Retaining of esim profile, happily surprised - Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion

Dear all,
i am writing my experience here for everyones benefit
this is what happened
I was not decided between ios and android, but finally decided to give Android DP2 try, so installed on my pixel 3a xl and wanted to shift my airtel esim on pixel 3a xl, which i did, but then realized that i have forgot to lock the bootloader, so went to fastboot and tried to lock, but then realized that it will wipe the device, then searched if i do fastboot reset esim profile is wiped or retained, and to my happy surprise, it did retain my esim profile and after reboot and initial setup i was back on airtel esim experience
i am very much impressed, i feel google needs to advertise more with these features, as its not known to anyone what will happen to esim profile

Related

Google Fi and the OnePlus 6/6T

I'm curious, I'm VERY new to the android world (My iPhone XS Max is still my primary)
I started with Androids about a year ago out of both boredom and a desire to learn.
So, I picked up a Pixel 2, then an LG V30, then S8, then S9, until I found the OnePlus 6. I was instantly hooked on the OnePlus 6, only replacing it with the 6T for the fingerprint reader in the screen. (I still have the 6 and 6T, all others were sold)
Anyway - Google Fi is intriguing to me, as I end up in areas were T-Mobile simply doesn't work. I would like the carrier switching, but I don't have a desire to switch back to a more expensive Pixel 3 XL, that really ONLY offers me the advantage of the carrier switching. Overall, I found the OnePlus 6/6T running Pie to be the cleanest experience.
So, my question - Does anyone feel that someone may be able to get the OnePlus phones to do the carrier switching? Or is this actually a hardware feature? I know nothing about how Fi works, so please excuse my ignorance.
Thank you in advance for any productive responses.
Fi network switching to the best network is a lie.
Fi connects to the "preferred" network in the area, not the best network.
For example, if you get -80db on US Cellular and -110db on Sprint, and if Sprint is the preferred network, FI will automatically connect to Sprint, no exceptions.
Then if you want to make a lengthy phone call, you better manually switch to US Cellular before making it (there's an app and dialer codes for that.)
This is exactly what happened in my town when I owned a Pixel XL.
BTW, the "preferred network" is not a theory. That term and the information comes directly from Google support chat on Pixel XL (which was quite excellent, btw.)
is it possible to change networks using the code on a non-Fi phone?
i.e. If I have a Fi SIM in my 6T, I assume it will be on T-Mobile. Can I use the dial code to switch networks?

No LTE Data on Custom Google Pixel 3a Rom

I really need help with getting my GrapheneOS rom to work with Sprint. It does not include the packages for CDMA Sprint activation. I flashed back to the stock rom and data works perfectly so I definitely know its gotta be something with the missing packages. I've read like a billion threads on here and reddit but can't find anything recent to get Sprint working on my custom rom. I can't find apn settings so thats out of the equation; anyone have any ideas that I can try? Thanks in advance!
I realize this is the 3a channel, but I think this is relevant. I just activated a Pixel 4a with them and they had to give me a physical sim card. Voice calls and SMS works, but sadly data still doesn't work. It seems Sprint is the issue but I can't find out why.

Can't an eSIM be activated to an already personalized phone?

I am reaching here because I have exhausted all other resources and I suspect the most knowledgeable people
are here.
For the last 2-3 weeks I've been stuck with a problem that I am unable to resolve, for which reason I cannot use my new phone. It has a technical aspect, that's why I'm here.
I have a new Pixel 4a 5G. A TMo agent botched the eSIM activation -- sent me a "blank" Apple eSIM that did not work in an Android device -- I had to erase it. Thus I spent those weeks personalizing the phone without an active SIM and, thus, no mobile account, using just the WiFi, believing I can install a eSIM later.
All TMo stores in SF are closed. After I talked to about 4-5 clueless agents, I reached a manager (in the Philippines!) who told me that the only solution is to factory reset the phone and activate an eSIM properly, which means I would have to repeat all that personalization -- I cannot afford that.
1. Isn't there a way to activate a SIM without a reset? Does this hold for both eSIM and physical SIM? I have
an old SIM I could transfer from the old phone.
2. Is all the personalization recoverable from backup? Anything that's lost?
I don't trust TMo anymore and would drop it, but it has the plan that suits me best and in my experience the
other carriers are not much better.
Please advise. Thanks.
FP

