9 months ago I switched providers from NTT docomo (where I still used a SIM lock free iPhone) to SoftBank (where I got a new Pixel 3, and first time in many years that I got a phone + SIM).
But like how the whole nature of planned obsolence works, gradually going from best phone ever to falling apart to boiling my blood.
First the USB-C port of my phone stopped working (so I am now forced to use wireless charging and SFTP on a local network), then the FeliCa chip started becoming instable (which is fine, I can still switch back to a dedicated SUICA card where the FeliCa chip works for a decade), then I was forced to set up a finger print to use Google services (later on turned out to be just a policy issue in Google Apps, I already fixed that) which only makes my phone more insecure (random unlocking if accidentally unlocking the phone within 5 seconds or when the scanner touches the skin of my lag through my pants), but after I turned off finger print authentication my phone started to randomly unlock itself whenever I get extreme weather warnings (and since it's summer, I'm getting multiple times every day).
So I was looking for switching to another phone, and I bought a SoftBank branded Digno flip phone from Amazon, and my SIM card didn't work.
I went to SoftBank have them take a look, the guy was searching using my IMEI for 30 minutes only to tell me that the Digno problem is a very rare case and that Aquos flip phone doesn't have this problem because Digno is too old (released before 2015).
So I bought the Aquos flip phone that he recommended me, but again my SIM card didn't work.
I started to question it, and put my SIM card into my SIM free iPhone: didn't work.
Then I put it in an Aquos smartphone which I bought specifically as a SIM free phone: didn't work.
I went to SoftBank again (this time to a different store because I didn't have much time) and explained the situation.
The guy then told me that I must have my phone registered at SoftBank for the SIM to work.
Then I asked how I can do that, he said that I must purchase a phone via SoftBank instead of Amazon, or otherwise let a totally different SIM card get issued.
By this I'm not complaining or asking to hack the system, I only want to ask if anyone knows about such a tactic? Did anyone experience it too (in Japan or overseas)? And is it normal for a phone provider to lock your SIM card to a specific phone?
And while we're at it: if I flash my phone with a custom ROM, will this render my phone to be unusable with this SIM card as well?
Looks like you are down with a string of strange events and bad luck.
Softbank seems to be a d*ck and I would change a provider if I am you. It is illegal in my country, malaysia, to lock devices to network. But you can easily just register your phone imei to Softbank if you really like the coverage they provide.
As for phones I can't comment on that as I never used pixel, aquos or any of the phones you mentioned but the fingerprint able to unlock by touching your legs through your pants sounds like a hardware failure and I would bring the phone in for repair.
Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk
In my experience Docomo works really well within the Yamanote area of Tokyo, but I cannot afford living there and my work is just outside of that area.
And I already had home internet from SoftBank, which were the 2 reasons why I went with SoftBank, plus its coverage works really well (even when I go to a mountain village north from Sapporo, which I did yesterday, I still have really good coverage).
Their SIM only plans were also really good, I really feel like an idiot that I took a SIM + phone set this time…
My friends (I have them despite my username) also recommended me to go with au, but I didn't like what they covered (can't remember what exactly, but I remember it was somewhere among those lines).
But would be nice if our politicians would make this illegal too, once big companies obtain too much power, it's never going to be enough for them.
Edit:
I only want to add that the only time I had a bad coverage with SoftBank was when watching fireworks at the Edo river, but I'm not sure whether it's because I was near a big river or because the part of the river has a 3 point prefectural border (between Tokyo, Chiba, and Saitama).
yujin-nashi said:
9 months ago I switched providers from NTT docomo (where I still used a SIM lock free iPhone) to SoftBank (where I got a new Pixel 3, and first time in many years that I got a phone + SIM).
But like how the whole nature of planned obsolence works, gradually going from best phone ever to falling apart to boiling my blood.
First the USB-C port of my phone stopped working (so I am now forced to use wireless charging and SFTP on a local network), then the FeliCa chip started becoming instable (which is fine, I can still switch back to a dedicated SUICA card where the FeliCa chip works for a decade), then I was forced to set up a finger print to use Google services (later on turned out to be just a policy issue in Google Apps, I already fixed that) which only makes my phone more insecure (random unlocking if accidentally unlocking the phone within 5 seconds or when the scanner touches the skin of my lag through my pants), but after I turned off finger print authentication my phone started to randomly unlock itself whenever I get extreme weather warnings (and since it's summer, I'm getting multiple times every day).
