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[Q] Verizon M8 for Europe Backpacking Trip/European SIMs

About to be backpacking and traveling around Europe.
Option 1: I have a rooted Verizon HTC One M8. Thinking of doing a Three - UK Simcard over there as it's very cost effective and they even have an unlimited data plan add on pack for 15 euros. I know that most recent Verizon smartphones are sim unlocked. Would my 4G work with most prepaid SIM cards including Three's sim card? I'm a little confused as to how it works and I'm worried that, yes my Verizon HTC one would work, but would I get 4G signal or is it mostly 3G signal? I'm assuming I keep my Verizon plan but just suspend my Verizon account while I'm abroad?
Option 2: Buy an Unlocked Used Galaxy S5 for a couple hundred bucks and include whatever SIM I choose in Europe, suspend Verizon and Keep HTC in the states, reactivate when back.
Option 3: Buy a OnePlus tomorrow for around the same as a GS5 and include whatever SIM I choose in Europe, suspend Verizon and Keep HTC in the states, reactivate when back.
Option 4: Buy a BLU Vivo Air Smartphone on Amazon and include whatever SIM I choose in Europe, suspend Verizon and Keep HTC in the states, reactivate when back.
Thoughts or advice from anyone who's been to Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy) with a Verizon HTC One?
Thanks!

I honestly don't know a 100% answer as I've never done that, but since your HTC is unlocked, and removable SIM, couldn't you just suspend Verizon, get a 4g SIM when you're over there, pop it in your M8, and go about your trip then just reactivate VZW when back?
Sounds like that's what you'd be doing anyways if you were to buy an extra phone to do that exact same thing anyways.
Or are you worried about losing/ breaking it over there then having nothing? If that's the case, I would get a cheap used one from somewhere, use that over there and then just leave the M8 there. Just my $.02.

Recently just asked this, Im going to get a cheap sim when I am over there and hope it works.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-htc-one-m8/help/travelling-to-europe-vzw-m8-t3028032

MoNsTeReNeRgY22 said:
Recently just asked this, Im going to get a cheap sim when I am over there and hope it works.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-htc-one-m8/help/travelling-to-europe-vzw-m8-t3028032
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I'm going to start in Germany (berlin) and hoping to travel around Switzerland, Austria, and Italy...Thinking I'd go with Three's service from the UK for the unlimited data (which doesnt work in Germany, but almost everywhere else) and I'd get a sim for my time in germany or just use wifi.
Also, do I need to do anything special with Verizon for unlocking (other than suspend my line for the time I'm abroad)? I mean do I need to pay them to unlock the sim or anything? I've read that most recent verizon phones are sim unlocked and global ready... Just wondering if i'm missing something...
Curious to hear what you decide on or if you have any other thoughts.

rvrugg90 said:
I'm going to start in Germany (berlin) and hoping to travel around Switzerland, Austria, and Italy...Thinking I'd go with Three's service from the UK for the unlimited data (which doesnt work in Germany, but almost everywhere else) and I'd get a sim for my time in germany or just use wifi.
Also, do I need to do anything special with Verizon for unlocking (other than suspend my line for the time I'm abroad)? I mean do I need to pay them to unlock the sim or anything? I've read that most recent verizon phones are sim unlocked and global ready... Just wondering if i'm missing something...
Curious to hear what you decide on or if you have any other thoughts.
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Click to collapse
You don't need to do anything with Verizon. The phone is SIM unlocked out of the box. You'd just need to add the correct APN settings.

LG Urbane 2nd Edition LTE. Help getting ATT version working on T-Mobile network

I managed to snag an Urbane 2nd edition LTE before they cancelled the launch and pulled them from stores. At this point they will have to pry it from my cold, dead hands if they want it back (unless it blows up on my wrist). I want to put this device on the T-Mobile network. Has anyone had luck getting it to work on the t-mobile network? If so, what steps did you take. I have a t-mo nano sim card with smartwatch service installed in the watch, but I am not getting t-mo service. I was on tech support with t-mo for two hours and they were unable to get it working. Any help would be appreciated.

Trouble provisioning
The issue isn't the watch itself but an issue with T-Mobile not being able to tell that it is an actual wearable. Too many people took advantage of the wearable plan on a regular phone so they had to lock it down to only tmobile branded devices. I have been using my iPad sim to get just data for the watch, which is really all I wanted anyway. Don't want to be that guy talking to people from his wrist.

