I purchased a pair of G2 Verizon phones from an online seller. Unfortunately I found out they were demo phones after receiving them. They work, but keep defaulting to demo mode, and then it wipes out all my contacts and emails. None of the local phone stores or techs are willing to help me. The seller will no respond to my requests for help. Does anybody know a way to convert these back to regular phones?
corvetteworks said:
I purchased a pair of G2 Verizon phones from an online seller. Unfortunately I found out they were demo phones after receiving them. They work, but keep defaulting to demo mode, and then it wipes out all my contacts and emails. None of the local phone stores or techs are willing to help me. The seller will no respond to my requests for help. Does anybody know a way to convert these back to regular phones?
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The only way is to hope it has a bootloader you can you use to flash a stock software. Might be able to contact LG about it but selling those phones is really not suppose to happen.
I have zero experience with phones and their related software functions. LG wouldn't help because I didn't purchase them from an authorized seller. I am hoping to find a person willing to walk me through the steps needed to identify first, whether or not this phones operating system is able to be reinstalled. And second, if the first task is possible, will that person guide me through the corrective action.
Related
no
Take it to a TMO store, I doubt anyone here will be too willing to help giving the possibility that you may have a stolen device.
If it is rooted there is a way, I don't have the link, but you use adb to pull and edit one of the db's , if it is not rooted, then most likely SOL ...
colaicee said:
i work at a cellphone repair shop. we also buy sale and trade phones. i use XDA a lot for the new android phones coming out when people have problems.
my coworker bought a vibrant from a customer that came into our store, the thing is that now the phone is patterned locked and we dont know the original email address. he said that it was working fine when he first purchased it. my guess is the customer unlocked it before my coworker played around with the phone.
anyways, no i didnt steal it. or any of that bs. we have a business license, a store front, and 99.9% feedback on ebay.
pm me if theres a way. willing to paypal for info.
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if you really did buy it, then call the person up and ask them.... unless i'm mistaken if any store buys stuff from customers they're supposed to document all information in case the item has been stolen
The phone is locked regardless. There is an android bug that doesn't allow the phone to verify the google credentials after you try the pattern lock too many times. Even if if was the OP's actual phone, he'd need to either factory reset, flash a new rom to the device, or get a replacement phone.
No one here will be able to help you get past it. There were security holes that allowed people to bypass it, but Google has sinec patched those, without fixing the fundamental issue (users, their children, their friends locking them out and basically "bricking" the device for all intents and purposes).
You got got, and it's probably a stolen device (not saying you stole it, someone else could have).
If you go to T-Mobile they will ask for you account information and check the IMEI against you account. T-Mobile uses different bands as AT&T so there aren't that many people buying Vibrants up front to unlock them and use them on different carriers, TBQH. If that IMEI belongs to someone else (it's even on you contract/reciept), they won't replace the phone. They will assume it's stolen.
Maybe if you start a contract/new line the reps in the store may help you out, though.
However, contacting Samsung may yield better results, but I think the Warranty is handled by T-Mobile, unless it's a hardware defect (hardware locked devices and pattern lockouts are both software issues).
"No i didn't steal it"
LOL
:/........
Nvm, lol
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
If it is rooted you could always try this ..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=485988
ookas said:
if you really did buy it, then call the person up and ask them.... unless i'm mistaken if any store buys stuff from customers they're supposed to document all information in case the item has been stolen
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yep, good call there. if the op purchased the phone he should have all of the sellers info on file.
Recently got the new HTC ONE through Telus and little over a couple days it has been stolen from me.
I'm wondering now if there is any way for me to track it on regular google account and facebook has been setup on it, but the phone does have a secure security code to unlock the screen.
Does the carrier have anyway of finding this if someone tries to stick in another SIM? Granted they are also a telus user or am I hooped on this one?
I'm assuming a person with the right know-how or buddy could likely access the boot load reset the thing and unlock it and use it, but i'm hoping this isn't the case and I can still track it via some other way?
Thanks,
V
HTC use to offer the ability to track your phone if it was powered on. Or you could remotely lock and/or wipe the device. This was through the HTC sense website. I don't know if they still offer this feature or not. If they don't I'd recommend calling your carriers support line and see what they can do.
