For the latest information on using an Android phone on ST, you can also check the Wiki:
http://wiki.howardforums.com/index.p...t_Talk_Android
Ok..apparently there are still a few people confused on how to make this work. and a few more that are too lazy to use the search function on HoFo. We don't mind answering questions, but we get tired of repeating ourselves.
Please realize that unlike the iPhone many Androids vary slightly from phone to phone as they are made by many different manufacturers. That is the reason I don't have an xml file listed for an easy install of the APNs. The field positions and names of those fields sometimes change slightly from phone to phone.
If you want to be able to tether and your phone doesn't already have that option or your phones service provider has that option locked out then I suggest you check out the XDA developers site and search their forums for information about rooting, sideloading, and installing custom ROMs. This isn't the correct website for that and those guys are very knowledgeable. Save yourself some grief though. They can be less patient on that site about people asking questions without doing their own research than we are, but they literally wrote the book on how to do this. Some phones will be easier to root, some not. Some do not have rooting available. Tethering and using some of the better backup apps is pretty much the main reason some of the more novice users root. There's more technical stuff that can be done, but I don't want to bore you and that isn't the point of this thread.
The unlocking of a cell phone is not necessary to use it with a Straight Talk SIM so long as it is an AT&T phone. T-Mobile phones will need to be unlocked(sometimes rooting your phone will unlock it like my Inspire, sometimes an app will do it like the Samsung Captivate, and sometimes hiring a service is the only way.....do your own research), but you will not have 3G capability on them because Straight Talk uses AT&T's network for the Nokia E71 and the Nokia 6790(these are the ONLY phones that have a usable SIM for this). T-Mobile uses a different 3G frequency and that CANNOT be changed.....you will be stuck with Edge.....or 1G....or whatever you want to call it.....and it's slow, but it will work.
The above comments are true only for the Nokia to Android switch, they are not true for the Straight Talk sim program where you can buy a ATT or TM sim through ST and activate them and then put them in your phone. The ATT or TM sims from ST will work in locked or unlocked phones, so there is no need to spend extra on a unlocked fone if you don't have to have it.
This is information that was collected by a few members of HoFo.....not the least of which was Mr. Boomy(thanks man....
). I take no credit.
First thing you have to do is purchase a Nokia E71 or Nokia 6790 from Straight Talk and activate it. Then get the Android phone of your choice(this method should work on all Android devices 2.1 and up...not sure on the older ones). Take the SIM card out of the E71 and put it in the Android phone.
Hook the phone up to a WiFi connection. Set up a google account on the phone if you haven't already. Go to your market. Download APN Backup And Restore. Use that app to backup the existing APN addresses to your SD card(in the event you need to restore it later if you decide to sell the phone). Then delete the APNs(they can interfere with your new ST APN).
Go to Settings>Wireless & Networks>Mobile Networks>Access Point Names.....press the menu button on your home row(the appearance and position may vary depending on the phone...consult the user's manual if it's not obvious). You should now have the option to create a new APN.
Fill in the following fields(note that this info creates TWO APNs). Do not change the defaults in the other fields.
First APN
Name
HOME
APN
att.mvno
Leave everything else alone EXCEPT the bottom selection that says:
APN type (here you must enter the following)
default,supl
Then save, next choose to add another APN
make it look like this:
Name
MMS
APN
att.mvno
skip down to
MMSC
http://mmsc.cingular.com
MMS proxy
proxy.mvno.tracfone.com
MMS port
80
skip to:
APN type (enter the following)
mms
THEN SAVE
Then select the APN(you won't be able to select the MMS one....this is normal)
Then reboot the phone.
Done.
Note: If you experience issues with MMS use the above info to create just one APN. Just be sure to leave the APN type blank or whatever the default is. Like this.....
Name
Straight Talk
APN
att.mvno
skip down to
MMSC
http://mmsc.cingular.com
MMS proxy
proxy.mvno.tracfone.com
MMS port
80
THEN SAVE
Then select it and reboot.
One additional note: For those wondering about the voicemail speed dial. Here's how I set it up on my Inspire. Go to Settings>Call>Voicemail Settings and tap on Voicemail Number. You should have the option to type in a new number. Type in your ten digit phone number and save. Done. This may vary slightly depending on the phone.
Last of all....don't abuse your data usage. If you read the fine print in your Straight Talk ToS you will find there are limits to their "unlimited" service. Streaming Netflix and Pandora as well as tethering alot can sky rocket the amount of data usage. They never have given an exact amount as a limit, but they can, will, and have cut off peoples data or even their service all together. Most of the cases where we have had people post that they cut off was when they did something stupid like streaming a ton of video....that's enough to get you cut off or throttled on a lot of carriers. Use common sense. Use WiFi when possible and don't treat your phones internet as you would your home internet connection. Some people use 2GB a month as their limit....the amount may be higher, but try not to test it too much. There are data usage counters in the Market. If you get your data cut off tell customer service you were streaming YouTube on your E71, don't mention your Android phone. Most have managed to get their service back on after that. And only call customer service with the ST phone, they can see your IMEI number and will know you're using another phone otherwise. If you're just adding a refill card don't worry about it.
Oh yeah. Recently a couple of people got cut off for making international calls. Don't do it...not even to Canada. Straight Talk has international packages available.....look into it on their website.