Unlocked AT&T S8 on TMobile - Extended Range LTE Coverage (700 Mhz) & Voice Over LTE

[Android Central Question]

I have an unlocked AT&T S8 that I am using with Cricket Wireless. I will be switching to TMobile next week. I WAS certain that this device would work with no issue until I checked the IMEI number using TMobile's IMEI checker. The TMobile IMEI checker gives me the following message:
"Your device may not be able to use our Extended Range LTE Coverage (700 Mhz) and Voice Over LTE"

Can this be resolved by flashing the devices ROM with an unbranded or TMobile version of the latest operating system?? Will Samsungs "BYOD recustomization" resolve the issue without having to flash this device?? or do I REALLY have to look at buying another device just to move my service to TMobile??

 

[mustang7757]

Hi, welcome to Android Forums

I'd like to recommend creating a account so me or other members can assist you, as guest have limitations in replying here and if we need further Information to communicate with you.

I'll provide a link to register, please come back to your post so we can further assist you . Thank you
https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[mustang7757]

Once you load the tmobile sim it should load all the carrier aggression , as the phone has that band just up to carrier sim to take advantage.

 

[divavocals]

So if I understand you correctly I don't need to flash the device.Simpy inserting the T-Mobile SIM will be enough to update the phone to take advantage of that band.

 

[anon(10614692)]

The bands that a phone can handle are dictated by hardware. Flashing a device makes n difference

 

[mustang7757]

So if I understand you correctly I don't need to flash the device.Simpy inserting the T-Mobile SIM will be enough to update the phone to take advantage of that band.

Hi, welcome!
Yes correct

 

[divavocals]

Hi, welcome!
Yes correct

Thanks for confirming I can't wait. I get my T-Mobile SIMs today. One last question. Just curious why T-Mobile's IMEI checker would indicate that the phone was not compatible. Is that simply because their checker knows this phone wasn't branded to T-Mobile originally??

 

[mustang7757]

Thanks for confirming I can't wait. I get my T-Mobile SIMs today. One last question. Just curious why T-Mobile's IMEI checker would indicate that the phone was not compatible. Is that simply because their checker knows this phone wasn't branded to T-Mobile originally??

Your welcome!
That's possible, not sure how those checkers work.

 

[divavocals]

Once you load the tmobile sim it should load all the carrier aggression , as the phone has that band just up to carrier sim to take advantage.

So just an update. I installed the T-Mobile SIM and while everthing appears to be working fine (including hotspot and wifi calling), no joy on updating from 8.0 to v9.0 of the operating system.. My S8 Active is STUCK at Android v8.0.. . System says I have the most current OS..

After MULTIPLE chat sessions with Samsung, they are suggesting that I take the device to an authorized Samsung service center. Hoping tbey can fix tnis because I'm not looking forward to trying to flash this device myself.

 

[mustang7757]

So just an update. I installed the T-Mobile SIM and while everthing appears to be working fine (including hotspot and wifi calling), no joy on updating from 8.0 to v9.0 of the operating system.. My S8 Active is STUCK at Android v8.0.. . System says I have the most current OS..

After MULTIPLE chat sessions with Samsung, they are suggesting that I take the device to an authorized Samsung service center. Hoping tbey can fix tnis because I'm not looking forward to trying to flash this device myself.

That's great!
If they cant help , I can walk you through flashing to 9.0

 

[divavocals]

That's great!
If they cant help , I can walk you through flashing to 9.0

So the service center refused to flash the device with the T-Mobile flavor of the firmware or even an unbranded firmware version. They claim they have to flash the device with the original carrier's firmware. So I crossed my fingers and I had them flash it with AT&T's most recent firmware.

Soooooo. This got the device firmware updated to v9.0, but the wifi calling settings are no longer available. And by "no longer available", I mean that the wifi calling app is still on the device, but access to the settings is flat out MISSING from the device. Under "Settings" the options to configure/change wifi calling are not there, and the Quick Settings icon for wifi calling is MISSING.

