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Hi,
I have a friend in the USA who bought the Atrix for me and we will meet in a few days, but I want to have an unlock code for the phone by then. My question is: is the IMEI number printed on some part of the phone? I want to avoid powering the phone up before I have the unlock code, as from what I learned from these forums, the majority of the people who unlocked their Atrix on the first boot did not encounter the 'wifi issue'.
yes... under the battery. will need magnifier glasses LOL
Ok, thanks. Can it be spotted easily btw (are there any other numbers there as well)? I'm asking because my friend is a noob in tech stuff...
yes... plenty lol. You should have him take a picture and email it to you.
I did some research and I found this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpk22SfxfXs where that area of the phone is visible (at 2:01), so that makes things much easier . Thanks anyways
you do realize the IMEI is different on all phones right?
So i've just signed up for a cell phone plan, they said is unlimited social networking browsing, didn't look at the fine print and they said is just for non-smart phone only...
I talked to their technical support and it looks like they check the phone's IMEI to determine what phone/model i am running... so i'm wondering if there is a way i could either change/hide my IMEI so that i can browse facebook and twitter with my current plan.
I asked the technical support what's the different between a regular phone browsing and a smart phone browsing, they said it has to do with the data compression and such... if that's the case, is there an app out there that i could use to simulate non-smart phone browser?
Changing your IMEI is illegal. It's your mobile's ID. International ID. Stolen mobiles have a 00000 etc IMEI, for instance. Some phones when wiped lose their IMEI. You can change it, but you could get in trouble. It's also very hard. Normally, only certain operator shops can reflash your phone and RESTORE your IMEI. I know this since I had an issue with that. 0'ed IMEI due to reset.
If they check your IMEI I don't think any app will solve that. But I'm not the best person to point you in the right direction.
Hum... i also have my old Samsung F488, if is possible i could use that one's IMEI, since i own both phone.
You'd be passing one phone as another. As a rule, tampering with your IMEI is illegal and operators only rarely restore it, if you have documentation proving the phone is yours. They don't change it.
When a phone is stolen, the IMEI is wiped so it can't be traced. That's why they won't change it nor restore it just like that... I doubt you'll have any luck asking for IMEI transfer...
sucks... ok thanks
You can try... I just wouldn't expect it to work. My experience comes from Portuguese operators, but it's probably the same all around.
From what i read, is legal to change it in North America. Is just lame that i'm paying for 50$ plan, but can't do zero browsing with this ****. I think i will have to roll back to some 30$ plan and only do text messaging with my smart phone lol..
Well, then you could try. Good luck then!
Yea, well the question remain, how. LOL
At least here, you need specialized shops, not all operator shops can do that, ask the nearest where your phone can be flashed to change the IMEI
codenamezero said:
From what i read, is legal to change it in North America. Is just lame that i'm paying for 50$ plan, but can't do zero browsing with this ****. I think i will have to roll back to some 30$ plan and only do text messaging with my smart phone lol..
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Disclaimer: I'm not from the U.S. so I might be wrong.
After some reading, there's no law in the U.S. that even talks about IMEIs, so technically it is legal to change it, however, since most if not all carriers changer certain things based on your IMEI I think that changing your IMEI would effectively violate your service contract (if they found out), so instead of trying to change your IMEI I'd go to your carrier and ask for an unlimited smartphone plan.
codenamezero said:
is there an app out there that i could use to simulate non-smart phone browser
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The problem here is not the app, it's the internet protocols that are used by different types of cellphones, see, dumb-phones use WAP as the internet protocol, whereas smartphones use plain HTTP.
Boy, I am sick of ignorant goofballs spewing 'It's illegal' with no facts whatsoever to back their opinion up.
IF IT IS ILLEGAL, TELL ME WHAT LAW IT VIOLATES OR SHUT UP!
Seriously, this is a valid question that goes to a host of privacy and fair use issues, and I cannot believe that no one has any facts to share. I could give a hoot less if you think that just because it is a serial number it is somehow forbidden by God that you should mess with it. Personally, I would love to have a smartphone without having to pay for wireless data. The country would be up in arms if the cable company decided to charge you extra because your TV is capable of receiving HD signal, so why are we such sheep that we all pony up for data plans we don't really need? Nearly everywhere I go with my phone, even in a rural state, has WiFi. I need a data plan like I need silk boxers.
OwenW71 said:
Boy, I am sick of ignorant goofballs spewing 'It's illegal' with no facts whatsoever to back their opinion up.
IF IT IS ILLEGAL, TELL ME WHAT LAW IT VIOLATES OR SHUT UP!
Seriously, this is a valid question that goes to a host of privacy and fair use issues, and I cannot believe that no one has any facts to share. I could give a hoot less if you think that just because it is a serial number it is somehow forbidden by God that you should mess with it. Personally, I would love to have a smartphone without having to pay for wireless data. The country would be up in arms if the cable company decided to charge you extra because your TV is capable of receiving HD signal, so why are we such sheep that we all pony up for data plans we don't really need? Nearly everywhere I go with my phone, even in a rural state, has WiFi. I need a data plan like I need silk boxers.
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Two things:
1) Since nobody's been anything but a nice person trying to help I think your reaction is way out of line, no need to YELL or BOLD your opinion in order to be heard.
2) If you had taken a moment to read the entire post you would've read this:
Akath19 said:
After some reading, there's no law in the U.S. that even talks about IMEIs, so technically it is legal to change it, however, since most if not all carriers change certain things based on your IMEI I think that changing your IMEI would effectively violate your service contract (if they found out), so instead of trying to change your IMEI I'd go to your carrier and ask for an unlimited smartphone plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So that answers your question in a very civil and decent way, but since you might not get it that way, here's the answer in your own style:
THERE IS NO F-ING LAW THAT EVEN TALKS ABOUT IMEI, SO NO LAW = LEGAL
I was just stating an opinion regarding the fact that changing your IMEI is kinda immoral considering that that practice is done mostly on stolen phones in order to use them on any network after they've been reported.
So to put it plainly there is no law that forbids it and it'd be nice if you read posts before attacking the posters.
While I agree that yelling is normally in bad taste, I feel strongly that someone needs to be yelling about this. In every forum I go to, every time this question is asked we get flooded with meaningless opinions, nearly every one of them saying that even thinking it is illegal. Rubbish. Up until very recently, IMEI numbers stood a good chance of not even being unique, and even now many may not be, since phone manufacturers are assigned blocks of numbers, and it is up to them to govern the assignment of the IMEI to the hardware.
As it stands, GSM operators in the US are using your IMEI number to make sure you are being charged for a data plan if you use a smartphone, even if you don't want a data plan.
I, for one, would like my provider to think I'm using a RAZR or any other dumbphone, and the only way to do it is to spoof my IMEI. I don't believe it is illegal to do so, although my provider would surely be peeved. iPhone users can do this with a bit of software.
Here is what I'd like to see from this conversaation:
1. Establish conclusively that IMEI changes are legal.
2. Discuss methods by which a new IMEI could be entered in software.
3. Avoid discussing how the carriers may feel about it. We already rooted, right?
Again, I apologize for ruffling feathers by shouting. I hope the message came across to those with opinions but no facts. This is a legitimate question of fair-use, and I'd love to hear from someone who has facts regarding the legality of this idea. Even better, I'd welcome a way to actually accomplish the change.
Thank you for your answer, I honestly thought that you were just flaming for flaming's sake.
Sadly there's not much info anywhere besides a lawyer's office, after some serious digging, most people seem to think that changing an IMEI in the US is a Class C felony, however no one knows exactly where is that law written.
I'd also advise you on asking these kinds of things in the forum 'cause I know people have been banned for asking these kinds of things. I know that's stupid but some mods in the forum think that just asking a question about something illegal in certain countries constitutes a felony in an of itself.
So, to sum things up:
1) Apparently it's illegal to change your IMEI, but I'd consult with a lawyer to know exactly where is that written.
2) People in general think that just talking about illegal activities is a felony so I'd expect much hate towards you for asking.
3) IMEI's in smartphones are not software based, meaning if you want to change it you'd need to isolate the chip on which they're located and change it with dongles and flasher tools (not software)
Sorry that I can't say anymore but I'm not from the US so that's all the info I can gather.
I do know in the uk it is a arrestable offense to change a phones imei no., dont know about anywere else.
I found a seller on eBay that changed my IMEI for $50. I bet he can give you any IMEI you want. He claims to change the mother board with that of a different IMEI but im sure he is just using the flash tools I read about wile doing google searches. The flash tools are physical items that connect into the phones usb port and or directly to the chip on the motherboard. They cost about $500. There are also ways to do it via software on some phones especially androids but there is more risk involved for the do it your selfer.
I am such a do it your selfer and after reading about it for 12 hours I decided that id have to read about it for 3 more before I felt comfortable and even then the risk of bricking was greater then having the pros do it for me. This high risk level is why you dont see much talk of the processes in the forums online. The pros know its best to use the hardware so they buy it and protect the process by not disclosing it online. The talk of its process that I did find on line involves so many abbreviations and new terms that I was heavily burdened with not understanding.
