A reader, Joseph, asks,
Can I use my US Cellular Samsung Galaxy S5 with Straight Talk Wireless> Its a CDMA phone and the model number is SM-G900RZKAUSC. What do I need to do?
I don’t know. You can check if this phone is eligible yourself online at straighttalk.com. To learn how to check this see Checking If You Can Use Your Verizon Smartphone with Straight Talk Wireless. Check out the video and see if you phone is compatible with Straight Talk’s Verizon network. If not repeat the process and see if your phone is compatible with the Straight Talk Sprint network.
When you sign up for Straight Talk, your phone is placed on either Straight Talk’s ATT, Verizon, Sprint, or TMobile network. You want to pick the network that works well where you plan to use your phone and the network that is compatible with your phone.
Your Galaxy S5 (SM-G900RZKAUSC) might also compatible with the Straight Talk’s AT&T and Straight Talk’s T-Mobile network. You’ll need the Straight Talk micro SIM for the network you want to use. Your phone will need to be SIM unlocked. Your S5 may already be SIM unlocked. The easiest way to check this is borrow a AT&T or T-Mobile micro SIM from a friend and put it in your phone. If it works, your phone is unlocked. If your phone is not unlocked, check to see if you qualify for US Cellular to unlock it. See http://www.uscellular.com/site/legal/mobile-wireless-device-unlocking.html
I looked at the specification for the US Cellular Samsung Galaxy S5(SM-G900RZKAUSC) but I can’t tell if the phone if or how well this phone will work on Straight Talk’s AT&T, Straight Talk’s Verizon, Straight Talk’s Sprint, or Straight Talk’s T-Mobile network. For your phone to work, first those networks need to have network coverage where you use your phone. Second your phone needs to support the same cellular radio signals that those networks do. As far as I can tell this verison of the Galaxy S5 is partially compatible.
You can see the network specs for your phone here. http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s5_cdma-6338.php
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/SM-G900RZKAUSC
The specifications for the AT&T and T-Mobile variants here http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s5-6033.php
If you are trying to figure this out, leave a reply below and I’ll try and help you out.
I have a galaxy s5. I have unlocked it from u.s cellular to use straight talk. Ive used all 4 sim cards and verizon was the only one to show any type of signal or connection, but by calling straight talk, i was told my device was not compatible, therefore, telling me to get a refund from walmart. How is that so, if i was told by u.s cellular it was unlocked and gsm/cdma compatable with straight talk. As others have connected their devices with them. Please help..
Tina,
Straight Talk uses the AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile or Sprint networks. You want pick the network, that has service in your area and is compatible with your phone. So which network do you think would work in your area? I am not sure which networks your phone is compatible with. What is the model number?
Also, you might want to read this article, it’s about the iPhone 6 but explains the Straight Talk BYOP process.
How To Sign Up and Use Your iPhone 6 or 6s with Straight Talk Wireless
I have a galaxy s3 mini and I put my straight talk CDMA sim in it. It took a minute but the 31 popped up and it worked normal.
I’ve been trying to switch my us cellular Samsung Galaxy s5 over to straight talk and they say the at&t Sim card is compatible.. I put it in and nothing. Put the tmobile in and started receiving text messages but that’s it. Couldn’t do anything else with the phone I m frustrated because straight talk says its activated but its not working don’t know what to do… Help
Katherine,
Did you go through the process of transferring your number from US cellular to the Straight Talk ATT SIM? Did you then transfer your service to the Straight Talk TMobile SIM? Do people in your area use ATT and TMobile? any idea if those networks have decent coverage in your area? When you tried both of these SIMS did you set the APN on your phone before trying to use data?