Imei tracking - AT&T, Rogers, Bell, Telus Samsung Galaxy S III

My question is simply, can att track my phones Imei even if I don't give it to them? Like, say I put a different SIM card in my phone. Would att know it was my phone being used with that SIM?
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family682guy said:
My question is simply, can att track my phones Imei even if I don't give it to them? Like, say I put a different SIM card in my phone. Would att know it was my phone being used with that SIM?
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I am pretty sure the imei is the phone i.d. of itself, and putting a sim card into it....ATT will still be able to track. What are you trying to do?
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Then why do they always ask for the Imei of the phone when you set it up? I'm just curious as to if they can look up a phones imei just by it being on the network.. because I had a blackberry and then an inspire and when I put my SIM into the inspire, I realised I had no data. I called att and the lady told me it was because they used different data plans and then promptly asked for my imei. A few minutes later I had data on my inspire but I slapped the same SIM into another phone and the data worked just fine without att needing the phones imei.. curious.
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family682guy said:
Then why do they always ask for the Imei of the phone when you set it up? I'm just curious as to if they can look up a phones imei just by it being on the network.. because I had a blackberry and then an inspire and when I put my SIM into the inspire, I realised I had no data. I called att and the lady told me it was because they used different data plans and then promptly asked for my imei. A few minutes later I had data on my inspire but I slapped the same SIM into another phone and the data worked just fine without att needing the phones imei.. curious.
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There are different data plans for different types of smartphones. When I worked in phones iphone data, blackberry data, and Android data were all different, but iPhone data would work with other iphones and so forth.
They can track it on their network and block it. Just happened to a guy who bought one from CList and got hosed.

Yes, they can track the IMEI just by putting your sim card in and connecting to the network.
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thacounty said:
There are different data plans for different types of smartphones. When I worked in phones iphone data, blackberry data, and Android data were all different, but iPhone data would work with other iphones and so forth.
They can track it on their network and block it. Just happened to a guy who bought one from CList and got hosed.
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But I placed the SIM from the inspire into an iPhone 3g I was working on and it was pulling data?
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family682guy said:
But I placed the SIM from the inspire into an iPhone 3g I was working on and it was pulling data?
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It isn't supposed to, maybe it has changed. It has been a little over a year since I worked with them. Either way, they can track their phones imeis.

Alright, well thank you to all who answered. I appreciate yalls help.
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BlackBerry phones use a data plan called BIS. Which is needed for them to use cell data.
Androids and iPhones use regular data. You can switch sims between them if they're the same sims.
Now, withe different phones running on different networks, I believe you have to switch sims. Like if you have an LTE phone you can't use it on a UMTS phone.
And yes, your IMEI gets tracked whenever you use data.
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IMEI gets tracked even when your phone connects to network, not just when you make calls or use data... its like a unique identifier of your phone over the network.

