Develop Bugs

Can I use any SIM card to activate my Nexus? (T-Mobile)

I added two lines to my parents' T-Mobile family plan through telephone sales and chose the slowest shipping method, so it won't get here until Monday evening, but I'm going to fly out of state on Monday morning. Will I be able to go to Walmart, and buy a pre-paid T-Mobile burner, use the SIM card, and activate my Galaxy Nexus so i'll have the phone up and running tomorrow? If so, will it deactivate the SIM that they're shipping me?

There really isn't any activation involved with GSM phones. Just pop in whichever sim card you want and go.
Sent from my Xoom using xda premium

How will it know which T-Mobile account my phone is on?

The account and number are tied to the sim card. I was under the assumption you were going to buy a prepaid sim for the short term and that would be fine. However, would not be tied to your account and would have a different number.
Sent from my Xoom using xda premium

would I be able to buy the burner prepaid SIM, call T-Mobile and say I want to use that SIM card and assign it my account instead of the SIM card that they're sending me?

Don't know how t-mob works but I can change my sim anytime and my carrier will put my number there no problem
Nexus Cm9 + Franco

tracerit said:
would I be able to buy the burner prepaid SIM, call T-Mobile and say I want to use that SIM card and assign it my account instead of the SIM card that they're sending me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It might be weird for them but you should be able to do it, just give them a call
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

tracerit said:
would I be able to buy the burner prepaid SIM, call T-Mobile and say I want to use that SIM card and assign it my account instead of the SIM card that they're sending me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not if you want to pick your phone number. The prepaid sim already has its own phone number and you can't change it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

How will it know which T-Mobile account my phone is on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing that is activated on T-Mobile (and most GSM-based carriers) is the SIM card. The phone is not "activated." That is just how GSM works.
Unless I am misunderstanding, you just want an active SIM to use with your new line right? If you have one available you can just walk into a local T-Mobile store and tell them to give you a new SIM for the account/line that you just opened. Afterwards, any other SIM, including one they may mail to you, will not be associated to that line. They do not allow multiple SIMs to be assigned to a line. Activate one, deactivate any other. That's the way it works.

tracerit said:
would I be able to buy the burner prepaid SIM, call T-Mobile and say I want to use that SIM card and assign it my account instead of the SIM card that they're sending me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No that wouldn't work cause the prepaid sim would already be active you'll either have to use the non active sim that comes shipped or get to a corpo store and pick up a free one. Imma sales rep for tmob
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

i guess this is a non issue now. i called T-Mobile to inquire about this but wanted to check my plan first and it turns out the telephone sales lady while telling me my 3rd line would be free due to an account offer, i now actually have to pay for it. i thought the offer was too good, but she confirmed it and i actually have a CallRecorder recording of the conversation. Most likely going to cancel the changes, revert to the previous account and return the phones when they're delivered tomorrow. What a **** feeling, i was really looking forward to activating and using my Nexus too.

tracerit said:
would I be able to buy the burner prepaid SIM, call T-Mobile and say I want to use that SIM card and assign it my account instead of the SIM card that they're sending me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's way more trouble than its worth to try and get working. Why exactly do you want to do this? T-Mobile gives you a SIM already... and if you need another, they'll give you another lol.
Prepaid SIMs are different plans and services and are not transferrable between T-Mobile postpaid and prepaid, generally.

martonikaj said:
That's way more trouble than its worth to try and get working. Why exactly do you want to do this? T-Mobile gives you a SIM already... and if you need another, they'll give you another lol.
Prepaid SIMs are different plans and services and are not transferrable between T-Mobile postpaid and prepaid, generally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do give a SIM however it's being mailed and delivered tomorrow but i found out yesterday i have to head out of state tomorrow morning. I called a few TMo stores and they all want to sell me a SIM for $20.
As for the prepaid plans, i just want the SIM from the prepaid phone. From what I've read, the prepaid phone doesn't include any type of plan, it's $20 for the phone and SIM card and a few starter minutes?
Hopefully I won't have to fight T-Mobile too hard to cancel the add a line changes I made last week, I"ll just return their phones or reject delivery and go with Straight Talk for a few months until my parents' T-Mo plan expires in August and add myself then. Such a hassle haha.