LTE Suddenly Stopped Working

A while ago, I bought an unlocked Pixel 3 as a spare phone and to flash different ROMs on for fun. I ended up loading EvoX 11 on it in July. My mom needed a new phone so long story...my dad got the Pixel 3 with EvoX on it. Even though the ROM has had monthly updates, I haven't done any of them because it's his daily driver and I wanted to wait and see if there were any problems with updates but there's not a lot of traffic on the thread.
Yesterday, after months of working fine, the LTE refused to stay connected. He was in the middle of a call and it dropped and said he needed to activate WIFI calling. No matter what I did, I could never get LTE to connect for more than a few seconds, though WIFI calling worked flawlessly.
I even wiped and updated to the latest LOS after flashing Oct factory image. I put his sim in my spare 4 that ran LOS and same thing. LTE doesn't work but WIFI calling is fine. I took it to the Verizon store and the tech recognized the unlocked bootloader but didn't blame it(I thought they would). We even activated a new sim and same thing. They did everything on their end and no change.
So after coming home, I factory reset it again and same issue. I factory reset the Pixel 4 and inserted his new sim and it works like it should. So now that I have a pixel 3 again, I decided to try ArrowOS on the 3. Flashing and booting went good but when I insert my sim, same issue my dad had.
Long story but does anyone have an idea what would cause this? I'm pretty sure the phone is unusable as a daily now but I'm just really curious what it could be.
Thanks
Doesn't it seem obvious? It's the sim.
And, if it's not the sim, then it's the OS, which u would be much much more likely to get a resolution for in discussions about that Rom. Sure, there may not be much traffic in them, but I don't build roms, most people that read this thread aren't going to be rom builders, so finding that answer, for a specific rom, here, not likely at all.
good luck. But my bet, it's the sim card, needs to be replaced.
Thanks for the reply. I was really sure it was the sim too but his new sim and my sim didn't make a difference.
Maybe I should clarify. His new sim works in a pixel 4. Old phone(no LTE) is a 3. I've confirmed it's not the rom as it's done the same thing on 3 separate roms. I haven't tried stock but I suspect it's the same
AlexKarimov said:
Thanks for the reply. I was really sure it was the sim too but his new sim and my sim didn't make a difference.
Maybe I should clarify. His new sim works in a pixel 4. Old phone(no LTE) is a 3. I've confirmed it's not the rom as it's done the same thing on 3 separate roms. I haven't tried stock but I suspect it's the same
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, interesting. Well it sounds like u have a good handle on what's going on, trying diff sims and diff devices, def the way to narrow it down.
What's going on I've no idea, honestly, sounds a bit bizarre. But, I was wondering, are u related to the 'Brothers Karamazov'? Just kidding, prob not, but that is a (close to) famous literary name.
cheers

Question PSA: It's looking like the Unlocked Pixel 7/7 Pro & Straight Talk/Tracfone's Verizon BYOP service are not compatible.

