&T's network.
I would expect at most getting edge. The ONE time I did see the phone go to hspa, I still didn't see xfer rates increase. It was slow as hell.
I think the answer is finding the right modem.bin. Our radio device is a little different then the other galaxy s phones, and most of the ones that use this same modem are on t-mobile. I'm hoping to find another phone that uses the same modem on at&t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I was wrong. I was hitting the same stupid build prop thing where you're only on hspa if you're using data. If not it bumps you down to 3g.
AT&T works fine on this device.

AT&T on T-Mo Galaxy S 4G
bhundven said:
Actually, I was wrong. I was hitting the same stupid build prop thing where you're only on hspa if you're using data. If not it bumps you down to 3g.
AT&T works fine on this device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I just recently moved to AT&T bringing this phone. It shows a 3g status but seems to be as fast as it was on T-Mo but depending on the location. My wife has the same device on T-Mo and we drove from Chicago to Florida finding that usually one of us had a signal.
The visual voicemail isn't available from AT&T on this phone but the basic v/m works

I need help on unlocking my SGS4G for AT&T. Every time I try the app method, it either returns the code as "null" or has some busybox error. And the hexcode method doesn't work because mobile terminal can't find the file on my phone. I am running Beanstalk 4.4 ROM, and it is rooted. How can I unlock it?

Jay_P11 said:
I need help on unlocking my SGS4G for AT&T. Every time I try the app method, it either returns the code as "null" or has some busybox error. And the hexcode method doesn't work because mobile terminal can't find the file on my phone. I am running Beanstalk 4.4 ROM, and it is rooted. How can I unlock it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try going back to BML and unlocking there as the methods that you'll find on this forum are more reliable that way.
This is one of the free methods I have:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1419468
If you still can't get it to work, I do have a paid app on Google Play that can work for you:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2243585

FBis251 said:
Try going back to BML and unlocking there as the methods that you'll find on this forum are more reliable that way.
This is one of the free methods I have:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1419468
If you still can't get it to work, I do have a paid app on Google Play that can work for you:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2243585
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is on BML, I'll try those methods but if they don't work I'll probably have to flash back to stock, root, and then unlock it.

Bml= stock...

champ1919 said:
Bml= stock...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've read countless posts on here saying that was just a kernel... Thanks for the correction

@champ1919 is correct, BML refers to stock touchwiz roms. I recommended that because although I don't own this phone anymore, I wrote the unlock script a while back and I know it works fine on stock roms if you install busybox from google play, after rooting the phone.
Once your phone is unlocked, any newer roms you install will keep the unlock and if you decide to go back to stock after THAT, your phone will still remain unlocked.

FBis251 said:
@champ1919 is correct, BML refers to stock touchwiz roms. I recommended that because although I don't own this phone anymore, I wrote the unlock script a while back and I know it works fine on stock roms if you install busybox from google play, after rooting the phone.
Once your phone is unlocked, any newer roms you install will keep the unlock and if you decide to go back to stock after THAT, your phone will still remain unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This seems like the most sure fire way of going about this, I haven't had time to do it yet but I think I'll go with stock then unlock.

Samsung s4 Google Edition on ATT

Don't see a forum for Samsung s4 google edition so I am posting here.
Anyone else having an issue when trying to activate this phone on ATT? They act like they never heard of it, give all these lame "well we cannot gaurantee it will work since it's unlocked" and then telling me their system will not allow them to put a LTE plan on it..
wtf?