tracerit said:
They do give a SIM however it's being mailed and delivered tomorrow but i found out yesterday i have to head out of state tomorrow morning. I called a few TMo stores and they all want to sell me a SIM for $20.
As for the prepaid plans, i just want the SIM from the prepaid phone. From what I've read, the prepaid phone doesn't include any type of plan, it's $20 for the phone and SIM card and a few starter minutes?
Hopefully I won't have to fight T-Mobile too hard to cancel the add a line changes I made last week, I"ll just return their phones or reject delivery and go with Straight Talk for a few months until my parents' T-Mo plan expires in August and add myself then. Such a hassle haha.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile prepaid sims come with a plan.

tracerit said:
As for the prepaid plans, i just want the SIM from the prepaid phone. From what I've read, the prepaid phone doesn't include any type of plan, it's $20 for the phone and SIM card and a few starter minutes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But those SIMs are for prepaid only. They can't be used with postpaid plans.

Think of a SIM Card like a Key to your Number on T-Mobile and it's affiliated plan.
That's it. SIM Card in, enter PIN to unlock the Card on the current device, and off you go.
Call, text, whatever.
Internet settings should be updated automatically.

SIM Card Help!

I'm on the verge of buying an S3 but off a friend. I talked to a T-mo rep and she was telling me about buying a Micro-SIM because cutting down the old ones won't work with WiFi calling and I would get signal issues. I'm pretty sure the signal issues don't have anything to do with the SIM card and WiFi calling doesn't appeal to me since I always have full signal in my house. I just want to know if I need to buy a new SIM card or not. Thanks everyone!

Should be able to get a micro SIM card for free at T-Mobile store
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

frostyroot said:
I'm on the verge of buying an S3 but off a friend. I talked to a T-mo rep and she was telling me about buying a Micro-SIM because cutting down the old ones won't work with WiFi calling and I would get signal issues. I'm pretty sure the signal issues don't have anything to do with the SIM card and WiFi calling doesn't appeal to me since I always have full signal in my house. I just want to know if I need to buy a new SIM card or not. Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone comes with a micro sim in the box no need to buy one.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using XDA App

edboy21 said:
The phone comes with a micro sim in the box no need to buy one.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This pretty much sums it up

Obviously you guys don't read, he said he's buying it from a friend. I doubt his friend is giving him his SIM card
Sent from the current Heavy Weight champ GALAXY SIII

ingenious247 said:
Obviously you guys don't read, he said he's buying it from a friend. I doubt his friend is giving him his SIM card
Sent from the current Heavy Weight champ GALAXY SIII
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good question if you ask me, does anyone know if it can be done?

Just got to a Tmobile store and ask for a micro sim. THey have them for free, or pm me and I'll send you one.
Then once you have the phone you can either call or go to the store and have them switch your line over to the new sim. If you call, just don't use the phone you are switching the sim from as it will drop the call once they enter the new sim card for your line.

Sim cards are usually free at T-Mobile I heard cutting down old sim cards will give you problems but not exactly sure what.
Just go to the store and ask for a new sim card and they can transfer everything over for you.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

When you go to the tmo store, make sure the card they give you is one that is capable of wifi calling. None of them in my area have the ones that are, you might have to get it from customer service.

I ran into this issue as well. I just figured the SIM from my Galaxy nexus would work with the S3 I purchased through Wirefly.com but it was too big (obviously). As others mentioned, I just went up to the local T-Mobile store and asked for a micro sim card to use with my new phone. They activated one and gave it to me all within 2 minutes of entering the store, free of charge.
I would laugh if T-Mobile tried to charge me for a new SIM card to use with their service. They should provide SIM cards for free, much the same as your bank giving you a replacement debit card at no extra charge since you are using their services.

There lying they just want u to get the "new" Sims that have throttling and tethering detection ... have my sim card from 2005 cut and using it on tmobile. 4g hspa+ no issues wifi calls work..
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

pytyper483 said:
Just got to a Tmobile store and ask for a micro sim. THey have them for free, or pm me and I'll send you one.
Then once you have the phone you can either call or go to the store and have them switch your line over to the new sim. If you call, just don't use the phone you are switching the sim from as it will drop the call once they enter the new sim card for your line.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not been able to find a free one in my area, the local stores charge 20 for it. and won't budge. Is there maybe a prepaid one I can get more cheaply?

treebreland said:
I have not been able to find a free one in my area, the local stores charge 20 for it. and won't budge. Is there maybe a prepaid one I can get more cheaply?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before I got my s3, i went to my local t mobile store and told them i need a micro sim card for my new s3. They gave me one without a problem for free. I think in order to get one for free, you must be on a two year contract with t mobile and your account has to be in good standing.
if not try this http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/Phones/cell-phone-detail.aspx?cell-phone=T-Mobile-Micro-SIM-Card it should work.
if that does not work, try ebay. if that does not work then just pay your t mobile store.

