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General discussion

Moving S4 and iPhone from Verizon to ATT.

May 16, 2015 12:54PM PDT

Hi all.

I have a Samsung S4 and my wife has an iPhone 5 and I want to move them from Verizon to ATT.

I know I can move them and there's some code I have to set in the phone (either or both), but I have some questions.

First off, what happens to all the Verizon software that's on my phone? Do I have to root it or buy an app like root explorer to take it off? Do I need to remove it to transfer to ATT, or can I just leave it on?

What about software updates from ATT? I'm not going to have all their software installed, so do I then need to manually update the OS, or is that all done from Google independently of the carrier?

Will (or can they) ATT store wipe and install their software on our phones for us if we want?

Thanks for any advice.

Discussion is locked

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I like your conviction but...
May 16, 2015 2:47PM PDT

if I were you I'd talk to ATT first.

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Not recommended due to lack of LTE on your handsets
May 18, 2015 2:26AM PDT

IMNSHO, it makes no sense to bring two LTE enabled devices that are not compatible with the new carrier's LTE (faster data) network. Just sell them online on gazelle, etc. and buy new ones that are 100% compatible with the new carrier.

You can get voice service and HSPA+ data with those two Verizon issued phones, provided the S4 is SIM unlocked (which I believe the Verizon S4 is anyway). Sometimes though, contrary to what you read online, HSPA+ isn't what it's cracked up to be, depending upon your location (e.g. trial and error). Yet another reason to use a full fledged compatible ATT handset. (Look online- prices are not bad for ATT branded older iphone 5/5S/Galazy S4/S5)

You won't be receiving any more (carrier) software updates from ATT since the phones were issued by verizon. Rooting them prevents the normal carrier updates anyway. Not recommended either. Apple

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Thanks
May 20, 2015 1:32PM PDT

Thanks much for this very helpful reply. I think we will go with new phones.