Converting Sprint to other carriers.. - Sprint LG Optimus G

I'm looking for a little nudge in the right direction here. I've read many posts about this, but few seem to have any resolution or firm answer.
A friend is asking me to convert his Sprint phone to a different carrier. I noticed in watching videos that this phone has a micro SIM slot if you take it apart. My questions start there.. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I cannot confirm the state of his ESN, but knowing the guy I can only assume he probably owes them a large chunk of change and that is his reason for making the switch.
So can anyone point me towards options for flashing to say Boost/Virgin? Would a bad ESN hinder me from doing this?
I, myself, have AT&T.. would I be able to use AT&T roms on this model of phone or would it be similar to my current Galaxy S4 in that every carrier has different firmware and therefore all the ROMs for AT&T would be useless and cause a brick..
Alternatively, would I be able to find a debranded ROM and edit the APNs to make this functional?
I am pondering the idea of buying the phone myself for very cheap and using it to profit if I can switch it to a different carrier. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Most of the links online lead me to total crap. Thanks!

It's possible for several carriers
It's possible to Flash to Boost(some say Illegal) & it can also be flashed to Selectel,Page Plus or Next G & u may be able to use it on prepaYd not sure. I can check it if u need to see if it will work with them. It's not an easy phone to flash the data settings don't stick so you have to use a NV Item Script. Hope this info helps you

Related

[Q] GNex Verizon for use in other cdma operator

Just bought via ebay Gnex Verizon but really need some answers here..
1. Please info if Verizon Gnex is an inject type or RUIM type? because there is microSIM slot available
2. I'm checking through adb shell using "su getprop" that the parameter
[ro.cdma.home.operator.alpha]: [Verizon]
[ro.cdma.home.operator.numeric]: [310004]
Anyone know if this mean the operator is locked? and please someone help me how to change these to match my local operator.
Thanks a lot.
really need help here...any links related or anything that sounds similar would be very much appreciated. thanks
vzw stays on vzw.
sorry you can only activate it on vzw.
I may be wrong here, but as long as your CDMA operator is willing to activate a device that is not their own (which doesn't happen at all any longer in any North American carrier), then I think it may be possible.
efrant said:
I may be wrong here, but as long as your CDMA operator is willing to activate a device that is not their own (which doesn't happen at all any longer in any North American carrier), then I think it may be possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the carrier has to be willing to also flash/change a bunch of items on the phone itself (which they arent anymore really). to do this, you have to have a expensive piece of software ($99) to even complete the process.
Zepius said:
the carrier has to be willing to also flash/change a bunch of items on the phone itself (which they arent anymore really). to do this, you have to have a expensive piece of software ($99) to even complete the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These guys here have made progress. From what I read, phone and text work fine on other carriers, but they are still working on data.
@Zepius @efrant, dunno if it will work or not...but it is a start.
many thanks to you guys...and xda

Non-Windmobile Note ll. Please.

