Legal unlocking and the shebang. - Motorola Atrix HD

Before one buys a used atrix hd off the bay, how does he make sure the imei had not been blacklisted by at&t? Especially if he lives overseas and has no way of trying out an at&t sim for a few weeks before he visits the US?
I understand atrix hd is also offered on contract. So what is stopping from someone taking it on the contract for cheap and buy a code from ebay and unlock the phone. Missed payments could make at&t blacklist the phone right?
I guess one way to avoid buying a stolen phone is to insist on the box with the sale, but how does one protect oneself about the above possibility?

AT&T employee here. Phones being blacklisted due to missed payments is usually only a CDMA thing, and AT&T just blacklist if reported stolen. Blacklisting is becoming more and more of an issue, so it is something to keep in mind when buying used from individuals. I would recommend getting them to provide you with the IMEI then call AT&T customer service 1-800-331-0500 to check it to see if it's clear.
Sent from my MB886 using xda premium

AzraelsVoice said:
AT&T employee here. Phones being blacklisted due to missed payments is usually only a CDMA thing, and AT&T just blacklist if reported stolen. Blacklisting is becoming more and more of an issue, so it is something to keep in mind when buying used from individuals. I would recommend getting them to provide you with the IMEI then call AT&T customer service 1-800-331-0500 to check it to see if it's clear.
Sent from my MB886 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I just called them. They told me that they do not keep a list like that! I'll send you a PM about it.

Blue Bell said:
Thanks. I just called them. They told me that they do not keep a list like that! I'll send you a PM about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try and buy from a good seller also. Look for "good imei" or something like that. As long as it is listed as good, eBay will protect you investment, aka refund you if you get the shaft lol
Sent from my MB886 using Tapatalk 2

SirHoover2010 said:
Try and buy from a good seller also. Look for "good imei" or something like that. As long as it is listed as good, eBay will protect you investment, aka refund you if you get the shaft lol
Sent from my MB886 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. Ebay is all for protecting buyers, and unfortunately not sellers.
Sent from my MB886 using xda premium

If you want a good site with good imei then try swappa. Com I have purchased several android phones there and never had a problem, and the site checks the imei for u before u purchase the phone.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

Didn't know Swappa did that. Good piece of information.
Sent from my MB886 using xda premium

AzraelsVoice said:
Didn't know Swappa did that. Good piece of information.
Sent from my MB886 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they just implimented a beta service today
Check out Swappa's new ESN Check (Beta) service. Validate with carriers to ensure ESN is clean for activation. swappa.com/esn
34 minutes ago from Swappa.
glad to help,i just bought an s3 like new for 390.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but ESN checking would only work for CDMA phones right?
Sent from my MB886 using xda premium

AzraelsVoice said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but ESN checking would only work for CDMA phones right?
Sent from my MB886 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes that is correct ESN is just for cdma phones but swappa check's IMEI as well just thought id throw that lil bit of info out there if anyone was interested.
when ever i have sold a phone on swappa the first thing i have to do is give swappa the IMEI so they can confirm if it is good.

SirHoover2010 said:
Try and buy from a good seller also. Look for "good imei" or something like that. As long as it is listed as good, eBay will protect you investment, aka refund you if you get the shaft lol
Sent from my MB886 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately though, I live overseas, and I wouldn't be able to check if it works on AT&T until I try their sim in a month or two! Hence the pickle.
Swappa recognized the IMEI as the correct device but could not validate the status. Is CheckMEND a reliable solution?

AzraelsVoice said:
AT&T employee here. Phones being blacklisted due to missed payments is usually only a CDMA thing, and AT&T just blacklist if reported stolen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another quick clarification on the statement above. So, what happens to GSM phones that are bought on contract at a subsidized price and unlocked via one of the many third party sites online (if it is possible to illegally unlock phones on contract that is)? AT&T does nothing about it and just bears the loss?

Blue Bell said:
Another quick clarification on the statement above. So, what happens to GSM phones that are bought on contract at a subsidized price and unlocked via one of the many third party sites online (if it is possible to illegally unlock phones on contract that is)? AT&T does nothing about it and just bears the loss?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you unlock a gsm phone 90% of the time you can use them with any carrier ,i believe and correct me if im wrong. if you report a phone lost or stolen thats when there is a problem.i have a tmobile phone right now which is working with at&t.so as long as its a gsm phone and you can unlock
it then your good to go.i just bought a s3 off swappa then unlocked with cellunlocker.net for 25 and just popped my sim in and i was good to go.
hope this helps.

I don't get that business model. What is stopping people then from buying phones on contract for $50 and using them on another carrier after unlocking it for $25? Or is the contract obligations so binding in US that people don't ever break their contracts? How does it work there?

Blue Bell said:
I don't get that business model. What is stopping people then from buying phones on contract for $50 and using them on another carrier after unlocking it for $25? Or is the contract obligations so binding in US that people don't ever break their contracts? How does it work there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well to be honest it has to do with credit and your credit line,if you buy a phone with a contract and you break and or dont pay your bill then it will go to collections and that in turn affects your credit as far as getting credit cards or anything for that matter that involves anything having to do with credit,of course some people just dont care but for the majority it is better for them to pay the bill or to pay to get out of the contract as in an early termination fee. hope this helps

titaneds73 said:
well to be honest it has to do with credit and your credit line,if you buy a phone with a contract and you break and or dont pay your bill then it will go to collections and that in turn affects your credit as far as getting credit cards or anything for that matter that involves anything having to do with credit,of course some people just dont care but for the majority it is better for them to pay the bill or to pay to get out of the contract as in an early termination fee. hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh okay. So the only worry is if people buy the phones and claim that it had been lost (and the insurance) but sell them off internationally. This way the phone will work everywhere except in US where it will blacklisted.
But then, will insurance and/or the police insist on seeing the box? If so, insisting on getting the phone with the box would technically make sure that the phone is not stolen and/or blacklisted right?

