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how do i chang the imei on blue angel xda 2s
I doubt u can do it easily
Also, isnt it illegal in the UK to change the IMEI of a handset?
numanoids said:
Also, isnt it illegal in the UK to change the IMEI of a handset?
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It certainly is. On the grounds that there is only one reason why you'd need to!
Actually, it's very easy!
DISCALIMER:
I take no responsibility for the procedure.
If you loose data, not my fault!
If your device gets borken, not my fault!
If this is illegal in your country, not my fault!
Ok, here we go!
1. Open phone app, and dial *#06#
2. Write down your current IMEI number.
3. Make complete backup.
4. Buy a new device
5. Restore backup.
6. Open phone app, and dial *#06#
7. Confirm that your device now has a different IMEI..
And for the future: Don't buy stolen goods!
I can do this for you, and it will only cost you 750€
:lol: LOL sound about right :shock:
Bassey said:
numanoids said:
Also, isnt it illegal in the UK to change the IMEI of a handset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It certainly is. On the grounds that there is only one reason why you'd need to!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actuallly, there are a number of very valid reasons why you may want to change the IMEI of you phone. For Instance.
I have a PDA2k and a Vodafone 7100v with blackberry enterprise account. I recently installed the Blackberry Connect software onto my PDA2K and went to the website to enter the New IMEI number and PIN cod for my PDA2K. This was refused by vodafone because it is not a "Vodafone phone IMEI". So my thinking was to take over the IMEI of the 7100v and the the problem goes away.
Haven't achieved anything yet and if it IS illigal to use one of my IMEI numbers in another of MY phones then the law is an ass.
Kindest regards,
Derek
hi
to those of us that dont live in UK and this rule does not apply (as no legal legislation exists where i live that says this is illegal) we actually might wanna try yhis just for fun.. so does n1 know how to change the imei?
This topic also applies to those who baught a used device and didn't know that the emei was blocked by one carrier because of bad credit that was never resolved by the original owner.
Now IF the original owner sold the unit to an unaware buyer, then the buyer would be SOL. IMO, it is NOT the buyer's fault, NOR it is assumed that the unit was "stolen". Some guys here seam to jump into there own conclusions.
still no news on the IMEI changing ?
It is illegal in the UK to change the EMEI, it doesnt matter why you are doing it, its just illegal. End of story. If you get caught doing it, you get arrested.
To be honest, there are NOT loads of reasons youd want to legally change the emei, so far 2 have been presented,
1> vodaphone emei required to do something on phone
2> previous owner had bad credit and sold on phone
Case one, rare. A pain, yes, but rare so I dont think anyone will go to all the effort and law breaking to solve just this.
Case two, even rarer. And for the person in this situation, they could just call the network and explain it to them, its possible the block would be lifted if its not actualy a stolen phone.
I beg people to stop asking about EMEI changes on here, we dont want this board shutdown, and I can garantee that will happen if an emei tool appears. Its GOOD that you cant change the emei because this board isnt a place for criminals as it would be if emei tools were supplied.
Yes it's illegal. IN YOUR COUNTRY. In your Case 2, the network would be glad to meet with you so they can confescate the phone since it was not paid for. The original owner left the country and never came back. Anyway, I seam to recall there was a way to change the EMEI on the MDA I.
Unless there is a rule posted on this board about asking for something like this, people will always ask. I think it should not be a board rule because it doesn't apply to most counties.
And because its illegal here then its ok for people in other countries to help criminals here?
I was posting to a UK person, trying to help them avoide legal trouble, and it does apply to people in many other countries. Its just not a good thing to do, has little legitimate merit, and is a lot of work for little reward.
I dont know of any country that welcomes reprogramming of phones so why not stay away from it to avoid bringing trouble on the board?
Just because some countries havent made a specific law against it, it doesnt mean its a good idea.
And it the original owner of a phone sold it without paying for it, then it IS a stolen phone. Buying stolen goods is buying stolen goods, if the network would confiscate it back, then you ARE doing something dodgy by reprogramming the emei, therefor removing case 2 from my legitimate reasons list. So we are left with this one bizare rare case where its needed.
All that legal risk for that?
If you were trying to assist member from the UK, then state so. But making it a board rule affect every board member, not just the ones who live in the UK. I guess the site admin you have to decide about the rules. Neither you or I admin of this site, so I guess we have no say either way. If you are an admin, then you can keep me from posting the EMEI changer when or if it is released.
