Many people often come up to me in the street and say, you look like a bit of a geezer (their words), do you know how to change my IMEI to clone that of another phone legitimately purchased within the state of my draconian governement?
I will typically retort with a chuckle, and then the following diatribe:
CHANGING YOUR IMEI IS VERY LIKELY TO BE A CRIME IN YOUR COUNTRY
Now, you may well be a pimp or snakehead already, so no worries relatively speaking, but understand that changing IMEIs can result in a prison sentence or castration, not merely a slap of the wrists. One way or the other, you won't be bending over in the shower if this is a crime in your country and you're found guilty. The law is there for a valid reason, if not necessarily a good reason.
Please check the law in your country before considering changing your IMEI.
You should note that in these days of heightened terrorist threats, if your phone is found to have a false IMEI and you also happen to have a beard and a beautiful tanned completion, you're likely to be spending time with wires hanging out of your orifices, so again, think twice.
I have no place to speak for the administrators or other moderators of the board, just for me, but my view is this:
The board is called XDA Developers. We develop.
The fact that you gets newbs, rubes and non-dudes on here is by the by; our raison d'être is to develop. That entails research and development, so for me, researching changing IMEIs may be a legitimate pursuit. Probably not, but maybe.
Next, recall that the administrators of this board researched and released pretty much the definitive solutions for IMEI changing, on older phones at least. That's part of the reason this board exists. I would be a hypocrite to jump on anyone else carrying the same flag. However, anything that will potentially get the board in trouble will be stopped.
So once again, lube yourself up well before considering changing your IMEI.
And please, be nice to each other, eh?
LOL! Vijay, I love the way you write! Funny but educational. (A little more humor around here would not hurt.) Well done!
Ben
Vijay,
If you have 2 perfectly working O2 Exec and I change the IMEI numbers to be the same on both then
1) What effect does that have if the phones have SIM's from the same service provider, if any?
2) What if the SIM's are cloned, will an incoming call ring at both the phones? Does having same IMEI have any effect here?
.....getting ready to be sore
Universal IMEI change
Sorry ,I can't use it in my Universal,any body can help me?
can anybody help ?
hi
my provider is ir-tci and it doesnt let the imei to be changed but i installed core 2.0 wm6 and after that radio 2.69.11 and it has changed my imei ... how can i change it back to original ?
thanks
I thought that was just me as the imei number on the phone changed too after i have run some unlocking software on it.
Dial in *#06# and the last four digits on my phone's imei number have changed from the printed sticker under the battery.
How have i managed this.?
james21170 said:
I thought that was just me as the imei number on the phone changed too after i have run some unlocking software on it.
Dial in *#06# and the last four digits on my phone's imei number have changed from the printed sticker under the battery.
How have i managed this.?
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Click to collapse
I just checked mine too and I noticed that *#06# just gave me 2 more digits than what's printed under the sticker, so just double check the whole IMEI and I bet you find the same thing - just extra digits!
same here, missing the last two digits in my IMEI number after installing Radio 1.41.00.10
champ8242 said:
same here, missing the last two digits in my IMEI number after installing Radio 1.41.00.10
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Click to collapse
My IMEI number has 2 extra digits (than printed on box and under battery) it has an extra "04". Saying this I have never looked at it using #*06* before. It may not have been changed.
angelstarsix said:
Vijay,
If you have 2 perfectly working O2 Exec and I change the IMEI numbers to be the same on both then
1) What effect does that have if the phones have SIM's from the same service provider, if any?
2) What if the SIM's are cloned, will an incoming call ring at both the phones? Does having same IMEI have any effect here?
.....getting ready to be sore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you make a call or a data connection using your device the IMEI number is transmitted to the network. So they keep a track of what device your using when making calls sending sms's etc
1> same IMEI number will not be active at the same time on the network,
for example, if you make a call with device A and hand up then make a call with device B, thats fine, as the IMEI number will only be associated with 1 number at the time.
You will not be able to make 2 calls on both devices at the same time.