Blue Bell said:
Oh okay. So the only worry is if people buy the phones and claim that it had been lost (and the insurance) but sell them off internationally. This way the phone will work everywhere except in US where it will blacklisted.
But then, will insurance and/or the police insist on seeing the box? If so, insisting on getting the phone with the box would technically make sure that the phone is not stolen and/or blacklisted right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im afraid things work differently over here,not the police or the company really have time or care about a phone.insurance is just that ,if you have it then they will give you another and register the phones imei as bad and will be flagged as bad and will not work with the company you buy it from but if it is a gsm phone more than likely it will work unlocked with other companies ,now having said that if you want a phone that will work with at&t or any other carrier that are gsm then may plz recommend this website, swappa.com i have purchased several phones from them and never had a problem i would recommend buying at&t phone or a tmobile phone and if it is not unlocked then you can unlock the phone at cellunlocker.net which i have used as well and can verify that they give good unlock codes ,within 5 to 10 min,also swappa only deals with paypal so if the phones imei no. for some reason is not right even though they check it before hand and or the phone is not in the condition they said it was you are protected under there buyer protection program which means if need be they can refund your money.

Thanks. I had already been through Swappa. Unfortunately, it seems like most of the sellers do not ship internationally.

Blue Bell said:
I don't get that business model. What is stopping people then from buying phones on contract for $50 and using them on another carrier after unlocking it for $25? Or is the contract obligations so binding in US that people don't ever break their contracts? How does it work there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way it works with AT&T here is that you may get a $500 phone for $100 with a two year contract, but a stipulation of the contract is a $350 declining early contract termination fee. That way they're covered if you do decide to take it elsewhere. If a phone is blacklisted, it will fry your sim card almost immediately when you try to use it in that phone. Keep in mind, I'm an employee but not speaking on behalf of the company, just trying to be helpful and shed some light on things.
Sent from my MB886 using xda premium

AzraelsVoice said:
The way it works with AT&T here is that you may get a $500 phone for $100 with a two year contract, but a stipulation of the contract is a $350 declining early contract termination fee. That way they're covered if you do decide to take it elsewhere. If a phone is blacklisted, it will fry your sim card almost immediately when you try to use it in that phone. Keep in mind, I'm an employee but not speaking on behalf of the company, just trying to be helpful and shed some light on things.
Sent from my MB886 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
really did not know that ,thanks for the info

Related

I got scammed, is there anything I can do?

I'm on t-mobile and I recently traded my iPhone 5 for an HTC ONE. Everything was good for a couple weeks but I suddenly wasn't getting any cell phone signal. I went to the tmobile store where I was informed that the person I traded phones with had called and stopped paying on his account then Tmo blocked the phone. So now I have a perfect HTC one that can't get signal. Is there anything I can do? or am I just FUBAR
Absolutely nothing besides find him...beg or demand phone back what he did was trade you and then prolly did a insurance claim paid a small deductible got a new htc and sold it.. This is why its nowadays never good to trade people are actually very heaitant anymore...
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
lojak29 said:
Absolutely nothing besides find him...beg or demand phone back what he did was trade you and then prolly did a insurance claim paid a small deductible got a new htc and sold it.. This is why its nowadays never good to trade people are actually very heaitant anymore...
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I went to the Tmobile store the guy that I talked to said that "you may wanna go on the internet there may be somebody on the internet that has figured out a way to get around this". Granted he didn't sound like he knew too much cause he wa spike "some people do that jawbreaking or jailbraeaking or whatever so I figure somebody is smart enough to figure this out"....I thought that changing the IMEI via software mods was illegal?
zcat84 said:
I thought that changing the IMEI via software mods was illegal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is and can't be discussed here.
Best bet is to track the guy down and hope he's decent about it. Other than that, you can put it up on eBay for parts. You'll make a few bucks back at least.
---------- Post added at 05:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:24 PM ----------
Apparently it is not illegal, in the US, to swap IMEI numbers with a phone that you legally own. Therefore, you could possibly buy a cheap TMobile phone and cannabalize its IMEI number.
It could be possible to write this IMEI number to your phone, if you are s-off.
fastboot oem writeimei
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Report the iPhone you traded as stolen, that will get his attention when the carrier blacklists it.
Sent from a van down by the river.
cschmitt said:
Report the iPhone you traded as stolen, that will get his attention when the carrier blacklists it.
Sent from a van down by the river.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he said. :good:
Why did they shut off and block a phone that was on your account when he stopped paying on his account? What am I missing?
Just unlock the phone and sell for use with any other gsm network. They can only block a phone on there network so still good for any carriers with SIM cards.
vhicke said:
Just unlock the phone and sell for use with any other gsm network. They can only block a phone on there network so still good for any carriers with SIM cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A lot of networks share the block lists... I'm not sure that will work
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4
vhicke said:
Just unlock the phone and sell for use with any other gsm network. They can only block a phone on there network so still good for any carriers with SIM cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, there's a national blacklist that all the north american carriers share.
instigator008 said:
No, there's a national blacklist that all the north american carriers share.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not in Canada.
vhicke said:
Not in Canada.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Canada too. Started October 1.
http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/carriers/canadian-carriers-national-blacklist-program-cellphones/
instigator008 said:
Canada too. Started October 1.
http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/carriers/canadian-carriers-national-blacklist-program-cellphones/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess if his HTC one is blacklisted he can check here if shows blacklisted then only good for parts
http://www.protectyourdata.ca/check-the-status-of-your-device-in-canada/
fachadick said:
Why did they shut off and block a phone that was on your account when he stopped paying on his account? What am I missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not real sure but the explanation I was given was that because Tmobile moved to the new model of not subsidizing phones that even if I traded my phone to someone else that other person is still responsible for continuing the payments on the phone that he traded to me.
So this dude stopped paying on his account and when he did he essentially stopped paying on his phone...I thought that when his phone got associated to my account (because we actually went into a tmobile store to trade) that I was essentially taking over the payments on his phone and he would be taking over the payments on my iPhone...But alas I was wrong
fachadick said:
Why did they shut off and block a phone that was on your account when he stopped paying on his account? What am I missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because the HTC One belonged to the original owner and he was making payments to T-Mobile.
Even though the IMEI was on another account being used it still belonged to the original owner and when he stopped making payments T-Mobile black listed the device.
I got burned on a GS3 last summer.
I had the phone on my account for 4 months and one day nothing.
For the OP he said the guy stopped paying T-Mobile the monthly installments. So this is not an insurance scam.
But in my case it was.
I found out you have 30 days to report a phone lost/stolen when its been on your account.
Then you have another 120 days to follow thru and pay the deductible. Once all the paperwork has been done and you paid the deductible the phone will get blacklisted.
So my GS3 which worked for 4 months is a good parts phone. Ill re-coup about 60% of my money selling it for parts. But i learned a lesson as well.
fachadick said:
Why did they shut off and block a phone that was on your account when he stopped paying on his account? What am I missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong wrong once blocked even unlocked is useless across any gsm carrier
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
So after some research ( I figured out the date I added the phone and filtered throughout phone #'s of people I texted that day) I got the guys phone# and on one of his posts he put a first name (IDK if it's actually his or not). Here are his posts on CL just under the phone section ( I tried to add a screenshot). will the police actually try to help with this if I take them this info?
zcat84 said:
So after some research ( I figured out the date I added the phone and filtered throughout phone #'s of people I texted that day) I got the guys phone# and on one of his posts he put a first name (IDK if it's actually his or not). Here are his posts on CL just under the phone section ( I tried to add a screenshot). will the police actually try to help with this if I take them this info?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try phoning him first and let him know that you're willing to go to the police unless you get your money back etc.
instigator008 said:
Try phoning him first and let him know that you're willing to go to the police unless you get your money back etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way to text him email him using his # (assuming it is still active) from my computer? I literally don't have a phone since my cell has been deactivated as of right now.
zcat84 said:
Is there a way to text him email him using his # (assuming it is still active) from my computer? I literally don't have a phone since my cell has been deactivated as of right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would definitely go with a voice call over text/email. Call from work or borrow a phone. Emails are too easily ignored.

