AT&T MVNOs That Support Hotspot/Tethering, No Root - General Questions and Answers

I'm currently with StraightTalk and upgraded to a Nougat phone from KitKat. Now tethering is disabled/locked out. Does anyone have any experience with the other ATT MVNOs that allow tethering without root?
I found a list of MVNOs here but would prefer to not have to go down the list one at a time each month. http://www.androidcentral.com/complete-list-att-mvnos
Note: I have Walmart T-mobile which allows tethering but the service is sketchy in rural areas.
Thanks,
G

Gword256 said:
I'm currently with StraightTalk and upgraded to a Nougat phone from KitKat. Now tethering is disabled/locked out. Does anyone have any experience with the other ATT MVNOs that allow tethering without root?
I found a list of MVNOs here but would prefer to not have to go down the list one at a time each month. http://www.androidcentral.com/complete-list-att-mvnos
Note: I have Walmart T-mobile which allows tethering but the service is sketchy in rural areas.
Thanks,
G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can get a Straight Talk device that can be rooted and you can enable tethering/hotspot yourself, or you can get an unlocked device that already has tethering/hotspot feature and activate that device on Straight Talk. Or you can find a way to root the device you have and enable tether/hotspot.
It's what I've always done, I've been on Straight Talk for 4 years and have always used hotspot, my wife has a Nexus 5 with 6.0.1 custom ROM and even has 7.1 available, she uses tether/hotspot for her laptop all the time. I gave my Straight Talk S3 to my stepson and it has 6.0.1 custom ROM and even 7.1 available, it can also tether/hotspot.
Basically, you can still tether/hotspot on Straight Talk if you choose the right device(s).
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
You can get a Straight Talk device that can be rooted and you can enable tethering/hotspot yourself, or you can get an unlocked device that already has tethering/hotspot feature and activate that device on Straight Talk. Or you can find a way to root the device you have and enable tether/hotspot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately none of those options are possible. Had I known ahead of time my tethering would be broken I may have searched harder for a phone but I am satisfied with it otherwise. I had to return a few other phones that had deal breakers I couldn't live with. The phone is unlocked and tethering is possible on Walmart T-Mobile but as stated the coverage is sub-par where I need it.

Gword256 said:
Unfortunately none of those options are possible. Had I known ahead of time my tethering would be broken I may have searched harder for a phone but I am satisfied with it otherwise. I had to return a few other phones that had deal breakers I couldn't live with. The phone is unlocked and tethering is possible on Walmart T-Mobile but as stated the coverage is sub-par where I need it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's unlocked then it's rootable. What is the device model number.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
If it's unlocked then it's rootable. What is the device model number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry my terminology is bad. It's has a locked boot loader but it is unlocked from a carrier (ATT, Verizon, etc...)

Gword256 said:
Sorry my terminology is bad. It's has a locked boot loader but it is unlocked from a carrier (ATT, Verizon, etc...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Model number?
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
Model number?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Moto G5 Plus (Amazon Edition)

Related

[Q] Flash US Cellular GS3 to Verizon?

