Develop Bugs

[Q] Phone On Wifi Only Internationally?

Hey guys,
So I know that this question was already posted up for other phones, and other countries, but I just wanna BE SURE in this particular case as well...
I left California, and am in South Korea right now, and was wondering if I would get roaming charges for using my Epic 4G? What if I turn OFF the data roaming, and or set it to Sprint only? Can I use wifi without fear insane billing later?
Sorry again to have to ask a second time like this, but I just wanna be sure -- someone else who was with Verizon said her network costs $100/day to roam, and I don't make that kinda money.

Turn off data completely and then turn on WiFi. I do it in Jamaica all the time. U could also do airplane mode and then turn WiFi on. 6 of one.
Sent from my Epic on Midnight or my Galaxy Tab rooted (feels naked without a ROM)

Yeah, just turn on airplane mode then turn on wifi.
FYI, you can set it up so you can receive and make wifi calls for free (at least to the USA) using your Sprint number. If you want instructions, let me know.

Yes please! Would using that method enable me to make calls to USA numbers, or only numbers that happen to actually BE currently located in the USA?
Thanks for the help and putting up with me!
^^
dtugg said:
Yeah, just turn on airplane mode then turn on wifi.
FYI, you can set it up so you can receive and make wifi calls for free (at least to the USA) using your Sprint number. If you want instructions, let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

dtugg said:
Yeah, just turn on airplane mode then turn on wifi.
FYI, you can set it up so you can receive and make wifi calls for free (at least to the USA) using your Sprint number. If you want instructions, let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do u do that?
Sent from my Redmatted Frozen Syndicate Epic!

Kangaji said:
Yes please! Would using that method enable me to make calls to USA numbers, or only numbers that happen to actually BE currently located in the USA?
Thanks for the help and putting up with me!
^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would be able to make (free) calls to any US/Canada number, no matter where they are. And low-cost international calls (you will need credit in your Google Voice account). People receiving your calls would see your Sprint number on the caller id, and people calling your Sprint number would be able to reach you no matter where in the world you are (so long as you have a wifi connection.
OK. Here is what you do.
1) Sign up for a Google Voice account if you don't have one already. I'm guessing you will be able to do that from Korea, if not, use a US proxy server or something.
2) Tell it that you want your Sprint number to be your Google Voice number. You don't have to do this step if you don't want to, but if you don't, people will have to call your separate Google Voice number and that is the number that will be displayed on the caller IDs of people who you are calling.
3) Go to Options>Voice settings (button is at the very top right hand corner). Under forwarded phones, you should see Google chat as an option. Check it. You should see your Sprint/GV number as an option and it should be checked by default. I don't think it matters too much whether you leave it like that since your cell antennas should be off but if you uncheck it make sure to check it when you go back to the states otherwise you will not be able to receive calls with your Sprint service.
4) Download Siprdoid. The first time you open it up, it should give you the option to create a new account with your GV account. Go ahead and do that. Then press menu on your phone, and settings, then "SIP Account" (that should be the very first thing on the menu). Make sure that the "Use WLAN" setting is checked.
5) If you also want to make calls to international numbers, add some money to the GV account via their website. The rates for South Korean numbers are $.02/min and $.05/min for landlines and mobile lines, respectively.
6) When you get back to the states, either make sure Siproid isn't running or uncheck forwarding to Google chat. Otherwise you'll end up having your phone getting two calls at the same time!
That should be all! I haven't had a chance to test this out outside of the country. But I have turned off everything except wifi and tried and it works perfectly. I am confident it will work the same in Korea because it all works over the Internet. I hope I made these instructions clear enough. If not feel free to ask me to clarify.
ETA: I would also install the GV app on your phone as the Sprint voicemail app will longer receive voicemail. At least I think it won't. I deleted it a long time ago.

