• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Root [Verizon] SIM card used for Verizon now?

FirebirdStud

Android Enthusiast
Sep 19, 2010
453
9
Minnesota
I am wondering, since the S4 on Verizon is now a global phone, does it come with a SIM card?

If so, does Verizon have an option to unlock the SIM card for global use?

I ask because no mater what, I am locked into paying the contract for 2 years, so they shouldn't care if I unlock the phone to use whatever SIM I want while abroad...
 
It is already unlocked. If you insert another SIM card from another carrier, most likely only voice will work.

To get data to work, you need to do some APN setting changes. This requires root and then a quick edit of an APN config file. Then you replace the file in your phone with the one you already did.

XDA developers has the full tutorial on this. They even edited the file with well over 20 carriers so you just download it and then replace the original file in your phone using Root Explorer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Frisco
Upvote 0
Yep, Verizon confirmed the SIM is only for 4G, and that voice and messages are still CDMA. So, this phone isn't worth a crap abroad. I think I will still get it, but just know that unless the country you are going to has 4G, this phone simply wont work outside of America.
Which ever Verizon rep told you that was misinformed. The sim slot will take a gsm sim card and work as long as it's a global phone, the sim is unlocked, and you use a carrier that uses frequencies that your phone supports.

every 4g phone we have ever released has a sim card in it. they are global CAPABLE but you must add a feature to your contract that will unlock it for overseas use.
Not every LTE phone is global capable, though just about any modern one is. There are a couple older ones like the Galaxy Nexus, Droid Charge, etc that don't have gsm radios in it.
 
Upvote 0
I can say for sure, the phone will work with a foreign inserted sim card. Just returned from Europe where i purchased a prepaid sim card, inserted and immediately had data and voice coverage.

Just make sure that the sim you are purchasing uses frequencies that your phone is compatible with

Annoying notification though that a non-verizon sim was inserted. I believe that verizon is selling all phones global ready now, that is, they are no longer requiring an unlock code to use abroad.
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones