Unlocked international model not compatible? Please help!

[lostinjapan]

Hi all,

I'm not eligible for upgrade until Feb. I don't have insurance on my phone and I'm struggling financially due to a recent divorce and move. So I'm trying to be CHEAP.

I had a Samsung Galaxy S3, dropped it in coffee and although it is dried out, I somehow got it stuck soft-bricked in Factory Mode...so I've been using a VERY old Samsung Intensity flip phone temporarily and ugh it is awful...

So a friend of mine had a spare Samsung Galaxy S4 mini Duos and gave it to me. I tried moving the SIM card from the S3 into it, didn't work. I tried registering the phone via the IMEI on it - didn't work. I tried calling technical support at Verizon and was told I would have to find a third party company to flash my phone to make it Verizon compatible.

I thought these unlocked phones were compatible by default. And flashing it would make it impossible to use a secondary SIM card (which it has space for) would it not? I'm at a loss as to what to do here.

I cannot afford to pay for repairs to the S3. I cannot afford to purchase a new phone. And I cannot afford to pay for the S4 to be flashed.

[Tidbits · Accepted solution]

It will not work at all. 

[rcschnoor]

Then you would need to use your Samsung Intensity until you are able to get a different phone.

Another alternative would to find another friend/family member with Verizon service who has an old unused phone you could have until your could upgrade.