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Does the iPhone 5 require a factory reset to switch from GSM to CDMA

Before I ordered my iPhone 5 from StraightTalk I explained that I wanted to use it as a CDMA (Verizon) in the US and as a GSM (Vodafone) in Europe.

I specifically asked if the phone would become a CDMA phone again when I removed the Vodafone GSM Sim after returning to the US. The answer was Yes.

The CDMA function worked well in the US and the GSM function worked equally well in Europe.

However, when I did remove the GSM card, the iPhone 5 stopped working.

According to StraightTalk, the only way to return to the CDMA function is to have them do a factory reset, which means loosing all data and downloaded apps.

Of course, nobody told me that when I asked the question.

Does anybody know if this is a requirement for every iPhone 5 or just for StraightTalk phones?

iPhone 5, iOS 6.1.4, StraightTalk iPhone 5

Posted on Jun 16, 2013 9:03 AM

108 replies

Jul 28, 2013 10:06 AM in response to deggie

my iphone 5 model a1429 cdma and gsm my friend have tmobile and im try hem sim is work and 3G 4G lte working hem have iphone 5 to on walmart family mobile on t-mobile and i try is work.... maybe i buy a nano sim to my iphone 5

deggie

Level 10

167,201 points

Jul 28, 2013 10:10 AM in response to toronbolo1972

A T-Mobile iPhone requires an AWS compatible phone with matching LTE bands in order to access 4G LTE on T-Mobile. A CDMA A1429 iPhone does not meet these requirements.

Jul 28, 2013 10:16 AM in response to TJBUSMC1973

my cell phone is prepaid is not contract and pay $649.00 at walmart and it coneste with straight talk

Jul 28, 2013 10:24 AM in response to toronbolo1972

Then you should have no issue whatsoever with using the device with whichever carrier you want, except for the fact that because it was purchased from a wireless carrier, they still have the option to refuse to unlock the phone, even though you paid full retail price.

If you were going to pay full price for the device (assuming yours is a 16GB version), it would have been better to purchase from Apple directly. Live & learn, I guess.

A1429 is CDMA/GSM both.

Jul 28, 2013 10:24 AM in response to deggie

my ipgone 5 work with cdma and gsm.... what is the difference ?... SIM GSM no work With LTE i try one SIM Tmobile is Work 4G

Jul 28, 2013 10:26 AM in response to toronbolo1972

if you want to learn the difference between gsm and cdma, this forum is not the place since it'll take a lot of time and effort... google it and you'll find plenty of documents.

deggie

Level 10

167,201 points

Jul 28, 2013 10:28 AM in response to toronbolo1972

The A1429, which is CDMA and GSM, has different LTE bands than the A1428 which is sold unlocked at the Apple Store. You will be able to get what T-Mobile calls 4G, which s HSPA+, but you will not get LTE.

Jul 28, 2013 10:41 AM in response to TJBUSMC1973

MY IPHONE 5 MODEL A1429 IS CDMA/GSM BOTH YES I HAVE CDMA WITH STRAIGHT TALK IS NO WORK TO ME 13KB SPEED ON 3G NO TEXT LOST CALL IM CALL STRAIGHT TALK MORE 100 TIME AND SAY NOTING HAPPENS WITH MY SERVICE....... IM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM STRAIGHT TALK ARE STEALING TO THE CANSUMERS EVERY MONTH $45.00.... AND DECEPTION TO PEOPLE THAT THE SERVICE IS NO LIMIT TEXT TALK AND DATA IS NO TRUE

Jul 28, 2013 10:43 AM in response to deggie

4G IS GOOD FOR ME

Jul 28, 2013 10:44 AM in response to serenitynow1

I SEED ON APPLE PAGE THANK YOU

deggie

Level 10

167,201 points

Jul 28, 2013 10:45 AM in response to toronbolo1972

Please stop shouting at us, we aren't doing anything to you.

If you are having all these problems with Straight Talk then move to T-Mobile or AT&T and do without LTE. Or talk to Straight Talk and ask to get your money back and return the iPhone.

There could also be a hardware problem with your iPhone and it is not a Straight Talk issue (on the iPhone 5 Straight Talk is an MVNO of Verizon using their system). Make a Genius Bar appointment at your nearest Apple Store and have the phone looked at.

Jul 28, 2013 10:46 AM in response to deggie

YOU SAY GSM NO WORK LTE ONLY 4G AND CDMA WORK LTE

Jul 28, 2013 10:46 AM in response to toronbolo1972

1.STOP SHOUTING!!!

2. Direct your concerns regarding StraightTalk to their feedback team. Ranting about it here does no good.

deggie

Level 10

167,201 points

Jul 28, 2013 10:46 AM in response to toronbolo1972

One more thing, while you are having your iPhone looked at ask if the GSM side of your iPhone shows to be unlocked. Or just call AppleCare, give them your serial and model number and ask if it is unlocked.

deggie

Level 10

167,201 points

Jul 28, 2013 10:47 AM in response to toronbolo1972

The LTE side of the Straight Talk, Verizon, Virgin and Sprint phones are actually using GSM technology.

Does the iPhone 5 require a factory reset to switch from GSM to CDMA