Related
TO MINIMIZE THE CHANCE YOU LOSE YOUR IMEI, BE SURE AND ROOT/CWM USING THIS METHOD:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1739426
AND ONLY FLASH ROMS INTENDED FOR USE ON YOUR MODEL
**UPDATED 7/16/12**
questions we are trying to answer:
- what versions of clockworkmod, if any, are prone to causing IMEI problems?
- what rooting methods, if any, are prone to causing IMEI problems?
- what ROMs are causing imei issues, and on which models? is the rooting/cwm method related?
- where is the IMEI stored on the phone, and most importantly
- is it possible to back it up, and restore it once corrupt?
RESTORING AN /EFS BACKUP DOES NOT APPEAR TO RESTORE AN IMEI AT THIS TIME.
TO BE SAFE, USE THIS GREAT SCRIPT BROUGHT TO YOU BY DROTHENBERGER AND SFERNANDEZ:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=28528532&postcount=38
You will need Cygwin (http://www.cygwin.com/) for the script.
Original post by sfernandez detailing the partitions: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=28519596&postcount=39
IF YOU HAVE THIS ISSUE, PLEASE FILL THIS OUT AND POST. THANKS PINOYMUTT:
1. CARRIER VERSION:
(ATT, TMo, Sprint, Verizon, Bell, etc.)
2. ROOT METHOD:
Exact method you used to root, please link to the thread if possible
3. CWM INSTALLATION METHOD:
Again, please be specific. Examples include the ADB/DD method, flashing via ODIN, etc.
4. CWM VERSION:
Which CWM are you using -- the Sprint version or one of the Clockwork ones?
5. ROM(s) FLASHED:
Did you flash any ROMs after the above, and how did you flash it?
6. WHEN DID YOU FIRST NOTICE IMEI WAS GONE?:
It helps if you know which step may have caused the issue
7. OTHER NOTES:
RULES
1. Please READ THE ENTIRE THREAD BEFORE POSTING. There is way too much info in here for me to summarize.
2. ALWAYS READ THE THREAD BEFORE POSTING
3. If your phone is working properly and your IMEI is intact, and the method you used to root and install CWM has already been detailed by another member, WE DO NOT NEED TO KNOW IT ALSO WORKED FOR YOU. LET'S TRY AND KEEP THE THREAD CLUTTER DOWN
4. No arguing or bickering over stupid crap. Keep that to PMs.
5. READ THE THREAD BEFORE POSTING. THANK YOU.
original post:
If you have flashed a new ROM on your phone recently and have found difficulty or impossibility in getting cellular or data service, chances are you have corrupted or deleted the file that stores your IMEI. i'll try to answer a couple of common questions and detail methods i used, and why i think they failed
What is an IMEI?
your network identifies your phone by its IMEI. once i had "lost" mine, AT&T's network would not provide service to my device, even after getting a new sim card.
How can I check if mine is corrupted?
your IMEI is a 15-digit number under your battery. dialing *#06# should display the same number under your battery. if you get a different number or something like 0 / 00, you have corrupted your IMEI.
Changing the APNs
marginally effective at best. your phone is not registering on AT&T's network as a device it should send data to, so it doesn't matter what APN you use.
flashing to stock rom
did not work for me. probably because this probably doesn't effect the /efs partition, where the IMEI is stored.
use CWM / nandroid restore
from what I can tell, a standard backup does not back up the EFS partition. you need to use something like EFS pro to backup your /efs directory (where the IMEI is stored). restoring my phone to a previously stable and working save did not restore my IMEI
editing nv_data.bin
no one has been able to find this file on the SGH-i747
using a terminal / AT interface
it looks like the IMEI is encrypted and causes a stack overflow when you try to query it. notice how i can query my IMSI (edited) fine, but querying the IMEI causes a stack overflow. pic:
http://imgur.com/uZxZL
i probably tried a few more things i can't think of right now. moral of the story is... approach unstable roms with caution, and BACK UP YOUR EFS PARTITION!!!
anyone had any luck restoring a busted IMEI? :highfive:
EFS pro has not been updated to the correct partition for i747, so currently that method to backup/restore will not work.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
thanks for the info. will copying the entire /efs directory to my extsd using root explorer work?
It's not the EFS folder but the correct block partition in the dev folder.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
thanks for filling me in on this, still an android nub compared to you guys... did some digging and found this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/archive/index.php/t-1689623.html
is that info still relevant/correct?
Not sure but cant hurt to do a full backup of all the blocks until someone can confirm that it's the same with the s4 version of the galaxy s3.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
can anyone confirm if using root explorer to backup /dev safely backs up your IMEI?
how can you do a backup of all the blocks on the phone?