The bottom line is unless you plan on doing it for an income its not worth learning how to do.
Now back to the original question. Will the internet work on a smart phone if you change the IMEI to that of a none smart phone? Will you be stuck using the carriers dumbed down WAP internet or have no internet at all? Maybe you could run some sort of dumb phone simulator to gain access to a dumb phones web browser program?
For those of you that want to rag on me for reviving an old thread. Know that many people like my self searching google for knowledge end up here and will see my post. Thats how I got here so this thread is not so dead after all. Threads that start with a real question need more real answers.
---------- Post added at 01:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:20 PM ----------
Here is a software example of how to change the IMEI of a cretin android.
I doubt this app works on any other model.
http://changemtkimei.blogspot.com/
As I remember, I lost the IMEI (actually it was replaced by something like 00499010640000) on my Samsung Galaxy i9000 and Galaxy Tab P6200 when I SIM unlocked them, so at least on Samsung this is possible, the IMEI was stored in the EFS files.
Are on wind- and kitesurfing holidays in Western Ireland, Brandon Bay. Even here, there are thiefs that break into cars. They have stolen my two months old Galaxy S3.
Had a PIN protection on the phone. Have also disabled the SIM Card and changed the password of the Google account. After buying the phone, I had registred it at SamsungDive at activated the options on the S3.
However, I was not able to find the phone with SamsungDive. The phone was stolen six days ago. But after a Google Search, I found that everyone can easy perform a factory reset holding down all physical buttons, and I suspect that SamsungDive will not "survive" a factory reset.
- So, all this "Find my phone" applications seem to be useless when a thief can switch them off with pressing some buttons. Is this really true?
- Is there any possibility to "protect" a new phone better so that a thief can not use it?
- Have the IMEI Number of the stolen phone, but it seems that most carriers do not block individual stolen phones.
- Does anyone knows if Samsung or anyone else can disable a stolen phone worldwide according the IMEI number?
Thank you all in advance for any hints.
Franz
If you contact your network and give them your IMEI they can block that mobile on any network in UK so when that person who took your s3 try any simcard it will not register in the network.You will not be able to track it with any software if that s3 was reset to factory state someone can use this mobile abroad but not in UK.hope this explain your situation
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
I'm sorry to hear that franzschenk, but yes, it's true. The anti-theft apps are just good marketing (on android and ios also). The samsung dive will not survive the hard reset, so unfortunately is useless.
You should check with samsung, but afaik carriers can block a stolen phone based on IMEI, but you should contact the police. I friend had his phone stolen and the police took care of everything, and got the phone back (but in 2 months), so your best bet is the police.
Regards,
Crysis21
With regards to theft protection apps being nullified with factory resets, some come as a CWM-flashable zip, which installs the apk to the system partition . This means even with a factory reset it remains, with the only way of removing it being manually uninstalling using a root file explorer or flashing a new rom, both of which I'd imagine the average thief not to be smart enough to do.
I recently bought an anti theft app called Cerberus which during my tests has proven to be realiable so far, even after a factory reset.
Most probably the phone will be sold on a flea market. You should call the police and give them the IMEI. Once someone powers it on and starts using, you will get your phone back.
prank1 said:
With regards to theft protection apps being nullified with factory resets, some come as a CWM-flashable zip, which installs the apk to the system partition . This means even with a factory reset it remains, with the only way of removing it being manually uninstalling using a root file explorer or flashing a new rom, both of which I'd imagine the average thief not to be smart enough to do.
I recently bought an anti theft app called Cerberus which during my tests has proven to be realiable so far, even after a factory reset.
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Cerberus is awesome, installable as a system app so it survives a factory reset. Glad I got it when they made it free to download for a few days
DramatikBeats said:
Cerberus is awesome, installable as a system app so it survives a factory reset. Glad I got it when they made it free to download for a few days
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It's now 2 weeks since the Galaxy S3 was stolen. The Samsung Dive Service is a joke, a thief can put it out of operation with about three keystrokes (see hard reset dot com website for example). So, no wonder that Samsung dive was unable to perform any remote operation on my stolen phone since two weeks. Unfortunately, the police here in Ireland seems also be not capable to block a phone with a specific IMEI number.
I feel betrayed by Samsung. If Samsung Dive would work, I would have good chances to find and recover my phone in this rural area of Western Ireland and would probably not have a loss of 600 Euros. I think Samsungs goal is that the thief can perfectly use a stolen phone, and that the victim has to buy a new one as well. They can't be so stupid, because the S3 is a great phone. But I will not buy a S3 again, in turns my stomach to spend money for Samsung again.