[Q] Sprint MotoX Bad Esn-What to do with it?

Hello, I am looking for some advice please.
I purchased a Motox Sprint from someone who claimed it had a clean ESN, but when I tried unlocking it through Motorolas website it denied it.
Is there a way to remedy this to where it can be used on no contract prepaid (iePagePlus), or should I just sell it and let it be someone else headache?
Do the unlock codes you purchase online really work, and if so are there any associated to this forum or recommended?
I really like the phones build and got it at what seemed like a good deal at the time,but it dont feel so good now.
rktdoc said:
Hello, I am looking for some advice please.
I purchased a Motox Sprint from someone who claimed it had a clean ESN, but when I tried unlocking it through Motorolas website it denied it.
Is there a way to remedy this to where it can be used on no contract prepaid (iePagePlus), or should I just sell it and let it be someone else headache?
Do the unlock codes you purchase online really work, and if so are there any associated to this forum or recommended?
I really like the phones build and got it at what seemed like a good deal at the time,but it dont feel so good now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A bad esn has nothing to do with unlocking the bootloader. If it has a bad esn, it was stolen. Do NOT sell it and make someone else suffer. You made the wrong decision... don't make it someone else's problem.
Online unlocking sites do work, but it isn't going to help you. All the US carriers have a shared backlist database.
Also in future you can go. Online, call or go in store and make sure ESN is clean. Try and stick to swapa as well.
Sent from my XT1058 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Thanks I intend to do that. The phone still has service under his account ,so I'm thinking he either walked on the account or will report it as lost or stolen collect a new phone and now he has money.
I've debated calling Sprint , as he basically stole the phone from them and sold it to me which is theft by deception from what I've read in some other forums.
I just don't think they will do anything about it though.
Sent from my overrated and under thought out Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Or he simply hasn't activated another phone on that line. It won't be released until he does.
Sent from my XT1058 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

What's the process to using this phone on ATT?

