So I recently upgraded my phone and got a Samsung Stratosphere. I have been driven to tears by this phone out of pure frustration. The first one I had just shut off when it was plugged in and fully charged making myself and my kids late because I use it for an alarm clock! So after bringing it in, and having them test it which meant leaving it there for an hour. Well they said it was a bad charger. So I got a new one. Well that worked for a couple days and once again, it turned off. I just got a replacement phone sent. Activated it yesterday, actually went to the Verizon store to activate it, because I didn't want to get blamed for not doing something right. What do you know? Not holding a charge on this either. Won't even stay on. Tried 2 different chargers. So I will be demanding my money back to get a new phone that is not this phone! Do yourself a favor, never buy this phone!!
Hello slaymate,
I hate you had such a bad experience with the Stratosphere! I would like to assist.
You mentioned in your post that you were returning the device; if you haven't already and are still experiencing issues with your device, let me know so I can further assist. Send me a Direct Message with the device information so I can further investigate the issue.
Thanks,
AnthonyTa_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
Yesterday, I had a problem with my Stratosphere. Out of the blue, it began making a chiming noise whenever I touched the screen. Before calling VZW customer support, I checked all the settings. They were correct. When I called customer support, I was told the only fix was the dreaded factory reset. Not wanting to do the reset after taking weeks to get the phone tweaked to my liking, I went up three levels of advisors, only to be told the reset was the only solution. Out of desparation, I went to a local VZW store to make sure the reset was the only solution. Again, I was told it was. While on the phone with customer support, I specifically asked if I should remove the SD card, which contains all my photos and apps. I was told it wasn't necessary to remove the card because the reset wouldn't affect it. WRONG!! After the reset, my pictures were still on the card, but all the apps I had installed were gone. The only ones left were two games that came with the phone. I should have removed the card before doing the reset. Keep this in mind all you Stratosphere owners out there.
Hello jrh4054! Typically with any device that uses the Android OS, applications are not stored to the SD card (unless you have moved them there).
The good news is that there are applications in the Market that you can install that backs up any downloaded applications.
Another way to retrieve applications is by going to https://market.android.com/
Once you are there, sign in (upper right hand corner) using the GMail email address that you used to set your phone up. Go to My Library and you will see a list of items that you have previously installed.
I'm sure one of these 2 retrieval methods will help you & others in the future.
Tamara H.
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
The CS rep with whom I spoke told me the apps were stored on the SD card. Because I'm a new Android owner, I had no reason to think otherwise. Since then, I have moved all the apps I can to the card. Some can't be moved. Unfortunately, the ones I have downloaded from the Market, I did without being signed in using my gmail information. I will do that in the future.
Are you aware of any specific apps I can use to backup my apps?
jrh4054 wrote:
The CS rep with whom I spoke told me the apps were stored on the SD card. Because I'm a new Android owner, I had no reason to think otherwise. Since then, I have moved all the apps I can to the card. Some can't be moved. Unfortunately, the ones I have downloaded from the Market, I did without being signed in using my gmail information. I will do that in the future.
Are you aware of any specific apps I can use to backup my apps?
If you go to the Android Market on your phone, it HAS to be signed into your Google account that you set the phone up with, it will not allow you to go there without being signed in.
How do I find .pdf files that are stored on the SD card?
Do you have an application called "My Files"? It is a file explorer app for you phone. If not, you will need to download one from the Android Market. Estrongs or Astro are the most widely used file explorer apps.
I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.
I have 'My Files', but the app doesn't find the .pdf's. Could it have something to do with the .pdf files being email attachments that I saved?
If the pdf files were downloaded to the phone, you should be able to locate them under the download folder which the "My Files" should be able to access. You can also access the downloads throught your browser settings or if you have an app called downloads. If the files ard not in the download foldef then they were not downloaded. You might also need to download the Adobe Reader application to be able to view the files onces they have been downloaded to phone.
I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.
That phone has a setting for the vision impared called accessibility sound back... uncheck that and it will stop the chiming noise.
Why does Verizon continue to deny any problems with the stratosphere. I am on my second one and just got off the phone with tech support and they are sending me a third Stratosphere because the issues are continuing (no network connection).!!! This is a obvious problem Verizon knows about. when asked about a alternate replacement, tech support said I would be responsible for the battery and battery cover $50+!!! That is insane. I am starting to have my doubts about Verizon,when they treat there loyal customers this way!!!
My brother has a Stratosphere and has no problems! he loves it! I just got the HTC REZOUND and love it. I had an HTC Incredible for over 18 months and loved that.........only upgraded because I wanted 4G.
