Develop Bugs

Q: No Data if Not Activated?

Hello. I am wondering if someone here might be able to clear something up for me. I bought a new EVO 4G off eBay a few days ago. I called Sprint to verify the ESN is clean.
The thing is, I don't have any intention to activate this phone, rather I bought it as a toy, and because upon coming back to the US for a vacation a few weeks ago, I finally saw what it looks like in person and I had to have it (Yes, I like smartphones). Of course ironically it FINALLY released in Japan just days after I left but that's besides the point.
Anyway, I have the WiFi turned on and the phone has found my location for the HTC Sense weather widget, however the internet won't load and when I try to connect to Google to use the Marketplace and such, it says there is an error communicating with the servers, and that my phone might not be set up for data provision.
Someone please tell me that Sprint hasn't locked down this such that you can't even use the Wi-Fi until it's activated. Though I suspect that is indeed the case...
...and IF that is so, then am I correct in the understanding that flashing it with some custom ROM would solve the problem? I have never rooted a phone before, though I do own a number of unlocked ones (Nexus S, Xperia Play, etc) and so I had intended to try it out with this, since I can never actually use this as a phone. But perhaps it might be more of a necessity than I had expected.

Not sure if this will help you, but if you flash Warm Z, or any other of the froyo/sense 2.2 ROMs, during setup it will ask you if you want to use it on the data network or only on wifi.
Since you don't need 4g anyway, I would recommend checking it out. One of my favorite ROMs.
Rooting links:
This one is harder, but you will know more when you're done:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=829045
Easier/know less:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=787304

TokyoGuy said:
Hello. I am wondering if someone here might be able to clear something up for me. I bought a new EVO 4G off eBay a few days ago. I called Sprint to verify the ESN is clean.
The thing is, I don't have any intention to activate this phone, rather I bought it as a toy, and because upon coming back to the US for a vacation a few weeks ago, I finally saw what it looks like in person and I had to have it (Yes, I like smartphones). Of course ironically it FINALLY released in Japan just days after I left but that's besides the point.
Anyway, I have the WiFi turned on and the phone has found my location for the HTC Sense weather widget, however the internet won't load and when I try to connect to Google to use the Marketplace and such, it says there is an error communicating with the servers, and that my phone might not be set up for data provision.
Someone please tell me that Sprint hasn't locked down this such that you can't even use the Wi-Fi until it's activated. Though I suspect that is indeed the case...
...and IF that is so, then am I correct in the understanding that flashing it with some custom ROM would solve the problem? I have never rooted a phone before, though I do own a number of unlocked ones (Nexus S, Xperia Play, etc) and so I had intended to try it out with this, since I can never actually use this as a phone. But perhaps it might be more of a necessity than I had expected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't say this with confidence, because my Evo hasn't been deactivated before, but as far as I understood it, you should be able to connec to WiFi, whether the phone is activated or not. You shouldn't need to be activated to use WiFi. When you connected to the WiFi network, did it connect successfully and show good signal strength?

How about formatting the phone and then turning on airplane mode and then wifi. It should work fine
A drop of Chuck Norris's semen was placed on Android OS. We now have CyanogenMod.

Yes, being a used phone, I would highly recommend do a factory reset on it first. That way it will be clear of anything the previous owner might have done to it.
And yes, the phone will work on wifi only without a data plan, just make sure the phone is in airplane mode all the time, then turn the wifi on.

I had that happen to me with a old android when I did a factory rest you should have wifi but you can't use the market or gmail without a data plan from sprint at least I could not but I had a Samsung moment and it was rooted with a costume ROM on it I've never had my evo turned of so IDK..... If thats the case you can use other ways to get apps like Amazon or applanet thats what I did anyway......
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Thanks to everyone who provided assistance. A few things:
1. The phone was actually still sealed. The security stickers were still on the phone and the manual, and even the battery was still unopened. Furthermore the phone itself still had the plastic sheet over the screen in perfect condition (something I've not even got from so-called new unlocked phones) so unless the seller went through really great loops to make it look new, it is apparently new. Though I will format the memory just incase.
2. I turned on Airplane mode as everyone suggested, and then when I turned on WiFi it let me connect to the Android Marketplace actually.
Actually, can I ask one more question, though unrelated. I want someone to confirm this:
I have two different contract carriers with me here roaming (Docomo and Softbank), both on Android Phones (the Xperia Play unlocked and Desire HD locked respectively). I have the mobile data transmission set to off (no roaming), however the actual phone service is on roaming. Every time I turn on the phones I receive messages from the carriers about roaming charges for data. I want to confirm that if the data roaming is OFF, and it is on Wi-Fi always, there are no charges for anything other than if I were to make a phone call, is this correct? I am 99.999% sure this is true, but part of me is really worried about returning and seeing a $10,000 bill.