Hi I want to buy this phone, unlock it and use it for ATT.
I heard you cannot buy this phone off contract and that you must have a service with them. I hear people are just signing up for the service for one day and then cancel the day after.
Can someone explain how they did it?
pham818 said:
Hi I want to buy this phone, unlock it and use it for ATT.
I heard you cannot buy this phone off contract and that you must have a service with them. I hear people are just signing up for the service for one day and then cancel the day after.
Can someone explain how they did it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pay full price for phone up front and buy the smallest package. After 40 days cancel the service. Some stores will sell it out right without a plan, but you will have to do some searching and calling. I had to go to 3 different stores before I found one that would sell it out right.
I read LTE and 4G dont work so well when you take it back to ATT. I read somewhere.
chong67 said:
I read LTE and 4G dont work so well when you take it back to ATT. I read somewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Results vary. Some say it works just as good
My LTE works perfect on AT&T.
My unlocked T Mobile Note 4 running on AT&T.
chong67 said:
I read LTE and 4G dont work so well when you take it back to ATT. I read somewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought the same thing. This is not the case with the Note 4. It was an issue with the Note 3 and previous devices in my experience.
martinezma99 said:
My unlocked T Mobile Note 4 running on AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who did you use to unlock it? im looking to pick one up and i'd rather not have to wait for tmobiles unlocking terms.
If you buy the phone out right you can unlock asap
bigmase23 said:
If you buy the phone out right you can unlock asap
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's been conflicting reports about that.
I bought the phone outright. Paid $30 or so to cellunlocker to get an unlock code. Popped in AT&T sim and off I went. Still need to cancel Tmo service.
taphius said:
There's been conflicting reports about that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you purchase the phone outright you now it and can unlock it.
I bought my Note 4 outright and purchased the lowest priced package I could. I unlocked it the first day I received it, inserted my sim card from Consumer Cellular and was up and running. However, I read that T-Mobile can and have blacklisted the IMEI of phones that don't comply with their terms of service. Since I didn't read the fine print when I bought the phone and service, I decided it would be prudent to go ahead and meet the 40 service requirement to get an unlock code (although the phone is already unlocked) rather than take a chance and have some T-Mobile manager with a Napoleonic complex blacklist the phone. Then I would be out of $800.00. I asked the customer care representative about blacklisting the phone if I didn't meet the 40 day requirement and she said it was possible. I wasn't willing to take that chance. I will pony up an additional $80.00 + dollars to have peace of mind.
cartertucker said:
I bought the phone outright. Paid $30 or so to cellunlocker to get an unlock code. Popped in AT&T sim and off I went. Still need to cancel Tmo service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks
I preordered, got phone Monday the 13th.
I unlocked with cellunlocker.net 4 days later.
Been using it on AT&T since last friday. Called and canceled tmobile same day.
Easy as that.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
bigmase23 said:
When you purchase the phone outright you now it and can unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right but you make it sound like every T-Mobile store or reseller will sell you a phone outright with absolutely zero commitment of any kind like you walked in to buy a pack of gum or bought a nexus from google play store. There are conflicting reports about zero commitment purchases. The safer bet seems to be walking in with the understanding that you may have to agree to a month-to-month or prepaid contract that you can cancel a day or more later.
The best way i can think to explain it is as follows:
A few people have reported that they were able to buy it outright without service. Though many have been denied that option.
Some have implied that Tmobile then unlocked it.
A moderately safe assumption is that you can buy it with service, unlock it via third party service, and cancel your tmobile service the second u get your unlock code. This comes with the gray area of region locking and having to activate it on tmobile first to remove the region lock pior to unlocking. This can be a lengthy discussion, you might not care about region locking, I'll leave it at that, but read into it. I went this route, activated on tmobile for 4 days, then unlocked and cancelled. I say assumption because people are worried about blacklisting and T.O.S.
The most cautious method would be to wait out your 40 days per Tmobile T.O.S., in addition to the time it takes for them to send your unlock code, pay applicable fees, then cancel.
Hope this clears up the options a bit.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
T-Mobile has the IMEI of phone they sell you in their records. I confirmed it when I called them and they read it to me for confirmation purposes. They sold the phone to you and they know everything about it. Guaranteed. If their records show the phone being used on another carrier without it being activated with them or unlocked by them then they can blacklist the IMEI of the phone. That phone will then be an $800.00 paperweight. They have done it before and a quick Google search will prove it. I'm not saying they will since that seems to be an unknown, but they can and the owner of the phone will have no recourse. I sure don't want to wake up one day and find out that my $800.00 phone is dead. I might very well be wrong, but I am not willing to take that chance after paying $800.00 for the phone. I'll pay for the 40 days of service.
I just bought my Note 4 full price from AT&T after calling about 30 stores in my area and finding one store with one black model in stock. I ended up paying less than full price because of some computer error that rung up the phone $749.99 instead of $825.99. They charged me the difference so I only paid $825 outright, after taxes. All in all, I saved almost $50 (difference in tax from $750 to $825). I still feel like it is ridiculous though that the AT&T model is $80 more expensive than TMo. Is it worth buying a TMO Note 4 with their baseball discount ($30 off) and trying to unlock it to use it on AT&T? Sorry for my long comment/question.
Bought mine from swappa in a sealed pack. Opened the phone, went to Cellunlocker.com and within 10 min had my unlock code. Works great on ATT

[Q] Question about a Nexus 6 on T-Mobile.....

