Develop Bugs

Ion doesn't need micro-SIM

I haven't seen anyone mention it on XDA or anywhere else online, so I thought I'd put it out there for people picking up Ions used or as AT&T free phones. Most sites tell you to cut your standard SIM down to Micro, but there's an easier and less risky option, though you still might want to make a small mod to your old SIM. The Ion uses a small tray to hold the Micro-SIM, and that tray just happens to be near the exact dimensions of a standard sized SIM:
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The tray is a little thicker, but otherwise it's basically a Micro-SIM to SIM adapter (which negates any benefit of using Micro-SIM in the first place...no space is saved). I went ahead and took a chance and just slid my standard sized SIM down into the slot where the tray would go, after establishing with reasonable confidence that the contacts should line up--it was just a question of whether the SIM's thickness would fit securely enough to stay in good contact. And yes, it did. Once I got the card about halfway in, the slot gripped it firmly--there must be some sort of retractable mechanism in there putting pressure on whatever you insert.
One problem I recognized but decided not to worry about at the time is how to get the SIM out of there again. Only one little corner protrudes, so I'll be trying desperately to slide it out with a pencil eraser or something if I ever have to remove it. The simple solution would be to drill a small hole or make a notch in that corner of the card, which wouldn't compromise the card's functionality in any phone but would give you somewhere to grip.

or u can use tweezers to remove it.

dyepnoodle said:
or u can use tweezers to remove it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe, but I'm not too sure if you could get a grip even with tweezers. It's really a tiny corner that sticks out, and flush against the back of the slot.

I had the same problem when I got my ion and yes you can remove it with tweezers.
Sent from my LT28at using xda premium

use small amount of tape
I use a ion with small tape on sim card and it works fine, this way when I need to remove the sim I just pull the tape and it pulls the sim card.http://forum.xda-developers.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

maksofiaol said:
I use a ion with small tape on sim card and it works fine, this way when I need to remove the sim I just pull the tape and it pulls the sim card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that's simple--wish I'd thought of it

Bleh
I got it set up that way two days ago. The owner wanted to strangle me for trying, but in the end even he can see the benefits.
IMHO, micro and nanosims are unnecessary. The space saved is minimal as to justify the different format. Like when they sold us non standard chargers and non standard hands free (oh, and non standard "data cables) remember?

pppppp said:
IMHO, micro and nanosims are unnecessary. The space saved is minimal as to justify the different format. Like when they sold us non standard chargers and non standard hands free (oh, and non standard "data cables) remember?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's maybe useful if you actually save the space, but in the Ion the unnecessary tray actually takes up slightly more space than a standard SIM. I can only guess that AT&T insisted on that format out of their usual twisted marketing philosophy that if you just introduce enough artificial constraints, the consumer will pay you more to f*** them more gently.

Phone not booting after replacing rear camera and SD card reader.

I'm still not sure how it happened, but I somehow managed to crack my camera. Not just the lense like everyone else due to heat issues, but the actual camera.
So I figured I'd replace it myself instead of paying someone 100$+ to do it, and then have them charge me double for the part.
I made a pretty bad screw up the first time and broke the cable going to the power/volume buttons when initially opening the casing, and didnt realize until after I had replaced the camera.
I just got the new SD card reader/button cable in yesterday, and finished replacing it about 5 minutes ago. But the phone still will not boot.
I double checked all of the flex cables/signal cables to be 100% sure everything is plugged in properly, and not broken.
All of the flex cable protectors are back in place etc., but it just won't boot. the charge indicator won't even turn on when I plug it in.
I followed the video shown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RRJAHbnYmQ to take it apart initially, then followed it backwards to be 100% sure I wouldn't miss anything when putting it back together.
The only thought I have, is that Im having issues getting the case to snap back together completely.
That's when I noticed the pieces shown in the pictures below.
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This is my first time actually working on a phone, but from what I assume, they look like some kind of spring based switches that will sever very important connections if the phone isn't completely put back together, with the case holding these raised parts down to complete a circuit.
I'm not sure if that's my problem, or if I somehow managed to screw up something a lot more important.
Can anyone at all shed some light on this?
Edit: Another thought just occurred, would I be able to use my UH-OH protection for this, even though technically speaking I'm the one that caused it to become completely non functional by opening it and attempting repairs on my own? Should I drop the thing in a bucket of water for a while first to claim UH-OH?

