Develop Bugs

17 digit IMEI

Is there any way to get rid of the two extra digits in the IMEI?
Doug

i imagine not without reburning the radio or whatever, with a custom image (not the OS ROM). I think I read somewhere that the IMEI could be changed, but only if you use a certain ver of xdatools, and if you had a certain bootloader????? :roll:
But why would someone want to do that?

da(s)h said:
Is there any way to get rid of the two extra digits in the IMEI?
Doug
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your IMEI is 15 digits, the 2 extra digit exists as an identifier for your Service Provider only.
This is why you see 15 digits IMEI in your device information, but when you request the info through your Service Provider, they return you 15+2 digits.
Forgive me, but I don't see the sense of 'removing' the 2 extra digits???

Extra IMEI digits
Well, first off, my IMEI is 15+2 regardless of whether I'm looking at it in Device Information or requesting it using *#06#.
The reason I want to get rid of the two extra digits is so I can change the IMEI using XDAManipulator. (Before some of you out there jump on me about how changing the IMEI is illegal in certain countries - Yeah, I know, it's illegal in the U.K., Australia is going to make it illegal, I don't know about the U.S. - haven't seen evidence beyond people saying "it's illegal", but the bottom line is, I don't really care. So don't bother spouting off and sounding holier-than-thou.)
As for why I want to change it, it's not the one listed on the back of the device, and as far as I understand, were I ever to have a claim, they'd check the IMEI listed on the back of the device and when it doesn't match, they'd shoot me down.
So, my original question stands, is there any way to remove the two extra digits?
Doug

I still see no reason to remove digits if you are using manipulator. Just put the new number in.

what is manipulator?
it's for what?

IMEI change problem
Okay. I don't know what the problem is with this thing. I thought that I couldn't change the IMEI because of the extra 2 digits. But I then was able to get my 2nd XDA working and discovered that it ALSO carries the extra digits. And has the same ROM and Radio versions. BUT, I can edit the IMEI on the 2nd XDA.
So, any suggestions? Any idea as to why I can change the IMEI on one XDA but not the other, despite both having the SAME ROM and Radio? I'm at a total loss.
If it helps, the ROM is 3.14.40 ENG and the Radio is 6.18.
Doug

Can't find Xda Mnipulator
Hey guys. Can't seem to get a hold of a copy of XDA tools, or XDA Manipulator, the download section won't load for me... Anyone have an old copy they could send me??
..........IB a n e

As stated here the 2 extra digits are used on "some" networks as a check sum, removing these are technically changing the IMEI which is illegal anywhere. You will gain absolutely nothing by removing these digits :?

Lord Buckingham spouted off without actually reading the previous posts:
<<>>
As stated here the 2 extra digits are used on "some" networks as a check sum, removing these are technically changing the IMEI which is illegal anywhere. You will gain absolutely nothing by removing these digits
<<>>
If he had read the previous posts, he would have seen that I already said:
A. Not to bother if you're going to act holier-than-thou,
B. At the time of the original post, it was not illegal in the US, I don't know if it has since been made illegal in the US,
C. The IMEI is not the one listed on the back of the phone. Sometimes when a ROM is flashed it resets the IMEI - why, I don't know.
ALSO,
I already figured out that it is simply a checksum. (No, I didn't say it, but I did discover that my other XDA I also had the 2 extra digits, which I did mention, therefore I realized that I didn't have to remove the checksum digits.)
AND,
As for changing the IMEI being "illegal anywhere," did some world government take over and make sweeping laws making IMEI changing illegal everywhere while AT THE SAME TIME totally failing to make any news whatsoever? Wow, and the White House can't even manage to spy on American citizens without someone leaking it...
Lord Buckingham, before you post such broad statements, try this:
Stop.
Read what you wrote.
Then either erase the erroneous info or add a disclaimer. (For an example, see item B.)
Now, since someone was kind enough to dig up this old topic, I'll repeat my earlier request for any USEFUL suggestions as to how to change the IMEI on the XDA with the wrong IMEI. It's the wrong IMEI (that is not the one on the back), and if I ever need to make a claim, I would like to have all the ducks in a line. Or at least the right IMEI.
Thanks in advance.
Doug

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Lord Buckingham said:
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LMAO
word!

