Hey ladies and gets,
I am new here and I do not have much experience. I have been on an android binge for a week now and I have read a lot of threads, and flashed my phone so many times already.
Here is the info:
Samsung Galaxy SIII (LTE I guess)
SCH-R530, and in some places it shows SCH-R530U
Currently running on the latest nightly cyo..10.2
IMEI starts with 99000... and I have checked its not stolen or anything - there is also a sticker behind the bat that confirms it.
Originally a US Cellular Phone, I want to get it working with T-Mobile.
Things I have tried:
-I got the Samsung Tool Kit (donated), received all the updates - and the phone still does not unlock the network operators.
-Used a method from youtube - CDMA Workshop - connect to the serial port - security - samsung defaults - screen on pc says unlocked but phone is not although it is answering to the program.
- No option for the network lock as known in the 530
-Used three different online services - but they said no can do.
- Called tmobile - and placed a request and they said - that IME does not correspond to the model of the phone(???)
I am a student, I can't afford to get anything else - so please help or point me in the right direction. Thank you
I don't think you can do it.
I don't believe it will work because Us cellular is cdma and T-Mobile is gsm.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
GottaProblemBro said:
I don't believe it will work because Us cellular is cdma and T-Mobile is gsm.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There seem to be different opinions on the net. Phone like mine have the added abillity to receive CDMA radios i guess, but they do not lack any of the hardware for gsm.
I am not sure about any of this however, thats why I came here.
Bsqueeze44 said:
There seem to be different opinions on the net. Phone like mine have the added abillity to receive CDMA radios i guess, but they do not lack any of the hardware for gsm.
I am not sure about any of this however, thats why I came here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in my experience with all the cdma gs3 varian, only the verizon one that have gsm capability.
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Just a little update:
I have not been able to make any progress at all.
I have updated my 4.3 on the regular basis - however when I did the nightly 6, and 7 both locked up on the boot menu.
Anyways, today i reinserted my tmobile sim card and when I try to make a call - I get Verizon Wireless automated services that say that i can be transferred to complete the call with a credit card and stuff.
Why verizon? this is a us cellular phone?
Also when i switch to gsm mode - it still does not locate any tmobile operators?
US Cell phone is a dead end. This thread might as well be deleted.
Bsqueeze44 said:
Just a little update:
I have not been able to make any progress at all.
I have updated my 4.3 on the regular basis - however when I did the nightly 6, and 7 both locked up on the boot menu.
Anyways, today i reinserted my tmobile sim card and when I try to make a call - I get Verizon Wireless automated services that say that i can be transferred to complete the call with a credit card and stuff.
Why verizon? this is a us cellular phone?
Also when i switch to gsm mode - it still does not locate any tmobile operators?
US Cell phone is a dead end. This thread might as well be deleted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Vzw bought out USC... in some areas I believe? Any how now no the USC will not work on T-Mobile. At least not stock....yet. It may be possible to get voice working but that would be about it. If you could vet data the most it would possibly be is edge as far as I know.... If you want to try something I would try flashing a sch-i535 ROM of 4.0.x-4.1.1 Odin would be best but do not flash the radio/modem. I am not Of 100% on this but Odin might skip over the modem if flashing i535 ROM to the r530. If not mobile Odin is able to only flash selected partitions of choice. Make sure you use a pre rooted ROM. After that and it is successful you may be able to follow the guide posted some where in here on how to use the i535 globally. It will require APN pro I believe. And another app to be able to select gsm global (don't recall for sure) if you find the guide it will tell you. . good luck and let me know if that helps.
Bonkurei said:
in my experience with all the cdma gs3 varian, only the verizon one that have gsm capability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with
that verizon is (gsm+cdma)
Sent using Tapatalk
Bought 955FD myself here in saudi.
Followed instructions to make "cumulative 5 minute call" with middle east/north africa sim: regional unlock.
1st issue: wifi calling available?