Hi
I don't know if I am asking in the right place but if someone knows the answer I would really appreciate it.
I found a good deal on a Note ll that would save me a lot of money, only thing is I'm with Windmobile/Canada (which uses 1700/2100 frequency/bands and AWS network similar to T-Mobile in the USA as some of you know) but the phone isn't (works with Rogers, Bell, Fido...).
Now, I'm just dying to know, is there ANYTHING I can do to make the phone work with Wind? I've read and read and read I can't find a definitive answer. Some people selling Note ll phones on Craigslist claim their phones work with any carrier including Wind or Mobilicity. But some people say no way in hell that's possible.
So, please, can someone give me an answer to my question? Yes or no?
Thanks.
Please read forum rules before posting
Questions and help issues go in Q&A and Help sections
Thread moved
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Electroman365 said:
Hi
I don't know if I am asking in the right place but if someone knows the answer I would really appreciate it.
I found a good deal on a Note ll that would save me a lot of money, only thing is I'm with Windmobile/Canada (which uses 1700/2100 frequency/bands and AWS network similar to T-Mobile in the USA as some of you know) but the phone isn't (works with Rogers, Bell, Fido...).
Now, I'm just dying to know, is there ANYTHING I can do to make the phone work with Wind? I've read and read and read I can't find a definitive answer. Some people selling Note ll phones on Craigslist claim their phones work with any carrier including Wind or Mobilicity. But some people say no way in hell that's possible.
So, please, can someone give me an answer to my question? Yes or no?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is possible. There is an unlock method before upgrading to 4.1.2. When the Note II came out with 4.1.1, there is a method used (go to the general forums to find more about this) without rooting the device.
If I were you, though, I would not trust online purchases of the Note II. Some people claim it stolen after you buy it so they get compensation for it if they have insurance for their phone.
Sent from my SGH-T889V using xda app-developers app
Caveat emptor. There are stolen devices out there, and fraudulent sellers.
With this disclaimer out of the way, your sellers with I317Ms claiming they'll work on Wind and Mobilicity have simply applied the mod outlined in this thread which you could do yourself.
If I were to buy another Note 2 via classifieds now, I'd pick a locked I317M (I'd avoid a locked BMA3 running T889V due to its modem-related bootloop issues), flash its initial release modem with Odin, unlock, update, and apply the AWS mod. (Granted I'm using Virgin Mobile, but having AWS could come in handy stateside with a T-Mobile prepaid SIM.)
Thanks kennyglass for moving my question to the right place. I wasn't sure where to ask because I'm not a frequent user of this site.
Thanks a million to Crinkypops and Darkshado for answering my question. I appreciate that. The good news is that now I know it is possible to make the phone work on an AWS network. The bad news is I have no clue how to do any of that stuff myself. I have zero experience or knowledge in this stuff, which means l'll probably have to get someone else with the necessary expertise to do this for me.....if l can find one.
Now a couple of things, if I get a new phone (factory unlocked) and it's already 4.1.2, would it be possible to change it to the older 4.1.1 ?
Is doing all the stuff you guys told me about involve rooting or whatever? I really don't want to mess up the phone with changing all kinds of things on it because I don't want to get stuck without a phone if something goes wrong and like I said I don't know anything about this stuff.
So, what if I buy a phone that was made to work with Wind or T-Mobile, would it be possible to modify it to make it work with other companies too? I really don't know why things have to be this complicated.
You have to start somewhere, it'll take a fair amount of reading, but it can be done.
Aside from their previous Nexus models, as of writing these lines, there's no such thing as a "factory unlocked" phone for Samsung Canada. All the SIM-unlocked devices you encounter were sold through carriers, and originally locked. Some sellers might also have grey market imports that were indeed never locked, but that's beyond the scope of this discussion, since we're interested in the North American variants of the Note 2.
You can downgrade the ROM back to 4.1.1 on all Canadian Note 2 variants, although I wouldn't try it on the T889V because it's been known to cause issues. Seems like there's a bug specific to this model.
You said you didn't want to be stuck without a phone if things went wrong, how about having a backup phone? The nice thing with two Android phones is that it's easy to keep their contacts and calendars synchronized.
The downgrade-to-unlock procedure can be done entirely using official (leaked) Samsung ROM images and tools, and does not require root. Done properly it will not trip the custom flash counter.
The AWS mod uses hidden factory built-in menus with leaked (QPST/QXDM) or reverse engineered tools (NV reader-writer / CDMA Workshop / EFS Pro). Again, it doesn't involve root and won't trip the flash counter. I317Ms that have had the AWS HSPA mod applied still work with their original carriers as before.
Thanks again, darkshadow.
Quick question. How do I know if the phone is I317M or BMA3 and running T889V ? Is l317M or BMA3 written on the back (once the cover is removed)?
Electroman365 said:
Thanks again, darkshadow.
Quick question. How do I know if the phone is I317M or BMA3 and running T889V ? Is l317M or BMA3 written on the back (once the cover is removed)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can check it at the bottom of the box with the IMEI. I would advise you to actually go on the phone, though, and go to settings>about phone and then you'll see the IMEI, baseband, and model number in there. Make sure that the IMEI matches with the box. Some people steal phones and then just buy boxes so beware.
Good luck on your purchase!