Sent from my Nexus 10
I doubt anything's gonna come about this. Phones get lost or stolen every day and even with todays technology very few get found or returned. Also police have better things to do then track someone's lost phone. And I say lost better than stolen because how are you sure that the phone was stolen and not lost? Did you get held up or did the person physically took it off for you?
I would suggest getting insurance next time.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
Short answer: No.
Android has no built-in phone tracking capability. This is something you need to have installed yourself on the phone, or something the manufacturer includes. HTC used to do this, but no longer offers the feature.
Report your device stolen to the carrier (you may also report it to the police, but they won't do anything), so that when someone uses it on the network, they won't be able to. Most carriers will not alert you that your device has been found or anything like that. They simply blacklist the IMEI and that's it. If you don't have insurance, then you are pretty much on your own.
Your carrier may offer their own location tracking capability that you can add to your account, and that may allow you to track the phone (if they haven't already wiped the phone and removed your SIM card). Check with your carrier.
prjkthack said:
Short answer: No.
Android has no built-in phone tracking capability. This is something you need to have installed yourself on the phone, or something the manufacturer includes. HTC used to do this, but no longer offers the feature.
Report your device stolen to the carrier (you may also report it to the police, but they won't do anything), so that when someone uses it on the network, they won't be able to. Most carriers will not alert you that your device has been found or anything like that. They simply blacklist the IMEI and that's it. If you don't have insurance, then you are pretty much on your own.
Your carrier may offer their own location tracking capability that you can add to your account, and that may allow you to track the phone (if they haven't already wiped the phone and removed your SIM card). Check with your carrier.
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What does blacklisting the IMEI do? Could the individual just unlock it with a internet bought code and jam in any sim card and make it work after the fact? Or by blacklisting it if someone brought it to TELUS would they then be able to seize it as a stolen/ lost phone?
Thanks for all your comments and help thus far, it is greatly appreciated.
vincent-h said:
What does blacklisting the IMEI do? Could the individual just unlock it with a internet bought code and jam in any sim card and make it work after the fact? Or by blacklisting it if someone brought it to TELUS would they then be able to seize it as a stolen/ lost phone?
Thanks for all your comments and help thus far, it is greatly appreciated.
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Blacklisting an IMEI will not allow someone to use that device on the network. This is something that has only recently caught on in the United States. T-Mobile and AT&T now block IMEIs that have been reported stolen/missing, while Sprint and Verizon have been doing it for a while. When you put your SIM into a blocked phone that tries to run on a supported network, you'll get a message that says the phone cannot be used.
Of course, this depends on your carrier. You may want to ask what your carrier does with lost/stolen IMEIs, as they may have different policies.
get on computer>google play> download lookout security or plan B...this would only work if the device is turned on and has data connection...plan B should get the gps location and send the map to your email address..
Perry977 said:
get on computer>google play> download lookout security or plan B...this would only work if the device is turned on and has data connection...plan B should get the gps location and send the map to your email address..
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works only with Android 2.1-2.3! But maybe a good one for these Version!
Did you try Android Device Manager to locate it? It's in the settings menu on the play store website.
vincent-h said:
Recently got the new HTC ONE through Telus and little over a couple days it has been stolen from me.
I'm wondering now if there is any way for me to track it on regular google account and facebook has been setup on it, but the phone does have a secure security code to unlock the screen.
Does the carrier have anyway of finding this if someone tries to stick in another SIM? Granted they are also a telus user or am I hooped on this one?
I'm assuming a person with the right know-how or buddy could likely access the boot load reset the thing and unlock it and use it, but i'm hoping this isn't the case and I can still track it via some other way?
Thanks,
V
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For the future try an app called Cerberus anti theft, it's a really great app to have. It has a free week trial so you can try it out, after that it cost $2.99 euro which is a little under $5 in US, also it's a one time fee and not a subscription. Just go online and track your phone and do many other things.
I got this tablet/phone as a trade in for my ipad 3. anyways I have been using it as my tablet for some time now and since I am on t-mobile I can't really use this phone unless is unlocked. I have tried multiple sites for unlocking, cheap and expensive alike and none have worked so far. Was wondering if there was someone in the forums with AT&T services willing to unlock this phone for me? send me a PM if you can.
