Lost a child. Trying to access their tablet. - Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Last night my friend lost her young daughter suddenly. She wants to get access to her kids version kindle bought last holiday season but it has a pin. Amazon says there is no way to bypass the lock screen. Searching for help. Her sister and brother have same versions of the tablet.

Jkelley79 said:
Last night my friend lost her young daughter suddenly. She wants to get access to her kids version kindle bought last holiday season but it has a pin. Amazon says there is no way to bypass the lock screen. Searching for help. Her sister and brother have same versions of the tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heartfelt condolences to your friend. Unfortunately, there is no bypass short of wiping the device or paying a small fortune to a data recovery firm which may or may not be successful. Security would be nothing if not secure.

Related

*Update FOUND* My NC has gone missing.... what to do?

Update: Found the sneaky NC hiding under the computer stand in the basement. Not sure how she ended up there, but happy whoever the little thief was in the house put it somewhere I could find it... after searching for hours!
Had the NC in the house last night and it has magically gone missing as of this AM. Wife and kids said they dont have it so not sure what to think. In any case, I need to figure out if there is anything I can do to remove the amazon link to my 1-click credit card info that was on it for the amazon store and get my gmail/yahoo auto password off of there too? My guess is maybe not to the three above but thought it was worth a question. If its going to fall in the wrong hands I would prefer they dont have easy access to our emails and also be able to buy stuff on amazon or the amazon market with my CC. Its a stock NC with autonooter 3.0.
If it is in the house, is there any way to track it down with the wifi?
Might just be jumping the gun on this whole deal, but want to be prepared!
check the fridge (don't ask) and under the couch.
with the nook sleeping it's not connected to wifi and with no built in gps/3g it cannot be tracked.
log into amazon and deregister the device to prevent purchases if it is (gasp) stolen
NewZJ said:
check the fridge (don't ask) and under the couch.
with the nook sleeping it's not connected to wifi and with no built in gps/3g it cannot be tracked.
log into amazon and deregister the device to prevent purchases if it is (gasp) stolen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL on the fridge comment.. h'm i wondder if you are connected to wifi and latitude if your location can be seen by your friends
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk
Run, don't walk to your other computer and change your password to your email and your amazon accounts.
If you find the Nook, then simply change the passwords back.
NewZJ said:
check the fridge (don't ask) and under the couch.
with the nook sleeping it's not connected to wifi and with no built in gps/3g it cannot be tracked.
log into amazon and deregister the device to prevent purchases if it is (gasp) stolen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
checked the fridge... not there! Went into app store and turned off one click. Saw the option to deregister, but then noticed it said would not be able to use the same device again for market if deregister? Hoping it shows back up in the house so was bit concerned with doing that. Guess I shouldnt worry about that though at this point.
updated passwords on google, yahoo and amazon. also disabled 1 click on amazon. hopefully that should be good for now. Any other tips/suggestions would be appreiciated
Just out of curiosity, if the NC ended up being stolen AND said person tried buying a book or item via wifi, couldn't you just report it as stolen and they could track what wifi network the purchase came from?
glad you found it,.and that it wasnt in the fridge
dvcbwvfans said:
Update: Found the sneaky NC hiding under the computer stand in the basement. Not sure how she ended up there, but happy whoever the little thief was in the house put it somewhere I could find it... after searching for hours!
Had the NC in the house last night and it has magically gone missing as of this AM. Wife and kids said they dont have it so not sure what to think. In any case, I need to figure out if there is anything I can do to remove the amazon link to my 1-click credit card info that was on it for the amazon store and get my gmail/yahoo auto password off of there too? My guess is maybe not to the three above but thought it was worth a question. If its going to fall in the wrong hands I would prefer they dont have easy access to our emails and also be able to buy stuff on amazon or the amazon market with my CC. Its a stock NC with autonooter 3.0.
If it is in the house, is there any way to track it down with the wifi?
Might just be jumping the gun on this whole deal, but want to be prepared!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what happens when you use your nook alot without doing house works first.
NewZJ said:
glad you found it,.and that it wasnt in the fridge
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pinoy8125 said:
This is what happens when you use your nook alot without doing house works first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I think I may install On-Star so I can track it next time

stolen...

