FYI: T-Mobile doesn't recognize IMEI as a phone

[Ry]

Just an FYI.

I'm currently using the Honor 5X with a T-Mobile SIM on the $30 Walmart prepaid plan ($30 for 100 minutes, unlimited text messages, and unlimited data with 5GB at 4G LTE speeds). When I signed up to activate the SIM in the Honor 5X, T-Mobile's systems did not recognize the 5X's IMEIs (plural, it has two since it's a dual SIM device) as a phone and insisted that it was a tablet.

Not wanting to be on a tablet plan, I used the IMEI from another device that T-Mobile recognized as a phone.

This will only affect you if you're trying to activate a new SIM/account. SIM swaps are fine.

 

[LeoRex]

It's probably a little bit of an oversight. After all, the phone isn't techically available to the public yet.

 

[SpookDroid]

Mmmm... weird. Does T-Mobile know about it? Not that it would immediately help, but still.

 

[LeoRex]

I dunno. I am only guessing here, but they may not have the IMEI listings yet. "Tablet" might just be a generic bucket that they throw a number that they don't recognize.

 

[SpookDroid]

Aaaaah! Well, hope that does get sorted out quick or Honor 5X users are gonna get pissed...

 

[LeoRex]

Well.. technically the phone wasn't really available until, well, today I think... I'd let it set for a little bit before calling on the mob to get their pitchforks.

 

[Ry]

Aaaaah! Well, hope that does get sorted out quick or Honor 5X users are gonna get pissed...

It's only if you're trying to set up new service with a new SIM though. Swaps should be fine. The T-Mobile portal may show the Honor 5X as an Alcatel tablet. I forgot to take a screenshot before changing it to Unknown Device.

 

[bpcooper14]

This was an issue for the OPO when I was trying to set it up initially with cricket wireless. It didn't recognize the imei and some ppl had issues with activation on a new account. A previous compatible phone or (I could be wrong) entering all 9's as the number was a workaround that allowed some users to get their new phone up and running