Multiple activations

[kevincwelch]

Seems like a silly question to me, but if we are buying the unlocked phone from Google (I've never purchased an unlocked phone), can we activate it on one network and then a few months later if desired activate it on another network?

I have sprint now, but we may be moving to AT&T next spring.

 

[Aquila]

Yes, devices from the Play Store are carrier unlocked and the device is set up with the hardware and software to work on both networks.

 

[bmolloy]

Seems like a silly question to me, but if we are buying the unlocked phone from Google (I've never purchased an unlocked phone), can we activate it on one network and then a few months later if desired activate it on another network?

I have sprint now, but we may be moving to AT&T next spring.

The great thing about unlocked is that you can actually have multiple activations at one time. I would recommend getting a T-Mobile Sim (they are free right now and you don't have to activate it right away) and an AT&T prepaid Sim. You can activate them both and compare them to Sprint, all you have to do is turn off your phone, take out the sim card and put the other one in and turn your phone back on. Viola, you will now have phone working on a different network. It will be worth your time to really figure out what network works best for you in the areas you spend most of your time.

 

[indianajonze]

The great thing about unlocked is that you can actually have multiple activations at one time. I would recommend getting a T-Mobile Sim (they are free right now and you don't have to activate it right away) and an AT&T prepaid Sim. You can activate them both and compare them to Sprint, all you have to do is turn off your phone, take out the sim card and put the other one in and turn your phone back on. Viola, you will now have phone working on a different network. It will be worth your time to really figure out what network works best for you in the areas you spend most of your time.

ok but when you're juggling sims and networks to see which ones are better in your area, how are you handling your phone number transfer? are you transferring your phone number each time or are you getting these prepaid sims and just getting a random phone # for testing?

 

[foxbat121]

No, phone number is tied to your account on specific carrier. Which in turn is identified by the SIM card. So, if you have two SIM cards, you will have to have 2 different phone numbers. Once you decided which carrier to go, then you port your existing numbers. It does not cost you extra for doing this.

 

[gone down south]

Google Voice.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[pcsperson]

The great thing about unlocked is that you can actually have multiple activations at one time. I would recommend getting a T-Mobile Sim (they are free right now and you don't have to activate it right away) and an AT&T prepaid Sim. You can activate them both and compare them to Sprint, all you have to do is turn off your phone, take out the sim card and put the other one in and turn your phone back on. Viola, you will now have phone working on a different network. It will be worth your time to really figure out what network works best for you in the areas you spend most of your time.

Where are they free at?

 

[bmolloy]

Where are they free at?

SIM Card details from T-Mobile


They did a story on it on androidcentral.com a few days ago. http://www.androidcentral.com/t-mobile-prepaid-sim-cards-currently-free-free-shipping

 

[bmolloy]

ok but when you're juggling sims and networks to see which ones are better in your area, how are you handling your phone number transfer? are you transferring your phone number each time or are you getting these prepaid sims and just getting a random phone # for testing?

+1 for google voice. Nobody even knows my cell phone number anymore. I have made everyone switch to my google voice # (which was admittedly quite a task). The only downside to google voice is that they don't support MMS except on sprint, but you will have to look into that as I am not sure about the particulars. There are supposedly some really great changes coming to google voice, however, so it will probably be something everyone wants soon. I would lock up a number now or port your sprint # to it. Sprint is the best carrier of all of the carriers for google voice integration, but again I don't know all of the details.

 

[foxbat121]

The new Hangout also doesn't support SMS with Google Voice. GV is in limbo at best within Google right now. I wouldn't port any of my number to it until Google itself figures out what to do with Google Voice.

 

[indianajonze]

Google Voice.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AC Forums mobile app

can you explain how this works within the context of my question? do i port my GV number to the prepaid TMO simcard? if so, what happens to my GV number if/when the prepaid card is up and i don't want to join TMO?