2> same thing here if the sims are cloned on say vodafone the network will pick up 2 different sim numbers in use and call will fail.
heres something I cam across when i worked for VODAFONE-
customer had a P900, which was reported as stolen- the handset was blacklisted-the IMEI number was barred on all UK networks- and a replacement device was sent out to the customer via there insurance cover.
The very same day the customer went into a Vodafone store and said that the device was not working. and wanted it swapped there and then.
Normally store staff comply without asking to many questions, but this guy was being arsey so the store staff member decided to follow producer and call us on technical support-
I was lucky enough to get the call- she explained she couild not make any calls on the deivce-
I made sure the account was active, all was ok on the network, the sim had updated onto the network and the network new it was activated-
I asked the store person what she experienced and she said just a single beep and thats it, she had full reception etc-
so i got her to do *#06# and checked the IMEI number, and it came up as blacklisted.
mmmmmm i asked her if it was a new phone, she advised yes the customer brought it in today and it had al the packaging-
I then checked the imei number against the calls that where made prior to the user reporting there phone as stolen, and guess what it matched.
so who can tel me whats happened here?
ok thats enough guess-
The customer reported his phone stolen, went to the cops reported it to them- got a crime refernce number- called vodafone put the insurance claim through, got his new handset in the post, took that out of the box, his old handset that was now blacklisted put that into the box,
was hoping that he would take it into the store, tell them the device was not working and they will swap it there and then, so he will have 2 working devices
naughty naughty
the shop staff, thanked me for my help and said this ha sput a big smile on her face.
what happend to this guy,
his account was blocked, he was blacklisted (that info is shared with other uk networks) and to top it off he woyuld have to pay the remainder of this 12 months contract.
he could say NO- but all Vodafone would do is, write of his debth and sell it to a collections agencey.
moral of the story-
If you be nice to people you may get away with what you want-
its not what you ask, its HOW you ask.
Whats my rambling abouve have to do with IMEI numbers
DONT DO IT - its not worth the prison time-
uk blacklisted phones will work in any other country other then the UK
My thinking thereon subject is different.
All depends what right is in data of country. It in my country be permissible then what right does not it forbid.
I spoke with two operator and they denied clearly that imei has with realization of connection some relationship.
It it in modern nets was used was only ID card of SIMAS and it telephone set.
It it was it is knowed was universally that ways exist in relays IMEI. Since it exists prepare it - it was not it been possible to unite IMEI and telephone.
I bought my telephone and can to make what it wants. How it wants to alter I have IMEI this prowo him to alter. I in instruction it have not written: Prohibition of change IMEI.
I in right it have not written : Prohibition of change IMEI.
I lost my telephone. He be found at police. in order to to get him I passed imei there now policeman said me. Imei could someone alter, pass different features which had this telephone. I answered him : scratch on casing, damaged catch from battery and sticker underneath, red colour. So policeman tells this it agrees. And my telephone gave back.
I understand that someone can take me telephone, to alter IMEI and to pretend that he his is property. Then truth. And it it should oneself do this because criminals were helped. It there now it it was not it been possible was to claim: change IMEI is crime. I alter XDA maniulator imei - whether means from I am criminal ? I created to change tool IMEI - whether I am criminal? How you will use him in aim the commission of crime you - are criminal then . if you have gun you - are killer? It ! If you will kill someone this gun then you are killer - and this is bad. this is difference.
You do not it understand maybe because my English is bad - forgive me.
hrm
how can the authorities proove that it was you who changed the imei though?
you might have bought a used phone witch had its imei changed by the seller without your knowledge for example
I'm in favor of any tool that lets us do what we want with our phones as I prefer a fully unlocked machine that will let me do exactly what I want with it. For that reason, if anyone knows of a prog that will allow me to do all these things on a G4 prophet (including change imei if I so choose) please post the links without any of this "search and ye shall find" nonsense. Please just show the direct links to all the tools needed and detailed instructions for the less technical amongst us.
