Buying Unlocked Phone - General Questions and Answers

I currently use a Motorola Atrix HD cell phone . The Android version is 4.1.1 and it will not update to a newer version. It is probably 4 years old at least. I want to get a newer phone but really was trying to avoid signing another 2 years contract with AT&T so wondered if I bought an unlocked phone that is AT&T compatible, can I just move the SIM card to the new phone and then use it as my new phone? I am older, 75, and need help with this decision. I don't need a phone with all the bells and whistles, just a basic smart phone to call, text, do email and other basic online functions. I did go to Best Buy and selected one of their unlocked phones but my SIM card would not fit the new phone so had to cancel that. Any help, comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

JosephDamien said:
I currently use a Motorola Atrix HD cell phone . The Android version is 4.1.1 and it will not update to a newer version. It is probably 4 years old at least. I want to get a newer phone but really was trying to avoid signing another 2 years contract with AT&T so wondered if I bought an unlocked phone that is AT&T compatible, can I just move the SIM card to the new phone and then use it as my new phone? I am older, 75, and need help with this decision. I don't need a phone with all the bells and whistles, just a basic smart phone to call, text, do email and other basic online functions. I did go to Best Buy and selected one of their unlocked phones but my SIM card would not fit the new phone so had to cancel that. Any help, comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Switching your current AT&T SIM card to another unlocked phone will work. There are a few things to watch out for:
1. Don't forger to somehow transfer your contacts to your new phone. This can be done with Google account sync or (easier) you could export your contacts from your phone to your SIM card.
2. There are multiple SIM card sizes (as you notices). There is standard size sim, micro sim and nano sim. Make sure your SIM size is compatible with your phone. If it's too big or too small go to AT&T and ask for a different size SIM card. Just don't ever use SIM adapters. They can break the phone's SIM tray permanently.

JosephDamien said:
I currently use a Motorola Atrix HD cell phone . The Android version is 4.1.1 and it will not update to a newer version. It is probably 4 years old at least. I want to get a newer phone but really was trying to avoid signing another 2 years contract with AT&T so wondered if I bought an unlocked phone that is AT&T compatible, can I just move the SIM card to the new phone and then use it as my new phone? I am older, 75, and need help with this decision. I don't need a phone with all the bells and whistles, just a basic smart phone to call, text, do email and other basic online functions. I did go to Best Buy and selected one of their unlocked phones but my SIM card would not fit the new phone so had to cancel that. Any help, comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
see
What's your next smartphone / What should I buy by poseidon5213
and
**DEVICE SUGGESTION THREAD** -- Not sure what device to buy? Ask here! by KidCarter93
Sent from my XT1254 using XDA Labs

janekmuric said:
Yes. Switching your current AT&T SIM card to another unlocked phone will work. There are a few things to watch out for:
1. Don't forger to somehow transfer your contacts to your new phone. This can be done with Google account sync or (easier) you could export your contacts from your phone to your SIM card.
2. There are multiple SIM card sizes (as you notices). There is standard size sim, micro sim and nano sim. Make sure your SIM size is compatible with your phone. If it's too big or too small go to AT&T and ask for a different size SIM card. Just don't ever use SIM adapters. They can break the phone's SIM tray permanently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Janekmuric. I'll have to take out my SIM card and see what type it is. Also will try to see if there is a way on my phone to put my contacts on my SIM card. So moving my SIM card to a new phone (assuming it fits) will then enable me to begin to use that phone as my normal phone. I just can't believe it's that easy and that AT&T won't have their claws in there for some kind of fee or charge. I'll have to look for a phone then and want to try to get one that is at least version 6, I think that's Marshmallow. I've seen a number of these on Amazon that are unlocked and compatible with AT&T and not very expensive. I just need as I said earlier a basic smart phone to do calls, text, email and some basic internet. I do not do streaming or use my phone for music and all that.

