Help please - new unlocked phone / pass code

[Terry W2]

Hello, my phone broke and I just bought this phone -
HTC MyTouch 4G Slider T-Mobile Unlocked 4GB 5MP 3.7" SmartPhone
and put my AT&T sim card in it - actually went to the local AT&T store and had them do it, and it didn't bring up any connection options, was just as if no sim card had been put in. The seller suggested doing a factory reset, which I did, still nothing. From what I understand if the phone is locked, when I put my sim card in from another network the phone should then ask for the unlock code. If unlocked I should be able to connect through AT&T. The unlock code is on a label on the box it came in, so I have it, I'm just trying to figure out how to get this phone going. So far very frustrating, I'm far from being a cell phone geek, I lean more towards being phone challenged. Help would really be appreciated!

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! The problem is that your phone (which is very old -- released in 2011!) isn't a true LTE phone (the 4G refers to HSPA+, which is essentially fast 3G), and it doesn't support AT&T's 3G bands. AT&T uses 850 and 1900 MHz for 3G, while your phone supports 1700 and 2100 MHz:

https://www.gsmarena.com/t_mobile_mytouch_4g_slide-4018.php
https://www.frequencycheck.com/carriers/at-t-united-states

In the early days of 4G LTE, some carriers called HSPA+ "4G" since it was significantly faster than older 3G networks -- it was more like "pseudo 4G," while 4G LTE was true 4G.

Also, AT&T deactivated their 2G network, so your phone wouldn't be able to connect on 1X/EVDO. Sorry!

 

[Terry W2]

This is actually my daughter's phone replacement, she's not a child but she is disabled so I have to handle all problems. I am not a phone person, I don't even own one myself. Several years ago AT&T informed us that she would have to switch to a 4G phone because of changes they were making and our current phone would no longer work. So she got this - LG OPTIMUS F3Q D520 T-MOBILE (UNLOCKED) 4G LTE ANDROID WIFI QWERTY SMARTPHONE. Worked for like 5 years then quit. Finding an exact replacement for her wasn't working, and that's when we got this current phone due to its description. Yes I know they're old - she is hooked on having that qwerty slider keyboard. I'm trying to find a 4G phone with the slider that can be used with AT&T, she's on the prepaid plan. I got the HTC from an ebay seller, I have requested to return. So I'm still shopping, been phoneless for 2 months now, still paying for service. Shouldn't be so difficult.

Thank you for the information, I will use it.

 

[Terry W2]

PS B. Diddy - so even with AT&T's sim card in it, when I go to connect to a network it would show there are no networks available?

 

[B. Diddy]

Correct, it won't see a network because the phone doesn't support any of AT&T's 3G bands. It can't see any 2G bands since AT&T deactivated them all, and the phone doesn't support 4G LTE.

If she likes a physical QWERTY keyboard, you could look into the Blackberry KeyOne (especially since the Key2 is coming out soon -- the KeyONE will probably get some price cuts). Obviously, not as cheap as the phones you mentioned, but if price is no object, it's supposed to be a good phone.

Another option is to find a 3rd party Bluetooth slider keyboard case for a cheap/older Android phone, like this one for the Galaxy S4: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-...re=https://www.ebay.com/i/263472134104?chn=ps. The downside here is that you won't know exactly how reliable these kinds of products are.

 

[Terry W2]

Thank you for your suggestions, much appreciated, I'll look into them. And thank you for clearing up the problem with the HTC phone.