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Using Virgin Mobile Samsung Galaxy Victory with other carriers

I

idoun

Newbie
I have a VM samsung galaxy victory that I have been using with VM for over a year. I am looking to decrease my data plan and found out about both Freedompop and Ting. Both of these seem to allow Sprint samsung galaxy victory phones with their service. I've looked at posts in different places and haven't been able to find out whether I can use my VM-branded phone with either of these.

Has anyone done it and what is involved to use this phone with one of those carriers? Since it's the same phone (and same network), it seems like it should be possible. If I can keep my contacts, it would also be ideal.

Thanks for any input.
 
Officially Virgin Mobile phones can not be brought to other Sprint MVNOs, Sprint blocks the ESN number from activating with anyone other then VM. (EDIT: Sprint changed the rules, after 12 months some phones can be moved.)

For Ting you can enter the ESN here and it will tell you whether it can be activated. As for saving money my Ting bill is around $15 - $24 a month so it's worth switching if your usage isn't too high. :thumbsupdroid:

If you end up getting a different phone you can sync your contacts to your Gmail account, then on your new phone all your contacts will sync to it automatically. :)
 
Thanks. Unofficially, how hard is it to switch my phone (to either Ting or Freedompop), assuming not much knowledge of smartphones? It doesn't seem to make sense for me to purchase the exact same phone for their service when I already own one that is used.
 
The only way I know is to use a donor phone, but I'm not sure if that works with every cell phone model.

On Tings website they have a subforum for hacks/mods so you could ask there if other users know whether it will work with the Victory:
https://help.ting.com/forums/20464296-Hacks

EDIT: I've heard it's not an easy process. It might be easier to sell your VM phone and use the money to buy one that will work natively.
 
idoun said:
Thanks. Unofficially, how hard is it to switch my phone (to either Ting or Freedompop), assuming not much knowledge of smartphones? It doesn't seem to make sense for me to purchase the exact same phone for their service when I already own one that is used.
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First your device needs to be deactivated from VM otherwise any ESN checker will show it current with another provider and you won't know if the ESN is blocked. I can almost guarantee Ting will block the ESN and pretty much FP as well. Ting has been allowing the Boost Moto G on their service, but I think that is a specific ESN challenge for Sprint?
Your best bet to activate a VM device is RingPlus, but again, your VM device needs to be deactivated in order to run it through their ESN checker. I had a EVO V 3D on there for about 6 months with no issues talk/text/data/sms/mms all worked. Like posted above, Sprint frowns on VM/Boost devices activated on a Sprint MVNO and R+ specifically states that VM/Boost are not allowed, so you will be using at your own risk of being deactivated if the ESN is found. No one that I know of has been randomly deactivated for having a VM device, it is usually if you need C/S support or you openly admit to using the device will you run the risk of being deactivated.
I have activated several "Sprint" Victorys and occasionally you will need to get C/S to reset the ICC ID to get 4G LTE to function properly, so if you run into that issue, that could cause you problems. If it is the case, play dumb and just say 4G is nor working here is my ICC ID # can you reset it.

If you do activate it, you will need to dial ##virgin# to get hands free activation. May need to enter the MSL and R+ provides that on your dashboard.
 
Didn't see your post in time, I might have tried activating it with Ringplus. In case anyone else is in this situation, I canceled my VM service and activated it with Chitchat mobile and it works fine. I contacted customer service before with a different VM ESN on a deactivated phone, and they confirmed that it would work without data (was looking for a plan without data). It also worked on my Samsung Galaxy Victory.

How do Ting/FP know if a phone is a VM one, eg? Do they have a master list of ESNs and the provider?
 
idoun said:
Didn't see your post in time, I might have tried activating it with Ringplus. In case anyone else is in this situation, I canceled my VM service and activated it with Chitchat mobile and it works fine. I contacted customer service before with a different VM ESN on a deactivated phone, and they confirmed that it would work without data (was looking for a plan without data). It also worked on my Samsung Galaxy Victory.

How do Ting/FP know if a phone is a VM one, eg? Do they have a master list of ESNs and the provider?
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Data should work with the SG Victory. Good to know Chitchat appears to also allow VM ESNs. Does chitchat give you your MSL code?
Yes, it seems Ting does hold a hard line with VM devices, but I have not tried any VM ESNs recently, so.....?
You might throw that other VM device on a R+ Kate Plan for 1.99 50/10/0 2c overages just to get the MSL and try out the service. You will need to top a min $5 to get data to work, depending on the device you have. Some VM devices do have software blocks to access PRL updates, etc.
 
For what it's worth: I successfully activated an LG Optimus V with ChitChat's $9.99 per month (250min talk and unlimited SMS) couple of months ago. All was fine. Thought I would try out their data plan for "picture email" so signed up for minimum ($3 picture plan and $5 data). No issues from Chit Chat except Optimus V was not on their "approved" device list. Problem is that every time the phone tried to access "data" it would be denied. Customer service at Chit Chat couldn't understand why it wouldn't work. Sorta feel that I might be on borrowed time until Sprint realizes their mistake. Has anyone tried to appeal to Sprint regarding what seems to be a short-sighted policy? Why would I pay VM's $35 a month for 3G access?
 
npoulsen said:
For what it's worth: I successfully activated an LG Optimus V with ChitChat's $9.99 per month (250min talk and unlimited SMS) couple of months ago. All was fine. Thought I would try out their data plan for "picture email" so signed up for minimum ($3 picture plan and $5 data). No issues from Chit Chat except Optimus V was not on their "approved" device list. Problem is that every time the phone tried to access "data" it would be denied. Customer service at Chit Chat couldn't understand why it wouldn't work. Sorta feel that I might be on borrowed time until Sprint realizes their mistake. Has anyone tried to appeal to Sprint regarding what seems to be a short-sighted policy? Why would I pay VM's $35 a month for 3G access?
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Is there an option to do a Profile and PRL update on the V? You might try a carrier reset ##virgin# and see if it will update the profile and PRL.
 
@pfoneguy, I have a Galaxy Victory which I used on Virgin Mobile until last month. Do you think I can use that phone on Ring Plus now? You said that VM has an ESN lock but since mine is off VM now, that ESN should be free to take to Ring Plus? I already have a new phone with Metro PCS but I want to at least try out Ring Plus.
 
Sprint changed the unlocking policy a little while ago, VM will unlock it after you've used the phone for 12 months on VM. It should work on Ring Plus since they're also a Sprint MVNO.

Virgin Mobile unlocking policy:
http://www.virginmobileusa.com/unlock/

Virgin Mobile will unlock a device (i.e., provide the MSL Code and/or perform a domestic SIM unlock (DSU)) under the following circumstances:

1. The device has not been reported as lost or stolen or otherwise flagged as ineligible to be unlocked
2. The device has been active on the associated account for at least 12 months with the account active at that time

If you believe you meet the above requirements and would like to request that your DSU-capable device be unlocked and/or request the MSL Code, contact Virgin Mobile Customer Care by dialing 1-888-322-1122.
 
Thanks for your reply. Since I'm no longer with Virgin, does that mean I can't get it unlocked? (I was with them for 3 years and never did unlock it)

Do you think even though it is locked, it'll work with Ring Plus?
 
Actually @pfoneguy was right....since my phone was no longer active on Virgin, I was able to transfer it over to Ring Plus with no issues! I had to put the ESN # on their website...then they said my phone is valid. After that, all I had to do was a PRL update and a Profile Update and I am now a Ring Plus customer :)
 
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