I don't harm people just because I have access to knives or break the law just because I can. Nor do I do so if asked to by someone. We don't have to do wrong simply because the tools exist for us to do so, and the ability to change imei will not make us hardened criminals. It may help some who are unable to use a perfectly legitimate phone for reasons beyond their control in an unfair situation and that can only be a good thing. As for those wanting it for the wrong reason, they will find a way without the help of this forum and it would be very naive to think otherwise. Where profit is concerned a criminal will always find a way and this forum will make little difference to that fact.
This is a developement forum and I would prefer to see it remain so without entering into off topic arguments. I also don't like to see people advertising anything for profit as it negates my own reason for being here. This forum has rescued me numerous times in the past at no cost and I am only too willing to return the favor if ever able without payment. A pity others seem to see it as a free advertising medium.
XDA Developers has always improved things for me and will hopefully continue to do so. its a pity the roms which made things better in the past have now gone and I don't want the same to happen to the free tools still being developed which give us the control we deserve for our own equipment.. The more the merrier.
Extra digits at the end of IMEI!!!
daveschz said:
I just checked mine too and I noticed that *#06# just gave me 2 more digits than what's printed under the sticker, so just double check the whole IMEI and I bet you find the same thing - just extra digits!
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Click to collapse
Hello guys,
Don't worry if the first 15 digits are the same with what's printed under the sticker... Extra 2 digits represent the software version of the phone.
You can check it here http://www.numberingplans.com/?page=analysis&sub=imeinr
Pinesio: generally we don't mind discussing techniques from a hacking/development POV, but the problem is the illegality of aiding in changing IMEIs in many jurisidictions.
There are well publicised apps on this board already, some open source, some which we all helped to write, to change IMEIs. But, those members that like to watch their ass or are relatively easy targets tend to stay away for fear of getting on the wrong side of the law... But generally, I'm all up for seeing where hacking can take us with the device that we paid for - within legal boundaries when in a public sphere.
V
vijay555 said:
Pinesio: generally we don't mind discussing techniques from a hacking/development POV, but the problem is the illegality of aiding in changing IMEIs in many jurisidictions.
There are well publicised apps on this board already, some open source, some which we all helped to write, to change IMEIs. But, those members that like to watch their ass or are relatively easy targets tend to stay away for fear of getting on the wrong side of the law... But generally, I'm all up for seeing where hacking can take us with the device that we paid for - within legal boundaries when in a public sphere.
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what exactly would imei cloning be used for?
i didnt quite understand ?
say someone calls me and my imei has been cloned will it ring on both?
i read somehwere that it will ring on the first phone it reaches... ?
but say i pick up on my other phone (thats not ringing) what happens then ?
neat stuff vijay..
hey vijay..
your name sounds indian.. are u one???
neways.. i need some help..
pls get me solution for this..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=316228
main reason is to rehabilitate stolen phones
boinger66 said:
what exactly would imei cloning be used for?
i didnt quite understand ?
say someone calls me and my imei has been cloned will it ring on both?
i read somehwere that it will ring on the first phone it reaches... ?
but say i pick up on my other phone (thats not ringing) what happens then ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
..the reason it's illegal is that mobile phone theft's really common - at least in the UK. you can now get 5 years in prison for IMEI changing here. reasoning is that the networks have worked out that if they block the IMEI number of stolen phones, they become worthless. let the scallies work this out, and eventually mobile phone theft stops, i guess.
now, if you were to change the IMEI number, you could then unblock all these stolen phones...this is why it's illegal in many countries.
The only country where you *might* have a legitimate reason for changing an IMEI is Turkey. If you are a Turkish resident and you baught a mobile phone outside of Turkey then your IMEI will get blacklisted by the Turkish networks because of some stupid law. Changing the IMEI to your old and unused phone would get around this.
It's probably illegal there too...as are a lot of things in Turkey...like free speech for example but that a whole different debate.
Help Me Please
Help Me Please
Yardım Edin Lütfen
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=1417550
I have an O2 orbit.
I paid through the nose for it (on ebaY) and I'm getting a lot of hassle (its certainly stolen or contract blocked).