You have just insinuated that I knowingly bought stolen goods from the original owner. If I had know that there was a problem like this before hand, I would not have given my $600 to the person that sold it. Would you give back the unit knowing that you will not get the money back from the original owner? What sane person would? If the network told me that they would refund my money, I would gladly give it back and buy a new one. Since that isn't happening anytime soon, I will not not be discuraged and make the best out of my predicament. If the Johnny Law catches up to me, then so be it. At least I knew what the consequences are and that I had a choice. No one on any forum can tell me what I can and can't do to anything I own.
Slight misunderstanding, I never said you KNOWINGLY buight stolen goods, but at the end of the day, as far as im aware the law is the same in most places, stolen goods are not legitimate even if you didnt know. Many people are put on the rough end of a point stick when they get caught out like that.
I myself have lost lots of money from not knowing something was stolen, then having the police take it back. It sucks. Im sorry it happened to you.
EMEI numbers are tightly controlled because of all the different kinds of fraud that get associated with changing them.
Its like changing the VIN on a car, its your car, but its still not allowed.
Im really sorry you got caught in the situation, but you have to get your money back from the seller. If you cant, There isnt much you can do.
Yes I agree that "stolen goods IS stolen goods", no matter how you acquire it. It's not only the law but common sense. Don't get me wrong. I do understand your point of view and respect it. In a place such as local auction sites, you don't get lucky every time you make a transaction and I don't have the luxury to throw $600 out the window. The seller lives on the other side of the world. I refuse to waste my resources to track the seller and try to get my money back. If the network wants the phone back, they can certainly offer to refund the $600 so I can buy another unit from them.
Changing the VIN on a car is not a good example. As there is absolutely no reason why anyone would remove or replace the VIN. Then they would have to replace/remove the chassis and engine block numbers.
The way I see it, the EMEI changer is a tool.. like a gun for example. It depends on how you use it. If you get busted using it other than legitimate reasons, then you dug your own hole. I am certainly not an angel and if this tool is released, I will use it so that I have 1 more choice of carrier I can use.
I do not gave a cr*p about stupid, british laws , nor do I understand why this should be illegal. (cant see any resonable harm by doing this)
It sounds like british goverment is worse than Moussolini and Mao together at this point .. I must ask WTF are those dumb bastardz thinking when they assume that by changing some numbers I do something illigal ? .. this is exacly as stupid as assuming that anybody that buys a knife is a killer.
Now--- can we move on and get back to subject ?
AlCapone said:
I do not gave a cr*p about stupid, british laws .....It sounds like british goverment is worse than Moussolini and Mao together at this point .. .....
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Yeah, and don't forget about Quisling, too!
fpmacko said:
Yeah, and don't forget about Quisling, too!
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yes ...i could say *especially* Quisling !!
but he was a traitor - while the others forced thir way upon people ,that's why I compared the situation to tham
hi, i have recently purchased a touch pro 2 off ebay and i stuck my SIM card in it to find out i cant get a signal or make calls etc..
i really dont know what i should do.
please help. any advice is helpful.
Was it used or new?
used, he was selling as 'it no longer makes calls or sends texts'
if it was listed as barred theres no way i would have bought it. but with what he wrote it sounded fixable.
earni said:
used, he was selling as 'it no longer makes calls or sends texts
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So you were suprised when you got it that it doesn't make calls? Call you provider they might be able to unlock it if the phone isn't broken to begin with. Next time i suggest understand what you are buying because this is a pretty ridiculous post. I am questioning my own judgment for even answering to this post.
i wasnt surprised it didnt make calls, i thought he may just have a bad radio or something but i checked the imei on checkmend and it shows up as blocked..
You bought a phone that the seller told you didn't work. You assumed the reason it didn't work was one thing, but it turned out to be another. Whether he lied to you as to why it didn't work or not, you still took a chance on buying a phone you knew was not working. Take your loss, learn from it and move on.
If the phones blocked then he has found/stolen it. Or put in an insurance claim saying it’s been lost/stolen.
If you paid by PayPal put in a claim giving reason that you were not told the phone was blocked. You will then get your money back.
earni said:
i wasnt surprised it didnt make calls, i thought he may just have a bad radio or something but i checked the imei on checkmend and it shows up as blocked..
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Click to collapse
bwaaaaahahahahahaha...that's what you get...!!!
earni said:
hi, i have recently purchased a touch pro 2 off ebay and i stuck my SIM card in it to find out i cant get a signal or make calls etc..
i really dont know what i should do.
please help. any advice is helpful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had this situation before and although it turned out that the phone I had purchased wasnt stolen, the process will be the same:
Contact your Phone Network and give them the IMEI number and explain the situation. Don't worry - they are used to dealing with this type of call. They will use a database shared between all the network providers to find out the original and current owner of the handset and tell you whether it has been registered stolen or just blocked by the previous owner (this is what happened to me only I found this out a lot later).
