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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 3:05 PM in response to deggie

You disagreeing with me isn't arguing. If you see it that way, that's on you, deggie.

The 'tangent' was caused by your confusion about my comment about where to seek assistance for the issue.

deggie

Level 10

167,195 points

Jul 28, 2013 3:11 PM in response to TJBUSMC1973

Jul 28, 2013 3:17 PM in response to deggie

What I find funny about all you higher level points people is.... WHY do you care? You are not the owners here, neither do you get officially paid... what exactly is the reason to cause a stimulus response from you about whether something violates a companys TOS? If the company has resources, they will bother to police it themselves. Why do you care?

tonefox

Level 6

9,362 points

Jul 28, 2013 3:39 PM in response to serenitynow1

You have just destroyed every charitable organisation in the world.

Because we want to care. Because we empathise with everybody who cannot handle their technology. Because it is a hobby that helps others.

I'm sorry the concept of helping others does not fall within your lifestyle.

Jul 28, 2013 3:55 PM in response to tonefox

tonefox wrote:

Because we want to care. Because we empathise with everybody who cannot handle their technology. Because it is a hobby that helps others.

Don't forget the fact that, as adults, we like the reasonably civilized atmosphere here as opposed to many other online forums. And that we like to help maintain that.

Jul 28, 2013 3:42 PM in response to tonefox

Jul 28, 2013 3:46 PM in response to serenitynow1

serenitynow1 wrote:

If the company has resources, they will bother to police it themselves. Why do you care?

They probably don't have the resources to "police" a forum this huge by themselves. How do you think the Hosts learn about issues and TOU violations? It sure isn't by having an Apple employee reading every post. It's because concerned community members report posts for the Hosts evaluation. Some people prefer a more direct approach to minor issues.

tonefox

Level 6

9,362 points

Jul 28, 2013 3:53 PM in response to stedman1

Stuck for words? Not like you... 😉

Jul 28, 2013 3:54 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

come on lackeys... who's gonna be the first to remove this?

RIP

deggie

Level 10

167,195 points

Jul 28, 2013 3:55 PM in response to serenitynow1

The moderators are the only ones who can remove posts. You are calling them lackeys?

Jul 28, 2013 3:56 PM in response to tonefox

Naw, the forums are having another hissing fit, and I wasn't able to see the ongoing argument without posting. Just a lurker..... This time!

Jul 28, 2013 3:59 PM in response to serenitynow1

Okay, this is where I've got to definitely distance myself. There's having a difference of opinion, and there's being outright and intentionally antagonistic.

Sorry, but you're on your own. I have a policy of not insulting the owners/operators/moderators of a website.

Jul 28, 2013 5:52 PM in response to deggie

thank you i see im try to put nano sim on my iphone 5 im reset my iphone 5 like new and connet on itunes is work on walmart family mobile on t-mobile it work 2G 3G 4G try is good and work and maybe LTE work i no have LTE i no have towers closet but maybe work

Message was edited by: toronbolo1972

Mar 1, 2014 1:46 PM in response to HazelhoffHenk

This answered a lot of questions. Going to Spain this summer, and I also have the iPhone 5 from Straight Talk!

Any advice you can give me on looking for a plan to call the States, so my son can talk to his mother if he wants to?

Mar 1, 2014 3:08 PM in response to kennethfromhope mills

You can buy Sim cards from any carrier in Spain. They come preloaded with a couple of Euros. You can add money using the iPhone and a credit card number or you can go to most supermarkets and buy a ticket with a code number that needs to be entered in your phone. My choice is Vodafone which worked fine while traveling all over Europe.

The least expensive way to make calls to the US would be to install Skype on your iPhone and create a Skype account with a few dollars. Skype calls use WiFi which is avalaible in lots of places in Spain. If the person in the States also has Skype, the calls are free. You can also call a landline for just a few cents per minute. In addition, Skype provides the option to setup Skype phone numbers for friends and family.

Check the internet for gadgets that provide "personal WiFi". Since I have no personal experience with these devices, I don't know how effective they are.

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