Have seen that this type of reset (easing all data and PIN protection with just some keystrokes) is not possible on the iPhone, for example. Does anyone knows recent Android phones that are better protected (in my opinion, there is absolutely no need to erase all data without entering in the operating system) and thus less attractive for thiefs?
Thank you in advance for any feedback
Franz
franzschenk said:
It's now 2 weeks since the Galaxy S3 was stolen. The Samsung Dive Service is a joke, a thief can put it out of operation with about three keystrokes (see hard reset dot com website for example). So, no wonder that Samsung dive was unable to perform any remote operation on my stolen phone since two weeks. Unfortunately, the police here in Ireland seems also be not capable to block a phone with a specific IMEI number.
I feel betrayed by Samsung. If Samsung Dive would work, I would have good chances to find and recover my phone in this rural area of Western Ireland and would probably not have a loss of 600 Euros. I think Samsungs goal is that the thief can perfectly use a stolen phone, and that the victim has to buy a new one as well. They can't be so stupid, because the S3 is a great phone. But I will not buy a S3 again, in turns my stomach to spend money for Samsung again.
Have seen that this type of reset (easing all data and PIN protection with just some keystrokes) is not possible on the iPhone, for example. Does anyone knows recent Android phones that are better protected (in my opinion, there is absolutely no need to erase all data without entering in the operating system) and thus less attractive for thiefs?
Thank you in advance for any feedback
Franz
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I read some time ago that CIA or some similar intelligence agency asked Google to unlock a phone locked by a Lock screen pattern for them because they were unable to. So a simple pattern can prevent anyone from using the device unless it is formatted before booting which means your private data is safe.
Also don't blame Samsung for not being able to restore your phone. It is Android security measure not to allow anything to activate GPS directly without prompt, and if it could Wifi or Mobile data is needed to transfer the Location coordinates back to you. So if internet is accessed when you use the Samsung restore future you will immediately get device location. Surely it would have been better if Samsung made the app wipe-proof which I think is also blocked by Android as a security measure.
Its easier on the iPhone! U just restore it through itunes
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
CIA would access the data on the phone. Security is not the question here. I don't care abaout the data.
When I'm doing a Google search for "iPhone factory reset", I can find how to reset the phone, but without erasing all data. In my opinion, that is the real problem with the Galaxy S3. Why does Samsung implement a function for erasing all data with some keys strokes without knowing a PIN? (had PIN protection and face unlook on my stolen S3) Can someone tell if this is possible with other Android phones as well?
Franz
Just a thought; but maybe you shouldn't have disabled the SIM if you were planning on tracking it. If they can't unlock the phone, how can the phone connect to WiFi and report your location?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using XDA Premium HD app
franzschenk said:
...Why does Samsung implement a function for erasing all data with some keys strokes without knowing a PIN? (had PIN protection and face unlook on my stolen S3) Can someone tell if this is possible with other Android phones as well?
Franz
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Click to collapse
All android phones can enter recovery mode with 2 or 3 buttons combination to reset the phone without password. It is not Samsung proprietary.
Iphones are just as easy. Put it into dfu mode and restore it on iTunes!
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roogerrisboredd said:
Iphones are just as easy. Put it into dfu mode and restore it on iTunes!
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
I've got the point now. It's all about selling phones and making money. Phone manufacturers and Telecom operators make money on each stolen phone. What is disapponting me very much is that Samsung pretend to offer a anti theft soulution. They even write in the users guide that Samsung dive can unlock a locked phone and activate the GPS receiver, but this is probably a lie as well.
Mobile phones have unique IMEI numbers since at least 10 years and I suppose that it would be very easy to take a stolen phone out of operation. But our Telecom provider tells me that this is not possible. I guess it's about money again, when thiefs cannot use stolen phones, less phones are stolen and less phones are sold.
@Mister_Mxyzptlk's: I think it's a bad idea to leave and Android phone unprotected. The thief could then buy a lot of expensive objects from the Android market. At least this didn't happen to me, I was able to change the Google account password before that happen.
Franz
Hello,
I'm trying to find the cheapest rootable phone out there, something I can change mac or IMEI address... don't care about specs. I need it for a networking project. But I need to be able to use Playstore to download apps... I also don't care if it's a prepaid phone.
I'd greatly appreciate if anyone can suggest me anything.
Thank you
Zwitski said:
Hello,
I'm trying to find the cheapest rootable phone out there, something I can change mac or IMEI address... don't care about specs. I need it for a networking project. But I need to be able to use Playstore to download apps... I also don't care if it's a prepaid phone.
I'd greatly appreciate if anyone can suggest me anything.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it matter if it's old? Just find some used Galaxy Nexus or S2 or something off of Swappa. If you need a more up-to-date Android version, even those old phones should have custom ROMs that are fairly up to date.