*sigh*

Samsung is fully checked out here. Despite the BYOD re-customization (see: https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...port%2Fanswer%2FANS00078492%2F&token=g7WqQuvf) Samsung PROMISE's will happen like MAGIC when you plug in the carrier's SIM card, Samsung abdicates responsibility and says that it is up to ME to work it out with AT&T and T-Mobile. Two Samsung techs tried to suggest my phone was not carrier unlocked until I broke them down with the definition of carrier unlocked.

Now I have to hand it to T-Mobile.. Though they admit their hands are tied, they have been TRYING to come up with a solution up to and including contacting Samsung and asking if there is anyway they can intervene and get my device flashed to an UNBRANDED version of the device firmware.

I am petrified of trying to do this myself for fear of bricking the device. I am open to try flashing this device myself, but what are the odds that I will brick the device??

 

[mustang7757]

So the service center refused to flash the device with the T-Mobile flavor of the firmware or even an unbranded firmware version. They claim they have to flash the device with the original carrier's firmware. So I crossed my fingers and I had them flash it with AT&T's most recent firmware.

Soooooo. This got the device firmware updated to v9.0, but the wifi calling settings are not longer available. And by no longer available, I mean that the wifi calling app is still on the device, but the settings are flat out MISSING from the device. Under "Settings" the options to configure/change wifi calling are not there, and the Quick Settings icon for wifi calling is MISSING.

*sigh*

Samsung is fully checked out here. Despite the BYOD re-customization they PROMISE will happen like MAGIC when you plug in the carrier's SIM card Samsung abdicates responsibility and say that it is up to me to work it out with AT&T and T-Mobile. Two techs tried to suggest my phone was not carrier unlocked until I broke them down with the definition of unlocked.

Now I have to hand it to T-Mobile.. Though they admit their hands are tied, they have been TRYING to come up with a solution up to and including contacting Samsung and asking if there is anyway they can intervene and get my device flashed to an UNBRANDED version of the device firmware.

I am petrified of trying to do this myself for fear of bricking the device. I am open to try flashing this device myself, but what are the odds that I will brick the device??

No..because your flashing a stock unmodified Samsung firmware, if you were to root the phone and flash a custom ROM , then yes you can brick the phone .

 

[divavocals]

No..because your flashing a stock unmodified Samsung firmware, if you were to root the phone and flash a custom ROM , then yes you can brick the phone .

Okay.. So how do I flash the device with a stock unmodified Samsung firmware..

 

[mustang7757]

Okay.. So how do I flash the device with a stock unmodified Samsung firmware..

You want stay on the carrier firmware or unbranded?
Yours is sim unlocked?

 

[divavocals]

You want stay on the carrier firmware or unbranded?
Yours is sim unlocked?

Sim unlocked device (I am assuming it has to be since I initially activated this device with Cricket and have switched to T-Mobile )

I want an unbranded firmware.. No more carrier crap..

 

[divavocals]

I am posting an update in case it helps somebody else.

I reached out to the seller where I purchased this S8 Active from. When I explained my ordeal, they agreed to refund my money. They sent me a prepaid shipping label and I will return this device tomorrow evening. In the meantime I went and ordered a replacement S8 Active. The replacement device is an unbranded device so I can be SURE I won't have any issues.

As an addendum one of my BFFs is very interested in switching from Sprint to T-Mobile. She too has an S8. I popped in my niece's T-Mobile SIM card into her S8, and lo and behold wouldn't you know that BYOD re-customization Samsung sears should work on my S8 Active actually happens on her Sprint S8 devices.

This for me is the best evidence that confirms what I have seen and experienced. I was even told by an AT&T representative that AT&T's version of the S8 firmware locks you out of Wi-Fi calling settings if you are using that device on a network other than AT&T's. This really sucks for consumers. All this ordeal has confirmed for me is that I will never ever ever be an AT&T mobile customer again.

 

[mustang7757]

When it said posted update in case it helps somebody else.

I reached out to the seller where I purchased this S8 active from. When I explained my ordeal, you agreed to refund my money. He sent me a prepaid shipping label and I will return this device tomorrow evening. In the meantime I went and ordered a replacement S8 active. This device is an unbranded device so I could be sure I won't have any issues.

