(5.0.2+5.1) (UPDATED 08/27/2016) How to: Use Verizon Moto E (2015) on ANY GSM network

[Whoareyou]

Please follow the updated directions provided by Bendrexl below before attempting any other methods.

Here's a roundup of essential steps from this thread that worked for me...
:good: HUGE THANKS to: Whoareyou, docna, caspar347, Dishe

Prepare for battle:

1. Ensure your Verizon Moto E 2015 is configured for USB debugging.
2. Ensure your Verizon Moto E 2015 has airplane mode enabled.
3. Ensure your PC/Mac has the Android SDK Platform Tools installed & accessible via your terminal / command line (added to $PATH var).
4. Download 5.0.2 factory image: http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-e-2015/general/stocks-firmwares-moto-e-t3113235/page2?nocache=1 (Thanks to caspar347!)
5. Unzip / expand this .zip archive.
6. Open a terminal session in the directory you just unzipped (containing NON-HLOS.bin & fsg.mbn)

Execute!
In your terminal with phone plugged in:

1. $ adb reboot bootloader (your phone should now reboot into bootloader, wait for this)
2. $ fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin
3. $ fastboot erase modemst1
4. $ fastboot erase modemst2
5. $ fastboot flash fsg fsg.mbn
6. $ fastboot reboot (WAIT for phone to fully boot before continuing)
7. $ adb shell (your command prompt will change to something like [email protected]_cdma:/ $. If you get kicked out of the session while entering the next commands, just type adb shell again and pick up where you left off)
8. [email protected]_cdma:/ $ pm clear com.android.providers.telephony
9. [email protected]_cdma:/ $ settings put global preferred_network_mode 9
10. [email protected]_cdma:/ $ settings put global preferred_network_mode1 9
11. [email protected]_cdma:/ $ settings put global preferred_network_mode2 9
12. [email protected]_cdma:/ $ pm hide com.motorola.setupwizard.phoneservice (optional)
13. [email protected]_cdma:/ $ exit (or just unplug & reboot phone)
14. $ adb reboot (or just unplug & reboot phone)

On the phone:

1. Turn off Airplane mode
2. Open Settings app > More > Cellular Networks
3. Ensure Preferred network type selected is "4G (recommended)"
4. Under Access Point Names, add the appropriate APNs for your specific carrier. (for Fi data, I only needed "h2g2").
5. Disable all Verizon apps through settings or Titanium Backup. (Optional)

CREDITS: Whoareyou, docna, caspar347, Dishe

IF YOUR DEVICE IS RUNNING 5.1, FOLLOW THE GREEN INSTRUCTIONS!
In order to attempt to get Verizon/Motorola to push out a new update with a fix for the removal of the option to switch to GSM, please sign this petition on Change.org and share it to anyone who you know will sign it! https://www.change.org/p/verizon-daniel-s-mead-stop-carrier-locking-motorola-moto-e-lte-xt1528
Background Info: I work at Walmart in the Connection Center, and today I had a customer wanting to switch to Family Mobile from AT&T, so I showed them our Family Mobile devices and T-Mobile Devices, they didnt seem interested in them and said they wanted somthing that had Android 5.0 Lollipop, I thought about it for a minute and remembered that the Moto E (2015) shipped with Lollipop installed, I also knew that Verizon phones come unlocked, so I showed them the device and they decided to go with it, they bought the Family Mobile Micro SIM starter kit, and the Moto E, but once I powered it on, I couldn't get it to connect to Family Mobile, so I tried to access the advanced radio menu (*#*#4636#*#*) to no avail, but I eventually got it working, with full LTE support, heres how:

POSSIBLE SIM SWAP WORKAROUND (Reported by wogeboy):
Disable vzwAPNpermissions.apk and vzwAPNservice.apk using this program: http://bit.ly/1HHyVao
I have not tested this as I dont have a VZW Moto E to test it on.