How can I cancel my data plan? ATT won't let me.

I've called and they tell me that I have to have it or the phone won't work or I have to cancel the entire service ...I've tried the website and it doesn't have that option.
Any help?
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using XDA HD

VeryCoolAlan said:
I've called and they tell me that I have to have it or the phone won't work or I have to cancel the entire service ...I've tried the website and it doesn't have that option.
Any help?
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using XDA HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you REALLY want to get rid of the data plan, (and your not in contract), then get an OLD flip phone and drop your sim in it. Wait a couple hours after making a few calls & texts with it so that it updates in their system.
Then call AT&T support and tell them that you have this old flip phone and you no longer need a data plan. They should at that time cancel the data plan from your account. Once done, take your sim and put it back into the S III.
NOTE : If you are on contract they won't acknowledge the phone change out and will continue with the data plan, as that was part of the contract that you signed up for when you subsidized the phone. ALSO TO NOTE, if your not on contract and they "see" that you are using the S III, they can at will reinstate the data plan, as it is a "requirement" for devices of this type.

I think a data plan is required on any smartphone. One option is to cancel with AT&T and then sign up on an AT&T prepay plan. The prepay plan doesn't seem to require a data plan, or else they don't seem to be as vigilant at enforcing it. One of my daughters has been using an iPhone and the other has been using a Moto Atrix on an AT&T prepay plan for over a year now without a data plan and no issues.

You can call and demand they take out off. They can't tell you no as long as you have minutes on your plan they can't charge you anything. Just keep demanding they take it off
Samsung Galaxy S3

I know a data plan is required. If you read your contract, it is most likely stated there also. And online. Any official new phone retailer. In the store. Just about everywhere you may have looked at this phone, with the exception of a current s3 users left or right hand, states you have to have a qualifying data plan with all post paid accounts. Pre paid is different.

I'm an AT&T employee. As stated, you can request the plan be removed only if you're switching to a non-smartphone. You can't just go back to using the smartphone, though. If the billing system sees a smartphone in use (your device broadcasts its IMEI on every call) without an appropriate data plan, one will get automatically added to the account, and contract status doesn't matter. An SMS will be sent notifying of the change.

aricept said:
I'm an AT&T employee. As stated, you can request the plan be removed only if you're switching to a non-smartphone. You can't just go back to using the smartphone, though. If the billing system sees a smartphone in use (your device broadcasts its IMEI on every call) without an appropriate data plan, one will get automatically added to the account, and contract status doesn't matter. An SMS will be sent notifying of the change.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the only workaround that I've found that works is to stick your sim in another phone (basic) use that and go to a store and have them update that. turn on your smartphone without sim in it and then go to mobile section and turn off data or remove APN altogether. Once that is done, put sim card back in and just never turn that back on. Did a test with a personal phone and it never registered with the system, ran it for like 4 months that way (on a personal plan) before I decided being restricted to Wi-Fi was easier said than done. Don't know if they've patched that or not, this was about a year ago, but hopefully it helps

DISTRAUGHTKLOWNZ said:
also an employee, the only workaround that I've found that works is to stick your sim in another phone (basic) use that and go to a store and have them update that. turn on your smartphone without sim in it and then go to mobile section and turn off data or remove APN altogether. Once that is done, put sim card back in and just never turn that back on. Did a test with a personal phone and it never registered with the system, ran it for like 4 months that way (on a personal plan) before I decided being restricted to Wi-Fi was easier said than done. Don't know if they've patched that or not, this was about a year ago, but hopefully it helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello fellow employee!
That's an interesting trick, but I don't think it would work anymore. I've seen the system add packages to suspended lines, which clearly aren't accessing data, just based on the last phone in use.