Searched settings for wifi calling. Initially something pops up, such as an option but it asked for ?phone number? I dont recall, was too excited about getting ready to pop in sprint sim from edge6.
During this search i was waiting for smart switch to execute bringing files from edge6.
When its all done i see nothing about wifi calling on 955FD.
2nd issue: activating 955FD to Sprint network.
Called Sprint, they asked for HEX gave them the IMEI number, then informed phone is not compatible.
They informed me i could go into sprint store and have them flash the device to place it on sprint's system. But that didnt sound confident. The phone is not compatible but can be flashed.
I was told once before by sprint international they have special sims to be used on foreign devices. But after failed activation informed me the international sim would not work either. I am never satisfied with first tier help/information from sprint.
I am open any advice. Last hope is to switch to TMobile which i read in another xda forum it will work. But i am concerned about the wifi calling mainly.
If you're rooted, then flash the CSC selector and select TMB. It will bring you wifi calling and Volte in TMOBILE, Not sure Exynos model will support Sprint CDMA..
I'm using it in Tmobile.. Mine is G955F
Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
Not rooted. Never tried that before. Trying to stay away from that effort.
Must it be rooted to be used on Tmobile?
2nd issue: activating 955FD to Sprint network.
Called Sprint, they asked for HEX gave them the IMEI number, then informed phone is not compatible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As SBR said above, Exynos does not support CDMA. Sprint is CDMA. Your rep was correct.
rkennison said:
As SBR said above, Exynos does not support CDMA. Sprint is CDMA. Your rep was correct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Would them offering to flash the device be worth a try for experimental purpose?
No. The Exynos chip does not support CDMA. That is only in the Qualcom chip. The problem lies in your CPU, not software.
You have two different types of cellular networks, CDMA and GSM. Sprint and Verizon use CDMA while everyone else (in the world) uses GSM.
Kind of just an FYI, in which case your phone will work on T-Mobile, but not sure about the extra steps with WiFi calling (though, if it's on these forums, then you should be set there too).
Will update about wifi calling feature after I speak to Mobile in few weeks upon returning to stattes.
Thanks.
955FD on T-Mobile
After signing up with Tmobile i am 99% all good. Only problem is no wifi calling feature has appeared.
J_blaze114 said:
After signing up with Tmobile i am 99% all good. Only problem is no wifi calling feature has appeared.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WiFi calling on TMobile requires the TMobile firmware (which isn't available on the 955FD model, obviously).
Even unlocked US phones from Samsung can't use WiFi calling on TMobile unless they flash TMobile firmware.
You cannot flash the TMobile firmware on your device.
Skander1998 said:
WiFi calling on TMobile requires the TMobile firmware (which isn't available on the 955FD model, obviously).
Even unlocked US phones from Samsung can't use WiFi calling on TMobile unless they flash TMobile firmware.
You cannot flash the TMobile firmware on your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So my only option is to use DIGITS app by tmobile. Not bad but overall happy with my choice to buy this model...so far.
I have a SM-G955N Korean model I bought from eBay. Everything works except Mobile Data. I call ATT (my service) got connected with their Advance Division, and they not did help.
We tried setup a new connect under Access Point Names with no luck. I did notice that more ATT type APNs did add to the list of APNs, I tried each and powered off the phone each time, no luck.
My Wi-Fi works just not the Mobile Data. I typed in the Service Mode code which I got from another thread *#2683662#,(thanks XDA Developers), what I got looks like this:
MAIN MENU
[1] Protocol
[2] UE Setting & Information
[3] ETC
MOBILE: null
MOBILE_IMS: null
When I access The 1,2,3 pages I always get the MOBILE: null and MOBILE_IMS: null at the bottom of every page. My guess these are error codes.
Any help or ideas would be great.
Thank you.
Same here with 955n, null also but I have mobile data running. Lte it says instead of 4g i had on my 955f.
