Develop Bugs

Why is my phone stuck roaming?

All my phone does is roam now and I have no idea why. It roams at my house and everywhere. I just updated the Profile and PRL and it still does the same thing. It should be noted that in the past month I was messing around using Verizon's PRL. I am on Myns RLS 5 and using netarchy 4.2.1. Not sure how to fix this.
Any ideas? Thanks.

jhoffy22 said:
All my phone does is roam now and I have no idea why. It roams at my house and everywhere. I just updated the Profile and PRL and it still does the same thing. It should be noted that in the past month I was messing around using Verizon's PRL. I am on Myns RLS 5 and using netarchy 4.2.1. Not sure how to fix this.
Any ideas? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Usually updating the PRL undoes the Verizon PRL hack. If you want to be able to switch back and forth between Verizon and Sprint without that hack, download Roam Control. I would get it anyways to see if it'll fix your problem.

I updated the profile and prl in that order and am on Sprint now but still roaming...in a place where I know that I have never roamed before. I don't know what to do.

I'm on the Z Warm Rom with a Verizon PRL...

Let's suppose I want to switch ROMs... Would I have to update the prl again?

Johnny Steps said:
Let's suppose I want to switch ROMs... Would I have to update the prl again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no you wouldn't. But what prl? And are you getting decent 3g speeds?

PRL's will stay on the phone regardless of how many roms you flash. However you can only flash new prl's in sense roms. Just be careful you arent roaming too much. Since you cant change the prl in warm z, that means you are roaming 100% of the time. SPrint is bound to notice that.

Johnny Steps said:
Let's suppose I want to switch ROMs... Would I have to update the prl again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As already stated by my friend, blakeboys, no, you do not, however, you should update your profile and I recommend checking for PRL (Preferred Roaming List) updates at least once a week.
Posting & replying via the XDA Premium app

Well I don't care about losing my contract with Sprint. I like having fast 3G speed. And wait, why should I check profile?

Johnny Steps said:
Well I don't care about losing my contract with Sprint. I like having fast 3G speed. And wait, why should I check profile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your profile is your network settings for your phone. Helps with data connectivity and usually don't get corrupt. But what prl are you using to achieve good 3g speeds?

Well orignally I wanted to try the VZW prl (That one thread claiming 3g speeds with prls, it's somewhere around the forums here) but everytime I tried unzipping the file, it would keep unzipping over and over again so instead I used one called 00001.prl.

Again, you cant flash a prl with warm z or any aosp roms. If you are already running the verizon prl, it means you must have flashed it in a sense rom. If you want to continue to use the verizon prl, DONT update PRL or profile, as it will kill that prl.

[Manual PRL Update] better voice, moar! 3g! for rooted and non-rooted devices

Super slow data speeds?
Poor voice coverage?
Try a custom PRL
Custom PRL files
if you live in an area where you only get 1x this mod will work for you
I use 0001.PRL attached at bottom. it works best for me.
Notice: Custom Prl's will force you to roam causing mostly all data to be roaming. if you use more that 2 gigs a month this hack may not be good for you as you may get booted off their network for to much roaming.
I put together a guide on how to manually change your prl on the epic touch. This will work with rooted and non rooted devices.
For windows users only.
First you need your MSL code.
1. go to the market and install terminal emulator
2. Type ‘’getprop ril.MSL’’ this command is case sensitive so make sure it’s typed correctly.
3. Take note of the 6 digit output number.
or
1. Call sprint and tell them you want your MSL number to do a data reset or some BS story like that. They will usually give it to you. If they don’t hang up and call back until you get someone that will.
2. Make sure you write down the number.
Now on to installing the software and drivers.
1. Download, and install the QPST application
2. Download, and install the Samsung drivers
3. Make sure USB debugging unchecked. Menu>settings>applications>development
4. On the dial pad dial ##8778# and select all. Click home
5. Plug in your device and let everything install.
6. Check the ‘’USB tethering’’ ox under menu>settings>wireless and networks>tethering. This should install a few things needed to create a com port.
7. Open up device manager on your computer. Check to see if you have a tab called ‘’Ports (COM & LPT)’’
8. Take note of what your com port number is. Should say ‘’ SAMSUNG mobile modem diagnostics serial port’’ Mine was 9 yours will most likely be different.
Now let’s change your PRL
1. Open up ‘’QPST Configurations’’ on your computer Start>All Programs> QPST> QPST Configuration.
2. Make sure you are on the ‘’ports’ tab and click ‘’add new port’’
3. Look for the port number that you got from device manager
4. If it’s not there uncheck ‘’ Show Serial and USB/QC Diagnostic ports only’’ if it still doesn’t show unplug usb and restart phone and computer.
5. After you add the correct comport click ok.
6. Now highlight the com port and click ‘’Start Clients” on the top of QPST and open Service programming.
7 .in the screen that opens you should see the phone name FFA6550-ZRF6500, the phone number should be wrong but that’s ok. Select it and click ok.
8. Click the ‘’Roam’’ tab and browse for the .PRL file you wish to load to your phone
9. Click write to phone. QPST will now ask you for the ‘’service programming code’’ this is where you type the MSL code
10. Your phone will automatically reboot and you should be on the PRL you flashed.
11. To check menu>settings>about phone> status check the PRL version. it should match the prl number that you flashed.
12. down load Netmonitor from the market this will tell you the carrier you are roaming on, in my case its sprint, and the network type, mine is EvDo rev.A! :-D
13. Don't forget to add a check to ''USB debugging'' in menu>settings>applications>development otherwise some applications like titanium back up wont work.
If this post helped you please hit the Thanks button
huge thanks to
Leviuqse, Techknowfile and oostah for their hard work!