puma1 said:
Don't see a forum for Samsung s4 google edition so I am posting here.
Anyone else having an issue when trying to activate this phone on ATT? They act like they never heard of it, give all these lame "well we cannot gaurantee it will work since it's unlocked" and then telling me their system will not allow them to put a LTE plan on it..
wtf?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Noticed a couple threads similar over the various s4 sections.
I'm in Canada but know that my device is not required by my provider it enable data. I change devices about every 8 months and can just swap out the SIM and I'm good to go.
If AT&T has issues with the Google edition s4 couldn't you just say that it's a normal s4 bought of eBay or Craig's list to have an lte data plan enabled?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda premium

mymusicathome said:
Noticed a couple threads similar over the various s4 sections.
I'm in Canada but know that my device is not required by my provider it enable data. I change devices about every 8 months and can just swap out the SIM and I'm good to go.
If AT&T has issues with the Google edition s4 couldn't you just say that it's a normal s4 bought of eBay or Craig's list to have an lte data plan enabled?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No because in the IMEI comes up as unlocked device in their system and they pretty much are trying to get you off the phone at that point. Tried 3 diffrent reps and asked to be connected to next tier tech support.
Another update.. I gave them an IMEI from a note 2 i have.. LTE plan went on fine.. but the phone doesn't get anything more than hspa+.. 4mb down. THis is BS.. if they cannot connect the phone or I have to jump through hoops like I had to with the NExus 4 (which i had to call in like every month to have something reset) I am going to just send it back Not worth the headache.

puma1 said:
No because in the IMEI comes up as unlocked device in their system and they pretty much are trying to get you off the phone at that point. Tried 3 diffrent reps and asked to be connected to next tier tech support.
Another update.. I gave them an IMEI from a note 2 i have.. LTE plan went on fine.. but the phone doesn't get anything more than hspa+.. 4mb down. THis is BS.. if they cannot connect the phone or I have to jump through hoops like I had to with the NExus 4 (which i had to call in like every month to have something reset) I am going to just send it back Not worth the headache.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might want to give it a little bit. Or go for a walk/drive. Sometimes it can take time to lock on to the correct tower
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda premium

mymusicathome said:
Might want to give it a little bit. Or go for a walk/drive. Sometimes it can take time to lock on to the correct tower
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doubt it.. got escalated up to manager,.. basically you will not get lte on these devices. Only on att branded phones. That is the message I am being told directly. This is total BS I f'n hate ATT. Whoever is buying this for ATT beware.. your going to have a bad time. I am sending this right back as it's just as crippled as the nexus 4 with this carrier.

I bought a I9505 and had same issue (no LTE).
I have 3 lines with AT&T and I could watch the AT&T website update as I used different SIMs in the I S4, the Vivid and a Nexus 7 (3G).
I was lucky that I bought the i S4 from Amazon so no problem with refund.
I suspect if you had a never used SIM and a S4 IMEI you could get LTE.
One line was ready for an upgrade.
I got the AT&T S4 and used an 'old' SIM and connected to LTE with no problem.
As soon as I bought the AT&T S4 an email was sent and it provided a process for on line registration of the S4.
I've never seen that before and didn't do it.

I got my GE on AT&T today. My notification bar says LTE. I ran some speed tests and got about 10 mbps down but I am at work in a poor reception area. When I get home I'll try it but I better get at least 40 mpbs down or this is being returned

sheriffa said:
I got my GE on AT&T today. My notification bar says LTE. I ran some speed tests and got about 10 mbps down but I am at work in a poor reception area. When I get home I'll try it but I better get at least 40 mpbs down or this is being returned
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sheriffa, how did you activate it when yuo got it?
I ended up giving them an imei from a note 2 and they said they were able to put an LTE plan on.. yet the signal bar shows H.

puma1 said:
Sheriffa, how did you activate it when yuo got it?
I ended up giving them an imei from a note 2 and they said they were able to put an LTE plan on.. yet the signal bar shows H.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't have to activate it. I simply plugged in my sim card and it worked.
I am coming from an AT&T S3

sheriffa said:
I didn't have to activate it. I simply plugged in my sim card and it worked.
I am coming from an AT&T S3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am going to just return this I think if I try elsewhere later and stil get slow speeds. Just was shocked multiple people saying they do not support it. I even contacted google and let them know. Doubt they care.

Just get a imei number from a att phone and give it to them, it'll work. I had to do this with my galaxy nexus to get full hspa+
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

What should we be getting for DL/UL speeds?

