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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
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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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
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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
Click to expand...
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
Hi there,
I hope i've posted this is in the right place if it's not I'm sorry.
I recently bought a Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE (I9305) phone in the U.K. on T-Mobile and while I was at the shop the staff member helping me said that there was no cap on the data so I would be charged if I went over the 250MB limit set by the contract I wanted. I said that I'd just turn off LTE/data roaming or whatever it's called so I couldn't use it at all and then he said that it would really slow the phone down if I did that because Android is designed to always be online because it's made by Google which I thought was a lie and tried to call him on it but since it was my first android phone I couldn't be 100% sure and ended up just letting him continue.
He tried to sell me a more expensive contract while I was there saying (without knowing what I will be using the phone for) that I would need more than 250MB a month and said that after the 12month period I could switch back to the one I was looking at which sounded good but then a colleague of his came over and corrected him saying that I would only be able to drop down to the next most expensive contract which led me to believe that he didn't really know what he was talking about. I did end up buying the phone but it wasn't a very pleasant experience.
So, I have a few questions that I'd appreciate answers to (if you have any links with further information that would be useful too):
1. Does turning off data roaming really slow down the Galaxy S3?
2. If I put a custom ROM on the phone do I void my warranty? Also, if I do and it ends up breaking the phone can they really tell that I rooted it?
3. What settings do I need to use on my router to connect the phone with Wifi? I keep getting authentication errors while trying to connect, I have the password on show characters so I know that it's correct.
4. Is there an application that I can download which will cap the data for me so I can't go over it? If it exists does it impact performance?
You will probably get better answers in the I9305 forums than in the TMobile (T999) forums. I am moving this there.
Good luck.
Cherry_Blue said:
Hi there,
2. If I put a custom ROM on the phone do I void my warranty? Also, if I do and it ends up breaking the phone can they really tell that I rooted it?
Yes and yes read the basics first.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1927113
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Does turning off data roaming really slow down the Galaxy S3?
No, it will just mean you have no data connection unless your connected to wifi.
4. Is there an application that I can download which will cap the data for me so I can't go over it? If it exists does it impact performance?
This is built into android already, go to settings, data usage and there is an option to set a limit.
Thanks for the replies so far, since rooting the phone does void the warranty why do so many people do it? It just seems like a bad idea since a lot of people will be tied to a two year contract.
Also, does anyone know what could be wrong with my router? I setup a hotspot with my desktop which works but it requires the desktop to be switched on which is pretty inconvenient.
Root is so XDA development mods and custom roms can exist .
No root no XDA .
jje
Hey guys, I've bought the s6 edge 2 days ago, Im getting this error notification: “Unauthorized actions have been detected. Restart your phone to undo any unauthorized changes.”
how do i get rid of that pop up message? I've tried both soft and hard factory reset, even went to the extent to reflash the phone at the samsung store, even they dont know whats going on.
i also factory reset the phone leaving it with factory apps, ( i did not install any app) just to see if it would show the same error message, which it did again every 5 mins
how do i fix this problem? I've searched online, its like a common problem and it happened before with other guys s4 and s5,
thanks!
s6 edge unauthorised actions have been detected
hi i have this problem as well on a brand new edge, i havnt done anything to alter phone, tryed factory resets and installing no apps etc and this message keeps coming up in the notification bar, i have spoke to everyone supplier (tesco mobile) manufacturer (Samsung) and security software developers knox and no one will give me any help other than handsets ganna have to go back, which is ganna break my heart installing all apps and spending hours setting phone up, i believe that probably all s6 edge phones have this problem and we need an update to security policy or software anyhow, if someone can help or find out anything let me no please, im not interested in rooting phone and potentially voiding waranty.
Unauthorised action
Hi, I am having exactly the same issue with my brand new s6 edge from within the first hour I had it. It's driving me nuts, can't find anything on the Internet on solutions just that the issue has been around before in the s5. Weirdly my wife got an s6 edge same day as me and doesn't have the problem at all, she didn't activate the knox app. I got a white one and my wife a gold one, not sure if there's anything in that but worth an ask. Come on Samsung sort it out.
mines a uk white too, im trying to hold out a couple of weeks before sending it back as im going away, i just hope an update comes through, cause i dont want the hassle of sending it back.
ok , Mine is happening on the white one is it same as for all of you? ,
My white one 64gb have the same problem!
Is this only a issue by white one?
well its looking that way but i cant believe that the different colours were flashed with software any different, update us samsung please.
Seems related with preinstalled knox.... but maybe not.
I have the same issue. I couldn't find a solution unless to send the phone back or root it.
Is there any diagnostic tool to identify the application triggering this issue?
well got excited this morning got a Samsung software update, but guess what unauthorised actions have been detected still came up i think a security policy update is what we need, im ganna try and message Samsung again.
I have the same problem. It seems there are many phones affected. The Samsung Hotline say: We know it, but we have no solution. Please exchange you phone at your dealer.
I have both the T-Mobile S6 Edge 128GB white and G925I 128gb white I just received this morning. I have this issue within an hour having the G925I but never had any issue with the T-Mobile version since I got that one last week. It's super annoying.
Seems like its an issue to some of us, but not to everyone or else this thread would be flooded
I have the same issue with my s6 edge in white. It's SO annoying ?
does anybody have this same problem in black s6 edge or gold?
