Develop Bugs

Preventing ATT from knowing I am using this phone on their network?

Is there a way to prevent ATT from knowing that I am using an S3 on their network?
Currently, I am using an HTC Vision and their system can't determine what phone it is because this is not a phone they offer.
But because they do offer the S3, I'm concerned it will show up in their system as an S3 and they will force me to change my data plan.
Thanks.

If it's the t-mobile s3 ..I don't think it will but if it's atts s3...then yes...they'll know.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

defnow said:
If it's the t-mobile s3 ..I don't think it will but if it's atts s3...then yes...they'll know.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But what about the one from expansys with no contract? Or another site? They appear unbranded.
Is there some software I can use to hide it?

ATT picks up on IMEI's, Serial Numbers and SKU numbers. If the phone you have is unlocked, unbranded or imported they will not register it because those numbers are not in their system. I had done that same thing away back in the day with an international HTC Topaz, which later ATT ended up offering (I dont remember what they ended up calling it). The guy in the store gave me an unlimited dummy phone internet plan saying that because this phone did not come from ATT and was not originally registered to them they wouldnt know what type of phone it was. Now I cant swear by this as it was years ago but it would make sense.

I just ordered my phone contract-free from Amazon Wireless. It's a phone that is set to work on the ATT network. I just hope they don't force me to switch data plans.
I just wonder if there is something I can do to change the IMEI - but if it was easy to do, I suppose that cell phone thieves would be having a field day. I just wonder if I can switch it over, maybe hardware-wise, from my HTC Vision or something.

synpax said:
.....I just wonder if there is something I can do to change the IMEI...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems like loading up CM 9/10 will change your IMEI.

Really? That seems... odd.
How does it know it's not being changed to an already-in-use IMEI number?

synpax said:
Is there a way to prevent ATT from knowing that I am using an S3 on their network?
Currently, I am using an HTC Vision and their system can't determine what phone it is because this is not a phone they offer.
But because they do offer the S3, I'm concerned it will show up in their system as an S3 and they will force me to change my data plan.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if it's the international version, then they won't know. there's a HUGE thread dedicated to this in the "general" forum of the international SGS3 (not the US ones). read that.
synpax said:
I just ordered my phone contract-free from Amazon Wireless. It's a phone that is set to work on the ATT network. I just hope they don't force me to switch data plans.
I just wonder if there is something I can do to change the IMEI - but if it was easy to do, I suppose that cell phone thieves would be having a field day. I just wonder if I can switch it over, maybe hardware-wise, from my HTC Vision or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's from AT&T whether or not it's on contract. they will know what phone it is and they will charge you the proper data plan for it. you can't get around it.
stevessvt said:
Seems like loading up CM 9/10 will change your IMEI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not in the way the OP would like.

stevessvt said:
Seems like loading up CM 9/10 will change your IMEI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where are you hearing that? Some people claim they lost their IMEI from it. It won't change it, and we have no definite answer as to what's causing it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

Not that I've done it myself with Android phones...but I have and still do on my iPhone 4. It is an at&t branded phone and I only pay $10/mo for it. (No data). All I did was change the apn to some carrier in south korea and they haven't detected it for over 8 months!
Galaxy S III I747

fmllc said:
Not that I've done it myself with Android phones...but I have and still do on my iPhone 4. It is an at&t branded phone and I only pay $10/mo for it. (No data). All I did was change the apn to some carrier in south korea and they haven't detected it for over 8 months!
Galaxy S III I747
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Change the APN... how do I do that? Got a link?

Guys ... what are you talking about??? I came from Germany still using my HTC One S as well as my iPhone 4. Ok, they registered the IMEI of my HTC One S. But not the one from my iPhone. And both worked w/o any problem. Even in my iPad2 GSM/Wifi. Am I just a lucky guy?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

synpax said:
Change the APN... how do I do that? Got a link?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
......

IPhone only obviously....
Unlock it.co.nz
Just visit this site with browser and it will set up a custom apn profile....no more data plan!
Simply delete the profile in settings if/when you want to use at&t data again!
Its like using an int. Phone afterwards....that's why I think changing the apn on the S III will work as well. Thats why the carriers lock the APN settings by default in stock roms.
Galaxy S III I747

naturefreak85 said:
Where are you hearing that? Some people claim they lost their IMEI from it. It won't change it, and we have no definite answer as to what's causing it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen several people say theirs got changed

Long time ago I used to buy Nokia Nxx phones on eBay and just get dumb phone data plan, which was unlimited, and they never knew what exact phone I had. Last one was N95 Mini, and AT&T had their phones and data plans categorized into smart and dumb back then.
That was even after we got notes on the bill saying that if you have X phone, like and iPhone, and didn't have smart phone data plan, they would add it automatically. I got away with it, but on my account it would just show a generic unknown phone

Friend's Galaxy S3 was locked by AT&T

So my friend has a dilemma here. He bought a Galaxy S3 off craigslist a while back. Now one month later his phone was locked by AT&T because it was reported stolen by the person he bought it from. Is there anything he can possibly do? He has already called AT&T and they refuse to unlock the phone, he can't use it whatsoever on his AT&T service.