I have a Nexus 6 on T-Mobile, and recently, due to financial issues, I won't be able to continue paying a very large bill I have with them. One reason is because I billed my Nexus 6 to my account and cannot return it. So, I am in a pickle. Does anyone know, since this device comes unlocked from Motorola, will they block the IMEI number, and if so, would I still be able to use it on a CDMA carrier like Sprint if it has been activated before the IMEI number was blocked ? I would assume any GSM carrier is out of the question, but Sprint handles their activations differently than T-Mobiles. Can anyone tell me what could happen ?
Edit 1: I have already tried to work out a payment deal with T-Mobile.....because I don't get paid until the 23rd, I won't be able to work out an extended payment schedule with them.
If you don't pay the rest of your EIP then yes they will blacklist the device. It doesn't matter if you use it on any of the other carriers. The phone will be rendered useless when it comes to cellular data.
Not to mention, you failing to pay your payments will significantly damage your credit score.
The device was not on a EIP. My credit history has been shot for awhile. They billed the entire amount of the phone to the main account balance.
zephiK said:
If you don't pay the rest of your EIP then yes they will blacklist the device. It doesn't matter if you use it on any of the other carriers. The phone will be rendered useless when it comes to cellular data. Not to mention, you failing to pay your payments will significantly damage your credit history.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cjegan2008 said:
The device was not on a EIP. My credit history has been shot for awhile. They billed the entire amount of the phone to the main account balance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So have you paid off the Nexus 6 in full amount? If it wasn't paid for in full then it will be blacklisted and the phone will be useless for cell service.
If you can't pay your month-to-month bill when it comes to the Simple Choice plan then yes you can use the device with other carriers but you'll lose your T-Mobile plan (obviously).
No, I didn't pay off the full amount. They billed the full amount to the account instead of doing a EIP and they told me that they would work out a extended payment schedule of about 9 months to cover the total cost of the device. So yes it was the full amount, but the full amount hasn't been actually paid yet.
zephiK said:
So have you paid off the Nexus 6 in full amount? If it wasn't paid for in full then it will be blacklisted and the phone will be useless for cell service.
If you can't pay your month-to-month bill when it comes to the Simple Choice plan then yes you can use the device with other carriers but you'll lose your T-Mobile plan (obviously).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cjegan2008 said:
No, I didn't pay off the full amount. They billed the full amount to the account instead of doing a EIP and they told me that they would work out a extended payment schedule of about 9 months to cover the total cost of the device. So yes it was the full amount, but the full amount hasn't been actually paid yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then the device would be blacklisted on all carriers unless you can call them and have them change it to a EIP from a full balance.
I can't because of my credit score.
zephiK said:
Then the device would be blacklisted on all carriers unless you can call them and have them change it to a EIP from a full balance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cjegan2008 said:
I can't because of my credit score.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then your phone is blacklisted because you are unable to pay for it. I'm sorry but you shouldn't have purchased the phone outright if you were unable to pay for it.
The only other options would be to talk to a family member or someone who trust you would be willing to pay for you until you can pay them back.
Just a bit of info for all of you out there saying if he doesn't pay his T-mobile bill the phone will be black listed, let me just 1st say False! Other carriers give no ****s if he pays T-mobile. 2nd what makes you guys think T-mobile have the power to call up AT&T, Verizon, US Cellular, Sprint Etc.... And demand them to block this one Esn? Please speak only on what you know and stop giving out bad info.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Can I ask how ?
Trevaryn said:
Just a bit of info for all of you out there saying if he doesn't pay his T-mobile bill the phone will be black listed, let me just 1st say False! Other carriers give no ****s if he pays T-mobile. 2nd what makes you guys think T-mobile have the power to call up AT&T, Verizon, US Cellular, Sprint Etc.... And demand them to block this one Esn? Please speak only on what you know and stop giving out bad info.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OP has a bill for his Nexus 6 that is unpaid for. Its the same thing that happens when someone is selling a financed phone that is not paid in full and has a balance. The phone becomes blacklisted and will not work on other carriers.
So unless the OP paid for the Nexus 6 in its full amount, it will be blacklisted. The whole IMEI blocking is organized with all carriers as well as international, so yes they do care.
In summary,
You ordered the phone and didn't pay the $649/$699 + taxes then your phone will be blacklisted.
If you paid for the phone in full $649/$699 but no longer want the T-Mobile Simple Choice plan, your phone is completely fine and you can use it on other carriers. You will just lose your Simple choice plan but if that was the case, its better to pay off the cycle and then cancel your service instead of just not paying the monthly plan for Simple choice (note if you have EIP and you cancel your Simple Choice plan, your EIP balance must be paid in full)
No, I didn't pay off the full amount. They billed the full amount to the account instead of doing a EIP and they told me that they would work out a extended payment schedule of about 9 months to cover the total cost of the device. So yes it was the full amount, but the full amount hasn't been actually paid yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OP has not paid for it, if he does not pay the balance it will be blacklisted on all carriers. T Mobile doesn't need to tell any other carriers anything, they share a similar database. That is why if you report your phone stolen, that phone cannot be used on AT&T/Verizon/US Cellular/Sprint/etc. T Mobile is not going to call up AT&T, Verizon, US Cellular, Sprint, etc to blacklist this phone because it was reported as stolen on T-Mobile. They just have to add it into the database and it'll be blacklisted on all carriers. Its as simple as that.
So until the OP has paid the phone in FULL AMOUNT the phone is not his because its still not paid off.
I'm not giving false information, I'm a RC for a reason.
Here's a link to back it up,
https://support.t-mobile.com/thread/64870?start=0&tstart=0 (it says EIP but same would be said about full balance not being paid for)
http://www.reddit.com/r/tmobile/comments/2fv5d8/selling_a_phone_while_still_on_eip/
http://www.tmonews.com/2014/06/upgr...-t-mobile-phones-due-to-network-blacklisting/
I shouldn't have to go out of my way to provide links when I've already reiterated myself multiple times in this thread.
Edit: To your logic, Verizon/AT&T/Sprint has similar financing programs for their phones. The same can be said with Verizon/AT&T/Sprint, using a phone that is still financed under another carrier and then trying the device on T-Mobile won't work. Its a win-win for the carriers assuming the device is not carrier locked but regardless it will be blacklisted if a phone is still financed on AT&T/Sprint/VZW and attempted to be used on T-Mobile network.
I'm not going to argue with you about this I have worked for all of them and they do NOT share a data base. A prime example of that was when the Nexus 6 first came out people having issues activating it on other carriers than the ones they receive them from because Verizon does not share a data base with Sprint people are having those issues inactivating their Sprint Nexus 6 on Verizon even though they come factory unlocked, now they had shared the same database there would have been no issues with people transferring over there phones from carrier to carrier. I can tell you for a fact that I have taken the Verizon blacklisted droid ultra and activated on both t-mobile and AT&T , mind you that is just one example.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