I have not used this yet but you should read this thread and give it a try.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1746665
nunyabiziz said:
I have not used this yet but you should read this thread and give it a try.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1746665
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks ill check it out
On my older captivate backing up the efs folder worked. Then if you loose the imei, restoring the folder or nvdata file fixed it. I'd backup the efs folder just in case.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
EFS Pro DO work with the S3. (I haven't try restoring my EFS, but backup went fine)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1308546
What did you to loose IMEI? What ROM did you flash or what did you do wrong to cause this? Better to learn from somebody's else mistakes then your own.
When I had the problem on my Samsung Captivate, the EFS was wiped out when I converted from a CyangonMod rom to a standard Captivate based ROM. I didn't actually lock down what caused the issue (since I could easily fix it by restoring the nvdata.bin file - which I just kept handy on my external SD card and PC as well). I think it might have been when I ran a one-click ODIN to restore back to the RFS file system to install one of the custom Captivate ROMS. The only issue I ran into was the IMEI was different than what it should have been, but no usability issues at all. So moral of the story is, it's possible it can happen any time you flash a new ROM, backup your EFS folder and keep it in a safe place (I believe it's just the NVDATA.BIN file you need because that's all I restored), and enjoy the variety of custom ROMs these developers are building (because they are great!).
That's my $.02
EDIT: Oh and the Nandroid backups don't backup the EFS folder, so don't think a CWM backup will save you.
to those of you suggesting to back up nv_data.bin... just tell me where it is and i'll be glad to. i was no able to find it anywhere in /efs or /dev
artisticcheese said:
What did you to loose IMEI? What ROM did you f
flash or what did you do wrong to cause this? Better to learn from somebody's else mistakes then your own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am pretty use it happened when i flashed redruM onto my phone like a dumbass thinking [GSM Universal] meant it would work for my device
On the Captivate flashing a 1-click ROM would fix the issue. I have the issue too, but I really do not know what to do about it, I have looked all around the /efs partition, and I'm not sure where it could be.
DemonWav said:
On the Captivate flashing a 1-click ROM would fix the issue. I have the issue too, but I really do not know what to do about it, I have looked all around the /efs partition, and I'm not sure where it could be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
don't mean to discourage you, but i had to get a new device.
one thing that i wanted to try but could not was to take a stable EFS backup from an SGH-i747, locate the IMEI and change it to my own, and restore my /efs folder with those files. i'm not sure if decrypting the IMEI is possible, or if even getting to that point is possible.
if anyone has any ideas on how to extract an IMEI from an EFS backup feel free to PM me. i'm interested in experimenting on my personal backup (from my second device)
Ultimately if anyone should lose their IMEI or bork the EFS partition...these guys can fix it. They are very reputable and have fixed my Captivate back in the day....they now offer fixes for this device now. Its only 30 bucks and keep them in mind instead of paying 200 for insurance claims.
NO SPRINT OR CDMA models.
http://mobiletechvideos.mybigcommerce.com/
Well I will be getting a new phone on the 10th, but until then I would really like to figure out how to restore the IMEI. Who knows, it might not be possible at this point. When I get the new phone I will definitely be backing up my /efs directory, first thing. I completely forgot to do it, and it cost me.
How are you guys backing up the efs partition? Just a simple folder copy? Or a complete cwm backup?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Hey everyone,
So I recently ran into a weird situation with my Rogers Samsung Galaxy S3, I went to the Rogers store to get a LTE sim card. After activating the sim card and putting it into my phone I realized that I was only getting Edge. I'd like to point out that I was getting up to H+ (or 4g) before I purchased this new sim card.
Anyways, I looked into this problem and I determined that I had lost my IMEI. So using QPST and the QCN generator, I was able to get my data connection back. However, I did noticed one slight change. Before, my phone used to show 4g and now it says H+. To my understanding, these two are the same thing. Please correct me if I'm wrong. As for LTE, I believe it shows up as 4g on my phone.
My first question, is there any way to get my phone to show 4g for H+ and LTE for 4g? --> which to my understanding is the normal set up for the GS3.
My other concern is that I would like to know what caused my IMEI to be lost?????? What are some possibilities?
I am rooted and I was using Drew Garen's Jellybean M7 rom. Just before I purchased the new sim card, I flashed back to Rogers stock rom. That is all I did! I've done this many times and I've never had a problem with my IMEI.
Thanks everyone for your time. If you can help out in any way I'd greatly appreciate it.