If they tell you it is stolen, take the handset and everything that came with it to your local police station, including print-outs of any correspondence you have had with the seller - via the website market place or direct.
The police will give you a crime number and most probably take the device and the print outs from you to investgate further. You will need the crime number to get your money back later on.
Contact the market place and your bank (credit card company) and explain the situation and give them the crime number.
In most situations, the market place will give you your money back (withdraw it from the sellers account). If they dont, your credit card company will do the chasing for you but you'll need to try yourself first.
The market place may ask you for more documents from the police and the police will be very understanding. The police woman assigned to my crime number was very helpful and was in regular contact with me about how the investigation was proceeding.
The whole process may take 6-8 weeks. It can be drawn out but persevere and you will get your money back - and deservedly so.
Good luck and PM me if you need any further advice.
I thought gsm phones cannot be blocked?
DJ_MiX said:
I thought gsm phones cannot be blocked?
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I am no expert but they can certainly be blacklisted by the owner and that was what I was suggesting.
http://www.unlockme.co.uk/blacklist.html was a site I read up on when I was faced with the same situation.
My phone was blocked. I rang up Orange and told them the situation and they unblocked it - to my surprise. At the same time, I had opened a case in eBay which went in my favour, but I decided to keep the TP2 as it's now working. In my case, I could get a signal (four bars), but it always came up with no connection.
Remote phone access features.
I am surprised MS are not advertising their features which match HTCSense.com
HTC seem to be making a big deal about Remote location, Ringing and Erasing your HTC Desire HD or Desire Z from a browser.
I was really pleased to discover matching features at windowsphone.live.com.
Using Find My Phone on the website you can:
- Map it (to catch thieves...)
- Ring it (to locate in the sofa)
- Lock it (with onscreen message)
- Erase it
On activation the Microsoft sytem warns that it works via a hidden text message based system instead of the HTC equivalent which seems to work on mobile data, and so it takes about 30 seconds for the Windows version wheres HTCSense.com takes about 2 seconds to perform each task.
What do you think of their systems?
Q1) What if the phone can't get a data connection?
Is Microsoft GSM SMS method is better?
Q2) What if a thief changes the SIM card?
Does the HTC method still work via a phone identifier, where MS is perhaps linked to the phone number?
I wonder how they work...
Still, I am pleased! Very cool feature to have provided by the operating system and not a third party app.
I read somewhere (can't remember where) that you can change this setting so it uses the 'push' functionality to react faster, but uses more battery.
evilangelic said:
Remote phone access features.
I am surprised MS are not advertising their features which match HTCSense.com
HTC seem to be making a big deal about Remote location, Ringing and Erasing your HTC Desire HD or Desire Z from a browser.
I was really pleased to discover matching features at windowsphone.live.com.
Using Find My Phone on the website you can:
- Map it (to catch thieves...)
- Ring it (to locate in the sofa)
- Lock it (with onscreen message)
- Erase it
On activation the Microsoft sytem warns that it works via a hidden text message based system instead of the HTC equivalent which seems to work on mobile data, and so it takes about 30 seconds for the Windows version wheres HTCSense.com takes about 2 seconds to perform each task.
What do you think of their systems?
Q1) What if the phone can't get a data connection?
Is Microsoft GSM SMS method is better?
Q2) What if a thief changes the SIM card?
Does the HTC method still work via a phone identifier, where MS is perhaps linked to the phone number?
I wonder how they work...
Still, I am pleased! Very cool feature to have provided by the operating system and not a third party app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None of this crap matters. If I find a GSM phone I'm going to remove the SIM card and factory reset it. Anyone that isn't retarded will do the same thing. If you care about people using/reselling you device if you lose it or get it stolen, you have no business getting a GSM phone.
Any thief or person who finds a nice device will immediately turn the phone off and both remove the SIM Card and factory reset it. Then they will pay $15 to get it unlocked and make bank with it on CraigsList or eBay.
No Cell Carrier will cooperate with police to track that phone. T-Mobile has even defied sopoenas citing "privacy issues."
As to you two quetions. None of them matter - at ALL. The phone is turned off and factory reset ASAP when it is stolen or found by someone in 95% of cases. There are very few nice people when they find or take something and no one sees them. They will wipe the phone, remove the SIM, and either keep or sell it.