Today is my saddest day, my perfectly good shape (no cracking screens..etc) Nexus 7 16GB stolen at Liberty Since Center Museum, in Jersey City, NJ.:crying:
I was at second floor sitting at table at cafeteria , and then step out for a few mins to watch out my 3 year old girl. I was worry about my daughter who was running on the floor, so I jump and run behind here, I completely forget my small backup on the chair I was sitting...when I realized it, I grabbed my little girl, and rush back to the table where I was sitting, but it was gone, couple of waiters cleaning the tables, and I asked them if they saw a small green back pack, they said yes..they brought my back bag, and when I checked, my Nexus 7 gone!!!
I told them where's my tablet to two waiters now standing next to me, they said they know nothing about my tablet, they said they saw the bag and thought it was forgetten, and took it back and put it here inside. They asked me to talk to office/info desk in the Museum, so I went there and told them what happened and I said I know I am pretty sure one of the waiters took the tablet and demanded that there must be some security camera or something. they said there's none in the cafeteria area.
We are talking about max 10-15 min here, I know it was museum closing time and it was only me sitting on the table in the cafeteria, and waiters cleaning the tables...that's the time all happened, so I am quite sure one of them took it out.
I did not have any remote security app installed...so I cannot remotely wipe my stolen N7, but I changed my gmail account password using my phone, and when I get home, change all other password I can think of (amazon, box, etc)...I also went to Google wallet and disable N7 device, I also deleted my google account credit card as well.
I am not sure what else I can do without any security apps installed, I did probably best I could at this point (chaining the password..etc). Drop me a line if you have any other ideas that I can do.
I am not sure how much this would help, but hoping they cannot get my account info or do anything about it. I am quietly regret that I did not install any security apps on my N7. I am also quite sad that I lost my beloved Nexus 7!!:crying:
so I was sad, holding my 3 year old girl, went thru steps and front door to meet my wife. When my wife saw my face, she said what happened..I said my nexus 7 stolen...she knew that I loved my N7, so she did not say anything, tried to cheer me up..but did not work...
:crying:
This is one of the reasons why it's so important to have a remote security app. The usefulness on wifi-only devices is a bit lacking, since your ability to control it remotely without having it online makes it difficult to use a lot of the functionality. But on the 3G model especially, it allows you to track/wipe/etc. it if necessary. You can also make it sound an alarm, which in your case could have tracked it to where it was if it was still in the building (ie: in the employee lockers or storage area).
I highly recommend Cerberus. It's a great app and does everything you can want. You can also install it in the ROM, so even if the thief wipes the device, you can still remotely access it and track down who stole it (unless they do a full system flash).
Contact Google and report it stolen.THey can wipe and disable the device as soon as it comes online.
This is why every Android user should install Cerberus immediately. The app is only $4 (after the first free week) and will allow you to use it on up to 5 devices (so less than $1 per device). Cerberus is amazing & has an insane amount of recovery/tracking methods, and can even survive through a wipe. Makes me sad more people don't use it...
tlogank said:
This is why every Android user should install Cerberus immediately. The app is only $4 (after the first free week) and will allow you to use it on up to 5 devices (so less than $1 per device). Cerberus is amazing & has an insane amount of recovery/tracking methods, and can even survive through a wipe. Makes me sad more people don't use it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if I only I knew....I was aware of security apps, in fact I had one lockout app installed, but after I was dealing with 4.2 upgrade, I did fresh re-install stock ROM, so forgot to install lockout app (not sure if it is really as effective as Cerberus though)...too many lessons learnt today
James-NC, thanks for the info. I called Google's Nexus support phone# 1-855-83-NEXUS (63987)., but could not able to get thru, waited on the phone over 40 mins...I will try tomorrow morning see if I get hold someone.....
I did know Google can wipe and disable the devices...
jazzespresso said:
Today is my saddest day, my perfectly good shape (no cracking screens..etc) Nexus 7 16GB stolen at Liberty Since Center Museum, in Jersey City, NJ.:crying:
