and today when I was looking into unlocking my phone, I noticed that the system IMEI is different from the IMEI label on the back of the phone.
I am using a deep shining ROM. did the ROM flash over the IMEI or was my phone just messed up to begin with?
also is there a soft method of finding out whether or not my phone is already unlocked?
Sorry to say but that guy messed your over by changing the IMEI. Flashing a rom doesn't do anything to IMEI, special tools and software CAN change it, and that is what this guy did. You can't do anything to change that, as changing IMEI is downright illegal and you dont want to get caught up in that.
As for finding out if its unlocked, take another companies SIM CARD, ie if you are with ATT, go and get a Rogers, or whoever else uses a SIM CARD, and find out if it will work in the phone.
so, it is quite possible that this phone is stolen? damn... what are the potential consequences of that? if he switched the original IMEI to the current one that I have, what if someone legitamately uses the imei on the same network, am I going to be screwed?
SUBLIMINALLYINC said:
so, it is quite possible that this phone is stolen? damn... what are the potential consequences of that? if he switched the original IMEI to the current one that I have, what if someone legitamately uses the imei on the same network, am I going to be screwed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you will not get screwed. {Unless you really want to; then I'm sure we can arrange for it}
IMEI {International Mobile Electronics Identification} Numbers are uniqe to every phone, but the network does not {& I believe Cannot} read the IMEI. ESNs {Electronic Serial Numbers} are a different thing, as the CDMA networks use this # to Identify the devices network authenticity {in other words: Whether or not it's authorized to use the network}. GSM {Global SIM Management} Phones rely on the SIM card to authenticate the devices access to the network. An IMEI is never sent thru the network! That's like posting your social security # online {Mine's 420-69-840} About the only time that a false IMEI is a problem, is when you need to get it unlocked {as you are trying to}; or if you need to report it stolen/lost. If the latter is the case then you will need to provide the authorities with both IMEIs. This is in case the person that has it removes the label in the back. For unlocking the device, you need to give the # that's in the software; as this is the only # the phone knows. Oh yeah, You can't send it in to get HTC warranty service either
Have you tried asking the person you bought it from about this? I would!! I would want to know why he did it, how he did it, & where the other # came from. It is a possibility that he had replaced the Mainboard with another unit, but he should have changed the labels at the same time. I have done this with a few phones {combine a couple bad ones to make a good one}, but I always ensure the IMEI or ESN matches on the back & in the software! If you believe you were defrauded, then contact the authorities & explain it to them. If there is another phone with the same IMEI, they should be able to tell you.
It might either be that he changed the main board or the cover itself.. (hopefully he did not steal it..)
I wouldnt worry too much about it though. Just go with the IMEI that is displayed on your screen not on the back of the phone.
well i tried to get an unlock code by using the IMEI read off the system page on my diamond and the guy couldnt get aan unlock code; is there anyother way to get the correct code>?
SUBLIMINALLYINC said:
so, it is quite possible that this phone is stolen? damn... what are the potential consequences of that? if he switched the original IMEI to the current one that I have, what if someone legitamately uses the imei on the same network, am I going to be screwed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Maybe it is or it isn't (but it is possible). It depends on which country that person bought this phone and maybe he used warranty service. I had this issue myself.After 2 month My Diamond didn't recognize my simcard, i sent it for warranty and when it came back GPS didn't work. so i sent it again , when i received it, at repair center they said that they replace mainboard, so imei changes and i received written document that they replaced mainboard (my back panel imei and the imei that phone shows are different now).
for checking it , Goto this site : http://www.numberingplans.com/?page=analysis&sub=imeinr
enter both imei and check them, if both are for diamond i think your mainboard is changed before, but if the imei that phone shows is belong to another handset (for Ex : a nokia one or another htc model) i can say 99% percent your phone is stolen.
i'd probably bet he's bought an "original" housing from auction site. i've done it many of times but i usually rip the imei sticker off, bear in mind the imei on the diamond is only on a metal plate, he may have forgot to change this part, he may have damaged his old imei sticker/plate, as stated above he may have changed his main board also, there is many possibilities.
don't worry about it, if your still a bit worried try the CheckMEND online service here:
http://www.checkmend.com/uk/
It costs £1.99 per go, (which you'd want to do both imei's) but you get a certificate telling you wahts dodgy or not about your phone.
it a great service if you feel a little worried.