Related

Give me a good reason to put the new SIM card in

Is there any reason to put the new SIM card that came with my phone in? I put in the same one that I've been using for years (Dash->G1->G2->SGS2) and it works fine. 4G shows at the top of the screen. I haven't tried a speed test yet, but I'd bet I get 4G speeds the same way I did on my G2.
So, what good reason is there?
Right now, there is no reason. When the wifi calling becomes available it will require the new Sim.
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do you have some sort of sentimental connection to that sim? why not just use the new one to make sure yoour up to date?
Where did you guys find the new sim card? Is it in the plastic wrapper with the manual/user guide? I don't see it in the box and I haven't opened up the plastic wrapping the manual/user guide is wrapped in. Fyi I did buy my phone from a T-Mobile.
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Lucas155 said:
Is there any reason to put the new SIM card that came with my phone in? I put in the same one that I've been using for years (Dash->G1->G2->SGS2) and it works fine. 4G shows at the top of the screen. I haven't tried a speed test yet, but I'd bet I get 4G speeds the same way I did on my G2.
So, what good reason is there?
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I replaced my five yr old sim card with it because my old one seemingly caused some bad 3g data issues. I found this out by swapping sim cards with a friend who just signed with T-Mobile and an SGS2. I replaced my old one with the one that came with the SGS2 and now I'm not only seeing improved 3g speeds but also better call reception.
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Quick question, my sim is about 3 months old. Will it work with wifi calling when it is released or is the SIM in the box even more "updated" than a 3 month old sim?
mikea3000 said:
Quick question, my sim is about 3 months old. Will it work with wifi calling when it is released or is the SIM in the box even more "updated" than a 3 month old sim?
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No, the GS2 and Amaze 4G are the first phones to shop with the new sim cards.
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You need new Sim in order to get ota updates.
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quest4fire said:
You need new Sim in order to get ota updates.
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Are you sure about this? where Did you get this information? sounds a bit unrealistic that ota. Uupdates are tied to the sim in the box.
mikea3000 said:
Are you sure about this? where Did you get this information? sounds a bit unrealistic that ota. Uupdates are tied to the sim in the box.
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They aren't. They are tied to IMEI's. Two things you really need it for; 1. If you want to use WiFi calling after the maintenance update in a couple weeks, you will absolutely have to have this SIM card. No questions. It will not work. 2. After time, the older SIM cards will fail. This could lead to data access, call drop, sms sending/receiving and signal issues. If you have one now to activate, saves you a call and a trip to the local store for a replacement.
In the tmobile system we have 2 classifications of Sims. 2g (your dash) and 3g (hspa+).. make your conclusions
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Lucas155 said:
Is there any reason to put the new SIM card that came with my phone in? I put in the same one that I've been using for years (Dash->G1->G2->SGS2) and it works fine. 4G shows at the top of the screen. I haven't tried a speed test yet, but I'd bet I get 4G speeds the same way I did on my G2.
So, what good reason is there?
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Actually the new Sim is a completely new revision designed for the high speed 4g network. It also has the gold contacts in a different design which is part of it look at old and new Sims if you don't believe me. I forgot the name of the new Sim but its what was taught and explained for tmobile techs (tier 2 and up support). Also most stores do not have this Sim revision in yet so use the one supplied in your box. 90% of most tmobile employees have no idea about the new Sim and only guess when asked.
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mbernusg said:
In the tmobile system we have 2 classifications of Sims. 2g (your dash) and 3g (hspa+).. make your conclusions
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Your dash? The dash also later came in a 3g version. Also hspa+ is our 4g version and hspa is 3g.
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that 90% is a little exxagerrated.. we have trainings on the subject
Monk4Life said:
Actually the new Sim is a completely new revision designed for the high speed 4g network. It also has the gold contacts in a different design which is part of it look at old and new Sims if you don't believe me. I forgot the name of the new Sim but its what was taught and explained for tmobile techs (tier 2 support). Also most stores do not have this Sim revision in yet so use the one supplied in your box. 90% of most tmobile employees have no idea about the new Sim and only guess when asked.
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Not trying to be rude but your part of the 90% I was referring to.
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Yes but the similar supplied by the company during that time was our 2g sim.. the 3g sim didn't come till ppst-g1 era.. and still inventory of Sims were mixed
Monk4Life said:
Your dash? The dash also later came in a 3g version.
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How do you come to that conclusion.. the size and shape of the gold has changed multiple times over the last few years so your point is invalid.. TECHNICALLY the only difference with new Sims for our device and amaze is for the new WIFI calling network. As of Nov 12 wifi calling will not work on our phones with older sim cards
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Yes but those were different revisions and also had a different contact design. Please I am not arguing with you but I am correct on this matter.
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Lol OK lets not argue
Monk4Life said:
Yes but those were different revisions and also had a different contact design. Please I am not arguing with you but I am correct on this matter.
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mbernusg said:
How do you come to that conclusion.. the size and shape of the gold has changed multiple times over the last few years so your point is invalid.. TECHNICALLY the only difference with new Sims for our device and amaze is for the new WIFI calling network. As of Nov 12 wifi calling will not work on our phones with older sim cards
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I don't know what idiot told you that is all it was designed for and I doubt that was sent from us at corporate. What's your name T-Mobile associate? You can pm me and I will look it up tommorrow to show you what you should have learned correctly. Also per tmobile policy which you signed when hired you need to remove the tmobile associate title on your xda account credentials if you are a tmobile employee.
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Data blocked?

