Nexus 5 vs Nexus 5x
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@rocket2nfinity
have a store in your area, then they have coverage. I'd really be surprised if you didn't have either at&t or T-mobile in your area.Check and let us know
We have ATT, Verizon, StraightTalk, Consumer, some satellite carriers that I know of from the phone book and seeing in walmart -
@jjconstr Then it appears your problem is that the phone is not released from someone's account. If it hasn't been reported stolen, it can be unlocked. It is often easier to just go through a paid service rather than fight the previous seller to unlock the device from the previous owner's account. It should have been done automatically, but sometimes it isn't. Here's how to accomplish that.
https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-unlock-a-phone-on-every-carrier/
Any of the paid services in that list will do. It should cost between $10 - $20 to achieve that. Could take an hour to a few days depending on who you use and what they need to do to get it released.
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@rocket2nfinity said in Nexus 5 vs Nexus 5x:
@jjconstr regarding the boot loop, the N5 is really hard to break. Chances are it will boot with the installer. That's why we love the N5 so much around here, it's very difficult to brick. So, if it's in a boot loop, it's most likely that way because someone flashed a wrong file or borked the partitions.
The power button can eventually poop out, which gives you a boot loop. I have two N5's down, have two replacement buttons, but it's a pretty tedious repair, so haven't made the time to buckle down and attempt it.
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@vandys That is true. It's fixable though if you have the skills. I do, so I don't think of it as a device killer. A more common cause for boot loop is a bad software flash. It can get tricky getting out of that sand trap once you're in it. I've repaired many devices that were "dead" like that. Some of those fixes are beyond what the average user can do.
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@dobey
Good to know. Ill check Tmobile too. -
@rocket2nfinity
Good idea.@rocket2nfinity said in Nexus 5 vs Nexus 5x:
@dobey Good to know. I haven't used Verizon in years. I did not see that, about CDMA, in the forums anywhere. That is something that should be put in the devices guide if it's not a temporary thing.
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@rocket2nfinity said in Nexus 5 vs Nexus 5x:
@jjconstr What specifically did at&t's IMEI checker say? It sounds like you may have a phone not released from someone's account. Hopefully not stolen. You will need to contact Woot or whomever it says owns the account to get it released, or via a paid service. If it specifically said it was reported stolen, then you won't be able to use it on any network.
Here is the entire comments list; notice the dates. Nothing I saw said stolen. thanks for the info.
IMEI Check info. Comments:
Negative byAnonymouson 2016/05/20 01:24
Opinion:0
THIS IMEI # SHOWS UP ON A 16GB LG NEXUS 5 BEING SOLD BY WOOT.COM FROM A SELLER IN ASTORIA, NY
Negative byAnonymouson 2016/05/21 14:35
Opinion:0
This IMEI number belongs to my nexus 5, but it has 16GB built-in memory & information on this site is showing 32GB.
Neutral by Brandin456 on 2016/08/18 13:09
Opinion:0
Same here, I have a Nexus 5 and it only has 16 Gb, the site shows 32
Negative byAnonymouson 2016/09/04 01:53
Opinion:0
Exactly, shows 32gb for only a 16gb in my hand
Neutral byAnonymouson 2016/09/13 23:58
Opinion:0
Not good
Neutral by Brandin456 on 2016/09/27 23:23
Opinion:0
These dudes are right, the nexus only has 16 Gb, which you can only use 12gb! Also it uses a Nano SIM card, not a Micro .
Neutral byAnonymouson 2016/10/01 01:56
Opinion:1
What section tells me if my phone is unlocked
Negative byamanon 2018/11/11 08:46
Opinion:0
fraud website. showing wrong information. this model has 16 gb and its showing 32 gbAdd comment:
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@rocket2nfinity said in Nexus 5 vs Nexus 5x:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-unlock-a-phone-on-every-carrier/
Wow! I love these links. If Im not sure it is locked? What does the service do?
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@jjconstr If you keep putting your IMEI in at&t, T-Mobile, and other checkers, and it says not eligible/cannot be used on this network, or something to that effect (which you indicated with at&t and Verizon) it means one of two things:
A: the device is carrier locked.
B: the device is still listed as active on someone's cellphone account. This frequently happens with at&t, but also with others.
You need to clarify for yourself if this is the case, by putting your IMEI specifically in the "is my phone eligible" checker in the bring your own device section of AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, U.S. Cellular, and Sprint.
Each will say yes or no. If one says yes, and the others no, it's carrier locked to that provider but not on anyone's account. If it says yes on multiple providers, you're good to go. If it says no on every one, then do not pass go, collect $20 and give it to the paid unlocking company of your choice at the bottom of the previous article. If it says stolen, then return the device and get your money back because it will never be usable on a network again.
Or if you have active SIMs lying around, you can insert them one at a time and get the same answers.
If it is locked or on someone's account, the paid services contact the carrier and get it removed, and/or apply a software solution that gives them a unique factory unlock code they give to you for your device only. You input the code, it unlocks your phone so you can use it on any network.
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@rocket2nfinity said in Nexus 5 vs Nexus 5x:
PagePlus, for instance, or SimpleMobile. Some MVNOs are owned by the major networks. At&t owns Cricket, T-Mobile owns Metro by T-Mobile, Sprint owned Boost until last week.
Results of online carrier IMEI compatibility searches; ATT IMEI not found, Sprint non-committal but would proceed with activation. Straightalk no IMEI search. PagePlus not compatible. US Cellular not recognized. Cricket compatible. Cingular site failed to load.