I too have the same issue with the network issue. I've been told that it is a software issue and the Stratosphere either works or doesn't. My son's Stratosphere works perfectly and has from day one. Mine started acting up right after the 15 day "trial period" where it wouldn't connect to the Verizon Network intermittently and "screamed" at me every time I had to turn it on. The dread factory reset was done 3 weeks after I received it. THAT WORKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK!!! The phone worked fine on the wi-fi, just not on the Verizon network. Another factory reset was determined to "be the answer". That worked for about a month when the speaker just suddenly crapped out. Got a "Certified Like New" phone and at first the phone didn't work on either network and wouldn't allow any e-mail accounts to be added except for the G-Mail account needed to log on; however, I removed and re-inserted my SD card and it at least let me put my e-mail on the phone and intermittently worked on the Verizon network. So, I go into the Verizon store and they played with the phone stating that maybe it was my SIM card and replaced it. The phone works fine, except for on the wi-fi network. I went back on the same day and the representative tried everything including trying to log onto various different wi-fi stations. The phone doesn't work on wi-fi no matter what. The "new" phone is less than a day old before I had to go in. I called "corporate Verizon" and their solution is a BRAND NEW CERTIFIED PHONE or a BRAND NEW DIFFERENT PHONE AT THE RETAIL PRICE AND A "NEW" 2-YEAR CONTRACT, which I just updated my contract less than 3 months ago. Don't feel bad...since I got this phone, there has been only 1 person when I called for technical support that was actually able to troubleshoot the problem. So far since getting the Stratosphere, I have had my son and my phone mixed up while activating, which is interesting since they were activated 6 days apart. When attempting to activate my BRAND NEW phone, the technical support guy asked "Did you try dialing *228??" Of course, you would think that technical support would know that to activate a 4G phone, you insert a SIM card, right???? Apparently NOT!!!!
VZW cusomer service told me that app killing and virus protection apps can interfere with getting a 3G/4G connection. I had installed both of these apps. After I deleted them, connecting was still a problem but nothing like what it had been.
Not all tech support people will make you pay for your own battery and back, in fact most will not charge you for those.
I am having a problem now where my phone is saying that it is charging while plugged in, but when I unplug it is goes down to the orange bar. What is wrong??! Thanks.
I am having the same problem with a new phone!
Kramerpup, I'm sad to hear that you're having issues charging your new phone! To understand, your phone shows charging, shows orange once unplugged? Does your phone show charge complete when plugged in? How long does it normally take to charge the phone? Verify you have the current software installed, i405.FF1. This is still being pushed out, but here are the details. http://bit.ly/O9keEQ
Let me know if you continue to have issues.
MarquiaF_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
I have had a similar experience as Slaymate. Overall, I have been happy with the Stratosphere, which I purchased in Nov /Dec 2011 (replaced my Droid). In Jan. 2012, I began having problems charging it. I thought it was the charger, so I went through a few different ones. In the middle of moving I finally gave in and went to the Verizon store. They decided it was a faulty charging port. My NEW phone was whisked away and replaced with a "certified used version" which I complained about loudly and often.
So after spending more hours resetting my phone, email accounts, etc...I am now having the same problem. So I go to the store last night and they told me I had to get another warranty replacement. AGAIN, another used phone. (I know, say me the lecture on the 100 check point testing, etc....it is still like getting a used car, without knowing how many miles are on it.)
I also bought an extended battery. At this point, the only charge I have is what came on that battery. And I won't get the replacement phone until Monday - this will probably mean spending most of the weekend without any phone.
I have been a pretty happy Verizon customer for years, but so far I am very disappointed in how this situation is being handled. I understand electronic devices have glitches. But I don't like having a new unit replaced by a used one after such a short amount of time. And if this unit has a similar problem, then I too will demand a NEW different model. I do not have the time to "screw" with these types of problems. Especially for the $$ we all pay for wireless service, etc. I work full time and operate a small business, am hearing disabled and have no other phone. So this is a major issue for me
Mary Ann
I agree!!! 
I was offered a BRAND NEW PHONE that was similar to mine AND I would need to pay the BRAND NEW RETAIL price and a NEW 2-year contract, which I just upgraded my contract less than 3 months ago. Funny thing is my son's phone works just fine. My CERTIFIED NEW PHONE didn't last a day before I was in the Verizon Wireless store, where they changed my SIM card, did several tricks and now it has the opposite problem as the first phone. Technical Support's answer......FACTORY RESET!!!
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