[Q] Travel Overseas and Use Local SIM card - One (M8) Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello All,
I am traveling to Taiwan for several weeks. I would like to obtain a local sim card when I am there, and use it in my Verizon HTC One (M8). In the past, I would call Verizon and obtain the "unlock" code to allow me to roam on foreign systems. Must I do the same with the HTC One (M8) A while ago, in my random internet searching, I thought I saw something that said the M8 is a worked phone, and need not be unlocked to use a foreign sim. Just want to make sure I take care of what needs to be done before I find myself in a foreign land without phone service.
Thanks

wiredwrx said:
Just want to make sure I take care of what needs to be done before I find myself in a foreign land without phone service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If phone is unlocked it should also work with SIM card from another local (US) operator. This means you can double check this by inserting a friends SIM card from a different operator than the one you are using. Remember to change APN when testing data connection.

wiredwrx said:
I thought I saw something that said the M8 is a worked phone, and need not be unlocked to use a foreign sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no such thing where a "certain" type of phone need not be SIM unlocked. It up to the carrier, and the AT&T and T-Mobile versions at least are SIM locked.
Although, I think (not certain) I saw someone here post that their Verizon version wasn't SIM locked? So the answer isn't clear.
EDIT: Just did a quick search, and it appears in fact the Verizon comes SIM unlocked out of the box:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2694903
But apparently, the only M8 variant (of the "Big 4") that is unlocked out of the box:
http://htcsource.com/2014/06/how-to-sim-unlock-the-htc-one-m8-for-free/

Related

Weird situation: No service after installing Lovebabyjing ROM

The reason I say this is a weird situation is because I'm actually using an old Suncom SIM card. My girlfriend's phone finally died after going through numerous drops/abuse for the past few years, so I was going to give her my old Dash. Now, the official ROM does that "network is locked" thing, so I figured I would a custom ROM. Well, I was able to start up the phone successfully and use it fully with the Suncom SIM inserted, but it does not find the T-mobile signal.
Is there a way around this, or is she going to have to go to T-mobile and have her SIM converted over to a T-mobile one?
Bkid001 said:
The reason I say this is a weird situation is because I'm actually using an old Suncom SIM card. My girlfriend's phone finally died after going through numerous drops/abuse for the past few years, so I was going to give her my old Dash. Now, the official ROM does that "network is locked" thing, so I figured I would a custom ROM. Well, I was able to start up the phone successfully and use it fully with the Suncom SIM inserted, but it does not find the T-mobile signal.
Is there a way around this, or is she going to have to go to T-mobile and have her SIM converted over to a T-mobile one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is your phone sim unlock? In order to use other provider< you phone must be sim unlocked>
good luck
That's the thing though, it's not being used by a DIFFERENT provider, but actually by the SAME provider. The only problem is that the SIM card is from the old company before the two merged, so I'm guessing that makes a difference.
Bkid001 said:
That's the thing though, it's not being used by a DIFFERENT provider, but actually by the SAME provider. The only problem is that the SIM card is from the old company before the two merged, so I'm guessing that makes a difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe as we have company's that use same carrier yet the sims can't be used without unlock phone.
Eg: BT, Asda both use Vodaphone yet can't have a Vodaphone or Asda SIM in a BT phone without unlock...

[Q] Still Network Locked After Debranding, Rooting and Running Custom ROM?

My Desire came from vodafone on contract, it was officially branded. It didn't come with vodafone software or anything but did originally need a gold card to root it.
I have rooted, installed custom recovery and ROM, gone S-OFF.
Is my phone sim locked to vodafone? I have put an old T-Mobile sim card in and it booted, no errors, in status it does show the phone number associated with the T-Mobile sim and am showing signal. If I try to make a call I get 'mobile network not available'. I'm sure there is no credit left on that sim, so that might explain that.
Anyway to know for sure, I am going to be in the states for almost two months and want to take it with me and get a payg sim card there.
Thanks!
Vodafone don't tend to SIM lock their phones anymore, try another SIM that you know is working (but if you have no credit you should still be able to receive calls)
Im pretty sure vodaphone network locks their devices, in order to unlock your device and be able to put other network sim cards in the phone and be able to use them you have to request a sim-unlock code from vodaphone or buy one online. Im currently in a similar position where I actually have a code but cant use it, most probable because I have a custom rom installed. When you enter your non-vodaphone sim does it not ask for a sim-unlock code?
Edit: I guess im wrong about vodaphone's policy then! Ignore all of the above!
EddyOS said:
Vodafone don't tend to SIM lock their phones anymore, try another SIM that you know is working (but if you have no credit you should still be able to receive calls)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks,
Well, was not able to receive calls but then again that sim card has not been used in 2-3 years so it is possibly not 'network aware' anymore. I'll see if I can pick up a current sim card somewhere to test.
Either way I guess worst case scenario is paying to get it unlocked in the States, so no big deal.
Thanks for the help guys.