Thanks.
Hey guys, I'm wondering if anyone can help me out. I can receive calls, but can't make them. I've tried both wifi and cellular.
The weird thing is I called T-mobile for help and they were saying based on the IMEI I wasn't using a T-mo version and that I should get it unlocked. But it's definitely a T-mobile phone and it was working perfectly fine until today. If it was locked to some other carrier, it wouldn't have been working all this time, right?
Thanks for any help.
Where did you get your Galaxy Note 8? Did you get it from T-Mobile?
If you got it from somewhere like Ebay, then that device maybe flashed for T-Mobile, but actually came from another carrier. Check XDA on how to fix (flash) your device's cellular radio firmware to fully work with T-Mobile (that is if the IMIE number is not locked, due to previous owner's fault, like not fully paying for the Note 8, theft, etc).
If you got this device from T-Mobile, then do a manufacture warranty exchange with T-Mobile. You can request this over a phone call to T-Mobile support. Then they will send the replacement device to a T-Mobile store near you for you to do the exchange.
Always better to get your device from a trustworthy place, like your carrier's store/website/customer support phone call.
When getting a "smartphone" device from places like Ebay, you need to ask yourself why are they doing this. Why are they getting rid of a flagship like the Galaxy Note 8 so early on? If I was going for another flagship right now I would still keep the Note 8 for its unique features. So I would be suspicious of somebody giving rid of this device (Note 8) so early on. Why are they selling it for such low price right now? These are my thoughts on someone selling Note 8 right now (at this point in time) for low price: Good likelihood they messed it up by trying to root/flash ROM/flash carrier modem radio firmware, they don't want to fully pay the device off (so the device is no use to them), or they stolen the device.
Human beings are not dishonest all the time, but it does beg these questions to be asked and answered. Be so very careful in trusting people like this. Personally I wouldn't trust someone in this situation, but that is just me. Remember that they are not doing this because they are amateurs. They are very good in winning your trust.
Just saying!
JaguarXT said:
Where did you get your Galaxy Note 8? Did you get it from T-Mobile?
If you got it from somewhere like Ebay, then that device maybe flashed for T-Mobile, but actually came from another carrier. Check XDA on how to fix (flash) your device's cellular radio firmware to fully work with T-Mobile (that is if the IMIE number is not locked, due to previous owner's fault, like not fully paying for the Note 8, theft, etc).
If you got this device from T-Mobile, then do a manufacture warranty exchange with T-Mobile. You can request this over a phone call to T-Mobile support. Then they will send the replacement device to a T-Mobile store near you for you to do the exchange.
Always better to get your device from a trustworthy place, like your carrier's store/website/customer support phone call.
When getting a "smartphone" device from places like Ebay, you need to ask yourself why are they doing this. Why are they getting rid of a flagship like the Galaxy Note 8 so early on? If I was going for another flagship right now I would still keep the Note 8 for its unique features. So I would be suspicious of somebody giving rid of this device (Note 8) so early on. Why are they selling it for such low price right now? These are my thoughts on someone selling Note 8 right now (at this point in time) for low price: Good likelihood they messed it up by trying to root/flash ROM/flash carrier modem radio firmware, they don't want to fully pay the device off (so the device is no use to them), or they stolen the device.
Human beings are not dishonest all the time, but it does beg these questions to be asked and answered. Be so very careful in trusting people like this. Personally I wouldn't trust someone in this situation, but that is just me. Remember that they are not doing this because they are amateurs. They are very good in winning your trust.
Just saying!
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Thanks for the reply. I bought it from someone on Swappa. He sent me the receipt with it. It was purchased from Samsung.com. The box it came in had the T-mobile logo and everything so it's weird that the IMEI isn't registered with them.
To update my situation, I tried starting in safe mode and was able to make calls so I'm told it's a third party app causing the problem. Not sure which it is since I haven't installed anything new in a while.
