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.
Related
Hi! So I have this phone, the Samsung Fascinate. I love this phone. But soon I'm not going to have an actual cell phone plan and want to keep using this phone. I'm planning to switch over to those Pay as you Go plans, where I buy a card and fill up minutes. here's my question. I want to jailbreak this phone so I can do that, how would I go about doing this? And would I be able to access the net and everything? Would I have to stick with Verizon and use their prepay service or could I switch to a different company? I need to be able to call, send/recieve texts, and be able to use the web. If any one of these is missing, it's not worth it to me. Get what I'm saying? lol. So yeah, any info?
EDIT: So I've done more research, this is actually UNLOCKING that I want to do. Same questions apply. I've never unlocked a phone before. I've rooted several android phones, but never unlocked them to work on different networks. If I can unlock it and be able to use a prepay or pay as you go service, I'd be so happy. (cause they rip you off with contracts)
Partner420 said:
Hi! So I have this phone, the Samsung Fascinate. I love this phone. But soon I'm not going to have an actual cell phone plan and want to keep using this phone. I'm planning to switch over to those Pay as you Go plans, where I buy a card and fill up minutes. here's my question. I want to jailbreak this phone so I can do that, how would I go about doing this? And would I be able to access the net and everything? Would I have to stick with Verizon and use their prepay service or could I switch to a different company? I need to be able to call, send/recieve texts, and be able to use the web. If any one of these is missing, it's not worth it to me. Get what I'm saying? lol. So yeah, any info?
EDIT: So I've done more research, this is actually UNLOCKING that I want to do. Same questions apply. I've never unlocked a phone before. I've rooted several android phones, but never unlocked them to work on different networks. If I can unlock it and be able to use a prepay or pay as you go service, I'd be so happy. (cause they rip you off with contracts)
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It's possible, but it's incredibly more difficult then flashing roms and rooting. You will actually have to figure out all the pass codes, apn settings and proxies (if applicable). Getting talk and sms is a breeze...it's the net, market, gps and mms that's a *****. Save yourself the headache
Partner420 said:
Hi! So I have this phone, the Samsung Fascinate. I love this phone. But soon I'm not going to have an actual cell phone plan and want to keep using this phone. I'm planning to switch over to those Pay as you Go plans, where I buy a card and fill up minutes. here's my question. I want to jailbreak this phone so I can do that, how would I go about doing this? And would I be able to access the net and everything? Would I have to stick with Verizon and use their prepay service or could I switch to a different company? I need to be able to call, send/recieve texts, and be able to use the web. If any one of these is missing, it's not worth it to me. Get what I'm saying? lol. So yeah, any info?
EDIT: So I've done more research, this is actually UNLOCKING that I want to do. Same questions apply. I've never unlocked a phone before. I've rooted several android phones, but never unlocked them to work on different networks. If I can unlock it and be able to use a prepay or pay as you go service, I'd be so happy. (cause they rip you off with contracts)
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Click to collapse
There are some apps in the market. SGS tools and Captivate SGS that will help you find the codes you want, also one click root has a tab for unlocking phones i know it says Samsung Captivate but i think it works on the Fascinate as well, it has been a long time since i worried about that. The apps are in the market and here is the one click link.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682
DaleV said:
There are some apps in the market. SGS tools and Captivate SGS that will help you find the codes you want, also one click root has a tab for unlocking phones i know it says Samsung Captivate but i think it works on the Fascinate as well, it has been a long time since i worried about that. The apps are in the market and here is the one click link.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682
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Click to collapse
Fyi, the info you provided will not assist him in flashing the phone to another carrier. Rooting a phone has almost absolutely nothing to do with changing providers. He will require provider ppp settings for net, provider apns for mms, provider prls for tower locations and possibly provider mip information. All of these are unique values he will manually have to enter.
Edit: How do I know? Read my sig...and I'm responsible for helping several others on xda attempt and succeed. Very few succeed on lesser known plans...
So, getting net is the issue, eh? Alright, so how would I get this phone to work for pay as you go service? What if I just stuck with Verizons pay as you go service, would there be an issue?
Partner420 said:
So, getting net is the issue, eh? Alright, so how would I get this phone to work for pay as you go service? What if I just stuck with Verizons pay as you go service, would there be an issue?
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Click to collapse
I haven't ever utilized vzw pay as you go plan, but I would imagine it would be a proxy type. The trick however is contacting vzw directly and asking them if they will allow it bc i'm sure the esn is already registered. That can be bypassed however I enjoy my freedom and don't feel comfortable sharing esn changing knowledge. If you had a vzw party as you go phone, I would suggest reading from the phone and replicating the values over to the fascinate.
Hi,
I have an Ouku Night tablet (device description available at Lightinthebox) that I purchased with a flexible data plan for tablets from Telus Canada. At the time I got the plan, I asked if this plan (designed for tablets) would work in a phone aswell and the answer from the rep was positive.
As expected, I found the tablet too big to carry everywhere so I got an unlocked HTC Inspire to be used as a smaller tablet. It worked for a while but now Telus tells me it is not a tablet so the plan won't work. They are not able to provide definitions of the differences between tablets and phones. I called 3 different reps to get the info without any success.
Here is my question: what makes a device appear as a phone or as a tablet to a carrier ? I do not want a phone plan with my devices, I just want to be able to access internet from everywhere I go.
Other question: is there a way to make a phone appear as a tablet to the carrier ?
Thanks for helping me better understand the android platform on those aspects.
