Ok, this thread was closed http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1660357 before anything "illegal" could be discussed.
However, it does raise questions for me and possibly for others and while the power of Google is there, I'd like to ask here for clarification and educational purposes.
DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT get my thread closed by explaining how to change ESN. It has been made VERY clear that is illegal and against XDA.
However, this is the question: What is ESN and why exactly is it illegal to change it?
It was brought up in the aforementioned thread that if an Evo 3D is to be put on VM, the ESN would have to be changed.
That also brings up another question: Does the ESN have to be changed to be flashed to other carriers (Metro PCS, Cricket, Boost, etc)? If so, why are there guides on how to flash over.
Again, I'm curious about this, which is something I don't know anything about. And, again, please DO NOT get this thread closed by posting instructions on how to change ESN.
Thanks in advance for non-flaming assistance.
saboxerman said:
Ok, this thread was closed http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1660357 before anything "illegal" could be discussed.
However, it does raise questions for me and possibly for others and while the power of Google is there, I'd like to ask here for clarification and educational purposes.
DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT get my thread closed by explaining how to change ESN. It has been made VERY clear that is illegal and against XDA.
However, this is the question: What is ESN and why exactly is it illegal to change it?
It was brought up in the aforementioned thread that if an Evo 3D is to be put on VM, the ESN would have to be changed.
That also brings up another question: Does the ESN have to be changed to be flashed to other carriers (Metro PCS, Cricket, Boost, etc)? If so, why are there guides on how to flash over.
Again, I'm curious about this, which is something I don't know anything about. And, again, please DO NOT get this thread closed by posting instructions on how to change ESN.
Thanks in advance for non-flaming assistance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although it is easy to search and find out roughly how to flash a phone to a different carrier, here's the basics.
You have to have a donor phone from the carrier you want. You clone that ESN of the donor to the new phone. As far as the new carrier is concerned, your phone will appear as the donor phone. Although I believe it is illegal to clone ESNs, it seems to be a bit of a grey area. This is because more than likely, you go buy or get a cheap boost/cricket/or other carrier phone to use as the donor and therefore you actually own that phone. It's like copying an old CD to a new burned one when it is too scratched up to play in a player to me. You own the original CD and just want to transfer it to a new CD to keep using it for your own purposes.
+1 to all these questions, especially why flashing for VM would be any different than Metro, etc. I was discussing my conjecture that using the 3d on VM would be a simple matter of finding a compatible Rom with proper radios (like the VM ics leak) and doing a few minor tweaks. Then the ESN thing was brought up and thread closed.
Sent from my PG86100
ESN is electronic serial number and is used to identify each device. Its something like IMEI for CDMA phones. Then, if some people has lost the phone you can report the ESN and no one can use it. But if you change it to another number you can use as long as you want. That's the main reason it is illegal.And not, you don't need to change ESN if you want to change the carrier. At least I didn't see the need. I usually buy phones from sprint and then I flash in Mexico to iusacell and the ESN is never changed.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2
raptoro07 said:
Although it is easy to search and find out roughly how to flash a phone to a different carrier, here's the basics.
You have to have a donor phone from the carrier you want. You clone that ESN of the donor to the new phone. As far as the new carrier is concerned, your phone will appear as the donor phone. Although I believe it is illegal to clone ESNs, it seems to be a bit of a grey area. This is because more than likely, you go buy or get a cheap boost/cricket/or other carrier phone to use as the donor and therefore you actually own that phone. It's like copying an old CD to a new burned one when it is too scratched up to play in a player to me. You own the original CD and just want to transfer it to a new CD to keep using it for your own purposes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very good explanation. Yes, I know searching it is a possibility, however, I didn't see anything that jumped out at me on this Q & A forum and figured others are curious and should now about this stuff. There are some lines that are ridiculous, but, there are some that should not be crossed and this sounds like one.
Perfect analogy with the CD burning.
coal686 said:
+1 to all these questions, especially why flashing for VM would be any different than Metro, etc. I was discussing my conjecture that using the 3d on VM would be a simple matter of finding a compatible Rom with proper radios (like the VM ics leak) and doing a few minor tweaks. Then the ESN thing was brought up and thread closed.
Sent from my PG86100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto, ditto, ditto.
HTC Reseller said:
ESN is electronic serial number and is used to identify each device. Its something like IMEI for CDMA phones. Then, if some people has lost the phone you can report the ESN and no one can use it. But if you change it to another number you can use as long as you want. That's the main reason it is illegal.And not, you don't need to change ESN if you want to change the carrier. At least I didn't see the need. I usually buy phones from sprint and then I flash in Mexico to iusacell and the ESN is never changed.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, CDMA phones have IMEI and GSM phones have ESN?