JosephDamien said:
Thanks Janekmuric. I'll have to take out my SIM card and see what type it is. Also will try to see if there is a way on my phone to put my contacts on my SIM card. So moving my SIM card to a new phone (assuming it fits) will then enable me to begin to use that phone as my normal phone. I just can't believe it's that easy and that AT&T won't have their claws in there for some kind of fee or charge. I'll have to look for a phone then and want to try to get one that is at least version 6, I think that's Marshmallow. I've seen a number of these on Amazon that are unlocked and compatible with AT&T and not very expensive. I just need as I said earlier a basic smart phone to do calls, text, email and some basic internet. I do not do streaming or use my phone for music and all that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck with finding a new phone. You can use GSMArena Phone Finder to find a phone you need. You put in what you want from the phone, what android version you want, what battery capacity, price, size and so on, and it returns a list of phones that fall into that category.
Samsung Galaxy J7 is good for what you need. It's responsive, fast, stylish and costs 220 USD on Amazon.com

Related

iPhone question

I know the iPhone isn't supported here, but I'm not sure where else to ask.
My friend has an iPhone, and he is about to trade it via craigslist for a barely used at&T tilt.
Now, if we trade, do you have to re-activate the iPhone, or can the guy just put in his sim card and be ready to go?
stuff said:
I know the iPhone isn't supported here, but I'm not sure where else to ask.
My friend has an iPhone, and he is about to trade it via craigslist for a barely used at&T tilt.
Now, if we trade, do you have to re-activate the iPhone, or can the guy just put in his sim card and be ready to go?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are enough websites offering a pretty simple "solution" to remove the SIM lock from the iPhone, so I wouldn't worry.
The latest FW 1.1.4 is easily unlockable, same applies to the file system, modem fw, etc.
To make it short: if the iPhone WORKS and isn't bricked, it can be MADE to work with any SIM card, no problem.
Activation can be done too this way, again no problem.
Well the other guy has at&t as his carrier.
So if we exchange devices, I'll have to sim unlock it for him?
Or is it just like any other phone, put in your sim card and you're good to go?
How do you sim unlock the iphone?

Question about using prepaid sims on my tp2...