Is there any way to change the IMEI number so that I can use it again, using a different network sim? Or an unblock facility?
Also I dont know about this but as its a multi-use phone, could you still use the phone as a non-cell PDA once its blocked from the network? I know that some phones are completely dead once barred but then their only use is for a phone anyway. Is it the same for PDA phones? Like having it on flight mode? Or does it brick up as well?
Thanks.
edit: BTW Is there any way to check an IMEI number remotely to see if its blacklisted before buying on ebay?
deaddavey1 said:
Is there any way to change the IMEI number so that when I report the phone lost (Its insured of course), I can still use that phone as a backup later using a different network sim? Or an unblock facility?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you trying to cheat the insurance? If the phone is to be 'broken', how do you reckon it will work on a different network sim?
Anyway, changing IMEI is possible but illegal, and theoritically, it can be traced if not done carefully. Search for the IMEI il-legal statement by VJ in this forum.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=276851&highlight=IMEI
Anyway, the PDA feature will still work as long as you don't stick in a SIM.
DeadDavy, whilst I realise your frustration what you are talking about is both insurance fraud and it is illegal to change the IMEI.
This is an open forum and not for that kind of talk. Please don't post anything more on the subject as it could bring this forum into disrepute.
i read that post and understand its illegal. But so is selling dodgy phones. I only want to change it to one of my old buggered phones imei's.
I alternatively could claim it lost soon on my insurance. Thats illegal as well. But with my first choice no one loses out. I just paid a lot of money for a paperweight.
ok thanks. no more posts on subject.
deaddavey1 said:
ok thanks. no more posts on subject.
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Click to collapse
I presume you have exhausted all the "normal "channels to get your money back, e.g raised a dispute with eBay? Or did the scally close their account?
Edit:- just found this
http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/A-database-of-stolen-mobile-phones-CheckMEND_W0QQugidZ10000000004188075
Dunno how effective it is though.
hi guys.
I just bought another TP2 from Ebay to replace my one which is broken. I've put my simcard but it doesnt register on my network. I've tried my sim card in another phone and it works fine, and I'm able to connect to wi-fi on the new TP2, but not to my network....so I've come to the conclusion that it must have a locked imei number.
I conacted ebay and the seller to ask whether it was a stolen phone, but to no avail. the seller has de-listed and ebay arent interested as the phone is in "working order", even though I cant connect to a network!!!
is there anyway to change the number, or unlock it, so I can use it? Otherwise it's a pretty expensive paper weight! My fault for not checking these facts before buying, but you live and learn....anyone help?
Cheers
Don't expect advice on changing the IMEI here.
As for unlocking, take a look here: http://rhodium.htc-unlocks.com/ (as far as I know, there is no free solution).
report the transation to paypal. You'll get your money back. Especially if the phone was potentially stolen.
I recently got a refurbished Dinc 2. The GSM part cannot be unlocked. The unlock service said the IMEI couldn't be recognized by HTC. Is it possible that this phone has been tampered and the IMEI has been changed? I also found the serial numbers under the battery (beginning with HT) and from the phone settings (beginning with MB) are different. All other things seem normal. The ESN is clean since I activated on pageplus. I am concerned with the history of the phone.
Did you get the refurbished incredible 2 for a replacement from Verizon or from someone else?
nitsua98 said:
Did you get the refurbished incredible 2 for a replacement from Verizon or from someone else?
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from ebay. Thanks.
SIRTF said:
from ebay. Thanks.
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Is it like a "new" refurbished? Like, after it was refurbished had it been used?
nitsua98 said:
Is it like a "new" refurbished? Like, after it was refurbished had it been used?
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Click to collapse
Yes, it is like a "new" refurbished. The condition looks very good, no any scratch/wear all over the phone. The screen protector with the words "remove before use" and "certified pre-owned" was still on. The verizon global sim card was in it. But I did find some photos in the micro sd card in the phone.
Okay idk much about this kind of stuff but I did some reading on this Wikipedia article and it seems to maybe your imei was changed or maybe someone changed another phones imei to yours. I honestly have no clue, just putting out suggestions.