Related
Bit of a vague question, I know!!
Yesterday, I tried to register a pay as you go sim card to my TyTN II, but the automated registration process would not accept my IMEI number. After several failed attempts, I had to get hold of another phone, and register using that IMEI number. However, when I compared the 2 IMEI numbers afterwards, my TyTN one had an extra 2 digits. So I checked it against the original box, which also has a different IMEI number, as the phone had been replaced under warranty, but that also had 2 less numbers than my actual phone.
Now I'm not really sure what I have done to my phone, but everything I have done came from here. I haven't touched it for about 3 or 4 months, as I was happy with the way it was. It was a UK Orange TyTn II, which I unlocked, hardspl'ed and upgraded to wm6.1, all from here. I think I used something from olipro, and the rom was a stock voda one, and not one of the cooked ones. I seem to remember reading that maybe the unlocking, or the hardspl'ing could do this? What, if anything, can I do about this now? I'd like to change it back if possible? Thanks.
The sticker under your battery will have a 15 digit IMEI number. If you check your IMEI in Windows by doing *#06#, you will see a 17 digit IMEI number. As long as the first 15 numbers match the sticker under the battery, then you're fine.
Thanks. Panic over? I think?
Yes, the imei number behind the battery matches what is displayed by the phone, except the phone adds 01 onto the end? Is this normal?
synet said:
Thanks. Panic over? I think?
Yes, the imei number behind the battery matches what is displayed by the phone, except the phone adds 01 onto the end? Is this normal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as long as the first fifteen numbers match
is lMEl changing possible for this PDA ? if possible how to ?
I'm pretty sure this not the appropriate place to discuss changing you IMEI number. It's illegal and unscrupulous. I'm pretty sure the moderators of this forum would deffinetly not want to see this post.
My problem is solved (thanks everyone ) so happy for this to be locked, if required.
IMEI
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is not something easy to change
ur first 15 characters matches - so u r fine
... and just for the reference:
back in the days, when I still had my hermes, I've managed somehow to wipe it's imei through flashing roms. don't ask me how it is possible, but when I went to settings/system/device information/hardware the imei field was blank.
never had a chance to test it, but I believe that it may be the cause of my further problems with it. that device was constantly connecting for like up to 5 sec. to the network, then out of a sudden connection was dropped for some time. dunno. other thing is, that it radio could be faulty after a drop.
whatever....
imei # changes after providers customization?
I noticed after using a direct from factory (htc repair center) phone that if you stop the mobile providers freeware bloatware from running that my imei # did not match my sticker (was 17 not 15 digits long) so I ran a search found this thread. like the original poster we were both concerned with not having matching imei's, I didnt want to send my phone back to htc. I panicked and posted before reading the entire thread. I was not and am not interested in hacking my IMEI was just worried that it shipped out wrong.
I didnt want to delete my post afterward so instead pointed out that Im a putz and that Notatreofan answered the original posters concerns as well as my own.
thanks again for leaving these old threads around they do help?
HakkanR said:
is lMEl changing possible for this PDA ? if possible how to ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, changing IMEI numbers is possible - but mostly only necessary for low life thieving scum - also illegal in most countries.
No one on this forum will tell you how to do it - pursuing the question will probably get you banned - pursuing the solution might also get you jailed.
you better check on the date of the post you are replying to... silly little boy...
Bumping an old thread is just bollocks...
I'll just add that the last two digits are the SVN (Software Version Number) that's all.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMEI
Ta
Dave
While a new member, I've been following the community a bit and have flashed my Captivate successfully several times.
It started acting weird earlier this week (lagging and shutting itself off) so I decided to re-flash it and re-apply SRE with all the goodies it brings.
Since my last flash, the phone works fine (calls, messaging, and Internet) except for one problem - the Android Market.
