Android on Verizon Not Roaming

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,124
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My S9+ doesn't seem to be roaming. I drive to a different area and I have zero connections available on my phone. If I restart the phone, it works fine. I don't want to have to keep doing that, any ideas?

Wifi calling on
Android 10
 
Feb 4, 2009
35,862
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Power the phone completely off and power back on

Check for a “No Roaming” setting buried somewhere in the settings *this is a big reason why I don’t like Android phones*

Check for any odd “carrier settings” see above as to why I don’t like android

Check if device is set to 5G or LTE only.
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
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It''s not buried... there is no "don't allow roaming". It's either on or off.

Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Data Roaming (on/off?)

You can also do Settings > Search "roaming" and it pops right up. You have no idea how many times I've wanted to throw my kids' Apple products out the window because it does things the wrong way under the guise of "ease".
 
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olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,124
779
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Roaming access is set to "Connect to mobile networks while roaming"

VoLTE is Off

Network mode is set to Global
 

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
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I changed my address since it was called "service address" and restarted my phone. I'll see if that helps.
If it doesn't, ill call or replace the phone.
 
Feb 4, 2009
35,862
17,405
136
I changed my address since it was called "service address" and restarted my phone. I'll see if that helps.
If it doesn't, ill call or replace the phone.

I doubt that will fix it, sounds like that setting is for 911 over Wifi and network.
As of 2015(?) many municipalities could not interpret the gps data from 911 calls.
**quickly that is**
 

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
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779
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I doubt that will fix it, sounds like that setting is for 911 over Wifi and network.
As of 2015(?) many municipalities could not interpret the gps data from 911 calls.
**quickly that is**
Just checked, my address was current for the 911 info in wifi calling. Had me excited for a second.
 

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
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Nothing a few hard shots to the screen with a ball-peen hammer and a couple hundred $'s towards a new phone can't fix!

;)


EDIT: All kidding aside, if a factory-reset and then manually re-installing only the apps you use daily (keeping installed software to a bare-minimum) doesn't fix the problem, it's time for a new phone.
 
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BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,366
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My S9+ tries to connect to Canadian cell towers if I get too close to the Straits of Juan de Fuca...I have to manually turn roaming off to prevent it.
 
Feb 4, 2009
35,862
17,405
136
My S9+ tries to connect to Canadian cell towers if I get too close to the Straits of Juan de Fuca...I have to manually turn roaming off to prevent it.

If you don’t leave the US have Verizon restrict international dialing & data.
This was a common thing for people in Maine & Vermont during my time at CellularOne, Cingular then ATT.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,366
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If you don’t leave the US have Verizon restrict international dialing & data.
This was a common thing for people in Maine & Vermont during my time at CellularOne, Cingular then ATT.

I think I was able to turn it off on my phone.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,271
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You could try updating the PRL. Open settings, pick System updates, and see if you have it in there. That's where it is on my low end Samsung with Sprint. I keep data roaming off, so I can't say if it'll fix anything, but it seems relevant, and won't hurt.
 
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Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
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You could try updating the PRL


This should be updating itself on any decent newer phone these days to the best of my knowledge no? Certainly worth a try though.

When I lived right by the water on LI sound, my phone would randomly kick over to "roaming". Turns out that much like sound-waves water is also better at carrying some radio transmissions than air. I was picking up a repeater in Port Jefferson NY. (on Long Island)
 

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
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No ability to manually update PRL.


I figured ... backup your data and try a factory-reset. (make sure you know your Google account password prior to doing this ... if in doubt change it!)

Unfortunately "rooting" is not a good idea at all these days for many reasons unless you plan on using that s9 as an IOT device not a phone. If a full reset doesn't fix the problem it's time for a shiny new s21 or Pixel.
 
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olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
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Which phone should I get? Don't want to pay $1k for another phone but want something snappy with good battery life.
Android only.
 
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Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
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Samsung has been running some great deals on the s21.

Otherwise I would look at the Pixel 4a.