For those people don't know, it force you to roam on Verizon network

OP please include a warning about using this PRL and possible related issues to it.

There was a thread like this for the Evo when it launched, and if I recall correctly, it wasn't even worth it. Barely worked for anybody. Connection was very flaky.
Hopefully this is different though. I'll give it a shot after I root.

justwonder said:
For those people don't know, it force you to roam on Verizon network
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Use this PRL very very very carefully. You can, and will, be kicked out of your contract if you use this PRL exclusively and talk a lot and/or consume a light-to-moderate amount of data.
You've been warned.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

nunyabiziz said:
OP please include a warning about using this PRL and possible related issues to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
done
Krynj said:
There was a thread like this for the Evo when it launched, and if I recall correctly, it wasn't even worth it. Barely worked for anybody. Connection was very flaky.
Hopefully this is different though. I'll give it a shot after I root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i originally found this on the evo forums. since been using it on the evo, lg optimus s (which has a similar set up) and now the epic touch. ive never had a problem with connection at all.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App[/QUOTE]

Like how do you go back to the original?
Is this different than roam control?
I'd like to be able to force roam during certain situations... but not 24x7

Pitnefor said:
Like how do you go back to the original?
Is this different than roam control?
I'd like to be able to force roam during certain situations... but not 24x7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To get back to normal update your PRL as you normally would. This is different from roam control in that it puts you on Verizon/Alltel towers exclusively and instead of forcing roaming which would be at 1X it is full-speed 3G.
It works very well, especially if you are in a congested or low-signal area. It has helped me out on a number of occasions.
That said, be warned. This isn't something to play around with if you don't understand what is going on.
Roaming costs Sprint money and they will happily give you the boot for costing them too much money. Typically, but not always, they will send you a letter or call you before cancelling your contract. 1000 minutes/300mb is the guideline to go by. Plenty of people have gone far beyond that without a peep from Sprint but I wouldn't risk it...
...unless you want out of your contract.

Thanks. I get it now
---------- Post added at 09:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:22 AM ----------
on "11. To check menu>settings>about phone> status" ... what should I be looking for to confirm that it worked?
Thanks I see the update. It worked for me. my prl matches

You don't need root to get your msl in the first method

Pitnefor said:
Thanks. I get it now
---------- Post added at 09:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:22 AM ----------
on "11. To check menu>settings>about phone> status" ... what should I be looking for to confirm that it worked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the PRl version.
if you flashed 0001.prl that what it should say.

Anyone can confirm if it can roam on pcs band with prl 11115. Since the og epic would not do evdo roam on pcs band.

Can someone post some speed test results? I want to see if they have improved. Thanks.
Sent from my Epic device.

I'm curious to see some speedtest results.. This is intriguing, I wouldn't mind swapping the PRL at the beginning of the month until I hit ~200MB of 3G data usage and then 'updating' to the Sprint PRL for the remainder of the month. My 3G speeds here are horrible, I left Sprint last summer and at the time 3G speeds weren't bad at all.. now I'm back a year later and I'm getting 10-15kBps.. unacceptable! When I can get 4G signal the speeds are usually between 150kBps-1,000kBps (very acceptable) but most of the time the signal doesn't penetrate buildings at all.
Sprint kicking someone off of their network because of the excessive roaming would be a slap in the face in my opinion.. if they upgraded their network then we wouldn't have to be putting matters into our own hands!

