IMEI changing is going to get you sore!

[vijay555]

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 (http://www.itsx.com/index.html?pocketpc-manip.html~mainFrame) 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?

http://www.vijay555.com/images/littlev.gif (http://www.vijay555.com/index.php?Moderated)

[BigBen]

LOL! Vijay, I love the way you write! Funny but educational. (A little more humor around here would not hurt.) Well done!

Ben

[angelstarsix]

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 :) :eek:

[Lawman]

Sorry ,I can't use it in my Universal,any body can help me?

[linkstations]

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

[james21170]

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.?

[daveschz]

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.?

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!

[champ8242]

same here, missing the last two digits in my IMEI number after installing Radio 1.41.00.10

[timbouk]

same here, missing the last two digits in my IMEI number after installing Radio 1.41.00.10


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.

[N2h]

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 :) :eek:

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 ;)

[Pinesio]

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.

[Hajaz]

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

[Pinesio]

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.

[edremitli]

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!

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 ;)

[vijay555]

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

[boinger66]

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
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 ?

[asnaveenkumar]

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
:)

[landwomble]

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 ?


..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.

[TheBrit]

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.

[NMK]

Help Me Please
Yardım Edin Lütfen
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=1417550

[naveed805]

Can we change the imei of imate jam ?

br
Naveed

[Kichigai]

Am I the only one who finds it funny that Vijay goes off on this one long rant about the illegality of IMEI changing, for what I assume to be the purposes of getting people to stop asking how to change their IMEI, and yet people persist asking in this very thread?

[Rudegar]

guess ebay's offer of stolen phones and some countries strange laws about phones fuel it

i had a wallaby stolen from me and i would guess the theifs would like to unblock it before shipping it on :/

[vijay555]

Kichigai, remember that as far as I'm concerned, I'm ok supporting IMEI changing from a technical point of view, but most of us will rapidly distance ourselves from such threads because of the risks involved.

There was an interesting "flicker" when a good friend wrote and released an IMEI changer for the wizard. That may have been before your time though.

However, I entirely agree with you that people asking how to change IMEIs, in this thread, is a little confusing. They clearly don't get the message.

http://bedazzled.blogs.com/bedazzled/images/frank_gorshin_riddler1.jpg

V

[burkay]

Kichigai, remember that as far as I'm concerned, I'm ok supporting IMEI changing from a technical point of view, but most of us will rapidly distance ourselves from such threads because of the risks involved.

There was an interesting "flicker" when a good friend wrote and released an IMEI changer for the wizard. That may have been before your time though.

However, I entirely agree with you that people asking how to change IMEIs, in this thread, is a little confusing. They clearly don't get the message.

http://bedazzled.blogs.com/bedazzled/images/frank_gorshin_riddler1.jpg

V

it is not that people don't get the message but sometimes you HAVE TO change the IMEI of your OWN phone. For example, I have been living in Canada for the last 4 years. In a couple months I will fly back to Turkey. And Turkey has this ass of a policy to lock phone brought from other countries. Well, you can bring one, but the second one will be locked. Now, I have a tytn and a tornado. I will register the tytn and try everything to change the IMEI on tornado. It is my phone, I paid some f'ing dollars to buy it. And I definitely want to use it. So it is not like every single soul who seeks a way to change the IMEI is stupid or illegal. There are people out there who are desperately trying to use their totally and absolutely legal phones by changing the IMEI.

Warning people about the consequences of an action is an honourable thing. But mocking them in their state of desperation is :mad:

[Doom Tints]

Turkey has this ass of a policy to lock phone brought from other countries.

So it is not like every single soul who seeks a way to change the IMEI is stupid or illegal.

This is a contradiction. If Turkey has a law where they disable foreign phones, and you are circumventing that, you are breaking the law and doing something illegal.

The people here are making good points. If you are traveling between Turkey and Canada, you're very likely already being watched. Changing your IMEI is going to raise even more red flags. In your case especially I would say that you would be acting very stupidly to change your IMEI. Even more to the point, you are acting stupidly by talking about it publicly as you are here.

This is just my advice, feel free to disregard it if you so choose.

By the way, I think if you re-read this thread once or twice you may find the real message being presented here. No one is actually accusing anyone of doing anything illegal (necessarily) nor is anyone saying that anyone is stupid for wanting to change their IMEI or even for changing their IMEI. I'm sure you can figure it out.

[tatotato]

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.

It's legitimate to research it. But in some (most?) countries you're not allowed to be connected to your network with a changed IMEI.


Also, I would like to add that what our buddy vijay555 said also goes for ESN changing.IT IS ILLEGAL but not impossible!:D or encouraged by me:) TO CONNECT TO YOUR CARRIER WITH A CHANGED ESN UNLESS IT IS LEGAL IN YOUR COUNTRY OR YOUR CARRER HAS ALLOWED IT.
Not to say I don't make friends with people who have in the past/present :)

That's my little CDMA-user rant over.

[Alan Chan]

forgive me if i sound like a newbie but i dont get whats the point of changing the IMEI for?

[mestrini]

forgive me if i sound like a newbie but i dont get whats the point of changing the IMEI for?

Sometimes the word 'changing' can be replaced with 'repairing'

Imagine you have a Wizard (Qtek9100 amongst other names) and you're playing around with the bootloader instructions (via mtty), testing commands and watching nice output from it. You haven't made a backup of the GSMdata area because you don't know what that is and that it's the ROM zone where the IMEI is stored. Everything goes fine until you use the command doctest 1 because it writes test patterns all throughout the ROM and clears all the data. :eek:
How to get the system back? Enter bootloader and flash a new ROM with the OS of your choice. But what about the IMEI? There's no RUU than includes the GSMdata. The only way is to write a new IMEI (if there is a tool to do it)

Please note that i'm not for IMEI changing to sell a blacklisted phone or just because but sometimes it's needed (and i could find other valid reasons)

just 2 cents

[tatotato]

forgive me if i sound like a newbie but i dont get whats the point of changing the IMEI for?
IMEI = Serial number of GSM/GPRS phone.