If you're using either Straight Talk, or Tracfone with their Verizon SIM, I would avoid the Unlocked Pixel 7 & 7 Pro for right now. I'm not sure if it's the phones themselves, or an issue with the carrier, or a combination of both, but it seems they're not compatible. I got my 7 Pro on Wednesday and tried using my ST Verizon SIM and it wouldn't work. I'm coming from a Oneplus 9 Pro and the SIM works just fine.
I say it could be an issue with either the phone, or with ST/TF because when I contacted Google Support to initiate an exchange, the only phone they would let me order with my RMA was the Google Fi version. I contacted support again about not being able to order the Unlocked version. I sent them a screenshot of my order email and a picture of the phones box with the SKU, all of which pointed to the phone being the Unlocked version. They agreed and I'm now waiting for them to resolve the issue of me not being able to buy the Unlocked version through my RMA request. So maybe there could be an issue on Googles end with the Unlocked version of the pixel 7/7 Pro.
I also say it could be an issue with ST/TF, becasue Verizon has recently bought Tracfone and all of their subsidiaries, Straight Talk being one of them. Because of this, I'm not sure if they've basically merged the services to the point where you would need the Verizon version of the phone in order for it to work. This is just speculation on my part though. I did contact Straight Talk support first, where they checked my IMEI/ICCID numbers, which matched what they were seeing on their end. They also ran me through the usual troubleshooting list, with nothing fixing the issue.
Here's a link to a couple threads with people having the same issue. The first one is one I posted the other day:
https://reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/y2erhe/is_anyone_else_using_a_straight_talk_verizon_sim/
https://reddit.com/r/StraightTalk/comments/y3cq9s/upgrading_to_pixel_7_byop/
If anyone is actually using a Straight Talk/Tracfone Verizon SIM in their P7/P7 Pro, please, leave a comment and let me know how you got it to work..
wellkevi01 said:
If you're using either Straight Talk, or Tracfone with their Verizon SIM, I would avoid the Unlocked Pixel 7 & 7 Pro for right now. I'm not sure if it's the phones themselves, or an issue with the carrier, or a combination of both, but it seems they're not compatible. I got my 7 Pro on Wednesday and tried using my ST Verizon SIM and it wouldn't work. I'm coming from a Oneplus 9 Pro and the SIM works just fine.
I say it could be an issue with either the phone, or with ST/TF because when I contacted Google Support to initiate an exchange, the only phone they would let me order with my RMA was the Google Fi version. I contacted support again about not being able to order the Unlocked version. I sent them a screenshot of my order email and a picture of the phones box with the SKU, all of which pointed to the phone being the Unlocked version. They agreed and I'm now waiting for them to resolve the issue of me not being able to buy the Unlocked version through my RMA request. So maybe there could be an issue on Googles end with the Unlocked version of the pixel 7/7 Pro.
I also say it could be an issue with ST/TF, becasue Verizon has recently bought Tracfone and all of their subsidiaries, Straight Talk being one of them. Because of this, I'm not sure if they've basically merged the services to the point where you would need the Verizon version of the phone in order for it to work. This is just speculation on my part though. I did contact Straight Talk support first, where they checked my IMEI/ICCID numbers, which matched what they were seeing on their end. They also ran me through the usual troubleshooting list, with nothing fixing the issue.
Here's a link to a couple threads with people having the same issue. The first one is one I posted the other day:
https://reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/y2erhe/is_anyone_else_using_a_straight_talk_verizon_sim/
https://reddit.com/r/StraightTalk/comments/y3cq9s/upgrading_to_pixel_7_byop/
If anyone is actually using a Straight Talk/Tracfone Verizon SIM in their P7/P7 Pro, please, leave a comment and let me know how you got it to work..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am having the same issue with the phone reading the SIM Data just fine but will not connect to any cell towers, I did a bunch of research and there are several people with this same issue and some report doing a software update on the phone resolved their problem. I have not been as lucky as these people as I still have the issue with my phone.
As for the "Verizon" version of the phone there is no such thing for the P7P as the unlocked version and verizon version are the same model number for the phone which includes the 5G mmWave.
The update takes over an hour so be prepared for that
Anubis366 said:
I am having the same issue with the phone reading the SIM Data just fine but will not connect to any cell towers, I did a bunch of research and there are several people with this same issue and some report doing a software update on the phone resolved their problem. I have not been as lucky as these people as I still have the issue with my phone.
As for the "Verizon" version of the phone there is no such thing for the P7P as the unlocked version and verizon version are the same model number for the phone which includes the 5G mmWave.
The update takes over an hour so be prepared for that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yea, I already tried the update(didn't fix the issue) the other day, and yes, it took over an hour to install.