So we all have heard about the locked bootloader on the Verizon GS3. I was looking at the differences between the many GS3s, and I noticed that the US Cellular and Verizon phones had the same radios. Would it be possible to buy the US Cellular version for the unlocked bootloader and activate it on Verizon's network?
Verizon won't activate a phone that doesn't have their logo on it. The ESNs are completely under their control.
If you have a really good friend working at Verizon, they may be able to hook you up, but like the previous poster said, they won't generally activate any phone that isn't a Verizon phone.
What i been wondering is maybe they could take something from the us cellular phone to unlock the bootloader or something for verizon because they are pretty much the same radios
Sent from my DROID4 using xda app-developers app
Again, no. They don't give a damn about the radios, it's all by the ESN. If Verizon doesn't have that ESN in their database, they will NOT activate it, period.
Also, for EndlessDissent, your "good friend" would have to be one of their database engineers, because a retail employee can not and will not add an ESN to the database.
entropism said:
Again, no. They don't give a damn about the radios, it's all by the ESN. If Verizon doesn't have that ESN in their database, they will NOT activate it, period.
Also, for EndlessDissent, your "good friend" would have to be one of their database engineers, because a retail employee can not and will not add an ESN to the database.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know. I didn't know they had a database and everything. I thought it would be more like activating a Sprint phone on, say, Cricket or Boost, but they just weren't supposed to.
entropism said:
Again, no. They don't give a damn about the radios, it's all by the ESN. If Verizon doesn't have that ESN in their database, they will NOT activate it, period.
Also, for EndlessDissent, your "good friend" would have to be one of their database engineers, because a retail employee can not and will not add an ESN to the database.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. At the store we cannot do anything about it. If you know someone that has a 4g phone you can try putting the sim card in the us cellular phone and see if that works. Normally when we activate a new sim card in the system we don't need to input the esn number, just the sim card number. Worth the shot. Let me know if it works. Thanks.
AcE XBOX said:
This. At the store we cannot do anything about it. If you know someone that has a 4g phone you can try putting the sim card in the us cellular phone and see if that works. Normally when we activate a new sim card in the system we don't need to input the esn number, just the sim card number. Worth the shot. Let me know if it works. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright. Thank you for the information. I thought it might be worth a shot but I guess it is not feasible to do.
entropism said:
Again, no. They don't give a damn about the radios, it's all by the ESN. If Verizon doesn't have that ESN in their database, they will NOT activate it, period.
Also, for EndlessDissent, your "good friend" would have to be one of their database engineers, because a retail employee can not and will not add an ESN to the database.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You completely missread his question. He asked if the phone was close enough to the Verizon version for developers to unlock a Verizon gsiii bootloader/ use that companies unlocked bootloader on a Verizon gsiii. Has nothing to do with ESNs
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
edgex said:
You completely missread his question. He asked if the phone was close enough to the Verizon version for developers to unlock a Verizon gsiii bootloader/ use that companies unlocked bootloader on a Verizon gsiii. Has nothing to do with ESNs
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm...
Pompsy said:
So we all have heard about the locked bootloader on the Verizon GS3. I was looking at the differences between the many GS3s, and I noticed that the US Cellular and Verizon phones had the same radios. Would it be possible to buy the US Cellular version for the unlocked bootloader and activate it on Verizon's network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah... I think you misread the question. Activating a phone on a different network is completely dependent on the ESN (which I learned a few posts ago). Also, his question doesn't seem to involve helping to unlock the Verizon bootloader at all.
icebear8 said:
What i been wondering is maybe they could take something from the us cellular phone to unlock the bootloader or something for verizon because they are pretty much the same radios
Sent from my DROID4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See this, which you replied directly after.
entropism said:
Again, no. They don't give a damn about the radios, it's all by the ESN. If Verizon doesn't have that ESN in their database, they will NOT activate it, period.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
but like the one guy said, if you already have an activated sim, it may just work.
My Verizon 4G LTE SIM Works with the US Cellular GS3
I bought a Galaxy S iii for U.S. Cellular used from someone. I was planning on selling it since I got it cheap, but i decided to put my galaxy nexus sim card in there for the hell of it. IT WORKS! But I warn you, it's not fully working. Here's what works:
Phone, Text Messaging, and pretty slow Data (NO 4G)
Doesn't Work: MMS (picture/video messages) 4G Data
I am pretty excited and am trying to figure out a way to get MMS and 4G Data working. For the price I paid for the phone, I'd say I got a pretty sweet deal on a GS3 that works with Verizon.
entropism said:
Also, for EndlessDissent, your "good friend" would have to be one of their database engineers, because a retail employee can not and will not add an ESN to the database.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is very untrue, I have my phones flashed from any carrier, to my network through a retail employee. Not completely sure how the process works, but I do have issues with MMS, (I have to use GoSMS for MMS) and I can not get support for my phone from customer service, as well as insurance, etc..
Although, Flashing it is the easy part, and activating it is the issue. The only reason I am able to activate is because he is a retail (Store front owner) employee with the carrier.
Flashing to Boost or Cricket is exceptionally easy with flashing and activation.
---------- Post added at 12:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:15 PM ----------
phonefight said:
Doesn't Work: MMS (picture/video messages) 4G Data
I am pretty excited and am trying to figure out a way to get MMS and 4G Data working. For the price I paid for the phone, I'd say I got a pretty sweet deal on a GS3 that works with Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try using GoSMS Pro, as I said (In my previous post) it is required for me to use MMS after I flash a phone to my network.
help
Can someone tell me how to flash US Cellular's Samsung Galaxy Note2 to Verizon?
I am also using a usc s3 on my Verizon. But that's right no 4g or mms everything else works fine just went in a retail store he activated me a new SIM and boom. I'm going to try the go sms for the mms. But is there ANY way to get 4g working can someone help me with that plz and Thx
Can't get go sms to work for mms still. Can I just flash a stock Verizon Rom to this phone if so can someone give me a link for 1 to use been working to try and get everything working for like 2 days on and off Thx
Bump
I once called Verizon to see if i could activate a flashed iphone 4s. They said no because they would need the ESN number in their database which it wasn't. However, he said if it was a flashed 4g phone with the SIM card , it would be possible.
Verizon Samsung SIII
ROM: Jelly Beans 8
THEME: Magnum Cream
I have a US cellular GS3 and put my Verizon sim card in it. the phone works fine, data, calls and txt etc. the only issue i have is the phone wont go to 4g. 3g perfectly fine and i know the bands are the same for LTE. and i have LTE coverage from Verizon in my area.. any thoughts?