5.1 Updated Instrcutions:
With the SIM you want to use the the phone :
1. Put the phone into Airplane mode (I'm not sure this is needed, but it doesn't hurt)
2. Go to Settings -> About Phone and tap on "Build Number" until it says you are in Developer Mode (~10 times)
3. Go back one menu, and right above About Phone there should now be an option for Developer Options, go into that.
4. Turn on USB Debugging
5. Connect the phone to your computer and type "adb shell" in your CMD window
6. Run the following commands in adb shell :
pm clear com.android.providers.telephony

settings put global preferred_network_mode 9

settings put global preferred_network_mode1 9

settings put global preferred_network_mode2 9

7. Turn off Airplane mode

8. Power off and Restart the phone

9. Open up the settings app, go to the mobile networks panel, select "Prefered Network Mode" and change it to "4G"

10. Input the appropriate APNs for your specific carrier

11. (Optional). Disable all Verizon apps through settings or Titanium Backup.
CREDIT: docna
.

5.0.2 Instructions:
1. Power on the device with the GSM SIM card in the SIM card slot
2. Connect to WiFi and complete Google Sign-In
3. Go to the Play Store and search "Network" download the first app (A white circle with a black phone in it) (This will allow us access to the advance radio options)
4. Open the "Network" shortcut
5. Change the radio mode from "CDMA/LTE PRL" to "GSM/LTE Auto"
6. Open up the settings app, go to the mobile networks panel, select "Prefered Network Mode" and change it to "4G"
7. Input the appropriate APNs for your specific carrier
8 (Optional). Disable all Verizon apps through settings or Titanium Backup.
The only thing I couldnt solve was how to remove the "SIM Card is not from Verizon Wireless" error in the status bar permanently, but thats just an annoyance, and causes no usability decrease.

 

[tm515]

This Works!

Thanks a lot, had been trying to get the GSM working. The "Network" app in the Play Store give access to the hidden radio selection menu. Verizon was able to disable all other way to enter the radio selection menu but this one did it. I think there is a apk file somewhere which disables the annoying "NOT verizon SIM" message. I will post here if I find that works.

 

[acadiel]

That's a lot easier than poking around in NVram! Thanks, OP. And yeah, there's a Setup app or something you need to freeze for then sim error. I'll have to get mine out and find it.

 

[acadiel]

Here are screen snaps. The VZ phone is actually picking up LTE for Ting (T-Mobile).

 

[metlahead3236]

Nice. This is definitely some progress. Still waiting for the sprint version to be unlocked.

 

[Dogwithgoggles]

Background Info: I work at Walmart in the Connection Center, and today I had a customer wanting to switch to Family Mobile from AT&T, so I showed them our Family Mobile devices and T-Mobile Devices, they didnt seem interested in them and said they wanted somthing that had Android 5.0 Lollipop, I thought about it for a minute and remembered that the Moto E (2015) shipped with Lollipop installed, I also knew that Verizon phones come unlocked, so I showed them the device and they decided to go with it, they bought the Family Mobile Micro SIM starter kit, and the Moto E, but once I powered it on, I couldn't get it to connect to Family Mobile, so I tried to access the advanced radio menu (*#*#4636#*#*) to no avail, but I eventually got it working, with full LTE support, heres how:
1. Power on the device with the GSM SIM card in the SIM card slot
2. Connect to WiFi and complete Google Sign-In
3. Go to the Play Store and search "Network" download the first app (A white circle with a black phone in it) (This will allow us access to the advance radio options)
4. Open the "Network" shortcut
5. Change the radio mode from "CDMA/LTE PRL" to "GSM/LTE Auto"
6. Open up the settings app, go to the mobile networks panel, select "Prefered Network Mode" and change it to "4G"
7. Input the appropriate APNs for your specific carrier
8 (Optional). Disable all Verizon apps through settings or Titanium Backup.
The only thing I couldnt solve was how to remove the "SIM Card is not from Verizon Wireless" error in the status bar permanently, but thats just an annoyance, and causes no usability decrease.

Thanks a ton for this! Do you know what the APN setting should be for T-Mobile? That's my current challenge. Every site has a different opinion. Including T-Mobile.

 

[Whoareyou]

APN: fast.t-mobile.com
MMSC: http://mms.msg.eng.t-mobile.com/mms/wapenc

that should be all you have to set

 

[samratunlock]

Method Works on SPRINT AND BOOST too

Thanks

This method works on Boost and Sprint too.
Tested in INDIA working fine with indian GSM carriers.