What can we know from these results?
Also, holding power and volume down buttons, brings up a list of details about this phone. One of them says, carrier info-none. Another says, Lock state -unlocked. Is this OEM Lock and is it different than carrier lock? -
@jjconstr T-Mobile?, Metro by T-Mobile? Re-try at&t. Their site is flaky. Double check your digits inputted.
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@jjconstr Yes, OEM unlock means the bootloader is unlocked - necessary for loading after market ROMs.
Carrier lock is whether the phone is locked to an individual cell phone network. Needs to also be unlocked unless you are happy with the network it is locked to.
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@rocket2nfinity said in Nexus 5 vs Nexus 5x:
@jjconstr T-Mobile?, Metro by T-Mobile? Re-try at&t. Their site is flaky. Double check your digits inputted.
I went to ATT store to check phone compatibility today. They said probably ok. Had them put in a sim card and activate it prepaid to test the coverage for a while. Worked pretty well. Don't have service at home, but expect to have it near home. one problem was calling a number with an out of state area code. It did not go through. Message said, Cant be completed, try again later. Using my other Verizon phone, it went through fine. The number dialed was on a Verizon account. Trying again, many time actually, it went through some times and sometimes not. Sometimes the phone screen blinked on and off about every two seconds. Straight talk and Consumer cellular are also options. I ordered Sim cards from both.
Im happy to have it working! Am looking for another for my wife.
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@jjconstr
Great you finally managed to make it work.The problem calling out of state may come from the network coverage.
It may happen if the signal is too weak or if the bandwidth goes down... -
@jjconstr Wonderful. Check your network settings under cellular and see if any other networks pop up. If they do, then that's who you can connect to.
So from incomplete data (you did not tell me what T-mobiles and Metro's BYOD IMEI checker said), the device is network unlocked - based on the fact that Sprint also said it's compatible. You'll need to check this for your wife's N5 if you don't buy a device that specifically says OEM unlocked (bootloader unlocked) and carrier unlocked (network unlocked). A lot of used devices on eBay are locked one way or another.
Happy computing
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@AppLee
Thanks for the encouragement. Setting up the next one should be easier. -
@rocket2nfinity said in Nexus 5 vs Nexus 5x:
So from incomplete data (you did not tell me what T-mobiles and Metro's BYOD IMEI checker said), the device is network unlocked - based on the fact that Sprint also said it's compatible. You'll need to check this for your wife's N5 if you don't buy a device that specifically says OEM unlocked (bootloader unlocked) and carrier unlocked (network unlocked). A lot of used devices on eBay are locked one way or another.
To complete the data further, T-moble said incompatible, Cricket said compatible, pageplus not compatible, US cellular not recognised and coverage map shows data only far and wide. Ive tried all that have stores in our area or phone book. Interestingly, ATT is not in our white or yellow pages. They have a store here, but use google advertising.
Im confused. Did you mean to say, "...DO buy a device that specifically says OEM unlocked (bootloader unlocked) and carrier unlocked (network unlocked).
Unlocked is preferred? -
@jjconstr You can buy a device that is OEM and/or Carrier locked, but you will have to unlock it. It's better for a new guy, with little knowledge, to buy unlocked. But, you clearly like a challenge because you've stuck with it this long so...
Upon further evaluation, your device may be locked to AT&T. Before, you said Sprint was non-committal. Not every provider checks the IMEI to see if the device is unlocked. Some just check the specs to see if it's compatible. AT&T's BYOD site is notoriously buggy and useless. But I know T-Mobile does check. So, it may be worth your money to have one of the paid services insure your device is unlocked. Several of them will check first and tell you if it's carrier unlocked. Given the lack of services in your area, it's best to have as many options as possible for service.
Don't waste your time trying to do it with AT&T, giving you grief is a hobby of theirs. In short, they won't unlock it unless you twist their arm or provide them some cash and six months of service.
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@rocket2nfinity
thanks for that info. I'll take your advice and have a service confirm or unlock my Nexus.
How long should we expect the N5 to be usable on any carriers given changes in their systems? -
@jjconstr l assume you're referring to the upcoming 2G conversion. Verizon is already refarming their 2 and 3G networks to 5G now. I can assume that's why they blacklisted the N5.
AT&T is in the process. Projected conversion in two years. To keep customer continuity, they have opened their VoIP (voice over internet calling also known as VoLTE) to any device on their Network.
T-Mobile was waiting for the outcome of their merger to finalize their plans. I haven't seen an official update on that. But I can assume it will match AT&T. After all, they just had a big win and will want to capitalize on their new 5G capabilities. But it will take some time, so I would expect 2 to 3 years before they convert. They have a lot of legal and technical work to do to merge their and Sprints networks.
The smaller carriers I haven't paid attention to. Some of them are likely to keep their networks as is for the foreseeable future. 5G is a big investment.
So, in short, your device will be able to make calls for two plus years, at least, depending on network. Ubuntu Touch does not currently support VoLTE that I am aware of. I am not aware of their current plans to add support. Hopefully an administrator can jump in here and enlighten us.
Even if they do, that unfortunately won't help anyone with the Nexus 5. Although it has the hardware, Google never built out software support for VoLTE on the Nexus 5. If someone does so after the fact then we'll be ok. Otherwise, the N5 will only have data and will not be able to make traditional phone calls after that point. Call capability would still be available through WhatsApp, Skype, and other services that allow dialing out through an app or web interface. But someone would need to write said app.