In areas where there is no Sprint 4G coverage but there is Verizon 4G would doing this make it so you'd pick up Verizon's 4G signal?

ker0zene said:
I'm curious to see some speedtest results.. This is intriguing, I wouldn't mind swapping the PRL at the beginning of the month until I hit ~200MB of 3G data usage and then 'updating' to the Sprint PRL for the remainder of the month. My 3G speeds here are horrible, I left Sprint last summer and at the time 3G speeds weren't bad at all.. now I'm back a year later and I'm getting 10-15kBps.. unacceptable! When I can get 4G signal the speeds are usually between 150kBps-1,000kBps (very acceptable) but most of the time the signal doesn't penetrate buildings at all.
Sprint kicking someone off of their network because of the excessive roaming would be a slap in the face in my opinion.. if they upgraded their network then we wouldn't have to be putting matters into our own hands!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i can post screen shots for you later on
wbyrd said:
In areas where there is no Sprint 4G coverage but there is Verizon 4G would doing this make it so you'd pick up Verizon's 4G signal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this hack only works for 3g not 4g LTE

ker0zene said:
I'm curious to see some speedtest results.. This is intriguing, I wouldn't mind swapping the PRL at the beginning of the month until I hit ~200MB of 3G data usage and then 'updating' to the Sprint PRL for the remainder of the month. My 3G speeds here are horrible, I left Sprint last summer and at the time 3G speeds weren't bad at all.. now I'm back a year later and I'm getting 10-15kBps.. unacceptable! When I can get 4G signal the speeds are usually between 150kBps-1,000kBps (very acceptable) but most of the time the signal doesn't penetrate buildings at all.
Sprint kicking someone off of their network because of the excessive roaming would be a slap in the face in my opinion.. if they upgraded their network then we wouldn't have to be putting matters into our own hands!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have you tried removing the proxy settings?
Here's what I've experienced:
3G Sprint Proxy Enabled: About 600Kb/s
3G Sprint Proxy Disabled: About 1000-1200Kb/s
3G Verizon (with a verizon phone, droid x): about 500Kb/s
So basically I get better speeds with sprint .. unless i'm in a place that roams

Pitnefor said:
have you tried removing the proxy settings?
Here's what I've experienced:
3G Sprint Proxy Enabled: About 600Kb/s
3G Sprint Proxy Disabled: About 1000-1200Kb/s
3G Verizon (with a verizon phone, droid x): about 500Kb/s
So basically I get better speeds with sprint .. unless i'm in a place that roams
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't removed the proxy but will be trying this out right now! thanks!

2 screen shot results posted in OP

I found 11115 prl on the epic forums, which is supposed to let you use 3g when roaming on Verizon. I have latest Roam Control and when I use roam only, I still get 1X speeds. Anyone else experiencing this?

[Q] Sprint PRL's

Anyone know how to pull the PRL out of the Galaxy Nexus? I tried the *#*#8778#*#* that worked with the NS4G & QPST, but no dice. It would be nice to be able to use something like the 11115 PRL that allowed 3g roaming on older/other phones. I tend to get stuck in areas that have zero Sprint coverage for work a lot of times.
EDIT: *#*#3424#*#* Will put you in the right menu, I'm still working on figuring out how to get QPST to recognize the device though.
EDIT #2: From what I've been reading, the Galaxy Nexus will not work with QPST because it is not Qualcomm compliant...need to find VIA/Spirent PST to be able to do this? Anyone have any input regarding this?

I found a way to change the PRL. I'm not 100% sure that it actually changed the PRL and not just the number that shows in the menu though. The idea came from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1639839
So using Better Cut I followed the first step he outlined, JUST THE ONE ABOUT THE PRL THOUGH. Phone went through and did its reboot came back up.
At first it showed unknown as the PRL, MIN & My Phone Number. I went into *#*#yourmsl#*#* checked under edit and my info was correct, checked under *#*#3282#*#* and my username was correct in the data profile. Went back into about phone and everything had repopulated correctly.
Now where I am sitting its still showing me as connected to a 1xrtt network, but that very well could be because I'm in the middle of WY at the moment. I should be going into SLC tomorrow and I will try to force it to roam while I am there and see what happens.