Why would you call to activate it? Just pop in your Sim card and your good to go. I never had an issue doing this and I get lots of different phones unlocked and from different countries some times.
But I agree why is there no forums for this phone? Does motochopper root method work on this phone and I assume we can use T-Mobile version recoveries and Roms fine on this phone? Does anybody know? Sorry to get off topic.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

If you already have a LTE SIM on ATT from another phone just pop it into the GE and it will work just fine. If you do not you will have to go through the process the OP is taking about as the IMEI is not loaded as a LTE device and they will need to put one in for you to activate the LTE.
Saves a lot of time and headaches to already have an LTE SIM for ATT.

planoman said:
If you already have a LTE SIM on ATT from another phone just pop it into the GE and it will work just fine. If you do not you will have to go through the process the OP is taking about as the IMEI is not loaded as a LTE device and they will need to put one in for you to activate the LTE.
Saves a lot of time and headaches to already have an LTE SIM for ATT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can someone tell if the have an lte sim?

planoman said:
If you already have a LTE SIM on ATT from another phone just pop it into the GE and it will work just fine. If you do not you will have to go through the process the OP is taking about as the IMEI is not loaded as a LTE device and they will need to put one in for you to activate the LTE.
Saves a lot of time and headaches to already have an LTE SIM for ATT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just FYI if you do this and have tethering/hotspot in your plan then you will need to call AT&T so they can add the new IMEI. THey will also delete the old one on file, so if you're into swapping SIMs (I like to go between the iPhone 5 and S4, although in the past few weeks it's been all S4), then you won't be able to turn on hotspot/tethering without arranging a workaround or calling AT&T every time.

puma1 said:
I am going to just return this I think if I try elsewhere later and stil get slow speeds. Just was shocked multiple people saying they do not support it. I even contacted google and let them know. Doubt they care.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check to see if you have the right APNs.
I saw over in the HTC ONE forum that the GE came with a weird APN.
PTA or ATT PHONE

Take it to ATT store. They are pretty good compared to technical support over the phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

sheriffa said:
How can someone tell if the have an lte sim?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess is more accurate to say was previously on ATT LTE with a phone. Every should know if they have been on ATT LTE already. If not you have to spend some time on the phone with ATT.

just do it and swap the sim card in. i have never had a problem with service or data when getting a new device and putting the AT&T sim in it. went from S3 to S4 that way, also S3 to Sony Xperia Z, Xperia Z to S4, S4 to S3, etc.

[GUIDE] Unlock ATT Note 3 to use on Tmobile network

EDIT: (2-16-2014- This appears to only work if the ATT note 3 is on MI9 firmware. If it has been upgraded to MJ5 firmware, RegionLock away is NOT working at the moment on MJ5 and newer firmware as of today.)
Ok, I'm a longtime lurker here. This is my first tutorial so bear with me.
I received an AT&T Note 3. I was able to unlock and use this phone on T-mobile. I want to send out a big thanks to designgears and chainfire. Without their tools, I would not have been able to do this.
Here are the steps I took:
1. I rooted using Root de la Vega. I wanted to make sure I didn't trip the KNOX counter. I found this link on one of designgears's XDA post.
http://androidxda.com/root-samsung-galaxy-note-3-sm-n900a The rooting tutorial on that page is very good.
2. After I rooted and confirmed that I didn't trip the KNOX counter, I proceeded to install chainfire's app. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.regionlockaway
The following steps I got from this link http://androidfannetwork.com/2013/10/06/sim-unlock-t-mobile-note-3-for-free/
But I modified them because I am going from an ATT Note 3 to use on Tmobile.
3. Put the ATT SIM (unactivated, unregistered) that came in the box into the Note 3
4. Install RegionLock Away app
5. Run the app, and instead of rebooting say Reboot Later (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT)
6. Power off the Note 3
7. Take out the ATT SIM and replace it with T-Mobile SIM
8. Turned on the device – BOOM! no Region Lock, and NO SIM Lock.
Drawbacks so far, I am not sure if my phone is truly on LTE. Something tells me I am only on HSPA+. Hopefully somebody can tell me how to unlock Tmobile LTE on this phone. It took me a little tinkering, but I was able to get data and mms working. I am in a refarmed area of TMobile. When I used to have a Nexus 4, I was able to access LTE from my house with a custom rom. So far, the speedtests on my note 3 are comparable to the speeds on my nexus 4 with LTE. Also, I know if I update my phone, I may lose the sim unlock. For anybody interested in which APN settings I did, I posted screen shots at the following link. http://imgur.com/a/yQiJK If you have any questions, or know how to unlock AWS on this phone for true LTE, let me know.

