If I set up my Moto X Pure Edition before putting in my Verizon SIM, is tethering not blocked?

Can one of you techies explain to me about setting up the phone before inserting my SIM card (from my current Moto X 2013)?

I came across a reddit (unfortunately a day late, so I couldn't ask a question) where someone who had already got his Pure was answering questions, and he noted he set up his phone before inserting his SIM card. He and some of the other participants said they had heard this allowed you to bypass VZW's tethering restrictions for a service like FoxFi, but they didn't really go into any detail about it.

What exactly did they mean by setting it up before the SIM? Does it simply mean downloading your Google account and apps to the phone over wifi before putting in the SIM and connecting to VZW?

There is no need to use foxfi. All of Verizon's current plans include hotspot. For older plans, like unlimited data then you can get the hotspot addon.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 5

I'm on Verizon's unlimited data plan, what is the hotspot addon? Thanks

Edit: Nm, read it in another thread.

I'm on VZ Unlimited too. I don't really use my phone as a wifi hotspot enough to justify the $30/month (I think that's what they charge for VZ hotspot?) so was hoping I could just use FoxFi for the few times I do. Oh well.
But to my original question - were they talking about simply putting your Google info onto the phone over wifi before connecting to VZ with the SIM? How would that change anything, or is it just an urban myth?

When the phone is first setup, lollipop has the ability to tailor itself according to the carrier's sim. For example, downloading vzw messenger or the Verizon app (for checking data/minutes used). The nexus 6 has this capability, but whether or not it actually does anything differently if you set the phone up before putting sim in, I don't know.

Whether or not it would bypass any installation of a hotspot verification, I don't know, but I kind of doubt it. I never heard about that possibility with the nexus 6. But it is easy enough to do, so I think I'll try it. (I'm on unlimited and occasionally like to tether). There is at least one report of it working on here, but it may just be that that person has hotspot tethering on their plan.

If that trick doesn't work, i am planning on using the trick I used with my nexus 6 on Verizon to enable tethering: unlock bootloader (warning: this wipes the phone memory and possibly voids warranty - see the other thread here), then modify build.prop file by adding one line: net.tethering.noprovisioning=true
That small addition on the nexus 6 enables tethering without checking with Verizon, I'm sure it will work on the moto x too.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by manhattan123

I'm on VZ Unlimited too. I don't really use my phone as a wifi hotspot enough to justify the $30/month (I think that's what they charge for VZ hotspot?) so was hoping I could just use FoxFi for the few times I do. Oh well.
But to my original question - were they talking about simply putting your Google info onto the phone over wifi before connecting to VZ with the SIM? How would that change anything, or is it just an urban myth?

More as a FYI, but you can turn on and off the hotspot capabilities and Verizon will prorate your bill. This way you are only charged with the days that it is activate. Going this route makes hotspot about a $1 a day. It's what my wife and I do when one of us has to travel for work.

Originally Posted by manhattan123

I'm on VZ Unlimited too. I don't really use my phone as a wifi hotspot enough to justify the $30/month (I think that's what they charge for VZ hotspot?) so was hoping I could just use FoxFi for the few times I do. Oh well.
But to my original question - were they talking about simply putting your Google info onto the phone over wifi before connecting to VZ with the SIM? How would that change anything, or is it just an urban myth?

If you only used it occasionally, you can activate it when needed, and deactivate it when not needed. You would be prorated for the days of use.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Originally Posted by dpham00

There is no need to use foxfi. All of Verizon's current plans include hotspot. For older plans, like unlimited data then you can get the hotspot addon.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 5

For a price 😁. Mine doesn't include it. When I try to turn it on. It says checking subscription, then says I don't have it?

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Originally Posted by linuxmel

For a price 😁. Mine doesn't include it. When I try to turn it on. It says checking subscription, then says I don't have it?

Posted via the Android Central App

..what plan are you on?

Originally Posted by dusoccer10

More as a FYI, but you can turn on and off the hotspot capabilities and Verizon will prorate your bill. This way you are only charged with the days that it is activate. Going this route makes hotspot about a $1 a day. It's what my wife and I do when one of us has to travel for work.

Have you actually done that and then verified that you were only billed the pro-rated amount?

The reason I ask is I've contacted Verizon Customer Service in the past and was told they don't pro-rate - you get charged for the full month even if you only enroll/cancel for a few days.

Posted via Android Central App

Originally Posted by XDCX

Have you actually done that and then verified that you were only billed the pro-rated amount?

The reason I ask is I've contacted Verizon Customer Service in the past and was told they don't pro-rate - you get charged for the full month even if you only enroll/cancel for a few days.

Posted via Android Central App

..I've seen it on my bill.

Originally Posted by XDCX

Have you actually done that and then verified that you were only billed the pro-rated amount?

The reason I ask is I've contacted Verizon Customer Service in the past and was told they don't pro-rate - you get charged for the full month even if you only enroll/cancel for a few days.

Posted via Android Central App

I've also had personal experience and they do prorate if you take it off mid-cycle. I've also removed the hotspot feature on the same day that I've added it and haven't gotten charged at all.

What are y'all deleting my post? am I doing something wrong?

Originally Posted by donebrasko

What are y'all deleting my post? am I doing something wrong?

Read your private messages.

sent via Nexus Assassin Edition. Gonfaloniere.

Originally Posted by diesteldorf

I've also had personal experience and they do prorate if you take it off mid-cycle. I've also removed the hotspot feature on the same day that I've added it and haven't gotten charged at all.

Good to know. Thanks for the information.

Posted via Android Central App

Originally Posted by XDCX

Have you actually done that and then verified that you were only billed the pro-rated amount?

The reason I ask is I've contacted Verizon Customer Service in the past and was told they don't pro-rate - you get charged for the full month even if you only enroll/cancel for a few days.

Posted via Android Central App

That's wrong. I have done it many times when on vacation or trips... I only get charged for days of usage. My bill confirms this

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 5