[Alan Chan]

IMEI = Serial number of GSM/GPRS phone.

I know wuts the IMEI (15 digit code), but why do people want to change their IMEI?

[lastnikita]

I know wuts the IMEI (15 digit code), but why do people want to change their IMEI?

. it has been erased (ex by flashing)
. it has been blocked by their operator (different issues....)

[mestrini]

I know wuts the IMEI (15 digit code), but why do people want to change their IMEI?

If you insist i'll give another one.

Imagine you're changing a IC or any kind of CHIP of a phone where the IMEI resides and the housing doesn't have the IMEI sticker and you forgot to write it down. How to get it back? YOU CAN'T. You must write a new one, which may come from old unused phones with valid IMEI

[kastro]

I have a Wizard lying around that I had found in a cinema house. The owner of the phone had already blocked it as 'stolen' when I had seen it.

Is it possible to change the IMEI number so I can use it? Yes I know it is illegal, but so are drugs :P

Is anyone willing to help?

Or should I just throw the phone into the bin?

[scousemartin]

download the wizard tools and change the IMEI ;) phone is good to go, or just send me the phone and i will do it for you :D

[scousemartin]

I have a Wizard lying around that I had found in a cinema house. The owner of the phone had already blocked it as 'stolen' when I had seen it.

Is it possible to change the IMEI number so I can use it? Yes I know it is illegal, but so are drugs :P

Is anyone willing to help?

Or should I just throw the phone into the bin?
download the wizard tools and you can do whatever you want with the phone, or just post it to me and i will do it lol

[kastro]

Wizard Tools??

[chaxelos]

Does changing my IME will unlock my phone? I have an Xda Atom pure and its been sitting on my drawer for almost ayear now, I bought it Second hand, im only a student and i used up all my savings just to bought that phone, we all know that a ppc is expensive. and after a week of using it its been blocked by all the networks here in the philippines, I tried calling the networks but they said that my phone was blocked by the original owner. so i cant do anything about it. now, im stuck with my Nokia 1100 a crappy phone. please changing the IME is my last resort... and since no one is making a unlocking solution for it, i would highy appreciate if somebody here will give me a way to use my phone again... Thank you in advance...

[mestrini]

Hey mods, please do something about this thread!! :(

This was supposed to be a thread to warn members about the risks (moral and law) of IMEI changing and not to give advises....

[Olipro]

it's a bit like cancer... ignore it and it'll go away... that's what my mum told me anyway

[louiscar]

Vejay,

A couple of questions as I have bought a blacklisted phone from ebay.

Background: the phone worked ok when it arrived (hermes). After I put Olipro's HardSPL and hard reset I found I couldn't dial out on my T-Mobile sim.

A little research gave me to suspect it was blocked. I called Vodafone (as it is a 1605) and they confirmed it was reported stolen. Next was to phone the police to report it. They took the details and I asked 'what do I do with the phone' The answer was that I'd have to wait a few days, if they wanted it they'd contact me. That was on the 24/10.

Next was to raise a dispute with paypal. I eventually got some cock an bull story from the seller who's now initiated a refund. I had told him that I've provided a reference number for the police and Vodafone and if his explanation was valid there should be no problem in sorting this out. Incidentally I marked him 2/10 for the credibility of his story and that was before I clocked his reaction to my reporting it to the police. :-)

The upshot is that he's now told me Vodafone will not unblock the phone so "keep it" :)

OK so now I have a phone that the police may or may not ask me for - it's only day 3 so I'll give it a week. Vodafone are not interested curiously.

So the question:

If I end up with this phone, under what circumstances can one LEGALLY get the phone de-blacklisted? I am not prepared to look for a way of changing the IMEI, so it's either a free PDA or get the proper IMEI unblocked.

My guess is that if one can prove that the phone has been recovered or the original person who reported it reversed his / her claim.

However, I'm not sure what the circumstance are or (if the seller is telling the truth by any stretch of the imagination) Vodafone imply that once blacklisted, always blacklisted. Is there any law that allows for legitimate de-blacklisting given adequate proof of recovery or is this at the network's discretion?

Another question: If the police don't show any interest in recovering the phone and Vodafone aren't interested am I legally entitled to keep the phone? I can probably ask them that but I find it strange that their interest in actually recovering the phone seems less than enthusiastic.


I'd be interested in your comments as you appear to know about the legal aspects of these issues.

[TheBrit]

That's interesting. Are the police going to pay the seller a visit?

My guess is that the IMEI block is permanent. It's there to make stealing phones a waste of time and being able to unblock them would weaken that premise.

You might get it to work in another country as (to my limited knowledge) the UK's IMEI blacklist only gets shared around the UK networks.

[louiscar]

That's interesting. Are the police going to pay the seller a visit?

The seller is in Bristol, I reported to the East Sussex Police, they told me that they may pass it on to the Bristol police, yes.


My guess is that the IMEI block is permanent. It's there to make stealing phones a waste of time and being able to unblock them would weaken that premise.

I agree to a certain extent but there should be some provision for a recovered phone to be taken off the blacklist given adequate proof and confirmation of its recovery. It needn't threaten the premise as long as the rules that govern it are solid enough.

[flexte]

N2h
"1> same IMEI number will not be active at the same time on the network"
are you sure about this? the IMEI associated with my phone is actually the IMEI of the employees phone who signed me up with ATT. at the time i did not have my phone on me so he used his to sign me up. later on i came back and used my phone to activate the sim. he never did get the IMEI from my phone. and the 2 times that i called the cust serv rep asked me questions as if i had a BB phone( which of c0ourse was the employees phone.)

[PxDxA]

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.

Not quite true. In Turkey, because of a huge problem of muggings and cell phone theft, every phone's IMEI and its owner is now registered. In a year Turks are allowed to bring one phone from abroad which they then have to register. I would strongly advise against altering an IMEI in Turkey as penalties far outweigh any benefit.