There are lots of compatibility issues. I tried signing up for eSIM on a bunch of MVNOs and prepaid plans last night and to my amazement the only one that worked was AT&T Prepaid -- and it's not supposed to work with Pixels on the activation portal.
wellkevi01 said:
If you're using either Straight Talk, or Tracfone with their Verizon SIM, I would avoid the Unlocked Pixel 7 & 7 Pro for right now. I'm not sure if it's the phones themselves, or an issue with the carrier, or a combination of both, but it seems they're not compatible. I got my 7 Pro on Wednesday and tried using my ST Verizon SIM and it wouldn't work. I'm coming from a Oneplus 9 Pro and the SIM works just fine.
I say it could be an issue with either the phone, or with ST/TF because when I contacted Google Support to initiate an exchange, the only phone they would let me order with my RMA was the Google Fi version. I contacted support again about not being able to order the Unlocked version. I sent them a screenshot of my order email and a picture of the phones box with the SKU, all of which pointed to the phone being the Unlocked version. They agreed and I'm now waiting for them to resolve the issue of me not being able to buy the Unlocked version through my RMA request. So maybe there could be an issue on Googles end with the Unlocked version of the pixel 7/7 Pro.
I also say it could be an issue with ST/TF, becasue Verizon has recently bought Tracfone and all of their subsidiaries, Straight Talk being one of them. Because of this, I'm not sure if they've basically merged the services to the point where you would need the Verizon version of the phone in order for it to work. This is just speculation on my part though. I did contact Straight Talk support first, where they checked my IMEI/ICCID numbers, which matched what they were seeing on their end. They also ran me through the usual troubleshooting list, with nothing fixing the issue.
Here's a link to a couple threads with people having the same issue. The first one is one I posted the other day:
https://reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/y2erhe/is_anyone_else_using_a_straight_talk_verizon_sim/
https://reddit.com/r/StraightTalk/comments/y3cq9s/upgrading_to_pixel_7_byop/
If anyone is actually using a Straight Talk/Tracfone Verizon SIM in their P7/P7 Pro, please, leave a comment and let me know how you got it to work..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pixel 7 with the Straight Talk Verizon SIM here. Works fine on my Pixel 6.
I also tried the latest Pixel 7 software update, and it did not resolve the issue.
For what it's worth, I just contacted Google support. The representative told me they did not have any reports of this issue yet. I directed them to this post as well as another under the GooglePixel subreddit and one under the StraightTalk subreddit. I submitted all of my information to them and sent screenshots of the SIM not connecting. They are escalating the issue.
jidoohanbaiki said:
Pixel 7 with the Straight Talk Verizon SIM here. Works fine on my Pixel 6.
I also tried the latest Pixel 7 software update, and it did not resolve the issue.
For what it's worth, I just contacted Google support. The representative told me they did not have any reports of this issue yet. I directed them to this post as well as another under the GooglePixel subreddit and one under the StraightTalk subreddit. I submitted all of my information to them and sent screenshots of the SIM not connecting. They are escalating the issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just took my phone back to Best Buy. They had some more in stock so I tried another one straight out of the box without doing the update and that one is not reading my SIM and connecting to the towers either..
Google Fi sim has issues for me. Flashed latest Oct factory and BL unlock and root. Let sit overnight and installed sim. Looks like at moment of sim registration to cellular enabling it causes a reboot. Tried a few times and sometimes airplane mode would be on, and no sim (blank) or times just bootloop cycling. Removing sim, bootloop cycling stopped. Then airplane mode, but wifi can be on. So reflash latest again, no root. Same thing happening.
Support still clueless and escalation has begun.
Sim back in my 6a and all is fine.
I do know some data is pushed into system upon a Fi sim insertion been that way since my pixel 3. My local coverage is us cellular which requires a locked BL, but fortunately on Fi it works without a locked BL.
So thought to add, likely we need a immediate G side update...
https://www.reddit.com/r/TotalWireless/comments/xzfacx/pixel_7_pro/
https://www.reddit.com/r/TotalWireless/comments/y405wm/pixel_7_pro_issues/
Same issues with Total by Verizon (Total Wireless, another former tracfone) on my Pixel 7 as well as many others. Multiple sims and another carrier sim verified working in my phone.
Cross-posting this from reddit-
Brief update for everyone in the thread or lurking- Talked to Google support just now.
The tech I spoke explained that this is now a known widespread issue that has been escalated and is "top priority" (his words) for the engineers.
He documented my IMEI and added it to the ongoing ticket. I should be getting a follow-up email sometime in the future when a workaround is found.
I'd recommend calling to do the same ASAP to make sure that they are aware how widespread the issue is.
kkjb said:
Google Fi sim has issues for me. Flashed latest Oct factory and BL unlock and root. Let sit overnight and installed sim. Looks like at moment of sim registration to cellular enabling it causes a reboot. Tried a few times and sometimes airplane mode would be on, and no sim (blank) or times just bootloop cycling. Removing sim, bootloop cycling stopped. Then airplane mode, but wifi can be on. So reflash latest again, no root. Same thing happening.