I was at second floor sitting at table at cafeteria , and then step out for a few mins to watch out my 3 year old girl. I was worry about my daughter who was running on the floor, so I jump and run behind here, I completely forget my small backup on the chair I was sitting...when I realized it, I grabbed my little girl, and rush back to the table where I was sitting, but it was gone, couple of waiters cleaning the tables, and I asked them if they saw a small green back pack, they said yes..they brought my back bag, and when I checked, my Nexus 7 gone!!!
I told them where's my tablet to two waiters now standing next to me, they said they know nothing about my tablet, they said they saw the bag and thought it was forgetten, and took it back and put it here inside. They asked me to talk to office/info desk in the Museum, so I went there and told them what happened and I said I know I am pretty sure one of the waiters took the tablet and demanded that there must be some security camera or something. they said there's none in the cafeteria area.
We are talking about max 10-15 min here, I know it was museum closing time and it was only me sitting on the table in the cafeteria, and waiters cleaning the tables...that's the time all happened, so I am quite sure one of them took it out.
I did not have any remote security app installed...so I cannot remotely wipe my stolen N7, but I changed my gmail account password using my phone, and when I get home, change all other password I can think of (amazon, box, etc)...I also went to Google wallet and disable N7 device, I also deleted my google account credit card as well.
I am not sure what else I can do without any security apps installed, I did probably best I could at this point (chaining the password..etc). Drop me a line if you have any other ideas that I can do.
I am not sure how much this would help, but hoping they cannot get my account info or do anything about it. I am quietly regret that I did not install any security apps on my N7. I am also quite sad that I lost my beloved Nexus 7!!:crying:
so I was sad, holding my 3 year old girl, went thru steps and front door to meet my wife. When my wife saw my face, she said what happened..I said my nexus 7 stolen...she knew that I loved my N7, so she did not say anything, tried to cheer me up..but did not work...
:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U should of accused them of taking it , you should have cause a scene big enuf to allow the cops to be called and them inform them when they arrive that one of them stole it. Or you coulda done it the old fashion way and kicked some ass .....never play nice with suspected thieves ....
Sent from my HTC One S using xda premium
if your SURE you was the only one in the area except the waiters i woulda really .....really caused more then a scene, i can see your situation thou especially since you had your child present. :good:
did you leave wifi switched on? or bluetooth?
if so go back and quickly use bluetooth to search for your device name
or use "wifikill" connect to the wifi in the area you woulda been using, wifikill will then show you all devices connected tho that wifi point, you would then see if your device is still in the area "hidden under the counter"
Don't mean to sound bad, but I purchased Cerebrus and after a few weeks of leaving it dormant (not needed most of the time?) I realised that it had started sending messages to my contacts.
How do I know it was Cerebrus? BECAUSE THE TEXTS IT WERE SENDING WAS MY LOCATION AND MAP CO-ORDINATES !!!!
Wilks3y said:
Don't mean to sound bad, but I purchased Cerebrus and after a few weeks of leaving it dormant (not needed most of the time?) I realised that it had started sending messages to my contacts.
How do I know it was Cerebrus? BECAUSE THE TEXTS IT WERE SENDING WAS MY LOCATION AND MAP CO-ORDINATES !!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think its a feature of cerebus you cant check or un-check in settings,,, just goin on what ive read elsewhere myself i use "prey" security" it also has a feature that is my device is stolen i can send it an e-mail to activate map tracking
chismay said:
i think its a feature of cerebus you cant check or un-check in settings,,, just goin on what ive read elsewhere myself i use "prey" security" it also has a feature that is my device is stolen i can send it an e-mail to activate map tracking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But it was just doing it by itself, I even forgot I had Cerberus.
My phones networks kept turning themselves off and on, then contacts kept getting sent maps of where I was.
Un-installed Cerberus and Deleted the accounts on website, the issues stopped.