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 06:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:32 PM ----------
Lte instead of 4ghttp://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/5925d2414e052/Screenshot_20170524-213318.png?
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk
So yours works, Mobile Data, but you are seeing the MOBILE: null and MOBILE_IMS: null Both or just one?
I read that the seller of a Korean phone has to start it up with a Korean sim card and make a call for 5 minutes or the phone will not work out of their country.
I wonder if this is what happens? No Mobile Data connection.
same for EU phones - if you bought from EU you'd have to 'unlock' it first with an EU sim else it won't work
This guy can help:
Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/322518132661
He switched my S8+ from Tracfone to T-Mobile with all bands working w/ 4G LTE to the point one can't even tell this phone belonged to a different carrier than T-Mobile.
P.S. I had the same issue to where I could connect & surf the Internet with 4G but I was unable to make calls/texts. After he did his magic, which was remotely by the way, my phone got a new life. I bought his service four days ago and my phone is working phenomenally well so far. Give it a try guys.
Does anyone know of a way to unlock the T-Mobile bands on this phone? - the SM-G955N, Can it be done?
There are no clickable options when I access the service menu.
skyprotocol99 said:
Does anyone know of a way to unlock the T-Mobile bands on this phone? - the SM-G955N, Can it be done?
There are no clickable options when I access the service menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Doctorsim
State.of.mind said:
Try Doctorsim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the recommendation, I'm glad I tried this.
Unfortunately, they DoctorSim was unable to help me as my phone is on the t-moblie network but is not prompting an unlock code.
When I enter this code
*#2683662#
ServiceMode
Not supported
Mobile: null
Mobile_IMS: null
skyprotocol99 said:
Thank you for the recommendation, I'm glad I tried this.
Unfortunately, they DoctorSim was unable to help me as my phone is on the t-moblie network but is not prompting an unlock code.
When I enter this code
*#2683662#
ServiceMode
Not supported
Mobile: null
Mobile_IMS: null
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. Hmm maybe you will have to do it through T Mobile? I recall that Doctorsim took a long time to work, but it was guaranteed for the phone to be unlocked. Also, did you purchase the premium?
Try
Support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-27772
---------- Post added at 03:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:09 PM ----------
On second thought maybe it cannot be done. I pulled this from a previous XDA thread. Source: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8+/help/ive-korean-model-s8-questions-t3590720
"*Since September 2013, Samsung has implemented a 'region lock' on all new stock.
For correct operation, this handset should be activated inside one of these countries with a SIM card issued for use there. The device will then be able to accept SIM cards from outside of these countries.
Activation requires turning the device on for the first time & completing set-up with the SIM installed, then completing at least 5 minutes of voice call(s) with this SIM.
Without activation you may still use the device outside of these countries when 'roaming' - using a SIM card from the listed countries.
If this activation procedure is not followed then the device will lock when first attempted to be used with a SIM card from outside of these regions. Local Samsung support may provide a code to unlock such handsets.
**All member states of the E.E.A and the following additional territories: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (F.Y.R.O.M), Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia and Vatican City.
From what i understand you might need a sim from Korea to activate it once activated it will work worldwide with any sim card. i could be wrong but that’s how i think it works!"
Another user stated that "Confirmed I had to have my SM-955N unlocked and used in Korea before shipping. Also have the KT logo. Back is actually less busy than other versions without all the FCC, CE etc logos."
Thanks for the help with this!
I am considering mailing the phone to Korea to have someone there do the sim card activation.
But before I do this I want to make sure I understand the lock issue.
The phone does not actually give me a "LOCKED" message, and it partially works T-Mobile, it just does not pickup all the LTE bands, so it only has a connection about 50% of the time. Tmobile recently changed their bands, a month and a half ago it was working perfectly. The main goal is to turn on the locked bands.
If I'm understanding correctly if I take the phone to Korea, use a sim card from there on it, and make calls, then I go back to T-Mobile it will trigger the unlock mesage, which will allow me to access the LTE bands in *#2683662#??