Edit: maybe the box is not original box the phone came with.
nitsua98 said:
Okay idk much about this kind of stuff but I did some reading on this Wikipedia article and it seems to maybe your imei was changed or maybe someone changed another phones imei to yours. I honestly have no clue, just putting out suggestions.
Edit: maybe the box is not original box the phone came with.
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Click to collapse
I´m having the exact same problem. I got a replacement phone from Best Buy, although the carrier was Verizon, the phones at Best Buy were 100$ cheaper. Anyway, I used their geek squad insurance thing, and I got a phone, minus battery, and a service receipt. The IMEI did not appear on the receipt, nor in on the sticker on the back of the phone. Now there may have been an IMEI that was valid at one point on the phone,but me, being a dumbass, either never took the time to copy it down, or did so on a computer I no longer have or a piece of paper I left somewhere else.
Is there any way we can root around and find the correct IMEI, or figure out the IMEI based on the MEID? Is this the sort of record they would keep in their database?
(I have a new thread describing my problem in more detail HERE:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2103068
Refurb phones will not be in standard htc database these unlockers have.
Most tell you if the phone is a refurb no code will be found. Some have unlockers will have the code but cost much more.
BTW XTC Clip will s-off and sim unlock your phone.
I purchased this phone unknowingly that it was a demo version.
I removed the demo version from it via the code, reset and then flash and update.
The dual imei numbers are both 0000 when I typed some code ( cant remember it showed that the imei is ok)
I wanted to get it repair via some of those remote box services. I dealt with very rude unpleasant person who was impolite, told me to install quite old xsg rom which is different csc compared to my original rom. When I flashed under imei there is UAE csc and new lines added under: TRA ID :
and TA : , and these two were not there before, device also shows just as a52 instead as a52s as previously. The person suggested the rom based on the build number that I sent him.
Afterwards he was asking for pictures and then blocked me.
Im wondering If I can fix this unit to usable cellular state with working real imeis
I thought xposed modules would help, but it seems they only help with apps and only change imei on them.
I highly doubt that this device has banned imei.
I would be happy to help you to root it and I would appreciate if someone can help me.
I searched many threads without success, I know the efs/qcb is probably corrupted
What route I should go to fix this device?
If it is a demo version and has no IMEI this tells you that this legally is no mobile device that is approved to use with operators. Inserting a new IMEI can not be legal in normal countries. IMEI is a device identifier sent with all phone traffic to ensure that the device is a legitimate one and is not stolen and black (do not work at all) or grey (works but flagged to be traced) listed.
Go back to the seller and demand your money back!
I hoped that someone with more experience with this would chime in, on these new galaxy devices the imeis still seems to suppose to be there, in galaxy 8 or older galaxy version there was no 4g module and antenna removed, I think this is what you are talking about right ? and it was purchased on ad.
Im wondering if these services like chimera can fix it.
I thought it's unrootable. How did you do it?
gerhard_wa said:
If it is a demo version and has no IMEI this tells you that this legally is no mobile device that is approved to use with operators. Inserting a new IMEI can not be legal in normal countries. IMEI is a device identifier sent with all phone traffic to ensure that the device is a legitimate one and is not stolen and black (do not work at all) or grey (works but flagged to be traced) listed.
Go back to the seller and demand your money back!
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Click to collapse
I bought it off an add, impossible, so Im trying to at least fix it, one person here popped in my messages, trying to help... I think he recovered my damaged imei partition and stole it and sold it. Xda what a wonderful place of helpful people.
lucas_54 said:
I thought it's unrootable. How did you do it?
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Click to collapse
Thats bs, my firmware is older but cam is working,The method described in a52 thread, patching file through odin.
ftaqh said:
I bought it off an add, impossible, so Im trying to at least fix it, one person here popped in my messages, trying to help... I think he recovered my damaged imei partition and stole it and sold it. Xda what a wonderful place of helpful people.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must be joking; demo phones have no imei. They are not phones they are dummies. Throwing around inane accusations will do you no god around here.