Possible Known Issue with Activating T-Mobile Gear S2 3G

[Keltian]

So they just released the Gear S2 3G today on T-Mobile. I got mine and set it up but ran into an issue trying to get it to connect with the cell towers. For whatever reason, likely software related, the device won't activate on the cellular network. I went back to the store and they said it appears to be a known issue affecting all T-Mobile S2 3Gs as they are dealing with numerous customers coming back to the stores reporting the exact same problem. At the moment I don't know if this is just a T-Mobile problem or if this will affect S2 3G watches on AT&T or Verizon. They told me to hold on to the watch and wait for T-Mobile and Samsung to address the issue.

 

[audri5]

Where do you live? Not one store in my area has them. T-Mobile is so off the beam when it comes to a launch!

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Keltian]

I live in NYC. The T-Mobile store by my home only had 2 in stock at launch and I was the first one to ask for it.

 

[Antony Cha]

Congrats on the new tech and sucky on the tower issue...
This is off-topic but since you have one and no one has been able to answer this, is the Gear S2 using a E-Sim or a Nano SIM? I'm on the fence, but if it uses a nano SIM I'm in, minus the tower issue....

 

[Keltian]

The watch uses an e-sim.

 

[rellim]

Same frustrating problem for me. Got it from Tmo Saturday evening and returned it Sunday for another one after tech support couldn't fix it. They asked me to wait for a day or two to allow them to ID and correct the problem. I live in Maryland. Once they fix it I'm going to insist that they give me a fresh 14-day return period.

 

[Keltian]

They did tell me that they were going to prorate the monthly charge so I wouldn't pay for the days I had no service.

 

[rellim]

Let's see...$5 per month divided by 30....Hey! They already owe me 33 cents!

 

[ShaggyKids]

The watch uses an e-sim.

Ummm, what's an eSim and what's the difference between the two?

 

[Keltian]

Ummm, what's an eSim and what's the difference between the two?

The way I understand it, it's kinda like an embedded SIM card.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Sarbet]

This absolutely has to be a known issue and now that others are having the same problem i feel so much better! I purchased mine on Sunday and it would not connect to the T-Mobile network. Went back and swapped it out for another and had the same problem. T-Mobile tech support doesn't know why it's not working and neither does Samsung support. They also told me to hang on to the watch for a few days and started a ticket. Hopefully they get it figured out because it's so much nicer than my Gear S but if they can't get it to work as a stand alone device then it's really not worth it. On a side note; I was able to get it to connect to the T-Mobile network momentarily but only after I factory reset the watch, uninstalled the Gear app from my phone and reinstalled but it would not stay connected once I tried to test by calling my phone. :'(

 

[Keltian]

Yes, when I called T-Mobile tech support earlier today they acknowledged that it is a know issue that they're activity working to correct. They said they'll try to send me a push notification to my phone when they've resolved it but they also recommend every few hours to turn off Bluetooth on the watch and see if it connects to T-Mobile.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[rellim]

Me too...mine flashed a T Mobile connection for a split second after a boot and then said "no service". Also, when you go to "Gear Info" in settings, and then "About Gear", it shows the Gear number as "unknown".

 

[wsrobert]

Same issue here. Just picked mine up tonight. It shows a signal is being pulled down. Under settings > connections > mobile networks, it shows as being connected to tmobile. It's almost as if they haven't registered the imei to work on the network.

Looks like I need to call so I can be prorated as well. Crazy it seems everyone's having the issue. As if they didn't test on the network before releasing.

 

[AlanRudy]

Same/similar issue except, when I try to connect to tmobile network under connections>mobile networks>network operators>search networks it says "unable to connect to this network". I just spent over 30 minutes with tech and have a ticket started as well. The standalone phone and the speaker are the only differences from the s2 that was out a month ago, agree with wsrobert, it's like they didn't even care to see if it actually worked!

 

[Chris Fayden]

Hey everybody yes there is an issue with T-Mobile and the Gear S2 I work for T-Mobile and I have this device as well.. it seems like the issue with the new Esim is not being recognized as a wearable device on our network which is why your device is unable to connect to the service. Engineers are working hard on fixing this and should be working within a couple of days...

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[FitzAusTex]

Anyone know if you can have a wearable add-on plan on prepaid plans, or is it only postpaid?

 

[Chris Fayden]

As far as I know the wearable plans are only for postpaid account, however you can convert your prepaid to a simple choice no credit and add the wearable on that account which is a prepaid family plan which means you need to have at least two voice lines the wearable would not count as a voice line as it shows up as a mobile broadband... the wearable plan is also only $5 a month added on for the service

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Chris Fayden]

I believe that would be your best bet if you don't want to run credit...

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[FitzAusTex]

I believe that would be your best bet if you don't want to run credit...

Posted via the Android Central App

Thanks for the info. Not really a matter of credit check, have had prepaid for about 5 years. Was way cheaper than postpaid, and at one point no taxes or fees. Now there is tax, but last time I checked with tmo prepaid I was on had $4 in taxes and the new one they came out with had $17 in taxes and fees, but was probably the plan you're talking about (not really prepaid). At any rate, I'm single and just have one line, but I'll stop by store and see what current options are. Thanks!