[Q] HItting roadblock enabling T-Mobile APN on rooted 4.1.2

Hello.
First of all. I have no experience in rooting. I am reading, and learning, and troubleshooting and this is where I am at.
SCH-I535
4.1.2 Build JZ054K.I535VRBNB1
Bought an unlocked verizon phone from craigslist to use on tmobile. Took it to store and got the micro sim. Text and voice only. No data working. No ability to add APN via menu. They look up the build and say it has been rooted. So I figure I can learn how to edit or add the APN myself.
I find this thread that says a fix may be to edit build.prop to get access to add APN but it fails to save the prop file.
forums.androidcentral DOT com/verizon-galaxy-note-2-rooting-roms-hacks/241691-mod-add-apn-editor-system-settings.html
Then i try this but Titatanium Backup Pro can "not acquire root access. "
forum.gsmhosting DOT com/vbb/archive/t-1563675.html
I run Root Checker Basic and it says "does not have proper root access".
So, I am confused. Was tmobile incorrect and my phone is NOT rooted? Or is it rooted improperly? Or do I need to learn how to do it myself in order to use this phone on tmobile with data?
any help appreciated. I guess this thread might be "is my phone rooted or not". I gonna search some more. I think it might not be.
Thanks.
You're not rooted. Here's another way to check, look for "su" file in System/bin file path. If it's not there then you're not rooted.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
SlimSnoopOS said:
You're not rooted. Here's another way to check, look for "su" file in System/bin file path. If it's not there then you're not rooted.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
****.
There is no SU file. So, I guess this is a good thing. I mean. It's an unrooted, unlocked Verizon phone good for voice and text on any GSM/Global network, right?
But, in order to get data I need to root it?
dallaswonderland said:
****.
There is no SU file. So, I guess this is a good thing. I mean. It's an unrooted, unlocked Verizon phone good for voice and text on any GSM/Global network, right?
But, in order to get data I need to root it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct on both accounts. You should be fine with texts/calls on GSM/Global networks.
I think you may have misinterpreted what "unlocked" meant in this case though. Sounds like you purchased a dev edition GSIII which comes with an unlocked bootloader. That's entirely different than it being sim unlocked for GSM networks. Once you root, look for a thread in the dev section titled " Fully working Verizon S3 on T-Mobile" and you'll find what you need. You'll only get edge speeds.
Edit: To get working GSM data you need to edit APN's which you can only do if rooted.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
just to be clear
SlimSnoopOS said:
Correct on both accounts. You should be fine with texts/calls on GSM/Global networks.
I think you may have misinterpreted what "unlocked" meant in this case though. Sounds like you purchased a dev edition GSIII which comes with an unlocked bootloader. That's entirely different than it being sim unlocked for GSM networks. Once you root, look for a thread in the dev section titled " Fully working Verizon S3 on T-Mobile" and you'll find what you need. You'll only get edge speeds.
Edit: To get working GSM data you need to edit APN's which you can only do if rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK. I think I get what you are saying.
So, in order to get full 4G tmobile data, i need to root the phone so I can edit the APN's.
OR are you saying only edge speeds no matter what I do (and is that due to other issues like phone frequencies)?
Otherwise, I have a basic stock verizon network phone with the latest JB 4.1.2
or non-verizon wifi only device that can be hot swapped to voice/text on any GSM network worldwide, but no mobile data unless rooted.
do I have that correct?
dallaswonderland said:
OK. I think I get what you are saying.
So, in order to get full 4G tmobile data, i need to root the phone so I can edit the APN's.
OR are you saying only edge speeds no matter what I do (and is that due to other issues like phone frequencies)?
Otherwise, I have a basic stock verizon network phone with the latest JB 4.1.2
or non-verizon wifi only device that can be hot swapped to voice/text on any GSM network worldwide, but no mobile data unless rooted.
do I have that correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As of today, you'll only see T-Mobile's Edge speeds once you root and edit the APN's. Yes it's due to T-Mobile's frequencies and the fact that the phone was programmed for Verizon. If you travel overseas you might see 2g or HSPA depending on the frequencies of the carrier you're roaming on but that's hard to pinpoint.
So, currently yes you have either a Wi-Fi only device or a GSM/Global capable device that can text/call WITHOUT rooting.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
ouch
SlimSnoopOS said:
As of today, you'll only see T-Mobile's Edge speeds once you root and edit the APN's. Yes it's due to T-Mobile's frequencies and the fact that the phone was programmed for Verizon. If you travel overseas you might see 2g or HSPA depending on the frequencies of the carrier you're roaming on but that's hard to pinpoint.
So, currently yes you have either a Wi-Fi only device or a GSM/Global capable device that can text/call WITHOUT rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gotcha. and a bummer. not sure it's worth it to root for those speeds. and I don't really travel overseas anyway. I guess I need to figure out how to trade for a t-mobile phone. or resell it on craigslist and start over.
thanks again!

