Galaxy Tab S4 will not register on tracfone network. - Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 Questions & Answers

I purchased a tab s4, sm-t837t, t-mobile. Tracfone claims it is compatible with their network, which is t-mobile. Data works on LTE, but calling doesn't. I checked the imei on t-mobile site, and it's not blocked. The tablet is unlocked.
I switched the sim into another device, and it worked for calling. Might there be such a thing as hotswapping sims? Would it help? I also checked the imei on sprint's site, and it also said 'not blocked'. But sprint returned a sim number associated to it that is different than the sim installed presently.
Tracfone has reset the carrier settings several times, to no avail. T-mobile says the tab s4 is not capable of voice over LTE. But in settings > about tablet it says voice AND DATA networkS ARE both LTE. Does that mean it's set up incorrectly?
I think that perhaps this device was never officially removed from the t-mobile network, so its imei is associated with a different phone #. When the carrier sees the imei associated with a different phone number, it blocks that number from registering. Posssible? But data works perfectly.
Samsung claims the issue is carrier related, not device related. I just went in so many different directions so fast, I'm not sure which one to follow. I also think carriers normally notify each other if a device is being used, and which phone # it has.
I think the glitch might be that both the old network and new network are t-mobile, but one is through tracfone. The system may fail in this case, because the network isn't notifying itself, because normally it wouldn't need to. When the new # was assigned, the previous one would be disabled.
Not knowing much about cellular, I really don't which way to go. And my postulates are actually questions.

awesome14 said:
I purchased a tab s4, sm-t837t, t-mobile. Tracfone claims it is compatible with their network, which is t-mobile. Data works on LTE, but calling doesn't. I checked the imei on t-mobile site, and it's not blocked. The tablet is unlocked.
I switched the sim into another device, and it worked for calling. Might there be such a thing as hotswapping sims? Would it help? I also checked the imei on sprint's site, and it also said 'not blocked'. But sprint returned a sim number associated to it that is different than the sim installed presently.
Tracfone has reset the carrier settings several times, to no avail. T-mobile says the tab s4 is not capable of voice over LTE. But in settings > about tablet it says voice AND DATA networkS ARE both LTE. Does that mean it's set up incorrectly?
I think that perhaps this device was never officially removed from the t-mobile network, so its imei is associated with a different phone #. When the carrier sees the imei associated with a different phone number, it blocks that number from registering. Posssible? But data works perfectly.
Samsung claims the issue is carrier related, not device related. I just went in so many different directions so fast, I'm not sure which one to follow. I also think carriers normally notify each other if a device is being used, and which phone # it has.
I think the glitch might be that both the old network and new network are t-mobile, but one is through tracfone. The system may fail in this case, because the network isn't notifying itself, because normally it wouldn't need to. When the new # was assigned, the previous one would be disabled.
Not knowing much about cellular, I really don't which way to go. And my postulates are actually questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The tablet was still on contract with t-mobile. It was too much hassle to straighten it out. I sent it back for a refund.

awesome14 said:
The tablet was still on contract with t-mobile. It was too much hassle to straighten it out. I sent it back for a refund.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good call on refund because T837T does not support calling function. Only international Tab S4 have calling function and none of the US variants have it.

Related

Carrier not supported. Will rooting/unlocking bootloader fix this?