Okay I have the CDMA version of the S2 from Sprint so I have no idea how GSM works. Well my GF's dad bought her the T-Mobile Galaxy S2 and put it on AT&T because apparently this model of the phone is capable of blocking data. Her dad works for AT&T and specifically paid more to remove data. She said he put in some codes to disable the data, but that's not helpful lol. So i was wondering if we can enable data through dialer codes or something? Hopefully data is blocked via the phone not the actual network. I think it's blocked from the phone
Root the phone and flash a rom. That would be my first step.
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Karakoram2 said:
Root the phone and flash a rom. That would be my first step.
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With GSM phones will all the settings for the network be erased? Since it's a tmobile phone activated on AT&T?
locoboi187 said:
Hopefully data is blocked via the phone not the actual network. I think it's blocked from the phone
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That's not how the network functions. If your account doesn't have data, any phones attached to your account will not receive data when they contact the network.
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jordanishere said:
That's not how the network functions. If your account doesn't have data, any phones attached to your account will not receive data when they contact the network.
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But i believe it's def blocked through the phone. The guy put in some codes through the phone to block the data, not from the network.
locoboi187 said:
But i believe it's def blocked through the phone. The guy put in some codes through the phone to block the data, not from the network.
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"... believe it's def blocked ..."
Why put believe and definitely next to each other? That doesn't make much sense.
Any way, if he pays more for no data it is through the carrier. It could be possible that it's through the phone, but very unlikely. Anyhow, you might be better asking a AT&T board (Skyrocket) than asking one primarily full of Tmobile users.
I don't understand why he would pay more to disable data? Especially when all it takes to disable network is three clicks a service rep could do.
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the whole thing doesn't make sense
you don't need to pay extra to block data from the network side
it's free to block data if it's done within the phone
if you already enabled data on the phone and are not getting data, then it is being blocked on the account side by the networ
there's no way around that, until you call customer service to enable data
you don't need data to use an Android phone
you can enable WiFi and that is free on any Coffee shop with WiFi
To clarify, I've been told he paid a rep at a store extra to block data FROM the phone, not via the actual network. Programming was done from the phone to disable data, for sure.
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the just flash it back to stock ROM via Odin, and all settings are gone
AllGamer said:
the just flash it back to stock ROM via Odin, and all settings are gone
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AT&T or T-Mobile stock?
Have you checked the apn..... Lol
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Teo032 said:
Have you checked the apn..... Lol
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the what...lol
EDIT: just researched this for GSM phones. very helpful post. thank you

Tmobile 3g plan

I had a hd2, but I bought my friends tmo samsung galaxy s2. At the moment I can only access the internet through wifi, when I try to go online with just the phone with my plan it comes up.. your data plan does not support this device. Anyway I can get around that and still be able to use my 3g data with this phone or do I have to actually update my plan to 4g for this phone in order to get data again?
Have you tried going into advanced settings and turning off 4g? The settings would be accessible from the phone dial pad with a particular code.... Something like *#0011# I can't remember the exact code but if you poke around for it I'm sure it's been posted before.
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edit. Just thought about it for another second... You would probably have to tell the phone to use edge only. Not sure it would work, but I am sure it would suck. I would look for it in the settings, but if my girl woke up and I was rummaging through her phone I might look like a creep.
Hmm you must be on the old grandfather data plan. TMobile blocks any of their 4g devices from utilizing it. If you want to continue using your old data plan you would need the telus version i think. I know this is true with the sensation and amaze, possibly other phones too...basically any non TMobile branded phone.
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Teo032 said:
Hmm you must be on the old grandfather data plan. TMobile blocks any of their 4g devices from utilizing it. If you want to continue using your old data plan you would need the telus version i think. I know this is true with the sensation and amaze, possibly other phones too...basically any non TMobile branded phone.
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I know it's taboo on xda but what if he changed his imei number to match the HD2?
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elesbb said:
I know it's taboo on xda but what if he changed his imei number to match the HD2?
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Its illegal in this country. You can try to change it but if they found out you'll be in big trouble
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shankar10 said:
Its illegal in this country. You can try to change it but if they found out you'll be in big trouble
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In the united states, last I've read, is that they just fine you a hefty fine. And I think getting banned from whichever carrier you were using. It's not like you go to jail. Unless something gas changed.
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I would try the different apn people use to get around throttling; in the Hd2 days, data was 3 different packages: smartphone (windows devices), G1 (which would eventually become Android), and BlackBerry; if you mismatched them, your data would be touch and go at best.
Back then it was an easy fix; to do so now, you'd have to have them change your plan to the new ones WHICH WILL EXTEND YOUR CONTRACT LENGTH but will not affect your upgrade eligibility.
The hd2 is still such an amazing phone.