Brief Question..
What exactly is Bootloader mode and how do I get into it? I red somewhere that i had to press the power button on my xda2 and then soft reset... but this seems to have performed a hard reset.
How do I enter bootloader mode?
Thanx,
...........IB a n e

Re: Brief Question..
BANE said:
What exactly is Bootloader mode and how do I get into it? I red somewhere that i had to press the power button on my xda2 and then soft reset... but this seems to have performed a hard reset.
How do I enter bootloader mode?
Thanx,
...........IB a n e
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bane, why have you posted this question in *this* thread? This thread relates to IMEI numbers.
Da(s)h, chill out man. The reason for IMEIs changing is to change the identity of a stolen device. If your IMEI is 'wrong' then you may find that the correct IMEI is registered as stolen and barred from networks in your country. If you have aquired your device in 'good faith' I suggest you leave well alone.

You're right, sorry I should have posted somewhere more suitable.
...........IB a n e

BANE said:
You're right, sorry I should have posted somewhere more suitable.
...........IB a n e
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can't find your answer using search then feel free to start a new thread.

Thanx

TheBrit posted:
<<>>
Da(s)h, chill out man. The reason for IMEIs changing is to change the identity of a stolen device. If your IMEI is 'wrong' then you may find that the correct IMEI is registered as stolen and barred from networks in your country. If you have aquired your device in 'good faith' I suggest you leave well alone.
<<>>
I know that the primary (perhaps) reason for changing the IMEI is to change the identity of a stolen device. I would argue (successfully) that it isn't the ONLY reason, and my need to change the IMEI is a legitimate one, given that I know the device isn't stolen, and the original IMEI isn't barred. I just want it right so that if I ever have a claim on the handset policy I don't have to deal with the garbage of, "Well, the IMEI that shows up on our records is XYZ and the device you sent to us has the IMEI of ABC on the back. We're not going to replace your XDA."
As for chilling out, I have a problem with people who feel they have to post some rude, self-serving, useless bit of tripe (I can just see them saying to themselves, "It was my fisrt post to that forum ever!!!" (Spelling error intentional.)), that makes erroneous, sweeping generalizations. I should point out here that while your (TheBrit's) generalization was sweeping, your message was not rude (not reading an entire initial message and/or ignoring key elements IS rude), and therefore I was not offended.
Back to the IMEI issue, if I wanted a quick solution, I could simply change the IMEI of my second XDA, use it for a while, drop it in traffic, then transplant whatever part got broken into the XDA with the mucked up IMEI, and THEN make a claim, but that would be flat-out insurance fraud, and I'd rather have a legal method to deal with the IMEI issue. Acutally, I guess dropping it in traffic would be bad, cause then the motherboard might get damaged and then I'd have two problem XDAs. One dead and one with the wrong IMEI. Anyway, you guys get the idea, but my point is that I want a non-fraudulent method.
Doug

I seem to remember reading that one of the unlock tools in this forum can change the IMEI.

I would actually assume that the case had been switched out on your device, IMHO.... so if any of the little warranty stickers inside are broke, it won't matter for your insurance anyway: opening the device voids warranty.......
But then again, I don't know everything.
Good luck.

[Q] Galaxy Nexus i9250 lost your IMEI

I have a big problem.
My Gnex i9250 lost your IMEI.
I have already taken the unit on technical assistance and said they would try to rewrite the IMEI but failed.
In my research I learned I should have done a backup of file containing the IMEI (nv_data.bin), is it correct ?
I don't have any backup.
Please help me friends.
NOTE: Sorry for my terrible english.

Not to assume, but it would appear at first glance that you purchased a stolen phone....
Also, pretty sure anything related to writing or creating IMEI is against XDA rules.