dtugg said:
Yeah, just turn on airplane mode then turn on wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That won't work... you can't enable wireless in airplane mode, at least on every 2.2 rom I've used. Samsungs fault, so unless you are running cm7 don't think you can do that.
You can however completely disable the cell radio from the info menu.
1) Open the dialer enter: *#info*1111#
2) phone info (top option) - scroll to the bottom.
3) click disable radio button
Do this after every phone reboot, the radio will re-enable itself at boot.
This will turn the cell radio off but allow you to use wifi. If you leave the radio on its going to waste tons of battery searching for a sprint signal it will never find with 100% time without signal.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

iamchocho said:
That won't work... you can't enable wireless in airplane mode, at least on every 2.2 rom I've used. Samsungs fault, so unless you are running cm7 don't think you can do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works in samsung gingerbread roms. I've never tried in froyo and I don't have it on my phone now so I can't speak for that.

At&t temoraly RAT removal

I just play with my S3 I747 and find out how to temporaly remove RAT restriction.
Click phone then punch code : *#197328640# ->Umts->Debag Screen->Phone Control->Network Lock->Rat_Free_Supporting ON
After you click this you see " Now RAT Free Supporting". Click back button and try setting radio by pressing *#2263#.
RTA will lock back after restarting.

could you explain what "RAT restriction" is and what removing it will provide?

kirkgbr said:
could you explain what "RAT restriction" is and what removing it will provide?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is a thread that talks about RAT restrictions. It appears to have to do with restricting access to certain bands, but I am swimming in waters that are deeper than my skills will allow.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1189241

norbarb said:
I just play with my S3 I747 and find out how to temporaly remove RAT restriction.
Click phone then punch code : *#197328640# ->Units->Debag Screen->Phone Control->Network Lock->Rat_Free_Supporting ON
After you click this you see " Now RAT Free Supporting". Click back button and try setting radio by pressing *#2263#.
RTA will lock back after restarting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I gonna do a run for this later today to see if it will actually work for allowing band selection and sticking.

It seemed to work for me, but it's only been a couple of minutes so far after turning off LTE. BTW, the first menu is "UMTS", not "Units".
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

Any suggestions on how to make these changes permanent without rooting?

Since there is now a known code to lift restrictions until reboot, I hope some dev will figure out a way on stock based roms (both stock and mods), as well as AOSP based, to make it permanent. I have tried AOKP and CM10 in hopes the LTE and 2G toggles would work but no dice with AT&T SGS3.
Anonymously_Unknown said:
Any suggestions on how to make these changes permanent without rooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Given the issue at hand, it is most likely a deeply embedded setting that will not be available to standard user base (non rooted), henceforth root access or even on a programming level will be needed to make the necessary changes. How the changes will be made available, if it is done, will depend on what was needed to make it permanent. This raises the question of where is this restriction coded into the AT&T SGS3. Is it firmware, ROM, SIM related, Radio? Seriously doubt it is hardware itself since there are ways to get around the restriction.

larryka said:
It seemed to work for me, but it's only been a couple of minutes so far after turning off LTE. BTW, the first menu is "UMTS", not "Units".
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you are corect. I make correction in OP.