Seems the post has been edited and no longer has instructions.
1.Download Better Cut (Google it)
2.Install on your phone however you see fit. I just downloaded the apk to my phone and installed from there.
3.Copy your chosen PRL to the root of your SD card and rename to Test (so instead of 11115.prl, it will show up as Test.prl)
4.Create a shortcut using Better Cut, go "Activity", "PRL Write"
5. Go back to where the shortcut is and click it. The phone will reboot and shortly after the PRL should show up in the "About Phone" section of your settings menu.

My friend just got a sprint nexus and he needs to force roam on it. His palm pre had this tweak working.

I've been using corporate PRL's on every phone I've had with Sprint and up until this phone, it has been very easy to do. From what I've read none of the traditional methods work because this phone does not use a Qualcomm chipset for the radio, it is using a VIA chipset. I will report back tomorrow if this actually changed the PRL or if it just changed the displayed numbers. It's hard to say in WY whether or not 3g service is actually available and from what I can tell I am rather far from the tower I am connected to.
RogerPodacter said:
My friend just got a sprint nexus and he needs to force roam on it. His palm pre had this tweak working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

The PRL should auto adjust as soon as you change regions. If its not changing and you're experiencing bad reception....etc...contact Sprint cause chances are you aren't alone.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

Actually none of the phone's I have used with Sprint in the past few years have changed as I moved around the country. The point in all of this is not about bad reception really, just that when roaming certain PRL's you will get 3g roaming as opposed to the regular 1x.
Smokeey said:
The PRL should auto adjust as soon as you change regions. If its not changing and you're experiencing bad reception....etc...contact Sprint cause chances are you aren't alone.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

bbv203 said:
Actually none of the phone's I have used with Sprint in the past few years have changed as I moved around the country. The point in all of this is not about bad reception really, just that when roaming certain PRL's you will get 3g roaming as opposed to the regular 1x.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PRL's CAN be region specific. However, some networks (Sprint included) Only have 2 or 3 different PRL's (Virgin mobile's...etc..) So whatever PRL you have now should be fine unless Sprint lights up new CDMA networks or adds more spectrum. If you have an old PRL (dunno what revision it is, I'm on VZW) update it with ##873283#. Any connection issues you're having likely aren't the PRL and are probably more related to carrier issues or the notorious Galaxy Nexus Data Drops that almost every version of the phone has had.
Edit: You could always try the Sprint Partners PRL's...dunno if it will work though.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

Smokeey, I don't doubt that they can be region specific. But again, the only point in me doing this is for times when I am actually roaming due to the places I go for work. Ex: I have been in Wyoming for 5 weeks now, Sprint has Zero coverage here. So again it isn't about connection issues. It's about EVDO vs 1xRtt while roaming. The only time I use Roam Control or similar functions are to test the ability to get 3g while roaming.
Aside from that, I do not think this is the best way to go about changing the PRL manually on this phone, but for now it will do.
So .... with the 11115 PRL I was only getting 1x in WY, should have been 3g. Today I got into Salt Lake where there is Sprint coverage and I was still roaming, with the phone and Roam Control set to Automatic. I restored a backup of the stock ROM, refreshed profile, updated PRL and was back on Sprint 3g. Then went back and forced the manual update of the PRL back to 11115, tried switching to roam only mode and the phone stayed connected to Sprints network. By the time I got back into WY and was roaming again, it did properly switch to a roaming partners system and I still had 3g coverage. So it seems that everytime you write the PRL with Better Cut, you could get a different result. FOR ME this is fine, as long as it works when I am actually roaming.
I'm sure down the road a VIA compatible PST and associated drivers will turn up so that this can be done in a similar fashion to the way it was accomplished with QPST on other phones. But for now I am content.

I've linked to your post in my thread for how to update PRL manually. Your post was first.. so it's only right
and for completeness... here is my thread detailing how to use VIA tools the same way we used to use Qualcomm tools. I've linked back to you in the second post which details PRL writing. It looks like even with VIA chipsets.. we aren't so locked out after all.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1696621

Looks good, I'll give it a shot soon. Hopefully it will work in a VM, stuck with 64 bit on my laptop....
autoprime said:
I've linked to your post in my thread for how to update PRL manually. Your post was first.. so it's only right
and for completeness... here is my thread detailing how to use VIA tools the same way we used to use Qualcomm tools. I've linked back to you in the second post which details PRL writing. It looks like even with VIA chipsets.. we aren't so locked out after all.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=26425227
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

link in previous post has been updated. i'll post again here just incase
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1696621
and yes, it will work in VM.