For all I know, flashing ROMs randomly cause you to lose your imei. No one really knows why (correct me if you can). There's a thread sticky somewhere that links to a tool to restore it.. Best of luck
one way to lose your imei is flashing att modem on Canadian i747m but
flashing back the right modem should give you back your imei if that's was what cause you to lose it.
Is there any way to get my phone to show 4g for H+ and LTE for 4g? --> which to my understanding is the normal set up for the GS3.
On stock Rogers gs3 you should see LTE when connected to it. Try doing a factory reset afrer flashing the stock rom.
I had the same experience.I had no clue how it happened cz i didnot flash any custom rom apart from jellybean bell leaked rom(my s3 is Bell).Anyhow you will have to manually restore imei if its not already backed up.There is a tool for it and to get Hsdpa working as well.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda premium
shalika1987 said:
I had the same experience.I had no clue how it happened cz i didnot flash any custom rom apart from jellybean bell leaked rom(my s3 is Bell).Anyhow you will have to manually restore imei if its not already backed up.There is a tool for it and to get Hsdpa working as well.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it possible to restore the imei if you did not back up already?
Yes its possible. You need to reinject your IMEI (found behind your battery). You can do this using QPST and the QCN generator. Theres a list of instructions on this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1801997
Goodluck
First of all I would like to say this is my first post and I am feeling very optimistic as I have seen all the great things you guys have done over here! I understand in order to solve my problem I will have to be as detailed as I can, but please bare with me as I am a noob to this stuff and seem to have run into some trouble
Okay so I got a new S3 Last week and wanted to try it out on some new custom roms, I flashed it to CM 10.1 nightly using the roms downloaded via GooManager, all was fine and I had no problems until i flashed to a newer version of the nightly build and lost my signal, it always said Emergency calls only.
This happened to me once before but I solved it by flashing a modem file via Odin, since then I had to preform full system reset as I was considering selling my phone, it didn't come to that and now I am back to square one and once again I have no signal.
I have tried flashing the same modem file as I did before with no effect this time round
I have since tried many different modems and completely forgot which one has worked in the past. I have no back up files what so ever so I need to know what it is that is causing it not to get a signal. Could it be the kernel I am using? or is there a pacific modem for my ROM which I need.
I understand this is my own fault and stupidity, you guys are my last hope, I have also tried stock firmware which also has no signal.
It is an international i9300 with UK T-Mobile.
Please help me save my phone!
I hope you didn't flash a Tmobiles modem, because international gs3 and SGH-T999 aren't similar I believe other than looking the same. And more than likely you've lost your IMEI. Please goto settings and check your IMEI. Please do not post it, just verify if it's 0 or a 16 digit string.
Sent from my Nexus 7 grouper running Clean ROM 4.0 (4.3 stock rooted) owned by an MSMC diamond camo try hard.
Welcome to the forum! Albeit not quite the right one.
You need to post this in the international forum. This is for the US/Canadian models only. They are very different from yours, and not many people here will know much about it.
Do not flash anything you find here! It is highly likely to brick your phone. If you flashed our modems. Consider yourself lucky and now you know why it isn't working. Check with the guys in the other forum for your next step though.
I wish you luck!
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Danny123173 said:
First of all I would like to say this is my first post and I am feeling very optimistic as I have seen all the great things you guys have done over here! I understand in order to solve my problem I will have to be as detailed as I can, but please bare with me as I am a noob to this stuff and seem to have run into some trouble
Okay so I got a new S3 Last week and wanted to try it out on some new custom roms, I flashed it to CM 10.1 nightly using the roms downloaded via GooManager, all was fine and I had no problems until i flashed to a newer version of the nightly build and lost my signal, it always said Emergency calls only.
This happened to me once before but I solved it by flashing a modem file via Odin, since then I had to preform full system reset as I was considering selling my phone, it didn't come to that and now I am back to square one and once again I have no signal.
I have tried flashing the same modem file as I did before with no effect this time round
I have since tried many different modems and completely forgot which one has worked in the past. I have no back up files what so ever so I need to know what it is that is causing it not to get a signal. Could it be the kernel I am using? or is there a pacific modem for my ROM which I need.
I understand this is my own fault and stupidity, you guys are my last hope, I have also tried stock firmware which also has no signal.
It is an international i9300 with UK T-Mobile.
Please help me save my phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As stated, incorrect forum. I'd give you the proper link if I was at a computer. But thank you for the detailed panic free post. It's seriously appreciated.
You're going to end up having to flash the modem that's for your phone, or maybe Odin stock.
You are right I have no imie number just a 16 digit string :/ sorry guys for posting in the wrong arearly next time I will make sure I will post correctly.
