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I bought a used Note 3 on ebay and wondering if
1) The seller claims the esn is clean. Is there a way that I can verify that this phone is clean (i.e.: not stolen)?
2) The phone is also rooted. I'm concerned that it's possible that rooted phone could have hidden spyware apps installed. Is there some app or tools I can use to check for possible spyware?
Thanks!
TruongKy said:
I bought a used Note 3 on ebay and wondering if
1) The seller claims the esn is clean. Is there a way that I can verify that this phone is clean (i.e.: not stolen)?
2) The phone is also rooted. I'm concerned that it's possible that rooted phone could have hidden spyware apps installed. Is there some app or tools I can use to check for possible spyware?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.
The should be able to provide you the IMEI before purchase. Many e-bay sellers put it directly in the listing. Once you have it you can check it here :
http://www.checkesnfree.com/
2.
Whenever you get a phone, rooted or not, flash it to stock. No spyware will survive a clean flash.
TruongKy said:
I bought a used Note 3 on ebay and wondering if
1) The seller claims the esn is clean. Is there a way that I can verify that this phone is clean (i.e.: not stolen)?
2) The phone is also rooted. I'm concerned that it's possible that rooted phone could have hidden spyware apps installed. Is there some app or tools I can use to check for possible spyware?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, even if you called t mobile and they told you the phone esn is clean, it can still be blocked later for probably one of the following reasons:
The person who bought this phone on contract and sold it on ebay and later for some reason, he decided not to keep paying the installment.
The person who sold you that phone just want to screw you and can later falsely report to t mobile that his phone is stolen.
Either of the situation happens, you might end up with a phone with blaskliested imei.
wzhao14 said:
To be honest, even if you called t mobile and they told you the phone esn is clean, it can still be blocked later for probably one of the following reasons:
The person who bought this phone on contract and sold it on ebay and later for some reason, he decided not to keep paying the installment.
The person who sold you that phone just want to screw you and can later falsely report to t mobile that his phone is stolen.
Either of the situation happens, you might end up with a phone with blaskliested imei.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've read that there's a way to avoid this. If its a T-Mobile device the imei can be registered on your account and in your name. Then the device can't be blacklisted later on. Granted if its a different carrier this doesn't really matter
icenight89 said:
I've read that there's a way to avoid this. If its a T-Mobile device the imei can be registered on your account and in your name. Then the device can't be blacklisted later on. Granted if its a different carrier this doesn't really matter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great tip, thanks
icenight89 said:
I've read that there's a way to avoid this. If its a T-Mobile device the imei can be registered on your account and in your name. Then the device can't be blacklisted later on. Granted if its a different carrier this doesn't really matter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be as long as the phone is paid off.
Hi, I own Note 3 N900T bought from T-Mobile US and I'm using it in Macedonia with Chainfire's RegionLock Away App on Android 4.3. And now I want to update to Lollipop and do a factory reset but I checked my IMEI and it's Blacklisted. My question is can I unlock my phone with unlock code in Macedonia if I do a factory reset or I need to activate with T-Mobile SIM card?
Thanks in advance
Blacklisted IMEI.... ouch.
Yeah, you will need to have it unlocked somehow. I'm not sure if T-Mobile will do this for you, however. Give them a call.
Also, I thought that blacklisted IMEI's were only devices that people hadn't paid off, or something along those lines. You did in fact buy the device directly from T-Mobile? How long have you owned it now? Did you pay it off?
I only ask for the sake of connecting the pieces here to try and give you the appropriate advice.
411y0ur8453 said:
Blacklisted IMEI.... ouch.
Yeah, you will need to have it unlocked somehow. I'm not sure if T-Mobile will do this for you, however. Give them a call.
Also, I thought that blacklisted IMEI's were only devices that people hadn't paid off, or something along those lines. You did in fact buy the device directly from T-Mobile? How long have you owned it now? Did you pay it off?
I only ask for the sake of connecting the pieces here to try and give you the appropriate advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought it from a guy in the US and maybe he is not paying the bills there, I don't know. I will buy the unlock code from ebay but I don't know if I can insert it after factory reset. Do I need to activate the phone after factory reset?
stavrov said:
I bought it from a guy in the US and maybe he is not paying the bills there, I don't know. I will buy the unlock code from ebay but I don't know if I can insert it after factory reset. Do I need to activate the phone after factory reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly man, this really sucks. It sounds like he ripped you off.
T-Mobile blacklists IMEI's that are associated with an unpaid balance on a device. They do this to prevent people from getting a discounted phone, then taking it somewhere else.
