Returning SG3 to stock settings - Sprint Samsung Galaxy S III

Hi,
I recently purchased a Sprint SG3 on craigslist, but was unable to activate it through Sprint. They told me that the serial number in the phone was different from the serial number behind the battery which meant the phone was probably flashed to another carrier.
I have never rooted my android phones before, therefore am at a lost. The sales rep told actually told me about this website. So my question is, how do I go about restoring the phone to factory settings.. like if it was just out the box. Please help! >.<

Run this.(I'd go with the wipes data version).When it boots up it will attempt activation. If it still isn't working, open the dialer and hit ##72786#. Best of luck

billard412 said:
Run this.(I'd go with the wipes data version).When it boots up it will attempt activation. If it still isn't working, open the dialer and hit ##72786#. Best of luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the phone have to be rooted to do this?

xraawrr said:
Does the phone have to be rooted to do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, it roots it and reverts to stock at the same time

xraawrr said:
Hi,
I recently purchased a Sprint SG3 on craigslist, but was unable to activate it through Sprint. They told me that the serial number in the phone was different from the serial number behind the battery which meant the phone was probably flashed to another carrier.
I have never rooted my android phones before, therefore am at a lost. The sales rep told actually told me about this website. So my question is, how do I go about restoring the phone to factory settings.. like if it was just out the box. Please help! >.<
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None of what has been posted is going to help you. All the "reset" advice will not change the serial (MEID/ESN) back to what it originally was (behind the battery/back of phone).
What happened is whoever had the phone previous to you "wrote" a different serial (MEID) using software, either for the purpose of using it on a different carrier or what-have-you.
Since you're obviously new to this, the fix is to find someone who "knows" about these things to write the correct serial back to the phone (frowned upon here on XDA) because they have to physically connect the phone to a computer and use software to do this. Or you can just take the loss and sell the phone back on Craigslist and list is as a BAD ESN.
If you were local to NYC, i could help you out, but alas...

Related

[Q] Unique Problem With SGH-T989 Galaxy S II! Need Expert Advice!

I recently purchased a Samsung Galaxy S II T989 off of craigslist. It was described as Brand New, and came with box and all original accessories, etc. Still had screen protectors and everything on it, so i assumed i would have no problems. I am using AT&T and wanting to unlock it so that i wouldn't have to switch carriers. I paid a pretty reputable website 25$ for the unlock code, which i received and entered as directed.
I attempted to enter my SIM and i get an invalid SIM message. I called Samsung to figure it out and they had me send them the phone. They received it and inspected it to ensure nothing was wrong. They then tested the IMEI which came back as a black-listed phone, but would not disclose the reason.
So t-mobile will offer me no help what so ever, nor will samsung. I try calling the *#7465625# number to test if the phone is unlocked, but i get an error message stating "The process com.android.phone has stopped unexpectedly" and i have only one option which is force quit. I used the factory reset option a couple times to see if this helped at all, and got nothing.
I only have experience with iphones, so i really know nothing about the android OS. I've heard a lot about "rooting" and such for the unlock but it's like a whole different language for me. I think i could do it, but it's what i would need to do afterward that is really of concern to me. If anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated. This phone has just been sitting in my drawer for the past month because i have absolutely no idea what to do. I only want legal advice, please dont ask me to do something illegal or thread will be closed, again.
** For The Mods. I wish to do NOTHING illegal with this phone. I only want it to work with a carrier, and Unlocking is not illegal.
If the phone is blacklisted, it won't be a usable phone. It won't connect to networks because the IMEI is bad.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
T-Mobile blocked the IMEI for their network, and possibly their smaller networks. But that does not mean it can't be used on AT&T's network or any other GSM network. I see ton's of people on ebay selling black listed T989's that can be used on any GSM network, just not t-mobile's. I just need guidance on how it can be done, legally of course.
youngunner-2 said:
I recently purchased a Samsung Galaxy S II T989 off of craigslist. It was described as Brand New, and came with box and all original accessories, etc. Still had screen protectors and everything on it, so i assumed i would have no problems. I am using AT&T and wanting to unlock it so that i wouldn't have to switch carriers. I paid a pretty reputable website 25$ for the unlock code, which i received and entered as directed.
I attempted to enter my SIM and i get an invalid SIM message. I called Samsung to figure it out and they had me send them the phone. They received it and inspected it to ensure nothing was wrong. They then tested the IMEI which came back as a black-listed phone, but would not disclose the reason.
So t-mobile will offer me no help what so ever, nor will samsung. I try calling the *#7465625# number to test if the phone is unlocked, but i get an error message stating "The process com.android.phone has stopped unexpectedly" and i have only one option which is force quit. I used the factory reset option a couple times to see if this helped at all, and got nothing.
I only have experience with iphones, so i really know nothing about the android OS. I've heard a lot about "rooting" and such for the unlock but it's like a whole different language for me. I think i could do it, but it's what i would need to do afterward that is really of concern to me. If anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated. This phone has just been sitting in my drawer for the past month because i have absolutely no idea what to do. I only want legal advice, please dont ask me to do something illegal or thread will be closed, again.
** For The Mods. I wish to do NOTHING illegal with this phone. I only want it to work with a carrier, and Unlocking is not illegal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the problem right there.
xxjrsmith3xx said:
That's the problem right there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am well aware of the problem. I am seeking the solution