Adding it as regular device?
Do you think I could add it as a regular phone and have it work? I would not get the $5 smartwatch plan, but it would only cost me $10. I can afford and extra 5 dollars a month if it works.
cpiddy said:
The issue isn't the watch itself but an issue with T-Mobile not being able to tell that it is an actual wearable. Too many people took advantage of the wearable plan on a regular phone so they had to lock it down to only tmobile branded devices. I have been using my iPad sim to get just data for the watch, which is really all I wanted anyway. Don't want to be that guy talking to people from his wrist.
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Click to collapse

cpiddy said:
The issue isn't the watch itself but an issue with T-Mobile not being able to tell that it is an actual wearable. Too many people took advantage of the wearable plan on a regular phone so they had to lock it down to only tmobile branded devices. I have been using my iPad sim to get just data for the watch, which is really all I wanted anyway. Don't want to be that guy talking to people from his wrist.
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So the watch is NOT locked to ATT?? ATT told me it was...so I have not even tried to use on Tmo

aaronc_98 said:
So the watch is NOT locked to ATT?? ATT told me it was...so I have not even tried to use on Tmo
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No the watch is not locked to ATT. They wanted you to think that though

It's not locked. I am using it on Canadian Telus network

jaydoggy said:
I managed to snag an Urbane 2nd edition LTE before they cancelled the launch and pulled them from stores. At this point they will have to pry it from my cold, dead hands if they want it back (unless it blows up on my wrist). I want to put this device on the T-Mobile network. Has anyone had luck getting it to work on the t-mobile network? If so, what steps did you take. I have a t-mo nano sim card with smartwatch service installed in the watch, but I am not getting t-mo service. I was on tech support with t-mo for two hours and they were unable to get it working. Any help would be appreciated.
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Watch is not locked. Using it with a Truephone sim (Truephone uses ATT network). Works great.

You know there is a recall on this device right?

Not locked
I see some of you say is not locked.
Does that mean it's open to all carriers?
I live in Europe and I'm dying to get the watch, but as I could understand it was only working on 2 carriers in the States.
I've found some watches on eBay, and I'm kinda willing to pay what ever the price of it works over here in Europe.

Jarnfoss said:
I see some of you say is not locked.
Does that mean it's open to all carriers?
I live in Europe and I'm dying to get the watch, but as I could understand it was only working on 2 carriers in the States.
I've found some watches on eBay, and I'm kinda willing to pay what ever the price of it works over here in Europe.
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Yes, the ATT version (only one you will find on Ebay or anywhere) is not sim locked.
The Verizon (other carrier) version, which never ended up being sold after all, would probably not have a sim card slot, since Verizon is not a GSM carrier.
Bands ATT posted were: 850/1900 GSM (2G), 850/1900/2100 UMTS (3G) and 850/1900 LTE. I'll be able to test it in Europe soon and see if it has any unpublicized bands and thus may work over there. Will post findings in here.
I had mine up on Ebay, then changed my mind and decided to keep it for now. Even without a sim card in it, I can use its GPS and track my runs without a phone.

jaydoggy said:
Do you think I could add it as a regular phone and have it work? I would not get the $5 smartwatch plan, but it would only cost me $10. I can afford and extra 5 dollars a month if it works.
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@xendula did you ever try a phone plan with the watch? I'm having the same problem as in your OP, and am at the point of switching plans.
Otherwise, I may just switch providers...

gorillaz28 said:
@xendula did you ever try a phone plan with the watch? I'm having the same problem as in your OP, and am at the point of switching plans.
Otherwise, I may just switch providers...
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I believe if you add the watch as a phone, instead of a wearable, it does work on T-Mobile if that's what you're asking. I've had my AT&T version watch since last November and I'm using a Truphone SIM with no problems. I also used it while visiting family in France and had no problems there either.

Yes you can add it as a regular phone and it will work. I decided that I did not need to use it as a phone and decided to deactivate the SIM.

jaydoggy said:
Yes you can add it as a regular phone and it will work. I decided that I did not need to use it as a phone and decided to deactivate the SIM.
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Click to collapse
jaydoggy is correct, I have an AT&T Urbane 2 on the T-Mobile network. I added it as an extra line (unlimited talk/text 2GB data for $10 per month).
There are some owners who have gotten the ATT Urbane 2 to work on T-Mobile with the $5 wearable program. It takes a call from a T-Mobile store Employee to their engineering support level. I tried at 2 local T-Mobile stores but each time the employee couldn't get the support engineer to code the LG watch as a Gear S2 which is supported by T-Mobile on wearable plans.
Try the $5 route, but know that it will work with the $10 add a phone line option.