[Q] Ugh. Setting up wireless tether again.

Sorry if this is a duplication of effort or information.
GS6 Pingpong rooted. Root verified.
I have tried several Wireless Tether apps. I have not gotton any of them to broadcast an ssid.
Anyone have this working? I would just about switch roms if someone had it working natively on the Sprint GS6.
I had it working on my evo 4g and most recently on my moto x which I did not realize was as expensive to fix as to repurchase.
Any assistance appreciated.
Have you tried the built in "Mobile hotspot and tethering" under settings? I haven't really used it but I was able to turn it on and connect without any problems.
ITNV said:
Have you tried the built in "Mobile hotspot and tethering" under settings? I haven't really used it but I was able to turn it on and connect without any problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess my thought in rooting was to get free hotspot. It's something I've been able to do for years now.
bullpen7979 said:
I guess my thought in rooting was to get free hotspot. It's something I've been able to do for years now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, me too. I don't have tethering in my plan but using the native tethering worked anyway.
ITNV said:
Yeah, me too. I don't have tethering in my plan but using the native tethering worked anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok cool. is it too soon to tell if sprint noticed? have you taken a look at your invoices?
bullpen7979 said:
ok cool. is it too soon to tell if sprint noticed? have you taken a look at your invoices?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have AT&T and it's too soon to tell if it raised any flags with them. The way I understand it, it's no easier or harder for them to tell if you're tethering using the native tethering or a 3rd-party app. (I could be wrong about that.) I've used both in the past but I've only ever used tethering occasionally, though, no matter what phone I've had and I've never got any notices from them.
ITNV said:
I have AT&T and it's too soon to tell if it raised any flags with them. The way I understand it, it's no easier or harder for them to tell if you're tethering using the native tethering or a 3rd-party app. (I could be wrong about that.) I've used both in the past but I've only ever used tethering occasionally, though, no matter what phone I've had and I've never got any notices from them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you have AT&T and you're saying you used the Ping Pong root method which then immediately allows you to use it as a wifi tethering hotspot? I have AT&T as well and for the past 2 years have used my rooted S4 on stock 4.2.2 rom to use the native tethering under Settings and it works fantastic. I'd much rather stick with this method and I've never had an issue raising a flag with AT&T. I think I remember when I added the wifi tethering option using the native hotspot I added or changed a couple of apk files somewhere. Just followed a step by step tutorial.
I've been holding out on buying the S6 because wifi tethering via root without AT&T approved data plan is very important to me. If you can confirm I will go out and get the S6 immediately. Thanks!
BTW I haven't looked at how the Ping Pong Root is done exactly but was it pretty easy? I'm a very novice user and I love to follow step by step tutorials that is tried and true and 'beginner proof', especially for carrier specific phone. If I go out and buy a new AT&T S6 the root loophole hasn't been plugged up yet by AT&T? I'm excited now, been waiting a long time to upgrade my plasticky S4 to a true quality device.
ChuckWow550 said:
So you have AT&T and you're saying you used the Ping Pong root method which then immediately allows you to use it as a wifi tethering hotspot? I have AT&T as well and for the past 2 years have used my rooted S4 on stock 4.2.2 rom to use the native tethering under Settings and it works fantastic. I'd much rather stick with this method and I've never had an issue raising a flag with AT&T. I think I remember when I added the wifi tethering option using the native hotspot I added or changed a couple of apk files somewhere. Just followed a step by step tutorial.
I've been holding out on buying the S6 because wifi tethering via root without AT&T approved data plan is very important to me. If you can confirm I will go out and get the S6 immediately. Thanks!
BTW I haven't looked at how the Ping Pong Root is done exactly but was it pretty easy? I'm a very novice user and I love to follow step by step tutorials that is tried and true and 'beginner proof', especially for carrier specific phone. If I go out and buy a new AT&T S6 the root loophole hasn't been plugged up yet by AT&T? I'm excited now, been waiting a long time to upgrade my plasticky S4 to a true quality device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I should have specified: I have AT&T service but I'm NOT running the AT&T rom. I got tired of how bad AT&T screws up these phones so I bought an international S6 and put my AT&T sim card in it. I'm running a stock rom but it's not the one that would come on the phone if you buy it from AT&T.
To answer your other question, PingPong Root is pretty easy. If you follow the instructions you shouldn't have any problems, novice or not.
ITNV said:
Sorry, I should have specified: I have AT&T service but I'm NOT running the AT&T rom. I got tired of how bad AT&T screws up these phones so I bought an international S6 and put my AT&T sim card in it. I'm running a stock rom but it's not the one that would come on the phone if you buy it from AT&T.
To answer your other question, PingPong Root is pretty easy. If you follow the instructions you shouldn't have any problems, novice or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah ok. So do you have the G920F or the G920I? Where did you buy it from? I'd be interested in getting one myself just that they're kinda pricey to buy outright. How has the LTE signal been with AT&T?
And yea I found a step by step walk through on the Ping Pong root complete with pictures.
http://www.androidrootz.com/2015/05/how-to-root-galaxy-s6-without-tripping.html
ChuckWow550 said:
Ah ok. So do you have the G920F or the G920I? Where did you buy it from? I'd be interested in getting one myself just that they're kinda pricey to buy outright. How has the LTE signal been with AT&T?
And yea I found a step by step walk through on the Ping Pong root complete with pictures.
http://www.androidrootz.com/2015/05/how-to-root-galaxy-s6-without-tripping.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the delayed response. I have the G920F. I got it on eBay for around $600. You're right, it was kind of pricey but I used AT&T Next to get my S5 and ultimately, it was cheaper to buy my S6 outright than to what I'm paying over time for my S5. Plus I'm tired of AT&T locking down my phone. I've been on the Galaxy since the S3 and each phone has been more locked down than the last and it always seems to limit what I want to do with the phone. So this time I was willing to pay a little extra to have the freedom to do whatever I want with it. And this way, when I am ready to sell the phone and get a new one, I'll have an unlocked international version, which will probably be worth a little more on the re-sale than a locked-down AT&T version.
My LTE signal has been fine. Before I got my phone I had read a few posts from people who said their G920F kept dropping LTE on AT&T 'cause the system wasn't recognizing it correctly. So as soon as I got the phone I went to the AT&T store and had them trim the SIM card from my S5 into a micro-SIM for the S6. (The guy behind the counter had a tool that did it perfectly.) Then I had them enter the IMEI number from the phone into my account. I don't know if either of those steps made a difference but I haven't had any trouble with LTE service, aside from the fact that AT&T's service sucks around both my house and my office!
Hi,
I was able to set up wireless tethering using this thread here....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3070681
Native Tethering bypass, anyone?
Sent from my SM-G925T using XDA Free mobile app
njdevils28 said:
Hi,
I was able to set up wireless tethering using this thread here....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3070681
Native Tethering bypass, anyone?
Sent from my SM-G925T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will that work for AT&T carrier branded phones?
ChuckWow550 said:
Will that work for AT&T carrier branded phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cam from AT&T using my S3 and it worked then. So long as you can Root your phone you should be golden
-NJ