Thanks! Had to switch sim to a small flip phone...now I use my gs3 as a "tablet"
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Premium HD app

aricept said:
I'm an AT&T employee. As stated, you can request the plan be removed only if you're switching to a non-smartphone. You can't just go back to using the smartphone, though. If the billing system sees a smartphone in use (your device broadcasts its IMEI on every call) without an appropriate data plan, one will get automatically added to the account, and contract status doesn't matter. An SMS will be sent notifying of the change.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I remember I did it on my old g1 on tmobile...but that was years ago
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Premium HD app

T-mobile 200MB?

Does anybody know how the T-mobile lifetime 200MB promotion will work?
Can the SIM card that they provide and activate in your Nexus 7 LTE be used in another device?
What happens if the Nexus 7 LTE needs warranty or replacement or if you just want to use the SIM in another device?
Will a trip to the T-mobile store be required each time you want to use a different tablet?

xdadevnube said:
Does anybody know how the T-mobile lifetime 200MB promotion will work?
Can the SIM card that they provide and activate in your Nexus 7 LTE be used in another device?
What happens if the Nexus 7 LTE needs warranty or replacement or if you just want to use the SIM in another device?
Will a trip to the T-mobile store be required each time you want to use a different tablet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm wondering the same questions. I've been trying to log-in to my t-mobile account to try and see if the plan option can be added online but it tells me the "My-Tmobile" site is inaccessible. I'll prob stop by a store today and ask someone or maybe just call them. If I find out anything I'll post it here.

sola fide said:
I'm wondering the same questions. I've been trying to log-in to my t-mobile account to try and see if the plan option can be added online but it tells me the "My-Tmobile" site is inaccessible. I'll prob stop by a store today and ask someone or maybe just call them. If I find out anything I'll post it here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The store rep said it wouldn't work with a different device. However, it is generally no trouble to swap compatible devices with a SIM on most networks in general. I would think once the SIM itself is activated (needs to be activated with a device), then it should be good to go.
Store reps don't always know, I figure testing is the only way to find out.

xdadevnube said:
The store rep said it wouldn't work with a different device. However, it is generally no trouble to swap compatible devices with a SIM on most networks in general. I would think once the SIM itself is activated (needs to be activated with a device), then it should be good to go.
Store reps don't always know, I figure testing is the only way to find out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that rep doesn't know. The T-Mobile website specifically says the free data will work with any device that T-Mobile has sold or currently carries regardless if where you've bought it.
---------- Post added at 01:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:10 PM ----------
I talked to technical support and they said as long as I had an online account set up that I would have access to the free starter data. However, because the plan is so new they didn't have access in their system to add it. However, he was able to confirm that I had my account setup and active.
I was then transferred to Customer Support. Customer Support claims I need to purchase a prepaid block of data (any size or amount) before I can get the free 200MB plan. But that isn't how I'm interpreting the website. I'm going to try and visit a store now to see what they say.
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

sola fide said:
Yeah that rep doesn't know. The T-Mobile website specifically says the free data will work with any device that T-Mobile has sold or currently carries regardless if where you've bought it.
---------- Post added at 01:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:10 PM ----------
I talked to technical support and they said as long as I had an online account set up that I would have access to the free starter data. However, because the plan is so new they didn't have access in their system to add it. However, he was able to confirm that I had my account setup and active.
I was then transferred to Customer Support. Customer Support claims I need to purchase a prepaid block of data (any size or amount) before I can get the free 200MB plan. But that isn't how I'm interpreting the website. I'm going to try and visit a store now to see what they say.
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to hear about it. I was thinking one of the ways this can be put to the test is by activating the SIM into a Nexus 7 LTE at the T-Mobile store. Then, pop the SIM into one of their display tablets and see if it still works. Maybe even try another one for good measure. Then, pop it back into the Nexus 7 LTE to see if it still works. It would probably be a good idea to see if the SIM still works in the Nexus 7 LTE the following day. I don't see T-Mobile using some sort of IMEI filtering to restrict all but the original tablet from having network access.