Just got off the phone with Google, and apparently my service, Go Smart Mobile (feeds off of T-Mobile towers) is not compatible with the Nexus 5x because it only is unlocked to the major carriers. This is very strange to me, as the Nexus 5 was able to use Go Smart. Anyways, I am wondering if me rooting / unlocking the bootloader will open up any opportunity for my device to be compatible with my carrier. I'd like to know if I should return the device, or stick it out and order the converter for my computer and attempt to root. Thanks.
it only is unlocked to the major carriers - I think this is inaccurate information. If the Nexus 5 worked on GoSmart, the 5x should also, I believe.
Before you do any cable ordering or rooting, have you tried sticking a GoSmart nanoSIM in the phone and activating it? If it works on Tmobile towers, it uses the same bands, so it should work. If you have a functioning GoSmart microSIM in your possession, you can cut it down to fit in the 5x or get a nanoSIM from your provider.
You will also have to add the APN settings of GoSmart in Settings/More/Cellular Networks/Access Point Names. Your provider can give you this info.
After a bit more research is GoSmart 3G only? If so, you need another provider. Where are you located?
cabracorax said:
it only is unlocked to the major carriers - I think this is inaccurate information. If the Nexus 5 worked on GoSmart, the 5x should also, I believe.
Before you do any cable ordering or rooting, have you tried sticking a GoSmart nanoSIM in the phone and activating it? If it works on Tmobile towers, it uses the same bands, so it should work. If you have a functioning GoSmart microSIM in your possession, you can cut it down to fit in the 5x or get a nanoSIM from your provider.
You will also have to add the APN settings of GoSmart in Settings/More/Cellular Networks/Access Point Names. Your provider can give you this info.
After a bit more research is GoSmart 3G only? If so, you need another provider. Where are you located?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm so sorry, I should have specified. I actually went to a local Go Smart Mobile and tried two different nano SIM cards and even replaced one of them completely. None of them worked. The rep then tried a T-Mobile and AT&T SIM, which worked. My Go Smart Mobile SIM works in my Galaxy S6 Edge, but not in the Nexus 5x. I spoke with a Google agent who confirmed that when Google says "Unlocked" for specifically the Nexus 5x, it only means for the major carriers. This of course proving why my SIM will not be recognized. I can't even access the mobile network settings, since it is greyed out completely. Very disappointing since I am in love with Nexus's and I really don't understand why the Nexus 5 was compatible, but not the 5x. This baffles me
Also I am located in South Florida, and Go Smart does have 4G.
Are you totally commited to GoSmart? Starting at $30 a month Project Fi would likely work in South Florida, as would other providers.
Hopefully others can chime in with solutions. Good luck!
Bump. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
I'm using my 5X on MetroPCS, which isn't a major carrier, but it is part of T-Mobile. I have zero problems with it. I got my SIM activated and have full LTE and even WiFi calling.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
OldJon said:
My Go Smart Mobile SIM works in my Galaxy S6 Edge, but not in the Nexus 5x.
Also I am located in South Florida, and Go Smart does have 4G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to see that Go Smart does have 4G in your area. The maps are misleading--obviously not up-to-date with T-Mobile upgrades. Are you still interested in keeping your S6? If not, you could try calling Go Smart Mobile for a device change (entering the new IMEI) using the same sim. You may want to try that anyway. If, after correct IMEI and APN settings are entered on the phone, it still doesn't work, I'd get the phone replaced. I don't know if you've tried FB, but I asked for some support there. (Basically, anyone have a 5X on this MVNO.)
MVNOs which is what all the sub networks are, for the most part. Being an MVNO they use the same towers as their provider. Any unlocked phone that will work with the provider should work with the MVNO
Rooting probably won't help. Where did you buy the phone. Also what doesn't work, calls and data? What APN are you using?
There are providers that do block IMEI of phones they don't recognize. AT&T used to do this a long time ago and have since abandoned it. Are you sure your MVNO carrier is not doing such a thing?
The Google rep is wrong. The phone can't be unlocked for "only major carriers". It's either unlocked or it's not, though any network can choose to block specific devices if they so choose.
This device is compatible with every network in the world up to 3g/H+. LTE is region specific however.
scoliosis said:
There are providers that do block IMEI of phones they don't recognize. AT&T used to do this a long time ago and have since abandoned it. Are you sure your MVNO carrier is not doing such a thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Device input at the Go Smart Mobile returned a positive on the Google N5X for the service. Hopefully, the device id's are in their system.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

IMEI says my Galaxy Note 4 is actually Galaxy S5, unsure on direction for rooting

Was checking out services to unlock my SIM card slot, due to post-rooting was told by network provider to *#*#4636#*#* my phone, which re-provisioned it back to Sprint. But I dropped their service almost a year ago. So aside from the phone constantly trying to reactivate (and failing), I started checking on unlocking the phone from Sprint. I came across IMEI.Info. I put in my IMEI number and found out my Sprint Note 4 is actually a Galaxy S5. (WTF?!?!)
I checked the "About Device", the Software version (after update) is SM-910P (or a Sprint Galaxy Note 4), but from the Status screen (full IMEI number) comes back as a Galaxy S5. At least that's what comes up on that IMEI.info database. I bought the phone from Sprint, so there shouldn't be confusion on model or legitimacy regarding the phone...
That said, after having rooted the phone, and restoring it back (so I could get a network provider's SIM to work), it's at least stable now, able to work from Wifi, but not from anyone's network. When I go to Mobile Network and I "Search Networks", it looks for a few seconds, and comes back with nothing, not even a "No Networks Found". The system is still trying to "provision" from Sprint (old carrier), and I can't kill that operation since I took "root" off. (Grrr...)
My question is, right now I get no network connectivity, partially I understand, because this phone is either CDMA or GSM. I've put in APNs for both (according to instructions from my Network Provider's [not very] Helpline) just to try and get back on a network. The "provider" is a "wholesale" "pay-as-you-go" provider, so they aren't tied to Sprint, T-Mobile, etc.
The phone DOES have a SIM slot AND an SD slot, so I'm confused how to proceed? I would like to root to get some of the bloatware off my phone, but "How" do I root(as Note 4 or S5), and if so, take the examples from the Note 4 (CDMA) or the S5 (GSM)? This IMEI revelation has me very confused. Help please??