Only way to be secure is to either have an iPhone or get a CDMA device. That way the phone becomes useless (unless jailbroken for iPhone, but EINs are marked dirty and the devices become useless other than as WiFi devices) and they can only profit off of it through scamming others (or selling it for parts?).
After my experience with getting my Vibrant stolen, and what I've learned... I'm definitely going with a CDMA carrier the second I can (and ETFing T-Mobile). The fact that US Carriers don't work together like Europe makes it a market for thieves and resellers. Privacy laws even protect the thieves, here.
Kinda Disagree on this
N8ter said:
None of this crap matters. If I find a GSM phone I'm going to remove the SIM card and factory reset it. Anyone that isn't retarded will do the same thing. If you care about people using/reselling you device if you lose it or get it stolen, you have no business getting a GSM phone.
Any thief or person who finds a nice device will immediately turn the phone off and both remove the SIM Card and factory reset it. Then they will pay $15 to get it unlocked and make bank with it on CraigsList or eBay.
No Cell Carrier will cooperate with police to track that phone. T-Mobile has even defied sopoenas citing "privacy issues."
As to you two quetions. None of them matter - at ALL. The phone is turned off and factory reset ASAP when it is stolen or found by someone in 95% of cases. There are very few nice people when they find or take something and no one sees them. They will wipe the phone, remove the SIM, and either keep or sell it.
Only way to be secure is to either have an iPhone or get a CDMA device. That way the phone becomes useless (unless jailbroken for iPhone, but EINs are marked dirty and the devices become useless other than as WiFi devices) and they can only profit off of it through scamming others (or selling it for parts?).
After my experience with getting my Vibrant stolen, and what I've learned... I'm definitely going with a CDMA carrier the second I can (and ETFing T-Mobile). The fact that US Carriers don't work together like Europe makes it a market for thieves and resellers. Privacy laws even protect the thieves, here.
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Click to collapse
Some of this is correct but is heavily assuming that the person who takes the device has some knowledge of its functions and of smartphone use in general.
There has been some theft of devices in AU recently where the thieves have been caught due to lack of knowledge of the device they had stolen. It did in fact lead the cops to where they were. They had basically just replaced the sim and done nothing else to the phone.
This of course maybe different in the US and of course powered off it ain't calling anybody.
Incorrect. It's not hard to know what to do here.
If it says Verizon or Sprint (Includes Virgin Mobile, Boost Mobile, etc.), the phone is worthless if they report it stolen, aside froma WiFi media device because the ESN will be marked dirty and it won't be able to activate after the owner calls it in as Lost or Stolen.
If it says T-Mobile or AT&T, you have hit the jackpot. GSM Carriers here allow any stolen devices on their network, without prejudice. I've already spoken to T-Mobile about this, because my first Vibrant was stolen. Their words, "If you didn't have a lock code on your phone, or the new owner resets it, it's their phone." With Cloud-based storage of info the information on the phone isn't an issue, it's the $500 piece of hardware that just went bye bye that's the issue (assuming you put your Photos in Picasa/FB/SkyDrive and don't let them rot on the phone's storage, of course).
Turn phone off. Remove Sim Card. Pay $10-20 for an unlock code. List on eBay. Profit?
Yes, there are dumb people anywhere. But anyone in the projects around here who has at least a 3rd grade education will shut that phone down and have it on eBay (probably from the Public Library computers) within a matter of hours. GPS Tracking and things like MyPhone won't help with that once they reset the phone (which is easier as ever these days, since everyone is putting it in as a simple menu option that is trivial to find).
Best way to get the phone back is to have been robbed or something. If you get injured badly enough the cops and the carriers will actually track the phone down. Cops here don't track phones unless it's a life or death situation. If you allow someone to use that phone without calling the carrier ASAP to get the line suspended, you can - and will - be held liable for whatever that person does on the phone. Have fun paying for every ringtone, wallpaper, etc. and all the overages they used on the account (i.e. if they used your phone to tether a torrent client on their laptop/notebook on AT&T with a 200MB data plan).
mobile me from apple is exactly similar to microsoft's devices.live.com service...
many many times theifs have been caught using gps tracking...majority of theives are idiots and don't know what they are doing...
also GSM phones are just as secure...just because t-mobile refuses to do something does not means GSM is insecure...IMEI can be blocked from the network very easily and is done on a regular basis in NZ if phone is stolen...
If you live in Australia you can contact your carrier and have the phone blocked by using the IMEI number.
The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) runs a world-leading anti-theft program at no cost to consumers. It works by detecting a mobile phone's electronic serial number, known as the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, then sharing this information with carriers to block handsets across all networks in Australia.