[Q] what's meant by unlocking the phone ??

what's meant by unlocking and do i have to unlock my phone if i get it from another country just to use the GSM network of my country
and if so, then how can i unlock my phone ?????
mosta_9741 said:
what's meant by unlocking and do i have to unlock my phone if i get it from another country just to use the GSM network of my country
and if so, then how can i unlock my phone ?????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking it will allow you to use different networks. Eg. If you got a phone off at&t but want to use verizon network then unlock the phone and you can use verizon and at&t
Sent From The Phone Of Gamers
gmaster1 said:
Unlocking it will allow you to use different networks.
unlock the phone and you can use verizon and at&t
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so how shall i unlock it?????
There are apps on the market and also guides on you tube just look a little and you can fond anything between YouTube and Google
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA
mosta_9741 said:
so how shall i unlock it?????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First you need a sim from another network provider. Once you have it put it in then enter the pin you got given. Its now unlocked. Lastly some networks do work with others so to check if you have an unlocked network already go into call settings and network service (may be called something different on your phone depending on current network) unlocked networks appear with a home sign/any sign that isnt a red cross (again depending on network) or go to a place that unlocks phones. Simplez.
Sent From The Phone Of Gamers
The process seems simple enough, but from where would I obtain the PIN? I know there are various websites and whatnot, but is there one that people have used in the past with success? I just want to be sure, because I'm looking at buying a used Galaxy W, but don't want to be stuck with it locked on Bell..
Tyfighter said:
The process seems simple enough, but from where would I obtain the PIN? I know there are various websites and whatnot, but is there one that people have used in the past with success? I just want to be sure, because I'm looking at buying a used Galaxy W, but don't want to be stuck with it locked on Bell..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The pin will come on the paper the sim comes with. If you buy it off a contract it will be unlocked for you as long as you only use the network providers sim that you got the contract off.
Sent From The Phone Of Gamers
Alright, I got my Rogers SIM card last year, but I don't know where any of the packaging currently resides. But if I call rogers, they should be able to provide me with this information?
Sorry, it just seems counter intuitive that information with my sim card would unlock a newer, off carrier phone.
Tyfighter said:
Alright, I got my Rogers SIM card last year, but I don't know where any of the packaging currently resides. But if I call rogers, they should be able to provide me with this information?
Sorry, it just seems counter intuitive that information with my sim card would unlock a newer, off carrier phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might (only might) get the pin off them. There should be a default pin set for every sim at the start. All sims coming from the same mobile network provider have one pin.
Sent From The Phone Of Gamers

Supposedly unlocked ADR6350

Hey, I recently took a Verizon branded phone with me to the UK (ADR6350) and managed to get it unlocked whilst visiting. I tested the phone in the UK with several different sim cards with the result being successful. I tried O2, Tesco and Vodafone. Unfortunately, when I returned to the USA and wanted to insert a GSM sim card into the phone, it doesn't seem to recognize the network. I have tried h20 and Vodafone whilst in the usa and nothing works. The cell phone will automatically connect me to the Verizon network regardless of CDMA or GSM settings. I will make a call with the new chip in the phone it will automatically try to connect me to Verizon customer services or tell me the network is unavailable.
I am trying to figure out what the problem could be. I have no idea why the cell phone keeps reverting. I know the chips that i have tested work in the USA as I have another mobile to test them in without issues.
Could anybody help or have some suggestions please?
Everybody asks money the unlock code.....
This sucks...
koukaki said:
Everybody asks money the unlock code.....
This sucks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't have money to unlock it, sucks more