Support still clueless and escalation has begun.
Sim back in my 6a and all is fine.
I do know some data is pushed into system upon a Fi sim insertion been that way since my pixel 3. My local coverage is us cellular which requires a locked BL, but fortunately on Fi it works without a locked BL.
So thought to add, likely we need a immediate G side update...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using it on Fi coming from my Pixel 4 XL. Instead of moving the sim card from my old phone I decided to use eSIM with this one and leave the card in the old one and it's working perfectly.
Excellent news ....for some.
I have many many devices on at any one moment and using the SIM vs eSIM allows me to keep the other non-phone devices on. Yes I could disable eSIM and still leave on. Unfortunately since I also reboot, flash different modules, roms, and in general leave only one as the sim activated device... Honestly if this is now a new thing, disclosure would be nice. No other pixel I've owned requires eSIM only. I will have to rethink my G. Fi future. Fortunately I'm now free of Fi device payments for purchase.
Edit update-- Seems on a Google Fi SIM that was used on my pixels 3, 4a, 4a5g, 6, 6a (2) working just fine...was the problem with 7 pro.
No good answer from Fi CS but they said to use a never used Fi sim. Which I had on hand.
Normal first SIM start and log in, works fine on 7 pro. Removed and now back on my 6a and working correctly. I guess... something is provisioned on carrier/sim/ install?
My answer is likely only helpful for Fi user base.
Total by Verizon (formerly total wireless). Having same issue. Pixel 7 won't connect to network, I've worked with their tech support for the past 18 hours with no luck. At this point I've reverted back to using my old phone and if this doesn't get resolved in the next week or so, I will be returning my pixel 7 as it's no use to me in its current form.
Semi-interesting thing.
I found an old straight talk AT&T SIM so I tried to activate that.
The Straight talk site accepted the SIM card number, but my IMEI was rejected. Either they are flat out saying it is incompatible now or ST has temporarily stopped Pixel 7 devices from attempting to activate until it's fixed. At least they seem to be aware?
Here's the message-
Our system shows that your phone will not work with Straight Talk’s service. Do you have another handset you would like to try? Or you can always check out our phone store to see what's available for purchase.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to prepaidcompare.net and find a new MVNO. All the TracFone brands have gone to hell since Verizon took them over.
I know some will not care to hear this, but it's probably worth posting (for the sake of those readers who might be wondering) that prepaid Verizon is indeed working without issue.
This isn't a vote or an ad for VZW.
I usually go with whatever is least expensive that meets my needs (Red Pocket, Straight Talk, Mint, Google Fi, Visible have all gotten my business at some point) but VZW is the only carrier with decent coverage at my current workplace.
I'm in the same boat of needing Verizon. I plan to check out US Mobile. Good pricing and esim capable (working with P7P, not with P7 right now) alont with a 10 day trial.
reaper000 said:
I know some will not care to hear this, but it's probably worth posting (for the sake of those readers who might be wondering) that prepaid Verizon is indeed working without issue.
This isn't a vote or an ad for VZW.
I usually go with whatever is least expensive that meets my needs (Red Pocket, Straight Talk, Mint, Google Fi, Visible have all gotten my business at some point) but VZW is the only carrier with decent coverage at my current workplace.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you locked or unlocked? Would be nice to know, unlockable device is my requirements. Having another good signal provider for my home would be nice, currently Verizon is one.
I couldn't in the past get Verizon because of the locked part...
reaper000 said:
I know some will not care to hear this, but it's probably worth posting (for the sake of those readers who might be wondering) that prepaid Verizon is indeed working without issue.
This isn't a vote or an ad for VZW.
I usually go with whatever is least expensive that meets my needs (Red Pocket, Straight Talk, Mint, Google Fi, Visible have all gotten my business at some point) but VZW is the only carrier with decent coverage at my current workplace.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FWIW, US Mobile Warp 5G SIM uses Verizon (and even gets the same priority Verizon postpaid customers get if you use a 5G device unlike Verizon prepaid which is deprioritized to last network priority) and I was even able to activate my eSIM on their service with no problem.
Unfortunately, Verizon sucks here, so the trial is going to go to waste, but I tried a bunch of MVNO and carrier prepaid options and only AT&T Prepaid and US Mobile worked.
kkjb said:
Are you locked or unlocked? Would be nice to know, unlockable device is my requirements. Having another good signal provider for my home would be nice, currently Verizon is one.
I couldn't in the past get Verizon because of the locked part...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Pixel 7 Pro supports all of Verizon's bands including mmWave no matter if you get it locked from them or unlocked elsewhere. Verizon added the Pixel 7 Pro to their database from day one because of that mmWave support.
I might have used the wrong word, I meant can the bootloader be unlocked and multiple devices. My problem with Verizon was imei dependent. Could not use a Verizon sim on multiple devices.

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