IMEI is not an address, it's a serial number used by companies to know if a device is stolen, lost, or blocked due to insurance claims/fraud or broken contracts.
Dear Group
I am not sure if I am in the right place but I am looking for some help with the above watch.
The supplier Gearbest is not helpful at all.
This has forced me to seek help else where. I tried scouting around to find out who makes this watch then obtain perhaps an email . The supplier Gearbest will not release details of who makes this watch or a support email address. This has forced me to do my own searching.
I found a company who makes Rwatch but the the fellow I emailed deny this is their watch.
My problem is thus I bought the above watch. From Gearbest. It arrived here and fully functional except no communication via GSM ie cell phone data . I paid Gearbest a fee and they sent me a replacement watch and exactly the same problem it arrived fully functional but. No communication via GSM ie cell phone data.
We import a variety of gps tracking devices the majority have to be set up especially setting the apn depending on the cell service provider, I was wondering if the apn on this watch is not set correctly, hence the lack of data, it seems to me impossible that two watches of the same brand etc don't work on arrival here in South Africa.
I tried an alternative cell phone service providers sim cards in the hope that one would by chance work but alas I could get no joy.
I tried to plug the watch in to my pc via usb cable thinking I could perhaps telnet but could not make any progress on my own.
I was wondering if any one here knows who actually makes these watches, perhaps a support email address would really be helpful.
Alternately Is there any way of finding out if the watch is set up to the correct apn for example. How would that be checked via a sms command or a telnet session. Is there software that I can install that can probe the smart watch for its settings via the usb cable.
To me it seems silly to send the watches back at a cost to me and only to have them send another watch and we persist with the same impasse.
I was hoping with a bit of help or pointer and a few keystrokes we can have the watches fully working in no time.
If this is the wrong place to seek this type of help could you please direct me where to go to get the help I am asking for.
Thank you for your time and trouble reading this and any help you may be able to provide me with.
Regards
Goddies
goddies said:
Dear Group
I am not sure if I am in the right place but I am looking for some help with the above watch.
The supplier Gearbest is not helpful at all.
This has forced me to seek help else where. I tried scouting around to find out who makes this watch then obtain perhaps an email . The supplier Gearbest will not release details of who makes this watch or a support email address. This has forced me to do my own searching.
I found a company who makes Rwatch but the the fellow I emailed deny this is their watch.
My problem is thus I bought the above watch. From Gearbest. It arrived here and fully functional except no communication via GSM ie cell phone data . I paid Gearbest a fee and they sent me a replacement watch and exactly the same problem it arrived fully functional but. No communication via GSM ie cell phone data.
We import a variety of gps tracking devices the majority have to be set up especially setting the apn depending on the cell service provider, I was wondering if the apn on this watch is not set correctly, hence the lack of data, it seems to me impossible that two watches of the same brand etc don't work on arrival here in South Africa.
I tried an alternative cell phone service providers sim cards in the hope that one would by chance work but alas I could get no joy.
I tried to plug the watch in to my pc via usb cable thinking I could perhaps telnet but could not make any progress on my own.
I was wondering if any one here knows who actually makes these watches, perhaps a support email address would really be helpful.
Alternately Is there any way of finding out if the watch is set up to the correct apn for example. How would that be checked via a sms command or a telnet session. Is there software that I can install that can probe the smart watch for its settings via the usb cable.
To me it seems silly to send the watches back at a cost to me and only to have them send another watch and we persist with the same impasse.
I was hoping with a bit of help or pointer and a few keystrokes we can have the watches fully working in no time.
If this is the wrong place to seek this type of help could you please direct me where to go to get the help I am asking for.
Thank you for your time and trouble reading this and any help you may be able to provide me with.
Regards
Goddies
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Click to collapse
Hi, same issue here. Just bought the watch from Gearbest and there is a complete lack of support for it. I wrote a ticket to Gearbest demanding support and manuals, but I don't think they are going to provide anything...
Anyway, I gave been messing around and my trouble was that no data communication was in place. Only voice calls were working. I have found the codes to enter engineering mode; just dial *#3646633#. In the menu I have been able to go to GPRS act and activate GPRS. A big G letter is shown in the screen, but nevertheless, no communication is made, and the watch is still useless....
I have been messing around with the menus; been able to activate a serial port via USB and access via Putty to the watch and perform basic AT commands, but again, with no luck.
Other codes that work are *#66*# Factory mode and *#87# autotest.
If anyone can dig any deeper and find out how to make this watch work, they will be very welcome!!
Thanks