WHY? WHY DOES CERBERUS MESS MY PHONE UP !?
Wilks3y said:
But it was just doing it by itself, I even forgot I had Cerberus.
My phones networks kept turning themselves off and on, then contacts kept getting sent maps of where I was.
Un-installed Cerberus and Deleted the accounts on website, the issues stopped.
WHY? WHY DOES CERBERUS MESS MY PHONE UP !?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because user error. its an option in the program..
Shame you have changed your Google password.
Otherwise could have done a remote install of Lookout Plan B (search on market)
Then tracked the tablet yourself!
jazzespresso said:
We are talking about max 10-15 min here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really sorry to hear about your device, but even ten minutes is a really long time. I wouldn't leave anything of value unattended for more than 10-15 seconds.
I've had Cerebus installed on two phones and three tablets. Never had any issues with contacts randomly getting text messages of my location. I'm calling user error.
chismay said:
did you leave wifi switched on? or bluetooth?
if so go back and quickly use bluetooth to search for your device name
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is exactly what I was going to say. OP is going to kick himself if he did indeed have bluetooth enabled and didn't think to search for all nearby bluetooth devices from his phone.
chismay said:
or use "wifikill" connect to the wifi in the area you woulda been using, wifikill will then show you all devices connected tho that wifi point, you would then see if your device is still in the area "hidden under the counter"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That I didn't think of, and it is pure genius!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
If you got an coporate exchange account setup on the device you cant remote wipe (including SD card) from there.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Flanimal said:
That is exactly what I was going to say. OP is going to kick himself if he did indeed have bluetooth enabled and didn't think to search for all nearby bluetooth devices from his phone.
That I didn't think of, and it is pure genius!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol cheers
First thing the thief do, turn the device off. No trace would works.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
adxgrave said:
First thing the thief do, turn the device off. No trace would works.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree.
If it was a random person walking by who spotted the device and took it, they would high-tale it out of the area, making any BT/Wi-Fi tracking impossible anyway. But odds are, the first thing they're going to do with it after they get to a safe location is play with it and see if they can get access to it. Sure if they were smart they might realize it is safer to turn if off and reflash it when they get home, but honestly, what are the odds of the thief being that smart?
If it was a waiter, as the OP assumes, they're going to try and hide it ASAP. It's unlikely they are going to walk out of the building, at least not too far. So that leaves a few random hiding spots around the immediate vicinity. They aren't going to take the time and inspect the device, let alone try and figure out how to turn it off. They wouldn't want to be seen by anyone with it in their possession. Odds are, they grabbed it, hid it with something they were carrying or in their apron (if applicable) and stashed it for later. And if that was the case, and if it was online (highly unlikely for the non-3G unit, then recovery would be possible.
As a prime example of stupidity regarding thieves and tablets, look at the TSA agent who was just caught stealing a planted iPad. A local news crew had incidents staged where 5-10 iPads were accidentally left by travelers in an airport. All but one were promptly returned to the "owner". But one guy, on camera, snatched it. They put a GPS tracker in it, and traced it to the agents home. For a week they waited, and they saw it go online, apps attempted to be downloaded/installed (on the owner's account) and just played with in general. Finally, the news crew arrived and questioned him about it - which he of course denied. Until that is when they set off a remote alarm siren. He made up some excuse and returned it. Fortunately, and surprisingly for the government, he lost his job.
So no, thieves are usually quite stupid.
phonic said:
So no, thieves are usually quite stupid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
too true if you search google for stolen tablet/phone recovered with prey security app and there a ton of people who backed with friends or police get theyre devices back from theives,. :victory::victory::victory:

[Q] Random power off

Hey guys,
Firstly, I will admit from the start my phone has been dropped a couple of times but from around knee height at most...
I bought a contract, of which I am 2 months into, and in the last 2 weeks my phone keeps turning off randomly and wont turn on. Only sometimes when I remove the battery and sim card even, that it turns back on again. Its really frustrating, especially that I'm moving home in the next few weeks and agencies cant call me.
I am wondering if I can somehow go to the store of the company I bought it from and ask for a new one or a different phone?
I am happy to pay the difference for a galaxy note 2 dare I say which was my original choice but the LG was £10 less a month. Only thing is I purchased it online?
Many thanks to any help or advice on what might be causing this?!
Marc
mS_Design said:
Hey guys,
Firstly, I will admit from the start my phone has been dropped a couple of times but from around knee height at most...
I bought a contract, of which I am 2 months into, and in the last 2 weeks my phone keeps turning off randomly and wont turn on. Only sometimes when I remove the battery and sim card even, that it turns back on again. Its really frustrating, especially that I'm moving home in the next few weeks and agencies cant call me.
I am wondering if I can somehow go to the store of the company I bought it from and ask for a new one or a different phone?
I am happy to pay the difference for a galaxy note 2 dare I say which was my original choice but the LG was £10 less a month. Only thing is I purchased it online?
Many thanks to any help or advice on what might be causing this?!
Marc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A couple drops shouldn't cause this unless you're really unlucky, I dropped mine from the bench on the second day of owning it and freaked though luckily not a mark on it. I would say it's probably a fault so yeah try and return it, if it's bought online get in touch with the customer service team, most sites will have the phone number somewhere or it may be on your invoice. Check for damage or loose connections around the battery first though, good luck!
Sent from my LG-P880 using Tapatalk 2
@non4 said:
I would say it's probably a fault so yeah try and return it, if it's bought online get in touch with the customer service team, most sites will have the phone number somewhere or it may be on your invoice. Check for damage or loose connections around the battery first though, good luck!
Sent from my LG-P880 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was looking around the device but nothing is visible. I went to carphone warehouse store and they said they have to send it to LG. I will be able to tell if its a replacement or not as mine had a little dink taken out of the frame..ahh well, now two weeks of waiting to do.
They offered me a replacement phone as I went to leave like they forgot and I got a simple looking Samsung with chunky buttons! XD love retro style!
Thankyou for the advice,
Marc
mS_Design said:
I was looking around the device but nothing is visible. I went to carphone warehouse store and they said they have to send it to LG. I will be able to tell if its a replacement or not as mine had a little dink taken out of the frame..ahh well, now two weeks of waiting to do.
They offered me a replacement phone as I went to leave like they forgot and I got a simple looking Samsung with chunky buttons! XD love retro style!
Thankyou for the advice,
Marc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome! When I was with carphone I brought in my HTC desire z (now drowned in the toilet one drunken night) Because it was not receiving messages, and I had updated it to 2.2.1 which made it impossible to root. When I came back to the store after my holiday I was thrilled to find a brand new phone (gave me the old backplate back though, cheapskates) with the original rootable 2.2! I proceeded to root and flash my first ever ROM, cm7, crapped myself cos I bricked it, then realized I had just forgot to wipe data! Booted into cm7 and never looked back, I can't stand unrooted devices! hopefully they send you a new one, that sort of fault usually does get a new one as its hard to detect the source of the issue, good luck!
Sent from my LG-P880

Question Google Locked Galaxy Tab A8

Hello everyone,
A few days ago I was given a sm-x200 at a local tech shop that is google locked. A factory reset was done, but sadly the account is still there and nobody has the original info. I'm very unfamiliar with tablets so I don't know to remove the account. Is there a way to remove this account? I'd hate to throw this tablet away since it's in good condition.
adrian0883 said:
Hello everyone,
A few days ago I was given a sm-x200 at a local tech shop that is google locked. A factory reset was done, but sadly the account is still there and nobody has the original info. I'm very unfamiliar with tablets so I don't know to remove the account. Is there a way to remove this account? I'd hate to throw this tablet away since it's in good condition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is an anti-theft lock and the only way to unlock it is to contact Samsung tech support and show "proof of purchase". Back in the Android 6 and 7 days, there were ways to circumvent it, but Google has since made it next to impossible to get around.
lewmur said:
That is an anti-theft lock and the only way to unlock it is to contact Samsung tech support and show "proof of purchase". Back in the Android 6 and 7 days, there were ways to circumvent it, but Google has since made it next to impossible to get around.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That really sucks! I guess there is nothing I can do since I didn't buy this. Thank you for replying.
One more thing. Do those programs like Tenorshare 4uKey actually work?
adrian0883 said:
One more thing. Do those programs like Tenorshare 4uKey actually work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You tell me. $30 gamble to find out.
lewmur said:
You tell me. $30 gamble to find out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I might take the risk since it was a completely free tablet. I'll post if it works once I do it.

Set up Google Pixel 5 after factory reset without the previous owner.