---------- Post added at 08:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:22 PM ----------
Also in regards to that post for the TemoNews what they are referring to is people selling t mobile phones to other people who plan on using them on t-mobile aka locked phones if you would have sell or use a unlocked tmobile phone on a different carrier it would work whether you've paid the bill with tmobile or not.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Trevaryn said:
I'm not going to argue with you about this I have worked for all of them and they do NOT share a data base. A prime example of that was when the Nexus 6 first came out people having issues activating it on other carriers than the ones they receive them from because Verizon does not share a data base with Sprint people are having those issues inactivating their Sprint Nexus 6 on Verizon even though they come factory unlocked, now they had shared the same database there would have been no issues with people transferring over there phones from carrier to carrier. I can tell you for a fact that I have taken the Verizon blacklisted droid ultra and activated on both t-mobile and AT&T , mind you that is just one example.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We're not talking about buying a N6 from a certain place (T-Mo, AT&T, Sprint, US Cellular, Motorola, Google Play) and then activating it with another carrier. That isn't a problem with the Nexus 6.
We're talking about when ANY phone but in this case we're talking about the Nexus 6, what would happen if OP did not pay out the balance of his phone? Meaning he purchased it off-contract and is unable to pay for the full $649/699 + taxes for the device. The device will be blacklisted on other carriers because the phone was not paid for. The OP has a poor credit score and is unable to go on a installation of monthly payment plans so he had to pay for the phone upright and is unable to pay for the phone in full price and wants to use the unpaid phone on another cellular service, it will not work because it will be blacklisted.
I'm pretty sure me and you are talking about different topics. OP is talking about not paying his bills and wondering if the phone can be used with another carrier if he didn't pay his bill for the device.
Ok so let say I go to tmobile and buy a N6 on contract and pay the 26.75 a month for a few months, then let's say the months after that I cannot pay anymore and my account goes to collections and they blacklist the phone. Because it's is a Google phone it comes unlocked. So I take that unlocked blacklisted phone to let's say att, all I have to do is get a simple from them and pop it in the phone and then all I have to do is setup the phone on my account and bam workingpbone
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Trevaryn said:
Ok so let say I go to tmobile and buy a N6 on contract and pay the 26.75 a month for a few months, then let's say the months after that I cannot pay anymore and my account goes to collections and they blacklist the phone. Because it's is a Google phone it comes unlocked. So I take that unlocked blacklisted phone to let's say att, all I have to do is get a simple from them and pop it in the phone and then all I have to do is setup the phone on my account and bam workingpbone
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't work that way because each device has its own unique IMEI number. The IMEI number is blacklisted, it's the same thing on how stolen phones are reported.
If my phone was stolen and I called up T-Mobile and report that it was stolen, that phone would be rendered useless when it comes to connecting to a cellular network because the device is blacklisted. Your phone being carrier unlocked has nothing to do with evading a phone from being blacklisted.
You can read more about it,
As devices have become more sophisticated and more expensive, they are also more attractive to thieves. Recent years have seen an increased need for the IMEI DB to be used as a tool to combat handset theft by ensuring the identities of stolen devices can be shared across networks around the world. The IMEI DB also supports what is known as a “black list”. The black list is a list of IMEIs that are associated with mobile devices that should be denied service on mobile networks because they have been reported as lost, stolen, faulty or otherwise unsuitable for use. This list is stored in the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) which acts as a central system for network operators to share their individual black lists so that devices denied service (blacklisted) by one network will not work on other networks. The engagement of governments and law enforcement agencies with the network operator community continues in a number of markets where handset theft is perceived to be a problem and the GSMA strongly encourages use of the IMEI DB as a platform to exchange stolen handset data. All GSMA operator members are welcome to connect to the system free of charge. To learn more about the IMEI database, please click here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.gsma.com/technicalprojects/fraud-security/imei-database
http://security.stackexchange.com/q...tors-blacklist-stolen-phones-using-their-imei
Trevaryn said:
Ok so let say I go to tmobile and buy a N6 on contract and pay the 26.75 a month for a few months, then let's say the months after that I cannot pay anymore and my account goes to collections and they blacklist the phone. Because it's is a Google phone it comes unlocked. So I take that unlocked blacklisted phone to let's say att, all I have to do is get a simple from them and pop it in the phone and then all I have to do is setup the phone on my account and bam workingpbone
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So ignorant.......
An unlocked phone means your phone itself can be used on any carrier without needing an unlock code. But when your phone is network blocked, this database is shared amongst other networks in your region, so all carriers in your region will block your device from grabbing any signal as your IMEI is sent to the network. If it goes through the security check and doesn't have any IMEI blocks in place, then you're fine, but if it's blocked, your phone will not get signal.
Your phone can still register on other networks in other countries, but as for your T-mo plan, you're in a region where your IMEI is blocked. So your phone is essentially blocked from being used unless you sell it to another person in another country.
Yes you are right but your phone will only be blacklisted on tmobile! Dude I've ****ing done this before. I used to make a living flashing blacklisted phone to other carriers. I would take bad esn phone from whatever carrier and put them on a different one. Done it hundreds of times.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Trevaryn said:
Yes you are right but your phone will only be blacklisted on tmobile! Dude I've (MOD EDIT) done this before. I used to make a living flashing blacklisted phone to other carriers. I would take bad esn phone from whatever carrier and put them on a different one. Done it hundreds of times.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No your phone will be blocked on other carriers too, read my post underlined and bolded. That talk of evading the IMEI blacklisted talk is not prohibited on XDA and is generally illegal.
Not paying a phone for $649/$699 + taxes and then trying to evade IMEI blacklist is a huge no. So stop please.
MOD EDIT: Please don't swear.
Like I said I have DONE this. OP can believe whoever he wants it makes no difference to me. BTW the phone I had b4 this N6 I got from CL and it was blacklisted on Verizon but I had it activated on both t-mobile and AT&T at different times.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Trevaryn said:
Like I said I have DONE this. OP can believe whoever he wants it makes no difference to me. BTW the phone I had b4 this N6 I got from CL and it was blacklisted on Verizon but I had it activated on both t-mobile and AT&T at different times.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1591672
One day your luck will run out. The phone goes on the stolen blacklist because the phone, in essence, is stolen. The OP agreed to purchase the phone, had it billed 100% to his next billing statement, and kept the phone without paying for it.