but you can't use the market or gmail without a data plan from sprint
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Click to collapse
Yes you absolutely can. To the phone, a wifi connection is the same as a 3g connection, its just a way to access the internet.
I want to confirm that if the data roaming is OFF, and it is on Wi-Fi always, there are no charges for anything other than if I were to make a phone call, is this correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could still get charged for any texts/picture mail you receive, as those still go through the regular phone radio, not the data radio.

sitlet said:
Yes you absolutely can. To the phone, a wifi connection is the same as a 3g connection, its just a way to access the internet.
You could still get charged for any texts/picture mail you receive, as those still go through the regular phone radio, not the data radio.
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Click to collapse
Drat...I've received a number of those actually, but all from the carriers themselves which I think might be free of charge.
Japan basically doesn't do SMS/MMS thus it's really not an issue. And while Softbank does to an extent, I can't seem to actually receive any while here, as it actually keeps saying I have undelivered mail.
But I am happy everyone here mentioned the Airplane Mode detail as I had no idea you could use Wi-Fi in it. I had been angry because there seemed like no way to shut off the cellular radio and that provided a solution.
Sorry if I seem paranoid, but I literally received a bill for $5400 last December due to a carrier mistake (and they actually had the nerve to accuse me of using an overseas phone when I CLEARLY was using a locked one) and ever since I have been scared about getting another. Currently Docomo is the only carrier in Japan that will allow unlocked phones to be used, though in doing so you are thus accepting that your data transmission charge will be capped at $120 a month instead of the normal $75 for its sanctioned (locked) products. But Japan is so far behind with smartphones I can't stand to use any of them.

[Q] Where do I even begin...

So my gf has a Galaxy SIII from sprint, w no sim card. I have an at&t contract with two lines. I called AT&T and they replaced the IMEI for my 2nd line, to the IMEI of her SIII. Well obviously it's not that easy bc the **** don't work lol. I don't even know where to start, and don't bother telling me to "read the forums" bc I did and it's all gibberish to me anyway. Long story short I don't have any sim cards, never did. Not for my two htc one mini's through AT&T nor her SIII. Her SIII is running 4.1.2, which if i read some of the other posts right, it means it's impossible to transfer her phone to AT&T? I guess for starters is it even possible to bring a 4.1.2 SIII onto AT&T service? AT&T already changed the IMEI to her SIII, for whatever that's worth....

And on a side note, the SIII is completely stock from the manufacturer, aside from having the most current updates (Firmware etc). And I would like to emphasize that I have no access to any kind of "sim" card, nor will I ever. If there is a way to connect a Sprint SIII to the AT&T network, the method absolutely can not involve sim cards, and must be able to be done on a completely updated S3.
The last time I ever messed with the internals of a phone was back when the LG Ally was first released, and I did a one touch root, so I could use Verizons data through a WiFi hotspot, and not have to pay for a hotspot data package. So other than that I have not one pinch of knowledge or experience in this, as I've never had the need for it until now. I can follow instructions, but every single thread I've found on this site is so mind numbingly vague, it may as well read "insurt teh usb, do teh magix stuff, unplugs teh usb, ta-da!" And I'm not trying to start anything, I'm just trying to put into perspective how absolutely lost i am.
I tried the *# code in the dialer, and nothing. (probably bc i have NO sim cards)
I called AT&T and had them change the IMEI on my second line to the Sprint SIII
I read countless novel length threads on here, all of them seemingly useless.
I went to the sprint store to have them unlock it, they refused, naturally.
There is not an AT&T retail location for MANY miles, not like they'd be helpful anyway I assume...
I'm just stuck, all these threads do not apply to me, but I'm sure there's a way... There has to be.

To be able to connect the phone to the AT&T network you have to have a SIM card, without SIM you will never get to connect to the AT&T network. Your best bet would be to check here or craigslist to see if someone might be willing to exchange phones. or to purchase or upgrade to a phone with a SIM card slot, no sim card slot no service with AT&T.

I'm not a dev but I can tell you this.
1. Please do not insult one of the best source for Android development because you refuse to read the stickies and tutorials.
2. I'm sorry but a CDMA only Sprint Galaxy S3 does not have the necessary hardware to use AT&T's network. Though you state there must be a way you are unfortunately wrong in this case.
3. Prepare to get flamed and possibly have this thread closed.
4. You should try a Sprint MVNO or other CDMA based phone company like Boost, Virgin Mobile, etc.
5. I feel sorry if by girlfriend's phone you mean you bought a hot phone off someone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

We're not here to flame, he has a legitimate question and simply needs an answer. Bit1 is right it's a CDMA phone and won't work with AT&T. It's very unfortunate but you won't get it to work. Your best bet now is to resell it as a CDMA phone and purchase the AT&T version.