Just an update, in case anybody is actually reading my post. I believe my phone is truly on tmobile LTE. I ran tests in areas I know have been refarmed by tmobile. Also in my settings, under mobile network type, it says LTE. Can somebody with more knowledge confirm if this is all correct? here's the link http://imgur.com/a/2IBzA

sn4keeyez said:
Just an update, in case anybody is actually reading my post. I believe my phone is truly on tmobile LTE. I ran tests in areas I know have been refarmed by tmobile. Also in my settings, under mobile network type, it says LTE. Can somebody with more knowledge confirm if this is all correct? here's the link http://imgur.com/a/2IBzA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't need to mess with the Region Lock stuff, but I wanted to thank someone with only 8 posts for taking the time to document their results and share them with everyone.

First off, thank you very much for your documented steps.
I am about to undergo this whole process sometime early next week, although I am still unsure about whether I will end up going with t-mobile or whether I will try out metro pcs. I know you're not on metro but do you know if the steps would be largely the same? I'm tempted to try getting an unlock straight from AT&T for the phone but I'm not sure if they would be willing.

Thanks for posting these steps! Quick question, though...
When I try to add the new APN for T-Mobile, the APN disappears when I change the MNC from 410 to 260. I can save all of the other options but once I modify the MNC it gets deleted from the phone. Anyone know what might be happening here?

PhilJFry said:
Thanks for posting these steps! Quick question, though...
When I try to add the new APN for T-Mobile, the APN disappears when I change the MNC from 410 to 260. I can save all of the other options but once I modify the MNC it gets deleted from the phone. Anyone know what might be happening here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, I'm not sure. Did you create a new APN? or are you editing the one that is already there? After activating my phone, I'm assuming my phone created an apn from the network. But the one my phone auto created wasn't giving me mms or LTE. So I just created a new one.

acdcflame said:
First off, thank you very much for your documented steps.
I am about to undergo this whole process sometime early next week, although I am still unsure about whether I will end up going with t-mobile or whether I will try out metro pcs. I know you're not on metro but do you know if the steps would be largely the same? I'm tempted to try getting an unlock straight from AT&T for the phone but I'm not sure if they would be willing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just found another post that is just like mine. Just to let you guys know, I didn't previously see that post or copy any of the information in it. Truthfully, I wish I had seen it before I embarked on unlocking mine. anyways here's the link. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2475552
acdcflame, a person in that post successfully unlocked a note 3 from ATT and is using it with metropcs. They even posted pictures of proof. You should post any questions you have over there.

cant wifi tether
it say invalid sim please help

give IMEI I try, note 3 att?