Is this a new or used phone? Do you not have the original box with your IMEI on it? And inside the battery compartment as well?

martonikaj said:
Is this a new or used phone? Do you not have the original box with your IMEI on it? And inside the battery compartment as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I live in Brazil but I bought this phone in NY.
It's a new phone and the IMEI number on the box matched the number in the battery compartment.
I bought the phone in december but I only had problems recently.
I traveled to a place where I couldn't get any signal and I turned off the phone.
After one day I turned it on and it stopped working.

lmrbrazil said:
I live in Brazil but I bought this phone in NY.
It's a new phone and the IMEI number on the box matched the number in the battery compartment.
I bought the phone in december but I only had problems recently.
I traveled to a place where I couldn't get any signal and I turned off the phone.
After one day I turned it on and it stopped working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you buy it new or used?
There could be a chance perhaps it was a stolen unit maybe from a store or such that when it was discovered gone, the IMEI was disabled.
I just don't see otherwise how the IMEI could just stop being valid.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

uoY_redruM said:
Did you buy it new or used?
There could be a chance perhaps it was a stolen unit maybe from a store or such that when it was discovered gone, the IMEI was disabled.
I just don't see otherwise how the IMEI could just stop being valid.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought this phone brand new.
I saw that in some cases the IMEI can be corrupted, but I don't know how can i repair this file.

This its a known issue.. The efs folder gets corrupted.. Go to galaxy s2 forum and try the several fixes for it there.. If your lucky it will work..
If not.. Well there's not a fix for it yet on Nexus.. Theres several ppl around here waiting for this solution.. As currently they just have a really nice music players Hehe..
Cheers
Nexus Cm9 + Franco

Its not the efs folder like it was on the nexus s etc.
Your imei data is stored in the factory folder on the gnex.
Sounds like it got corrupted.
I lost my imei on my nexus s and ended up being stuck with a generic one, it still worked though.
Maybe you can find a way to do that.

nodstuff said:
Its not the efs folder like it was on the nexus s etc.
Your imei data is stored in the factory folder on the gnex.
Sounds like it got corrupted.
I lost my imei on my nexus s and ended up being stuck with a generic one, it still worked though.
Maybe you can find a way to do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you change your IMEI on your Nexus S ?

The IMEI can be changed/repaired on this phone using samsung pro tools. In Brazil it is legal to change the IMEI to whatever you like, in UK it is only legal to repair the IMEI to the original IMEI. There are some IMEI Nazis on xda that don't want to empower users with the ability to change the IMEI, so they won't tell you how to do this, even if it is for the legal reason of repair only. And, will probably get xda to delete this post and/or close the thread, like they are uk police shills or paid subverts or maybe just do-gooders (the latter is the worst).
This page describes repairing the IMEI of the Galaxy Nexus that had generic IMEI (which can be caused by corrupt MD5 hash for nv_data.bin) using SPT box
An SPT Box cost about $200, but you can usually find this service on ebay or google for about $30, they will resotre the imei to the sticker under the battery. You must pay shipping to and from as well. This place might offer such service: http://www.fonefunshop.co.uk.

I had my IMEI disappear, the "about phone' just had "unknown" for my IMEI. My Nexus GSM was only a week old and purchased from the Play Store. The only reason I checked is because I was on the phone with Google Wallet support and they needed to know. Surprisingly, I was on the phone on T-Mobile network, but with an "unknown" IMEI.
I did a battery pull to reset the phone and it was back. The number on the screen matched the inside, the number on the box, and the number on my receipt. I called support back (again, on the same phone) and they fixed the problem once I gave them my IMEI.
I was a little freaked out that it disappeared like that, but at least the battery pull fixed it.
Good luck with yours.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Same problem
lmrbrazil said:
I have a big problem.
My Gnex i9250 lost your IMEI.
I have already taken the unit on technical assistance and said they would try to rewrite the IMEI but failed.
In my research I learned I should have done a backup of file containing the IMEI (nv_data.bin), is it correct ?
I don't have any backup.
Please help me friends.
NOTE: Sorry for my terrible english.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey.. I am facing this same .. I am from India, i bought from google play store.. If you get to know of any fix for this, do let me know too.. i tried the 9 step recover process given in xda for s2, but that did not work for me.
---------- Post added at 11:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:32 AM ----------
b177y said:
I had my IMEI disappear, the "about phone' just had "unknown" for my IMEI. My Nexus GSM was only a week old and purchased from the Play Store. The only reason I checked is because I was on the phone with Google Wallet support and they needed to know. Surprisingly, I was on the phone on T-Mobile network, but with an "unknown" IMEI.
I did a battery pull to reset the phone and it was back. The number on the screen matched the inside, the number on the box, and the number on my receipt. I called support back (again, on the same phone) and they fixed the problem once I gave them my IMEI.
I was a little freaked out that it disappeared like that, but at least the battery pull fixed it.
Good luck with yours.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, even i bought from playstore and i have this same issue. Can you tell me how your issue was fixed ? i realize that the imei is printed on the phone just beneath the battery. But how does it reset the phone ?