How to update your system if you're not using the carrier from your S8(+) version.

This tutorial is for you who bought a carrier S8(+) and is using a SIM from another carrier and, because of that, not being able to update your system through your phones.
Error: "Service Unavailable: Sorry, we are having trouble authenticating your device. Try again later"
So, that's actually pretty easy to do, but a PC (or Mac) will be necessary.
The only thing you have to do is to download Smart Switch from Samsung on your PC and sync it with your device.
After you've done that, Smart Switch is gonna show the option to update your system.
PS: Beware it takes a while to download the update, at least if your S8(+) is from VZW.
Download links (Samsung.com):
PC: Click here
Mac: Click here
Hope I could help those who were having this problem!
I am using vzw GS8 on att and I get OTA just fine. I don't understand why this is a concern
Whanksta said:
I am using vzw GS8 on att and I get OTA just fine. I don't understand why this is a concern
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many people are getting this error.
Alvincp said:
Many people are getting this error.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, same error I was getting. Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks for the post, I was having the same issue. I wonder though, if it's possible to configure an S8 to get OTA updates despite this issue. This is probably a question for Verizon support, huh?
Thanks for the post, I was having the same issue. I wonder though, if it's possible to configure an S8 to get OTA updates despite this issue. This is probably a question for Verizon support, huh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing you have to flash the firmware to a different carrier however according to the other thread it's not possible yet: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72031437&postcount=75
I brought Verizon version on Ebay but I'm using it on Cricket network. I get the OTA error and I'm currently trying to update via Smart Switch.
Whanksta said:
I am using vzw GS8 on att and I get OTA just fine. I don't understand why this is a concern
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're using a vzw version on att? Any idea if that would work the other way around? Like a gsm version on cdma?
Sent from my LG-H918 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
steven1193 said:
You're using a vzw version on att? Any idea if that would work the other way around? Like a gsm version on cdma?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, Verizon phones are carrier unlocked out of the box.
Whanksta said:
No, Verizon phones are carrier unlocked out of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even if its unlocked? I'm trying to use an tmobile one on verizon. Sorry if the answer is still the same and I'm wasting your time.
Benzillah said:
Thanks for the post, I was having the same issue. I wonder though, if it's possible to configure an S8 to get OTA updates despite this issue. This is probably a question for Verizon support, huh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason people are seeing the error is because the phone is not activated through Verizon , so it is not in their server if you call it. another easy way to get OTA updates is to borrow a verizon sim from a friend, or even start a simple cheapest prepay plan. activate the phone with the sim, then everything will be ok, unless you wipe the phone. Friend of mine ,and myself tried on both his s8 and my s8+ , no problem at all.
we both are on ATT.
Alvincp said:
This tutorial is for you who bought a carrier S8(+) and is using a SIM from another carrier and, because of that, not being able to update your system through your phones.
Error: "Service Unavailable: Sorry, we are having trouble authenticating your device. Try again later"
So, that's actually pretty easy to do, but a PC (or Mac) will be necessary.
The only thing you have to do is to download Smart Switch from Samsung on your PC and sync it with your device.
After you've done that, Smart Switch is gonna show the option to update your system.
PS: Beware it takes a while to download the update, at least if your S8(+) is from VZW.
Download links (Samsung.com):
PC: Click here
Mac: Click here
Hope I could help those who were having this problem!
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Will this change the model number so I can download different ROMs, after I get it unlocked? For example if I want a ROM that's popular for the verizon model, but I'm using the Tmo model? I think Tmo makes you wait a month after activating a device on their network before you're allowed to unlock it.