[Q] Flashed back to Sprint, 2 different HEX/DEC values...help

A shot in the dark here but I need some assistance regarding the reversal of flashing the Epic 4G to Virgin Mobile, and then back to Sprint. I have done pretty much everything I researched, from resetting settings via ##72786# and ##786#, even Odin'd the stock FC09 and selecting Phone EFS Clear, and everything seems to have reset. But the values of the DEC/HEX number are different on both the battery sticker, and under About Phone.
Is this normal? I've attempted this because I was hoping to sell my Epic 4G and the guy who purchased it said it wasn't activating for him. When I got it back I noticed that the values from the Virgin Mobile flash were still programmed under About Phone. So after resetting everything, the values seem to be back to the normal and doesn't display the Virgin Mobile values, but the DEC/HEX numbers differ from each other on the sticker and under About Phone.
Was just curious if the DEC/HEX number that are being displayed under About Phone are the correct, or incorrect. I checked with Sprint via chat support and asked them to check for me if the ESN is clean, and apparently the DEC/ESN number that is listed under About Phone is clear and ready to activate, but the DEC/ESN number located on the battery sticker is not clear. If I were to sell the phone, would the buyer be able to activate it on Sprint if they gave Sprint the DEC/ESN number listed under About Phone? Would they have any problems?
Hope somebody can help me, as I'm really confused by this. Thanks.
brian117 said:
I checked with Sprint via chat support and asked them to check for me if the ESN is clean, and apparently the DEC/ESN number that is listed under About Phone is clear and ready to activate, but the DEC/ESN number located on the battery sticker is not clear. If I were to sell the phone, would the buyer be able to activate it on Sprint if they gave Sprint the DEC/ESN number listed under About Phone? Would they have any problems?
Hope somebody can help me, as I'm really confused by this. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ESN on the sticker needs to match the ESN showing on About Phone. If the ESN on the sticker is bad, it's not going to activate on Sprint.

[Q] No IMEI

I just purchased this phone a week ago off of Craigslist, the phone worked great up until today. I noticed that I didn't have any service. I use a microcell at home so it was no big deal, thought that it had messed up like it does every now and again, however I got out to town where I usually have near full signal and still had none. I opened up settings and "Mobile Data" was turned off, I tried to toggle it back on and it will not allow me to do this. I went in to the "About Phone" part of the settings and the phone shows "Unknown" for cell phone number and IMEI.
This is the stock AT&T version G Pro that has not been rooted. I contacted AT&T thinking this may be a sim card problem or maybe I bought a stolen phone, but everything on their end seemed to be clean. I tried out a friends sim card and still had no luck. Called LG and they said I would need to send it in with a receipt. I don't have a receipt and I won't pay for them to repair the phone, because I'm sure the bill will wind up being more than the phone is worth.
Has anyone else had this problem? Are their any fixes anyone can think of that doesn't involve rooting the device? If not, what steps will I need to take to recover my IMEI so that the phone will actually make/receive phone calls and texts?
charlee08 said:
I just purchased this phone a week ago off of Craigslist, the phone worked great up until today. I noticed that I didn't have any service. I use a microcell at home so it was no big deal, thought that it had messed up like it does every now and again, however I got out to town where I usually have near full signal and still had none. I opened up settings and "Mobile Data" was turned off, I tried to toggle it back on and it will not allow me to do this. I went in to the "About Phone" part of the settings and the phone shows "Unknown" for cell phone number and IMEI.
This is the stock AT&T version G Pro that has not been rooted. I contacted AT&T thinking this may be a sim card problem or maybe I bought a stolen phone, but everything on their end seemed to be clean. I tried out a friends sim card and still had no luck. Called LG and they said I would need to send it in with a receipt. I don't have a receipt and I won't pay for them to repair the phone, because I'm sure the bill will wind up being more than the phone is worth.
Has anyone else had this problem? Are their any fixes anyone can think of that doesn't involve rooting the device? If not, what steps will I need to take to recover my IMEI so that the phone will actually make/receive phone calls and texts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are YOU SURE you did not do anything to the phone? Cause loosing an IMEI requires the USER to do something wrong, like flashing other carrier Versions.
hyelton said:
Are YOU SURE you did not do anything to the phone? Cause loosing an IMEI requires the USER to do something wrong, like flashing other carrier Versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had my phone do that before. Wasn't rooted or hacked in any way. I didn't even know of a way to do it. What fixed mine was a **** load of factory resets. And I mean a **** LOAD!!! Luckily it came back and I've been good ever since. Don't know what happened or how but that was very weird.
Note to the wise: I don't care who says what about what! NEVER buy a phone off of craigslist or from anyone for that matter other than a carrier or authorized reseller. Because when it breaks, you can't do **** about it!
hyelton said:
Are YOU SURE you did not do anything to the phone? Cause loosing an IMEI requires the USER to do something wrong, like flashing other carrier Versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I have no reason to lie about something like this. I've only rooted one phone of the dozen or so I've owned and that was a old Galaxy Note.
This morning when I got home from work the phone had 76% battery left, woke up and it was dead. It powered up and showed 2% battery. I went into battery under settings, android system used 26% of the battery. Not sure that's enough to drain the batter while I was asleep.
Must be something definitely wrong in the phone.
Jammol said:
I've had my phone do that before. Wasn't rooted or hacked in any way. I didn't even know of a way to do it. What fixed mine was a **** load of factory resets. And I mean a **** LOAD!!! Luckily it came back and I've been good ever since. Don't know what happened or how but that was very weird.
Note to the wise: I don't care who says what about what! NEVER buy a phone off of craigslist or from anyone for that matter other than a carrier or authorized reseller. Because when it breaks, you can't do **** about it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, lesson learned. Craigslist is usually where I do my cell phone trading and buying.
I'll keep trying resets to see if this fixes the problem. Thanks!
Try to re flash a stock using an LG flash tool it might work as what other users did on their G Pro have the same issues
Still haven't found anything that works.
I'm guessing something has malfunctioned in the phone.