Blocked IMEI...what can I do?

Here we go....another victim to Tmo's overbearing retroactive IMEI blocking
I bought it used from a private seller, now 3 months later the IMEI is blocked.
What can I do about it? No holds barred here. How do I get my phone working again? If it's against XDA rules to openly discuss it, don't...please discreetly point me in the right direction or drop a PM. I'm down for anything....ANYTHING!!!
So please give me a little help...I've done some searching and what I keep seeing is 'maybe...depending on the device'....is N6 one of them it's possible?
Also, just so it's said...I have another Nexus with physical damage, but a valid 100% legit donor IMEI of which I am the original owner, so this isn't an attempt to hijack one from someone....just wanted to make that perfectly clear.
hp420 said:
Here we go....another victim to Tmo's overbearing retroactive IMEI blocking
I bought it used from a private seller, now 3 months later the IMEI is blocked.
What can I do about it? No holds barred here. How do I get my phone working again? If it's against XDA rules to openly discuss it, don't...please discreetly point me in the right direction or drop a PM. I'm down for anything....ANYTHING!!!
So please give me a little help...I've done some searching and what I keep seeing is 'maybe...depending on the device'....is N6 one of them it's possible?
Also, just so it's said...I have another Nexus with physical damage, but a valid 100% legit donor IMEI of which I am the original owner, so this isn't an attempt to hijack one from someone....just wanted to make that perfectly clear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sounds like the seller sold you a stolen phone, or one not paid off. there's nothing you can do about it, and talking about changing your imei isn't allowed on XDA.
hp420 said:
Here we go....another victim to Tmo's overbearing retroactive IMEI blocking
I bought it used from a private seller, now 3 months later the IMEI is blocked.
What can I do about it? No holds barred here. How do I get my phone working again? If it's against XDA rules to openly discuss it, don't...please discreetly point me in the right direction or drop a PM. I'm down for anything....ANYTHING!!!
So please give me a little help...I've done some searching and what I keep seeing is 'maybe...depending on the device'....is N6 one of them it's possible?
Also, just so it's said...I have another Nexus with physical damage, but a valid 100% legit donor IMEI of which I am the original owner, so this isn't an attempt to hijack one from someone....just wanted to make that perfectly clear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you contact t-Mobile to ask why the imei is blocked? Contact the seller for a refund and/or file a police report if he is not willing to do that.
Thanks guys. I did call tmo...we had a lengthy conversation, I was passed to 3 supervisors, escalated ro tier 2, and they still refused to do anything. The customer cancelled service and has an outstanding balance for the device, so Unless I pay for it ($900 they said...I got a great laugh out of that one) they won't do anything for me.
I'm aware IMEI talk usn't allowed in public, which is why I have asked people to keep that discussion OUT of this thread please...don't get this thread closed on me please, people...if you have sonething to say, please PM me.
The thing that's so messed up is I did pay for it already...it's far from my fault if that money never got to the original seller in one way or another, and now they want me to pay for it again just to use it!!! How is this literally not extortion??? Can't I file a police report against Tmo for this? They activated a brand new prepaid sim using the IMEI from the same Nexus 6 just 2 months ago, which, in my eyes, is a guarantee from Tmo that the IMEI is good, no?? I sort of feel like Tmo should be responsible for this since they let me activate it after checking the number.
hp420 said:
Thanks guys. I did call tmo...we had a lengthy conversation, I was passed to 3 supervisors, escalated ro tier 2, and they still refused to do anything. The customer cancelled service and has an outstanding balance for the device, so Unless I pay for it ($900 they said...I got a great laugh out of that one) they won't do anything for me.
I'm aware IMEI talk usn't allowed in public, which is why I have asked people to keep that discussion OUT of this thread please...don't get this thread closed on me please, people...if you have sonething to say, please PM me.
The thing that's so messed up is I did pay for it already...it's far from my fault if that money never got to the original seller in one way or another, and now they want me to pay for it again just to use it!!! How is this literally not extortion??? Can't I file a police report against Tmo for this? They activated a brand new prepaid sim using the IMEI from the same Nexus 6 just 2 months ago, which, in my eyes, is a guarantee from Tmo that the IMEI is good, no?? I sort of feel like Tmo should be responsible for this since they let me activate it after checking the number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It all depends on when he canceled the contract. This is why I never buy used devices unless I know the person. T-mobile and many carriers are doing this because of things just like this. Its not their fault. It is the person that sold you the device. You could file a police report against that person for selling stolen property.
As @zelendel said, it depends on when he canceled the contract. I agree it's not your fault that the money didn't get to the original seller, but what T-Mobile does isn't extortion because they still own the phone as long as there are payments left on it. It sucks, and I can only imagine the spot you're in. But T-Mobile, as the original owner of the device, is within their rights to block the IMEI.
Keep in mind that T-Mobile blocking the IMEI on their network is different from blacklisting the IMEI. In the case of the former, it only applies to the T-Mobile network and covers non-payment of the monthly charge for the equipment. The latter applies to all carriers and covers if the device is lost or stolen.
In short, if the device is blocked, you can try it on AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, or any of their MVNOs. If it's blacklisted, the device likely won't work at all on any carrier. There are of course no guarantees that using another carrier will work, but as this apparently isn't a lost or stolen phone the chances of being able to use the device are high.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