xdadevnube said:
I'd like to hear about it. I was thinking one of the ways this can be put to the test is by activating the SIM into a Nexus 7 LTE at the T-Mobile store. Then, pop the SIM into one of their display tablets and see if it still works. Maybe even try another one for good measure. Then, pop it back into the Nexus 7 LTE to see if it still works. It would probably be a good idea to see if the SIM still works in the Nexus 7 LTE the following day. I don't see T-Mobile using some sort of IMEI filtering to restrict all but the original tablet from having network access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Success!! Went to a store and talked to the store manager. They were willing to figure everything out with me because they hadn't had anyone come in with a tablet yet but knew the plan existed. Thankfully the manager knew details of the plan and didn't put up with the BS the idiots on the phone tried to tell her.
At first their computer systems didn't have the codes. Then they called their customer support who told them the plan didn't exist. But after they pressed the issue of the giant ad image on the website they discovered this all has to do with the new data plan naming system. Because the accounts we (anyone before today) created with the T-Mobile Sim card included with with N7 FHD, the system doesn't know how to switch it over because now that mobile data plan doesn't exist.
The End Result:
Ask for a SIM swap and a new number. They will give you a new SIM and a new mobile "number" for your tablet. My store still had to call in and have someone set up the free data plan but it didn't take more than 5 minutes. Once complete turn on the tablet with the new Sim card and login to your account through the new mim.T-Mobile.com management site. You can either set up a new account or use the same email, password, and pin you had on your previous account.
I did learn that the plan is tied to your IMEI #. So if you change devices you might need to call in for the change. But I'm not entirely sure. You may be able to just log into your account through the browser on the new device to get it working.
If at first you only get 3G and HSPA+ just wait a couple minutes and reboot the device. It will take about 5 minutes for T-Mobile to recognize the device and allow LTE bands.
Good luck to everyone who is interested in free tablet data.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app (while riding passenger in my wife's car on my FREE T-Mobile data plan!)

This is good news. I have a spare unlocked Android phone I wouldn't mind using this on.
I asked T-Mobile about it over Twitter and was told this:
https://twitter.com/TMobileHelp/status/393159978565263360
The 200MB would be set up to provide data to a tablet. If the phone you're using would be compatible, then you could do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So ANY device can get 200MB a month. I have a spare AT&T Thrill 4G. Doesn't have LTE, but does have HSPA+.

Fingers crossed for 2gb?
So i got 10 sim cards with the 200mb free data plan ( i had some difficulty so they waived the activation fees and got them all for free over the phone). I did this because i know this is a limited time offer. However i want to know if each sim is locked to the imei of a device... or could i theoretically swap out my different sims whenever eachone goes over 200mb... bc if that will work then i have 2gb total of free data... which would make me very happy

sockaplaya22 said:
So i got 10 sim cards with the 200mb free data plan ( i had some difficulty so they waived the activation fees and got them all for free over the phone). I did this because i know this is a limited time offer. However i want to know if each sim is locked to the imei of a device... or could i theoretically swap out my different sims whenever eachone goes over 200mb... bc if that will work then i have 2gb total of free data... which would make me very happy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think they're locked to the device, if they're anything like my Verizon sim. I can take it from my mobile and put it in my N7 for LTE access.
---------- Post added at 03:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:46 PM ----------
Are there any fees associated with this (activation, etc.)?

I went to Tmo website and clicked on the link for the free 200 mb data. I just ordered the micro SIM card. It's free.
Will update when I got it and how it works with my N7

I got the SIM card, but I CANNOT activate the SIM card online!
The ONLY "Activate" link from their website is for phone, not tablet. I got this error:
"Sorry, this page is for Prepaid phone activation.
To learn how to activate your T-Mobile Prepaid Mobile Broadband device, please visit the Prepaid Mobile Broadband activation instructions page."
How did you guys activate the SIM card to get the 200mb for free?
T-Mobile support page stated the following:
If I am a new customer coming to T-Mobile how can I get my free 200MB of data and pay nothing more?
We would love for you to join T-Mobile! You can get a 200MB Starter data pass for free every month when you activate a Pay in Advance Mobile Internet line. You won't pay anything extra to receive your 200MB and you get the option to buy additional data when you need it.
And.. that's it.. nothing else... no link..

*Just tried, no problem to activate the Sim card came with the tablet..
T-Mobile Confirmation: Promotional Pass
Dear Customer,
Your new Mobile Internet Starter Data pass is now active on device # xxxxxxxxxx, and you can enjoy 200 MB of high speed data for use until 12/07/2013. To manage your account or purchase additional high speed data. visit mim.t-mobile.com.
*
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

gemstocks said:
*Just tried, no problem to activate the Sim card came with the tablet..
T-Mobile Confirmation: Promotional Pass
Dear Customer,
Your new Mobile Internet Starter Data pass is now active on device # xxxxxxxxxx, and you can enjoy 200 MB of high speed data for use until 12/07/2013. To manage your account or purchase additional high speed data. visit mim.t-mobile.com.
*
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found out I have to activate from the tablet itself and not my PC. Now it's working!