[james21170]

Why when reading my IMEI number with the Iwizard tool does the number seem to be corrupt, ie when i read using the program it returns the number with letters in it, am i missing something??? The number it returns ( with letters is ) C4BC6400C4BC640

This is obviously wrong but what am i doing wrong or what is going wrong with the reading process?? ??


O2 XDA iis PDA by the why!

[efikra]

yes it is a pencil

[eliasjcastillo]

HTC touch p3452 elf..

iwizard shows imei: C4BC6400C4BC640

what can we do? WST 4.2.1 , didnt work neither..:(

IPL 1.11
SPL 1.11
aku .0.2.3

[jungl1st]

After reading with interest this thread, I had a check of my emei and find out that the one listed in settings/system/device info/identity has two more numbers at the end compared to the one written on the sticker by the battery.

I have an Artemis with tom B&B v5

Can someone has an idea of what happens here ?

[saopacic]

It is probably the CRC

[jungl1st]

It is probably the CRC

Sorry for been a newbie, but What do U mean by CRC

[skusa93]

Sorry for been a newbie, but What do U mean by CRC
This exact question was already answered in this thread.
If you had taken the time to read rather than post, this would have been apparent to you.

The last two digits correspond to the software version of the phone, which is why it does not show up on the sticker underneath the battery, but rather in the OS.

[jaskani]

Guy any luck with kaiser imei change?

[im_e_freak]

hay, you seem like a very experienced person, can i ask for a private msg asking for details of how this IMEI worKS?

[Sinuyasha]

Hey guy,
If you face same problem as me, you may support me to change Imei. I up radio rom in my P51 by using radio rom 1.08. After I up it, my P51 change imei to 0000000. We try to change and got tool which it's official tool from BenQ. But I am lack of base information or file, user name, password. So I can't change my imei from 0000 to actual imei. I need it.

[shadowmike]

well after reading this thread..

I agree, that there are legitimate and non legitimate reasons to change the imei of a phone. but at the end of the day it comes down to morals.

I may not kill somone if i have a loaded gun, but some other user here might. I may use a imei changer to fix my screw up. Somone else my use the imei changer to switch a stolen phone imei's to a older broken phone so they could use it.


also the original poster wasn't trying to say its illegal and we shouldnt do it.

he was saying if we could do it. we could get free phones. because we could then switch the stickers and the internal code so that they match a old phone and trick the phone companies "TECH SUPPORT" into thinking its a legal phone and then having ... 2 working phones.

[jasonsmr]

Well Its good stuff.. morals, and all, and far abet from me bringing up such a matter as that would cause some state of being..
that may allow a-nother to become screwed such as being hammered on by big businesses cell phone giants (crying home to the momma fish)
conglomerates with horrid customer service or not...

They seem to handle themselves and some may say that inconveniencing them will cause others to
suffer in the long well thats on them bro, seriously when the momma fish of big corporation reticulates her ugly head to us do we submit and flinch our
shinny little cell phones away to be controlled by them another day..?

hell no we develop and do our own, wondering why were here, hell ya! its our Raison d'etre, Ive been reading all these post on this cell phone stuff and this is a very personal thing for all of us I'm sure like having a car stolen maybe, or better yet having a page in our personal journal burned.

I know if I had mine stolen I wouldn't want someone else to take the same meaning from it that i did, well news flash that just don't happen they will go on to use the thing regardless of me or us or "U" one will always do what one must. I hope I'm making since here If ya can't stand to read along I completely
understand.

Its a presence thing and we are always going to do what things we can we all have our own situations its called the human condition, regardless of
whether your a car thief or a happy go lucky consumer who got a pleasant bitter sweet $300 kaiser shipping mistake at his front door with a bad IMEI if
reported and BAD customer service and reception if he does. I'm not one to ever ask for advice and even less to ask what people think, unless I know I can
help.

So thats where I'm sitting where to help where to continue with the next thing, and to succeed brilliantly, as we seem to do, the point is when working at this, and we find that we can question a bit too much, halting, rather to even go anywhere with is seems like a point not to be yielded. Well, Ill tell you Guys and Girls this, that we're going to be the ones that a accountable, and yes some things are going to be always awaiting on that far reaching point "B,"

Question is: how ya get there?

Well I hope that lit a fire or at least an eyebrow or three. like I said I feel morally responsible for lots of stuff least of all of theses is to the cell phone companies

just think about it will YA?

[tangwd898]

just found the tools can't work on my HTC Touch.

can anyone tell any other good tools?

thanks.

[xdaking]

nice info, you might even go prison for upto 5 years for changing IMEI in uk. (no sunshine for 5 freaking years, just bcos of a damn mobile phone)

don't let this happen to you. you are not a criminal. :)

[ldnpat]

nice info, you might even go prison for upto 5 years for changing IMEI in uk. (no sunshine for 5 freaking years, just bcos of a damn mobile phone)

don't let this happen to you. you are not a criminal. :)UK. Sunshine. I sense a contradiction there. It's August, for chrissake :(

[xdaking]

UK. Sunshine. I sense a contradiction there. It's August, for chrissake :(

exactly, theres no sunshine in uk, once in a bluemoon the sun comes out, only the dark clouds. outside is just like inside. :)
i almost forgot it mate.

[-888-]

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 ;)

what is the point of that website?
To check what?

For all I see there, that website is doing nothing else but HARVESTING IMEI numbers - and informations specific to devices with the number.

If I was to "steal" anybody's IMEI numbers I would have set up exactly same website and ask people to enter their IMEI#, brand and model of the phone, frequencies etc etc... it'll make my life much easier to clone someone's IMEI into another phone when I know all the details ;)

I'm sure Osama ibn Laden has plenty of your IMEI numbers and all the details to clone them into correct phone models now ;)

[Ev0luti0n_]

i came late to this thread, but i laughed damn hard! :D
won't comment on the imei changing thingy though... :D

[mestrini]

i came late to this thread, but i laughed damn hard! :D
won't comment on the imei changing thingy though... :D

the irony of it all is that the purpose of the thread was to warn about the risks associated to IMEI changing and some members came here asking for help and solutions :p:D

[carlistillo]

I HAVE A 8525 i bought it in the USA ,,,AND I WANT TO CHANGE MY IMEI , I hadTHE PHONE for 6 MONTHS AND ITS MINE I JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW CAN I CHANGE MY IMEI, this is not stolen , the stupid people in my country blocked my phone thinking mine was stolen, i can use it in another company changing the sim chip but not in my operator,,,...,,, i didnt bought this phone here im from el salvador, and i wanna cryy...please tell mee how can i change it ..i can pay you a donation via paypal :( please. :(

[PoisonP]

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 ;)
Hi, I see that you are very clued up and hope you can help me.