Testing RAT unlock now.
norbarb said:
I just play with my S3 I747 and find out how to temporaly remove RAT restriction.
Click phone then punch code : *#197328640# ->Umts->Debag Screen->Phone Control->Network Lock->Rat_Free_Supporting ON
After you click this you see " Now RAT Free Supporting". Click back button and try setting radio by pressing *#2263#.
RTA will lock back after restarting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Testing this method now. So far I am running on 2G. I will give it at least a couple of hours and will update this post accordingly.
Update: I was messing around and decided to save this USSD (the official name of these secret dialer codes) in my contacts. From dialer you can start pressing *#1 and when it appears just press it. This gives quick access should you need to change radios often. I also want to add that instead of going back into *#2263# you can also select the band from *#197328640#. If you want to change it immediately, then once you get the confirmation "Now RAT Free Supporting" press the menu key on the left of the Home button. Select back and repeat again to go back again. Then, instead of choosing Network Lock choose Network Control-->Band Selection. This takes you to the same menu that *#2263# does and you can select accordingly.
@norbarb...perhaps you can update your OP to reflect that you can stay within the original selection instead of *#2263# and just go back twice to access the band selection. It is just one more way of doing things.
I also did the test of rebooting my phone. As mentioned by norbarb, if you have rebooted the RAT restriction is back in place. Regardless of which option you take to the band selection it will show RAT restriction until you follow the OPs steps again to remove restriction. Have not found a way for permanent removal of the restriction yet (I am optimistic and really want this permanent so I will look very hard to find a solution.). Also when I rebooted I had GSM 2G only selected prior and I kept the option upon reboot so only the RAT restriction is reset...not the network band settings.
Update 2: After 4 hours I am still on 2G Edge. I am in a very good LTE location so this is definitely the most promising outlook. I have found that I despite my love for the look of AOSP roms, the inability to turn on 2G at all will keep me with TW for now. Thankfully I do not mind the look of TW and with root, I can kill the Bloatware. I will look at all of the options in the *#197328640# menus and see if there is anything that may can be applied for permanent access. I also wonder if the secret to overriding the lack of options for network choices in *#*#4636#*#* will be here as well as this would more preferable to shut down LTE only.

aybarrap1 said:
I also did the test of rebooting my phone. As mentioned by norbarb, if you have rebooted the RAT restriction is back in place. Regardless of which option you take to the band selection it will show RAT restriction until you follow the OPs steps again to remove restriction. Have not found a way for permanent removal of the restriction yet (I am optimistic and really want this permanent so I will look very hard to find a solution.). Also when I rebooted I had GSM 2G only selected prior and I kept the option upon reboot so only the RAT restriction is reset...not the network band settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

Isn't the problem with doing this, say if you disable LTE and only select HSPA, it wont go to any 2G networks if you are out of coverage. Because its not on 'automatic', its on HSPA. So if you are out of a service zone of HSPA, then you dont have anything to fall back to.
If only there was a way to disable LTE, and use the other networks 'automatically'.

geoldr said:
Isn't the problem with doing this, say if you disable LTE and only select HSPA, it wont go to any 2G networks if you are out of coverage. Because its not on 'automatic', its on HSPA. So if you are out of a service zone of HSPA, then you dont have anything to fall back to.
If only there was a way to disable LTE, and use the other networks 'automatically'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is the problem. However, AT&T in their infinite focus on trying to force users to their networks of choice has purposely had the ability to do network selections disabled. Under normal circumstances in android devices the option of network selection is under settings and mobile networks option. This is removed I am sure at AT&T's request. The other way to access this is to use USSD *#*#4636#*#* in dialer and select "Device Information" which will give you an option to choose a network preference. While the USSD works the option to select network preference does not work.
At least with the option to unlock RAT and using USSD *#2263#, it gives some sort of ability to choose a network. For me this is perfect since I want the 2G only due to poor 3G and LTE signals at work. However you are right that it is not convenient if you just want LTE off. For the moment there is no known way to obtain this option on the AT&T SGS3.

aybarrap1 said:
That is the problem. However, AT&T in their infinite focus on trying to force users to their networks of choice has purposely had the ability to do network selections disabled. Under normal circumstances in android devices the option of network selection is under settings and mobile networks option. This is removed I am sure at AT&T's request. The other way to access this is to use USSD *#*#4636#*#* in dialer and select "Device Information" which will give you an option to choose a network preference. While the USSD works the option to select network preference does not work.
At least with the option to unlock RAT and using USSD *#2263#, it gives some sort of ability to choose a network. For me this is perfect since I want the 2G only due to poor 3G and LTE signals at work. However you are right that it is not convenient if you just want LTE off. For the moment there is no known way to obtain this option on the AT&T SGS3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. I also think it's something to do with AT&T network setup. Because on AOSP ROM's we can't toggle LTE either. But the same ROM on a Canadian model phone will work just fine.
Even though the iphone has an LTE toggle. At least I read somewhere that it does.