SIM Not Detected - FIX

Since this has been an issue for me for a LONG time, and Samsung as well as carriers aren't clear on a repair - I'm going to explain what all I did to fix it.
It started over a year ago. I was waiting on a friend to contact me that came all the way up from Portland. Waiting all day, I went to give her a call and it said "No SIM card detected, please reboot to detect your SIM card". Rebooted, gave her a call and found out she was trying to get a hold of me all day and had to head back. I can understand how frustrating this can be for anyone.
There are MANY factors that can cause this, which is why this issue hasn't been completely resolved by Samsung. These factors include:
* The SIM itself
* The SIM slot
* The connector that connects the SIM / SD holder to the motherboard
* The motherboard
* The firmware
It will take some trial-and-error to find out what will work, but the first thing you can try is cleaning your SIM / Slot contacts with a piece of paper and a cleaner of your choice (I use QD electronic cleaner, and a piece of paper). After cleaning, reinstall and wipe the cache. This worked for a while.
I looked at the SIM contacts after replacing the holder. These contacts on the S4, at least my original holder, are VERY flimsy, and even just applying downward force (with a pencil eraser or your finger) to get a grip on the SIM to pull it out can throw them out of alignment. I suggest using needle-nose pliers or tweezers to GENTLY grip the SIM (by the side), after first unlatching the SIM (Push Forward).
What finally worked for me is replacing the SIM slot (for the 6th time) and the SIM card. There are actually many different versions of the SIM and SIM slot, so here's the versions that worked for me (T-Mobile customer)
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The version is to the top-right of the SIM holder. This is the one that worked for me, or "I9505 R0.3" Also note that the bottom right of the SIM slot itself has the mark "TE" for "TE Electronics" or "Tyco Electronics". If you have heard of Tyco (Electronics - not toy company), they are a major player. TE Electronics makes high quality parts for harsh environments. This brand mark is a good bet you have quality contacts for your new SIM. Here is where I bought it: http://www.ebay.com/itm/171514317032
After installing it, it did not work yet. It worked with every other provider BUT T-Mobile. Seeing as though this is a T-Mobile phone, I called them to see what was up. It was not blacklisted, so they sent me a new SIM card for free (since I paid for one that didn't work). Popped the new one they shipped me in, and it works!
There are MANY different kinds of SIM cards. Different carriers, different manufacturers, different versions, thickness, size of the contacts, are just a few of the factors that can be an issue with the SIM itself. A T-Mobile SIM has it's version on the back of the SIM, near the ICCID (SIM Number). Mine is the "Universal" Mini/Micro/Nano SIM, version: TM9260 06.00.
After installing, I wiped the cache partition, for good measure. BAM! Works!
This issue has been frustrating for me for a while. I hope this helps. If it does, please reply and/or share. I'm not looking for credit, I just am trying to narrow down all the factors and troubleshoot what is the actual issue. Good luck!

M8 Top Speaker / Earpiece Hardware Failure

Hi Team XDA,
My first post... hope it's in the correct board, please be gentle ?
I've just replaced the near-dead battery in my M8. The amount of tape and glue surprised me, but I got there in the end with a heat gun, razor blade and spudger, oh and a new display after the original cracked on the way out. It's been a learning process!
All went back together nicely and my M8 now holds a good charge.
The problem:
No audio at all via the top (earpiece) speaker. As a workaround I can select speaker phone which uses the bottom speaker, but that's not ideal.
Solutions tried so far:
Factory reset.
New speaker installed. I struggled to work out which way round this went, after foolishly failing to note the orientation when I removed it, but think I've got it correctly aligned.
Suspected issue:
When I first opened the case, one of the small gold spring contacts (earthing fingers?) fell out.
I can see where this has come from. It's from the daughterboard, on the opposite side, but close to where the speaker makes contact. In the picture below it's the left-right mounted gold contact on the right side of the board, just above the square hole.
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Another photo showing the reverse side of the PCB, with the speaker contact points top left, either side of the 2 cutouts.
Photo of replacement speaker.
I'm thinking of re-attaching the gold spring contact with conductive epoxy. If that's doesn't work, I was going to try another new speaker as they're fairly cheap and easy to come by.
Any thoughts from you guys? Any suggestions greatly received, thanks.

New speaker fitted, spring / earth contact reattached.
Both channels working... until I put the metal case back on, then the fault returned, no left (top) audio. Opened up again, can't get the top speaker to work.
I tried a voice call using the hands free set that came with the phone. Detects ok when plugged in, but no mic function, the other side can't hear me.
In to the "spares" drawer it goes.

ZenFone 5Z No network/No SIM solution (hardware issue)

Hello everyone! I figured out the issue and the solution to the dreaded no network/no SIM card issue for the ZenFone 5Z. It is not a software problem. It is a hardware problem indeed. The new firmware basically lets the SIM card slot "work properly". If the SIM slot of your phone is defective, this issue will trigger after Pie update.
Why it is happening:
Take a look at the image below (courtesy FCCID.io)
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There is a switch (highlighted in red) which "tells" the phone whether a SIM is inserted. When the switch is closed, it means no SIM card is installed. When the switch is opened, it means SIM card is installed. If you insert the SIM tray, it will allow one of the metal to lose contact with the other hence telling the phone to operate SIM signals.
If the top metal cover is pushed down and touches the switch, this SIM enable signal will malfunction causing the issue you all are facing.
Another close up photo (courtesy: FCCID.io)
The solution:
You will need: A SIM ejector tool for removal of the SIM tray, a flashlight and a precision knife (I used a surgical knife since it is thin and rigid and works perfect).
Turn on the flashlight and look at the SIM slot from the side. You will be able to see the switch terminals I am talking about from a different angle. It will be the farthest terminals just a little bit to the left from the mid point. Insert the knife and tilt it very gently keeping your hands steady such that the top metal lifts slightly from the switch contacts. If careful, you will hear a click. Insert SIM and install SIM tray. Cross your fingers and behold! You will get network. I am fairly certain this is going to solve your issue. So if your phone is out of warranty or you don't want to avail warranty for such a silly issue, give this a shot and post whether it worked for you.
You can also check the teardown of the phone at FCCID.io. Key in the FCC ID of ZenFone 5Z - MSQZ01RD.

Am on Android 10 and I still have the no signal problem I found a solution that if i take out and reinsert my sim continuesly after many tries it works and I get back my sim signal what I think is it's not a hardware problem and it's just that Zenfone 5z has a sim detection problem after the OTA update with keeping the radio power on ..also everytime I restart my phone I get the same issue no signal but I can get the signal back everytime by doing the process I mentioned above..pliz note u need to take out the sim tray and insert it again and again n it will work every time but after lots of tries sometimes doesn't take much tries..just want Asus to know what's going on here with Zenfone 5z