babyzone2 said:
The reason people are seeing the error is because the phone is not activated through Verizon , so it is not in their server if you call it. another easy way to get OTA updates is to borrow a verizon sim from a friend, or even start a simple cheapest prepay plan. activate the phone with the sim, then everything will be ok, unless you wipe the phone. Friend of mine ,and myself tried on both his s8 and my s8+ , no problem at all.
we both are on ATT.
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Just to make sure I get this straight once the phone is activated with a Verizon SIM card you can take the Verizon SIM card out, put back ATT sim card, and the phone will still get OTA updates even with the ATT SIM card inside?
hoxbox said:
Just to make sure I get this straight once the phone is activated with a Verizon SIM card you can take the Verizon SIM card out, put back ATT sim card, and the phone will still get OTA updates even with the ATT SIM card inside?
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Yes, that's it. In fact I tried with the Verizon Sim, no Sim, att Sim. All work fine. I have a friend also has a galaxy s8, borrowed a Verizon Sim, activated , removed Sim, att Sim work like a charm with OTA. There are two draw back for using the Verizon phone with Sim from other carriers. No OTA updates unless phone is activated through Verizon, especially for those use the phone over sea. 2nd, no full LTE performance due to lack of band used by your own carrier. For example, band 17 from AT&T, the Verizon phone doesn't have that . Your LTE works, but you likely have lower performance on LTE depends on your location. Verizon phone are unlocked and compatible with other GSM carriers , but not fully optimized.
info
steven1193 said:
Even if its unlocked? I'm trying to use an tmobile one on verizon. Sorry if the answer is still the same and I'm wasting your time.
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If your tmobile version is unlocked it will work on Verizon
babyzone2 said:
Yes, that's it. In fact I tried with the Verizon Sim, no Sim, att Sim. All work fine. I have a friend also has a galaxy s8, borrowed a Verizon Sim, activated , removed Sim, att Sim work like a charm with OTA. There are two draw back for using the Verizon phone with Sim from other carriers. No OTA updates unless phone is activated through Verizon, especially for those use the phone over sea. 2nd, no full LTE performance due to lack of band used by your own carrier. For example, band 17 from AT&T, the Verizon phone doesn't have that . Your LTE works, but you likely have lower performance on LTE depends on your location. Verizon phone are unlocked and compatible with other GSM carriers , but not fully optimized.
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Thanks for the info. This should work even with prepaid. I'm thinking about getting: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Verizon-BYOD-4FF-SIM-Card-Kit/40716598 and then activate it. I just hope Verizon doesn't deactivate your phone once the prepaid time is up lol.
hoxbox said:
Thanks for the info. This should work even with prepaid. I'm thinking about getting: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Verizon-BYOD-4FF-SIM-Card-Kit/40716598 and then activate it. I just hope Verizon doesn't deactivate your phone once the prepaid time is up lol.
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I think you should just borrow a sim from a friend or family , no need to spend the money and there is no impact what so ever to their service.
I was able to update an S8 by simply removing the SIM and running it with no SIM. Not sure if that'll work for other people, I had to tap 'check for updates' a few times before it went through.
A_Car said:
I was able to update an S8 by simply removing the SIM and running it with no SIM. Not sure if that'll work for other people, I had to tap 'check for updates' a few times before it went through.
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I just did this on my Galaxy S7, and it fixed the issue, and was able to download the latest system update for Android. I was using an AT&T SIM card.
I did have to restart my phone after I removed the AT&T SIM card though, just telling what I did.
Thanks for posting this man!
you all could just go here http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?q=sm-g950t&exact=1&r=TMB&v=&rpp=100 download which firmware you want. flash in odin and enjoy new update. this will work every time without problems and it does not care who your provider is at all.