200mb on non-tablets?
M3wThr33 said:
This is good news. I have a spare unlocked Android phone I wouldn't mind using this on.
I asked T-Mobile about it over Twitter and was told this:
https://twitter.com/TMobileHelp/status/393159978565263360
So ANY device can get 200MB a month. I have a spare AT&T Thrill 4G. Doesn't have LTE, but does have HSPA+.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has there anyone been able to confirm this working on a phone / alternative device ? I am hoping this will work with my new smartwatch that has a sim card slot ( the omate truesmart from kickstarter)

i think the device has to be unlocked. I tried on an ATT iphone 4s, but it would allow the sim.
---------- Post added at 11:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:11 PM ----------
does tmobile allow tethering off the tablet? thx

From other forums it was said this only works with tablets and that Tmo will see you IMEI and see if you are using a phone and stop service.
I personally don't know, I only activated my N7.

No joy for me.
I called T-Mobile (no luck on the web site, kept saying it was temporarily down) and Josh tells me that because this offer was effective Oct 30, and I activated before that, that I'm not elligible.

dannyboy22 said:
No joy for me.
I called T-Mobile (no luck on the web site, kept saying it was temporarily down) and Josh tells me that because this offer was effective Oct 30, and I activated before that, that I'm not elligible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't you try to buy just a SIM card? It's only $10 (0.99 if there is promo). That's what most people did to get it to work with the N7, because prior to November, the N7 was NOT directly from T-Mobile.
Worth a try and cheap enough, no?

So how does the activation work? BTW If you go to a store they may give the sim cards to you for free... I got 2 micro-sims for free to test out with my phone/friends ipad2. Don't pay for it if you don't have to.
Judging by earlier posts I can't activate from my computer? Does something come up on the device when the sim is inserted?

Stephen304 said:
So how does the activation work? BTW If you go to a store they may give the sim cards to you for free... I got 2 micro-sims for free to test out with my phone/friends ipad2. Don't pay for it if you don't have to.
Judging by earlier posts I can't activate from my computer? Does something come up on the device when the sim is inserted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just put sim in iPad, turn off Wifi connection and enable Cellular connection and then open a webpage (like google.com) and it should redirect you to T-Mobile's activation page. If u have a bad signal (very slow to load page), you can now enable Wifi to finish activation.

Using a free data sim from t-mobile for calls

I had a t-mobile 200 mb free data plan activated on a kindle hdx7 about a year ago. 2 months later I got an IpadAir2 and gave the kindle to my daughter and took out the t-mobile free data sim and she put in an att sim to use the data share family plan for $10. She is using most of the 20 gb bucket we have per month between her phone and tablet.
I activated a free sim from t-mobile for my ipad air2 and put the original free sim from the kindle on ice for a while. Tonite I found it and for the heck of it put it in the fire phone to see if the data plan would work in the phone. And it did! I chose the t-mo lte apn and rebooted the phone. And data started flowing. I was able to sign into Ooma mobile and make a successful call over data. The same with Time Warner's Phone2Go app. Was also able to make a successful call over data with this one. The only thing not working is using text messaging. It just won't work with the phone number assigned to the data sim Google voice worked too. Texting works thru google but mms does not work. The clarity of voice was best with Phone2Go, followed by Google, then Ooma. I heard well on all three, but was fuzzy and staticy to the receiver.
So if any of you have those free data sims from t-mo laying around, they will work on the fire phone for app calling. And anything else you want to use the data on.

[Disregard this post -- in post #3 I answer my own question]
Thanks, sashusmom. I tried this but I can't get it working. I can get to the TMO page where it tells me how much data I have remaining but when I try to browse anywhere else it takes me to the "upsell" URL to activate my device, get more data etc. I tried both unrooted and rooted and neither works. Another thought: I have a pre-paid TMO account that is tied to my unlimited 200MB SIM; is your unlimited TMO on a post-paid account, maybe?