If I unlock a verizon htc touch pro 2 (Rhodium) will I be able to use prepaid sim card based unlimited plans on it? The kind you can get from walmart and stuff? I don't want to buy a new phone because I still love my touch pro 2 but having a verizon account isn't possible anymore so I would like to get some sort of prepaid plan for it. Thanks.
em0rox said:
If I unlock a verizon htc touch pro 2 (Rhodium) will I be able to use prepaid sim card based unlimited plans on it? The kind you can get from walmart and stuff? I don't want to buy a new phone because I still love my touch pro 2 but having a verizon account isn't possible anymore so I would like to get some sort of prepaid plan for it. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if you do the SIM unlock and get a prepaid provider that uses (regular) SIM cards.
Note this is different from the hSPL process.
I already unlocked the spl a long time ago, using mighty rom on it. Would all providers work? I'm wanting to get one of those unlimited text things from like t-mobile or even verizon. Is there any free way to unlock the phone? If not do you know the best way to go about doing it?
What do you mean by "regular" sim cards? I've never used anything but Verizon cdma on someone else's actual account so I'm not sure about sim cards. I've had lots of phones but they have all been on verizon and cdma.
em0rox said:
I already unlocked the spl a long time ago, using mighty rom on it. Would all providers work? I'm wanting to get one of those unlimited text things from like t-mobile or even verizon. Is there any free way to unlock the phone? If not do you know the best way to go about doing it?
What do you mean by "regular" sim cards? I've never used anything but Verizon cdma on someone else's actual account so I'm not sure about sim cards. I've had lots of phones but they have all been on verizon and cdma.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not all sim cards are the same size/shape. There are some adapters out there for sale, but I don't suggest going that route. If it is a major carrier, and the sim card fits your phone, and your phone is sim unlocked it should work.
em0rox said:
I already unlocked the spl a long time ago, using mighty rom on it. Would all providers work? I'm wanting to get one of those unlimited text things from like t-mobile or even verizon. Is there any free way to unlock the phone? If not do you know the best way to go about doing it?
What do you mean by "regular" sim cards? I've never used anything but Verizon cdma on someone else's actual account so I'm not sure about sim cards. I've had lots of phones but they have all been on verizon and cdma.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon = CDMA.
You need a GSM provider that uses standard size SIM cards. Some providers use different sized cards (as noted previously), but most use standard size cards.
I know verizon is cdma but the touch pro 2 has a sim slot as well because it was sold as a "world phone". So as long as I unlock it and the sim card I get fits it should work? I've only seen one type of sim card before but from a bunch of different phones and they were all the same size as the touch pro 2 takes.
As for the second part of my question I'm still a bit confused about. Is there any free way to unlock the phone? If not do you know the best way to go about doing it? Should I take it to a provider with a local store, use a site that does it, etc?
em0rox said:
I know verizon is cdma but the touch pro 2 has a sim slot as well because it was sold as a "world phone". So as long as I unlock it and the sim card I get fits it should work? I've only seen one type of sim card before but from a bunch of different phones and they were all the same size as the touch pro 2 takes.
As for the second part of my question I'm still a bit confused about. Is there any free way to unlock the phone? If not do you know the best way to go about doing it? Should I take it to a provider with a local store, use a site that does it, etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First question has been answered several times. Yes.
There is not a free way to unlock the phone.
However, if you had looked at the stickies... In this very section... You might've noticed this thread. I hope...
No reason to be rude man... I just didn't want to spend $20 on unlocking it then another $40 on the card just to find out it won't work. Not all of us are "well off", can't just throw away money like that... I could eat for weeks off that money lol...
Also I didn't look for anything on how to unlock it because, like I said, I wanted to know if the prepaid things would work on it in the first place. Thanks for all the answers though guys it has helped a lot. My phone was on my ex wife's mother's plan and the 2 year contract just ran out so she closed the account. I can't afford a new phone to go with a prepaid plan. Just trying to find a way to have a phone again so I can talk to my children and want to make sure I don't spend money I don't have on something that won't work.
em0rox said:
No reason to be rude man... I just didn't want to spend $20 on unlocking it then another $40 on the card just to find out it won't work. Not all of us are "well off", can't just throw away money like that... I could eat for weeks off that money lol...
Also I didn't look for anything on how to unlock it because, like I said, I wanted to know if the prepaid things would work on it in the first place. Thanks for all the answers though guys it has helped a lot. My phone was on my ex wife's mother's plan and the 2 year contract just ran out so she closed the account. I can't afford a new phone to go with a prepaid plan. Just trying to find a way to have a phone again so I can talk to my children and want to make sure I don't spend money I don't have on something that won't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just take your time and read as much as you can.
Wish there was a 'free way' to unlock the phone, but Olinex is still allowed to charge for that privilege... Sorry.
Mind explaining the whole unlock thing? It seems to me there are "official" sites, random people, companies, local stores, pretty much anyone can do it... Do they have to have a license to register the code on some global database or what? I've softmodded and hardmodded just about everything I've ever owned since my sms (yea that's kinda funny talking about phones but I meant sega master system...) flashcart but I don't really get this... From what I've read you get a code from someone (which can be anyone who can do it I guess) and that unlocks your device. So does that unlock your device 100% or only on networks that person/company has license to unlock on?
em0rox said:
Mind explaining the whole unlock thing? It seems to me there are "official" sites, random people, companies, local stores, pretty much anyone can do it... Do they have to have a license to register the code on some global database or what? I've softmodded and hardmodded just about everything I've ever owned since my sms (yea that's kinda funny talking about phones but I meant sega master system...) flashcart but I don't really get this... From what I've read you get a code from someone (which can be anyone who can do it I guess) and that unlocks your device. So does that unlock your device 100% or only on networks that person/company has license to unlock on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't really understand how the SIM unlocking process works unfortunately... I know Oli's works for our devices, so if you're going to pay for one that's the one to go with.