You will need to call T-Mobile and talk to them about it. Not good. Usually they don't "unlist" them after they have been flagged.
411y0ur8453 said:
Honestly man, this really sucks. It sounds like he ripped you off.
T-Mobile blacklists IMEI's that are associated with an unpaid balance on a device. They do this to prevent people from getting a discounted phone, then taking it somewhere else.
You will need to call T-Mobile and talk to them about it. Not good. Usually they don't "unlist" them after they have been flagged.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I heard you cannot use the phone in the US but you can use it in other countries, but I'm not sure. And now I don't know if I should perform a factory reset, if I need to activate the phone in the US (or with T-Mobile SIM card) I will end up with unusable phone.
stavrov said:
As I heard you cannot use the phone in the US but you can use it in other countries, but I'm not sure. And now I don't know if I should perform a factory reset, if I need to activate the phone in the US (or with T-Mobile SIM card) I will end up with unusable phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're confusing a Carrier lock with a Region lock. There is no region lock on the N900T, just carrier lock. You can purchase an unlock code from some place like cellunlocker.net and follow their instructions to unlock and use it with any carrier's sim.
toastido said:
You're confusing a Carrier lock with a Region lock. There is no region lock on the N900T, just carrier lock. You can purchase an unlock code from some place like cellunlocker.net and follow their instructions to unlock and use it with any carrier's sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I purchase an unlock code I can use the phone in my country?
stavrov said:
So if I purchase an unlock code I can use the phone in my country?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to, yes. There is no region lock, only Carrier/SIM lock, so an unlock code should allow it to operate anywhere, and it would be a permanent unlock, so you can factory reset even and not worry about it getting re-locked to tmo usa.
The region lock away app seems to also remove the sim lock, so I don't think you'll need an unlock code...
toastido said:
You should be able to, yes. There is no region lock, only Carrier/SIM lock, so an unlock code should allow it to operate anywhere, and it would be a permanent unlock, so you can factory reset even and not worry about it getting re-locked to tmo usa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would say this is bad advice.
Why would you purchase anything without first giving them a call and finding out what is going on. IMEI stands for... ready....
INTERNATIONAL mobile equipment identity... not carrier specific. If T-Mobile flags a GSM device for "theft", as in, somebody not paying it off, it is essentially the property of T-Mobile's, and I promise you they have gone through the hoops to protect themselves from a product sales perspective.
It would be simple to give them a call. You should do it, and not spend any more of your money until A) You know why it was blacklisted, B) Know whether or not T-Mobile can fix this problem for you (maybe it was a mistake, but I doubt it), C) You call that idiot back that sold you the phone and find out why he sold you a device that was blacklisted (he knew).
That's all I really can say about it. And I hate to say it, but I think you are going to be SOL man. Sorry.
411y0ur8453 said:
I would say this is bad advice.
Why would you purchase anything without first giving them a call and finding out what is going on. IMEI stands for... ready....
INTERNATIONAL mobile equipment identity... not carrier specific. If T-Mobile flags a GSM device for "theft", as in, somebody not paying it off, it is essentially the property of T-Mobile's, and I promise you they have gone through the hoops to protect themselves from a product sales perspective.
It would be simple to give them a call. You should do it, and not spend any more of your money until A) You know why it was blacklisted, B) Know whether or not T-Mobile can fix this problem for you (maybe it was a mistake, but I doubt it), C) You call that idiot back that sold you the phone and find out why he sold you a device that was blacklisted (he knew).
That's all I really can say about it. And I hate to say it, but I think you are going to be SOL man. Sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's not bad advice
It's a widely known FACT that tmo USA and AT&T, who share blacklists) ONLY blacklist within the USA.
OP it's up to you, but based on others experiences (Google is your friend) and KNOWN FACTS, you should be fine
toastido said:
No, it's not bad advice
It's a widely known FACT that tmo USA and AT&T, who share blacklists) ONLY blacklist within the USA.
OP it's up to you, but based on others experiences (Google is your friend) and KNOWN FACTS, you should be fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would assume that if they had blocked an IMEI, it would be borked indefinitely. If not, good for you OP.
If you have heard of somebody having a blocked IMEI, toastido, and then taking a device to another country and successfully using it, then there is hope for him.
stavrov said:
Hi, I own Note 3 N900T bought from T-Mobile US and I'm using it in Macedonia with Chainfire's RegionLock Away App on Android 4.3. And now I want to update to Lollipop and do a factory reset but I checked my IMEI and it's Blacklisted. My question is can I unlock my phone with unlock code in Macedonia if I do a factory reset or I need to activate with T-Mobile SIM card?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the chainfire region lock away only works on 4.3... so if you update the phone to Lollipop or any other 4.4, I do believe it won't work for you anymore....
if you get the sim unlock from ebay or anyone else, you can use it anywhere except Tmobile USA...
