DATA only thru WiFi - new carrier, refurb S5 (works on Note 4) - HELP

[hobkirk]

From Verizon to Consumer Cellular
Installed new SIM cards in my Note 4 (I was using Vz) and S5 (bought thru Amazon).
After a lot of support calls, both phones work, messages work, voice mail work.
Modified Access Point Name - new = CC LTE in both phones
Chrome connects on my phone, not S5.
Just talked 45 minutes about this problem. Lots of rebooting. Suggested:
I swap SIM cards and re-test. Same results - it's NOT the SIM card.
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Vz says they don't lock phones, the Amazon ad said "Verizon" and "unlocked."
Refurb S5 seems perfect. I called seller - seemed to know his stuff, said he'd work out any problem.
Is it significant that Note 4 was purchased directly through Vz?
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I can't imagine what CC can do. It seems bizarre that the phone is bad. But I need help, and I'm sure this sort of problem can't be unique.
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THANKS

 

[B. Diddy]

What's the exact model number of the S5? Can you use the Consumer Cellular APN settings for the AT&T or T-Mobile network, or does it have to be Verizon? You can find the APN settings for AT&T/T-Mobile here: https://www.consumercellular.com/Support/Knowledgebase. Type "APN" in the "Ask a Question" box, and select the only result that comes up.

 

[hobkirk]

• Both phones after power off/on display the message "SIM card is not from Verizon Wireless"

Thanks.
Wow! The exact model of the S5?

• The box shows model = SM-G900V (and, in addition to the IMEI and S/N, it says Verizon: 8235V

Regarding the APN:

• I've setup the APN exactly the same as on my Note 4. I've verified it letter by letter twice, with my wife the second time.
• Ditto checking it against the email they sent detailing the info in the CC Knowledgebase.
• I spent 45 minutes with a support guy who seemed decent who was checking with his supervisor (?) several times during our conversation.
• It did not seem likely to me that swapping SIM cards would work but I was glad to try, just the eliminate the possibility that the SIM was bad.

Also, in case it matters:

• Both phones after power off/on display the message "SIM card is not from Verizon Wireless"

I will probably make a final attempt to solve the problem by calling Consumer Cellular tomorrow. But I suspect we end up being forced to return the S5's (we got two S5's, but I've just been working on one so far).

 

[B. Diddy]

On the S5, go to Settings>About Phone>Model Number. Does it also say SM-G900V there, or is it something different? Sometimes a seller will flash a different firmware onto the phone in order to make it compatible with other networks -- but this might also cause problems.

 

[hobkirk]

Yes - Settings shows the same model #
Good idea to verify.
Thanks

 

[B. Diddy]

Look in the Settings>Mobile Networks menu for a Preferred Network Type option. What is it set to, and what other options are there?

 

[hobkirk]

Look in the Settings>Mobile Networks menu for a Preferred Network Type option. What is it set to, and what other options are there?

FYI,
1) After every significant change I power off, wait 5 seconds, and power back on
2) My DATA TEST = Chrome w/o WiFi = "Your are offline" means no data (it works w/ WiFi)

/ Mobile Networks / "Preferred Network Type" = "GLOBAL"
>> Changed to LTE / GSM / UMTS (3rd choice = LTE / CDMA / UMTS) - no DATA

/ Mobile Networks / Available Networks = AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless (selected automatically)

Click on AT&T and returns to prior screen, and shows message "Registered on network"

/ More Networks / Mobile networks / Access Point Names / CC LTE (other choice = LTE - Verizon Internet)
>> I created "CC LTE" and have been through it line-by-line with Consumer Cellular support

NOTE - sometimes as I am doing all this, I return to "Access Point Names" and neither button is green

And, as always, THANKS

 

[hobkirk]

Refurb S5 Phone seller (cellular gallery) says the phone needs to be reset.
So we did a hard reset on the phone, including cache.
(I had done a reset on my Note but I had not noticed any changes)
Hooray? Might "reset" be the magic elixir?

One hour later, after reloading the intro stuff and the APN of CC LTE, power off/on > > still no data
Checked settings, APN = no green button next to CC LTE so I turned it on.
Went out to home screen and checked settings again. CC LTE was still green
Power off/on
Same result - neither button is green

Waiting for Consumer Cellular to call back (boy is that vastly better than listening to the voice mail marketing loop).

 

[B. Diddy]

Well I'm stuck. I hope their tech support helps you figure it out!