Ok soo first of all this is common problem for samsung smartphones - and it has nothing to do with stolen phone. I have the same issue as well - IMEI just got lost one day. Getting factory resets or flashing orginal stock from google page dosn't work.
I just hope that it's not a hardware issue - still waiting for solution for nexus. It's crap cause i bought from google play store while being in US - now when i got back to EU it stopped working - sending it back is very costfull...
So only because it's never happend to you don't say it must have been stolen or something!

Papi1986 said:
Ok soo first of all this is common problem for samsung smartphones - and it has nothing to do with stolen phone. I have the same issue as well - IMEI just got lost one day. Getting factory resets or flashing orginal stock from google page dosn't work.
I just hope that it's not a hardware issue - still waiting for solution for nexus. It's crap cause i bought from google play store while being in US - now when i got back to EU it stopped working - sending it back is very costfull...
So only because it's never happend to you don't say it must have been stolen or something!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am facing the issue after wiping everthing(CACHE,SYSTEM,XLOADER,...)..

abhishek_ab said:
i am facing the issue after wiping everthing(CACHE,SYSTEM,XLOADER,...)..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same issue here, anyone please have a solution!?
All the best,
Mark

Yep one more for me :/

Same here
I'm facing this same problem. Any solution to it yet?

Same for me
I am having the same problem after formatting /factory. Is there any solution?

Wether flashing the factory image recovers that???
Sent from my CyanogenMod powered Galaxy Nexus

varadparulekarofficial said:
Wether flashing the factory image recovers that???
Sent from my CyanogenMod powered Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately no, but you can try.
I have the worst luck, my GNex lost its iMEI and II tried to recover it for 6 months.
Then, one day I got the IMEI back (did a backup of the nv data files and deleted them from the system folder)
So look at this: I did a backup on the nv_data files and put it in the Internal Storage
Then, I wanted to revert back to full stock (no root, locked bootloader)
So I flashed the stock (ps: this wiped the internal storage, so I lost the backup files).
When the cellphone booted I didn't have the IMEI again, so I rooted my phone and deleted the NV Data files FOREVER.
So basically there is NO way to recover the files, I lost my IMEI forever.
But for anyone who is having this issue, backup the files (save it in your computer :silly: ) and delete the nv data files from the system. Try everything related to that. (but be sure to have a backup, hahaha :silly: )

[Q] The truth about being rooted and taking phone back to sprint for replacement.

I know the general consensus is that sprint wont help with bricks or replace a phone due to rooting/Modding issues... but are there any sprint employees on here who know of a loophole? I've heard some say that it is still covered in warranty. Any insight from those who have had experiences with this?
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium

mrush said:
I know the general consensus is that sprint wont help with bricks or replace a phone due to rooting/Modding issues... but are there any sprint employees on here who know of a loophole? I've heard some say that it is still covered in warranty. Any insight from those who have had experiences with this?
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They should not hold it against you. They are supposed to treat it as if it were stock, and follow the same procedure as any other phone that is having issues. Some techs / service centers think they are the " Gods of Stock phones" and may try to make a big deal of your "rooted" or "tampered" with device. If they do give you a hard time, just leave with your device and go to another repair center. I think in the grand scheme of things, the percentage of customers who actually root and mod their devices is very small. It would be wise of you to at least have the service and repair coverage on your phone before you go in for replacement though. If you need it added PM me for more info...