I do not think tmobile cares enough to feel sorry that you got ripped off, but sometimes, only sometimes, I heard they have pardon 1 or 2 people..
411y0ur8453 said:
I would assume that if they had blocked an IMEI, it would be borked indefinitely. If not, good for you OP.
If you have heard of somebody having a blocked IMEI, toastido, and then taking a device to another country and successfully using it, then there is hope for him.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's blocked in the USA, then they are borked in the USA indefinitely, but fine outside of it. Now I can't speak for the European Union or Asia, but unless they have been blacklisted in the region they're trying to use it, should be good to go once it's unlocked - add long as its outside the us of a.
In Macedonia they can unlock it for you some small shops not Tmobile stores, it's like $10 and try One the carrier, you got nothing to loose, i srekno. IMEI is only blocked in USA.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Free mobile app
Hey, I'm new here... so I don't know if there's a post about this somewhere else, but I haven't found it...
Anyway, I bought a second hand Galaxy S6, it's new and everything, I bought it for like $300 because it is on Demo Mode, like from a Demo Floor model, and I'm wondering if I can remove this with some kind of software, or flashing it, but all I can find is SM-G920 I and F models, no SM-G920P (which is Sprint) on sammobile website
Also, if someone could help me telling me how much does it cost and when will it be possible to unlock my Galaxy S6?
Thanks
Yes it can be done but! for you to have one thats in retail mode the phone had to have been stolen from the store so most likely bad ESN.
adrianr514 said:
Yes it can be done but! for you to have one thats in retail mode the phone had to have been stolen from the store so most likely bad ESN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't have bad ESN
Nahzghul said:
It isn't bad ESN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Either way to put it in retail mode you need a special code that only stores have. So it had to have been stolen at one point.
adrianr514 said:
Either way to put it in retail mode you need a special code that only stores have. So it had to have been stolen at one point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So... I talked with the same guy from who I bought it, and traded this Demo S6, for a new one, so my only problem now is that it's not unlocked...
I don't know how to unlock from Sprint, I'm not from the United States, any suggestions/ideas/websites/programs/etc?
Sprint S6 Unlock
So... I did a little search yesterday, and found this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/not.../app-one-click-hotspot-enabler-menus-t2816159
But I don't think that will help me unlocking my SM-920P, or will it? I'm asking before trying because I have never rooted a phone, so... I rather be sure
The IMEI seems clean too
Galaxy tools will get the job done.
So my girlfriend just purchased an S6 (sprint) and when she took it to the store to have it activated they couldn't do it because it was "locked"...some kind of carrier lock I'm assuming.. Like they owed sprint money or something? Obviously if it was a normal security lock than we could just do a factory reset but apparently that won't work.
So.. Anyone know anything about this and a way around it? I'm a Verizon user and have never heard of this kind of problem. Thanks for any help in advance.
topshot17 said:
So my girlfriend just purchased an S6 (sprint) and when she took it to the store to have it activated they couldn't do it because it was "locked"...some kind of carrier lock I'm assuming.. Like they owed sprint money or something? Obviously if it was a normal security lock than we could just do a factory reset but apparently that won't work.
So.. Anyone know anything about this and a way around it? I'm a Verizon user and have never heard of this kind of problem. Thanks for any help in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All carriers, including Verizon, have a carrier BLOCK not lock. A carrier lock means the device is locked to that carrier. What exactly did Sprint say? If the phone is blacklisted, which you can check on any ESN checker online, then it will never work on Sprint.
Where did she buy the phone at?
elesbb said:
All carriers, including Verizon, have a carrier BLOCK not lock. A carrier lock means the device is locked to that carrier. What exactly did Sprint say? If the phone is blacklisted, which you can check on any ESN checker online, then it will never work on Sprint.
Where did she buy the phone at?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm unsure what they told her exactly, besides that they can't activate it. Now what is the point of a carrier block? She got the phone off Craigslist.
topshot17 said:
I'm unsure what they told her exactly, besides that they can't activate it. Now what is the point of a carrier block? She got the phone off Craigslist.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. Its definitely carrier blocked. NEVER buy cell phones from Craigslist without first checking the ESN from Sprint directly. You are better off selling the device on eBay FOR PARTS.