I am very new at this...actually I know nothing about this. I am hoping you can help me with this. I am from South Africa and through a provider called i-Talk got a Nokia N95 on the MTN network with an upgrade.

They upgraded on their side to the wrong package at the wrong time messing up the free minutes story. As a result we ended up with a huge bill and queried this...ever since then we had no real assistance and we are currently in dispute and requested the contract be cancelled...no definate feedback yet.

They blacklisted the phone on all networks but since we will have to pay the phone and cancellation fees I feel that we should still have use of the phone.

I therefore need assistance to change the IMEI number. Someone has given us codes to put in but it only works for a few minutes then it blocks again. I quess the only thing that can be done is to flash the phone and reload it...hopefully this is how a new IMEI number is generated.

Can anyone please, please, please help me as this phone was only used for 3 months and I do have the receipt from i-Talk as confirmation of ownership.

Thanking you in advance. :-)

[duscsc]

same here, missing the last two digits in my IMEI number after installing Radio 1.41.00.10

I must change it!!
How to doing ???

[freexdalogin]

found this post on the fourm if i am wrong please correct me ..thanks

21-02-2008, 12:16 PM
This (http://www.orate.co.uk/Mobiles/imei.html), this (http://support.gsmliberty.net/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=3), and this (http://www.wikihow.com/Find-the-IMEI-Number-on-a-Mobile-Phone) page gave me enough information to stop worrying about it all.

IMEISV (International Mobile Equipment Identity and Software Version number) is also sometimes used. It offers the possibility of adding the handset's original software version number. It adds a two digit SVN (Software Version Number) at the end of the code, so the numerical format is:
111111-22-333333-4-55, which changed to 11111111-222222-3-44 on 1st April 2004.
So we know that the added 01 is a software version number, that's added to the code itself. Since the first 15 numbers are the same as on the box/insurance papers, that suggests that the IMEI itself is not changed. It just got the SV part added to it.

Several sources suggest that having more than 15 numbers is not a problem at all:
NOTE: If your phone prints out more than 15 digits for your IMEI , please only supply us with the first 15 digits the phone provides, no dashes or space. The remaining numbers are unimportant as they are just checksum numbers.

Look on the phone for a white sticker/label, which would be now exposed after removing the battery, for the IMEI. It would be 15 or 17 digits not including a few forward slashes included and without any letters. Only the first 15-digits are needed.

Hope it helps :)

[vikashrmalya]

Can somebody tell me as to how a modified/changed IMEI number can be identified? :confused:

Can the service provider know if an IMEI number is original or a modified one?:confused:

Does the manufacturers provide the list of all valid IMEI to the service providers for them to identify?:rolleyes:

I am just curious from the forensics perspective. Please let me know if someone knows the answer.

[Nokser]

Very interesting topic, I have to say that he is not tried, but I have to ... And so in general you want to change the IMEI?

[jasond]

Very funny thread, I have always wondered about what it was that changed my IMEI. I have upgraded my i-mate sp5m 100's of times since 2004 when I first got it. I noticed my IMEI changed several times after flashing. It sucked because some of the software I purchased for the phone would not work anymore.

anyways, I always though the carrier don't really give a hoot about the IMEI, I thought it was illegal to clone sims. From my experience with the carrier not being able to read the IMEI was that they could not update your device OTA or PUSH some content.

[DaveShaw]

Very funny thread, I have always wondered about what it was that changed my IMEI. I have upgraded my i-mate sp5m 100's of times since 2004 when I first got it. I noticed my IMEI changed several times after flashing. It sucked because some of the software I purchased for the phone would not work anymore.

anyways, I always though the carrier don't really give a hoot about the IMEI, I thought it was illegal to clone sims. From my experience with the carrier not being able to read the IMEI was that they could not update your device OTA or PUSH some content.

The last 2 digits of your IMEI are the SVN (software version number) and can change from time to time. Check Wikipedia for more.

Ta
Dave

[cappsie]

I've read, with interest, this thread.

The thing that gets me is the endless *dire* warnings about changing one's IMEI number.

Is it possible, more than likely, is it illegal, of course.

But since when did discussing a subject or researching a subject become illegal.

I love guns, have books on guns, have fired guns before the government made owning a gun illegal, I talk about guns. You get the point.

However, none of that makes my love of fine craftsmanship illegal.

Why on this thread are people being doom mongers? We are all well aware that hacking (or more correctly cracking) is illegal yet is openly discussed but seems to be a more grey area.

If someone had a phone that was blocked, went out and bought another, cheaper phone, perhaps from a local supermarket, but then decided that they'd like to use the legally purchased IMEI on the blocked phone because it was their preference. Now, IMHO why shouldn't we discuss that?

You can get plans on making drugs and bombs even nuclear warfare - morally speaking that is ALL illegal in the crassest sense, however, freedom of speech allows it.

Were I to go into a store and buy the components for a bomb and then build it, that would be illegal.

My two penneth.

[davey1980]

hmmm IMEI..the finger print of the fone. why would u want to change the IMEI unless to scam and ruin some1 elses fone.

service providers - we record SIM activity therefore ANY fone u put that sim into and use we RECORD the IMEI.

if you break ur fone or comes faulty we will send it away for repair AS long as the IMEI matches the 1 on account.(if u get ur fone from ur network they record the IMEI)

if u lose ur fone we'll check the IMEI linked to the account and IMEI of last used. make sure they match.