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Crinkypops said:
You can check it at the bottom of the box with the IMEI. I would advise you to actually go on the phone, though, and go to settings>about phone and then you'll see the IMEI, baseband, and model number in there. Make sure that the IMEI matches with the box. Some people steal phones and then just buy boxes so beware.
Good luck on your purchase!
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, crinkypops. I appreciate it and thanks for the info. If I buy a used phone I'll ask for the receipt and the box too.
Electroman365 said:
Thanks, crinkypops. I appreciate it and thanks for the info. If I buy a used phone I'll ask for the receipt and the box too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just trying to help a fellow Canadian PM me how the purchase goes.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Thanks again, crinkypops. I will. I first have to find out if the phone the guy can get me is an i317m and I'll go from there.
Well, looks like the only option I have is to buy a used Note II on CL. My "friend" who was going to hook me up with a new phone through a buddy of his is an unreliable scum bag of a "friend" and I'm not going to bother with him any more.
So now I'm looking on CL but I'm trying not to buy any phone unless the seller has the sales receipt to make sure I'm not buying something that's stolen.However, some sellers don't want to give the receipt -although willing to show it- because it has their personal information and my question is, would the receipt have the ID # (if that's what it's called) of the particular phone printed on it? If the phone is still under warranty, would it be possible to get it repaired (if there's a need) without a receipt?
Any other advice on how to avoid getting scammed buying a phone on CL?
Thanks.
Which city are you from? I am in vancouver and might consider selling if the price is right. I have the box and receipt. Phone is rooted running x14 with wind. Its still locked though.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I don't know what the problem is. I tried to send private messages to vseslija and crinkypops but I don't think they went through.
vseslija, was your phone purchased from Wind?
---
I'm a bit confused. Some guy is telling me I need to get the T889 and not the i317m if I want to use my phone with Wind, but from the answers here and from what I see on CL that can't be correct. Am I right? He says the i317m will be slow and unstable. Speed of T889 vs i317m : 42 mbps vs 21 mbps. Any thoughts?
Thanks.
Yup mine was purchased directly from wind.
That guy is bsing you
Sent from SGH-T889v Canadian Wind Mobile
Hmm, the guy isn't completely wrong, but he's not completely right either...
The (Canadian) T889V and I317M as well as the (US) T889 and I317 are all capable of 42 Mbps DC-HSPA. The 21 Mbps numbers you might have seen are due to AT&T's HSPA network not supporting dual channel operation, unlike most (all?) Canadian HSPA networks.
The T889 and T889V work on AWS HSPA carriers like Wind, Mobilicity, Videotron or T-Mobile USA out of the box. (The T889V won't work on LTE if you decide to switch back to Robellusfivirkoo, but that's another story, and there's also a way to enable that.)
The I317 and I317M won't, but are very easy to modify in order to enable the AWS HSPA you'll need. There have been a handful of reports of flaky connections on the AWS mod thread, but the ratio is so low that I'm lead to wonder if: there's an undocumented hardware revision for which the mod won't work, their phones or cellular networks had other issues, or if those trying to apply it did something wrong along the way.
I haven't checked Kijiji or CL for phones in a while, but I do recall the T889V commanding a slight premium over the I317M at one point because they were rarer.
Thanks again guys for replying. Man this has given me a lot of headache. Get a Wind Note and get it over with or get an i317m and mod it (have someone do it for me) to get it to work with AWS? I guess listening to what you guys had to say, plus asking a local cell phone shop is making me feel confident that it IS possible to get an i317m work on the AWS without any problems. Now, I think I'm going to take my chances and look for one on CL. In the worst case scenario if for some reason it gives me a headache I'm assuming I can have the process reversed (restore it to its original system) and I'll just sell it and get me a Note that was made specifically for Wind.
To those who helped me and answered my questions, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Just noticed the i317. So I guess there's an i317 and an i317m. Did some reading but the only difference I can see is that the "M" model is for the Canadian market. Am I right? Does an i317 work in Canada just fine?
The AT&T I317 should work just fine. But, (there's always one, isn't it?) its baseband has some "annoying" limitations (RAT lock is the term you'll want to search) that prevent you from toggling between network modes easily, i.e. you can't switch it between GSM only, WCDMA only, GSM/WCDMA/LTE like you can the Canadian model. Plus there are all the import related considerations you have to keep in mind (taxes and brokerage fees), plus buying something expensive sight-unseen.
The other differences are more benign and software-related. Nothing that can't be fixed with some ROM-flashing, like non-Robellusfivirkoo CSC settings.
Darkshado said:
The AT&T I317 should work just fine. But, (there's always one, isn't it?) its baseband has some "annoying" limitations (RAT lock is the term you'll want to search) that prevent you from toggling between network modes easily, i.e. you can't switch it between GSM only, WCDMA only, GSM/WCDMA/LTE like you can the Canadian model. Plus there are all the import related considerations you have to keep in mind (taxes and brokerage fees), plus buying something expensive sight-unseen.
The other differences are more benign and software-related. Nothing that can't be fixed with some ROM-flashing, like non-Robellusfivirkoo CSC settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply and the info. I just got an i317m. Finally.