I did some further research to see how this works and here is what I found:
Yes, you do need a post-paid T-Mobile account in order to have a SIM card that you can move from one device to another. Prepaid accounts with the 200 MB data plan, those SIM cards are married to the tablet they are activated on. Furthermore, if you do go the post-paid route in order to get this working, please note that you'll need a voice line on your post-paid account in order to get the 200 MB truly free; they give you a $10 bill credit every month as long as you have at least one voice line on the account. If you only have a data device, you will be charged $10 per month and you will not be eligible for the bill credit.

dustbinge said:
I did some further research to see how this works and here is what I found:
Yes, you do need a post-paid T-Mobile account in order to have a SIM card that you can move from one device to another. Prepaid accounts with the 200 MB data plan, those SIM cards are married to the tablet they are activated on. Furthermore, if you do go the post-paid route in order to get this working, please note that you'll need a voice line on your post-paid account in order to get the 200 MB truly free; they give you a $10 bill credit every month as long as you have at least one voice line on the account. If you only have a data device, you will be charged $10 per month and you will not be eligible for the bill credit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything I wrote in the opening post is true for me. Please note that the apn needs to be T-Mobile US LTE/fast.t-mobile.com I just checked and data is still flowing. It is a prepaid data sim also.
Thanks for your research, but apparently it doesn't apply to me. I don't have a post paid account. That sim that was initially activated on my kindle fire hdx7 for the free data for tablets with 200mb and is working on my fire phone- I know it is the same sim cause I marked it with an F designating free. So it is not married to the tablet. It is working on my firephone. It is a data only sim so voice and texting does not work.
Also it probably does not work in a tmobile device. My kindle was not a tmobile device and initially was not even officially supported for the free data for life plan. But it worked. The firephone is also not a tmobile device.
Another thought for you Dustbinge- does your free data sim- 200 mb for life- have any of the 200mb left on it? If not it will send you to the upsell page. On prepaid you can add more data when you use up the 200 free mb.

ok--thanks for the update. I envy that yours is working because I want the flexibility to use Waze in either the Fire Phone or my Samsung Tablet. In any case, yes, I just started a new monthly cycle and I have about 163MB left. I tried one more time and verified that I'm using the correct APN but I still get the same result. My prepaid SIM was indeed activated in a T-Mobile tablet so there's that. And mine was only done about a month ago so maybe something has changed over the last year.

Sorry to hear it I must be flying under their radar with 2 non t-mo devices. Maybe other peeps could try it and post. It would make it clear then that my case is different. It will be really nice since my main sim is att in an iphone.
If you're adventurous, ebay is selling simple mobile preloaded sims for about $5 each. It has 1 or 2 gigs of data and unl. talk and text. I got 6 of them when they were
$1/each and I have 1 left. They were all activated without a hitch following the directions enclosed with the sims. I would buy more but am too cheap to pay the going rate for them. Maybe $5/month would be worth it to you. You can always buy 1 just to see if it will be good for you. Simple runs on t-mobile.

Sashusmom, thanks for the tip on simple mobile--will def look into that. Another thought on the prepaid TMO SIM working on your Fire phone and not mine: could it be related to our ROM setups? I am stock rooted. What ROM if any are you running and are you using any special build prop strings?

dustbinge said:
Sashusmom, thanks for the tip on simple mobile--will def look into that. Another thought on the prepaid TMO SIM working on your Fire phone and not mine: could it be related to our ROM setups? I am stock rooted. What ROM if any are you running and are you using any special build prop strings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm running CM-11 for safestrap by ggow. Rooted, no build prop changes. I never used safestrap before but it was very easy. I tend to re-read stuff 3-4 times before I attempt new things and read every post before making any rom changes. Maybe overly cautious, but I never bricked.

I installed safestrap and flashed CM11 for safestrap to try to match your environment. I also never used safestrap before and the good news is that it was surprisingly easy. The bad news is that it had no impact on my TMO prepaid card working. Thanks again for your suggestions.

dustbinge said:
I installed safestrap and flashed CM11 for safestrap to try to match your environment. I also never used safestrap before and the good news is that it was surprisingly easy. The bad news is that it had no impact on my TMO prepaid card working. Thanks again for your suggestions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your very welcome and I'm sorry it was a bust for you Let me know how you like CM11.

I am about to do similar task. I have an old Verizon RazrHD with sim slot. Ordered a TMO phone sim (not tablet). It will arrive this Thrusday. I hope it will work. I don't think build prop will help because TMO has a thread about adding new devices to TMO DB, they use IMEI.