CHANGING ur IMEI will make ur fone USELESS for help. ur network provider wont help you and nor will ur manfacture!

if ur fones blacklisted and u dont know why..take proof of purchase (request this from network provider if sent out ) - and if theres no insurance claims on ur account u can get this unblacklisted.

Insurance companies will either request proof of IMEI blacklist or contact the service provider to check this.

other info.. the last digit can sometimes change but only once eg ends in 1 we mite have 0 at end. this is fine.
taking the 1st 8digits will tell us the make and model of that number.


SO..is it really worth it? (this info is used in UK)

how do i know this? cos im able to blacklist and unblacklist any IMEI for UK fones :p (we also have the ability to locate where the fone was last used however this costs alot more and only used under special reasons.)

[Neolithian]

I have another question. It is illegal to change the IMEI on the phone, that remains undisputed, so the question is . . .
If someone purchased a phone and it had its IMEI tampered with, would a provider know the IMEI had been changed without physically holding the phone and comparing the *#06# with the printed label inside the unit ?

[oklan]

great !but I won't my imei because it is useless for me,though I dare to against the law .

[davey1980]

Neolithian - NO. we'd be able to see the new IMEI once a call is made from it but have no way to prove that the fones IMEI was changed unless checking stickers.meaning u could be using a different fone which is same make/model,

eg i have samsung i900. imei 1234 make a call now service provider has 1234 showing.
i buy new samsung i900 from shop imei 4321 again make a call again the service provider has imei 4321
if i was to change the imei from 1234 to 2345 the service provider would think its a different fone and system doesnt show imei change.

only reason to change the IMEI is to poss use a blacklist fone thats been recorded as stolen etc, BUT by changing the IMEI u mite get a IMEI thats not in the system making ur fone useless. (eg- u mite change ur IMEI to a blacklisted IMEI therefore wont work)

would be extremely hard to be caught by police, they would have to know wot to look for and old imei on fone to prove it i believe and pretty much impossible for fone companys to detect.

[cappsie]

Neolithian - NO. we'd be able to see the new IMEI once a call is made from it but have no way to prove that the fones IMEI was changed unless checking stickers.meaning u could be using a different fone which is same make/model,

eg i have samsung i900. imei 1234 make a call now service provider has 1234 showing.
i buy new samsung i900 from shop imei 4321 again make a call again the service provider has imei 4321
if i was to change the imei from 1234 to 2345 the service provider would think its a different fone and system doesnt show imei change.

only reason to change the IMEI is to poss use a blacklist fone thats been recorded as stolen etc, BUT by changing the IMEI u mite get a IMEI thats not in the system making ur fone useless. (eg- u mite change ur IMEI to a blacklisted IMEI therefore wont work)

would be extremely hard to be caught by police, they would have to know wot to look for and old imei on fone to prove it i believe and pretty much impossible for fone companys to detect.

Bingo. Ok this was my point - I had a Nokia 6300, I dropped it and trashed the screen and then stepped on it in a drunken haze. I then purchased a replacement 6300 from Tesco's, swapped over my existing components to the new case never actually using the new components. Now, nothing illegal about that so far.

I have a new N95 that has been blocked (call my friend stupid) anyways the phone was passed to me as I already have an N95 and thought it might come in handy for more spares, however, it occured to me that the Nokia 6300 Tesco phone hasn't been used and therefore is still a legal phone. So my question is, why shouldn't I be allowed to transfer the Tesco number, which I have *already* legally paid for, on to the spare N95.

Simply telling me "it's illegal" and "if you're caught you will go to jail" is pointless and not answering my question - I know all this and I'm not interested in hearing it over and over again.

What I want to know is - is it possible to change the IMEI number on an N95 - yes or no - it's a simply question.

I've heard conflicting opinions on this so I'd love to know one way or the other in a proven way - i.e. someone saying "I've tried it myself - tried this way and that way and no you cannot." that would be acceptable.

Thoughts?

Thanks

[davey1980]

the imei will show make and model etc, so poss changing from n95 to n95 is ok but n96 to mokia6300 hmmm system would show it as a n95, i guess it can be done but not 100% sure all features would work.. be pointless sending away for repair or geting tech help. is it such a biog deal to change the imei tho? only reason i can see if the handset is blacklisted and u want it working,
i guess u can change it as its just a number.

[cappsie]

Ok that sounds more positive.

Today I was in one of those "unlocking" shops where they claim they can do anything, well almost anything after a brief conversation with the store hand who informed me they do not write IMEI numbers - they do however, de brand and unlock the phone even upgrade all the firmware for you - in fact everything not of use in this case.

I appreciate that the IMEI says "Hi I'm a Nokia 6300 registered on XXX network" but let's be honest, if 1. the IMEI hasn't been blocked and 2. the number is being used by a handset then who is to know?

If, in my meagre understanding it is the IMEI number that advertises what handset is using the phone then it doesn't matter what handset IS using the phone so long as the IMEI number hasn't been black listed.

I heard a claim that NSS could be used to rewrite the IMEI number but contrarily, a claim that NSS could not be used to rewrite the IMEI number. I'd wager it depends on where the IMEI is stored and if that chip is a one-way write only chip with its fuses blown after programming as I understand all protected chips to be.

Ideas?

[+Anonymous+]

I'm not surprised that the "unlocking shop" wouldn't change your IMEI - as in most places it is highly illegal!
...e.g. in my country up to 5 years prison sentence for "reprogramming" mobile phones...

FWIW I've had to repair IMEI on Windows Mobile phones (trivial) and Sony Ericssons (neccessitated a couple of Euros payment to a server in Latvia, lol.)

Interestingly, with the Sony Ericsson; the IMEI was indeed stored in a "write only" state, but I found it was possible to write a second IMEI, which the firmware will recognise and use, bypassing the hardcoded original.
Of course, if Forensics got hold of the handset, they would be able to tell...

Anyway, I think this is the wrong forum to ask about N95 IMEI repair...
most likely you will get more joy from browsing less WM-centric places e.g. GSM-Forum (http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/forumdisplay.php?f=299) or this (http://phoenixslayer.blogspot.com/) random blog.

Good luck!