PRL write not listed in any cut or better cut
I can't find "PRL write" in either Any Cut under activities or Better Cut(v3.3) under all activities. I have Test.prl in /sdcard/. I'm running a vzw gnex on CM9.1. I've tried changing it's name to TEST.prl. I've tried several different prl files.
Anyone one have any advice.

bbv203 said:
Smokeey, I don't doubt that they can be region specific. But again, the only point in me doing this is for times when I am actually roaming due to the places I go for work. Ex: I have been in Wyoming for 5 weeks now, Sprint has Zero coverage here. So again it isn't about connection issues. It's about EVDO vs 1xRtt while roaming. The only time I use Roam Control or similar functions are to test the ability to get 3g while roaming.
Aside from that, I do not think this is the best way to go about changing the PRL manually on this phone, but for now it will do.
So .... with the 11115 PRL I was only getting 1x in WY, should have been 3g. Today I got into Salt Lake where there is Sprint coverage and I was still roaming, with the phone and Roam Control set to Automatic. I restored a backup of the stock ROM, refreshed profile, updated PRL and was back on Sprint 3g. Then went back and forced the manual update of the PRL back to 11115, tried switching to roam only mode and the phone stayed connected to Sprints network. By the time I got back into WY and was roaming again, it did properly switch to a roaming partners system and I still had 3g coverage. So it seems that everytime you write the PRL with Better Cut, you could get a different result. FOR ME this is fine, as long as it works when I am actually roaming.
I'm sure down the road a VIA compatible PST and associated drivers will turn up so that this can be done in a similar fashion to the way it was accomplished with QPST on other phones. But for now I am content.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Roam control works for you?

Do we know of another way to change the MSL?
I prefer mine to be 000000, but with QPST not reading it I'm stuck.
I could try and dig up a CDMA workshop, but most of those are virus ridden, and i'm not sure it would connect to it either...

bbv203 said:
I found a way to change the PRL. I'm not 100% sure that it actually changed the PRL and not just the number that shows in the menu though. The idea came from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1639839
So using Better Cut I followed the first step he outlined, JUST THE ONE ABOUT THE PRL THOUGH. Phone went through and did its reboot came back up.
At first it showed unknown as the PRL, MIN & My Phone Number. I went into *#*#yourmsl#*#* checked under edit and my info was correct, checked under *#*#3282#*#* and my username was correct in the data profile. Went back into about phone and everything had repopulated correctly.
Now where I am sitting its still showing me as connected to a 1xrtt network, but that very well could be because I'm in the middle of WY at the moment. I should be going into SLC tomorrow and I will try to force it to roam while I am there and see what happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used this method, but through apex launcher, Also tried it using Sprint Diagnostics options, guess trying bettercut wont hurt. I have the same issue as far as my info reflecting correctly using *#MSL & *#DATA but I have "Unknown" showing up in the My Phone Number, MIN & PRL fields, but they never repopulate for me. Any hints on what could cause this?
Thanks in advance

[Q] Revert to a previous PRL

I'm stock rooted.
About a week or 2 ago I did a PRL update, putting me at 25015.
Ever since, ALL of my calls get dropped. Sometimes I can talk for 15 minutes, sometimes 30 seconds.
Call drops and I look at the screen and it says "lost signal", yet I'm showing like 4 bars for signal and not roaming.
I've done nothing else to the phone except update the PRL, so I can only assume that's the cause.
Is there a way to revert back to the previous PRL?

Really doubt it has anything to do with prl. PRL is preferred roaming list, it's for roaming only.
It sounds like your area is undergoing Network Vision upgrades. That's exactly how it was for around 2 months for me until they finished my area.
Have a great day!

The PRL shouldn't do that. However, all you have to do is go Settings > System Update > Update PRL. It will refresh the PRL with the latest from Sprint.

Thx guys. Yea, I didn't think a PRL update should cause this, but like I said it was the only thing I did when this started happening.
Ahh well. Coincidence.

Try resetting the phone on the network. Dial ##72786# in the dialer this will reset the device on the sprint network. It will cause it to reboot.
Have a great day!

Yea, tried that last night. It did it's thing. Still the same issue.
I've been stuck where I'm at for like the last week and a half, so I haven't had the chance to try a different location.
Hopefully, it is just a Vision upgrade at my location, cause dropping calls like this is just unacceptable.

Did you try this??
MCL1981 said:
However, all you have to do is go Settings > System Update > Update PRL. It will refresh the PRL with the latest from Sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

He said he's on 25015 which is the latest prl from sprint.
Have a great day!