Hi XDA,
I am currently on a T-mobile contract, but I will move to a different country for business purposes.
I know how to do the device unlock (thanks to youtube), but I was just thinking of different issues that
might come across when using different GSM network.
my device is rooted, running custom rom with T-mobile radio.
my questions are:
1. even if i unlock my device, shouldnt i flash a different rom that is compatible to other networks? (different radio too?)
2. could i use the roms and radios that are used in international version?
if the process is more complicated than I am thinking, could someone light me up?
Thanks in advance.
mspecnur said:
Hi XDA,
I am currently on a T-mobile contract, but I will move to a different country for business purposes.
I know how to do the device unlock (thanks to youtube), but I was just thinking of different issues that
might come across when using different GSM network.
my device is rooted, running custom rom with T-mobile radio.
my questions are:
1. even if i unlock my device, shouldnt i flash a different rom that is compatible to other networks? (different radio too?)
2. could i use the roms and radios that are used in international version?
if the process is more complicated than I am thinking, could someone light me up?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never flash anything from an international model as you will brick your device.
Related
Im looking to flash a custom rom to a Sprint HTC Touch Pro 2 for the sole intention of getting rid of my work phone (AT&T Blackberry). What is the best ROM (and easiest to switch between radios) to do something like this?
Thanks for any tips!
beestea said:
Im looking to flash a custom rom to a Sprint HTC Touch Pro 2 for the sole intention of getting rid of my work phone (AT&T Blackberry). What is the best ROM (and easiest to switch between radios) to do something like this?
Thanks for any tips!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far as I know you cannot flash a GSM ROM to a CDMA phone. It will not work.
stevedebi said:
So far as I know you cannot flash a GSM ROM to a CDMA phone. It will not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The CDMA touch pro 2 is also a "world phone" so it has a built in GSM radio. The key is unlocking it for domestic GSM carriers. There are some unlockers to do this, but I am assuming there are various different radios and ROMs you can use that may make this work better or be easier to use.
beestea said:
The CDMA touch pro 2 is also a "world phone" so it has a built in GSM radio. The key is unlocking it for domestic GSM carriers. There are some unlockers to do this, but I am assuming there are various different radios and ROMs you can use that may make this work better or be easier to use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am aware of the "world phone" capabilities, and I stand by my statement. You will brick your CDMA phone if you flash a GSM ROM. You need to flash a CDMA ROM.
I believe that it is possible to "un-brick" back to CDMA, although so far as I know no one has "un-bricked" a GSM phone that was accidentally flashed with CDMA.
for better results... aka answers.
i suggest asking this question here --> linky.
because primarily your phone is CDMA,
therefore a CDMA ROM would be needed/required.
i also suggest a read of this --> linky.
it is very informative.
and should help a lot with answering your questions.
hope that helps.
sh4d0w86.
As a CDMA/GSM phone we have the capability to use a GSM sim card, but we can only use tools that were specifically built for CDMA, including ROMs/radios. Flashing a GSM rom/radio will seriously hurt your phone, possibly rendering it unusable.
To unlock for a GSM carrier in the continental US, you will first need to SIM unlock, either through calling your carrier and requesting a SIM unlock or using the olinex SIM unlocker found in the CDMA forums: http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=517
There are a couple guides to getting the tp2 working on various carriers.
Wellllll... Where are the guides
Please some help,
I have read and reand and dont find the answer.
i have a world phone, i just to know if there are custom ROMs for them, i use it mainly on GSM but i would not like to lose the CDMA option.
My device is a sprint TP2, i am using it in Mexico, with telcel GSM. I Just want a custom ROM for it, please Help!
parras said:
Please some help,
I have read and reand and dont find the answer.
i have a world phone, i just to know if there are custom ROMs for them, i use it mainly on GSM but i would not like to lose the CDMA option.
My device is a sprint TP2, i am using it in Mexico, with telcel GSM. I Just want a custom ROM for it, please Help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi mate, even i have Sprit TP2.. with radio unlocked,even i use GSM network. u can switch to any ROM u want.. i m using ENERGY roms, n its working pretty well..
<< http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=86489 >> i m using this.
but only upgrade the phone with CDMA roms, as GSM Rom wont work on it. n u wont loose ur CDMA option.
Hey folks. I'm really tempted to get the T-Mobile S4, have it unlocked so I can take it to AT&T but I know at some point I'll be doing custom roms and probably radio upgrades since they come out once in a while. But will doing any of that break the SIM unlock? The one I fear most is probably radio upgrades but I've never moved a phone to another carrier so don't know all of the implications. Roms I doubt will be an issue but anyone know or have previous experience? At worse I have to keep calling T-Mobile to get it unlocked again if radio upgrades mess it up but I'd rather not be calling them all the time and if it is a problem then maybe I need to rethink this a bit more.
No, when you unlock it, it will be permanently unlocked, even you restore to stock rom, flash any other rom, radios, recovery or anything to OS or software related.
