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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

brgmgb

Level 1

0 points

Sep 25, 2014 2:37 PM in response to HazelhoffHenk

I just came across this thread while looking for something else. Like others in this thread, I have the Straight Talk CDMA iPhone 5. I have had Straight Talk for almost 2 years. I think the CDMA version was the only version available. I just purchased it from the website. They did not ask me what network I wanted. I do know it uses the Verizon network because sometimes I will get the "this call can not be completed" messages and they say Verizon. I wanted the "Verizon" Straight Talk phone because where I live, Verizon has the best service.

To clarify:

Straight Talk does not offer 4G or LTE on this phone. The fastest is 3G and even that is not very fast.
There is no SIM card. I do not know anyone with a Verizon LTE SIM, so I can not comment if that would work.
Straight Talk's customer support is poor. They just follow a script. For the most part, they do try their best, but just don't have the knowledge.
I had similar problems when I first received my phone. I had to spend a few hours on the home phone with Straight Talk while we tried a variety of things on the iPhone to get it to work. They even had me reset the phone.
Straight Talk service is not available in Alaska or other countries. We also had no service in southern Indiana last June.

The best news I have read in this thread is that the GSM side is unlocked! My oldest daughter wants to switch to AT&T. It would be great to take my phone with me (yes, I know I will not get LTE, but I don't have it now) and not have to buy a new phone right away. My youngest daughter and wife both have unlocked iPhones using "AT&T" Straight Talk SIMs. My oldest daughter has a Straight Talk purchased iPhone 5S which apparently is locked to Straight Talk. She also has the "AT&T" SIM.

This forum is an excellent source of information because of those that reply to posts. Thank you for the time and effort you put into it!

Nov 29, 2014 5:11 AM in response to brgmgb

Now I have a weird problem. Its the other way round actually. I am having this iPhone 5 since last One and Half year on a gsm network in India, Which was working perfectly alright. But one fine day I did a factory reset and the phone just does not accept my sim. It says invalid SIM and it asks for a a US CDMA Sim. when I connect to iTunes. it says Device is activated on CDMA USA Network. International roaming requires a sim. This is really surprising and frustrating. I even updated to the latest OS but nothing. It refuses to accept my SIM Card. So the phone has suddenly become locked and useless. Any help would be highly appreciated.

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Nov 29, 2014 9:28 AM in response to robocop21

It was unlocked using an unofficial hack and it has now relocked to the original carrier. You will need to contact the carrier and see if you qualify to unlock it.

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