As an addendum my girlfriend is very interested in switching from Sprint to T-Mobile she to has an S8. I popped in my niece's SIM card into her S8, and lo and behold wouldn't you know that BYOD free customization actually happens on the Sprint S8 devices. Which for me confirms what I have seen and experienced and was told even buy an AT&T representative. AT&T version of the Android firmware locks you out of Wi-Fi calling settings if you are using that device on a network other than AT&T. This really sucks for consumers. All this ordeal has confirmed for me is that I will never ever ever be an AT&T mobile customer again.

The carrier unlocked version will get Att WiFi, the Samsung unlocked version won't or RCS message.

 

[divavocals]

I am posting an update in case it helps somebody else.

I reached out to the seller where I purchased this S8 Active from. When I explained my ordeal, they agreed to refund my money. They sent me a prepaid shipping label and I will return this device tomorrow evening. In the meantime I went and ordered a replacement S8 Active. The replacement device is an unbranded device so I can be SURE I won't have any issues.

As an addendum one of my BFFs is very interested in switching from Sprint to T-Mobile. She too has an S8. I popped in my niece's T-Mobile SIM card into her S8, and lo and behold wouldn't you know that BYOD re-customization Samsung sears should work on my S8 Active actually happens on her Sprint S8 devices.

This for me is the best evidence that confirms what I have seen and experienced. I was even told by an AT&T representative that AT&T's version of the S8 firmware locks you out of Wi-Fi calling settings if you are using that device on a network other than AT&T's. This really sucks for consumers. All this ordeal has confirmed for me is that I will never ever ever be an AT&T mobile customer again.

But wait there's more...

So I got the replacement S8 Active I ordered for my niece. I popped in the T-Mobile SIM and BAM! Wifi calling and hotspot services (and everything else) are working perfectly! The AT&T S8 Active is on it's way back to the seller.

My mistake in this situation was believing that carrier branded unlocked devices really meant UNLOCKED. My mistake was not understanding how much the US carriers are in bed with the device manufacturers. It's unfortunate that Samsung would allow the US carriers to behave in such an unorthodox & thuggish manner. Why would Samsung NOT authorize their service center's to flash the unbranded firmware on this device? or at the VERY LEAST why not allow their service centers to flash the firmware for the TARGET carrier (T-Mobile) on this device. Because HONESTLY this could have been resolved if the Samsung service centers were empowered to do that much. Samsung seems more concerned with the CARRIERS than their REAL customers THE CONSUMER!

The lesson I have learned here is that I will stick with unbranded unlocked devices. I will no longer trust the carrier branded unlocked devices anymore. (especially AT&T unlocked devices!) Both my phone and my husband's Note 8 devices were unbranded unlocked devices and I NEVER had any issues with them like this. Though that said while we were with Cricket Wireless using these unbranded unlocked devices, Cricket BLOCKED our devices from accessing wifi calling because they were not purchased from Cricket. They didn't block the wifi calling settings, just wifi calling services - again confirming my conclusion that I will not deal with AT&T devices or their carriers ever again. (which is why we eventually moved our service to T-Mobile) I'm not an Apple fan (nor am I an Apple detractor), but Apple's "deal" as it were with mobile carriers is very different than Samsung or the other Android manufacturers. It's entirely too bad Samsung and the other Android device manufacturers don't push back on the US carriers the way Apple does. Apple doesn't allow network lockouts, or carrier bloatware, nor do they allow locking devices out of services the device (and network) supports (like hotspot or wifi calling).

On a related note:
My two BFFs have been wanting to leave Sprint, but thought they were required to get new phones to change carriers. Neither wants to have to start a new phone purchase agreement as they JUST paid off their devices.

They love the fact that their Sprint S8s WILL work on T-Mobile's network (are you taking notes AT&T????). So they are planning to move their phones over to T-Mobile because they will save $80 a month (and they get (2) $75 gift certs to boot). I've convinced them both to NEVER EVER buy/lease another carrier branded device again. Come early 2020 I will be helping one of my BFFs purchase an unbranded device to replace her S8 (which has seen better days ). If, the price is right she may get the S10, but I pointed out to her that there are AWESOME deals on the S9s because of the S10s launch, and I suspect purchasing an S9 is the route we'll take for her early 2020.