I have had great experience with Sprint Tech's some of which are very familiar with rooting and the XDA forum. So did you brick your phone? Maybe it can be saved. I soft bricked mine but was able to boot into recovery and flash a stock unrooted rom and was able to re-root.
Sent from the best phone on the planet, Apple take Note............

Next1776 said:
They should not hold it against you. They are supposed to treat it as if it were stock, and follow the same procedure as any other phone that is having issues. Some techs / service centers think they are the " Gods of Stock phones" and may try to make a big deal of your "rooted" or "tampered" with device. If they do give you a hard time, just leave with your device and go to another repair center. I think in the grand scheme of things, the percentage of customers who actually root and mod their devices is very small. It would be wise of you to at least have the service and repair coverage on your phone before you go in for replacement though. If you need it added PM me for more info...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^this
corporate policy states rooted phones are covered.
keep in mind this may not be the case at third party retailers and that any store manager can use their discretion to protect the company.....I.e. repeated hard bricks etc
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

Next1776 said:
They should not hold it against you. They are supposed to treat it as if it were stock, and follow the same procedure as any other phone that is having issues. Some techs / service centers think they are the " Gods of Stock phones" and may try to make a big deal of your "rooted" or "tampered" with device. If they do give you a hard time, just leave with your device and go to another repair center. I think in the grand scheme of things, the percentage of customers who actually root and mod their devices is very small. It would be wise of you to at least have the service and repair coverage on your phone before you go in for replacement though. If you need it added PM me for more info...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't work too well if you only have one repair center for miles.
I usually just bring it back to them stock as that's all my repair center knows how to do anyways.
Sent from a little old Note 2

digiblur said:
Doesn't work too well if you only have one repair center for miles.
I usually just bring it back to them stock as that's all my repair center knows how to do anyways.
Sent from a little old Note 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you have insurance and you know that they are going to give you a problem then your better off just smashing it, or run it over with your car. I bought my last phone at best buy and didn't have root on it just adw (Evo LTE). When the screen broke I brought it in and they gave me a hard time telling me that it was rooted and they don't cover rooted phones. He went out of his way to tell me that they do cover jail broke iphones though.. I then had to get his supervisor over and show her that it was not rooted and asked her if it was store policy to get there customers a hard time. 30 f n days later I got my phone back with a new screen.

ProCision said:
if you have insurance and you know that they are going to give you a problem then your better off just smashing it, or run it over with your car. I bought my last phone at best buy and didn't have root on it just adw (Evo LTE). When the screen broke I brought it in and they gave me a hard time telling me that it was rooted and they don't cover rooted phones. He went out of his way to tell me that they do cover jail broke iphones though.. I then had to get his supervisor over and show her that it was not rooted and asked her if it was store policy to get there customers a hard time. 30 f n days later I got my phone back with a new screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The insurance is very helpful, I've done this on multiple occasions. I just dont like to deal with them giving me a hard time
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium

Nowadays when you deal with a broken phone you can just go online to Asurion cause they are the Insurance provider and they will ship you a refurbished phone and when you receive it you call them on the phone switch your IED # (or what ever it's called for Sprint since we dont have removable SIM cards) and then drop your busted one in the return shipping envelope and by then its done and you have your phone and it will just be shipped back to them to be disassembled. Then they will just try and salvage any parts they can for another refurbished device for another customer.

If its bricked ( as in won't boot up or similar) most techs won't know why, or how it got that way, so they should swap it out without a problem. Stock phones get bricked too. Recovering a bricked device can be time consuming and most likely a service center will not want, or have the knowledge, to take the time to save a device instead of exchanging it.
Running over or physically breaking your device and then doing an insurance claim through Sprints insurance provider (Asurion) is kind a silly thing to do (unless physical damage makes it necessary ) because you will be paying a deductible. A bricked non physically damaged unit can be swapped out at no charge if you have the Service and Repair coverage or TEP coverage.
JMHO...

