Use T-Mobile S4 on AT&T

[suthern_man]

An old friend of mine in Mississippi has fallen on very hard times. After December 31, his 3G phone will no longer work on AT&T's network. Like me, he has serious health issues and is on a fixed income. He cannot afford a new phone right now.

I was thinking I could give him my old S4 if I could load AT&T's version of Android on it before I send it to him. I'd like to get it to the point where all he would need to do is put an AT&T SIM card in it and go.

This is uncharted territory for me although I can't see it as being too much different than doing the same thing to a desktop or laptop.

Am I barking up the wrong tree or is this possible? If it's doable, please direct me to the software and some instructions, if possible.

Thanks for all helpful advice!

 

[B. Diddy]

Read the T-Mobile policy on carrier unlocking: t-mobile.com/company/company-info/sim-unlock-policy/unlock-your-mobile-wireless-device.html (cut and paste this link into your URL bar). Assuming your phone has been paid off, I don't think it'll be a problem. Once it's been unlocked, your friend should be able to plug in his SIM card (assuming it's the same size), and it should automatically register.

Before you give him the phone, though remember to go to Settings>Accounts, select your Google account, tap Menu, then Remove Account. After doing so, go to Settings>Backup & Reset, and do a factory reset. Now you can give the phone to your friend, and he can set it up with his own Google account.

 

[Rukbat]

Assuming that AT&T isn't using band 2, 4 or 17 for LTE where he is, it should work. (Most of AT&T is on band 7 for LTE right now, and the S4 doesn't do band 7, so it's might not work, but he [or you if you live in the same town] should check with the manager of the local AT&T company store - or the Device Support Center - to make sure they're using band 5 for LTE where he is.

If his inability to use his current phone on AT&T is due to the 2017 change to 3G for voice/data, they should either provide him with a replacement phone that works, or let him out of his contract (they can't provide service for the equipment they sold him - which is grounds for cancellation of the contract) - and he can use the S4 on TMobile (assuming they have a decent signal there).

 

[suthern_man]

Thanks so much to you both!!

I have him checking to see which band AT&T is using. He's in Mississippi, I'm in New York.

My old S4 has long since been paid off and is now relegated to paperweight duties. I actually did use it on WiFi when the screen on my Note 5 sprung a leak and turned purple (NOT covered by warranty, BTW, despite it not ever having been dropped). The S4 came in handy for the couple of days while I waited for the replacement.

As soon as I know he can use it, I'll perform the factory reset and send it out to him.

Thanks again to you both for the extremely helpful information!! Wishing you both a very Merry Christmas & a happy, healthy, prosperous 2017!!