Here is a link to check it out:
http://www.lost.amta.org.au/
powersquad said:
mobile me from apple is exactly similar to microsoft's devices.live.com service...
many many times theifs have been caught using gps tracking...majority of theives are idiots and don't know what they are doing...
also GSM phones are just as secure...just because t-mobile refuses to do something does not means GSM is insecure...IMEI can be blocked from the network very easily and is done on a regular basis in NZ if phone is stolen...
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Im talking about the usa. No gsm carrier blocks imeis here. I thought I made that crystal clear in my us/europe comparisons.
They arent tracking a phone here without a court supoena and myphone/mobileme are useless vs 99% of thieves.
Majority of thieves arent idiots. Vast majority of stolen phones are never recovered. Theyre as easy to steal as a netbook and a phone locked there can still be used np in the us, which is why stealing gsm phones are profitable.
There are no inter-carrier databases for logging blacklisted imeis here, like there is in europe.
Lots of stolen phones also goto asia.
I hope that explains my stance. Yes. Gsm is less secure than cdma because the phones can be unlocked and used in other markets easily, unlike cdma. That portability is a blessing and a curse to gsm...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
N8ter said:
Im talking about the usa. No gsm carrier blocks imeis here. I thought I made that crystal clear in my us/europe comparisons.
They arent tracking a phone here without a court supoena and myphone/mobileme are useless vs 99% of thieves. Seriously, good luck getting said supoena... Maybe if your Barack Obama you will get it.
Majority of thieves arent idiots. Vast majority of stolen phones are never recovered. Theyre as easy to steal as a netbook and a phone locked there can still be used np in the us, which is why stealing gsm phones are profitable.
There are no inter-carrier databases for logging blacklisted imeis here, like there is in europe.
Lots of stolen phones also goto asia.
I hope that explains my stance. Yes. Gsm is less secure than cdma because the phones can be unlocked and used in other markets easily, unlike cdma. That portability is a blessing and a curse to gsm...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
N8ter said:
Im talking about the usa. No gsm carrier blocks imeis here. I thought I made that crystal clear in my us/europe comparisons.
They arent tracking a phone here without a court supoena and myphone/mobileme are useless vs 99% of thieves.
Majority of thieves arent idiots. Vast majority of stolen phones are never recovered. Theyre as easy to steal as a netbook and a phone locked there can still be used np in the us, which is why stealing gsm phones are profitable.
There are no inter-carrier databases for logging blacklisted imeis here, like there is in europe.
Lots of stolen phones also goto asia.
I hope that explains my stance. Yes. Gsm is less secure than cdma because the phones can be unlocked and used in other markets easily, unlike cdma. That portability is a blessing and a curse to gsm...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
You're incorrect about cdma. All you have to do is flash the phone to another carrier such as Cricket, Metro, or Boost. Companies that don't care about the ESN numbers.
Samsung agreed to add a remote kill switch to their Android phones. This is supposed to make a stolen phone useless to resell. My question is... Is this even possible? Wouldn't anything they do be able to be either hacked or overridden by simply reflashing the phone? Would they have to do something that physically damages the phone to kill it? Any thoughts on this?
richb500 said:
Samsung agreed to add a remote kill switch to their Android phones. This is supposed to make a stolen phone useless to resell. My question is... Is this even possible? Wouldn't anything they do be able to be either hacked or overridden by simply reflashing the phone? Would they have to do something that physically damages the phone to kill it? Any thoughts on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are namy ways Samsung could do this, from remotely wiping the IMEI which would prevent it from being used to using something hidden in the one of the unrightable partitions that would completely disable the phone and remotely brick it.
Or maybe just convert all the partitions to RAW format. Which is another way of bricking it.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
If they did this, would it be irreversible? How is that better than someone stealing my phone and my never getting it back? Either way I'd be out a phone. Wouldn't that be like requiring car manufacturers rigging a car to burn up if stolen?
I hope this is optional because I personally don't want anyone having a remote kill switch to my phone.
richb500 said:
If they did this, would it be irreversible? How is that better than someone stealing my phone and my never getting it back? Either way I'd be out a phone. Wouldn't that be like requiring car manufacturers rigging a car to burn up if stolen?
I hope this is optional because I personally don't want anyone having a remote kill switch to my phone.
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Click to collapse
It's not. The only way they could track it would be by IMEI but this can be changed. To be honest if you phone is stolen your best bet would be report it stolen and forget about it. There is almost no chance to get it back and if you do everything will be erased anyway.