[Q] safelink sim in android phone

hello. has anyone ever been able to get the sim from a SAFE-LINK OBAMA PHONE to work in an unlocked android phone?
my phone is unlocked and i think i should be able to use any gsm sim card in it. but when i put the safelink sim in, it says please put in a valid sim card or something like that.
any help, or answers for this..
gameplayerdo2 said:
hello. has anyone ever been able to get the sim from a SAFE-LINK OBAMA PHONE to work in an unlocked android phone?
my phone is unlocked and i think i should be able to use any gsm sim card in it. but when i put the safelink sim in, it says please put in a valid sim card or something like that.
any help, or answers for this..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, your simcard is bad...
You need to call safelink and have them seend you a new simcard...
When you get your new simcard in the mail you will install it and call safelink/tracfone and have them activate your phones simcard over the phone..
Not sure if anyone's following this thread anymore, but I did some research on this subject and actually spoke to Tracfone and SafeLink reps. This remains untested as of yet but I'm about to commit and buy a device to switch my friends phone from the cheesy old school one they provide. Though grateful as she may be, it is a technologically inferior phone and it's at least worth a try, because devices with the following specs are very cheap.
1. The replacement device MUST BE A TRACFONE.
2. It must have the same size Sim card slot as the one they provided initially, hers is a MINI SIM, so I assume they ALL are.
3. It must be a GSM device as they only provide service specific to their SIM card.
4. It MUST BE A NON-ANDROID device.
So, when I find a gsm Tracfone that's non-android, has a Mini-Sim card slotand doesn't have a touch screen, I'll buy it, call SafeLink to have her service transferred to that device and let you know what happens. According to the reps touch screen devices may or may not work as transferring service doesn't happen everyday. Wish me luck.
Sent from my N9510
thanks for that. im just now seeing this response from you some how. but i am going to try it once i get another android phone.
THANKS AGAIN.
any reason why it must be a non android device? that almost defeats the purpose..
I think they mean Android operating systems. So an older Windows or Samsung phone should work. I'm still looking through the ton of phones that are available and non-android before I commit to buying one. And am still searching databases on the subject just to make sure, but am about to move on it soon. Will post when I do and let you know if it works okay.
Tapatapped it.
SafeLink in Android
gameplayerdo2 said:
hello. has anyone ever been able to get the sim from a SAFE-LINK OBAMA PHONE to work in an unlocked android phone?
my phone is unlocked and i think i should be able to use any gsm sim card in it. but when i put the safelink sim in, it says please put in a valid sim card or something like that.
any help, or answers for this..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its funny you mention this, I have been using my SafeLink Simcard in an unlocked Android for some time now. Although I am unable to send or recieve MMS messages or access the internet (unless I'm on my wifi) its better than the simple phones they give you. I agree that it is worth checking out though, those phones while simple have excellent battery life.
Hi
xHilltopCowboyx said:
Its funny you mention this, I have been using my SafeLink Simcard in an unlocked Android for some time now. Although I am unable to send or recieve MMS messages or access the internet (unless I'm on my wifi) its better than the simple phones they give you. I agree that it is worth checking out though, those phones while simple have excellent battery life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you tell me how you do this?
l_e_g_s said:
Can you tell me how you do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you verify this? If I get one, I'll test and report back.
Sent from my SM-N900 using XDA Free mobile app
l_e_g_s said:
Can you tell me how you do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just put a sim for an activated Alcatel 205g into a unlocked moto android. It doesn't work
Maybe if you get an unactivated safelink sim into the android it will work.
Sent from my SM-N900 using XDA Free mobile app
thanks for the response and info. i appreciate it. i hadn't been on here in quite some time do to my main computer CRASHING! I WAS DEVASTATED! NO PASSWORDS NO NOTHING FOR A WHILE. i cut my sim last night and tried it but no luck for me on that front.. maybe the cut is off a little or something. but my sim chip part is really tiny. i'm guessing nano and don't know that should be positioned.
my daughter just got a safelink and I was wondering how this project has worked out...or not.....
xHilltopCowboyx said:
Its funny you mention this, I have been using my SafeLink Simcard in an unlocked Android for some time now. Although I am unable to send or recieve MMS messages or access the internet (unless I'm on my wifi) its better than the simple phones they give you. I agree that it is worth checking out though, those phones while simple have excellent battery life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please share how you did it?
Thanks,
I'm not a obaMa fone (gov insurance phone) expert but I wouldnt understand how a sim card with service would even know its not in a certain phone. the phone not getting service is a thing by itself due to radios not matching service frequency and all that other stuff. Your sim card size is a different story, nano sim card devices need nano sim cards to get service. So being the obaMa Phone comes with the original sim card size Sim Card, one would have to first have a phone thats unlocked and takes the overgrown sim. If the sim is cut to a micro (via a sim cutter) I would say that should work in a micro sim unlocked device. MMS and Internet are fixed with proper APN configuration. Hope my insight helped. Will return with my own test shortly, hopefully.
EDiT: So I just took the obama phone simcard and put it in my unlocked china android and no go, didn't read the sim. However I put in another sim from net10 and realized it worked so I then took them out and noticed they are different sizes as far as the copper or bronzed color parts of the sim. So I think its about just having the right sim card for it. Not all sims are the same and since the obama phone uses its sim for memory as well, texts + contacts... I'm sure thats the major difference. smart sim vs dumb sim. I will be back as I wish to make this work now, lol. PEACE
I have helped 3 people sign up, all got androids
lagoboss said:
Did you verify this? If I get one, I'll test and report back.