HI,
I bought a pixel 5 a couple of years back, because the screen had a crack in it and I couldn't find anyone to repair it where I live, I decided to buy a new phone. The pixel 5 was still fully functional.
A friend of mine needed a temporary phone, so I lend him my pixel 5. After a fallout, I asked my pixel 5 phone back and forgot about it.
This weekend, my main Samsung phone got stolen, so I decided to pick up my Pixel 5 phone and factory reset it. When setting up the phone, it kept asking me for the email of a previous owner. I would need his permission to use the phone, even though it's my phone and I have the invoice and ID to prove that I bought it.
I talked to google, and they tell me there is no other way around it without my friends' permission. My friend fell mentally ill (drug induced), and he is unable to comprehend what I would ask from him. I broke the friendship because he was unpredictable and quite honestly a danger, not only for himself, but everyone around him.
After I kept pushing google if there is no other way around this, they kept persisting that only my friend could help me set up my phone. It is also only the last user that can help set up the phone. So if a previous owner would die, for example, the phone would be for the bin?
I can hardly believe this is true. This is my last resort, if you guys say the same I'll take my loss and throw my fully functional phone in the bin, which would be a shame. Also, a disclaimer for people that lend out a pixel phone, the moment you get it back reset it with the person you lend it out with because if that person would die, disappear, or decided not to help you. You would have no way to ever get into the phone again. I even told them I could provide them with a power of attorney and a picture of his ID, but this was not sufficient. I wonder if they don't want to help or that it really is the only way.
Any thoughts?
You're asking about bypassing Factory Reset Protection. This is generally not possible, unfortunately. This happens because someone, probably your friend, performed a factory reset on the device without removing his Google account. Having an invoice doesn't matter and Google won't help you; the only thing you can do is try to get your former friend to enter his information so that you can unlock it and perform another factory reset, this time via the system settings.
Zebsky said:
HI,
I bought a pixel 5 a couple of years back, because the screen had a crack in it and I couldn't find anyone to repair it where I live, I decided to buy a new phone. The pixel 5 was still fully functional.
A friend of mine needed a temporary phone, so I lend him my pixel 5. After a fallout, I asked my pixel 5 phone back and forgot about it.
This weekend, my main Samsung phone got stolen, so I decided to pick up my Pixel 5 phone and factory reset it. When setting up the phone, it kept asking me for the email of a previous owner. I would need his permission to use the phone, even though it's my phone and I have the invoice and ID to prove that I bought it.
I talked to google, and they tell me there is no other way around it without my friends' permission. My friend fell mentally ill (drug induced), and he is unable to comprehend what I would ask from him. I broke the friendship because he was unpredictable and quite honestly a danger, not only for himself, but everyone around him.
After I kept pushing google if there is no other way around this, they kept persisting that only my friend could help me set up my phone. It is also only the last user that can help set up the phone. So if a previous owner would die, for example, the phone would be for the bin?
I can hardly believe this is true. This is my last resort, if you guys say the same I'll take my loss and throw my fully functional phone in the bin, which would be a shame. Also, a disclaimer for people that lend out a pixel phone, the moment you get it back reset it with the person you lend it out with because if that person would die, disappear, or decided not to help you. You would have no way to ever get into the phone again. I even told them I could provide them with a power of attorney and a picture of his ID, but this was not sufficient. I wonder if they don't want to help or that it really is the only way.
Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sam fw software site has what you are looking for, or a little youtube search
Zebsky said:
HI,
I bought a pixel 5 a couple of years back, because the screen had a crack in it and I couldn't find anyone to repair it where I live, I decided to buy a new phone. The pixel 5 was still fully functional.
A friend of mine needed a temporary phone, so I lend him my pixel 5. After a fallout, I asked my pixel 5 phone back and forgot about it.
This weekend, my main Samsung phone got stolen, so I decided to pick up my Pixel 5 phone and factory reset it. When setting up the phone, it kept asking me for the email of a previous owner. I would need his permission to use the phone, even though it's my phone and I have the invoice and ID to prove that I bought it.
I talked to google, and they tell me there is no other way around it without my friends' permission. My friend fell mentally ill (drug induced), and he is unable to comprehend what I would ask from him. I broke the friendship because he was unpredictable and quite honestly a danger, not only for himself, but everyone around him.
After I kept pushing google if there is no other way around this, they kept persisting that only my friend could help me set up my phone. It is also only the last user that can help set up the phone. So if a previous owner would die, for example, the phone would be for the bin?
I can hardly believe this is true. This is my last resort, if you guys say the same I'll take my loss and throw my fully functional phone in the bin, which would be a shame. Also, a disclaimer for people that lend out a pixel phone, the moment you get it back reset it with the person you lend it out with because if that person would die, disappear, or decided not to help you. You would have no way to ever get into the phone again. I even told them I could provide them with a power of attorney and a picture of his ID, but this was not sufficient. I wonder if they don't want to help or that it really is the only way.
Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check on YouTube. There's ways to get around anything these days. Big corporations won't help and most people on XDA will just accuse you of being a thief

Categories

Resources