help
when i try to wifi tether it says invalid sim but everything else is working 4g lte mms everything but that ..does any one knows a fix

farrock2unes said:
when i try to wifi tether it says invalid sim but everything else is working 4g lte mms everything but that ..does any one knows a fix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same issue here, USB tethering is OK, but wifi tethering doesn't work

sn4keeyez said:
Ok, I'm a longtime lurker here. This is my first tutorial so bear with me.
I received an AT&T Note 3. I was able to unlock and use this phone on T-mobile. I want to send out a big thanks to designgears and chainfire. Without their tools, I would not have been able to do this.
Here are the steps I took:
1. I rooted using Root de la Vega. I wanted to make sure I didn't trip the KNOX counter. I found this link on one of designgears's XDA post.
http://androidxda.com/root-samsung-galaxy-note-3-sm-n900a The rooting tutorial on that page is very good.
2. After I rooted and confirmed that I didn't trip the KNOX counter, I proceeded to install chainfire's app. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.regionlockaway
The following steps I got from this link http://androidfannetwork.com/2013/10/06/sim-unlock-t-mobile-note-3-for-free/
But I modified them because I am going from an ATT Note 3 to use on Tmobile.
3. Put the ATT SIM (unactivated, unregistered) that came in the box into the Note 3
4. Install RegionLock Away app
5. Run the app, and instead of rebooting say Reboot Later (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT)
6. Power off the Note 3
7. Take out the ATT SIM and replace it with T-Mobile SIM
8. Turned on the device – BOOM! no Region Lock, and NO SIM Lock.
Drawbacks so far, I am not sure if my phone is truly on LTE. Something tells me I am only on HSPA+. Hopefully somebody can tell me how to unlock Tmobile LTE on this phone. It took me a little tinkering, but I was able to get data and mms working. I am in a refarmed area of TMobile. When I used to have a Nexus 4, I was able to access LTE from my house with a custom rom. So far, the speedtests on my note 3 are comparable to the speeds on my nexus 4 with LTE. Also, I know if I update my phone, I may lose the sim unlock. For anybody interested in which APN settings I did, I posted screen shots at the following link. http://imgur.com/a/yQiJK If you have any questions, or know how to unlock AWS on this phone for true LTE, let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I followed your guide trying to get the note 3 on metro, my girlfriend got me the phone with her upgrade and when I requested at&t for an unlock through the website it told me I was ineligible, the phone came in an ATT box with an unactivated sim, when I put that in I get "phone not allowed MM#2". When I try my metropcs sim I get "phone not allowed MM#6", I also tried activating the phone with her at&t sim which says my phone has already been activated and works with no problems. I have an at&t N900A
Android 4.3
Baseband N900AUCUBMI9

farrock2unes said:
it say invalid sim please help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WIFI tethering is blocked by tmobile. the only way to get it working is to install a rom that has hacked wifi tethering. I installed Jedi Elite V5 rom from this link.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2493795
using this method.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2554411
And then i used this app foxfi
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.foxfi&hl=en
Now WIFI tethering works for me.

farrock2unes said:
when i try to wifi tether it says invalid sim but everything else is working 4g lte mms everything but that ..does any one knows a fix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look at my previous post, it tells the steps on how to get wifi tethering working.

U only need the att sim card to get the phone to turn on. After the phone is on and u can access the play store, then insert your metro pcs sim card. Go to Google play store and install region away app. Follow rest of my instructions after that.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app

Thanks for the guide! Can you guys tell me if tmobile identifies the att note 3 on your "mytmobile" or does it say unidentified device? I'm asking because those of us on the old tzones internet plans are limited to certain devices we are able to use. Thanks in advance.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk

simplycute said:
Thanks for the guide! Can you guys tell me if tmobile identifies the att note 3 on your "mytmobile" or does it say unidentified device? I'm asking because those of us on the old tzones internet plans are limited to certain devices we are able to use. Thanks in advance.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I am still on tzones too. My att note 3 works fine with tzones. I get LTE and it works great. Here's a screen shot showing speeds I got with it.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app

disconnected
i just had my att note 3 disconnected from att i had it unlocked and now i have a tmobile sim. i have not installed. i am wondering will these methods still work. if so do i follow steps or is there a thread i need to go to thanks