Well, I guess that solves that, lol. Yeah I did some foot work around the city, talked to several retailers and a couple techs, learned a lot more a lot quicker. So yeah it basically comes down to the radio being in a completely different band/freq wtfe than AT&T uses. (The whole CDMA and the other deal). I mean the IMEI isn't locked, the phone isn't "hot". She's behind $250 on her sprint bill and now has a $300 paperweight, so I was trying to add the phone to my AT&T plan. Anywho, thanks for clearing this up. As far as trying to sell the thing, I saw a kiosk with a used S3 for $280? Is there even a market for S3's? They don't exactly seem like the "in" thing anymore if you catch my drift. My next question would be, if I sold the phone to someone who wanted to use it on the Sprint network, can they use it? More specifically I know they lock IMEI's if they're reported stolen/lost, but would they do it for not making a bill payment? (She hasn't used the thing/had service in over a month now...) My goal really is to figure out what to do with the thing. Best Buy offered $150 for an S3, but I don't know if the IMEI is good or not : / The screen is cracked so i was going to get a $15 one off EBay, fix it, and sell it. My concern is on selling the thing, should I make the $15 investment and chance not being able to sell the thing? I'm broke as all get out, so I'd rather have the 3 packs of cig's than a wasted investment lol.
Anybody need an SIII?
LMAO

Internet access with no sim and wifi turned off!

I picked up the Sprint version of the Samsung Galay Tab 3 7.0 (SM-T217S) on Craig's List for $90 (including a Moshi Versacover case). Not a bad deal. I reset everything to the factory defaults and started fresh. I'm running stock 4.4.2. (I'd love to root, but for some reason I can't. See a separate thread about that.)
Anyway, what's strange is that I have Internet access with the device, even though it has no sim card in it and even with wifi turned off. How can that be? Is this thing possessed, or am I missing something here? How can I have an Internet connection with wifi turned off and no sim card (and hence no data plan). I'm not a Sprint customer and have never signed up for anything.
Hey, I'll take it, but I'm curious how this is possible. (Chances are I'm overlooking something very obvious, but I thought I'd throw it out there.)
Thanks!
--Ron

dutch_in_seattle said:
I picked up the Sprint version of the Samsung Galay Tab 3 7.0 (SM-T217S) on Craig's List for $90 (including a Moshi Versacover case). Not a bad deal. I reset everything to the factory defaults and started fresh. I'm running stock 4.4.2. (I'd love to root, but for some reason I can't. See a separate thread about that.)
Anyway, what's strange is that I have Internet access with the device, even though it has no sim card in it and even with wifi turned off. How can that be? Is this thing possessed, or am I missing something here? How can I have an Internet connection with wifi turned off and no sim card (and hence no data plan). I'm not a Sprint customer and have never signed up for anything.
Hey, I'll take it, but I'm curious how this is possible. (Chances are I'm overlooking something very obvious, but I thought I'd throw it out there.)
Thanks!
--Ron
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont forget that the SIM Slot on this version (SM-T217S) is only used by sprint for VALIDATION of the customer using LTE speeds, the tablet still works with CDMA (Needs to be flashed with CDMA Tools, PRLS, HEXMEID, all that stuff)
If you wish to know more about flashing a cdma phone please watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDAs7D9CzWs
Thats why you got internet access, you are using someone elses account which was not properly deactivated before selling the tablet. (Taking the LTE validation sim out of a Sprint tablet does not deactivate it like a gsm tablet like ATT one would)
You can use it till the guy paying the bills notices it, and either reports it stolen or deactivates that data plan.
BTW if it gets blacklisted you wont be able to reflash it to another number (data plan) on any of the CDMA carriers in the us, in that case ill buy it from you, just let me know.
Greetings.

Thanks for the reply. That would explain everything. I've contacted the seller and let him know he should properly deactivate the tablet from his Sprint account.
I don't really care if the tablet is blacklisted, since I have no intention of using it with cellular data. This LTE-enabled Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 was available at the right price, and I'm finding that LTE-enabled tablets are just faster overall and have higher benchmark scores than their wifi-only counterparts. I saw the same thing with the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 LTE (SGH-i497) vs. the wifi-only one ( GT-P5113), which I could test side by side.
--Ron

How do I use my old phone on wireless?