Also, it was mentioned the ESN would have to be changed to go to VM. Why would that be if the ESN doesn't have to be changed to be flashed to other CDMA networks?
saboxerman said:
Very good explanation. Yes, I know searching it is a possibility, however, I didn't see anything that jumped out at me on this Q & A forum and figured others are curious and should now about this stuff. There are some lines that are ridiculous, but, there are some that should not be crossed and this sounds like one.
Perfect analogy with the CD burning.
Ditto, ditto, ditto.
So, CDMA phones have IMEI and GSM phones have ESN?
Also, it was mentioned the ESN would have to be changed to go to VM. Why would that be if the ESN doesn't have to be changed to be flashed to other CDMA networks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, CDMA phones have an Electronic Serial Number (ESN) and GSM phones have a International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). My understanding is that if you want to use an EVO 3D on Cricket say, you have to do the donor phone swarp because they don't use the EVO 3D on thier network.
raptoro07 said:
Yes, CDMA phones have an Electronic Serial Number (ESN) and GSM phones have a International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). My understanding is that if you want to use an EVO 3D on Cricket say, you have to do the donor phone swarp because they don't use the EVO 3D on thier network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that specific to Cricket?
Sorry for so many questions, but, I'd like to have a clear understanding for myself and those reading.
Metro PCS doesn't use the Evo 3D on their network, however, there are instructions on flashing the phone to their network. Is that illegal? If so, how is that thread still up in the Development forum?
saboxerman said:
Is that specific to Cricket?
Sorry for so many questions, but, I'd like to have a clear understanding for myself and those reading.
Metro PCS doesn't use the Evo 3D on their network, however, there are instructions on flashing the phone to their network. Is that illegal? If so, how is that thread still up in the Development forum?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So after some searching and watching some videos on youtube, you may not have to change the ESN to flash to a different carrier.
raptoro07 said:
So after some searching and watching some videos on youtube, you may not have to change the ESN to flash to a different carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah...I can't hit YouTube at work. They have it blocked.
So, the question now is whether or not it is true the ESN has to be changed for VM. If so, why would it have to be changed?
saboxerman said:
Yeah...I can't hit YouTube at work. They have it blocked.
So, the question now is whether or not it is true the ESN has to be changed for VM. If so, why would it have to be changed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, more info after more seraching.
You do not need to change the ESN (the process using a Donor phone) if the carrier you are attempting to use will accept your ESN. However, from what I have read, Virgin Mobile will only accept the ESN from a phone they have sold. Some carriers will allow ESNs on their network. In order to get a phone onto VM, you will have to get a donor and change the ESN (mentioned before as ILLEGAL). You could try flashing it, there are some guides out there to VM, but may not be able to activate without changing the ESN (Again ILLEGAL).
Ok, so lets sum it up. Most CDMA carriers only allow phones on their network that they themselves sold. Meaning it HAS to be branded by them. I.E. Sprint, VM, Boost (depends on who you talk to), Verizon, and a few others. On the other hand some carriers allow any ESN to be put on their network.
And that is where it lies. Because VM will not add ANY ESN to their database that they didn't sell. But for say like Cricket, they will allow any CDMA phone to their network. Thats why for Cricket all you have to do is get your data profile setup correctly and get the ESN registered with them.
But for VM, you have to change ESN's which in fact in black and white is illegal. There is no grey area. If you modify an ESN in any way shape or form you are breaking the law.
Cool, can we close this thread now?
I think that sums up everything and now I have a very clear picture of what the deal is.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the answer and I hope this helps others out there with the same question.
Cool to close the thread?
Related
I apologize for the misleading Title, but i would really like to know if theres a method on "transferring" our current unlimited plans, onto a CDMA EVDO Modem.
Can this be done by copying all the necessary login information, and certifications, or what? To be honest i don't even know, Thats why im asking.
Also if someone knows and this is possible... What are the required EVDO Adapters. Please list some Mini-PCI cards if available as well. That is of course if this is POSSIBLE.
Why i ask: Using WMWifiRouter, or Just using internet sharing... is great, but what if i don't have my phone with me. It be a hell-of-alot nicer to just have it implemented onto a EVDO Modem if i had one.