 

[_Z_x_Z_]

Background Info: I work at Walmart in the Connection Center, and today I had a customer wanting to switch to Family Mobile from AT&T, so I showed them our Family Mobile devices and T-Mobile Devices, they didnt seem interested in them and said they wanted somthing that had Android 5.0 Lollipop, I thought about it for a minute and remembered that the Moto E (2015) shipped with Lollipop installed, I also knew that Verizon phones come unlocked, so I showed them the device and they decided to go with it, they bought the Family Mobile Micro SIM starter kit, and the Moto E, but once I powered it on, I couldn't get it to connect to Family Mobile, so I tried to access the advanced radio menu (*#*#4636#*#*) to no avail, but I eventually got it working, with full LTE support, heres how:
1. Power on the device with the GSM SIM card in the SIM card slot
2. Connect to WiFi and complete Google Sign-In
3. Go to the Play Store and search "Network" download the first app (A white circle with a black phone in it) (This will allow us access to the advance radio options)
4. Open the "Network" shortcut
5. Change the radio mode from "CDMA/LTE PRL" to "GSM/LTE Auto"
6. Open up the settings app, go to the mobile networks panel, select "Prefered Network Mode" and change it to "4G"
7. Input the appropriate APNs for your specific carrier
8 (Optional). Disable all Verizon apps through settings or Titanium Backup.
The only thing I couldnt solve was how to remove the "SIM Card is not from Verizon Wireless" error in the status bar permanently, but thats just an annoyance, and causes no usability decrease.

Hello. It does not work in Ukraine. Tried many operators. Line GSM only emergency calls and all.I choose the network settings and 2G and 3G. Prompt what to do please.

 

[Whoareyou]

Hello. It does not work in Ukraine. Tried many operators. Line GSM only emergency calls and all.I choose the network settings and 2G and 3G. Prompt what to do please.

The device may not support Ukrainian bands, check with your carrier to see what band they use for HSPA/LTE

 

[sseuorosal]

I'll have to get mine out and find it.

 

[brotherswing]

This only kinda works with T-Mobile. No LTE or 3G, just edge - and that keeps disconnecting and reconnecting about once every minute or so. I'll have to look into the return/exchange policy if I can't get data working.

 

[Whoareyou]

This only kinda works with T-Mobile. No LTE or 3G, just edge - and that keeps disconnecting and reconnecting about once every minute or so. I'll have to look into the return/exchange policy if I can't get data working.

You must be in a non-refarmed area, in Shawnee, KS i was able to get Edge/3G/HSPA+/LTE

 

[acadiel]

You must be in a non-refarmed area, in Shawnee, KS i was able to get Edge/3G/HSPA+/LTE

Yep. See my snapshot above for Ting GSM (T-Mobile) in Florida. 4G LTE indicated.

 

[brotherswing]

I figured it out. With WiFi on my cell signal strength fluctuates wildly, but as soon as I turn off the WiFi the signal settles down, and I get a solid LTE connection averaging about 32Mbps. Strange, but I've seen crazier things.

Side note, the XT1528 is not eligible for the Motorola unlock program, and cannot be rooted by any method currently available. Several "one click root" tools claim to support it, but don't actually work.

Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

 

[syrkles]

Will the boost variant work on net10

Sent from my N800 using XDA Free mobile app

 

[Whoareyou]

Will the boost variant work on net10

Sent from my N800 using XDA Free mobile app

I personally haven't had any luck with the Sprint variants (Virgin Mobile, Boost) but I also didn't get to try using an activated Sim card, you could try, but I'm not sure

 

[AkumaX]

I figured it out. With WiFi on my cell signal strength fluctuates wildly, but as soon as I turn off the WiFi the signal settles down, and I get a solid LTE connection averaging about 32Mbps. Strange, but I've seen crazier things.

Side note, the XT1528 is not eligible for the Motorola unlock program, and cannot be rooted by any method currently available. Several "one click root" tools claim to support it, but don't actually work.

Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

That root thread won't root the XT1528?

 

[brotherswing]

Root must be flashed with a custom recovery, which in turn requires that the boot loader be unlocked. Since the boot loader on the XT1528 can't be unlocked, we can't use that root technique.

 

[AkumaX]

Root must be flashed with a custom recovery, which in turn requires that the boot loader be unlocked. Since the boot loader on the XT1528 can't be unlocked, we can't use that root technique.

Ahh that's for clearing that up for me!