How do I Switch a CDMA/GSM S5 Verizon to AT&T

bobinyelm · Feb 19, 2020

I just purchased a brand new G900V CDMA/GSM Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S5 to replace my current Samsung G900A S5 that freezes and has slowed down.

This is my 3rd S5. The first had a bad mic connection and even though I had a receipt from an AT&T store, Samsung would not honor it, and the second now is having problems after a year. I LIKE the S5, and I am hoping that the "third time is the charm." My wife's S5 has been flawless for 4 years!

The seller (ebay) said it was 4G Compatible on Verizon/Sprint/AT&T/T-Mobile on both CDMA and GSM.

I popped my AT&T Sim into it, and when it boots it has a Verizon screen of course, the says it is NOT a Verizon Sim, but then it finds the network and my WiFi, but the Text Message App appears to be a Verizon dedicated one that would have to be changed.

I dialed some telephone numbers and it seems to work fine, but...

Can anyone tell me what I need to do to make the phone act like an AT&T phone?

I did a little digging and supposedly it is 4G LTE compatible on AT&T, but I am an absolute neophyte and know nothing about these phones as far as re-configuring anything.

So ANY help, or a link that would help someone as clueless as me set it up would be much appreciated.

I ASSUME the seller was right about it being compatible. They had a bazillion sales and a 99,5% Feedback rating.

Thanks,
Bob

ironass · Feb 19, 2020

bobinyelm said:
I just purchased a brand new G900V CDMA/GSM Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S5 to replace my current Samsung G900A S5 that freezes and has slowed down.

This is my 3rd S5. The first had a bad mic connection and even though I had a receipt from an AT&T store, Samsung would not honor it, and the second now is having problems after a year. I LIKE the S5, and I am hoping that the "third time is the charm." My wife's S5 has been flawless for 4 years!

The seller (ebay) said it was 4G Compatible on Verizon/Sprint/AT&T/T-Mobile on both CDMA and GSM.

I popped my AT&T Sim into it, and when it boots it has a Verizon screen of course, the says it is NOT a Verizon Sim, but then it finds the network and my WiFi, but the Text Message App appears to be a Verizon dedicated one that would have to be changed.

I dialed some telephone numbers and it seems to work fine, but...

Can anyone tell me what I need to do to make the phone act like an AT&T phone?

I did a little digging and supposedly it is 4G LTE compatible on AT&T, but I am an absolute neophyte and know nothing about these phones as far as re-configuring anything.

So ANY help, or a link that would help someone as clueless as me set it up would be much appreciated.

I ASSUME the seller was right about it being compatible. They had a bazillion sales and a 99,5% Feedback rating.

Thanks,
Bob

Hi bobinyelm!

The 6 year old Samsung Galaxy S5 model G900V is, as you have correctly stated, one of the 42 models of Galaxy S5 and was built specifically for Verizon's CDMA/GSM network. It was one of two carrier hybrid phones for the U.S.A. The other being the AT&T, G900A, model. See #1.6 of the 42 Galaxy S5 models - Dummies Guide.

Unfortunately, with these two locked down models of phone, there is nothing that can be done to alter them or root them to rid yourself of the built-in carrier bloatware and unless you can use 3rd party apps, you are forced to accept their features.

Also, the Verizon, G900V, modem/baseband for CDMA/GSM is only partially compatible with AT&T's GSM network according to WillMyPhonework, in that it will only work fully on the AT&T 3G network on bands 850 MHz and 1900 MHz and can use Band 4-AWS of their 4G network but not Band 17, 700 MHz, or Band 2-1900 MHz of 4G. There is, I am afraid, nothing that can be done to change this hardware feature.

IMHO, you would do better to get, if possible, the G900A model that is specific to your carrier.

svim · Feb 19, 2020

Just to add, keep in mind that 3G is currently being phased out so within a couple of years it's going to be 4G and up only.
https://prepass.com/2019/06/10/how-saying-goodbye-3g-may-affect-trucking-and-you-2/
https://www.business.att.com/content/dam/attbusiness/briefs/3G-faq-messaging.pdf
And just for reference, here's a table on what bands the cellular carriers support:
https://www.phonearena.com/news/Che...on-T-Mobile-and-Sprint-use-in-the-USA_id77933
(T-Mobile and Sprint may change due to the possible upcoming merger)

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How do I Switch a CDMA/GSM S5 Verizon to AT&T

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