So I was looking for switching to another phone, and I bought a SoftBank branded Digno flip phone from Amazon, and my SIM card didn't work.
I went to SoftBank have them take a look, the guy was searching using my IMEI for 30 minutes only to tell me that the Digno problem is a very rare case and that Aquos flip phone doesn't have this problem because Digno is too old (released before 2015).
So I bought the Aquos flip phone that he recommended me, but again my SIM card didn't work.
I started to question it, and put my SIM card into my SIM free iPhone: didn't work.
Then I put it in an Aquos smartphone which I bought specifically as a SIM free phone: didn't work.
I went to SoftBank again (this time to a different store because I didn't have much time) and explained the situation.
The guy then told me that I must have my phone registered at SoftBank for the SIM to work.
Then I asked how I can do that, he said that I must purchase a phone via SoftBank instead of Amazon, or otherwise let a totally different SIM card get issued.
By this I'm not complaining or asking to hack the system, I only want to ask if anyone knows about such a tactic? Did anyone experience it too (in Japan or overseas)? And is it normal for a phone provider to lock your SIM card to a specific phone?
And while we're at it: if I flash my phone with a custom ROM, will this render my phone to be unusable with this SIM card as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It isn't a matter of "locking the device to the SIM", it is a matter of the device being registered on the service providers network using the device's IMEI number and the SIM card number being registered as being used with that device, both of these numbers must be registered together in your service account, that is how the network recognizes your device and how it knows to send service via that SIM to your device. When you switch to another device, the new device must be registered on the network and the SIM must be registered as being used with that device.
It's similar to registering your car and registering a license plate on that car. The car is registered to identify it as your car and the license plate is registered to identify that the license plate is for your car and not someone else's.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
Droidriven said:
It isn't a matter of "locking the device to the SIM", it is a matter of the device being registered on the service providers network using the device's IMEI number and the SIM card number being registered as being used with that device, both of these numbers must be registered together in your service account, that is how the network recognizes your device and how it knows to send service via that SIM to your device. When you switch to another device, the new device must be registered on the network and the SIM must be registered as being used with that device.
It's similar to registering your car and registering a license plate on that car. The car is registered to identify it as your car and the license plate is registered to identify that the license plate is for your car and not someone else's.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's true, then I'll try it out.
Somehow confusing if employees of the same ISP working at different branch stores tell me totally different things. (´；ω；｀)
Related
i have had my e650 for about 4 months, 2 months waiting for a screen.
I come to my phone the other day. BTW: i havent had credit for about 12 months. So opens internet explorer and types in news and it searches bing. Hold on? i havent got any credit. so i tryed google, loaded ok. facebook same.
With no credit!
No i wasnt using wifi because i was in school.
So i have been using the free internet for 1 1/2 days.
Why the free internet?
flyboy
Now they have disconnected my number.
This is related yo tour SIM card and has nothing to do with your device. Simply the different systems that check if your SIM is still alive and control your balance seem not well aligned, you were just lucky - that's all.
Iam not lucky that they disconnected my number!
Do you expect to have free surfing forever? The operator needs to make money to have the technology maintained - so pay your share or use WIFI. WIFI in the device is a main reason for the S710.
Im not thick
I discovered it wont read sim cards now for some strange reason.
So i might take it apart and fix it if i can.
Accessing the SIM requires to completely disassemble the device. There is nothing which could break either in that area, so I doubt that it will help.
Cross check if the same SIM runs in other devices - and if so then try to clean the SIM slot with medical alcohol and some cardboard that fits the thickness. If you are careful you will not break or bend any contact.
What is the message that device tells you when you try to use the SIM card?
Well brief history:
I got given 3 voxes
man said fix 1, you can keep the other two.
Made a good one out the two
Kept it and it works.
So i know how to take it apart. And i have had probs with muck getting in the top part of phone before so its probly muck. As you say i will clean it will alcohol wipes and get back to you!
thanks
flyboy
btw: i just get the message when you dont have the sim card in.
and have tried in 02 XDA II and works fine.
I tryed cleaning the contacts but it still wont read sim cards.
Could it be something in the rom?
flyboy
If you have some spare parts from other devices, just swap the upper PBA to see if it is a HW fault. I doubt it is a ROM problem, but you can swap ROMs as well to check.
What is the error message?
Can it just not find a network?
Is the SIM tollkit available (an additional menu item that links to the SIM card)?
Did you mess around with SIM unlocking tools (they may ruin your encrypted area on the device that holds IMEI, CID, Serial SIMLock end so on)? The encrypted area is not touched by any ROM update.