If someone has an answer then the title of this thread would be quite useful now wouldn't it. Lol
Nope you cant do this because the Hardware device number or ESN is what authorizes you on the network and what keeps track of all the data for billing purposes. They already have many cdma modems for your computer my dell has one integrated into it but you have to assing it a seperate phone number from your phone and pay another DATA plan to use it.... Hope that Helps you out...
leedawg said:
Nope you cant do this because the Hardware device number or ESN is what authorizes you on the network and what keeps track of all the data for billing purposes. They already have many cdma modems for your computer my dell has one integrated into it but you have to assing it a seperate phone number from your phone and pay another DATA plan to use it.... Hope that Helps you out...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
isn't there a way to mask the ESN on a EVDO Modem, if so which one would let you (or rather how would you go about doing it). It seems like a simple task really.
In fact, if you Just go to your EPST Settings (open phone, Punch in ##PST#, Select View) all the information is there. The ESN number and what-not.
Well ESN cloning is illegal, especially for those purposes. But no, the ESN and that is hardwired to the phone. That is why you have that sticker in the back under the battery. You may be able to change it in the software, but it still won't work.
There are some people out there who can clone ESN's, but its very very illegal and will get you very very sued.
I too would be very interested in working on this. It seems to me also that if we were able to somehow clone our esn numbers to the EVDO modem it would work
VulnoX said:
Well ESN cloning is illegal, especially for those purposes. But no, the ESN and that is hardwired to the phone. That is why you have that sticker in the back under the battery. You may be able to change it in the software, but it still won't work.
There are some people out there who can clone ESN's, but its very very illegal and will get you very very sued.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hah its interesting to see how it kinda didn't occur to me that its very very illegal. Since its Very very illegal, its very very unlikely you'd be found out. In which case if you are, yes you could very very possibly be sued.
AH WELL, Just for the fun of it lets get started
why not use ICS or wifirouter like the rest of us?
/me is posting using ICS now...
He does use WMWifiRouter, but he wants to clone his ESN on a Sprint Computer Card to use what is meant to be a cell phone data plan as a cheap wireless laptop data plan instead of paying the $50 a month.
I was a cell tech 10 years ago but now I am lost. I want to switch providers but keep my phone. Company techs say no way, have to buy new phone. That HTC 6800 and xv6800 look similar but have different guts and one will not emulate the other. Can I flash the mogul to work with verizon? If so, A few keywords for searching this site, to get up to speed would be greatley appreciated. Thanks for your help.
The phones are essentially identical if you put cosmetic differences aside. The real difference is that Sprint have that one's ESN number in their database for the phone, and Verizon have no knowledge of that phone in their database. So, if you call VZW they will say, "hmmm... nope, we can't help you." But, if you illegally change that one's ESN to the ESN of a valid Verizon phone, you can register that phone to their network. But, there is a little difference about ESN, MSL, MSID, etc. between VZW and Sprint... so if you decide to break the law well, make sure to research your topic thoroughly. It is possible though.
illuminarok said:
The phones are essentially identical if you put cosmetic differences aside. The real difference is that Sprint have that one's ESN number in their database for the phone, and Verizon have no knowledge of that phone in their database. So, if you call VZW they will say, "hmmm... nope, we can't help you." But, if you illegally change that one's ESN to the ESN of a valid Verizon phone, you can register that phone to their network. But, there is a little difference about ESN, MSL, MSID, etc. between VZW and Sprint... so if you decide to break the law well, make sure to research your topic thoroughly. It is possible though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
verizon now (or will soon) lets you use any phone on their network (provided its CDMA of course) so having them activate a sprint mogul shoudlnt be an issue
defaultdotxbe said:
verizon now (or will soon) lets you use any phone on their network (provided its CDMA of course) so having them activate a sprint mogul shoudlnt be an issue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Verizon rep said next year... and in Verizon time that means don't hold your breath.
i had heard some areas had started immediately following the announcement last november
First of all, let me say that I'm not trying to break any laws here. I am simply curious about some technical aspects.
Q: What kind of tweaks would be involved to make a CDMA phone from one carrier work with another CMDA carrier? E.G., A droid running on Sprint or an EVO on Virgin Mobile.
I started researching about this, but I can hardly find any info. Are unlocked phones not that popular anymore or do carriers just not support them?
From what I gathered, one would have to change PRLs, install new phone,telephony, and mms APKs, and probably change MEID/ ESN and possibly flash new radios and have an unlocked phone of course.
How close am I here?
TY in advance.
super coffee said:
First of all, let me say that I'm not trying to break any laws here. I am simply curious about some technical aspects.
Q: What kind of tweaks would be involved to make a CDMA phone from one carrier work with another CMDA carrier? E.G., A droid running on Sprint or an EVO on Virgin Mobile.
I started researching about this, but I can hardly find any info. Are unlocked phones not that popular anymore or do carriers just not support them?
From what I gathered, one would have to change PRLs, install new phone,telephony, and mms APKs, and probably change MEID/ ESN and possibly flash new radios and have an unlocked phone of course.