Are Verizon phones unlocked? New SIM not recognized.

I have been under the impression for a long time that Verizon phones are unlocked, and had a tech tell me this - contracts stay in effect, but phones are free to come and go. So I took my N7 (for which I pd full retail, no contract) to a prepaid carrier and was able to use it with their SIM for a couple of weeks. It took help from a tech to configure the APN settings, but things worked fine. I did get a constant message in the status bar: not a Verizon SIM. Today the phone will not work, even though it shows many 4G bars, and says: No SIM or SIM not recognized. This message pops up every time I try to dial. I called the prepaid carrier and they said they are sure that Verizon has locked the phone and I should call them to unlock it. (Right!)
I don't know if it's a coincidence, but this happened right after I ordered a cell extender which requires the purchase of its own SIM. At first I thought there must be some confusion involved with this, but tech said he was sure it was a Verizon lock. Any ideas or information? Thanks!
Yes, the Verizon N7 is carrier unlocked; however, this isn't necessarily a prerequisite to using a pre-paid carrier's service if they're already using the same CDMA frequencies (in which case, their most likely just "leasing" their service from Verizon and reselling it as their own - these companies are called MVNO's (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) and there are plenty of them out there).
What I think is most likely happening is that Verizon is temporarily deactivating your SIM card, as if it were a Verizon SIM, due to the fact that you're still using the Verizon Note7 firmware. You have a couple options here:
If you have another phone, and another SIM card, you can do like the rest of us are doing and reactivate the other phone with the other SIM and then pop it into your N7. This will restore service to your Note7 and release the "hold" on the previous SIM, so that you can repeat the process with that card next time Verizon does one of their sweeps (appears to be a weekly event). A pain in the ass? Yes. But, after doing this a few times, I've gotten the process down to about 5 minutes. I just need to make sure I have my spare phone (a Verizon Note 4) nearby wherever I am.
Because the N7 is carrier unlocked and is capable of operating on either CDMA networks (Verizon & Sprint) or GSM networks (T-Mobile & AT&T), you can flash another carrier's firmware (like T-Mobile) and use their pre-paid service, or the pre-paid service of a MVNO that operates on GSM (like Simple Mobile). I use T-Mobile as an example because I know that they are not... yet... disabling SIM Cards (temporary or otherwise), but I can't say, with certainty, that the other two are not either. I do know that all of them have pushed firmware updates to permanently disable the ability to charge the Note7, so, if you go this route, you want to make sure you flash the firmware released circa mid-late October and then do whatever is necessary to block all subsequent updates.
Hope this helps,
Matt
raneym305 said:
Yes, the Verizon N7 is carrier unlocked; however, this isn't necessarily a prerequisite to using a pre-paid carrier's service if they're already using the same CDMA frequencies (in which case, their most likely just "leasing" their service from Verizon and reselling it as their own - these companies are called MVNO's (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) and there are plenty of them out there).
What I think is most likely happening is that Verizon is temporarily deactivating your SIM card, as if it were a Verizon SIM, due to the fact that you're still using the Verizon Note7 firmware. You have a couple options here:
If you have another phone, and another SIM card, you can do like the rest of us are doing and reactivate the other phone with the other SIM and then pop it into your N7. This will restore service to your Note7 and release the "hold" on the previous SIM, so that you can repeat the process with that card next time Verizon does one of their sweeps (appears to be a weekly event). A pain in the ass? Yes. But, after doing this a few times, I've gotten the process down to about 5 minutes. I just need to make sure I have my spare phone (a Verizon Note 4) nearby wherever I am.
Because the N7 is carrier unlocked and is capable of operating on either CDMA networks (Verizon & Sprint) or GSM networks (T-Mobile & AT&T), you can flash another carrier's firmware (like T-Mobile) and use their pre-paid service, or the pre-paid service of a MVNO that operates on GSM (like Simple Mobile). I use T-Mobile as an example because I know that they are not... yet... disabling SIM Cards (temporary or otherwise), but I can't say, with certainty, that the other two are not either. I do know that all of them have pushed firmware updates to permanently disable the ability to charge the Note7, so, if you go this route, you want to make sure you flash the firmware released circa mid-late October and then do whatever is necessary to block all subsequent updates.
Hope this helps,
Matt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. It does help and that makes sense. What was odd was that I was still able to access internet (not wi-fi, but network showing 4 bars 4G). I got a new SIM today and when I popped it in, same thing. Are you saying I would have to activate the SIM on a second phone (currently N5 still with Verizon while I prepare to leave them) before putting it back in the N7? Just keep switching SIMs back and forth?
kat3k said:
Thanks. It does help and that makes sense. What was odd was that I was still able to access internet (not wi-fi, but network showing 4 bars 4G). I got a new SIM today and when I popped it in, same thing. Are you saying I would have to activate the SIM on a second phone (currently N5 still with Verizon while I prepare to leave them) before putting it back in the N7? Just keep switching SIMs back and forth?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's kind of a crappy solution, and one that I doubt will continue to work forever (or, at least until the N8 is released)... but yeah. That seems to be the only work aground right now.
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 7 using XDA Labs
raneym305 said:
It's kind of a crappy solution, and one that I doubt will continue to work forever (or, at least until the N8 is released)... but yeah. That seems to be the only work aground right now.
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 7 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, and it's a whole crappy situation. I can accept the recall, but not the hotlining by Verizon. I have learned from this I will never buy a phone from a carrier again. Should have bought non-carrier specific directly from Samsung.