The phone acts like there is no sim in. I have tryed cleaning the contacts but no luck. I might try and flash a new rom to it. But as spare parts go i will have to wait till my Uncle gets back from work because i give them to him for his e650.
flyboy
So ive swapped sim slot and mainboard and the phone still says "no sim or sim invalid. But it works on my xdaII. I just dont get it!
can anyone help?
flyboy
Well i have changed almost everything and the sim still wont work on a vox.
new sim should come soon.
flyboy
So I wake up 1 morning and find my htc desire is all messed up, after 5 months of use. Rebooting on its own constantly, and weirdly, not being able to find any network (im on orange UK). The phone couldnt even detect there was a simcard in it.
Did the usual - panic - forum search - lots of stories about htc desires rebooting on their own. Lots of stories about desires not being able to detect the simcard due to a lose simcard holder.
Turns out it was none of those things for me - as i put in a vodafone simcard from my work phone - and it was absolutely fine. No rebooting, no problems connecting to a network.
conclusion - the orange simcard had somehow corrupted itself during my sleep, and was attacking my phone.
can anyone explain this?
The Sim gods hate you ? You may have to go to sim city and give offerings........
Seriously,
A Likely candidate for the sim problem would be a mechanical problem. In other words, the cards' gold micro coating is worn causing some resistance and then after enough time either heat or some other data transfer problem manifests and you get a reboot. Try replacing the Sim card. Other options is Vodaphone had a bad batch of cards and you got one..... lucky you. And, of course the company would never willingly disclose they had a bad batch of cards.
There is some guesses you can start with.......... I would just replace the card they are 8.00usd here so it is a cheap fix.
Luckily this is a curiousity question as the urgency worked itself out.
I have my Doubleshot connected to the Rogers network here in Canada, and I've tried other SIM cards before (i.e. T-Mobile) without issue. But this one had the representatives (and tier two support) stumped.
I walked into an Eastlink store (competing communications company although their roaming is done through Rogers frequencies) with a promotional flyer. We got talking about switching, and they offered to do a test to see if the phone is compatible. So I thought, hey, why not? So they popped an Eastlink SIM in my phone, turned it back on, picked up the network no problem. Well and good.
The problem occurs when she put my Rogers SIM back in. Boot the phone up and the network wasn't recognizing. No service. We went to Settings > Mobile Networks > Network Operators. The searching took forever then threw up and error. No networks to choose from.
The interesting part is that the Rogers APN's were present. I thought maybe the SIM card went bad. Luckily the Rogers store was across the street so we popped that into a feature phone, no issues. I then thought there was some weird (new) setting preventing it from connecting. So I booted into recovery and restored a backup from three days ago. No luck.
The problem ended up fixing itself, about an hour later, while waiting for the bus (after having given up). I made a few test calls to be sure. Since it's working now, it's merely a curiousity, but the issue stands: what would have caused this and is there any way to restore service faster? Using Tbaldens CM 10.1 if that helps.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Still very interesting. I find now that every time I reboot the phone, it takes a few minutes for service to be established. Long enough for Auto Pilot Mode (one of the apps I use in case I'm in the depths of big buildings) to be engaged. I may have to quarantine that app for a little while. Or just not reboot the phone.
My Rogers SIM is an older card. It would have been pressed in 2007 or 2008 (which is also why the fastest internet I can get on it is EDGE). It may be time I shell out the $10 for a replacement. For whatever reason, that just may fix this newly attained lag on connecting.
joel.maxuel said:
Still very interesting. I find now that every time I reboot the phone, it takes a few minutes for service to be established. Long enough for Auto Pilot Mode (one of the apps I use in case I'm in the depths of big buildings) to be engaged. I may have to quarantine that app for a little while. Or just not reboot the phone.
My Rogers SIM is an older card. It would have been pressed in 2007 or 2008 (which is also why the fastest internet I can get on it is EDGE). It may be time I shell out the $10 for a replacement. For whatever reason, that just may fix this newly attained lag on connecting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just activated a new Rogers (LTE) SIM card. Booted up the phone, and service was recognized by the time I entered my login PIN. So everything looks good (as it looks like my old SIM was starting to die). I'm still stuck with EDGE, but that is due to the phone being a non-Rogers phone. No big deal there.
Alright, so a little back story on the problem i'm having:
I've got a Mofi4500 SIM4 wireless modem with service from an MVNO using T-Mobile's network.