I can access the market but am unable to download anything. I've tried many different solutions, ROM's (JF2, JH2, and JH3), 3G/WiFi, internal settings, clearing the Market cache, Dalvik cache, etc., using Market Access and going outside of AT&T's allowed applications, all to no avail. It's the same whether I attempt to download after a fresh flash or after applying SRE. I've also tried Unleash the Beast.
Finally I decided to call AT&T to find out if there was a problem somewhere on their end.
Here's the weird thing:
The IMEI I have on the sticker under my battery is that of a Captivate and matches what they have on record. The representative I spoke to told me that the IMEI I have in my phone's menu is an iPhone IMEI.
With all that being said, I have two questions:
1) How did this happen?
2) How can I fix it?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
FrstdOne said:
While a new member, I've been following the community a bit and have flashed my Captivate successfully several times.
It started acting weird earlier this week (lagging and shutting itself off) so I decided to re-flash it and re-apply SRE with all the goodies it brings.
Since my last flash, the phone works fine (calls, messaging, and Internet) except for one problem - the Android Market.
I can access the market but am unable to download anything. I've tried many different solutions, ROM's (JF2, JH2, and JH3), 3G/WiFi, internal settings, clearing the Market cache, Dalvik cache, etc., using Market Access and going outside of AT&T's allowed applications, all to no avail. It's the same whether I attempt to download after a fresh flash or after applying SRE. I've also tried Unleash the Beast.
Finally I decided to call AT&T to find out if there was a problem somewhere on their end.
Here's the weird thing:
The IMEI I have on the sticker under my battery is that of a Captivate and matches what they have on record. The representative I spoke to told me that the IMEI I have in my phone's menu is an iPhone IMEI.
With all that being said, I have two questions:
1) How did this happen?
2) How can I fix it?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What does your imei start with?
madjsp said:
What does your imei start with?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The one in the software starts with 004999
The one on the sticker starts with 351863
Iphone imei starts with 011. That rep doesnt know what hes doingp
did you ask them to update youe imei number? would likly fix it, could have just been an accident, from what i have read about 10% of imei number are not unique so somehting could have gotten messed up server side
vinunleaded182 said:
Iphone imei starts with 011. That rep doesnt know what hes doingp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
also a quick google of the 0049 imei shows that there are several iphones with that imei
The rep who I've been working with is off today but she said she'd call me tomorrow. I'll ask her to update the number and hopefully she can.
Unfortunately, while I'm pretty much a noob to all this, I've found that I still know more than most of the people on the AT&T side and the rep I've been working with is the most knowledgeable of the group.
Did you go from an iphone to the samsung if so, it could be a translation issue on atts side which means the billing system never updated the imei to the switch because it errored out on the billing side happend all the time when i use to be a switch tech for att simple to fix just need to file a ticket with a certain department but can be a pain if the rep is new.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I thought the phone read its IMEI number from its own hardware. This thread implies that something on the network is telling the phone what its IMEI Number should be.
I know there are a lot of Ebay phones with bogus stickers - the stickers have one SN/EMEI number, but the phone internally says another.
Where did you get your phone?
I've never owned an iPhone and I purchased the Captivate from a corporate store, not from an authorized reseller or ebay.
wait cant this be useful if we can change the imei to a vibrant one we can get money off of data or would most of you feel bad for doing that (one good thing about that though for 10 dollars we get unlimited data)
labbu63 said:
wait cant this be useful if we can change the imei to a vibrant one we can get money off of data or would most of you feel bad for doing that (one good thing about that though for 10 dollars we get unlimited data)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You gotta pay to play. If you don't want to pay smartphone fees, don't get a smartphone. I'm sure we'd all like a break on price, but when it comes down to it, we can't get one, so we make do.
And unless the modmyi forum was wrong, that's illegal.
yeah i know but im just saying if someone isnt scared to go to jail
If the IMEI shows as 004999010640000, you might check out this thread. Good luck.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=777288
PS: you might want to look at this specific post in that thread.....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=8060884&postcount=33
BigJayDogg3 said:
You gotta pay to play. If you don't want to pay smartphone fees, don't get a smartphone. I'm sure we'd all like a break on price, but when it comes down to it, we can't get one, so we make do.