Before you flash a rom, make sure to try it in another provider with the factory/stock version, so you can make sure that the phone is working fine since the beginning,
T-Mobile S4 (SGH-M919) has a lot to offer in connectivity such as LTE Bands 1/2/4/5/7/17; in HSPA+/UMTS: 850/AWS/1900/2100MHz and finally GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz, so it surely will work on the AT&T network.
While the AT&T S4 (SGH-I337) only has LTE: Bands 1/4/7/17; HSPA+/UMTS: 850/1900/2100MHz; GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz.
For unlocking your T-Mobile S4, here is the link to the new T-Mobile Unlocking Policies: http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-1588. I bought my new S4 recently and they declined to unlock it before the first 40 days (postpaid) and before the first 60 days (prepaid) and there are certain other requirements to comply.
Lucky for me I found a trick on this forum to unlock it without the subsidy code (since my requests were rejected), it worked flawlessly and even I restore or flash any stock or custom rom, the unlocked state stays permanently because it's based on the NV system, just don't mess up with the NV base system.
If you want a phone with full LTE bands coverage, go for the M919 and it's bootloader unlocked from factory unlike the AT&T version which is bootloader locked. So, you can't go wrong with this model.
In terms of performance, the international version I9500 (without LTE support) is faster than any other S4 with SnapDragon 600 processor, I tested it myself since I have both I9500 and M919, the I9500 is octa-core (4-core of 1.6, and 4-core of 1.2) but only 4-cores work at the same time, in order to have a better power management, but even works in 1.6, it's a little bit faster than the 1.9 from SD600, i noticed on the graphics performance too.
And custom roms and other mods will come thru time for this specific model, just be patience, I have my M919 working with a non-US carrier sim card and installed custom rom Wicked v2 and it's working fast and stable.
I hope this info help you to decide!
Cheers!
Screwbal said:
Hey folks. I'm really tempted to get the T-Mobile S4, have it unlocked so I can take it to AT&T but I know at some point I'll be doing custom roms and probably radio upgrades since they come out once in a while. But will doing any of that break the SIM unlock? The one I fear most is probably radio upgrades but I've never moved a phone to another carrier so don't know all of the implications. Roms I doubt will be an issue but anyone know or have previous experience? At worse I have to keep calling T-Mobile to get it unlocked again if radio upgrades mess it up but I'd rather not be calling them all the time and if it is a problem then maybe I need to rethink this a bit more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi guys,
Planning to buy the m8 and root it. But should I be specific on the variants?
Im not from the US (The Philippines) so Most likely not gonna get atnt, sprint etc.
So my options are:
The international model
Emea (a friend of mine is selling his but it was bought in riyad, KSA)
Or the asian version (s801 2.5ghz)
Do they have like different model nos.? Different ruus / rom versions etc?
Had a bad experience when i bought a phone (m7 sprint wls) before, since im not from the us. Had limited roms available compared to the international version
Your input would really help
Sent from my HTC One
I would agree that you should not get a US variant. For one thing, they will be SIM locked. Another thing, the Sprint and Verizon versions are CDMA. Different software, and possibly different hardware (although its been discussed here, and not clear - but I would err on the side of caution and assume the hardware is different). So if your area does not use CDMA I would stay away from those variants.
All GSM versions, be aware that they can all be converted to another carrier variant once bootloader unlocked and S-off. So as long as you avoid the CDMA versions, you are good for ROMs.
I would suggest the version that supports your local 3G and LTE bands out of the box. But again, as long as you are willing to s-off the phone, you can change that in software. So if that is the case, I would just go with the best deal.
From what I understand, the Asian version is the same as any other GSM version, just with a slight overclock.
Well if you do go with a us carrier Verizon has the best coverage and thier phones are :not: sim locked. You can use them with any carrier anywhere. My second choice would be t-mobile
str8str said:
Well if you do go with a us carrier Verizon has the best coverage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OP is from the Philippines. They aren't going to use a US carrier.
I would advise against CDMA variants for the reasons already mentioned.
redpoint73 said:
The OP is from the Philippines. They aren't going to use a US carrier.
I would advise against CDMA variants for the reasons already mentioned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys, I just want to be clear, so if I use a Rom or RUU on a GSM variant, as long as Im'm on S-Off / Unlocked Bootloader and/ or on SuperCID. I could use any Rom ./ RUU from different GSM variants (I checked the rooting guide for the M8 and is similar to the M7, so as far as unlocking the bootloader / root that I have an idea).
Do they have different RUUs at all??
Czai24 said:
I just want to be clear, so if I use a Rom or RUU on a GSM variant, as long as Im'm on S-Off / Unlocked Bootloader and/ or on SuperCID.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
Aside from the CDMA RUUs, which I wouldn't try on a GSM version unless you read definitive advice elsewhere that its ok.
Czai24 said:
Do they have different RUUs at all??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only US versions have RUU, that I know of.
Yes you're right.
I thought all has ruus on it. But with supercid i could use any nandroid backup right? As long as its gsm
I think I will go for the Asian version (wwe right? Cause it has a higher clockspeed and updated s801) And go supercid and use international (gsm) roms. Will that work?
