Using U.S. Android cell phone with Japanese operator
Upon moving from the U.S. to Japan, I wanted to keep using my U.S. phone device with a Japanese mobile network operator both for call and for unlimited internet (just being mean and frugal). Because today I managed to realize that with some hacks, I'm just leaving a note step-by-step.
Since the phone device cost nearly $500 and I've only used less than an year, I thought it was worth giving a shot, and luckily worked out.
I did so by calling #611 (T-Mobile support) over wifi using their Wifi-Calling. This should've been piece of cake but actually it took me awhile due to miscommunication among support personnel (I won't write about it since there's not much lesson here, oh but one thing I screwed up by myself was first I requested "unlocking my phone device", which they took as how to unlock "screensavor" on the phone - you need to specifically mention unlocking "SIM").
2. With the SIM-unlock code, unlock a new SIM.
I did this by using a SIM of someone's phone before I got my new SIM contract, in order to verify if I can unlock successfully. Since I knew I would use Softbank that my parents use with family discount plan, I used my father's SIM. Once you put his SIM into my phone and turns the phone on, Android asks SIM-unlock code.
3. Put new SIM in your Android phone (if you haven't done so)
Make sure voice calling works with it. If it doesn't, something may be wrong with you either along with the steps I've described, or your phone contract.
4. Set APN with the new SIM on Android
This was the largest hack for me. By just putting the new SIM, I found that Android didn't get IP (Internet Protocol) connection so that I couldn't use data connection/internet, although I could talk without problems. It turned out I had to set so-called APN (I posted how to set APN here); below is what I set that I found in this blog:
APN open.softbank.ne.jp
Proxy: (None)
Port: (None)
Username: opensoftbank
Password: ebMNuX1FIHg9d3DA
Server: (None)
MMSC: http://mms/
MMS Proxy: mmsopen.softbank.ne.jp
MMS Port: 8080
MMS protocol: WAP2.0 (default)
MCC: 440
MNC: 20
Authentication type: PAP or CHAP
APN type: default,supl,mms
APN protocol: IPv4
There seems to be a few different types of SIM cards. Mine is simple silver one (the one on far left in this pic:
Since the phone device cost nearly $500 and I've only used less than an year, I thought it was worth giving a shot, and luckily worked out.
- Carried from US) T-Mobile. Samsung Galaxy 4S Relay. Android Jelly Bean 4.1
- In Japan) Softbank corp.
I did so by calling #611 (T-Mobile support) over wifi using their Wifi-Calling. This should've been piece of cake but actually it took me awhile due to miscommunication among support personnel (I won't write about it since there's not much lesson here, oh but one thing I screwed up by myself was first I requested "unlocking my phone device", which they took as how to unlock "screensavor" on the phone - you need to specifically mention unlocking "SIM").
2. With the SIM-unlock code, unlock a new SIM.
I did this by using a SIM of someone's phone before I got my new SIM contract, in order to verify if I can unlock successfully. Since I knew I would use Softbank that my parents use with family discount plan, I used my father's SIM. Once you put his SIM into my phone and turns the phone on, Android asks SIM-unlock code.
3. Put new SIM in your Android phone (if you haven't done so)
Make sure voice calling works with it. If it doesn't, something may be wrong with you either along with the steps I've described, or your phone contract.
4. Set APN with the new SIM on Android
This was the largest hack for me. By just putting the new SIM, I found that Android didn't get IP (Internet Protocol) connection so that I couldn't use data connection/internet, although I could talk without problems. It turned out I had to set so-called APN (I posted how to set APN here); below is what I set that I found in this blog:
APN open.softbank.ne.jp
Proxy: (None)
Port: (None)
Username: opensoftbank
Password: ebMNuX1FIHg9d3DA
Server: (None)
MMSC: http://mms/
MMS Proxy: mmsopen.softbank.ne.jp
MMS Port: 8080
MMS protocol: WAP2.0 (default)
MCC: 440
MNC: 20
Authentication type: PAP or CHAP
APN type: default,supl,mms
APN protocol: IPv4
There seems to be a few different types of SIM cards. Mine is simple silver one (the one on far left in this pic:
)
Another hack was that this operator (Softbank) doesn't allow new SIM contract with a cell phone from abroad. I still managed to get one by bringing my mother's old cellphone device and told them that I would use it. Of course I removed SIM from this old phone right after I left their office and put into my Android.
 |
| Rare Turtlebot t-shirt has arrived |
Comments
Thanks again.
thanks again.