Verizon SIM in CARRIER UNLOCKED T-Mobile s8+ not working

Hi
I have a carrier unlocked T-Mobile s8+ and need to use a Verizon SIM in it and am getting errors trying to use a verizon SIM. The Verizon SIM is from another phone and is already registered. I put the IMEI number of the phone into Verizons web portal to test compatibility and it failed. Does that mean there is no way to get this combination to work? Does the IMEI need to be in the VZW database for this to work? Will flashing XAA guarantee this to work? Thanks for any help and advice.
sideswipe said:
Hi
I have a carrier unlocked T-Mobile s8+ and need to use a Verizon SIM in it and am getting errors trying to use a verizon SIM. The Verizon SIM is from another phone and is already registered. I put the IMEI number of the phone into Verizons web portal to test compatibility and it failed. Does that mean there is no way to get this combination to work? Does the IMEI need to be in the VZW database for this to work? Will flashing XAA guarantee this to work? Thanks for any help and advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do u have a tmobile phone, it is different than the carrier unlocked phone, those are 2 different models,
the carrier unlocked.. the sim is unlocked..
the tmobile is not carrier unlocked, and by flashing the firmware of the unlocked version, will NOT unlock the sim.. u will need to device unlock app with the tmobile phone 1st... and usually tmobile will NOT unlock unless u have paid it off and using on their system for 40 days..
others like me had it unlocked with days of service, cause we are tmobile customers for years already... I on the other hand bought the phone on ebay from someone who bought it from Samsung and the imei was not added to tmobile system and I had to call tmobile to add the imei which took about 3 days, then to call back to request the sim unlock which took another 3 days, the device unlock app unlocked the phone instantly...
that was my process for me to get the sim unlock... but if urs it not unlocked and is paid off, another way to get it unlocked it to give it to someone u know, let them use it and call tmobile to start the above process...
Hope that sums up what must be done...
mdiaz33685 said:
do u have a tmobile phone, it is different than the carrier unlocked phone, those are 2 different models,
the carrier unlocked.. the sim is unlocked..
the tmobile is not carrier unlocked, and by flashing the firmware of the unlocked version, will NOT unlock the sim.. u will need to device unlock app with the tmobile phone 1st... and usually tmobile will NOT unlock unless u have paid it off and using on their system for 40 days..
others like me had it unlocked with days of service, cause we are tmobile customers for years already... I on the other hand bought the phone on ebay from someone who bought it from Samsung and the imei was not added to tmobile system and I had to call tmobile to add the imei which took about 3 days, then to call back to request the sim unlock which took another 3 days, the device unlock app unlocked the phone instantly...
that was my process for me to get the sim unlock... but if urs it not unlocked and is paid off, another way to get it unlocked it to give it to someone u know, let them use it and call tmobile to start the above process...
Hope that sums up what must be done...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi thanks for the explanation, I am pretty familiar with the differences between carrier (SIM) unlock and unlocked firmware as I have flashed Android in the past. I had the phone carrier (SIM) unlocked by T-Mobile through their app and I was still not able to use the Verizon SIM in my phone (not registered error). It turns out (and I found this out by reading through the many messages in this forum) that T-Mobile firmware apparently disables some frequencies that other carriers may use. Once I flashed the XAA unlocked *firmware*, I popped in my Verizon SIM and it worked like a charm. I hope this info is useful to someone at some time and I thank all of you for your contributions to getting this working. KUDOS!
sideswipe said:
Hi thanks for the explanation, I am pretty familiar with the differences between carrier (SIM) unlock and unlocked firmware as I have flashed Android in the past. I had the phone carrier (SIM) unlocked by T-Mobile through their app and I was still not able to use the Verizon SIM in my phone (not registered error). It turns out (and I found this out by reading through the many messages in this forum) that T-Mobile firmware apparently disables some frequencies that other carriers may use. Once I flashed the XAA unlocked *firmware*, I popped in my Verizon SIM and it worked like a charm. I hope this info is useful to someone at some time and I thank all of you for your contributions to getting this working. KUDOS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know, but sound weird, thought T-Mobile phones work for all gsm Sims just needing to change apn,
But now cdma merging with gsm, that's so much better as far as phones go, use any phone now from any provider.
Look how the s8 plus is all the same software and the same hardware, just different carrier stuff..
mdiaz33685 said:
Good to know, but sound weird, thought T-Mobile phones work for all gsm Sims just needing to change apn,
But now cdma merging with gsm, that's so much better as far as phones go, use any phone now from any provider.
Look how the s8 plus is all the same software and the same hardware, just different carrier stuff..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought it was weird too. Busted my head for a couple of days trying to figure it out. Is Verizon still CDMA? *scratches head*
Yes, their 3g and 2g networks are CDMA.
If you insert Verizon sim into T-mobile phone, you'll get LTE data, but you won't be able to make calls. Only data will work. T-mobile firmware support band 2, 4 and 13, so you should have data, but not phone service. If you don't have data icon, you'll need add Verizon apn.
FYI
Flashing the phone with G955U1 firmware fixed this issue. I am now able to use this successfully on Verizon.

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