Sent from my SM-N900 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am the caregiver to handicapped and disabled people and I have helped 3 people sign up and signed myself up as well and 3 of us signed up with Q-link wireless and all got LG Androids and one wanted to sign up with Safe link and he got the smallest junk phone that he can't he can't even read the buttons because they are so small.
I will tell you that all the Q-link androids do not come with sim cards and say SD card unmounted or not present when trying to use certain features like the camera, which I would really like for that to work to take pictures of my patients while I still have them with me, but I cannot get Q-link to send me a sim they do not have them or just don't want to help anyone out. They will not even replace a phone that broke with-in 2 days of arrival for a patient. It had some red triangle on the front and was completely frozen, I had to go on you tube and look to see if anyone else had that problem with that phone and luckily someone had and made a video on how to fix it, So I fixed it for him for free. Always look to you tube or online for free help or videos on how to do it yourself before paying out of pocket, something they were going to charge him shipping and handling back to them and $20-$30 for another phone that probably would have been the same phone, just they new which 3 buttons to push in which order to reset the phone from their bad upgrade..... Seriously saved him $50 and weeks without a phone just by watching it on you tube and following the video, 15 minutes and he had his phone good as new and a smile to boot. They just wanted to squeeze more money put of a man that only had $38 left after paying his bills each month and his $126 a month the state gives him for food stamps. I hate when people take advantage of anyone but to take advantage of someone already very disadvantaged, they are scum, they deserve jail, they deserve to pay back all moneys paid to them for their "FREE PHONES" from the government. One day the safelink executives will be standing trial and I will be cheering, and praying that the jury box is full of people that their greed has touched or touched someone very close to them. I pray they pay for their crimes to the disabled and elderly. Please change from safelink. I am not saying go to Q-link, I am not their rep and they have issues as well, I heard from someone else that Assurance was a better company but I have never personally dealt with them so I cannot say, Please look up these company's and read the customer reviews, better yet, go a couple links down and look where they can't delete them or go to the better business bureau's website and look their. You don't want to be waiting months for your free phone that you may need for an emergency to save your own life or someone you love and you do not want bad service if you do indeed need your phone for an emergency, please do your research. If anyone has any insight without being a rep of one of these or any free phone company, please tell us your likes, dislikes or whatever experiences you have had with whatever company. Please include if you have talked to customer service at anytime, if so did they help? Did they speak English or any other language you needed to communicate? What kind of phone, anything wrong with it? If their was something defective how long did it take the company to fix? If they did fix it did they charge you for this fix to your FREE phone? Please fill in all our blanks because you know we all want to know and need to know. We need a good company with strong values that have a good product that functions correctly with enough minutes to make it through the month to make doctors appointments and social serve appointments. Any information would be great. Thank you all.
If you haven't fixed your camera yet read on :fingers-crossed:
ObamaAndroidNoSim said:
I am the caregiver to handicapped and disabled people and I have helped 3 people sign up and signed myself up as well and 3 of us signed up with Q-link wireless and all got LG Androids and one wanted to sign up with Safe link and he got the smallest junk phone that he can't he can't even read the buttons because they are so small.
I will tell you that all the Q-link androids do not come with sim cards and say SD card unmounted or not present when trying to use certain features like the camera, which I would really like for that to work to take pictures of my patients while I still have them with me, but I cannot get Q-link to send me a sim they do not have them or just don't want to help anyone out. They will not even replace a phone that broke with-in 2 days of arrival for a patient. It had some red triangle on the front and was completely frozen, I had to go on you tube and look to see if anyone else had that problem with that phone and luckily someone had and made a video on how to fix it, So I fixed it for him for free. Always look to you tube or online for free help or videos on how to do it yourself before paying out of pocket, something they were going to charge him shipping and handling back to them and $20-$30 for another phone that probably would have been the same phone, just they new which 3 buttons to push in which order to reset the phone from their bad upgrade..... Seriously saved him $50 and weeks without a phone just by watching it on you tube and following the video, 15 minutes and he had his phone good as new and a smile to boot. They just wanted to squeeze more money put of a man that only had $38 left after paying his bills each month and his $126 a month the state gives him for food stamps. I hate when people take advantage of anyone but to take advantage of someone already very disadvantaged, they are scum, they deserve jail, they deserve to pay back all moneys paid to them for their "FREE PHONES" from the government. One day the safelink executives will be standing trial and I will be cheering, and praying that the jury box is full of people that their greed has touched or touched someone very close to them. I pray they pay for their crimes to the disabled and elderly. Please change from safelink. I am not saying go to Q-link, I am not their rep and they have issues as well, I heard from someone else that Assurance was a better company but I have never personally dealt with them so I cannot say, Please look up these company's and read the customer reviews, better yet, go a couple links down and look where they can't delete them or go to the better business bureau's website and look their. You don't want to be waiting months for your free phone that you may need for an emergency to save your own life or someone you love and you do not want bad service if you do indeed need your phone for an emergency, please do your research. If anyone has any insight without being a rep of one of these or any free phone company, please tell us your likes, dislikes or whatever experiences you have had with whatever company. Please include if you have talked to customer service at anytime, if so did they help? Did they speak English or any other language you needed to communicate? What kind of phone, anything wrong with it? If their was something defective how long did it take the company to fix? If they did fix it did they charge you for this fix to your FREE phone? Please fill in all our blanks because you know we all want to know and need to know. We need a good company with strong values that have a good product that functions correctly with enough minutes to make it through the month to make doctors appointments and social serve appointments. Any information would be great. Thank you all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hope you see this and you and the people you care for are able to start using your cameras!