AT&T Gear S2 on other carriers possible?

I got an att gear s2 but I don't have att service so I wanted to know if I can use it to connect to let's say T-Mobile since its an esim.

Unfortunately this is why American carriers, at least that's what my knowledge covers, f&#king suck! Out comes this new technology that for the first time will allow people to have the potential to use any carrier with the same hardware, and then carriers like AT&T refuse to unlock them.
Yes, I called AT&T and T-Mobile and AT&T doesn't unlock watches. I hope someone finds a way to somehow port the T-Mobile software over to the AT&T hardware.

The esim should be universal right? Like it should work for any carriers. If so wouldn't it work if we pay for an unlock code? Even tho we wouldn't be inserting another sim, the imei would be released to be used by other carriers. Does it make sense at all? Lol
My n6 was like that. It couldn't be used by other carrier until I unlocked it and its imei was released from att to be used by others.

brainburnerco said:
The esim should be universal right? Like it should work for any carriers. If so wouldn't it work if we pay for an unlock code? Even tho we wouldn't be inserting another sim, the imei would be released to be used by other carriers. Does it make sense at all? Lol
My n6 was like that. It couldn't be used by other carrier until I unlocked it and its imei was released from att to be used by others.
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Click to collapse
The problem I noticed is the fact that there are custom settings for AT&T and so even if you unlocked it, I think you would need to still flash the appropriate software. I'm just guessing though.
It's really frustrating that I've got the first big consumer device using an eSIM and I can't take advantage of it's most basic and essential feature.

Any updates on this? The AT&T watch is like half the price as T-mo and I'm interested in using AT&T watch on T-mobile if possible

Any updates? I just switched mobile carriers from ATT to TMobile and would like to use my watch on their network

I have the S2 Classic SM-R735AZKAATT (for AT&T obviously) but I'd like to have it set up with T-Mobile.
Can I take this into T-Mobile and set up service? If so, anyone know how much?

I've ordered the Korean model of the s8 and got some questions

Hello xda!
I've searched the web but found nothing, my question as you might have guessed from the title is the following.
Is the s8+ like the s7 edge locked to a region ? And can someone who received there phone confirm this.
To be clear I don't mean sim lock but region lock.
Thanks

Bump

denja12 said:
Hello xda!
I've searched the web but found nothing, my question as you might have guessed from the title is the following.
Is the s8+ like the s7 edge locked to a region? And can someone who received their phone confirm this.
To be clear I don't mean sim lock but region lock.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*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!

... watched a couple of unboxing videos but I've seen some models where the seal says "European Sim only" and factory seals where it just says the usual information about if seal is broken ...

I bought on Ebay the S8+ 128g and the seller said me it will be full unlock, i am in France, i receive it next week ... i will tell you ^^ ...

androidrouen said:
I bought on Ebay the S8+ 128g and the seller said me it will be full unlock, i am in France, i receive it next week ... i will tell you ^^ ...
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Click to collapse
So what happened?
Does the activation call work if done with an european SIM but outside europe's network (i.e. roaming)?

I have the SM-955N Korean Telecom version. When I went to buy it, I asked them if they had any factory sealed. The owner said that's not possible, all exported Korean phones need to be opened and activated in Korea before exporting if you want them unlocked.
I can put in any sim card now (tested with a HK sim and Japanese sim). Both work fine, but need to do some service mode tinkering to get LTE to work.
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk

forsberg78 said:
I have the SM-955N Korean Telecom version. When I went to buy it, I asked them if they had any factory sealed. The owner said that's not possible, all exported Korean phones need to be opened and activated in Korea before exporting if you want them unlocked.
I can put in any sim card now (tested with a HK sim and Japanese sim). Both work fine, but need to do some service mode tinkering to get LTE to work.
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Do they have a custom boot animation when they turn on, with the Korean carrier's name on it?

Yes I have the KT logo
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk

forsberg78 said:
Yes I have the KT logo
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Are there any markings on the device? Like branding of the carrier?

Nope. There's a line at the back of the device that shows the model number, imei, and the letters KT but it's like very small font, you wouldn't be able to see it unless you looked for it
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk

forsberg78 said:
Nope. There's a line at the back of the device that shows the model number, imei, and the letters KT but it's like very small font, you wouldn't be able to see it unless you looked for it
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk
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Would you be able to record the boot animation so we know how it looks like? Thanks! :highfive:

Is there a way to do it within the system? I don't have another device to record it with
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk

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.