Unless I'm wrong, he's pretty much screwed.

Whenever a purchase on craigslist is made you must always insist on the person giving a receipt signed by both of you. Your friend seems to be Sol.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

Is there more to the story you're not telling? What is there incentive for doing this?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

I wasn't aware ATT blocked IMEI like VZW/Sprint block ESNs. That's unfortunate about your friend's phone.

Sell it to someone internationally if you can unlock it.

Similar Question
ferhanmm said:
Sell it to someone internationally if you can unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A family member of mine in the caribbean, Trinidad to be specific purchased a factory unlocked TMO version Samsung Galaxy S3 from someone and now they seem to be having trouble with making and receiving calls on their network (Bmobile is the network there). I told my cousin that he may have purchased a stolen phone and the IMEI may have been blacklisted but I didnt think that was possible internationally? Could there be another reason like the network is not compatible; Bmobile is in the process of setting up HSPA+. The phone is also rooted. Could that be a problem also? Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. Also he has been receiving a software update from TMO, the 94mb one. Could updating the software make it work?

[Q} Network unlock?

Does anyone know if any of the usual unlockers (e.g. cellunlocker.net) has the unlock codes yet? Or if there are different unlocking methods? Thanks!

I hope something comes up soon. I purchased full price and AT&T won't unlock.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

I need this too.
EBay has them for $30 bucks... But anyone find a cheaper free solution?

Tell att your going out of the country and you need your phone unlocked. If they still say no, remind then you could return phone and buy one from a3rd party.

mrhaley30705 said:
Tell att your going out of the country and you need your phone unlocked. If they still say no, remind then you could return phone and buy one from a3rd party.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I need to call. I tried the online chat assistant.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

05GT said:
Yea I need to call. I tried the online chat assistant.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If they still say no, get angry and tell then you want to speak to the customer retention department

mrhaley30705 said:
Tell att your going out of the country and you need your phone unlocked. If they still say no, remind then you could return phone and buy one from a3rd party.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tried that....did NOT work....

Bought a code from cellunlocker. Net
It works, I'm unlocked now
$25

trim81 said:
Bought a code from cellunlocker. Net
It works, I'm unlocked now
$25
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too... Working...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using XDA Premium HD app

me three.
cheapest option I found.

trim81 said:
Bought a code from cellunlocker. Net
It works, I'm unlocked now
$25
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any issues with this unlock? Are they permanent? I know customer service reps are clueless half the time but when I called to get my unlock code and was told I was also told I should be careful of getting an unlock code online as he had a case of someone call once saying their unlock code only worked with the phone for 90 days and then it stopped working (not sure if the phone or the unlocking). Also, any issues with privacy in regards to giving out en IMEI number?

Dome three.
Yes perm unlocked.
No problems

trim81 said:
Dome three.
Yes perm unlocked.
No problems
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Appreciate it.

same here. got it from cellunlocker and used the phone in switzerland without an issue.

My phone is I317M that locked to Canada Rogers Network. I messed up my phone once due to flashed 7100 rom to my I317m, and I lost all information like baseband, network, imei. After did some research, I flashed a rogers stock rom back to my phone, and my phone get fixed and got signal again. Noticed that my phone is even unlocked. I dont know how that happened, but my phone works with other carrier now. Expect if someone can explan this.

This is reported by quite a few to be working and best of all it's free I tried it but don't have a sim for another carrier but I haven't gotten any errors and my phone is still working.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2014982
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app

45ACP1911 said:
This is reported by quite a few to be working and best of all it's free I tried it but don't have a sim for another carrier but I haven't gotten any errors and my phone is still working.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2014982
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually just bought the unlock code today from cellunlocker.net (but I haven't actually used it yet) and then I see this thread and was just going to try the method from your link for ****s and giggles and it WORKED! what a waste of $25

I did mine. However I have no way to test it. What would be the benefit to having this done?

MRBULLRED said:
I did mine. However I have no way to test it. What would be the benefit to having this done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you ever travel overseas, you can just buy a prepaid sim and stick it in your phone and you could use your phone while traveling for cheap without paying any carrier roaming fees.

