Sprint HTC Evo 4G - Can I use it on Virgin Mobile network?

[Nata Harli]

I have a Sprint HTC Evo 4g which was previously used with my contract with Sprint.

I'm trying to get away from a contract but would like to use the phone if possible. I notice in the Virgin FAQs there is a question about what happens if you purchase a new phone, can the old phone be replaced by the new one? The answer says you log into your account and there is a section that allows you to do this. You just need to enter the ESN #, which my phone has. The FAQ doesn't say anything about having to purchase the phone from Virgin.

I went to Radio Shack and they said it could not be done, but they didn't seem real confident in their answer. So, I'm wondering about the possibility of starting a Virgin Mobile account (which I probably will do anyway), getting a really cheap phone initially, then going through their "upgrade" and using my old Sprint EVO 4g.

Anyone know if it can be done?

Thanks.

[Nata Harli]

I found this in your FAQs which would leave me to believe it can be done:

Q: Is it possible to use a non-Virgin Mobile branded phone on VM?

A: Assuming the phone is also a CDMA phone (made for user on Verizon or Sprint or their MVNO's), yes. The specifics of how to do so will not be provided here, but links to such specifics can be provided and discussion of how to get said phones working properly once modified will be allowed.

I haven't found the links to how to get it done yet but I'm looking.

[jdsupyeah]

I would lean towards "yes", that it can be done. The underlining tech is the same : CDMA.

You'd be up ***t creek without a paddle if you were going from CDMA to non CDMA or vice versa.

But that is not the issue at hand here, since sprint and Virgin use the same CDMA networks. I'm going to buy a used HTC Evo 4G for like 100 or whatever I can get one cheap for, and give it a shot and try to activate it on virgin. If I can get that to work I'll let you know.

Why? Well, I want to move up to a 4G phone. Right now that same phone, VA branded, is 299 on their website.

BTW, I've really enjoyed Virgin's service. Straight forward, one price, no contract.

[jeffmd]

I havn't heard of anyone bring a phone over to virgin mobile aside from a very involved iphone process that require implanting the imei from a valid VM phone into the iphone. I guess if you can manage that on the 4g then you are golden.

[cpcollector]

You won't be able to.

[vwsunroof]

I'm going to buy a used HTC Evo 4G for like 100 or whatever I can get one cheap for, and give it a shot and try to activate it on virgin. If I can get that to work I'll let you know.

Why? Well, I want to move up to a 4G phone. Right now that same phone, VA branded, is 299 on their website.

The Virgin branded Evo V 4G isn't the same phone as the Evo 4G. It is the same as the Evo 3d though at least hardware wise.

Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using Tapatalk

[Nata Harli]

Thanks for all the responses. I've got a cheapie LG so I can start my service. I'm going to be traveling for a while so needed a phone ASAP. When I get back I'm going to try to get my EVO 4g to work.

I'm wondering if I root the Sprint Evo first if I might have better luck getting it to work on Virgin.

Any thoughts?

[jeffmd]

Rooting would be a requirement to changing its IMEI. There is also the little bit about the 4g, currently Virgin mobile has access to the wiimax network (evo 3d). Even if you got a phone to connect to the 3g network, trying to access virgin mobile over LTE will probably be a bust.

Very little discussion on doing so here though, you will need to hit up the forums that cater to hacking the phone.

[DaveIsNotHere]

I've seen places on EBay offering Sprint to Virgin flashes, although the Sprint to Boost ones seem to be more of a sure thing. The fact most of them mention a donor phone (including tutorials online) does not bode well. Especially when said donor phones are becoming ancient.

[twelfth]

Buy a Venture on sale for $40. Use it as a donor phone. What exactly are you imagining to be ancient, Dave?

[hershey_squirt]

Nope.. Sorry.

If it was that easy to slap any cdma smart phone on VM (just doing a phone swap @ VM's site), it would be all over the internet.

Also, I do believe any type of discussion that involves modifying/cloning the ESN of a phone is against the forums rules, and is illegal in the U.S. Even the popular modding forums don't allow talk of it.

I think your best bet would be to sell your current phone and pick up an Evo V.

[jeffmd]

lol @ talking about it being illegal.

[hershey_squirt]

lol @ talking about it being illegal.

Do I agree with it, no. But it is what it is. Modifying an electronic serial number is illegal, and yes the law is vague and pretty much encompasses everything. But do they really prossecute it, I doubt it. :-)

http://law.onecle.com/uscode/18/1029.html

http://www.fcc.gov/guides/cell-phone-fraud

[jeffmd]

I was referring to the talking about part.

[vast8fm]

I saw that you were going to try it and see if it worked. I am interested in doing the same. Any luck?