Unlocked Pre-Order from Samsung w ATT SIM - will I be able to use WiFi calling /VoLTE

Current Note8 user on ATT (phone locked to carrier). I pre-ordered a Note20 Ultra from Samsung direct, unlocked version. Have been off XDA really for a couple years and not rooting/modding much lately but have read that ATT will not allow unlocked phones on their network to use WiFi Calling and/or VoLTE. If true, are there workaround options for me (assuming I stick w ATT as the carrier I mean) to get these to work, or should I cancel the unlocked model and order the ATT version? Was hoping to root eventually and remove bloatware / play w custom ROMs again on the Ultra etc etc. - that is why I ordered an unlocked version.
Thanks gents for the guidance here! Best forum around for us phone geeks
If it will be like Note 9 or 10 plus just have to flash the U version csc with odin and it will give you wifi calling advanced..messaging..volte
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
butchieboy said:
If it will be like Note 9 or 10 plus just have to flash the U version csc with odin and it will give you wifi calling advanced..messaging..volte
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
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Much thanks - I will do this then when it arrives.
Did not work for me on the unlocked note 10+. Worked right away on the tmobile.
Att was actually fun to have. Nothing that att expected worked on the unlocked device. For example I had unlimited hotspot, despite it was not included in my att plan.
Elastep said:
Did not work for me on the unlocked note 10+. Worked right away on the tmobile.
Att was actually fun to have. Nothing that att expected worked on the unlocked device. For example I had unlimited hotspot, despite it was not included in my att plan.
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That's bizarre. I am rethinking this unlocked route. I must have wifi calling since signal at the house is terrible in my area. I don't need the drama of uncertainty if this will work or not. Might as well cancel the unlocked one and just upgrade via att. Oy. Wtf is with att these days? They lost my directv account last year and now their wireless policies are looking like a royal pita.
I don't think you have to worry .... ATT seems to consistently allow Samsung unlocked devices to have carrier functions
You just have to flash the U CSC as mentioned above. Worked for me on Note 10 and is currently working on a s20 ultra device
Jcrompton
Whats going on buddy. You jumping on the Ultra?
Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
I strongly recommend switching your order to the ATT model. I got my note 10+ unlocked based off the suggestions found here saying that flashing the att firmware would give me all the features, and I've been through a year of headaches.
For a little wile i was able to enjoy wifi calling, voicemail and VOLTE, but after my first software update the features were lost. i was able to get them back briefly by putting my sim back in an old Att phone and keeping it for a day or two, but that trick never lasted past a week. I've tried re-flashing the software, switching back to unlocked and then back to ATT, basically anything i could think of and it never worked.
calling ATT didn't help either, as the reps gave me a canned line about not supporting outside phones. the whole reason I'm updating to the 20 ultra is to just get my phone fully functional with an ATT model
Darthshadow666 said:
I strongly recommend switching your order to the ATT model. I got my note 10+ unlocked based off the suggestions found here saying that flashing the att firmware would give me all the features, and I've been through a year of headaches.
For a little wile i was able to enjoy wifi calling, voicemail and VOLTE, but after my first software update the features were lost. i was able to get them back briefly by putting my sim back in an old Att phone and keeping it for a day or two, but that trick never lasted past a week. I've tried re-flashing the software, switching back to unlocked and then back to ATT, basically anything i could think of and it never worked.
calling ATT didn't help either, as the reps gave me a canned line about not supporting outside phones. the whole reason I'm updating to the 20 ultra is to just get my phone fully functional with an ATT model
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Thanks darth. Yeah, I switched to the att version. Hate the hidden tracking bloatware etc that comes with it but must have a very workable phone for daily work calls and wifi calling is a must. No drama is my motto these days. Thank you for reporting your experience.
I had the same situation with my unlocked Pixel 4 XL, keep calling ATT until I got the right person to modify my sim to allow WiFi Calling to work, that's my plan when I get my unlocked 20 Ultra.
I'm not a gent, but I doI have the Note 20 Ultra in for review and am using it with an AT&T SIM. VoLTE works, no option for WiFi calling.
jaxf250 said:
Current Note8 user on ATT (phone locked to carrier). I pre-ordered a Note20 Ultra from Samsung direct, unlocked version. Have been off XDA really for a couple years and not rooting/modding much lately but have read that ATT will not allow unlocked phones on their network to use WiFi Calling and/or VoLTE. If true, are there workaround options for me (assuming I stick w ATT as the carrier I mean) to get these to work, or should I cancel the unlocked model and order the ATT version? Was hoping to root eventually and remove bloatware / play w custom ROMs again on the Ultra etc etc. - that is why I ordered an unlocked version.