How close am I here?
TY in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocked phones are very popular but CDMA phones are not when it comes to unlocking. Ultimately you have to get the company to agreebto add the phone to its network which it has the right to refuse lt. You would need to change the ESN which is not legal anywhere and why you won't find the info on XDA.
Thread closed
I purchased a Samsung Fascinate from a guy at at flea market a few months ago.
Sure enough, bad ESN. So, now, how to proceed, sell on eBay, flash to Straight talk, or Cricket?
My thoughts were to first flash to Cyanogen, then either Cricket or Straight Talk.
Is this possible?
If some have done this, please respond with some pointers, step by step, and the how the heck do you manage setting up the account
Lot's of very confusing information on these forums/
Jesgrew
Bad ESN
I don't think you are going to be able to do anything with a bad ESN... I mean, you can activate it on Cricket however, you will have a tough time with roaming. If the ESN has been blacklisted by Sprint, for example, the minute you try to roam onto a Sprint tower, the ESN will automatically get kicked due to the status of the ESN.
rambler335 said:
I don't think you are going to be able to do anything with a bad ESN... I mean, you can activate it on Cricket however, you will have a tough time with roaming. If the ESN has been blacklisted by Sprint, for example, the minute you try to roam onto a Sprint tower, the ESN will automatically get kicked due to the status of the ESN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not Sprint, Verizon.
I read about others flashing to Straight talk, Metro, Cricket, etc.
Many claim they have done as much, and happy with the results.
I aint a roamer, just want to get some use out of my bad purchase.
Not asking how to change the ESN, just how to, or If I can get it going.
Links to good information or tutorials welcome.
Remember Noobe here: Step by step please.
hmmm... PM me, and I will solve your problems.
Sent from my revolutionary Fassy on CM7
Ahem... "ESN or MEID changes are a strictly prohibited subject here at XDA." This thread is now closed.
There, mods, I helped you out.
Sent from my revolutionary Fassy on CM7
gawbage said:
Ahem... "ESN or MEID changes are a strictly prohibited subject here at XDA." This thread is now closed.
There, mods, I helped you out.
Sent from my revolutionary Fassy on CM7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.
Has anyone seen John Connor?
if you found a solution i'd be interested
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium
via pm
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium
gawbage said:
Ahem... "ESN or MEID changes are a strictly prohibited subject here at XDA." This thread is now closed.
There, mods, I helped you out.
Sent from my revolutionary Fassy on CM7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
flashing to cricket or other carriers of the sort are not illegal and doesnt require a esn/meid change/hack
as for the op i wouldn't put the phone on cm7 to sell as cm7 doesnt fully work flashed with cm7 on cricket. mms has never worked for cm7.
and as for the esn conflict thing thats incorrect the phone will still roam just fine on the original carriers network. how do i know? cause i can call out when roaming on verizon and get the ''welcome to verizon wireless bla bla bla'' i am still able to text just as my cricket plan includes, just no talk. if i was to jump my plan to 60 a month then ill talk but for now theres no reason.
Okay I have searched entire site and no information what so ever. So here goes.
I have a Motorola Photon - Rooted thanks to forums.
There is a wireless service here in Ohio with CDMA phones called Revol Wireless with a month-to-month unlimited talk/text/web plan. But their phones are trash and are allowing other CDMA phones to be flashed to their service.
Corner stores all over columbus, with cell phone vendors inside, are flashing Sprint phones with bad ESN's to Revol Wireless.
I took my phone in ti multiple stores. Revol supports the Motorola Photon but wants to charge me $40-$60 JUST for the flashing service on top of the inital $50 monthly service fee.
Now, if I wanted to spend $100+ on a new phone I would just hit craigslist for a GSM unlocked.
Does ANYONE here know HOW I can do this without having to pay some over priced carry-out?
I can provide little information to get you started on the how-to...
Here is what you will need:
Rooted Android
USB data cable
Android drivers
HW Virtual Serial Port
CDMA Workshop 2.7 or 3.x higher
I have seen there is a simple "One click process" through software called Houdinisoft but they also charge a ridiculous amount of money for even a 1 time key.
But all over the internet I see people (those who know what they're doing) doing this process manually with no fee's.
Please help me save some money. -_-
FriendlyStalker said:
Okay I have searched entire site and no information what so ever. So here goes.
I have a Motorola Photon - Rooted thanks to forums.
There is a wireless service here in Ohio with CDMA phones called Revol Wireless with a month-to-month unlimited talk/text/web plan. But their phones are trash and are allowing other CDMA phones to be flashed to their service.