The point of a carrier block is so people who steal, or fail to pay off their device, can not use it anymore, and thus rip off good people on craigslist and eBay.
elesbb said:
Yup. Its definitely carrier blocked. NEVER buy cell phones from Craigslist without first checking the ESN from Sprint directly. You are better off selling the device on eBay FOR PARTS.
The point of a carrier block is so people who steal, or fail to pay off their device, can not use it anymore, and thus rip off good people on craigslist and eBay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Joy. Problem with this phone is that it has a none removal back.. Can't look under the battery.. Can't get into the phone to check the ESN either without the previous owners Gmail account information.
topshot17 said:
Joy. Problem with this phone is that it has a none removal back.. Can't look under the battery.. Can't get into the phone to check the ESN either without the previous owners Gmail account information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That I believe is an FRP lock.. Totally different from a carrier block. But if you go into download mode, you can press the home key to view IMEI. But FRP lock, which is what you just described, can be bypassed.
Check out this video and follow it to a T. You may need to improvise do to different android versions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ8_qbj1DPQ
Hope it helps! If its just FRP locked, and not carrier blocked, then you should be okay to get it activated.
elesbb said:
That I believe is an FRP lock.. Totally different from a carrier block. But if you go into download mode, you can press the home key to view IMEI. But FRP lock, which is what you just described, can be bypassed.
Check out this video and follow it to a T. You may need to improvise do to different android versions.
Hope it helps! If its just FRP locked, and not carrier blocked, then you should be okay to get it activated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I'll check into it.
Saafir said:
The numbers for the device is located on the back panel, at the bottom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh it is.. So the phone did have an FRP lock on it but that was an easy fix.. But unfortunately it also has a carrier block due to an unpaid balance. Thanks for everyone's help.
topshot17 said:
Ahh it is.. So the phone did have an FRP lock on it but that was an easy fix.. But unfortunately it also has a carrier block due to an unpaid balance. Thanks for everyone's help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can't you contact the person who sold it to you? threatening to bring the police in might scare them into giving you a refund. If the phone had a FRP lock and its flagged, then im pretty sure the phone was stolen.
The Android Attorney said:
can't you contact the person who sold it to you? threatening to bring the police in might scare them into giving you a refund. If the phone had a FRP lock and its flagged, then im pretty sure the phone was stolen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah It more than likely was. It's pretty much a dead end.. My gf payed for it but her brother met the person somewhere for pickup.. Only contact information is an email address which they haven't responded too after the sale. Apparently the phone was dead when he picked it up. I personally would have put it on my car charger and powered it on before paying for it.. And got more information.. But oh well.. Now she knows to be more cautious and I'll probably handle any future used phone purchases for her.
Saafir said:
Shady stuff man. I hope you have better luck with Craigslist in the future. I try to steer clear of them, sort of like Ebay. You could always inquire on what the remaining balance is. If it's something stupid like $48, I would just pay it off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha yeah somehow I doubt it'll be anything under a few hundred.. Think I'll call and check just got kicks though.
topshot17 said:
Yeah It more than likely was. It's pretty much a dead end.. My gf payed for it but her brother met the person somewhere for pickup.. Only contact information is an email address which they haven't responded too after the sale. Apparently the phone was dead when he picked it up. I personally would have put it on my car charger and powered it on before paying for it.. And got more information.. But oh well.. Now she knows to be more cautious and I'll probably handle any future used phone purchases for her.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who buys a used cellphone without even physically checking it ?? I mean seriously ?...next time when buying atleast have a number of the seller and complete info of what u are buying atleast
Sent from my LG-H815 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Hi all!! Please be gentle, I'm new to all of this awesomeness. So I have a note 10+, it was given to me because they couldn't get it to work. Idk what they did to it, but they really did a number on it!! The model number on the back says sm-n9700, in the about phone stuff it says sm-n9750. I'm pretty positive the imei has been changed as well as the serial number. it's locked to tmobile I assume since that's the carrier that shows when powering on. HELP!!
badgett77 said:
Hi all!! Please be gentle, I'm new to all of this awesomeness. So I have a note 10+, it was given to me because they couldn't get it to work. Idk what they did to it, but they really did a number on it!! The model number on the back says sm-n9700, in the about phone stuff it says sm-n9750. I'm pretty positive the imei has been changed as well as the serial number. it's locked to tmobile I assume since that's the carrier that shows when powering on. HELP!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What shows up on the splash screen doesn't necessarily mean it's locked to the carrier. It would be if the phone was financed/leased... But I have other concerns based on what you said.