Psytric said:
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.
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Did you have to go into service mode to unlock the LTE bands?
At the beginning I only got 3g but after going into service mode and playing with the network bands I somehow got LTE
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk

forsberg78 said:
Did you have to go into service mode to unlock the LTE bands?
At the beginning I only got 3g but after going into service mode and playing with the network bands I somehow got LTE
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
No, but I live in China, it shows as "LTE+". Your region's mileage may vary.

I was going to make another thread, but then I saw this! I live in the US, have T-Mobile and bought a Samsung Galaxy S8+ off eBay from the Korean market. It says SK TELECOM. I currently have a lot of issues. I really regret my decision, but I'm trying to eliminate some possibilities. I spent days troubleshooting with T-Mobile and I not longer believe it to be an issue with them.
As N1NJATH3ORY pointed out, there may be a region lock. My phone appeared factory sealed. Although it doesn't say that I'm roaming or anything like that. My symptoms are: Unable to simultaneously use Data and Voice, phone calls taking approx. 15 minutes to go through and phone calls not being received and going directly to voicemail. Not to mention that some settings just are not available. For instance, Network Mode only shows me 2 options. "Use LTE when available" and "3G only". After talking with T-Mobile techs they mentioned for their phones they have one option that includes an auto-connect, LTE, 4G, 3G, Edge, etc. Since the phone is not originally a T-Mobile line, I could understand why I wouldn't see that. Still it seems very limited to only say "Use LTE when available".
There's also other things that are less pressing, but would be nice to have. Such as: Samsung Pay, WiFi Calling, VoLTE, Carrier Updates, get rid of mandatory camera shutter noise, more SOS features like US, etc.
For right now I would at least like a stable network connection for my phone. I fear I'll have to buy a new phone and have wasted the $1,200 I dropped on this phone. Despite the nice specs compare the US model, it's just not working out. In the meantime I'll be looking for answers / solutions.

Ambush083 said:
I was going to make another thread, but then I saw this! I live in the US, have T-Mobile and bought a Samsung Galaxy S8+ off eBay from the Korean market. It says SK TELECOM. I currently have a lot of issues. I really regret my decision, but I'm trying to eliminate some possibilities. I spent days troubleshooting with T-Mobile and I not longer believe it to be an issue with them.
As N1NJATH3ORY pointed out, there may be a region lock. My phone appeared factory sealed. Although it doesn't say that I'm roaming or anything like that. My symptoms are: Unable to simultaneously use Data and Voice, phone calls taking approx. 15 minutes to go through and phone calls not being received and going directly to voicemail. Not to mention that some settings just are not available. For instance, Network Mode only shows me 2 options. "Use LTE when available" and "3G only". After talking with T-Mobile techs they mentioned for their phones they have one option that includes an auto-connect, LTE, 4G, 3G, Edge, etc. Since the phone is not originally a T-Mobile line, I could understand why I wouldn't see that. Still it seems very limited to only say "Use LTE when available".
There's also other things that are less pressing, but would be nice to have. Such as: Samsung Pay, WiFi Calling, VoLTE, Carrier Updates, get rid of mandatory camera shutter noise, more SOS features like US, etc.
For right now I would at least like a stable network connection for my phone. I fear I'll have to buy a new phone and have wasted the $1,200 I dropped on this phone. Despite the nice specs compare the US model, it's just not working out. In the meantime I'll be looking for answers / solutions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On mine everything works fine, the only problem could be Samsung pay in US, But all the rest is fine.
(i have 128gb Korea SKT too)

androidrouen said:
On mine everything works fine, the only problem could be Samsung pay in US, But all the rest is fine.
(i have 128gb Korea SKT too)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you also on T-Mobile? I'm going to try to write the individual I bought the phone from. I'll also contact Samsung about the region lock. Maybe that what I'm experiencing?

Try entering the code *#2683662# and configuring the network mode
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 01:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:41 PM ----------
But yeah, if it's factory sealed when you received it you may be SOL. It needs to be opened and activated Korea first.
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk

No TMobile OTA for esim

Hey guys is there a way to manually install the update that made esim available for the tmo note 20 ultra?
I'm deployed in Ukraine at the moment and I'm assuming you'd need to connect to tmobiles us network to get the ota, which is not possible.
Just hoping I can manually install somehow so I can use a local sim and still have my us plan on esim for 2fa stuff. Would rather not buy another phone and tired of needing to carry around a wifi puck everywhere