Have you solved this yet?
skyprotocol99 said:
Thanks for the help with this!
I am considering mailing the phone to Korea to have someone there do the sim card activation.
But before I do this I want to make sure I understand the lock issue.
The phone does not actually give me a "LOCKED" message, and it partially works T-Mobile, it just does not pickup all the LTE bands, so it only has a connection about 50% of the time. Tmobile recently changed their bands, a month and a half ago it was working perfectly. The main goal is to turn on the locked bands.
If I'm understanding correctly if I take the phone to Korea, use a sim card from there on it, and make calls, then I go back to T-Mobile it will trigger the unlock mesage, which will allow me to access the LTE bands in *#2683662#??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just curious if you found a solution to this yet?
I read all the posts about how a phone branded and bought in Korea needs to be on a Korean simcard for at least 5 min or so before it will accept any other (non-Korean) simcards.
So since I was based in Korea I bought the S8+ (SM-G955N - 128GB/6GB version) in Korea as soon as it was launched in April 2017 and used it with my Korean telecom provider (KT Telecom) for over half a year. In that period, while travelling outside Korea, roaming on LTE in different countries was never a problem.
Recently, I have moved from Korea (to Europe) and got a local simcard (Vodafone - NL). I can get on my provider's network, receive/send calls/sms, etc. No problem, but no LTE! Only some 3G/Edge!
I tried the 'service menu' with *#2683662#, access is possible but it gave back the same:
ServiceMode
Not supported
Mobile: null
Mobile_IMS: null
So first I thought it was related to KT Telecom how their GiGA LTE technology is somehow dependent on the use of a KT Telecom simcard with the KT Telecom network and basically without the KT Telecom simcard, basic LTE functionality would stop.
So I am reading through the different internet forums and advice from other users, but as far as I can tell, I don't think there is any other solution for me then to flash my phone with a less 'Korean-ized' stock firmware and hope this will resolve my problem.
Since, technically my phone is still under warranty, I am a bit taken back with all the extensive 'liability waivers' and step-by-step instructions. Rooting and flashing my phone is my last resort option.
I am just wondering if there are any other SM-G955N users out there who encountered the same problem and made some progress in any other way. Any feedback or comment is mostly appreciated.
I picked up a Korean G930S that had Chinese CSC, and I put an F ROM onto it. The CSC did not change. Here in the US the Chinese CSC worked just fine on the AT&T service getting 4G/LTE. I flashed an XAA CSC (probably not the correct one now that I think about it), which would not connect up.
I restored the phone back to the F ROM/Chinese CSC setup and don't worry about it at this point.
As I understand so far, what ever phone 'ROM version' you have is the CSC you will need to flash, meaning if you have an F ROM for example,you'd need to flash a CSC package that is 'made' for F ROM's. My 8+ went from an International 8+ 955F to look like and ROM function as a Note 8,so I needed a Note 8 CSC if I cared to have that 'match' more specifically to my local carrier, AT&T.
I can't say that the XAA Note 8 CSC works any better than the original 955F International CSC with AT&T, or not.
For my 8+ F, I flashed a Note 8 ROM, and wanted to find a Note 8 CSC (US) package for the phone, as I wanted the CSC to match where I live.
It wasn't really necessary, as the phone had an F (International unlocked CSC sorta thing stock on it) whick worked just fine here in the US. Never the less, I found the correct Note 8 CSC and set that up correctly with an XAA CSC, and it works just fine, as well.
test
Hodori75 said:
I read all the posts about how a phone branded and bought in Korea needs to be on a Korean simcard for at least 5 min or so before it will accept any other (non-Korean) simcards.
So since I was based in Korea I bought the S8+ (SM-G955N - 128GB/6GB version) in Korea as soon as it was launched in April 2017 and used it with my Korean telecom provider (KT Telecom) for over half a year. In that period, while travelling outside Korea, roaming on LTE in different countries was never a problem.