No Data

I took my sim card out of my iphone 4s and put it in an ATT SG3 and im not getting a data signal. Any Ideas?
akatypes said:
I took my sim card out of my iphone 4s and put it in an ATT SG3 and im not getting a data signal. Any Ideas?
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Are both boxes for data checked? Have you rebooted? Did you flash a kernel?
Sent from my SGSIII
Did not flash yet, trying to set up a stock ATT SG3. Tried a factory reset and still nothng
daddymatt said:
Are both boxes for data checked? Have you rebooted? Did you flash a kernel?
Sent from my SGSIII
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I have no idea. But a guess would be due to the fact the iPhone SIM is not an LTE SIM. AKA, not compatible with your phone.
Yes need a new sim card. If not in LTE area you can use the HSDPA APN and get 3g speeds.
Sim won't matter, if your coming from an iPhone and didn't change your plan changes are if you look on your s3 its trying to use PTA but you aren't setup for it yet. If you change it to WAP or PHONE it should work or call att change your plan then PTA will work
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The answer to this question is simple...and you could have easily searched to find the answer....iphone needs iphone data plan gs3 needs lte data plan...the mini sim is standard...there isnt a special iphone sim etc....next time try searching.....
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Call at&t and tell them to switch you to a lte plan. Done.
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Ah, makes sense. I thought it would at least get 3G service but i guess not. No worries. Ill call them today.
You should be getting at least 3g. Check your apn settings.
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How about even simpler .. if phones are locked.. ATT locks phones to sim card and it won't work with a different one unless you unlock it.
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You DO need a new sim card. This happened to my friend a few days ago.
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IPhone and androids use a different data plan. You need to get switched to an android data plan.
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If your sim is blue and white, you need a new one. If it's orange, your fine. Just call and have them switch you from the I phone data to the lte data plan.
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Unlocked s3 and wanting to switch to prepaid

hey everyone i'm new to this so please bare with me..I have a T-Mobile Samsung galaxy s3 and I got the unlock code off eBay for a pretty cheap price, so far it looks liked it accepted it . I wanted to switch over to net10 or simple mobile. I heard about if not paying my T-Mobile bill they will block the imei number. If so will I be able to use it at all on those carriers I stated, or will I just have to use it on H2o or Att.
Also as far as the apn settings is there an application that will help? Thanks in advance
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Just means u cant use the phone back on t-mobile other company's dont care if the phone has bad record I had and s3 before I got the one I have now it could not work with tmobile because the person that sold it to me did not pay bill but u can use it on att simple mobile net 10 any (gsm) cell phone carriers
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OK thanks a lot. Also I did hear that simple mobile is run by T-Mobile so will it work on simple mobile if Imei is blocked?
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Yeah it will work. Simple mobile doesn't even ask for imei. Only if you want to put it there is the option but its not required
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Ok thanks alot for the info
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To be fair, they're going to know your IMEI even if you don't disclose it to them during the sign-up process. Just by using the phone it will send that information out when you communicate with their cell towers - so I'd imagine if T-Mobile shares its block list with Simple Mobile, it won't matter if you disclosed the IMEI at signup - they're going to know it anyway.
That, and the Big Four is actively working with the FCC on a cross-carrier database - so unless that falls through at the 11th hour, that's on the horizon in the next year or so.
Just sayin'.
What do you mean by the big four carriers is working with the fcc in the next year? Please explain, thanks
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it should work on simple mobile
I've used phones blacklisted by T-Mobile on Simple
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I wonder if it would work with Wal-Marts mobile service since it is just rebranded T-mobile...hmm
Android_Monsters said:
it should work on simple mobile
I've used phones blacklisted by T-Mobile on Simple
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Yeah your right. I just called simple mobile and they said even if it is blacklisted for not paying my bill, it will still work because its an unlocked gsm phone so it wouldnt matter, just pop in my sim card and I would just honestly get edge network which is slower than 3g speed.
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It will work if they don't use T-Mobile IMEI blacklist and continue not to do so.
It seems like that's the case, at least for now.
Just saying, it doesn't have anything to do with if the phone being carrier unlocked or not - IMEI is tied to the phone's hardware, not the SIM card.
I went through something similar with T-Mobile, and most of the reps don't know what the block list is let alone how it works.
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Pennycake said:
It will work if they don't use T-Mobile IMEI blacklist and continue not to do so.
It seems like that's the case, at least for now.
Just saying, it doesn't have anything to do with if the phone being carrier unlocked or not - IMEI is tied to the phone's hardware, not the SIM card.
I went through something similar with T-Mobile, and most of the reps don't know what the block list is let alone how it works.
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Yeah i see that def now.
But wow thats crazy they have this whole imei number blocked thing going around and the workers dont even know whats going on smh. Im so confused as to how this works. Im reading like so many diff things about it.
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Check out Solavei for a mobile plan. Www.howcanisignup.org/10-31
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killj0y said:
I wonder if it would work with Wal-Marts mobile service since it is just rebranded T-mobile...hmm
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Walmart Family Mobile use T-Mobile IMEI blacklist. I had customers that tried to used blacklisted phones on Walmart Family Mobile and they did not work.

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