Should this method be working for a T-Mobile Note 3 (N900T) with a Straight Talk sim card?
I used the "easy" root on kingoapp.com since the root de la vega seemed over my head. It says that my phone was rooted properly. I then followed the steps with an unactivated t-mobile sim, installed and ran region lock away, chose reboot later, turned off, then put in the straight talk sim but I still get a sim error.
Do I need to re-root using the CF Auto Root? I downloaded the root checker app and it says that I have root access...

worked flawlessly
Thank you very much - worked flawlessly! First time doing anything like this coming from sprint Iphone 4s. I researched endlessly for one week before even considering going through this. I used RDLV root method along with your tutorial and not one error along the way. i'll be sure to frequent this forum going forward.
rooted and unlocked SM-N900A MI9 to tmobile

Free hotspot on s6?

Okay so my husband bought a used Verizon Samsung Galaxy s6 from someone and said it was unlocked. After using it, I discovered the Wi-Fi hot-spot feature worked for free (using cricket service).
Well dropped my phone in the toilet and now it's broken. Instead of trying to get it fixed, I'd rather buy a new one, since I did have some network issues at times (I'm supposing since it was Verizon?)
Anyway, my question is.... I want to get either at&t or T-Mobile since I believe both are 100% compatible with Cricket. If I get a factory or network unlocked s6, will the hot-spot feature be enabled for free again? Or do I have to modify the phone somehow? Thanks in advance.

Merkayluh said:
Okay so my husband bought a used Verizon Samsung Galaxy s6 from someone and said it was unlocked. After using it, I discovered the Wi-Fi hot-spot feature worked for free (using cricket service).
Well dropped my phone in the toilet and now it's broken. Instead of trying to get it fixed, I'd rather buy a new one, since I did have some network issues at times (I'm supposing since it was Verizon?)
Anyway, my question is.... I want to get either at&t or T-Mobile since I believe both are 100% compatible with Cricket. If I get a factory or network unlocked s6, will the hot-spot feature be enabled for free again? Or do I have to modify the phone somehow? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe should ask in T-Mobile or AT&T forum.
Sent from my SM-G925F

Huge question for owners of the S8+ factory unlocked...

So, I use my phone for a source of internet at my place of work. I have AT&T service and currently have an Axon 7 and enjoy free wifi hotspot with it, and it works great. However, I can't get the axon 7 to play well with my gear s3 for samsung pay and a few other weird very annoying things.
So, I want to get the S8+ that is factory unlocked so I can use the wifi hotspot without issue and get all of the benefits of my watch, but I have heard a horrible rumor that when you put in an att sim that the unlocked s8+ downloads the att bloatware and will not let you have free wifi tethering. I have an unlimited plan and already pay for my internet, I should be allowed to use it as I see fit damn it!
My question is this: If I have an At&t unlimited data plan and buy the International Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S8+, can I use the wifi hotspot (wifi tethering) with no problems with it remaining stock, unrooted?
I freaking hope that I can as this would be really the biggest reason for me to buy it and would certainly keep me from buying it if in fact I cannot use the wifi hotspot on it.
Thanks for your time everyone!

Anyone? I am poised to buy this thing if I can use it the way I need to.

If no one else answers before I get home, I have an AT&T sim card I can pop in and check.
These phones shouldn't be downloading bloatware though, at the very most it imposes Network features and restrictions of the carrier you're using.
I don't have any Verizon bloat on mine, but I also haven't been paying attention to whats happening with others, as there isn't very much talk of the unlocked model on here.
---------- Post added at 08:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:11 PM ----------
You should be able to do whatever the phone is capable of without rooting provided the AT&T stuff isn't interfering.

thanks!
Seireiju said:
If no one else answers before I get home, I have an AT&T sim card I can pop in and check.
These phones shouldn't be downloading bloatware though, at the very most it imposes Network features and restrictions of the carrier you're using.
I don't have any Verizon bloat on mine, but I also haven't been paying attention to whats happening with others, as there isn't very much talk of the unlocked model on here.
---------- Post added at 08:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:11 PM ----------
You should be able to do whatever the phone is capable of without rooting provided the AT&T stuff isn't interfering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I Thank you. That's what I heard, that (with one of the newer Samsung phones that was unlocked) once an att sim was in it, and linked to that carrier, it dl'ed the bloatware due to something with the att network and it also didn't allow them to use the hotspot for free. I hope that the person was either wrong or lying. I got granfathered in due to my old iphone play when I had a 3G (olllllllld) and the hotspot is the only real reason for me to need unlimited data.