geoldr said:
Yep. I also think it's something to do with AT&T network setup. Because on AOSP ROM's we can't toggle LTE either. But the same ROM on a Canadian model phone will work just fine.
Even though the iphone has an LTE toggle. At least I read somewhere that it does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has nothing to do with the network setup...it is the carrier forcing restrictions on their customers. I have had three other android phones (including my wifes) in the last three years. All of them were restricted from choosing the network from stock rom. The moment I uploaded a ROM such as CM or other AOSP Roms I was magically able to do a network select. I even had to Windows phones (6.1 and 6.5) and both of them were stripped but with some registry edits I was able to add the option back to select between 3G/2G and 2g only. It is AT&T's way and they are notorious for it.
On a side note, I would not be surprised if AT&T is the primary corporate network that pushed for this network SIM lock ruling by the Congressional Librarian. Of all the carriers they have the most to lose.

If you want to select multiple bands and still turn lte off..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=37334232
Galaxy S III I747

fmllc said:
If you want to select multiple bands and still turn lte off..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=37334232
Galaxy S III I747
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been testing this for the last 4 hours and it does seem to work. Went to 2g only area and it switched perfectly to 2G and reverted back to 3g when I left the area. However I am not able to do GSM ONLY (2G only) using this method. You will have to follow the instructions on this thread for that.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

Click back button and try setting radio by pressing *#2263#.
norbarb said:
I just play with my S3 I747 and find out how to temporaly remove RAT restriction.
Click phone then punch code : *#197328640# ->Umts->Debag Screen->Phone Control->Network Lock->Rat_Free_Supporting ON
After you click this you see " Now RAT Free Supporting". Click back button and try setting radio by pressing *#2263#.
RTA will lock back after restarting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to set radio by pressing *#2263#?
And what is RTA will lock back after restarting?

So what is the benefit of the ability to change bands?

OKAstro said:
So what is the benefit of the ability to change bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could result in battery savings and reduced dropped calls. For instance, I am often in and out of areas with little to no bandwidths under LTE. At default, my phone would always looking for an LTE signal which means my battery takes a pounding. By having my phone only look for 2G/3G, I do not take as large of a battery hit. Besides that, LTE does consume more power. For the most part I leave my phone with LTE off because the data speed is not crucial for me. At home I have a really fast WiFi network so it is better to be on it anyway while at home.

aybarrap1 said:
It could result in battery savings and reduced dropped calls. For instance, I am often in and out of areas with little to no bandwidths under LTE. At default, my phone would always looking for an LTE signal which means my battery takes a pounding. By having my phone only look for 2G/3G, I do not take as large of a battery hit. Besides that, LTE does consume more power. For the most part I leave my phone with LTE off because the data speed is not crucial for me. At home I have a really fast WiFi network so it is better to be on it anyway while at home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK Thanks. But under Settings/More Networks/Mobile Networks/Network Mode there are 13 "band" combination choices. Do those choices not provide what you''re looking for (i.e.2G/3G)?
I've never changed mine, so I'm curious

During Call Switches to 1x instead of 4G?

Not sure if I remember this happening on my Verizon G2, but my G4 consistently knocks out 4G when I am on a call? I thought it should be using it.

You need to enable Advanced calling to keep your 4G active when on a phone call.

scrillakev said:
You need to enable Advanced calling to keep your 4G active when on a phone call.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does one do that?

drtchocky said:
Not sure if I remember this happening on my Verizon G2, but my G4 consistently knocks out 4G when I am on a call? I thought it should be using it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been getting this too on Verizon. Didn't start out that way at first
Sent from my G4 using your mom

fclifton said:
How does one do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Settings, in the Wireless Networks section, Advanced Calling. Activate it, and go through the process it walks you through.