Next1776 said:
If its bricked ( as in won't boot up or similar) most techs won't know why, or how it got that way, so they should swap it out without a problem. Stock phones get bricked too. Recovering a bricked device can be time consuming and most likely a service center will not want, or have the knowledge, to take the time to save a device instead of exchanging it.
Running over or physically breaking your device and then doing an insurance claim through Sprints insurance provider (Asurion) is kind a silly thing to do (unless physical damage makes it necessary ) because you will be paying a deductible. A bricked non physically damaged unit can be swapped out at no charge if you have the Service and Repair coverage or TEP coverage.
JMHO...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't recommending physically breaking it either. I was just saying that if you aren't a good talker and are afraid of facing someone and don't want to do a face to face then go through asurion. I wouldn't have a problem doing so, 85% of people who work in customer service either don't have the know how or the balls to tell someone they are wrong. You would be amazed what you can get from people with confidence.

Tw1sted247 said:
I wasn't recommending physically breaking it either. I was just saying that if you aren't a good talker and are afraid of facing someone and don't want to do a face to face then go through asurion. I wouldn't have a problem doing so, 85% of people who work in customer service either don't have the know how or the balls to tell someone they are wrong. You would be amazed what you can get from people with confidence.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the problem I have with this is that physical damage claims through assurion require a deductable now. a hefty one on this phone.
when in doubt back up and unroot. it takes all of 5 minutes to do.
but as for the question at hand...they are supposed to be covered.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

When I go into sprint I just simply unroot.. I did that with my epic 4G touch when I took it in.. Im trying to think how did the Rep even get my phone lol.. I just went in to get a note 2..But rooting came up and She was going on and on with how they don't cover rooted phones.. I was laughing inside due to the phone she was holding has been rooted so many times and it would be no way to tell
-TeaM VeNuM Like A Boss
-Galaxy Note II Edition

Direct from sprints Methods and Procedures
If the jailbreaking and modification are so extensive that the device cannot be used or triaged by the normal processes, then the device must be flagged as Red (Not Repairable) and are therefore not eligible for exchange.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically meaning that if you come in with a totally bricked non bootable device and the boot loader shows device as modified we aren't allowed to do anything.
If the device works and is just having issues they are supposed to flash the stock software back to the phone as a resolution before doing an exchange.

Darkendvoid88 said:
Direct from sprints Methods and Procedures
Basically meaning that if you come in with a totally bricked non bootable device and the boot loader shows device as modified we aren't allowed to do anything.
If the device works and is just having issues they are supposed to flash the stock software back to the phone as a resolution before doing an exchange.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
interesting. I dont recall seeing that part previously.
of course though if a device doesn't boot...there really is no way to tell if it was rooted
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

00mred00 said:
interesting. I dont recall seeing that part previously.
of course though if a device doesn't boot...there really is no way to tell if it was rooted
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe maybe not...it seems we may have spyware on our vanillaish devices...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2015149
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

00mred00 said:
the problem I have with this is that physical damage claims through assurion require a deductable now. a hefty one on this phone.
when in doubt back up and unroot. it takes all of 5 minutes to do.
but as for the question at hand...they are supposed to be covered.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just asking did you even read THE VERY FIRST sentence of the post you quoted? I stated that I was NOT recommending to physically break it. Then you proceed to quote the post and say the problem you have with the stated method is physical damage claims have a deductible... ?