[Q] How To Flash A US Cellular Galaxy S3 CDMA Phone (SCH-R530) to Straight Talk (GSM)

Despite a week long determination to seek out the answer on Google, I could not find a definitive guide or step by step process for flashing my US Cellular S3 phone to Straight Talk. I believe I titled this thread clearly enough so that when people arrive here they know exactly what to expect.
The only thing I have accomplished is that I have bought a T-Mobile Compatible Micro SIM Card.
Beyond that, I have no idea what to do next. I've read about flashing, and rooting, and custom ROMs and hidden menus, but I don't know where to start.
I have also read it can be done and it can't be done. However, through much research I am fairly sure this can be done. Will someone who knows how to do this keeping the 3G speed capability intact and all the features one would expect from their Galaxy S3 phone to have, please lay it out step by step for a scooby doobie noobie?
Much appreciated!
Use a ROM designed for your phone and pop the T-Mobile SIM in. You may have to add and APN, but that's probably as good as it gets.
Aerowinder said:
Use a ROM designed for your phone and pop the T-Mobile SIM in. You may have to add and APN, but that's probably as good as it gets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply!
I guess I don't know what to do first, Unlock, Flash, or Root my phone.
I honestly don't know if this will possibly work. CDMA and GSM are not exactly compatible. They are completely different cellular network technologies. Does yours even have a SIM card slot?
Try what aerowinder said, but dont expect much. And just fyi, for that model you should be in the Sprint forums I'm pretty sure. (Might be Verizon if I'm wrong, but I'm confident you need Sprints area)
You won't be able to flash anything in this forum without porting it first. Much easier to just use the correct forum.
Odin flash your recovery, then pick and flash your Rom. IF there's a free unlock method on yours, you'll probably need a stock based Rom to use it.
Good luck!
Sent from my SGH-T999V using Tapatalk 4

[Q] PLEASE Any way to flash to Cricket?

I have been searching for months and I see a TON of posts where people say they HAVE flashed to Cricket (and discuss their various problems), but I am unable to find ANYTHING about how to flash to Cricket. Every lead is a dead-end. They either bring me to pages that do not work, or people who want me to send them my phone. I get that this phone is old and maybe that is why all the links are dead? But any help would be much appreciated.
As far as concerned currently you can't. Ever since AT&T bought it they've allowed certain use of cdma. But as time passed on they were mostly focused on gsm over cdma. Therefore currently only the people with grandfathered plans may use cdma. If not then they have to have a AT&T phone or an unlocked gsm phone to use their services. Long story short yes there was a way to flash to cricket. But not anymore :/ sorry about that bud. But small heads up! If you find the AT&T version of the phone you dont even have to unlock it!

[Q] What's the cutoff point for ROMs to unlock the SIM?

OK, so I have an opportunity to get an LG G5 LS992 Sprint model today for a decent price (under $60), with box, original cable, charger, accessories, 2 or 3 cases, looks to be in fairly good condition from the pictures. The girl selling it doesn't know how to answer most of the questions I have so certainly I can't get her to tell me what the ROM installed is by looking at the Settings - About phone info.
So here's my question: been doing some research today into the current situation and from what I gather, Sprint, in their infinite greedy and stupidity as usual, has found a way to block the ability to unlock the SIM for use with other carriers like T-Mobile (my carrier of choice). Apparently this started with ZVC and I have no idea which specific version of Android that is since there's a bunch of them around but I'm going to presume it's at least Android 7.0 Nougat.
I'm going to presume that if this phone does not have ZVC on it then it's safe to also presume that I would be able to do the SIM unlock and make use of it with T-Mobile so if anyone out there might be able to answer that I'd be eternally grateful.
As stated, I have no idea what firmware is currently on the device, unfortunately, I sure hope it's not ZVC or anything later, guess I'll find out later today when I meet up with this person.
Dammit, Sprint, what the hell are you people doing?

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