Verizon iPhone 5s on Metro-pcs

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Level 1

8 points

Verizon iPhone 5s on Metro-pcs

Hey all, recently had a house fire, so my phone bit the dust. My girlfriend gave me her old iPhone 5s from Verizon to use. I was switching to metro, asked Verizon if they needed to unlock it and they said it already was. Put the metro sim card in and it activated

However I keep getting the E display instead of 4g if I'm not in the middle of downtown. I think the area Is covered well as my parents both got androids from metro and they have the data connection in the same places that I don't. I can text and call and basically that is it when the E is shown. I googled and found that most people fixed this problem by changing the apn, but I do not have an apn section to change on my phone (that is also what metro customer service asked if I could do) Does anyone have any advice? Trying not to buy a new phone, but need my phone for work.

The back of the phone says model A1429 and I am up to date on 10.2.1

Thanks for taking the time to read, couldn't find an answer in other posts, so sorry if it hasn't already been answered

Posted on Feb 16, 2017 8:12 AM

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Answer 1

KiltedTim

Level 10

228,558 points

Feb 16, 2017 9:15 AM in response to Eodahs92

All Verizon LTE capable devices are unlocked out of the box.

You're going to have to work with MetroPCS on this. The reason you don't have access to the APN settings is because they are piggy-backing on a network the phone sees as 'supported' (e.g. T-Mobile, AT&T, etc) so the phone assigns what it believes are the correct settings for that network. That often won't work with an MVNO. It sounds like you got a SIM for their GSM bring your own phone service. MetroPCS is a supported carrier, but ONLY on their CDMA network. You're using the wrong service. Go back to MetroPCS and ask if they can activate your phone on the CDMA network.

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Answer 2

Eodahs92 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 16, 2017 8:22 AM in response to KiltedTim

You are correct, I am using the bring your own phone plan. Is what you are saying something I do at the store or on the help line? I went into the store last weekend to see what was going on, the guy called someone asking what to do, and they told me to just call the help line

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Answer 3

KiltedTim

Level 10

228,558 points

Feb 16, 2017 8:24 AM in response to Eodahs92

The sales-droids in the store probably aren't going to have a clue. You are, however most likely going to need a different SIM, which will mean a physical visit to the store...

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Answer 4

Eodahs92 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 16, 2017 8:33 AM in response to KiltedTim

Thanks for answering,

So if I go in and say I need to be on the CDMA network they'll know what to do? There's only ever one guy in there, so they don't seem to have tech support people there

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Answer 5

KiltedTim

Level 10

228,558 points

Feb 16, 2017 8:45 AM in response to Eodahs92

Call their support people first. Explain what you're doing and what's wrong. I wouldn't bother going to the store and dealing with the near minimum wage sales droid unless you have to.

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