[Q] Sprint tech support sent me to Xda for this problem

No one has a clue why Sprint can't see serial number & can't activate it. It was Demo phone never activated for use.
ESN ready for activation!
SAMSUNG L900 SILVER (SPHL900GYS)
version 4.3
1. I tried some forenic software & I did see GSM in the settings. But under phone Device details it says CDMA-eHRPD.
2. If my 14yo kid playing around it unlock it with a bad code before it was activated have screwed it up and changed setting to GSM?
3. Would flashing &/or rooting return it to normal, if the problem is it was set/changed to GSM & not CDMA?
4. Could it be flashed to another mvo but since it hasn't been activated with Sprint first, would that make a difference?
I already spent a couple of weeks searching google, this & other forums & couldn't find a similar situation. Contacted everyone possible at Sprint support. Their solution was take it to a Sprint repair store, which is a 3 hour drive. Just to see if it was ever flashed which it wasn't. I guess I'll do the store if I can't get help here. I was hoping just some simple setting changes might fix it.
Can anyone please help with this problem or give options?
If your phone is in fact a Sprint branded phone then yes you can activate it on the Sprint network. I assume the esn and meid numbers are attached on the back of the phone beneath the battery. If so then all you will need to do is flash the stock Sprint rom on your phone using odin. I would first get your phone back to factory condition and verify everything works by visiting this thread...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2591898
Follow the instructions to get your phone back to original out of box condition. Good luck.

[Q] compatibility of Qualcomm NV tools or similar

Do the Qualcomm NV Tools work with this phone? If not, is there something similar out there?
I'm not sure if my difficulties are because I am trying to use it through Virtualbox with USB pass-through, because this phone is more locked down, or if it is just incompatible. The issue I'm seeing is that no COM port is showing up.
I am using the stock rom with a locked bootloader. None of the mmi codes for entering diag mode do anything.
Any clues?
Thank you.
jstrunk said:
Do the Qualcomm NV Tools work with this phone? If not, is there something similar out there?
I'm not sure if my difficulties are because I am trying to use it through Virtualbox with USB pass-through, because this phone is more locked down, or if it is just incompatible. The issue I'm seeing is that no COM port is showing up.
I am using the stock rom with a locked bootloader. None of the mmi codes for entering diag mode do anything.
Any clues?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are you trying to accomplish?
Rekoil said:
What are you trying to accomplish?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure it's exactly as you fear: modify the IMEI.
It is not illegal here in Chile much to my surprise. I learned this when I called the police to report a second hand phone I had just purchased getting IMEI blocked. The most common reason for the lock is that the original customer bought it under contract and stopped paying their bills. The incorruptible policeman told me to take it to a mobile phone tech support shop to get it unblocked. I like to fool around with this kind of thing, so I figured I'd try it myself.
Thank you.
If it makes any difference, I went to the carrier today to turn the phone in in case it was stolen. They confirmed that the IMEI was blocked due to non-payment and handed the phone back to me.

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