Hopefully you figured this out by now, otherwise hopefully you still subscribe to this thread and maybe I can earn my first thanks. Anyway, your problem isn't the sim, your sim card and sd card are not the same thing. You need to get and install an SD micro memory card and your camera functions will start working as well as likely opening up some additional storage space for apps possibly and media files definitely! Surprised nobody else caught this, feeling pretty good about myself lol
gameplayerdo2 said:
hello. has anyone ever been able to get the sim from a SAFE-LINK OBAMA PHONE to work in an unlocked android phone?
my phone is unlocked and i think i should be able to use any gsm sim card in it. but when i put the safelink sim in, it says please put in a valid sim card or something like that.
any help, or answers for this..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can use any smart phone (iphone-Galaxy-Verizon-AT&T) with your safelink services. There are a couple ways to do this.
(1) You can try moving the SIM card to a new phone if it fits and see if it picks up service. Some people have said this worked great for them. Fast & Easy
(2) You can go to TracFone web site and buy a SIM that will allow you to move a smart phone over to your Safelink service. It's called Bring Your Own Smartphone.
(3) Or you can buy the "Bring Your Own Smartphone" kit from your local Walmart for $10. But it only does AT&T - Verizon phones.
The phone needs to be compatible or unlocked GSM LTE or CDMALTE.
justlovejoy said:
I'm not a obaMa fone (gov insurance phone) expert but I wouldnt understand how a sim card with service would even know its not in a certain phone. the phone not getting service is a thing by itself due to radios not matching service frequency and all that other stuff. Your sim card size is a different story, nano sim card devices need nano sim cards to get service. So being the obaMa Phone comes with the original sim card size Sim Card, one would have to first have a phone thats unlocked and takes the overgrown sim. If the sim is cut to a micro (via a sim cutter) I would say that should work in a micro sim unlocked device. MMS and Internet are fixed with proper APN configuration. Hope my insight helped. Will return with my own test shortly, hopefully.
EDiT: So I just took the obama phone simcard and put it in my unlocked china android and no go, didn't read the sim. However I put in another sim from net10 and realized it worked so I then took them out and noticed they are different sizes as far as the copper or bronzed color parts of the sim. So I think its about just having the right sim card for it. Not all sims are the same and since the obama phone uses its sim for memory as well, texts + contacts... I'm sure thats the major difference. smart sim vs dumb sim. I will be back as I wish to make this work now, lol. PEACE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
smart sim vs dumb sim. lol,,,,,,, that is literally hilarious! im crying over here.. lol
but, i think its the truth. the gov sims ive had had to be locked to a phone in some cases. almost like the metro pcs sims. they want you to attach it to a imei on the phone. but im scared to keep trying to mess with it as sometimes i have to end up getting a new sim and theyve messed up my phone number before... argh..
i am currently using a sim card from an alcatel one touch safe link phone in my sght399n samsung galaxy light with jellybean and it works fine it is a standard size sim card it is my under standing that as long as the phone is unlocked the sim card will work with the exception of the mini sim card you would have to find an tracphone that has a mini sim in it to use it in an unlocked phone that uses that type of sim card how ever i can verify that the standard size works in any unlocked phone that takes that size my brother has a trac phone sim in his lg stylus and my sister has one in her Samsung galaxy prime both run android operating systems and work fine my brother has marshmellow and my sister has lollipop 5.1.1
my **** for what ever reason gets stolen about every 9 mos or so i have no idea what the hell is going on but trac fone and my self are getting real damn sick of it so if any body can tell these ****ing pieces of crap to stop that would be great this phone that i just had stolen got taken 2 weeks ago and i am getting really pissed about it now as well its like the ones who are doing it just simply know when and where to strike next i never tell any body where i am moving to when i move and then it happens again and again its like they have a tracking device on me 24/7 and each time it is a new person doing the deal so what gives who other than the cops do i tell each time i am in a different place in a different frame of mind its always one of those cheap safe link phones that mean nothing to any body other than to make a call its truly ridiculous because if they try to sell it they are going to prison for stealing gov property so really it did them no good to take the damn thing to start with this next time i get paid i will be getting a smart phone and i will just keep it in my pocket now take it you piece of **** you worth less piece of **** dog **** so if they get this next one i am going to the FBI because i then will be sure that there is more to this then just simply stealing my phone i already believe that i just need something to prove it so if it comes down to it i might have to invest in a new security cams for my place that would probably be more useful than getting a new phone but somehow you are suppose to keep up with the latest gear but i have never done that why start now for things i dont like no i wont but i do need a better phone than what i have now which is not much at all some ten yr old android that i got at krogers like 5 yrs ago for like 15 bucks now that same phone is 30 and not worth 7.50 it has text but i have been using this damn thing for about a week now and i cant figure out how it works