Wayne Tech Nexus
The deal is to stop the phone from getting stolen in the first place. Right now, if somebody steals a phone, they can sell/use it. There is no motivation to steal it if you know it won't work. If it bricks after getting lost until you enter your Google login or something you at least have a shot at getting it back.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Not to sound too paranoid, but I think the plan is much more sinister. Remember a couple years ago when the gov shut down cell service (I think it was San Francisco) to quell a protest? I think this is what is really at the heart to why these AGs are so hell bent on this. A lot of government officials would love a remote kill switch in cell phones. If there is a kill switch, it's sure to be abused some day. Thus country is headed for a revolution and they are putting a lot of things in place for when that day comes.... gun control, cameras everywhere, gov buying so much ammo that there is a shortage, etc.
The way Apple appears to be complimenting it, is the phone is bricked after wiping until the account that previously owned it puts in their password. That leaves the power in the owners hand, not some remote teleco/govt kill switch.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
All they can do is make the IMEI useless....I already ran into this...I bought a phone from a local computer dealer and took it to an ATT store to have a micro sim put in it, and it did work for about 5 minutes till the IMEI hit the system and it stops you from making calls with the phone. I called ATT and they were like sorry there is nothing we can do and we wont do it, take the phone back where you got it and get your money back (which I did)
carriers say no
http://www.talkandroid.com/184987-u...l-switch-that-would-prevent-smartphone-theft/
dligon said:
http://www.talkandroid.com/184987-u...l-switch-that-would-prevent-smartphone-theft/
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richb500 said:
Samsung agreed to add a remote kill switch to their Android phones. This is supposed to make a stolen phone useless to resell. My question is... Is this even possible? Wouldn't anything they do be able to be either hacked or overridden by simply reflashing the phone? Would they have to do something that physically damages the phone to kill it? Any thoughts on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guess what? http://www.techradar.com/us/news/ph...n-up-for-anti-theft-phone-kill-switch-1242938
I'm not an expert on this field, but these are the questions that come to my head as I think about the logistics to support a kill switch. I'm probably wrong in some of the assumptions that I'm making here. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Telcos don't have an incentive to make this work. It has always been possible for a Telco to disable an IMEI at their end thus making any particular IMEI unusable in their network. They already do this when you call them to report your phone stolen. If a worldwide database of stolen phone IMEIs existed then Telcos could have the ability to disable any IMEI in that database. The issue is... who would be responsible for maintaining such database and for the problems that will certainly come up due to inaccuracies and timing of updates (Telco, Government entity, phone manufacturer or a third party) . Can the maintaining entity monetize the overhead of maintaining and supporting such database? Who would pay for it? Who makes the final ruling to include or exclude an IMEI? The end user?... I doubt it. Where would the master database copy reside? And of course... would Telcos in all countries support it? Remember, the Telcos make money off any phone that is active in their network (stolen or not). All they care about is that the user of any active phone in their network is paying the network usage bill. For Telcos the more IMEIs that exists and that can be connected to their network... the better.
I can think of a bunch of issues that could come up when the end user is able to disable the actual phone. I doubt the user would be able to disable the IMEI remotely unless they own the phone and the telco allow it. The issue in the US is that a lot of the phones are subsidized (owned) by the Telco for the duration of the contract. So, in the case that the phone is subsidized the Telco should also have the right to trip the kill switch. I'm assuming that the phone kill switch will be tied to a password known to the rightful owner and "maybe" the renter. The password will render the phone unusable unless the correct password is entered. I'm assuming that if a phone on contract is stolen then the user would either contact the Telco or trip the switch via the Internet. (Lookout and other apps do something similar remotely, but they only wipe the phone.. they do not disable it) If the Telco also has the ability to disable the phone then if the bill isn't paid not only will they disconnect you, but they will also render your phone useless. Good bye data and apps. I also assume that the ability to trip the kill switch remotely would also depend on the network on which the phone is connected. The IMEI (physical address) is translated to an IP address when using the Internet. If I steal a phone in the US and keep it turned off until I register it in a Telco in another country how will the owner trip the kill switch as only the Telco would know which IP address is associated with the IMEI.....