RedOCtobyr said:
Settings, in the Wireless Networks section, Advanced Calling. Activate it, and go through the process it walks you through.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm... I don't anything called Advanced Calling. I'm on T-Mobile.

Different carriers work differently. And I think some don't need "Advanced Calling" to do voice and data at the same time.

fclifton said:
Hmmm... I don't anything called Advanced Calling. I'm on T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's volte for you.
Also, having VOLTE enabled gives you the ability to go from WiFi calling to networking calling seamlessly. If wifi calling is disabled, the call will normally drop. If you have it enabled, and it still drops, you only have WiFi calling 1.0 however you shouldn't have that issue since you're posting in the g4 forum.

For anyone who's wondering: Advanced Calling is a free feature from Verizon. I checked with a phone rep and activated it on two different G4's without problems.
Also, this is supposed to be enabled by default, but it wasn't when I picked up my phone from Best Buy.
Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

Verizon Advanced calling brings:
VOLTE
HD voice at a higher bitrate which is clearer when using the earpiece or built in speaker.
Offline Voicemail downloaded to device
Simultaneous voice and data using one radio instead of SVDO (which the phone doesn't have)
switchable to video chat while on call, either one or both users.
Dropped calls if you move out of a 4G area.

Thanks - just turned it on.

scrillakev said:
You need to enable Advanced calling to keep your 4G active when on a phone call.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So they purposely drop call quality to make you buy this ****?
Sent from my G4 using your mom

would anyone know how to activate this using Verizon service but not have a Verizon account ? ( we use Total Wireless )
Thanks!

Cannot make/receive any calls

Hi
I cannot make/receive any calls on my phone.
Phone shows good 4G connection. When I run "Signal Strenght" application it shows -96dBm
I can use data with no problem -> internet works fine
But when I try to make a call it just drops without connecting to other side
When somebody tries to call me there is busy signal.
Is this a problem with my phone or my provider?
Thank you

Hi, you have a last version?..

czeck.page said:
Hi, you have a last version?..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, January update

slonnnik said:
Yes, January update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Open dialer and type *#*#4636#*#* and try reconfirm some setting

czeck.page said:
Open dialer and type *#*#4636#*#* and try reconfirm some setting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not really sure what should I reconfirm in there

it is working now. magic :silly:

I have update my phone today to latest security update, I believe it is March update
And my phone is not working again. I can access data (4G), but I cannot make/receive any calls
Can you please advice what might be wrong? and how can I correct it?

have you tried doing factory reset?

no I have not tried it. I just found out today.
Anyway, that should not be a first option right?

any help please?

You can use 4G for calling if your provider support voLTE, so make sure your provider support this.
If not you must adjust network network selection.
Try dial *#*#4636#*#* >> phone information and select your network as LTE/WCDMA or LTE/UMTS (make improvisation on this, combine with the knowledge from your provider). So your provider will flexibly choose the network. It also depends on your signal strength. If you have strong 4G signal it'll switch to 3G when on call and switch to 4G automatically when call dropped and back to internet connectivity.

fikadit said:
You can use 4G for calling if your provider support voLTE, so make sure your provider support this.
If not you must adjust network network selection.
Try dial *#*#4636#*#* >> phone information and select your network as LTE/WCDMA or LTE/UMTS (make improvisation on this, combine with the knowledge from your provider). So your provider will flexibly choose the network. It also depends on your signal strength. If you have strong 4G signal it'll switch to 3G when on call and switch to 4G automatically when call dropped and back to internet connectivity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue is that I'm using the phone with the same provider for couple of years now. I had this issue before and it was solved by itself in a day or two.
Right now, the issue started after March security update.
So I know that mu phone works with my provider's network. It just, I do not know what happened in that update and how to correct it.