BolinMedia said:
I Thank you. That's what I heard, that (with one of the newer Samsung phones that was unlocked) once an att sim was in it, and linked to that carrier, it dl'ed the bloatware due to something with the att network and it also didn't allow them to use the hotspot for free. I hope that the person was either wrong or lying. I got granfathered in due to my old iphone play when I had a 3G (olllllllld) and the hotspot is the only real reason for me to need unlimited data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just received my Unlocked S8+ US version that I bought directly from Samsung.com today and I have ATT and I put in my ATT sim card and I selected the NExtgen APN, and i just tried the hotspot and works perfectly fine and I never had any ATT bloatware download, which should never happen with a non att unlock phone.

awesome!!!!! So, the unlocked version you have is a US At&t that is unlocked and not even the international version? Is it branded At&T on the phone, or no branding?

I've got the USA version, unlocked, no carrier branded and I can activate hotspot without carrier check. I'm on cricket

BolinMedia said:
awesome!!!!! So, the unlocked version you have is a US At&t that is unlocked and not even the international version? Is it branded At&T on the phone, or no branding?
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Click to collapse
yes mines US version, is not carrier branded and I bought directly from Samsung USA from there web site, and the hotspot works perfect, besides not having wifi calling that`s the only draw back. see link
http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/phones/galaxy-s/galaxy-s8-plus-64gb--unlocked--sm-g955uzkaxaa/

2003vstrom said:
yes mines US version, is not carrier branded and I bought directly from Samsung USA from there web site, and the hotspot works perfect, besides not having wifi calling that`s the only draw back. see link
http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/phones/galaxy-s/galaxy-s8-plus-64gb--unlocked--sm-g955uzkaxaa/
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Click to collapse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx2Lnhth5qg&t=695s
Got to 8 minutes 10 seconds
In this video, Linus Tech Tips reviews it and says that the first sim inserted in to it gets it to download all of the bloatware for that carrier and others have said that once the att bloat is on you also cannot use the wifi hotspot. I literally have the money in my pocket and am going to bestbuy in the morning before work to get the phone. I pray to God that I can use the wifi hotspot on it. Otherwise I will demand a refund and take it back. I cannot have a phone without the wifi hotspot for free. Anyone with att try the unlocked version by setting it up with their att sim? I'm freaking scared right now!

BolinMedia said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx2Lnhth5qg&t=695s
Got to 8 minutes 10 seconds
In this video, Linus Tech Tips reviews it and says that the first sim inserted in to it gets it to download all of the bloatware for that carrier and others have said that once the att bloat is on you also cannot use the wifi hotspot. I literally have the money in my pocket and am going to bestbuy in the morning before work to get the phone. I pray to God that I can use the wifi hotspot on it. Otherwise I will demand a refund and take it back. I cannot have a phone without the wifi hotspot for free. Anyone with att try the unlocked version by setting it up with their att sim? I'm freaking scared right now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get a cheap prepaid sim on T-Mobile or an MNVO of AT&T and use that sim first to set it up then swap with your AT&T, buy passing the while first sim issue.
Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

I can confirm that there are no problems with hotspot. I have the US unlocked version. No AT&T bloatware at all was downloaded when I put the SIM card in. I use tether every day with no issues
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk

I'm on sprint. Just activated phone today, and no bloatware installed. That being said, I cannot seem to start the hotspot. Every time I do, its just shouts itself off. Bluetooth tethering seems to stay on, although I have not tested it yet. Any ideas why that might be? Does sprint block hotspot even on unlocked phones?