Moderators: Let me preface this by saying that I know this doesn't belong in THIS particular forum. Feel free to move it wherever you wish. I wasn't sure where else to put it. That said...
I'm sure this could, at some point, apply to the Galaxy Note 4. However, for my old Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX, when I got my Note 4, the rep on the phone that upgraded me, had me read him the new IMEI number on the Note 4 and he ported my information over. The old SIM chip is still in my DROID RAZR MAXX. I actually haven't powered on my old DROID RAZR MAXX, SINCE upgrading.
I would like to use my old phone just for testing purposes. I am, however, afraid, and honestly, unknowledgeable as to what would happen if I do power it on. It's a Verizon phone as well. Will it be able to access Verizon Data 4G? If I turn it on, will I get some sort of bill for it? Let me make it clear, that I ONLY want to use it as a Wi-Fi device. I don't want to give Verizon any sort of impression that I'm trying to activate a line, and again, I admittingly don't' know how these sort of things function. Do I remove the SIM chip? Will it even boot to Android without the SIM chip? What should I even do with the old SIM chip, then, is it safe to leave it in the phone if I get rid of the phone (i.e. sell it or drop it in the dumpster where someone else can get to it)? The phone was FDR'd a few times before upgrading to the Note 4.

The old sim card is deactivated. They phone will not allow you to connect to the data network. You can use the phone on wifi with or without the old sim card.

[Q] Having trouble with Desire 816!

I am getting the update your phone every 4 hours spam message and would like to get rid of it, either by relocking the bootloader and upgrading it OTA. Something else, this phone has dual sim slots and I am stuck with VM because even though the bootloader is unlocked whenever I put another sim card in the phone it gives me "please insert sim card for service" message. I tried putting a ATT sim card in it, I have tried just different ones to see if I could get anything to come in but its not working. VM said that they would not unlock it on their side until October which is the 1 year date. IF there are 2 sim slots, why can't I use the second one for different service?
Basically what I am trying to figure out is how to get rid of the update message since its rooted and unlocked, I read that OTA updates will mess up because of the root. Also, can I use this phone on a different carrier with the second sim slot? We live in a area that just doesnt get good Sprint service and their coverage maps are nothing but lies LOL. I don't care if its just 3G, I really don't mind because I am not downloading that much over the phone anyways. I just browse the 'Net and play Hearthstone (LOVE BTW). I wouldn't mind to update to 5.1 Android , we have it on our Nexus and its awful but I hear its better on newer technologies. I really want to roll that sucker back but that is another post entirely. Any help is appreciated, thought I would ask the pros around here before I went off Google searching...Thanks!!

pitbullmomma said:
I am getting the update your phone every 4 hours spam message and would like to get rid of it, either by relocking the bootloader and upgrading it OTA. Something else, this phone has dual sim slots and I am stuck with VM because even though the bootloader is unlocked whenever I put another sim card in the phone it gives me "please insert sim card for service" message. I tried putting a ATT sim card in it, I have tried just different ones to see if I could get anything to come in but its not working. VM said that they would not unlock it on their side until October which is the 1 year date. IF there are 2 sim slots, why can't I use the second one for different service?
Basically what I am trying to figure out is how to get rid of the update message since its rooted and unlocked, I read that OTA updates will mess up because of the root. Also, can I use this phone on a different carrier with the second sim slot? We live in a area that just doesnt get good Sprint service and their coverage maps are nothing but lies LOL. I don't care if its just 3G, I really don't mind because I am not downloading that much over the phone anyways. I just browse the 'Net and play Hearthstone (LOVE BTW). I wouldn't mind to update to 5.1 Android , we have it on our Nexus and its awful but I hear its better on newer technologies. I really want to roll that sucker back but that is another post entirely. Any help is appreciated, thought I would ask the pros around here before I went off Google searching...Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The virgin mobile version only has one SIM slot plus the internal cdma radio. The second slot has a peice of plastic in it. As for blocking update messages, a while back when I had a Samsung galaxy victory I was able to stop the notifications by editing a file, but I forget Which. Have you tried looking on Google?
Best of luck,
The_Victorian

Ok so the second slot is nothing? I pulled that piece of plastic off of it, I could have swore it was a sim slot. Oh well, you learn something new everyday. I wouldn't mind to update to 5.1 so much. Something else, how would I go about stopping the HTC apps from reinstalling after I uninstall them. Would I have to flash back like when I first unlocked and rooted? I am not sure how to go about doing the command line stuff. I done fine with it when I was unlocking bootloader and so forth but I am just a bit worried that I might brick it. Thanks so much for the information.