Personally I would strongly suggest you just give the phone back.
It's really nice that someone gave you the phone, but this has the "too good to be true" ring to it.. Especially if the model number is not correct, that would be a major red flag. At the same time if you think that the IMEI was changed then I would definitely give the phone back. Absolutely no reason would exist to change the IMEI other then the phone was blacklisted, financed, lost/stolen or a warranty return that wasn't returned.
scottusa2008 said:
What shows up on the splash screen doesn't necessarily mean it's locked to the carrier. It would be if the phone was financed/leased... But I have other concerns based on what you said.
Personally I would strongly suggest you just give the phone back.
It's really nice that someone gave you the phone, but this has the "too good to be true" ring to it.. Especially if the model number is not correct, that would be a major red flag. At the same time if you think that the IMEI was changed then I would definitely give the phone back. Absolutely no reason would exist to change the IMEI other then the phone was blacklisted, financed, lost/stolen or a warranty return that wasn't returned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kinda what I was thinking, but was hoping to get a different answer. Thanks though...
The only legal way is to pay the balance, just like that
maxpunj007 said:
i am having the same problem i bought it second hand and now phone is financial locked is ti possible to make it unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only way is to pay company fully to unlock IMI of the phone. Nothing else going to work
Return it, buy from reliable source, easy
Well after digging deeper I have discovered that it's a freaking counterfeit (I guess that's what you'd call it). Oh well...that's my luck. But on the bright side I've managed to learn quite a bit, thanks to me being so determined, that otherwise I never would have educated myself on.
How do you change the IMEI of a phone?
I agree with the others though, give it back. If the person who gave it to you won't take it back, or is not around to take it back, and if you didn't pay any money for it, then recycle it.
Sent from my SM-T727V using Tapatalk
gernerttl said:
How do you change the IMEI of a phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is not something they allow discussions on here.
scottusa2008 said:
That is not something they allow discussions on here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I figured as much. I was just curious. In my opinion, this thread smells a little sketchy.
gernerttl said:
How do you change the IMEI of a phone?
Sent from my SM-T727V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When someone asks for things like this, most surely the device is an illegal matter, what a shame with these guys
winol said:
When someone asks for things like this, most surely the device is an illegal matter, what a shame with these guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah.
Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
winol said:
When someone asks for things like this, most surely the device is an illegal matter, what a shame with these guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose these days with carriers opening their networks to other carrier's phones....
But in the past i did this a few times. Boost mobile for instance didn't have the device i decided i wanted, bought a used Boost branded phone and changed my chosen phone to that boost imei. Put the boost phone away (still have it).
I did this maybe 3 different times to 3 different phones on different carriers....was really the only way to have the device you wanted on the carrier you had......
Again, that was when carriers had too much power and most networks were all cdma....a dark time.
To be clear, i owned the phones/imei's outright.
I used to dream about the day we'd get gsm phones....the cellular world is much better now so no need for imei swaps (on legit devices)
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
louforgiveno said:
I suppose these days with carriers opening their networks to other carrier's phones....
But in the past i did this a few times. Boost mobile for instance didn't have the device i decided i wanted, bought a used Boost branded phone and changed my chosen phone to that boost imei. Put the boost phone away (still have it).
I did this maybe 3 different times to 3 different phones on different carriers....was really the only way to have the device you wanted on the carrier you had......
Again, that was when carriers had too much power and most networks were all cdma....a dark time.
To be clear, i owned the phones/imei's outright.
I used to dream about the day we'd get gsm phones....the cellular world is much better now so no need for imei swaps (on legit devices)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
imei changing/swapping is illegal in the US.. are u sure ur not talking about sim swapping lol..
i suppose if u owned the devices outright then y not.. but its still illegal.. devices have an imei for a number of reasons so manipulating that i can also understand why its illegal some places..
think of it like a car.. if u got a cheap pinto and take that license plate with the tags n all and swap it onto a sports car to avoid paying higher insurance or w.e then if u get caught u pay the price lol..
its an identifier.. for networks, global imei blacklists, financing etc. etc. its like an ssn for a phone lol.. ppl dont go changing their ssn when they feel like it lol..
i can see both sides but more so the carrier side since most ppl (not all) that r changing imeis are for nefarious reasons.
Exactly, imei changing is illegal, any way you look at it, it is illegal
Never suggested that it wasn't...and while i had my reasons back then, these days the only reason i would imagine someone doing it would be in the case of a "stolen" device. I don't condone that
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app