[Q] Cut current LG G3 micro sim to nano or get new one - Verizon

My carrier is Verizon. I have an individual plan with a 2 year contract. My phone is an LG G3.
I recently just bought a Nexus 6 right off of the Google Store. The Nexus 6 takes a nano Sim card and unfortunately for me my current Verizon sim card in my LG G3 is a micro sim.
After going back and forth with Verizon I realized there is no official way of getting a nano sim card for a Nexus 6 IMEI bought directly from Google.
My unnoficial options:
1. Get a sim card cutter off of Amazon and cut my current sim card and put it in my Nexus 6. Then sell my LG G3 on EBay. When the next user gives the IMEI to a Verizon rep will this cause a problem since technically the IMEI / Sim number combo is still on my account?
2. An employee at a 3rd party Verizon reseller said he could just activate a new nano sim card using an IMEI number from a dummy iPhone that he has laying around. If I go this route my account will have an iPhone and a G3 on it I guess. Would I have to worry if the employee does the same thing for someone else? Does Verizon keep track of IMEIs or just device names on peoples accounts? If I go this route I will also be selling my G3 on EBay.
Can someone who has knowledge on this topic please tell me which path they would prefer and why? I would like to know the downsides of each method.
I'm on Verizon and I always buy my phones outside of Verizon store (just because used phones are cheaper).
Option 1: As long as you did not report your phone as being stolen or your account is getting blocked due to non-pay, your ESN is clean and can be activated with Verizon on other account. Once you put activated SIM card into your new phone, the old phone is getting removed from your account automatically because Verizon will get your new phone's information.
Option 2: Should not have any issues too, because you are getting the new SIM card assigned on your account and re-assigned with your phone, not the phone used to activate it. The same as above, you'll see the old iPhone on your account until you put the SIM card into your phone.
nochkin said:
I'm on Verizon and I always buy my phones outside of Verizon store (just because used phones are cheaper).
Option 1: As long as you did not report your phone as being stolen or your account is getting blocked due to non-pay, your ESN is clean and can be activated with Verizon on other account. Once you put activated SIM card into your new phone, the old phone is getting removed from your account automatically because Verizon will get your new phone's information.
Option 2: Should not have any issues too, because you are getting the new SIM card assigned on your account and re-assigned with your phone, not the phone used to activate it. The same as above, you'll see the old iPhone on your account until you put the SIM card into your phone.
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Click to collapse
This is exactly the kind of response I was looking for!!! Thanks a lot!