SM-G960F/DS on Verizon in the US

Hi all,
I have in my hands an unopened G960F/DS. I was considering this phone to replace an old model, it's long due. I thought I did my homework and was able to determine this phone worked on Verizon in the US, but a serious note on the box and further research suggests I may have been wrong. Although it would be nice to have new hardware, I am replacing the old one almost entirely out of a desire to flash a custom ROM on it. I was under the impression the lack of CDMA support wasn't a big issue given that Verizon (and everyone else) is phasing out CDMA and the phone still had LTE. Thus my choice of the F/DS. I am informed that opening the box and returning the phone will incur a charge, while keeping the box sealed and returning it will not. I am trying to decide to continue forward and test on Verizon's network here in the US or just return the thing, the choice lies in compatibility with this network. So now I get to play a guessing game.
I find myself in 4G LTE areas most of the time. I want to use data and make voice calls.
This 2-post thread suggests not much can be done:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s9/help/sm-g960f-verizon-network-t3856443
This guy demonstrating slower speeds, which I'm not too concerned about, but also HSPA+ in an area he usually gets LTE. In the video description he says after applying a software update it works 'fine':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkNXCK2iVO8
This site lists some band compatibility but doesn't say anything about not being able to use it with Verizon:
https://apn.gishan.net/en/apn/verizon/samsung-galaxy-s9
This site also lists band compatibility but warns about Verizon's strict device policy:
https://www.frequencycheck.com/carr...e-samsung-star/verizon-wireless-united-states
Is there any hope to use an unlocked S9 on Verizon in the US? I see this going one of several ways: 1) Everyone works out and I can make calls and use data and there are no issues and rainbows and unicorns 2) Data in certain places, no voice because something something "VoLTE" 3) Absolutely no data/voice whatsoever 4) I switch carriers I return this piece of junk and buy a phone that works. (might coincide with 2/3)
If I end up with (4), how can I avoid this issue in the future? I spent some considerable time deciding on this model, which has the features I want and an unlockable bootloader. Will the S10 have this issue? What about the Note 9? I apologize for the noobposting, and if I missed a thread that answered this question. Thanks for any help you can provide, I sincerely appreciate it.
Edit: This thread asks a similar question but isn't specific and neither are the answers:
https://us.community.samsung.com/t5/Galaxy-S9/Unlocked-galaxy-S9-on-Verizon/td-p/277493
I have been using a G965f/ds on Verizon Wireless.
VoLTE, vowifi, text, and data work after rooting.
Having done a speed test with a U device and on the g965f/ds, the speed I can receive seems equal.
I haven't had issues with making LTE calls in my area.
CynicalHeight00 said:
I have been using a G965f/ds on Verizon Wireless.
VoLTE, vowifi, text, and data work after rooting.
Having done a speed test with a U device and on the g965f/ds, the speed I can receive seems equal.
I haven't had issues with making LTE calls in my area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the feedback. Are you based in the US? How did you activate the phone? I found instructions on LTE activation here:
www . verizonwireless . com/businessportals/support/how_to_use/activate_4g_lte.html
And an IMEI checker, which fails when I enter what I find on the box my phone is in:
www . verizonwireless . com/od/prepaid/bring-your-own-device/#/checkDevice
Edit: It also looks like they have a second page that checks IMEI (this also fails for me). Can you tell me what either of these pages say when you enter your IMEI?
www . verizonwireless . com/onedp/byod#/
I reside in the US.