I am strating to get concerned, is this an easy fix? I dont mind wiping any data or using a certain Rom I just don't know which modem to use, some modems show me my bars but it still wont get any service. This one currently just shows a circle and cross icon with no bars at all. I am running stock.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Also if someone could post a link to the correct forum so I know where to head that would be great. Thanks for the help guys!!
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Solved! Thanks again guys!!
DocHoliday77 said:
Welcome to the forum! Albeit not quite the right one.
You need to post this in the international forum. This is for the US/Canadian models only. They are very different from yours, and not many people here will know much about it.
Do not flash anything you find here! It is highly likely to brick your phone. If you flashed our modems. Consider yourself lucky and now you know why it isn't working. Check with the guys in the other forum for your next step though.
I wish you luck!
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I apologise thank you for the link, if I run into anymore trouble I will post to the correct section. I am glad to inform you I have solved the issue. It turns out I installed a bad modem which actually changes the file type of type of the efs folder. Causing roms to not reading it properly.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2377731
I fixed the issue by installing a stock firmware found on this post...
http://50.23.216.69-static.reverse.softlayer.com/showthread.php?t=1646610
This firmware carries a modem file which can read the modified efs folder, and in result restoring my IMEI Number and signal even after I flashed the rom to CM 10.1.
I hope some one else can stumble on to this and it helps them, please be aware though I have an intervention Galaxy s3 and this may not work in the states or other parts of the world.
Thanks again massive help, its people like you that make this the best source of information on the internet!
Once again really sorry about posting in the wrong forums, I will try not let it happen again in the future!
Danny123173 said:
I apologise thank you for the link, if I run into anymore trouble I will post to the correct section. I am glad to inform you I have solved the issue. It turns out I installed a bad modem which actually changes the file type of type of the efs folder. Causing roms to not reading it properly.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2377731
I fixed the issue by installing a stock firmware found on this post...
http://50.23.216.69-static.reverse.softlayer.com/showthread.php?t=1646610
This firmware carries a modem file which can read the modified efs folder, and in result restoring my IMEI Number and signal even after I flashed the rom to CM 10.1.
I hope some one else can stumble on to this and it helps them, please be aware though I have an intervention Galaxy s3 and this may not work in the states or other parts of the world.
Thanks again massive help, its people like you that make this the best source of information on the internet!
Once again really sorry about posting in the wrong forums, I will try not let it happen again in the future!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Congrats, I'm glad you rectified the problem! Remember for next time, when you're not able to access data or you're stuck at 2G that your IMEI has most likely went! For future reference, I recommend making an EFS backup. We've all been there before and we know the scare!
And btw, welcome to XDA, enjoy the stay lol.
Yeah I have double backed up and thanks for the tip I will keep that in mind thanks again dude!
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
I ran into the same problem before, had to install stock modem to get my signal working again.
You should refer to this thread which will help you backup your efs: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2298104
I ran into the same problem after flashing a custom rom I lost my signal and imei not fixed yet
Ra2fet said:
I ran into the same problem after flashing a custom rom I lost my signal and imei not fixed yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want help, we need more info, starting with what Rom, exactly, did you flash.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
DocHoliday77 said:
If you want help, we need more info, starting with what Rom, exactly, did you flash.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yesterday I flashed S4 Revolution v8.0 [ROM][4.3 MJ9] then I lost my signal and imei and the baseband version is empty although I wipe my cash and data before flashing this rom.
I don't think that's a Rom we have for our device, unless I overlooked it.
Googled it and came up as an I9300 Rom. If this is what you flashed consider yourself extraordinarily lucky it's not hard bricked!
Odin flash the firmware for your model only! Hopefully that fixes it.....
And NEVER flash a Rom not for your model device.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
So I just got a S4 from T-mobile yesterday, and am planning on putting some roms onto it some time down the road. I'm familiar with the actual installation process, but am just wondering if there's anything I should do before, on the stock rom. I'm aware that (correct me if I'm wrong) you could always return to it later with odin, but I'd like to take care of it first. Things like backing up your efs folder in case your imei changes (happened on my old AT&T captivate), unlocking, etc.
Thanks for your help.
The only way your imei number would change is you get a new phone or a new motherboard. My suggestions is read, read and read before doing anything.
☞Sent from here☜
Root it. Turn off everything you dont use (gestures, etc. ) and use titanium backup to freeze unused apps. Or use google to backup contacts before flashing.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
baseballfanz said:
The only way your imei number would change is you get a new phone or a new motherboard. My suggestions is read, read and read before doing anything.