Question [Resolved] SIM from T-Mobile for a Pixel 7 Pro

I'm new at cellphones.
I bought a Pixel 7 Pro. When I get it I'll take it to a T-Mobile store, sign up for service, and have them install a SIM. Any special SIM that I should ask for?
Skuddle said:
I'm new at cellphones.
I bought a Pixel 7 Pro. When I get it I'll take it to a T-Mobile store, sign up for service, and have them install a SIM. Any special SIM that I should ask for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't aware of choices--but I'm not an expert. I told them what plan I wanted and they gave me a SIM to put in my phone. Others will likely have a more detailed answer.
Skuddle said:
I'm new at cellphones.
I bought a Pixel 7 Pro. When I get it I'll take it to a T-Mobile store, sign up for service, and have them install a SIM. Any special SIM that I should ask for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At one point you'd want to make sure you had an r15 sim but that's been a few years now and I'd suspect all their sims are the same revisions at this point. I will say, esim on my 7 pro had horrible reception and I'm not sure why but went back to a physical sim and alls good again. I wouldn't have thought there would be a difference but indeed there was/is, at least on my phone.
Skuddle said:
I'm new at cellphones.
I bought a Pixel 7 Pro. When I get it I'll take it to a T-Mobile store, sign up for service, and have them install a SIM. Any special SIM that I should ask for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to go in a physical store. You can just call them up; tell them the service you want. Once you have that setup. Then tell them you want an e-sim added to your account.
They'll ask for your serial/IMEI. Setup phone with e-sim and your all set.
@djhotsauce
Thanks for your reply.
I called my local store and told them I had a flip phone that used their service (Boost) and that I wanted to move the flip phones SIM and its service to a new, unlocked phone. I was told to bring my flip phone in and in return I would get a new SIM and have my new phone "registered" (can't recall right now the correct word). I was also told that I could not transfer my flip phone's number to the new service and that the visit will cost $35.
I don't understand why I have to bring in my flip phone if I am getting another SIM or why "registration" has to be transferred to the new phone. All I wanted to do is put the current SIM in the new phone. Maybe there is something that I am not aware of??
Skuddle said:
@djhotsauce
Thanks for your reply.
I called my local store and told them I had a flip phone that used their service (Boost) and that I wanted to move the flip phones SIM and its service to a new, unlocked phone. I was told to bring my flip phone in and in return I would get a new SIM and have my new phone "registered" (can't recall right now the correct word). I was also told that I could not transfer my flip phone's number to the new service and that the visit will cost $35.
I don't understand why I have to bring in my flip phone if I am getting another SIM or why "registration" has to be transferred to the new phone. All I wanted to do is put the current SIM in the new phone. Maybe there is something that I am not aware of??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never been on T-Mobile/Boost...
but it seems to me that, at the very least, you can't use a "flip phone" SIM on a smartphone -- no less the latest Google smartphone released. It does suck that you can't transfer your phone number -- i question how hard it actually is to transfer it -- but I guess going from "dumbphone" to "smartphone" would be the culprit; although thinking about it, maybe it's because you're going from Boost to T-Mobile on top of flip phone to smartphone SIM -- too much complication. Maybe if you speak with a more knowledgeable person higher up the customer support chain, they'd either be able to do as you seek or be able to explain better why it's not possible/too difficult.
simplepinoi177 said:
I've never been on T-Mobile/Boost...
but it seems to me that, at the very least, you can't use a "flip phone" SIM on a smartphone -- no less the latest Google smartphone released. It does suck that you can't transfer your phone number -- i question how hard it actually is to transfer it -- but I guess going from "dumbphone" to "smartphone" would be the culprit; although thinking about it, maybe it's because you're going from Boost to T-Mobile on top of flip phone to smartphone SIM -- too much complication. Maybe if you speak with a more knowledgeable person higher up the customer support chain, they'd either be able to do as you seek or be able to explain better why it's not possible/too difficult.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm thinking that I'll just use the camera part of the phone for now. The TCL flip phone works nicely for me. I use it to keep in touch with the wife when I take off for a couple of weeks 2 or 3 times a year. It still has around $150 of credit on it so that should last through October.
Thanks for your reply!

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