I've taken obviously rooted phones for repair and never had any issues. Matter of fact on a couple of occasions I was asked for help with rooting.
Sent from my NOTEworthy smartphone

Sprint will not provide support for phones that are rooted or running 3rd party software (roms). That is to say that if you are having issues with data, apps or such and running a rooted rom you will be required to return the phone to stock before any is performed. They Justdon't havethe resources to support every software variety out there. That's not to say that mechanical failure is no longer covered. I do still recommend returning a phone to stock before bringing it into a repair center regardless of the issue. If this seems like too much trouble then perhaps rooting and customizing is not for you.
iPhones are a whole different animal however and any jail broken iPhone is no longer covered and employees have been instructed to flag the device. This is due to Apple.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium

ProCision said:
if you have insurance and you know that they are going to give you a problem then your better off just smashing it, or run it over with your car. I bought my last phone at best buy and didn't have root on it just adw (Evo LTE). When the screen broke I brought it in and they gave me a hard time telling me that it was rooted and they don't cover rooted phones. He went out of his way to tell me that they do cover jail broke iphones though.. I then had to get his supervisor over and show her that it was not rooted and asked her if it was store policy to get there customers a hard time. 30 f n days later I got my phone back with a new screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best who? Never... Oh wait. That's the store, the mobile dept specifically, that I have vowed to never spend another dime in. Treated like trash twice... Not again.
Sent from a little old Note 2

Tw1sted247 said:
Just asking did you even read THE VERY FIRST sentence of the post you quoted? I stated that I was NOT recommending to physically break it. Then you proceed to quote the post and say the problem you have with the stated method is physical damage claims have a deductible... ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you made reference to a broken screen and to asurion ...deductible applies
all I am saying
schale01....the information you are posting is incorrect in regards to corporate repair stores. the policy was chamged last year to cover rooted phones
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

[Q]

I recently sent my phone back for a warranty replacement after developing problems with my USB port. The phone they sent back has a very different IMEI sticker, with a different SKU - 65250 v S5250. Any thoughts? Should I be concerned?

That should not be an issue, they replaced your defective phone hence the different numbers.
BTW removing your IMEI from a post does nothing to protect your number if the barcode is still there!
Alt
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda premium

Altaman said:
That should not be an issue, they replaced your defective phone hence the different numbers.
BTW removing your IMEI from a post does nothing to protect your number if the barcode is still there!
Alt
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Figured, just wondering if anyone else had a similar experience. The last replacement I got had the identical sticker, yet this one was different... perhaps because they are further into the phone's life cycle and have more refurbs on hand.
Yeah, I thought about that... but at least the person who wants my IMEI that bad has to do a little work.

better yet.. remove the images now before more get their hand on.

generic IMEI 004999*

I recently changed networks, its was only then that I discovered that at some point in the last 2 years my IMEI had reset to the default, most likely due to me deleting something I shouldn't have.
I know its a log shot but does anyone have a back up of the following directorys?:
/efs
/factory
/data/radio
these are what are missing from my phone, I believe that the /efs is the most important in getting my phone back to normal.
Thank you

try to restore it using ****docomo app..
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I tried the ***docomo app, the option to restore was blanked out.
joesalve said:
try to restore it using ****docomo app..
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Sorry to see another victim. You are not alone - I'm stuck with this same generic IMEI problem with no backups to restore to.
Have you seen these threads?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2508320
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2583872
Using someone else's backup of the nv_data files will give you their IMEI number. Not sure anyone is willing to do that unless they have a Gnex just collecting dust and they don't care.
I'm considering this option: http://www.sammobile.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7554
With the cost of the special USB cable and software totaling about $40, you get one shot at repairing your IMEI. I haven't tried it yet....

wallygator4life said:
Sorry to see another victim. You are not alone - I'm stuck with this same generic IMEI problem with no backups to restore to.
Have you seen these threads?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2508320
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2583872
Using someone else's backup of the nv_data files will give you their IMEI number. Not sure anyone is willing to do that unless they have a Gnex just collecting dust and they don't care.
I'm considering this option: http://www.sammobile.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7554
With the cost of the special USB cable and software totaling about $40, you get one shot at repairing your IMEI. I haven't tried it yet....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am also very tempted by that but I have just been bitten by one such SRS service that could not deliver what they promised (efs fix) and am now having a paypal dispute with them. Who know how long it will take for the cable to turn up and I am getting a new phone next month