And unless the modmyi forum was wrong, that's illegal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually i was just looking at the library of congress's recent ruling on the DMCA and their new excemptions and read this
"
(3) Computer programs, in the form of firmware or software, that enable used wireless telephone handsets to connect to a wireless telecommunications network, when circumvention is initiated by the owner of the copy of the computer program solely in order to connect to a wireless telecommunications network and access to the network is authorized by the operator of the network.
"
sounds like to me that changing the imei is legal as long as the only reason you are doing it is to connect to a network that you are already authorized to use
xatrekak said:
actually i was just looking at the library of congress's recent ruling on the DMCA and their new excemptions and read this
"
(3) Computer programs, in the form of firmware or software, that enable used wireless telephone handsets to connect to a wireless telecommunications network, when circumvention is initiated by the owner of the copy of the computer program solely in order to connect to a wireless telecommunications network and access to the network is authorized by the operator of the network.
"
sounds like to me that changing the imei is legal as long as the only reason you are doing it is to connect to a network that you are already authorized to use
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Changing The imei is illegal and has nothing to do with the DMCA. changing The imei is fraud like changing a car's vin number.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
alphadog00 i was wondering that, you wouldn't happen to be able to point out to me which law that is contained in, i have heard it was illegal like a million times but havn't seen the law yet. but i have always liked reading the actual laws that make the things i want to illegal
how do you know its illegal the DMCA was changed and said it was legal so until you find something that says its illegal we will never know
labbu63 said:
how do you know its illegal the DMCA was changed and said it was legal so until you find something that says its illegal we will never know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are confusing unlocking with changing your IMEI. It is legal to unlock and hack, it is not legal to change the phone's network id.
xatrekak said:
alphadog00 i was wondering that, you wouldn't happen to be able to point out to me which law that is contained in, i have heard it was illegal like a million times but havn't seen the law yet. but i have always liked reading the actual laws that make the things i want to illegal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't point to you an exact law, but cloning phones has been considered fraudulent for years and people have been prosecuted. In changing the IMEI number, you are in essence cloning a phone - it may not exist yet, but it could. So once a new phone is made with the new EMEI number you created, you have created fraud.
After doing some research - this is the section of federal code that is used to prosecute cell phone cloners:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/usc_sec_18_00001029----000-.html
U.S. Code: TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 47 > § 1029
§ 1029. Fraud and related activity in connection with access *devices
You may not get arrested for changing your IMEI (not one person anyway) but at some point the carrier will probably just black list your device or your account.
Changing the IMEI or ESN basically makes your device a counterfeit access device. Some debate that if they own 3 phones they should be able to let them all share one IMEI if only one is active at a time.
Personally, I can see no valid reason to change your IMEI - swapping sim cards is easy enough.
Hi guys!
Is there a possibility of retrieving the phone using the IMEI number? I ran out of luck and lost my phone. Someone may have stolen it for sure cause I could no longer reach it anymore when i tried dialing the number....
You could try using Plan B to locate it. Install it remotely from the Market web interface.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.lookout.labs.planb
if you give your phone imei to officials I am sure they can locate it by using imei if someone put his simcard to your phone it is possible to locate his location as he turned up the phone...
I issued a complaint writ regarding stolen phone few years ago and they had found it!
good luck...
This is why you get insurance on the phone, tell the police about it and go through the case, you have to give them the IMEI number and you might possibly get a new phone, or they'll try to find it.
Good luck mate, this is why I take my extra phone out with me when I'm out Wouldn't want to lose a device this expensive
ive got a htc m7 sprint model num PN072 on 4.4.3 rooted,and on viper custom rom..bought off ebay,has bad esn,,,i need to sell this phone now..all attempts to unlock sim has failed..buying this was just a bad idea...i need to somehow unlock the sim,or connect to diffrent carriers,so i can sell the phone ,and not rip no one off..i need to be able to upload on ebay,and knowinly be able to tell the buyer it can in fact connect to a carrier or service..i dont care witch one as long as it will work with someone...can anyone help me get this done?..ive tried many ways,read threw several difffrent threads....i cant afford to pay to hook it up.i just need to know for sure it can be done so i cantell the buyer ...if anyone can get it done its XDA save my A.. xda!!!