Thanks gents for the guidance here! Best forum around for us phone geeks
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Click to collapse
What worries me is the 5G. Will unlocked work for ATT 5G?
It does on my unlocked Galaxy S20+ 5G. The Note 20 Ultra is a ways to release and their system doesn't yet correctly identify the IMEI, so I can't say for sure what will happen after release day.
b00st4ddicted said:
What worries me is the 5G. Will unlocked work for ATT 5G?
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pdagal said:
I'm not a gent, but I doI have the Note 20 Ultra in for review and am using it with an AT&T SIM. VoLTE works, no option for WiFi calling.
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Hi Lisa,
Your reviews are the best, so thank you first of all. Can you check if it has any eSIM capabilities? Supposedly S20 was going to get an update to allow eSIM use in US but that never happened...
Thanks . I'm not seeing anything under connection settings on our US unlocked Note 20 Ultra (there's no IMEI listed or cellular network option listed under connection settings when no nano SIM is installed. EsimClient is running on the phone, which makes me think the hardware must be there. EsimClient is not running on my GS 20+ unlocked.
VICosPhi said:
Hi Lisa,
Your reviews are the best, so thank you first of all. Can you check if it has any eSIM capabilities? Supposedly S20 was going to get an update to allow eSIM use in US but that never happened...
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Click to collapse
pdagal said:
Thanks . I'm not seeing anything under connection settings on our US unlocked Note 20 Ultra (there's no IMEI listed or cellular network option listed under connection settings when no nano SIM is installed. EsimClient is running on the phone, which makes me think the hardware must be there. EsimClient is not running on my GS 20+ unlocked.
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Click to collapse
Great, thank you for checking and comparing with S20+ !
eSIMClient running gives me hope that we will get eSIM support in an update...Still perplexed how or why Samsung has gone out of the way to disable eSIM on US variants when Apple, Google support it.
pdagal said:
I'm not a gent, but I doI have the Note 20 Ultra in for review and am using it with an AT&T SIM. VoLTE works, no option for WiFi calling.
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Click to collapse
Ha! Thanks Lisa (love your tech vids!!) - I switched to the ATT version. Supposed to be here 8/21. I can't take a chance with wifi calling being borked, or that just that I may need to Odin-flash updates or CSC packs periodically to keep up with the monthly patches (ie force an unlocked unit to keep working on ATT's network if my previous firmware gets overwritten etc. I mean). I guess as I got older I went from a tech pioneer and adopter to just an end user LOL.... I just need it to work. Maybe I can do that package remove thingy and chop the bloatware periodically... we shall see once the community gets these units and starts their dev magic for us.
I guess I will need to make an appt at the local ATT store in a week to get on a new 5G plan from my current 4G one to take advantage of the coming speeds.
You're welcome- glad you enjoy our vids! With AT&T, you can simply change your plan online, no need to visit a store. The mid and high tier unlimited plans include 5G.
jaxf250 said:
Ha! Thanks Lisa (love your tech vids!!) - I switched to the ATT version. Supposed to be here 8/21. I can't take a chance with wifi calling being borked, or that just that I may need to Odin-flash updates or CSC packs periodically to keep up with the monthly patches (ie force an unlocked unit to keep working on ATT's network if my previous firmware gets overwritten etc. I mean). I guess as I got older I went from a tech pioneer and adopter to just an end user LOL.... I just need it to work. Maybe I can do that package remove thingy and chop the bloatware periodically... we shall see once the community gets these units and starts their dev magic for us.
I guess I will need to make an appt at the local ATT store in a week to get on a new 5G plan from my current 4G one to take advantage of the coming speeds.
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Click to collapse
I flashed my unlocked Note 10 plus and didnt get wifi calling, visual voicemail, VOLTE.....only reason I am up grading is to get an ATT version, and to skip all the hassle of an unlocked version. Never again.
pdagal said:
I'm not a gent, but I doI have the Note 20 Ultra in for review and am using it with an AT&T SIM. VoLTE works, no option for WiFi calling.
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Click to collapse
Could you tell me more. I have the US unlocked note 20 ultra, I put an AT&T sim in (from my note 9 unlocked) and I can't find an option to turn on wifi calling. I pretty much gave up on feature like this, because I would rather have the unlocked phone, but if it works now maybe I am missing something.
Thanks
Sent from my Samsung SM-N960U1 using XDA Labs

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