I don't want to pay for a DATA PLAN!
So check this out.... I am an AT&T user and back when the HTC HD2 came out for T-Mobile I bought it from a friend when they signed up for a new contract. Got an unlock code from Ebay and have been using it for the past 2 years without having to have a data plan, never got added automatically to my plan like i have heard happen to others? And I'm wondering why? Is it possibly cuz its a T-Mobile phone? Or is it cuz I still have an old "Cingular" SIM card? I am curious about this because right now, Wally World has a special sale on the phone at $249, plus a $100 gift card, which will bring the phone down to $150 basically, so a pretty damn good deal for a phone just out on the market. And I'm plan on getting it this week, I was wondering if any of you would be able to tell me if at some point if i was able to get a T-Mobile version of the Samsung Note 2 if i could slip my SIM card into it and then be able to cancel my DATA plan, if i told them i went back to a Motorola Razr or something, which worked when i got my HD2? Or will AT&T be able to see that i have a smartphone? Is it the newer smaller SIM card, that will tell AT&T that I have a smartphone, or will the phone it self be what sends info to the servers or whatever that tells AT&T I have a smartphone? Or do you think this method of getting a T-Mobile phone and using an AT&T SIM card will work and I won't get stuck with a DATA plan? Everywhere I go has Wi-Fi so I have no need for the Data plan it will be going to waste.

[Q] IMEI blocked?

Okay so I found galaxy note 2 from a craiglist deal, popped in sim card, everything worked great as its a tmobile version but said per seller that it was unlocked. 30 minutes later after the deal my device had been blocked from network use. My sim would no longer work in my older phone, so I called and got that fixed, but I now have a stupid nice phone that im using for a paper weight. Obviously the person who sold it to me either knew it was reported lost or stolen, or reported it after selling it to me, its whatever it happens right.
What are my options? I really want to be able to use this phone and spent a lot of money on it. I appreciate all input.

Try using another sim card I suppose
Sent from my Xperia Ray

I did, I even went to the AT&T store and they gave me a new sim card and it worked, made calls, surfed the web for like 10 minutes and the same thing happened.

pr0cl1v1ty said:
I did, I even went to the AT&T store and they gave me a new sim card and it worked, made calls, surfed the web for like 10 minutes and the same thing happened.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the only thing you can do is have the seller call att or tmobile, what ever its branded and tell them they found the devise and att can unblock the imei

Sounds like u was scammed.
Sent from my SGH-T889

Only other option may be to try it on the other carrier. If it's a TMo phone, try it on ATT and vice versa.
---------
G1(CM7)--> G2(CM9)--> Note 2 T889 stock (root + multiwindow mod)

darocsfinest1 said:
the only thing you can do is have the seller call att or tmobile, what ever its branded and tell them they found the devise and att can unblock the imei
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I've been trying to figure out how to lookup the original buyer of this phone.

pr0cl1v1ty said:
Okay so I found galaxy note 2 from a craiglist deal, popped in sim card, everything worked great as its a tmobile version but said per seller that it was unlocked. 30 minutes later after the deal my device had been blocked from network use. My sim would no longer work in my older phone, so I called and got that fixed, but I now have a stupid nice phone that im using for a paper weight. Obviously the person who sold it to me either knew it was reported lost or stolen, or reported it after selling it to me, its whatever it happens right.
What are my options? I really want to be able to use this phone and spent a lot of money on it. I appreciate all input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it is locked. Unlock and use through other carrier either tmobile or something that uses tmobile network mvno. If u have att note 2.

Its starting to look like its just not safe to buy this phone off Craigslist...
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium

Its not this phone. Its any phone. Run the numbers before you buy like a good consumer
Sent from my SGH-T889

I don't know if you guys have reading comprehension problems or what... Dude said he used on tmo for 30 minutes and then got blocked, and then did the same thing with AT&T. For those of you that don't know AT&T and T-Mobile now share their blacklists, meaning it will not work on any carrier that uses any of those towers. Sad to say your best option would be to sell to an international user on celltraderonline. Be very clear that it is on the US blacklist and will not work with AT&T, T-Mobile or their sister carriers.

Have you tried any T-Mobile or AT&T MVNO's like Simple Mobile or Red Pocket? That might work. If not your pretty much screwed. Unless you use it in another country.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

JOSE89178 said:
Have you tried any T-Mobile or AT&T MVNO's like Simple Mobile or Red Pocket? That might work. If not your pretty much screwed. Unless you use it in another country.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, I guess you didn't read my post above yours.

I have been "burnt" also with buying a T-Mo Note 2 on Craigslist. I used my phone for 2 mos before it got blocked from T-Mo. I used the dialer tricked and unlocked the phone and now using it on Straight Talk Att sim. But you are right you can't use it on T-Mo network or any of the mvnos. You can only use it for ATT mvnos. I get 4g speeds and everything.

KillaHurtz said:
Wow, I guess you didn't read my post above yours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, I guess two people can't answer at the same time.
The posts are just three minutes apart.

