Old Tab 3, no longer serviced by any carrier, can I still use it as a tablet

[waybomb]

Years ago, maybe 10?, I bought a Tab3 with my 3 other phones with ATT.
I had ATT disconnect service about 3 years ago for this TAB3.
I just rediscovered it in a box I had stores. I charged it up. Connects to my home wifi (still ATT) but can't do anything with it. Any webpage I address returns this message " Couldn't establish a secure connection".
I sent a request to ATT to unlock the tab3 since its been paid for. They replied with a webpage address, but my Tab3 will not connect via my home internet.

Model SM-T217A
Android Version 4.4.2

1) Can I use this Tab3 for internet access without a provider?
2) If so, can somebody send me a link on how get this to work, or, guide me how to enable this?

Thank You
Fred

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! I moved this from the Tab S3 forum to the Tab 3 forum (the Tab 3 is much older than the Tab S3, 2013 vs 2017).

Unfortunately, a device that old will likely be incompatible with many modern apps and websites, so it's probably best to recycle it (or display it as a museum piece!).

 

[waybomb]

Well that's disappointing.
But hey. At least I found this site.
Thanks

 

[Quick-Chipmunk-9227]

Well that's disappointing.
But hey. At least I found this site.
Thanks

I found a new in the box Samsung Tab-3 this past October. At first nothing would connect . . . until I was able to upgrade CHROME. Once Chrome was upgraded and stable, took 3 tries, I used it to get to the Google Play Store. From there, I was able to re-install newer versions of many Apps.

Trying to get the Kies software to work with it from the PC USB cable. The Kies version on the USA site is 2.6.0. It is buggy. The Australian site is 2.6.4 found here, and it is stable on Win10 64bit.

Kies - Synchronize Data between Devices | Samsung Support Australia

Download Kies for Windows to connect your Samsung mobile phone to your PC. Easily synchronise data between devices and find new apps.

www.samsung.com

The Device(Install),USB Driver ver. 1.5.65.0 for the PC to the Tab-3 is found here. Takes it a long time to install. In Win10, install/run as admin. This is their business version for the Tab 3. Free download. https://www.samsung.com/us/business/support/owners/product/galaxy-tab-3-10-1-wi-fi
Kies so far hasn't talked via USB cable to the Tab-3 yet. I reinstalled twice. Maybe it's a Win10 problem. Not sure.

I've been very disappointed with Samsung. All of the Samsung links on the device to reach are dead as of 2024. So much of the Samsung stuff is useless.

Oh, and try to remove all the bloatware. After I clean some it bloatware out, it was faster than my sisters new Samsung tablet.

Some people have upgraded the OS from dumb Jellybean to the KitKat. This allows more things to work on it. I'm still trying to figure out how to do this too.

I have WhatWeather, GMail and OfflineMaps working really well on it. Chrome needs to be in Desktop mode in its setting. Still working the kinks out, but I can get to a few sites already.

As for the Google Play Store. It is quirky. If the App is listed or you navigate via the menus, it can be found and loaded. If you type to use the keypad to type, the Play Store crashes and vanishes off the screen. I did find the (*) looking icon in the search bar. Pick that, then speak the name of the app to install. The Play Store then finds it for you to read, pick and install.

Anyone else know what other apps or items to make work on the device. I would like it to do more.

 

[waybomb]

Thanks for that. I'll try the same.

 

[Quick-Chipmunk-9227]

1) Can I use this Tab3 for internet access without a provider?
2) If so, can somebody send me a link on how get this to work, or, guide me how to enable this?

Thank You
Fred

Answer to 1.
YES. Just set it up to your home wifi router.

Answer 2.
The chrome browser is so out-of-date. It needs to be upgraded. Try opening the chrome browser on the tab-3 and pick check for updates. Then try a few times to install it.