[davey1980]

well as far as im aware it would be near on impossible to trace track and find out if the imei is change from the orignal fone.

however im unsure with the workings of the fone and have no idea if the IMEI is fixed to the hardware of the fone or changable with the software.

so i guess if u were to change it u could have a really crappy fone and our system would show as the best lol .

im also unsure wot would happen if the IMEI is changed to an already in use 1, as far as i know nothing would happen as the system would think u have done a sim swap. so even having 2 of the same IMEI wouldnt affect the fone....not 100% as never came accross it but would affect the system i use anyways.

i guess if u do change the IMEI makie a note of both so u can change bk to the orignal IMEI for warrenty repairs insurance etc. :)

[davey1980]

just got some shocking info....the IMEI is writen on the SOFTWARE so can be changed, although illegal its almost impossible to track or trace, fone company holds the IMEI but no proof to show it was changed. seems like a manfucture flaw for many reasons

[cappsie]

just got some shocking info....the IMEI is written on the SOFTWARE so can be changed, although illegal it's almost impossible to track or trace, fone company holds the IMEI but no proof to show it was changed. seems like a manufacture flaw for many reasons

Hey after a TON of digging I managed to find this site:
http://ucables.com/ref/DCT4DIRECT

I also found that the term of which we speak is called "flash patching" - here's how it works:


On all Nokia DCT4 phones the important security data for the IMEI and ESN is stored on a special, not rewritable chip inside the phone: the UEM chip. This chips characteristic is that it is only one time programmable (OTP) and that the data inside cannot be rewritten. Because of this, until now it was only possible, to repair the IMEI/ESN if you change this UEM chip. Since this task requires a lot of time and effort, a lot of customers were looking for an easier solution, without the need to open the phone and change some components inside. And after some time finally somebody created a tool that was able to do all that operations without changing the UEM chip: the DCT4 DIRECT Box. This software uses a special technique in order to make it possible to repair the IMEI/ESN without changing any data on the UEM chip itself. This task is done by editing the MCU Firmware inside the phone and writing the desired IMEI/ESN data to the FLASH, not to the UEM chip, this procedure is also known as FLASH PATCHING. After the phone has been updated with the patched flash data by the DCT4 DIRECT BOX the phone will have the new IMEI/ESN number and all simlock data rebuild as well. This might sound a little bit complicated now, but in fact the user is not affected in any way by this procedure. All the user need to do is to type the desired IMEI/ESN number into a field and then just press one button for starting the IMEI/ESN repair.

However, they weren't able to advise on the correct box for the N95 - the Nokia page is here: http://ucables.com/phone-service-device-c1/Nokia

But as least we know that 1. it is possible and 2. the actual term for it.

Incidentally, if anyone else is aware of any other way I'd welcome the information, purely in a theoretical way of course.

[cedrick001]

Hello people, Sorry for my bad english, i'm french, but i really need your help about IMEI change of a KC910 LG !!

I tried a lot of solution to change his IMEI, and i modify the .nv2 file (contain IMEI number) too, but when i restore it to the phone, the IMEI is still the same ! (I hace backup it again after, and it appear that it was not my "Custom .nv2 file" but a new .nv2 created by the phone in which the original IMEI number is writen....)

I would like to know if someone can say me what i have to modify to change my IMEI number if it's not the .nv2 file.. :confused::confused::confused::confused:

Feel free to ask me any questions !

[DaveShaw]

Hello people, Sorry for my bad english, i'm french, but i really need your help about IMEI change of a KC910 LG !!

I tried a lot of solution to change his IMEI, and i modify the .nv2 file (contain IMEI number) too, but when i restore it to the phone, the IMEI is still the same ! (I hace backup it again after, and it appear that it was not my "Custom .nv2 file" but a new .nv2 created by the phone in which the original IMEI number is writen....)

I would like to know if someone can say me what i have to modify to change my IMEI number if it's not the .nv2 file.. :confused::confused::confused::confused:

Feel free to ask me any questions !

If you read the first post of this thread you would notice that discussion of changing IMEI on this site is prohibitted due to the possible legal implications.

Thanks
Dave

[cedrick001]

Oh i'm sorry, it's not my goal at all... I'm just very interesting by the function of the softawre/hardware system of mobiles phones, and the changing IMEI of my Mobile phone it's only for my personnal information.

Therefore, if it's prohibited, i would like just to know where is stored the original IMEI number of a KC910 ! :)

[vazgsm]

i don´t get why this topic is still open. the warning from first post is enough, but ppl don´t read even that. Worse, they keep asking how to change.

one guy wants to change imei of n95 (i didn´t know xda-dev supports symbian phones), the other brings an ad of dct4 direct (which is old, and as name says, works for DCT4, n95 is bb5), the other discussing whether or not is legal etc etc etc.

Main point: YES, it´s illegal almost anywhere in the planet. Does not matter why you want to change your imei, it´s already said that xda-dev won´t host anything that can cause legal problems to this board. So, it´s pointless to keep on that discussion.

Fact: No, there´s no imei changer for most HTC phones, specially the new ones. Fortunately, only few ppl working on imei changers, and usually for their own needs.


@ cedrik001

SE phones have their imeis on 2 parts: OTP and main firmware. Even when you change the fw imei, OTP remains the same, as the name says (One Time Programmable). The imei changers available make a patch on the fly on fw, so the phone thinks that have new imei, when in fact, it has 2 imeis on the phone. There´s a security bypass to make phone work without checking OTP imei (the rule is: when imei from OTP is not the same as fw, phone should turn on but not initialize "contact service centre")


br

[Amzo01]

Getting C4BC6400C4BC640 as incorrect IMEI all the time?...02 XDA Orbit 2
SPL 1.25.000 WM6 Please can someone help?...Spent 3 hours trawling through forums for answer but nothing works??