Recently, I have moved from Korea (to Europe) and got a local simcard (Vodafone - NL). I can get on my provider's network, receive/send calls/sms, etc. No problem, but no LTE! Only some 3G/Edge!
I tried the 'service menu' with *#2683662#, access is possible but it gave back the same:
ServiceMode
Not supported
Mobile: null
Mobile_IMS: null
So first I thought it was related to KT Telecom how their GiGA LTE technology is somehow dependent on the use of a KT Telecom simcard with the KT Telecom network and basically without the KT Telecom simcard, basic LTE functionality would stop.
So I am reading through the different internet forums and advice from other users, but as far as I can tell, I don't think there is any other solution for me then to flash my phone with a less 'Korean-ized' stock firmware and hope this will resolve my problem.
Since, technically my phone is still under warranty, I am a bit taken back with all the extensive 'liability waivers' and step-by-step instructions. Rooting and flashing my phone is my last resort option.
I am just wondering if there are any other SM-G955N users out there who encountered the same problem and made some progress in any other way. Any feedback or comment is mostly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have family members visiting from Korea, and they have the same phones. I was trying to set them up with US Mobile which is a T-Mobile's MVNO. So initially, I've faced the same issue as you, where I was only getting the voice calls working and no data. I was able to download an app called Force 4G LTE from the app store that let me change the radio network setting to LTE Only (or other options that include the LTE band). That fixed the data issue and I was getting LTE from that point.
The next problem I ran into, however, was the voice. When LTE is on and working I was no longer getting voice calls (both outbound and inbound). And when I switch it to some non-LTE radio band to turn on the 'Edge' signal back, voice worked again. I chatted with a US Mobile's service representative for a while to try to fix the issue -- in the process also tried turning off HD Voice / VoLTE option -- VoLTE wasn't working for me anyways since I am not using T-mobile's service directly. But that didn't resolve the issue either. After many different tries -- I had to eventually just give up and tell the family member to stick to internet calling for their duration of the visit.
The problem seemed to be that the phone couldn't simultaneously use LTE for data and Edge for voice and was connecting to either LTE or Edge for both.
I'm curious about this as my Korean Note 8 did not need local activation, and with all the research I found Korean models are never SIM or carrier locked and do not require regional SIM activation like the F variants.
As far as using a 935N on tmobile in the USA as long as it supports LTE bands 2,4 and 12 it should work fine. Out of the box my Note 950N worked on LTE and by manually enabling IMS and RCS in the IMS Settings app, VoLTE worked too.
I have since created a CSC patch that changes the CSC to T-mobile to make the phone features more applicable, and add T-mobile's wifi calling but I'm fairly sure the S8+ is basically the same hardware as a Note 8 so if all you need is LTE data and voice calling you shouldn't need to flash anything.
To correct a misinformation about CSC per device, they are not platform specific. My T-mobile patch uses a mostly stock 950U T-mobile CSC base, and I can tell you that there is nothing in the CSCs themselves that has anything to do with Exynos or Snapdragon.
I have the same problem
I have the same problem
Vicious_jm said:
I have a SM-G955N Korean model I bought from eBay. Everything works except Mobile Data. I call ATT (my service) got connected with their Advance Division, and they not did help.
We tried setup a new connect under Access Point Names with no luck. I did notice that more ATT type APNs did add to the list of APNs, I tried each and powered off the phone each time, no luck.
My Wi-Fi works just not the Mobile Data. I typed in the Service Mode code which I got from another thread *#2683662#,(thanks XDA Developers), what I got looks like this:
MAIN MENU
[1] Protocol
[2] UE Setting & Information
[3] ETC
MOBILE: null
MOBILE_IMS: null
When I access The 1,2,3 pages I always get the MOBILE: null and MOBILE_IMS: null at the bottom of every page. My guess these are error codes.
Any help or ideas would be great.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's some more information about this issue.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=81262805&postcount=18