Gotta go to work... Given that I don't know how the kill switch will actually be implemented I don't know if any of the stuff I just wrote above is relevant or makes sense. Just curious as to how the kill switch would work.
tamanaco said:
I'm not an expert on this field, but these are the questions that come to my head as I think about the logistics to support a kill switch. I'm probably wrong in some of the assumptions that I'm making here. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Telcos don't have an incentive to make this work. It has always been possible for a Telco to disable an IMEI at their end thus making any particular IMEI unusable in their network. They already do this when you call them to report your phone stolen. If a worldwide database of stolen phone IMEIs existed then Telcos could have the ability to disable any IMEI in that database. The issue is... who would be responsible for maintaining such database and for the problems that will certainly come up due to inaccuracies and timing of updates (Telco, Government entity, phone manufacturer or a third party) . Can the maintaining entity monetize the overhead of maintaining and supporting such database? Who would pay for it? Who makes the final ruling to include or exclude an IMEI? The end user?... I doubt it. Where would the master database copy reside? And of course... would Telcos in all countries support it? Remember, the Telcos make money off any phone that is active in their network (stolen or not). All they care about is that the user of any active phone in their network is paying the network usage bill. For Telcos the more IMEIs that exists and that can be connected to their network... the better.
I can think of a bunch of issues that could come up when the end user is able to disable the actual phone. I doubt the user would be able to disable the IMEI remotely unless they own the phone and the telco allow it. The issue in the US is that a lot of the phones are subsidized (owned) by the Telco for the duration of the contract. So, in the case that the phone is subsidized the Telco should also have the right to trip the kill switch. I'm assuming that the phone kill switch will be tied to a password known to the rightful owner and "maybe" the renter. The password will render the phone unusable unless the correct password is entered. I'm assuming that if a phone on contract is stolen then the user would either contact the Telco or trip the switch via the Internet. (Lookout and other apps do something similar remotely, but they only wipe the phone.. they do not disable it) If the Telco also has the ability to disable the phone then if the bill isn't paid not only will they disconnect you, but they will also render your phone useless. Good bye data and apps. I also assume that the ability to trip the kill switch remotely would also depend on the network on which the phone is connected. The IMEI (physical address) is translated to an IP address when using the Internet. If I steal a phone in the US and keep it turned off until I register it in a Telco in another country how will the owner trip the kill switch as only the Telco would know which IP address is associated with the IMEI.....
Gotta go to work... Given that I don't know how the kill switch will actually be implemented I don't know if any of the stuff I just wrote above is relevant or makes sense. Just curious as to how the kill switch would work.
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All you need is flashing software, suck as cdma workshop or dsp tools. Boom bypass any lock, because you changes the calling info, such as the IMEI.
While I see this as an option on stock roms. It will most likely be easily removed if flashed with a custom rom, but as google is also part of it we may see something added to aosp as well.
Bat cave One
Dark Souls87 said:
All you need is flashing software, suck as cdma workshop or dsp tools. Boom bypass any lock, because you changes the calling info, such as the IMEI.
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I understand that it could be bypassed in a phone with root and with an unlocked bootloader. This might not be as easy with a phone with a locked bootloader like the S5. Changing the IMEI is only an option if the IMEI you're changing it to is valid in the Telcos network. I'm thinking that a kill switch implemented by the manufacturer might be tied to the CPU id or some other unique serial number burned into the hardware..
makers, carriers embrace anti-theft initiative
dligon said:
http://www.talkandroid.com/184987-u...l-switch-that-would-prevent-smartphone-theft/
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Starting in July 2015, all smartphones manufactured by the companies will come with free anti-theft tools preloaded on the devices or ready to be downloaded, according to wireless association CTIA, which announced the agreement on Tuesday.
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New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and San Francisco District Attorney, George Gascon welcomed the voluntary agreement but said it fell short of what they have advocated to prevent theft.
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http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/15/smartphone-theft-idUSL2N0N71WW20140415
Looks like a bit of software, not anything on the hardware layer.
No 'Killswitch Engage' . Just an OS killer or partition reformat?
[Edited for typo]
http://www.androidauthority.com/google-android-anti-thect-kill-swtich-369066/
I don't think the switch is to prevent it from being resold if it was stolen or to brick the phone but to protect your data. Last thing I want is to have my phone stolen and on top of that, the jerk to buy everything in the play store and me be broke on top of no phone or to access my bank account, etc.
It also seems you can restore it all back if you actually get your phone back.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
tamanaco said:
I'm not an expert on this field, but these are the questions that come to my head as I think about the logistics to support a kill switch. I'm probably wrong in some of the assumptions that I'm making here. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
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Gotta go to work... Given that I don't know how the kill switch will actually be implemented I don't know if any of the stuff I just wrote above is relevant or makes sense. Just curious as to how the kill switch would work.