The imei of my g965d/fs failed when inputted in to their system;however, the SIM is all that's needed for Verizon wireless to work on it. Initially, though, you might need to insert the SIM card into another imei Verizon wireless compatible device only to allow the system to have that imei in the system for your number. Since, you already have vzw, I'm assuming you already are activated on it with a device, so moving sims is the next step.
Thanks for your input. Anyone else have experience with this device on Verizon's network?
I could have written this exact post.
jmtroth said:
Thanks for your input. Anyone else have experience with this device on Verizon's network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am trying to do the same thing with the same model Note 9, SM-N960F/DS. I was told by Verizon Level 2 tech rep that simply installing an activated SIM would make the phone work, obviously 4gLTE only since there are no CDMA bands. He checked the 4 bands Verizon uses for their 4gLTE and the F/DS model has all 4 of them.
I am in the same boat as you though. IF I try it and it doesn't work I have to return and lose $125 or switch to GSM network (AT&T or TMO) I am also trying to decide whether to take the gamble. This Level 2 Tech guy didn't mention anything about having to root the phone.
I would also like to know about the advisability of attempting this. I thought I read somewhere that this phone won't have any warranty in US anyway but I am not 100% sure about that. Sellers seem to want to gloss over that issue.
I'm very very interested in this
to put this to bed, you cant use any F galaxy phone on verizon and get full usage. vzw is a CDMA based carrier whereby voice is transmitted primarily via CDMA and data over GSM (which includes voLTE, obviously). The F model do not have CDMA radios in them. You CAN get data to work and therefore voLTE as long as you can flash the vzw CSC to get the phone to install the voLTE app. Long story short, dont try it. Its a fruitless endeavor. I mean, do what you want, i guess, but dont expect for the F to work well, or at all on vzw. There is nothing anybody on xda or anywhere can do to alleviate that.
I had straight talk using Verizon towers on note 8, my note 8 broke, I missed flashing custom ROMs, I bought a note 9 n960f, read online it would work too. I inserted sim. Did not get data or calls. Flashed custom ROMs found a lineage is rom that worked with data for like 2 min then quit. I kept Singapore rom csc stock radios I guess from Singapore, guy on here said he flashed Singapore stock Odin flash and ended up making his work but didn't work with my straight talk Verizon sim. My buddy came over and he uses visible network on Verizon towers we popped in his sim and it worked flawlessly on stock Singapore csc/flashed custom rom from xda. I switched, it's cheaper, it works and first month was 5$ no fee to transfer my number over. Visible is great, join a group and it's 25$ a month.

Verizon Phone on AT&T, no mobile data

So I came into possession of a Verizon Moto Z2 Play into which I put my AT&T sim. I was pleased to find that once it switched to Global Mode I could make and receive calls but even after manually inputting the old wap.cingular APN info that I've done a million times on many other phones I still cannot connect to mobile data (my sim only has a 3g package). Am I hitting a hardware limitation of the device or should I take the time to flash it to one of the firmwares here in the ROM section?
Okay I put my sim back into the device I took it out of and now mobile data is no longer working on it either so it looks like AT&T disabled something on their side. I'll go through and check all the other access point settings in this device (and there's a lot since it has a good rom from this site on it) but I think this is probably going to be the straw that breaks the camels back with AT&T and I'll be taking my number to a prepaid service on Verizon's network.
I talked to AT&T and they told me that their computer automatically disabled my data because the Z2 Play's IMEI was flagged as a 3G device. I told them that's simply not true and thanks for nothing but is the radio in it only capable of LTE on Verizon's network? That doesn't seem likely?

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