Unlocking phones

@snowwy
Just to see how it worked, last year, I bought a Verizon-branded Motorola Moto E4 (prepaid). It came with a Verizon Prepaid SIM card. Before activating that phone, I purchased a cheap ($1.00) GSM SIM card (I think it was Lycamobile, but it could be any GSM SIM card). Then I purchased an unlock code from e-Bay for $3.99 (don't remember who, but I can find it, if you want it),. Within minutes of me supplying them with the phone's IMEI number, they sent me the unlock code. I then inserted the GSM SIM card into the phone and it asked for the unlock code. I entered the one I purchased from e-Bay and the phone rebooted itself. When it came back on, it was showing the Lycamobile GSM network.

Since then, I have put an active but different Verizon MVNO in the phone and was able to make and receive calls, texts, and use data. I have recently put my Cricket (AT&T MVNO) into the phone and again, I was able to make and receive calls and texts, as well as use data.

In summary, I paid $49.99 for the phone and $4.99 for the additional, non-Verizon SIM card and unlock code. Now I have a pretty decent little back-up phone that I can use on any network. Since you already have the phone you want to use, all you would be out is about $5.00 to make it work as you want it. Check your local Dollar General or other discount stores for GSM SIM cards (ATT or T-Mo or their MVNOs). You actually may be able to use the AT&T SIM from your current hotspot device but for the unlock code to work, it may have to have an unused SIM card. Worth a shot.

The key to making sure you phone will work on a different network is to make sure it has the bands needed for the new network. This website shows your VZW S6 and Sprint S8+ has the bands necessary to be used on AT&T. WillMyPhoneWork.net - Check if your phone works on a network Should you choose to go this route with either of your current phones, you MAY have to manually change the APN settings of your current phone from VZW or Sprint to the APN setting of AT&T. That new setting isn't hard to find and is extremely easy to enter into your phone's settings.

Best of luck. I don't think you will have any issues getting either of your phones to work on AT&T.

 

The CDMA phones use GSM for data now.

I have US Cellular, and it works more places than not, except in Sprint areas it's more hit and miss.

It didn't work right on 4GLTE in Brooklyn, but it worked tolerably on 3g and 1x. Just had to wait quite a bit to switch.

The big names all leave much to be desired where I live, and I'm home more than not.