First do a "Factory data reset". See if that gets rid of the problem. Hopefully that would get rid the the app that is causing the issue. I just remembered that substratum (including sungstratum - Samsung addon) did weird things like this to my Galaxy Note 8. I had to do a "Factory data reset". Then install all the apps one by one, since both Google and Samsung backups had substratum within it. So I couldn't use either backups. For that reason I stay away from substratum stuff.
It is not abnormal for Samsung direct bought devices to have IMIE number not registered with carrier. Usually not a problem with T-Mobile.
If problem still exists then have the seller contact Samsung to let them know that he gave the device to you. He can say it was a gift to you. Remember to tell him to give your information to Samsung. Once that is done, then you can can get support from Samsung.
Again, if you got the device from T-Mobile this problem would have been solved so much easier and quicker. Next time think about getting the device directly from the carrier.
Hello my LG V30 H932 will not Permanently Unlock. The phone was paid off in full and I waited 40days like Tmobile requirements want. The phone which was brand new was replaced due to a malfunction with the display. So they gave me a warranty exchanged phone. And i have had trouble unlocking the phone ever since. Tmobile ended up giving me 2 more warranty exchanged phones thinking that this would finally solve the problem with the unlock. And after trying and trying the phone will not unlock despite being on the phone with Tmobile tech support for weeks (they tried everything from Manager Overrides, whitelisting the IMEI, putting the phone through escalation, etc) and they still were not able to unlock my phone. The Device Unlock App keeps saying "unlock failed". Finally Tmobile suggested using a third party online unlocking service which they even paid for and still this unlocking service wasn't able to unlock my phone.
Has anyone else ever had a problem with Tmobile not being able to permanently unlock their phone via Device Unlock App? I keep telling Tmobile i think it's because the phone is a warranty exchanged phone and this is why it's not working. But they said no that shouldn't cause any issues. Anyone else know what I could do to get the phone unlocked? Highly appreciate any advice and help and thank you for your time.
No issues with mine. T-Mobile sent me the unlock the day I bought my device (paid in full) and no issues usings other carrier SIM's in it.
Had two v30 with the same issue. For me allowing the unlock app to access all the permissions fixed it for me.
a34 said:
Had two v30 with the same issue. For me allowing the unlock app to access all the permissions fixed it for me.
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Yes I have all permissions allowed and still not working.
Before i got my LG V30 replaced with the warranty exchanged one (bc of the display malfunction that i had) the phone did permanently unlock for me. On the Brand New Lg V30 it unlocked just fine. Then when they sent the warranty exchanged v30 it would not unlock anymore. I think the problem is with the warranty exchanged phones. Just my thought.
michy21 said:
Hello my LG V30 H932 will not Permanently Unlock. The phone was paid off in full and I waited 40days like Tmobile requirements want. The phone which was brand new was replaced due to a malfunction with the display. So they gave me a warranty exchanged phone.
And i have had trouble unlocking the phone ever since. Tmobile ended up giving me 2 more warranty exchanged phones thinking that this would finally solve the problem with the unlock. And after trying and trying the phone will not unlock despite being on the phone with Tmobile tech support for weeks (they tried everything from Manager Overrides, whitelisting the IMEI, putting the phone through escalation, etc) and they still were not able to unlock my phone. The Device Unlock App keeps saying "unlock failed".
Finally Tmobile suggested using a third party online unlocking service which they even paid for and still this unlocking service wasn't able to unlock my phone.
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michy21 said:
Before i got my LG V30 replaced with the warranty exchanged one (bc of the display malfunction that i had) the phone did permanently unlock for me. On the Brand New Lg V30 it unlocked just fine.
Then when they sent the warranty exchanged v30 it would not unlock anymore. I think the problem is with the warranty exchanged phones. Just my thought.
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You are probably correct, but that's an internal T-mobile issue. They have it so locked down even that 3rd party unlocking service can't touch it. I find it amusing they actually paid for a 3rd party unlocking service for you. That was them admitting they really screwed it up.
Okay today i called Tmobile one more time to ask about my IMEI. I wanted to make sure that the IMEI was in good standing. And that it was not on anyone else's account by mistake. Everything looked good. After explaining my situation again for the 100th time, the account specialist said she can transfer me to their Advanced Technical Support Team which Tmobile has never tried before. She also was perplexed bc on their end my phone says it is eligible to be unlocked. Anyway After speaking with the representative she said she would submit my case for escalation with their Technical Engineers. This we have never done. So in afew days i should hear back from them and i hope and pray that finally the phone will be able to Unlock Permanently! If not then there is nothing else i can do. I have tried what seems like everything. Unless anyone from XDA has the solution! Updates coming soon.