As @zelendel said, it depends on when he canceled the contract. I agree it's not your fault that the money didn't get to the original seller, but what T-Mobile does isn't extortion because they still own the phone as long as there are payments left on it. It sucks, and I can only imagine the spot you're in. But T-Mobile, as the original owner of the device, is within their rights to block the IMEI.
Keep in mind that T-Mobile blocking the IMEI on their network is different from blacklisting the IMEI. In the case of the former, it only applies to the T-Mobile network and covers non-payment of the monthly charge for the equipment. The latter applies to all carriers and covers if the device is lost or stolen.
In short, if the device is blocked, you can try it on AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, or any of their MVNOs. If it's blacklisted, the device likely won't work at all on any carrier. There are of course no guarantees that using another carrier will work, but as this apparently isn't a lost or stolen phone the chances of being able to use the device are high.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about a Tmo mvno? Is metro going to block me, as well?
hp420 said:
How about a Tmo mvno? Is metro going to block me, as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes because it still uses their network.
hp420 said:
How about a Tmo mvno? Is metro going to block me, as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use the xposed route I PM u about
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
If your other nexus' board still works, why not swap boards? Not ideal, but at least you would have at least one working phone.
Port to cricket
mike102871 said:
Port to cricket
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They're AT&T...no thanks
chapelfreak said:
If your other nexus' board still works, why not swap boards? Not ideal, but at least you would have at least one working phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Busted motherboard. I appreciate the input, though.
hp420 said:
Busted motherboard. I appreciate the input, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://swappa.com/boneyard/post/KV6XQ9
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Port to cricket is your easiest and quickest fix. Nothing wrong with the service. Been using it for a year.
I've been using Straight Talk for several years now. No problems with them, and they are a MVNO that has agreements for all the US networks.
Since T-Mobile isn't available, you don't like AT&T, and Sprint is terrible, your only real option is Verizon.
mike102871 said:
Port to cricket is your easiest and quickest fix. Nothing wrong with the service. Been using it for a year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know they aren't, but they screwed me on data several years ago. I promised they would never see another dime from me, and I'm a man of my word lol
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I've been using Straight Talk for several years now. No problems with them, and they are a MVNO that has agreements for all the US networks.
Since T-Mobile isn't available, you don't like AT&T, and Sprint is terrible, your only real option is Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint is actually kinda ok where I live. I had them back in the WiMax days and I was always confused what all the complaining was about...I guess I was just lucky, but my Nexus S got some awesome "4g" (TOTALLY unlimited too)
31ken31 said:
https://swappa.com/boneyard/post/KV6XQ9
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's been a thought, but if I need to farm the IMEI from that device I can't sell it. Thanks though!
31ken31 said:
Use the xposed route I PM u about
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!! I'm not ignoring you, bud I'm running N preview and I haven't had time to flash a 6.0 rom to test this. It's on my to-do list, though. If that actually works I'd be pretty happy with it at least as a temporary fix...just too bad it's totally dependant on xposed, you know? That could put a real damper on updating it, which is like 90% of what makes Nexus devices so awesome. Thanks for the idea, though!
@hp420,
If you bought on Swappa or eBay and paid with PayPal... PayPal's buyer protection is good for 180 days after purchase. File a claim against the seller on PayPal. Device "Significantly not as Described". You will get your money back, for sure....
cam30era said:
@hp420,
If you bought on Swappa or eBay and paid with PayPal... PayPal's buyer protection is good for 180 days after purchase. File a claim against the seller on PayPal. Device "Significantly not as Described". You will get your money back, for sure....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish Private sale, and I thought I could trust the guy. Lesson learned.
hp420 said:
Thanks guys. I did call tmo...we had a lengthy conversation, I was passed to 3 supervisors, escalated ro tier 2, and they still refused to do anything. The customer cancelled service and has an outstanding balance for the device, so Unless I pay for it ($900 they said...I got a great laugh out of that one) they won't do anything for me.
I'm aware IMEI talk usn't allowed in public, which is why I have asked people to keep that discussion OUT of this thread please...don't get this thread closed on me please, people...if you have sonething to say, please PM me.
The thing that's so messed up is I did pay for it already...it's far from my fault if that money never got to the original seller in one way or another, and now they want me to pay for it again just to use it!!! How is this literally not extortion??? Can't I file a police report against Tmo for this? They activated a brand new prepaid sim using the IMEI from the same Nexus 6 just 2 months ago, which, in my eyes, is a guarantee from Tmo that the IMEI is good, no?? I sort of feel like Tmo should be responsible for this since they let me activate it after checking the number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree that the private phone sales situation is in a pretty sad state. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it is fraudulent on the part of the service providers. They should either provide an easily accessible lookup database (this would have to be a joint database among *all* service providers) to validate that a device is unencumbered, or forgive the "new" owner if the original skipped town.
Normally I would say that a problem with a product should be handled between buyer and seller, but in this case, that doesn't secure the buyer at all.
The service provider just wants to sell you a new phone.

Categories

Resources