lucky_515 said:
ive got a htc m7 sprint model num PN072 on 4.4.3 rooted,and on viper custom rom..bought off ebay,has bad esn,,,i need to sell this phone now..all attempts to unlock sim has failed..buying this was just a bad idea...i need to somehow unlock the sim,or connect to diffrent carriers,so i can sell the phone ,and not rip no one off..i need to be able to upload on ebay,and knowinly be able to tell the buyer it can in fact connect to a carrier or service..i dont care witch one as long as it will work with someone...can anyone help me get this done?..ive tried many ways,read threw several difffrent threads....i cant afford to pay to hook it up.i just need to know for sure it can be done so i cantell the buyer ...if anyone can get it done its XDA save my A.. xda!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Blacklisted IMEI/MEID (bad esn) phones can not be repaired by the user. The imei blacklist is an international list which all gsm carriers have access to. Once the IMEI number of a phone is blacklisted, no gsm carriers will activate the phone on their network. Changing the IMEI number is the only solution but its illegal in some countries (check your local regulations). Even if its legal in your country, you can't (afaik) change the IMEI/MEID of the M7 because there is and encrypted key stored on the phone memory to check the authenticity of the IMEI number. If the key doesn't match then the radio will not turn on.
Best you can do imo, is to sell it as is (bad esn)
alray said:
Blacklisted IMEI/MEID (bad esn) phones can not be repaired by the user. The imei blacklist is an international list which all gsm carriers have access to. Once the IMEI number of a phone is blacklisted, no gsm carriers will activate the phone on their network. Changing the IMEI number is the only solution but its illegal in some countries (check your local regulations). Even if its legal in your country, you can't (afaik) change the IMEI/MEID of the M7 because there is and encrypted key stored on the phone memory to check the authenticity of the IMEI number. If the key doesn't match then the radio will not turn on.
Best you can do imo, is to sell it as is (bad esn)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
could it hook up to carriers like stright talk where you buy a code from them?...or like text now they have phone plans as well..or is the phone jus total loss like your saying..either way thanks for your input
Short version: who can fix IMEI on my (legally bought) phone?
Long story: I bought a new G870A phone around XMAS from an ebay-like store (I live in Poland). It seems to be an American phone (I get an ATT logo). It worked fine in Poland for two weeks I was using it (Polish SIM, T-mobile operator), but then I left for my work in South Korea, where I have a Korean SIM (SKT op.) it had connectivity issues: phone/SMS/wifi work, but mobile data doesn't work if the phone displays LTE 4G on the top. If it shows just 4G it works. I took it too SKT shops (three), all swear it's not an operator problem. Took it to the Samsung service center, they couldn't figure things out, sent it to the factory. I got a call from them (well, I don't speak Korean, so it's handled by my Korean gf). She said: "the number of INEI on the phone does not match the manufacturer’s serial number on the phone. Based on my understanding from his explanations, the manufactures finds for the serial number with INEI numbers, two numbers need to be the same. If another person is using a phone with the same INEI numbers with yours, your phone might not work properly. Your phone is not in the process for A/S since ur phone itself has the problem. So, they suggested you to contact the distributor what happens." I did some research on IMEI, and I am confused. I am reasonably sure that the place I bought in Poland is legit (I got the box, warranty card, proof of purchase; the business has official government registration, and 99% satisfaction ratio for its ~2,000 sales). The mobile data worked in Poland, which would suggest IMEI was fine - until the flight/SIM change? What could have messed it up? And if it is, who can fix it for me? Seems like the Samsung rep wants me to take the phone halfway through the world and complain to the Polish seller? Should I try to get if fixed in Korea? Whose fault is it? It also seems like it is possible to get the IMEI changed without root, could it be that someone "stole" my IMEI number? Could IMEI numbers work in one country but not the other? Should I try to change the IMEI myself - and if so, are there any good guides for that? I also read that changing IMEI is not legal in many countries, but presumably the vendor/service center can do it? But who is the party that should fix my phone? The original vendor? Are IMEI problems covered through warranty?