I went to settings and choose preferred network as 3G. and suddenly I can make a call. miracle.
So I went back and changed it back to 4G. and it still works.

slonnnik said:
The issue is that I'm using the phone with the same provider for couple of years now. I had this issue before and it was solved by itself in a day or two.
Right now, the issue started after March security update.
So I know that mu phone works with my provider's network. It just, I do not know what happened in that update and how to correct it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah maybe some tiny bugs affect the "automatic switch" between 3G/4G when oncall/internet in this update. Try the *#*#4636#*#* method above.
---------- Post added at 12:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:49 PM ----------
slonnnik said:
I went to settings and choose preferred network as 3G. and suddenly I can make a call. miracle.
So I went back and changed it back to 4G. and it still works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This may works too.

LG G8 Amazon edition on Sprint, can't make/receive phone calls/texts, but HAVE Data

Got the LG G8 unlocked Amazon Alexa edition last August (2019). I use it with Sprint. I love the phone and it worked great, until a month ago.
All of a sudden, I can't make or receive phone calls or text messages, but I DO still connect to the Sprint cell service (I have bars) and I DO have working 4G LTE Data. Literally, one day it worked and the next day it didn't. I hadn't powered cycled the phone or anything between it worked and when it suddenly didn't. It just stopped working.
When I try to call out, the dialer gives me an "Out of service area" message, even though I'm within my service area. When someone tries to call me, it goes straight to voice mail as if my phone is turned off, except that my phone is turned on. When I try to send a text, it sits at "sending" indefinitely and never sends. When someone sends me a text, I simply never receive it.
Sprint, I do firmly believe, has done everything they can to troubleshoot it and proven it's not a network issue. Several different kinds of resets, including a factory reset. I was able to reactivate an older LG V20 on my account and it works just fine.
The phone is still under warranty with LG, and I was able to send it in for repair at no cost, but they did not find anything wrong with the hardware. They did do a software update of some sort, but that did not resolve the issue.
So now I'm essentially stuck between both Sprint and LG saying it's the other's issue. First unlocked phone I've ever bought and it bites me in the butt.
Any other ideas for troubleshooting either on the phone itself (beyond all the standard stuff which I've already done; I mean, if a Factory Reset doesn't help...), or with Sprint?
Thank you!

I had the same problem with Amazon variant. I used an app called Hidden Settings Muiu and went to "Phone Info" then switch the Preferred Network Type to LTE only leave it on there until it says LTE on data and no network on Voice then switch to LTE/CDMA and it get 1xRTT. Ive tried tweaking settings and everythingelse but no luck that seems to be 100% effective but anytime you **** with your network or restart you'll have to do that.
Edit: Do Global(PRL) then LTE only then to LTE/CDMA. Otherwise itll stay on EvDo for data not LTE.

Cinomed541 said:
I had the same problem with Amazon variant. I used an app called Hidden Settings Muiu and went to "Phone Info" then switch the Preferred Network Type to LTE only leave it on there until it says LTE on data and no network on Voice then switch to LTE/CDMA and it get 1xRTT. Ive tried tweaking settings and everythingelse but no luck that seems to be 100% effective but anytime you **** with your network or restart you'll have to do that.
Edit: Do Global(PRL) then LTE only then to LTE/CDMA. Otherwise itll stay on EvDo for data not LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
##3282#, apn settings, view, 3 buttons top right, reset to default. Works for most people, may or may not work for you

antintin said:
##3282#, apn settings, view, 3 buttons top right, reset to default. Works for most people, may or may not work for you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did try that and gives me data but no cell service. Thank you though

Had same problem from a newbie...
I used ##873283# with dial key pad. It took a few times but finally worked. As soon as you power off or restart your phone, your back to where you started.
I bought mine from bestbuy 1 1/2 yrs ago. They are having lg send me a new one...
Lg v8 thinq This is the model I had* LM-G820QM.
Good luck.
Had my settings on LTE/cdma with roaming turned off.