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Dark Souls87 said:
All you need is flashing software, suck as cdma workshop or dsp tools. Boom bypass any lock, because you changes the calling info, such as the IMEI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dark souls makes a good point. IMEI is tied to the software. That's why we can back it up and restore it, etc. and cdma workshop in combination with an old throw away phone IMEI or even buying a 20$ feature phone and using that IMEI it to easy to do. But it can a be a good deterrent I believe for most. It'll just have us XDA'ers concerned lol.
drago10029 said:
Dark souls makes a good point. IMEI is tied to the software. That's why we can back it up and restore it, etc. and cdma workshop in combination with an old throw away phone IMEI or even buying a 20$ feature phone and using that IMEI it to easy to do. But it can a be a good deterrent I believe for most. It'll just have us XDA'ers concerned lol.
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While this is partly true the imei is also hardcoded into some of the hardware. This is why when people mess up their IMEI they cant fix it. Not to mention changing the IMEI is completely illegal. Meaning XDA doesnt advise or condone doing this.
zelendel said:
While this is partly true the imei is also hardcoded into some of the hardware. This is why when people mess up their IMEI they cant fix it. Not to mention changing the IMEI is completely illegal. Meaning XDA doesnt advise or condone doing this.
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Wow illegal?? I had no idea lol. And yea i figured some of its hardcoded. Speaking of it being hardcoded. I gitta back mine up. Why are a lot of i747 people losing theirs? Anyone know?
Hello, this is my first post but sure it not the last!
I have been exposed of fraud! I bought Note 10 Plus on a website called Blocket in Sweden were you can buy everything. The guy told me that the phone was locked to 3 and that was no problem because i have that to. But when he came to me he had activated the phone so WiFi call was on (I didn't know that). I logged in to my google account and then I also connected to my WiFi. Then i tried a call and no problems so I paid the guy and got a receipt and took his ID. But as soon as I went out I couldn't call and did some research and the phone had only 0 as IMEI and in small letters on the back it says that it is a Demo unit and have a serial number and its name is SM-975X . So my question is if anyone have been able to get a phone like this to work? Everything is reported to the police but he had false ID and the phone number has been turned off! I payed 650$ so would be so happy if anyone has an solution of my problem :fingers-crossed :fingers-crossed:
Sadly, there is no solution, only a motherboard replacement would work
Hm, is it so bad! Do they remove the radio parts for everything else works like a charm even WiFi calls and wireless charging both on my phone and to other phones to!
Do you know if the they only remove/disable the radio part and let everything else work?
What I know, is that there is no way to make it work as a regular device, they are intended to be used by vendors, to discourage people from stealing them from showrooms, precisely the cellular part is totally disabled
the IMEI is generally a unique identifier used by networks and such to track devices (stolen or otherwise) without one a device wont work on a network and the only way for a device to get one is from the factory encoded into the hardware, so short of swapping out hardware for a different board that has an IMEI there is pretty much nothing you can do.
as if it was simple to change them people would be able to hide stolen hardware or their tracks when swapping SIM cards. also would get them around blacklisting and other features on the networks.
the IMEI is basically the same as a VIN number on a car, even if you could change it you would need a valid one to register the device on a network.
it's sad but unfortunately all you can use this as is a learning experience, in future only buy from reputable sources that offer some level of consumer protection and always check things like the IMEI as people even sell blacklisted phones as they will turn on and seem to work but will be blocked off the majority of networks.
Yes it was a wakening call, but I have sold and bought 40-50 different phones and other stuff on "Blocket" but this was the first time i was cheated. I had no idea of that you could make WiFi calls otherwise it wouldn't worked! He had receipt and everything so I had no thought that it was a demo phone! Before he came i was looking for a site were you could write the serial number and look if it was stolen but couldn't find any! Apple has one and have used that often and had one guy that tried to sell a iPhone that was stolen!
I talked to a independent repair shop and he was willing to buy it for 200$ so he could use it for parts, then my lost is only 450$ but it hurts anyway
yeah screen battery and a few other parts would still be viable, it's mainly the board with the phone modem on that would be unusable as little more than a demo/home unit.
WIFI calling will still work as it doesn't use any of the phone identifiers other than stuff like the MAC address of the phone WIFI chip that even a demo unit would need.
A quick google should give you IMEI checker sites and it's something you should always check, if you have bought as many phones as you say, you have been very lucky this is the first to have a problem as there is a massive black market for stolen devices that are black listed and such, that is why IMEI checker sites are fairly common as most networks do allow access to blacklist device lists as they don't want them being sold on. so really IMEI is probably the most important thing to check when buying a phone as there are multiple ways it could cause you problems.