Corner stores all over columbus, with cell phone vendors inside, are flashing Sprint phones with bad ESN's to Revol Wireless.
I took my phone in ti multiple stores. Revol supports the Motorola Photon but wants to charge me $40-$60 JUST for the flashing service on top of the inital $50 monthly service fee.
Now, if I wanted to spend $100+ on a new phone I would just hit craigslist for a GSM unlocked.
Does ANYONE here know HOW I can do this without having to pay some over priced carry-out?
I can provide little information to get you started on the how-to...
Here is what you will need:
Rooted Android
USB data cable
Android drivers
HW Virtual Serial Port
CDMA Workshop 2.7 or 3.x higher
I have seen there is a simple "One click process" through software called Houdinisoft but they also charge a ridiculous amount of money for even a 1 time key.
But all over the internet I see people (those who know what they're doing) doing this process manually with no fee's.
Please help me save some money. -_-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To make the phone work on there network all you really need to do is flash their prl to your phone and have them add your esn to their network. That's all that is really necessary. You can find plenty of info on prl flashing. It may be tough to find their prl. I think if you just get your phone to roam on their network with the esn added you can *228 to update it?
Sent from my MB853 using XDA
No help
na7q said:
To make the phone work on there network all you really need to do is flash their prl to your phone and have them add your esn to their network. That's all that is really necessary. You can find plenty of info on prl flashing. It may be tough to find their prl. I think if you just get your phone to roam on their network with the esn added you can *228 to update it?
Sent from my MB853 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you the time replying but no that doesnt help at all
It's a little more involved than that, but getting the prl on the phone will make talk and text work.. But that's about it. If you've never flashed a phone to another carrier and cant follow a tutorial online you might as well pony up the cash and have someone else do it. I've done lots of sprint and verizon phones flashed to cricket and it can be time consuming depending on the phone. A tutorial online to flash to cricket would be very similiar to what carrier you're trying to flash to, but you are gunna need all the carrier specific information for you Revol. I've never heard of them.
FriendlyStalker said:
Thank you the time replying but no that doesnt help at all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well what exactly are you looking for then? am i not understanding something?
you'd also need to edit APN's for mms.
boredmug said:
It's a little more involved than that, but getting the prl on the phone will make talk and text work.. But that's about it. If you've never flashed a phone to another carrier and cant follow a tutorial online you might as well pony up the cash and have someone else do it. I've done lots of sprint and verizon phones flashed to cricket and it can be time consuming depending on the phone. A tutorial online to flash to cricket would be very similiar to what carrier you're trying to flash to, but you are gunna need all the carrier specific information for you Revol. I've never heard of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's pretty much that. prl and esn. plus apn's of course. i don't see what else could possible need to be touched to make it work.
na7q said:
well what exactly are you looking for then? am i not understanding something?
you'd also need to edit APN's for mms.
it's pretty much that. prl and esn. plus apn's of course. i don't see what else could possible need to be touched to make it work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never been able to get a phone on cricket to OTA with *228 after entering the PRL and have the data work. Always had to tinker around with cdma workshop and QPST. I have done less than 10 phones though so maybe I'm not that seasoned at it.
boredmug said:
Never been able to get a phone on cricket to OTA with *228 after entering the PRL and have the data work. Always had to tinker around with cdma workshop and QPST. I have done less than 10 phones though so maybe I'm not that seasoned at it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I forgot to mention the most obvious ones I assume everyone knows the min and mdn numbers. It's been a while for me... for data you need to edit the nv item I believe. Those are all super easy. It can be done in just minutes!
Sent from my MB853 using XDA
na7q said:
I forgot to mention the most obvious ones I assume everyone knows the min and mdn numbers. It's been a while for me... for data you need to edit the nv item I believe. Those are all super easy. It can be done in just minutes!
Sent from my MB853 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, the nv items.. it's mostly pretty easy as long as you have all the info to enter.. i had problems with a galaxy s2 on cricket where i had to try tons of different prl's to get data and calls to work correctly.. don't know why.
Sorry for no reply
Thank you guys, for the time you took to reply to me. Sorry I have not been responding. I have been trying to do as much research on this as I possibly can before i get into it. But I still have no idea what you're talking about.
I can admit im in over my head. I root every android phone I have ever had. I have jail broken every ipod I ever had with 0 casualties because I find an online tutorial and follow STEP BY STEP. lol
But there is no tutorial anywhere for this.
Im VERY good at following directions but you guys arent giving directions you are giving steps of what needs done. Not how to do them. Im sorry I AM a noob that just reads tutorials. I dont wanna take a crash course on this phone lol.