The service worked great for the last several months despite a video throttling issue. Long story short, i determined the Phone number associated with the SIM was being throttled either the MVNO or T-Mobile, so they're shipping me out a new SIM card.
Here's the issue: They disabled the current SIM (which is providing us service) when they programmed the new SIM before they shipped it out. In the MOFI's control panel, there is no phone number detected on the sim (did they delete the phone number remotely?)
So we're currently dead in the water with no internet access, and my wife isn't too happy since she works from home. I called their tech support to get the SIM reactivated, and they said no problem, should be done within an hour.
2 hours pass, still not working! I jump back in the MOFI's control panel to see whats going on, and it seems that its still not detecting a phone number on the SIM. The Sim card, SIM ID, and T-Mobiles APN are all detected and correct, but the Phone number is not. even now (the next morning) after several reboots of the modem and factory resets there is no phone number detected.
We USED to run the MOFI on AT&T's network and still have that sim card, so i popped that in the MOFI to see if it could detect a phone number on that sim, and sure enough all that information along with AT&T's APN is there. so the Mofi's sim card reader isn't broken, it does have the ability to read a sim card correctly.
My question here, how did the MVNO supposedly "reactivate" the sim card remotely when the sim card has the Phone number deleted and the router has no access to the web? is it even possible to change a SIM's phone number remotely? Is it possible to reactivate a SIM remotely when the SIM has no access to the internet?
If it is indeed possible, any idea on why the sim not able to update?
Hello,
A few months ago, I've bought a second hand Galaxy S7 from the UK (via eBay). I'm in Belgium, the phone was unlocked. I ran a few tests, the phone worked fine and I*installed LineageOS 16 (this one:*<https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7/development/rom-lineageos-16-microg-t3921094>).
I've just notice a few weeks ago that the network was not as good as another SM-G930F (with the same ROM). In well-covered areas, it seems fine, but when moving (on a train…) or when in remote location with medium or bad reception, my phone lose all network.
I've tested it with two SIM cards (two different operators) and it's the same result.
I've also noticed that the IMEI and SN on the back cover of the phone are different from those in the system settings (and via *#06#). I asked the seller and he told me “We are sorry to hear that, it may was broken and we have change it with another origins back from another phone, the main number is the one in the settings.”
What could I do to try to improve the network connection?
Should I be worried about the IMEI/SN change?
Thanks!
Ptrph said:
Hello,
A few months ago, I've bought a second hand Galaxy S7 from the UK (via eBay). I'm in Belgium, the phone was unlocked. I ran a few tests, the phone worked fine and I*installed LineageOS 16 (this one:*<https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7/development/rom-lineageos-16-microg-t3921094>).
I've just notice a few weeks ago that the network was not as good as another SM-G930F (with the same ROM). In well-covered areas, it seems fine, but when moving (on a train…) or when in remote location with medium or bad reception, my phone lose all network.
I've tested it with two SIM cards (two different operators) and it's the same result.
I've also noticed that the IMEI and SN on the back cover of the phone are different from those in the system settings (and via *#06#). I asked the seller and he told me “We are sorry to hear that, it may was broken and we have change it with another origins back from another phone, the main number is the one in the settings.”
What could I do to try to improve the network connection?
Should I be worried about the IMEI/SN change?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone has obviously been re-built from different parts of S7's, the antenna may not be seated correctly or even damaged. The S7 is not designed to be taken apart by re-sellers.
IMEI, Yes it is illegal to change an IMEI number of any phone. You've been sold a dud phone.
cooltt said:
The phone has obviously been re-built from different parts of S7's, the antenna may not be seated correctly or even damaged. The S7 is not designed to be taken apart by re-sellers.
IMEI, Yes it is illegal to change an IMEI number of any phone. You've been sold a dud phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply. I guess I'll try to check the antenna. This issue aside, it kinda works well…
Is there a way to check IMEI numbers before buying a second hand phone? I've just searched online, but there's too many sites, most of them not free, and I don't know where to begin. Is it country restricted?
Ptrph said:
Thank you for your reply. I guess I'll try to check the antenna. This issue aside, it kinda works well…
Is there a way to check IMEI numbers before buying a second hand phone? I've just searched online, but there's too many sites, most of them not free, and I don't know where to begin. Is it country restricted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way to check IMEI numbers before buying a second hand phone? Yes there is a free network provider website in most countries to check it's valid and you can check on Samsung website. Don't pay any money to anyone! If an IMEI is blacklisted or reported stolen the phone will not register on any network.
Yours is working so is fine.