I guess you read my mind lol. I never saw your post. I never would of posted something double and make myself look like a fool CD they were less then 3 min apart. So excuse me :banghead:
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

dwest3784 said:
I have been "burnt" also with buying a T-Mo Note 2 on Craigslist. I used my phone for 2 mos before it got blocked from T-Mo. I used the dialer tricked and unlocked the phone and now using it on Straight Talk Att sim. But you are right you can't use it on T-Mo network or any of the mvnos. You can only use it for ATT mvnos. I get 4g speeds and everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if the phone has been imei blacklisted it will not work on any united states gsm service that includes straight talk... highly doubt you have a blocked phone working on straight talk

I had another thread going about being blocked on imei.
I just called tmobile and talked to them for about thirty minutes about my situation.
A quick summarization of the conversation is:
- The previous owner has been accused of fraud so that is the reason of the blocked IMEI.
- Can't do anything to unblock it, unless the previous owner retracts ther dues or whatever it is that needs to be payed.
- No third party unlocking will work.
Well for me, I fortunately have his information such as address and phone number and the text conversation still logged on my old phone. Luckily I called him today as a private number to check if he's phone still worked and still does, thank god.
Now I'm planning on calling him up tomorrow and, professionally, tell him my situation. When I met the guy, he didn't seem like a bad guy but hey, never judge a book by it's cover eh.
If he refuses any of these or won't agree to a median than I'll have to take legal actions.
That's my plan that is. I am not going to let $600.00 go to waste on a blocked phone! I'm taking this guy all the way.

*#06#
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium

not sure but can't you get rid of your IMEI by flashing a bunch of times? I had this happen with my SK4G, my IMEI number under settings was a bunch of 0s. When I called up T-mobile and asked for an unlock code for the phone, it didn't work because my IMEI was screwed up. I ended up having to alter some Hex file in order to unlock it

Black listed note 3

So i bought my tmobile note 3 on CL. Bad idea yes i know. Well the phone was working super awesome for 3 weeks and now its reported lost/stolen. So no LTE or service. I tried calling Tmobile and there was nothing they could do. I tried calling the seller and no answer. Ive tried region lock away no help there. Anyone know how to fix this?
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Work with T-mobile to get the phone back to the owner.

Nothing you can do. Install Google voice/groove up and call with wifi

.....

ivan0323 said:
So i bought my tmobile note 3 on CL. Bad idea yes i know. Well the phone was working super awesome for 3 weeks and now its reported lost/stolen. So no LTE or service. I tried calling Tmobile and there was nothing they could do. I tried calling the seller and no answer. Ive tried region lock away no help there. Anyone know how to fix this?
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RegionLock Away has worked for a lot of people (including myself). Are you sure you can't get it unlocked using that? There's a thread that has a lot of troubleshooting tips somewhere in this section for Chainfire's app (things like using a non-T-mobile SIM, not allowing the app to reboot (i.e. rebooting manually and changing SIM card) and inputting the correct APN settings).
Edit: Here is the thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2471742
I was able to unlock following the instructions in the first post, so if you haven't done that, you might want to try again.

Well the thing with region lock away is i want to use my phone through tmobile. My note 3 is a tmobile phone
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

ivan0323 said:
Well the thing with region lock away is i want to use my phone through tmobile. My note 3 is a tmobile phone
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry to tell you this, but if it's blocked by T-Mobile, there's really nothing to be done. T-Mobile just won't budge (although I have read posts where people basically lied and got T-Mobile to unblock the device, but I am dubious about those claims). Your only options are to unlock to another carrier, or sell the device. If you sell it on Ebay to an international buyer, that would be the best way to recoup most of your money. Neither option is ideal, of course.

Yep, I almost got burned buying a s3 for my mom. Luckily we met at a tmobile store and verified the esn. Turns out it was reported lost/stolen. Chalk it up as a learning experience.

Ivan0323
Like was said a couple of posts prior:
With a BLACKLISTED - N900T - you can:
1) Root, and Use Region Lock Away, it may possibly unlock the sim slot - so you can use an At&t based Sim Card. (Or, you may still need to get an unlock code from someone.)
2) Or - Sell for what its worth on Ebay.- Cut your losses, and find another Handset.
I have bought more than a few from people here locally (different models), seems Craigslist is running rampant (or rather the criminals) with those who are buying a phone, selling for cash on cl, and then reporting lost / stolen for an insurance claim. Then the buyer is stuck holding the bag, and has a tablet. (Or, bends and changes carriers possibly). Its sad but the only true way to be sure the device will be able to be used, is to go with the seller to (Tmo, Vzw, Att etc.) and get the rep to note the account. I have tried to do so via the 800 number, and had mixed results.
Good luck.
Be well.