I hope this can help future readers:
As I discovered from other readings, carrier finds out which phone you are using by its IMEI. There is a debate whether it is legal/illegal to change such a number but most people will advise it is illegal. XDA won't support threads about changing IMEI.
Now I still wonder if phones from China on ebay will show a phone IMEI or some unknown device type imei to the carrier which can be considered as tablet. Is there portion of the IMEI that states if it's a phone or SIM capable tablet ? If so, how can I better understand the IMEI pattern so I know how it is going to be considered by Telus Canada.
Thanks again.
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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Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Hello XDA,
I have been here a lot of times, but didn't remember my essential info to log on as before.
I was in USA recently and someone stole my backpack. I went to t mobile, to buy a phone. And I specified, I need it to be unlocked because in a month I am flying back home. I paid the device normal price 350 dollars for an S3 and got it or 300 dollars don't remember. I am now home and the device doesn't work. And I want to unlock it and remove the T mobile firmware.
is it possible?
Regards
Mario
Mazzerstruck said:
Hello XDA,
I have been here a lot of times, but didn't remember my essential info to log on as before.
I was in USA recently and someone stole my backpack. I went to t mobile, to buy a phone. And I specified, I need it to be unlocked because in a month I am flying back home. I paid the device normal price 350 dollars for an S3 and got it or 300 dollars don't remember. I am now home and the device doesn't work. And I want to unlock it and remove the T mobile firmware.
is it possible?
Regards
Mario
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure where the lie is...? They don't sell the phones unlocked, even when purchased out right. If you were told that, most likely the CSR just didn't know what they were talking(common) about rather than actively lying to you. You should be able to contact their customer service to obtain an unlock code though if you have proof of purchase. Other than that, if it isn't updated (not likely) past 4.1.2 you can unlock it yourself via hidden menu. If you are on 4.3, this method no longer works that I have seen and you'll need to purchase an unlock code from a reputable source if T-Mobile refuses to help or you are unable to provide them with the necessary details for them to give you the code.
es0tericcha0s said:
Not sure where the lie is...? They don't sell the phones unlocked, even when purchased out right. If you were told that, most likely the CSR just didn't know what they were talking(common) about rather than actively lying to you. You should be able to contact their customer service to obtain an unlock code though if you have proof of purchase. Other than that, if it isn't updated (not likely) past 4.1.2 you can unlock it yourself via hidden menu. If you are on 4.3, this method no longer works that I have seen and you'll need to purchase an unlock code from a reputable source if T-Mobile refuses to help or you are unable to provide them with the necessary details for them to give you the code.
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Click to collapse
I asked her like 4 times. Will it work in my country? The answer was yes, and the last time was, are you going to ask me again sir?
Can someone direct me to the secret menu? I am in my country now. Will it unlock?
I am on odin and I cant flash back the 4.1.1. why is that. If I flash it back I will be able to use the secret code
So, you got it from the US, and not you are home (can I as where?) and it doesn't accept your sim card?
Do you have an authentic receipt with the full price, and/or proof of purchase?
if so you can contact an authorized Samsung dealer in your area and describe the issue, and they will give you the unlock codes.
Something similar happened to me: I bought a brand new Galaxy S3 from Europe and sent it as a gift to the Middle east, where it didn't work, but with the receipt and some patience (a week/10 days), Samsung sent us the unlock codes.
Mazzerstruck said:
I am on odin and I cant flash back the 4.1.1. why is that. If I flash it back I will be able to use the secret code
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, once you update to latest version (4.3) with its modem, you can't use old unlock codes (unless you backed up your EFS), but I guess your only hope is Samsung, try them first.
I have the S7 edge from t mobil, G935T, and would like to move over to verizon, but they say I cant.
I was wondering if the reason for this is a hardware, or software issue. Can i root, and install 8.0 oreo, or do i have to buy a new phone that is capable of working on all networks? I love how t mobil didnt make me aware i was buying a phone that locked me their network.
Sorry for the newb question, but i cant find specific answer ti this question by google, or youtube.
cascalong said:
I have the S7 edge from t mobil, G935T, and would like to move over to verizon, but they say I cant.
I was wondering if the reason for this is a hardware, or software issue. Can i root, and install 8.0 oreo, or do i have to buy a new phone that is capable of working on all networks? I love how t mobil didnt make me aware i was buying a phone that locked me their network.
Sorry for the newb question, but i cant find specific answer ti this question by google, or youtube.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi,
What you experiance is a Netlock. every carrier can do that over a Smartphone to only access their network.
BUT with some Dollars every Carrier/provider gives you an unlock code to cancel the Netlock.
search first on the Homepage of your Carrier or go to a store and ask.
After this verizon should be no problem.
uweork said:
hi,
What you experiance is a Netlock. every carrier can do that over a Smartphone to only access their network.
BUT with some Dollars every Carrier/provider gives you an unlock code to cancel the Netlock.
search first on the Homepage of your Carrier or go to a store and ask.
After this verizon should be no problem.[/QUOTE
Ok, i really dont want to give anymore money to t mobil, is there another way to unlock my phone for all carriers?
Would rooting, to remove t mobile software, and installing 8.0 oreo get me away?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course there is
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7/how-to/guide-sim-unlock-s7-s7-edge-t3523095
Read and enjoy a free Phone
uweork said:
Of course there is
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7/how-to/guide-sim-unlock-s7-s7-edge-t3523095
Read and enjoy a free Phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, thank you...