[mrkylew]

The original poster is really doing people a favor and telling people not to even entertain the idea of IMEI modification. Yes this site has some awesome info that 'they dont want you to know' and yet these guys who innovate on phone mods daily are saying to stop thinking/asking/posting about it. I've found when it comes to technology that judges/juries don't know much of tech crimes. That's why lawyers have to make their case putting it in simple terms to either convict, or to defend you. Trust me that the DA has a much easier time convincing the jury that what you did was pure evil than a public defender who still pocket dials will be able to prove otherwise. So expensive lawyers who have contacts of all sorts to call credible witnesses that specialize in this area can testify about the subject of IMEI. Expensive lawyers can make it sound like a simple switch you accidently came accross to save lost kittens, but on cross examination the DA will simply ask if the witness if the public was all playing around with these numbers all over the country would global communications be effected? THATS why you get put in the slammer. Its like scifi movies with invading aliens, they take communication out first. Cell phone companies have tons of weaknesses in their systems and I would think aliens could still bring them down. The semi ease and devience is alluring to a lot of posters, but please listen when we say to set boundaries and self control. Legal battles even on bogus charges that you are actually innocent of are big hassels and cost a lot of money, with the chance of you being found guilty anyways. So just don't please. I got in trouble when I transfered my IMEI and sim over to a new phone of exact model and service carrier because my old phone was broken. This meant my phone was already activated, but since my insurance logged it as a loss, issued me a new IMEI number then sent it to ATT.. ATT wanted to know how my phone service worked if I was using the new phone. Turned out insurance fraud was better to go down for than 'cell cloning'

[jigners]

i dont understand why this thread is being kept alive by the Mods :confused:

THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE IMEI CHANGED IS WHEN THEY ARE USING A STOLEN DEVICE!! THIS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE, ITS THIEF PLAIN AND SIMPLE

THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE IMEI CHANGED IS WHEN THEY ARE USING A STOLEN DEVICE!! THIS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE, ITS THIEF PLAIN AND SIMPLE

[topgunn]

i dont understand why this thread is being kept alive by the Mods :confused:

THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE IMEI CHANGED IS WHEN THEY ARE USING A STOLEN DEVICE!! THIS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE, ITS THIEF PLAIN AND SIMPLE

THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE IMEI CHANGED IS WHEN THEY ARE USING A STOLEN DEVICE!! THIS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE, ITS THIEF PLAIN AND SIMPLE

No. I like to fiddle with firmwares on my phones and my daily driver's IMEI changed from the boxed version to another 'random' number a couple of times - seems it is calculated using the radio version of the phone, which I have changed a couple of times, for obvious reasons I am not going to replicate any of the IMEI's I have ended up with nor the original - suffice to say I have no way of changing the IMEI back to the original? I think not, and if I can only remember which was the original radio version that my Kais130 came with I could possibly get it back, with a bit of work.

So, not every1 that wants to fix/change IMEI number is a thief - is every gun owner a criminal? no don't worry, no need to answer as it's rhetorical.... :rolleyes:

Now to cut out tons of flashing/reflashing on my phones - give me a tool to change it!!

BTW: it happened on the Hermes and Kaiser! :p

[nebenezer]

The original poster is really doing people a favor and telling people not to even entertain the idea of IMEI modification. Yes this site has some awesome info that 'they dont want you to know' and yet these guys who innovate on phone mods daily are saying to stop thinking/asking/posting about it. I've found when it comes to technology that judges/juries don't know much of tech crimes. That's why lawyers have to make their case putting it in simple terms to either convict, or to defend you. Trust me that the DA has a much easier time convincing the jury that what you did was pure evil than a public defender who still pocket dials will be able to prove otherwise. So expensive lawyers who have contacts of all sorts to call credible witnesses that specialize in this area can testify about the subject of IMEI. Expensive lawyers can make it sound like a simple switch you accidently came accross to save lost kittens, but on cross examination the DA will simply ask if the witness if the public was all playing around with these numbers all over the country would global communications be effected? THATS why you get put in the slammer. Its like scifi movies with invading aliens, they take communication out first. Cell phone companies have tons of weaknesses in their systems and I would think aliens could still bring them down. The semi ease and devience is alluring to a lot of posters, but please listen when we say to set boundaries and self control. Legal battles even on bogus charges that you are actually innocent of are big hassels and cost a lot of money, with the chance of you being found guilty anyways. So just don't please. I got in trouble when I transfered my IMEI and sim over to a new phone of exact model and service carrier because my old phone was broken. This meant my phone was already activated, but since my insurance logged it as a loss, issued me a new IMEI number then sent it to ATT.. ATT wanted to know how my phone service worked if I was using the new phone. Turned out insurance fraud was better to go down for than 'cell cloning'


Thanks for sharing. I am new to android and having a lot of fun learning about it (reminds me of being 12 and learning DOS like a sponge!!). I appreciate the patience and willingness to share by the pros on this site and I look forward to my understanding growing and ultimately getting more from my devices than the average consumer, and hopefully eventually contributing to the cause in some way or another. However, I have no desire to break the law and didn't realize how big a deal IMEI's could be. Now I know that's a door I don't need to learn about unless I end up working for a cell company!!

Unlocking/rooting the phone is exciting enough (for now... ROMS here I come), and I get a real kick out of not having to look at those gawd awful sprint branded apps they think impose on every device they sell ;)

Thanks XDA!!

[haree]

hi
recently in india they have brought out a new rule regarding phones without imie and all the phones without it had been blocked and they needed to pay some amount to get an imie but when i called my service privider the ivr said that i can enjoy my services i have a jade and have flashed many times and also got 2 digits added to my imie so i dont think it is a problem:D

[ElPresidente]

I see another reason for IMEI changing. In the states the cell phone providers are starting to try to pry people out of grandfathered data plans saying their plan is not compatible which is a load of crap.

People who upgrade from a 2g to a 3g device are getting greeted by messages stating their current plan is not compatible, then how did they connect 3g in the first place to even get that message? These practices are pissing me off. So what if per say someone were to take their nice shiny 3g phone and change it to an imei of one of their old 2g or even better for a good laugh, some oldschool cell phone from the early 2000s?

[softbanksucks]

In general, most reasons for wanting to spoof an IMEI are, at best, nefarious. However, I've recently discovered that there may be legitimate reasons.