Also i want to add that at one point a technical support representative said that they will request that they replace my phone with a new one and not warranty exchanged one. He said he can't guarantee that tmobile will approve of this but he would try anyway. But of course i did not receive a new phone but the warranty exchanged phone instead. I just think tmobile could have tried harder to compensate me some how, but no nothing. But i think if after the technical engineers get back to me and still the phone won't unlock i am going to tell tmobile that i will file a complaint about this. And even share on social media how they have failed me. I will also tell them that I'm really disappointed that they didn't offer me any compensation for this situation. Tmobile has failed big time and what are they going to do about it??? Most likely nothing..
@michy21: This is troubling for sure. I gather you must still be with T-Mobile (or you wouldn't be able to use your SIM locked H932).
I too unlocked my TMO V30+ after 2 months using the Device Unlock app, and switched to an AT&T MVNO. T-Mobile reception is terrible inside our apartment, so I had no choice. But I worry what will happen if I need warranty repair (my screen just got a dead pixel today) or even after OS updates. T-Mobile probably won't grant unlock again without me being a subscriber.
They treated me horrible when I ported out, and I swore I'll never go back to them -- too bad because I really liked T-Mobile up till then, and would've come back when they roll out Band 71 in our area. So yes, this worries me.
I'll be quite interested to hear the outcome of your story.
You know I feel your pain. I bought a V10 off swappa a couple years ago and the same thing happened to me. There's a thread in the tmo V10 section where I listed the direct contact info of a lady named Jennifer I believe. She was the one to finally help me and make it happen and is quite high up with tmo. I went through all the same crap as you for months. She's the one to help you. Everyone else is useless no matter how much they will tell you otherwise. Give me a few minutes to find the thread.
Oh and I actually filed a complaint with the FCC . You need to do that ASAP too.
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https://forum.xda-developers.com/tm...nlocking-t-mobile-lg-g5-bought-t3366320/page2
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markbencze said:
You know I feel your pain. I bought a V10 off swappa a couple years ago and the same thing happened to me. There's a thread in the tmo V10 section where I listed the direct contact info of a lady named Jennifer I believe. She was the one to finally help me and make it happen and is quite high up with tmo. I went through all the same crap as you for months. She's the one to help you. Everyone else is useless no matter how much they will tell you otherwise. Give me a few minutes to find the thread.
Oh and I actually filed a complaint with the FCC . You need to do that ASAP too.
---------- Post added at 01:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:05 AM ----------
https://forum.xda-developers.com/tm...nlocking-t-mobile-lg-g5-bought-t3366320/page2
Post 11
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Wow! I am definitely going to email her and give her a call on Monday. I really hope that she can help me. And I will also file a complaint with the fcc. Thanks so much for this contact info.
michy21 said:
Wow! I am definitely going to email her and give her a call on Monday. I really hope that she can help me. And I will also file a complaint with the fcc. Thanks so much for this contact info.
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Good luck. FCC should be your priority. I highly advise you to word in such a way that portrays them as "unwilling or refusing to unlock a device that meets the criteria". That will get a better response and they will want to fix that to be able to close the ticket. You gotta play dirty a bit. That's what I did and it worked quite well.
markbencze said:
Good luck. FCC should be your priority. I highly advise you to word in such a way that portrays them as "unwilling or refusing to unlock a device that meets the criteria". That will get a better response and they will want to fix that to be able to close the ticket. You gotta play dirty a bit. That's what I did and it worked quite well.
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I just finished filing the complaint and emailed jennifer. Hope to hear from someone soon!
I just got done talking to Nicole from the executive office at Tmobile. She called me regarding my complaint I filed to the FCC. And she couldn't get my phone to unlock, but she said she is going to send me an Unlocked phone instead. It's not brand new but a warranty exchanged one that is in excellent condition. So finally I'm happy with the outcome.