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.?
Click to expand...
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!
Click to expand...
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
Hi!Everyone!
I have a sprint diamond,but I can not change the esn!In my country,changing esn is legal!
There is someone can do it,but it cost 100 dollars!
The method they usd is very strange!You give them your new esn(an eight-digit number,e.g:12345678),they will give you back a code(a sixteens digit number,e.g:1234567812345678),with their sofeware you can write the new code in,the diamond will have the new esn which you want!!To our surprise,you can change roms,radios,reboot your diamond,but the esn will not change any more!!After you are succesful,whenever you dial ##778#,you will see the new esn!!
the software i can not uplode,it is here
http://www.mobile-files.com/forum/showthread.php?p=462875#post462875
Please help me,thank you,my email:[email protected]
Whilst changing the ESN of a CDMA phone is legal in your country it is illegal in many other countries. To keep xda-developers from getting into trouble with any authorities (which will be bad news for us all) I suggest you read this post on our stance on changing your IMEI number - the same goes for the ESN.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=276851
P.S. A discussion on the theory behind changing the ESN has taken place before (search and you might find it), but a step by step guide will not be given.
Thanks
Dave
How can i change my iemi number on my lg4 H811 on T-Mobile
ceddy01 said:
How can i change my iemi number on my lg4 H811 on T-Mobile
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Click to collapse
this type of questions arent allowed here. and what does imei had to do with title no signal.?
Why is a question about changing IMEI number not allowed?
jobella said:
Why is a question about changing IMEI number not allowed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think its illegal.
I searched and can not find any Federal, State or other laws in the United States stating that changing an IMEI number is illegal.
Imei tampering in any way, other than backup and restore, is not discussed on XDA.
And yes, it's illegal almost everywhere.
Thread closed.
Hi All,
I have bought "Huawei E5180s-22 4G LTE" from China, then only realized that it cannot be used in Malaysia with an unlimited SIM Card.
Upon contacting the seller, he told me that I need to unlock the modem and then change the IMEI.
May I know how to unlock this modem and change to what IMEI?
I am skill enough to execute AT command correctly.
Thanks
CK_Kwan said:
Hi All,
I have bought "Huawei E5180s-22 4G LTE" from China, then only realized that it cannot be used in Malaysia with an unlimited SIM Card.
Upon contacting the seller, he told me that I need to unlock the modem and then change the IMEI.
May I know how to unlock this modem and change to what IMEI?
I am skill enough to execute AT command correctly.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@CK_Kwan Thread has been closed!
Edit or change of IMEI is illegal in quite a few of countries. For this reason, XDA doesn't allow and accept discussions about or support for such an edit or change.
XDA Forum Rules (excerpt):
...
9. Don't get us into trouble.
Don't post copyrighted materials or do other things which will obviously lead to legal trouble. If you wouldn't do it on your own homepage, you probably shouldn't do it here either. This does not mean that we agree with everything that the software piracy lobby try to impose on us. It simply means that you cannot break any laws here, since we'll end up dealing with the legal hassle caused by you. Please use common sense: respect the forum, its users and those that write great code.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regards
Oswald Boelcke
Senior Moderator
Hello. I live in Turkey. In Turkey, there is no official sale of Oneplus. Therefore, we need to buy them from people (who illegally import the phone). The government don't let us use this phone unlimited, therefore, IMEI number need to be changed.
I have LE2123 model which has changed IMEI number. Now I need the original IMEI numbers to register the device on Oneplus Care. Is there any way to get back to original IMEI numbers?
Thanks for your concern..
y.emrecicek said:
Hello. I live in Turkey. In Turkey, there is no official sale of Oneplus. Therefore, we need to buy them from people (who illegally import the phone). The government don't let us use this phone unlimited, therefore, IMEI number need to be changed.
I have LE2123 model which has changed IMEI number. Now I need the original IMEI numbers to register the device on Oneplus Care. Is there any way to get back to original IMEI numbers?
Thanks for your concern..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@y.emrecicek
Edit or change of IMEI is illegal in quite a few of countries. For this reason, I've closed your thread! XDA doesn't allow and doesn't accept discussions about or support for such an edit or change.
XDA Forum Rules (excerpt):
...
9. Don't get us into trouble.
Don't post copyrighted materials or do other things which will obviously lead to legal trouble. If you wouldn't do it on your own homepage, you probably shouldn't do it here either. This does not mean that we agree with everything that the software piracy lobby try to impose on us. It simply means that you cannot break any laws here, since we'll end up dealing with the legal hassle caused by you. Please use common sense: respect the forum, its users and those that write great code.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regards
Oswald Boelcke
Senior Moderator