☞Sent from here☜
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Captivate's imei changed solely from flashing custom roms though...
Food for thought. You can also use samsung keis to restore the stock firmware also tried and true. Just in case odin fail its always good to have two restore method's
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium HD app
I don't know how that's possible. For the imei to change from flashing roms. The imei changes when you get a new phones or a new motherboard when you get a replacement or a repair
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium HD app
Altair4 said:
So I just got a S4 from T-mobile yesterday, and am planning on putting some roms onto it some time down the road. I'm familiar with the actual installation process, but am just wondering if there's anything I should do before, on the stock rom. I'm aware that (correct me if I'm wrong) you could always return to it later with odin, but I'd like to take care of it first. Things like backing up your efs folder in case your imei changes (happened on my old AT&T captivate), unlocking, etc.
Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One of the few things that can only be done on the stock ROM is SIM unlock. So, that probably wouldn't be a bad idea to do before you go swapping ROMs whether you'd need it or not. It's definitely not required and I think can be done on the custom TouchWiz ROMs as well; just a thought.
I'm doing some testing and other stuff and I need the baseband and modem in a flaahable zip format for use with twrp should I screw up. Can anyone plz help? I have the g920p and ill be testing the g920t roms. Just came back to sprint this week for service hehehe...... so I'm looking to get some potential new ROMs for our devices either by port or whatever.
Sorry if this is not the place for these kinda questions but I'm an impatient bastard and I don't have time to scope the web for a proper placement for these questions, wth all respect. please and thanks for the help.
I've gotten the tmo roms to boot however...
However I need the baseband for our s6 to have service and,the like.....can someone, anyone get me a twrp or flashfire flashable baseband for OCF or OE2? I've looked and looked and can't find a thing. I've tested a couple tmo roms and yes They boot up and all is well, except no signal, no baseband or anything of that nature. In my past flaahing adventures, I know flashing a baseband will at times fix,the lack there of. Help me plz and thankyou.
this.guy.lol said:
However I need the baseband for our s6 to have service and,the like.....can someone, anyone get me a twrp or flashfire flashable baseband for OCF or OE2? I've looked and looked and can't find a thing. I've tested a couple tmo roms and yes They boot up and all is well, except no signal, no baseband or anything of that nature. In my past flaahing adventures, I know flashing a baseband will at times fix,the lack there of. Help me plz and thankyou.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wouldn't this be a kernel or rom issue? Generally, custom roms don't touch the baseband, only carrier OTAs.
Its a modem/baseband issue. It says,unknown baseband and all that stuff and the other radio like stuff is gone also. I believe a,baseband being flashed would resolve this issue. Everything else works like a charm.
this.guy.lol said:
Its a modem/baseband issue. It says,unknown baseband and all that stuff and the other radio like stuff is gone also. I believe a,baseband being flashed would resolve this issue. Everything else works like a charm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you're flashing GSM ROMs...for a CDMA device...it's not a baseband issue...it's a ROM/kernel issue...
Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
Well I'm flashing every kind of rom. I REALLY,would just like the damn base and/modem please. I'm flashing all roms and the baseband and imei is broken on GSM on the cdma only the baseband is broken. This request of mine shouldn't be a matter of interrogation....more a matter of helping someone out who would like yo experiment and possibly find a way to run any rom on our devices. Be its cdma or GSM more or less the g920f as its global the the g920v/I/k roms or whatever is cdma.
No no sir that isn't what I'm seeking.....I require the modem so I can experiment with other roms. I need the modem.bin or the modem. I need this desperately. I don't mean to be rude but this should be simple to acquire from a well known and well experienced dev or someone like a dev. Can you or someone please help?
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-G920P/
Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
Djvoleur, i too have a sprint s6 thats gsm unlocked and ive tried plenty of stock/rooted kernels for our device with tmobile, att, verizon, sprint s6 edge, and even international cooked roms . Most of them boot when using your kernel . Theyll work with vkernel or unikernel, but as he was saying, although he was rude, the baseband is always unknown. No signal, sometimes you wont even see a X for no signal. Do you have any ideas i could try ? Ive got plenty sprint s6 phones to try this on and not worried about a brick. I know the risks. I titanium backup restore my personal phone nearly 3 times a week to figure this out. Not enough people bounce ideas off one another in this forum
Have you tried a note 5 rom? I would assume the issues from a note Sprint note one wouldn't be the same as the connectivity settings would be the same. The issue would probably be more of a hardware/programming problem. At this point, I think it would be an easier port since our device isn't as similar to the international device as we once thought it could be.
Never tried note 5 rom . I dont think that'd work without a port of device drivers n such