Sent from my HTC One
Czai24 said:
with supercid i could use any nandroid backup right? As long as its gsm
I think I will go for the Asian version (wwe right? Cause it has a higher clockspeed and updated s801) And go supercid and use international (gsm) roms. Will that work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that will work, yes.
WWE just means "world wide English". I think it refers to the Euro version.
I've searched and can't find a specific answer on compatibility on ROMs and the different carrier versions of the Fire Phone. It's late so maybe I just picked bad combos in my searches.
1. a. Will it brick an AT&T phone if you install the international ROM (or vice versa)?
b. If it doesn't brick is it effectively turn into an international variant (or vice versa)?
2. Are the CM11/SlimKat ROMs ok to install on any variant (AT&T and/or International)?
3. Are the CM11/SlimKat ROMs ok to install on any size variant (32GB or 64GB)?
I know some phones it's OK and some phones brick when you install other variant ROMs so I just want to confirm before I buy an AT&T version. I also know some ROM's have to re partition the device and I wouldn't want to lose 32GB. I apologize if these have been answered but I can't find them tonight.
PIYIRIO said:
I've searched and can't find a specific answer on compatibility on ROMs and the different carrier versions of the Fire Phone. It's late so maybe I just picked bad combos in my searches.
1. a. Will it brick an AT&T phone if you install the international ROM (or vice versa)?
b. If it doesn't brick is it effectively turn into an international variant (or vice versa)?
2. Are the CM11/SlimKat ROMs ok to install on any variant (AT&T and/or International)?
3. Are the CM11/SlimKat ROMs ok to install on any size variant (32GB or 64GB)?
I know some phones it's OK and some phones brick when you install other variant ROMs so I just want to confirm before I buy an AT&T version. I also know some ROM's have to re partition the device and I wouldn't want to lose 32GB. I apologize if these have been answered but I can't find them tonight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the exact same question 1, I wouldn't call it "international", just unlocked version I guess
Bump, such easy question should be easy to answer and kind of important
PIYIRIO said:
1. a. Will it brick an AT&T phone if you install the international ROM (or vice versa)?
b. If it doesn't brick is it effectively turn into an international variant (or vice versa)?
2. Are the CM11/SlimKat ROMs ok to install on any variant (AT&T and/or International)?
3. Are the CM11/SlimKat ROMs ok to install on any size variant (32GB or 64GB)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.a. No.
Source: I installed the UK, US AT&T and US GSM unlocked firmware on my device (T-Mobile netlocked, Germany).
Every Fire Phone works with all variants in general (there are ofc. different pre-installed TTS languages, WiFi channel support differs, etc.)
1.b. As Jose-MXL mentioned, unlocked (as in neutral) describes it a bit better.
The US ''GSM unlocked'' firmware has multi language support, just like the other versions, so you're not stuck with English language.
Again, some WiFi channels won't work, e.g. channel 13 in Germany, because it's based on US standards.
The fimware doesn't affect netlock, ofc. If your device was netlocked before, it will stay locked. If it was unlocked with a code before, it will stay unlocked.
2. Yes, as far as we know.
ggow only mentioned v. 4.6.1 because this was the (latest) tested version at the time. People reported successful installation on 4.6.1, 4.6.3 and 4.6.4 variants.
3. Yes.
Only the system partition is affected when installing SlimKat / CM11 (sorry, just describing it very briefly ^^).
As you know from stock Fire OS, the internal storage and media storage share the remaining storage space, so nothing will change on that partition.
Hi just purchased a used Verizon m8 and i did the s-off and installed a few custom ROMs but I get dropped and weak signal every now and then. Just wondering what the best radio to use for telus/koodo. Thanks.
I am on cm 12.1 great ROM. My radio 1.12.23.1211
vhicke said:
Hi just purchased a used Verizon m8 and i did the s-off and installed a few custom ROMs but I get dropped and weak signal every now and then. Just wondering what the best radio to use for telus/koodo. Thanks.
I am on cm 12.1 great ROM. My radio 1.12.23.1211
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You did no research. You shouldn't have bought that phone.
Verizon is cdma. Telus is GSM.
I'm on Telus as well using WWE/International firmware.
Telus/koodo and bell in Canada are also a CDMA/gsm company. This phone should have no problems with telus/koodo. How is the wwe firmware do you see a difference in signal. Is your phone root and are you using any custom ROMs.
vhicke said:
Telus/koodo and bell in Canada are also a CDMA/gsm company. This phone should have no problems with telus/koodo. How is the wwe firmware do you see a difference in signal. Is your phone root and are you using any custom ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click this link, and scroll down to "So can I use my Android device on other networks?" (Actually you should read the whole article. It's quite informative.)
I'll quote the second paragraph from there for you here:
First off, if you have a CDMA handset (the lack of a SIM card is a sure fire indicator) from Bell/Virgin or TELUS/Koodo (that isn't a world phone) or from the US (Sprint/Verizon), it is impossible to use the phone on a Canadian network other than the one it came from as Bell and TELUS does not allow the import CDMA devices from outside their network.
I'll say it again, you didn't do proper research. If you would have bought a GSM phone, you wouldn't be having this issue.
The link also has a chart that shows the compatible carriers for the different bands/frequencies that are available.