DCpro said:
does anybody have this same problem in black s6 edge or gold?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same problem here S6 Edge Black... Would love to have an update / fix for this other than rooting the phone and taking it back...
I had the same problem. Spent hours trying to fix it and spoke to Samsung on the phone for quite some time. Apparently there is no fix and I was told to return the phone. I have a new one coming in the mail today and am crossing my fingers that it does not have the same problem.
be really interested leanne to know if your new phone is ok?
So far it seems that this one is fine. I updated to the most recent software, cleared cache and am using smart switch to reinstall all my stuff. It's been going for about 45 minutes and no security issues as of yet.
leanne said:
So far it seems that this one is fine. I updated to the most recent software, cleared cache and am using smart switch to reinstall all my stuff. It's been going for about 45 minutes and no security issues as of yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please keep us updated some more. by the way , did samsung already released a new update?
thanks!
Wasn't a new update, but since the phone was made. Still doing well, no problems at all.
Long story short, factory reset phone. Prompted with "Phone has been reset, please enter last used Google Email and Password." So I enter in the correct information, proceed to the Terms and Agreement page, and it sends me back to the "Enter Google Email and Password." Page again. It's stuck in this loop.
I tried changing my password, factory resetting, clearing the cache, talking to Samsung rep (they said to send it into a service center), I'm just at a complete loss here.
Some research says that after you reset your password, you have to wait 72hrs before you can unlock the device again. I'm not sure if that makes sense...
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Good luck. Smartphones have become pretty hard to crack in the past 2 years. The last thing i would maybe try is odin back to stock and try again. If that doesn't work, you should ask for a replacement. My job used to be a Samsung service center and we were told if anybody comes in with a knox or reactivation lock issue to send the unit to the head service center and they will send us back an other phone. Just like on the icloud lock on idevices, it's a huge hassle to bypass thoses locking mechanisms, and for a good reason.
polish_pat said:
Good luck. Smartphones have become pretty hard to crack in the past 2 years. The last thing i would maybe try is odin back to stock and try again. If that doesn't work, you should ask for a replacement. My job used to be a Samsung service center and we were told if anybody comes in with a knox or reactivation lock issue to send the unit to the head service center and they will send us back an other phone. Just like on the icloud lock on idevices, it's a huge hassle to bypass thoses locking mechanisms, and for a good reason.
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Click to collapse
well I'm not necessarily trying to crack it, just get it to work properly.
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bubblebuddyi said:
well I'm not necessarily trying to crack it, just get it to work properly.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Well at this point brute force would be an option to consider. There are a couple of thread of users being locked out of their own phone in the Note 4 forum, i remember seeing them when i had a note 4 and it was one of the most active threads, I know it took them a few months to figure out what to do when you are a legit user, not a thief, and you're locked out of your phone because you forgot to untick the reactivation lock option after either flashing or restoring. I know there is a way, but i'm not sure where the thread is, I know it's either in the T-Mo section or the international section because these are the only 2 sub forums i visited.
You should consider checking it out, might be your only hope before bringing the unit to Samsung...and BTW, you'll probably have to fight with them because technically, this is a user mistake...at least that's how we dealt with it when I worked for Samsung. If you're lucky enough, you'll deal with a person like me that can relate to your issue and will pass it under warranty by bending the truth a bit.
EDIT: My memory fooled me, it's the Note 3 forum, not the 4
iCLoud Activation Lock Solution
Hi,
I from tihs understand that you have iCloud Actvation Lock problem, and need for you to add original owner password in your device to unlock. If you not are the original owner that only way is to use factory unlock service. I have the some problem as you and used this here: howtoiphonegeek .com and help me.
bubblebuddyi said:
Long story short, factory reset phone. Prompted with "Phone has been reset, please enter last used Google Email and Password." So I enter in the correct information, proceed to the Terms and Agreement page, and it sends me back to the "Enter Google Email and Password." Page again. It's stuck in this loop.
I tried changing my password, factory resetting, clearing the cache, talking to Samsung rep (they said to send it into a service center), I'm just at a complete loss here.
Some research says that after you reset your password, you have to wait 72hrs before you can unlock the device again. I'm not sure if that makes sense...
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you changed your password recently you should wait 72 hours and then you'll be able to unlock it with your credentials. Hope this works for you and it's your case.
Hi I'm new in this forum, Although I've been in this forum a lot of times in a long time I never really felt like creating an account or needed help, But this time I'm just mad at Sprint's service and I wonder if you can help me
The Main question is If Sprint blocks my phone S6 Edge ( SM-G925P )
( As if reported stolen or something )
How to unblock it, And Unlock it to work under other companies, I've googled But I really can't find an answer ): ... Some say that If root and Flash to another ROM helps But I want to make sure before I try anything ... Thanks you guys
Some background information, You don't have to read it, It's just me trying to let some rage out :/ ... just in case you wonder why I ask this is because I paid for this phone , I am just sick of Sprint and I had a really bad experience with them And I'm not willing to pay double of what the phone's worth to cancel that contract and give them back the phone.
So what I'm trying to do is just unlock the phone and get service in other store.
The unblock thing is just in case they block my phone .-.
Thanks again, For your time