Specifically here in Japan (where I have heard, perhaps incorrectly, that it is not illegal to change an IMEI), Docomo, the carrier widely regarded as the best, apparently filters connections to the capped APN by IMEI and will not register IMEI numbers of non docomo-branded phones. This is very uncool of docomo.

Softbank, widely regarded to suck, is the other GSM carrier. About the only thing that does not suck about softbank is they do allow connections to their capped APN by non branded phones.

Hence, some in the foreign community here muse about how to get their phones up and running on docomo.

[mark_z]

i dont understand why this thread is being kept alive by the Mods :confused:

THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE IMEI CHANGED IS WHEN THEY ARE USING A STOLEN DEVICE!! THIS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE, ITS THIEF PLAIN AND SIMPLE

THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE IMEI CHANGED IS WHEN THEY ARE USING A STOLEN DEVICE!! THIS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE, ITS THIEF PLAIN AND SIMPLE

I didn't agree with you! I just received my cell phone and it came without IMEI code. I'm trying to get a solution from dealer, but wothout success.
So I'm trying to get a solution. I'm trying to find a way to use the IMEI code of my old cell phone in my new one.

[Tharamis]

i dont understand why this thread is being kept alive by the Mods :confused:

THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE IMEI CHANGED IS WHEN THEY ARE USING A STOLEN DEVICE!! THIS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE, ITS THIEF PLAIN AND SIMPLE

THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE IMEI CHANGED IS WHEN THEY ARE USING A STOLEN DEVICE!! THIS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE, ITS THIEF PLAIN AND SIMPLE

Err No!

I have an old Iphone 2g with the original plan. My plan says it's unlimited data but they want to charge me more because I went to Craigslist and bought a 3g and later a 3gs. The now send me texts saying I have to get the newer plan.

But if I change my IMEI of my 3g phone to match that of my 2g (which is sitting in a box in the garage) Now I can keep my plan and go on using the 3g.

Right no... but to your response, my phone isn't stolen.

[drasterlx]

Hi

Any have a similar program, or anything to do the same on OMNIA i900? I need chege the imei.

Pleaseee Help me

[yilmaz101]

i dont understand why this thread is being kept alive by the Mods :confused:

THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE IMEI CHANGED IS WHEN THEY ARE USING A STOLEN DEVICE!! THIS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE, ITS THIEF PLAIN AND SIMPLE

THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE IMEI CHANGED IS WHEN THEY ARE USING A STOLEN DEVICE!! THIS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE, ITS THIEF PLAIN AND SIMPLE

You would not necesarily have to have a stolen phone for changing imei. There can be other reasons, bu nonetheless imei changing may still be illegal.

Take this example:

In Turkey your phone imei has to be registered in a data base to work. All legally imported phones (with proper paperwork and customs clearance) are listed in the dbase. Also private individuals can register their handsets that they bring with themselves from abroad, but they may only do this once every two years. Say you've just bought a phone on your latest trip to London, and when you get back to Antalya you realize that two years have not passed and you can't get the phone registered. You could of course have someone else (who has not registered a phone in the past two years and have reentered the country in the last month) do it as a favor for you (of course then they have used up their quota and now they'll have to wait two years) or do it for x amount of money. Also if you could change your imei you could put in the imei of another handset that you legally own, and just trash the other device. Why would someone buy a handset from abrod? Well maybe its cheaper overseas, maybe that particular device is not offerred in the home market or its release date is further down the calender, there could be hundreds of reasons. For example you could have a family member who lives abroad send you their phone, or maybe send you a phone as a present or any other scenario......

[uphuck]

same here, i need to change it

[elh901]

Ok I have a question and i kno its not condoned or encuraged to change the imei number of a phone but I have an htc p4350/hera***110 or as it is more comonly known the t-mobile wing. Some1 who had the phone b4 me hacked or flashed or somethin idk but the imei that is on the lable under the battry is completely and totaly different from the one programed into the phone. I already whet to tmobil and the most they could tell me is its hacked and they cant replace it bcause its not under warranty. I've tried to update the software on it because im having other problems with it but i cant do it from t-mobiles site or use any other ruu because I keep gettin the error that the vendor id is invalid. all i want to do is have the imei on the lable match the one programmed to the phone so i can update it and stop my other problems. if some one could pleae help me i am a newbie so dont be to harsh and if you dont mind i'd like a direct link if your going to post one. not fond of searching through outher links that ppl popst. if i wanted to do that i would keep searching through other sites myself.

[crazy_kamal]

Well In My Case I get Bricked My Elf100 while using wrong Hard Spl
Finally via Gold Card I revive My Phone Back..
Now The Main Problem Is I get My Imei DAMAGED
Well On Sticker Its Different N In phone
Its 00440000350111201

So How Can Recover my Original Back????

[radzi]

did anybody received any kind of help on changing it??
I'm living a situation that my unlocked phone when to repair and came with other imei + sim-lock. No site, no one can find the unlock code and now I cant use my phone.
If I just could change and put its own old imei back to unlock it.

[B4ore]

I own two HTC HD2 phones and want to have one phone kept with the stock firmware on it and want to use the other phone to experiment with cooked ROMs. My understanding is its NOT illegal to change the IMEI number. Can I match the experimental phone's IMEI number to the phone I use all the time so all I have to do is switch my SIM cards out and test the ROMs? This seems to be quite the controversial issue here but I am doing wanting to legitimately do this without trying to pull any fast ones on my carrier.

[Andrewson]

Hi everybody, I am a new member just joined the community
to share my knowledge with others.

[bndfrmln]

I would change the IMEI number when installing the new rom.
How can I turn to its former condition.
Benq siemens P51

[g0ldb3rg]

actually, i've got a problem. There's a nokia E75 i bought for a relatively low price that has imei server lock. How do i change imei on bb5 symbian systems or, more likely, how do i change it to this phone?

[vrooomz]

[QUOTE=vijay555;1013573]
And please, be nice to each other, eh?

One pleasant sentence