IMEI problem and how to change it

[Seifer]

i checked my htc dimaond's imei from its back. And checked it on device information. in device information it has extra 2 digits "01"
example:

imei(15char)01

can i change it to original

imei(15char)

because it may have problems with my service provider. As imei should be a confirmed imei number to be used.

And one more thing can i change the imei to whatever i want. if yes how?

Than you very much.

[Scotchy49]

I think it doesn't make any difference.

There's a risk of breaking your device if you try to change the IMEI.

[salada2k]

i checked my htc dimaond's imei from its back. And checked it on device information. in device information it has extra 2 digits "01"
example:

imei(15char)01

can i change it to original

imei(15char)

because it may have problems with my service provider. As imei should be a confirmed imei number to be used.

And one more thing can i change the imei to whatever i want. if yes how?

Than you very much.

Those two extra digits will not cause you any problems, no need to worry. Anyway, why would one need to change the IMEI of a phone??? The only uses I know are not so nice.

[NxJay]

Actually this is a valid question.

I'm in Ankara at the moment and my UK o2 Diamond won't work out here. Been doing a bit of research and apparently the turkish government likes to restrict phone users to THEIR phones only. All foreign phones won't work on turkish networks afaik. The only way i can see to get around this is to pick up a turkish pre-pay phone and switch it's imei into my diamond.

Any ideas on how i could go about getting my phone to work out here? I'm stuck in this country for the next 6 months and the last thing i want to do is have to try and input all my data into a crappy turkish phone for no reason.

[Scotchy49]

I really doubt there is IMEI check.

[NxJay]

"Because the recent changes in the Turkish Telecommunications regulation requires all mobile phones to be registered with the Turkish Telecommunications Authority’s database with their IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) numbers in order to use Turkish sim card. Mobile phones (IMEI numbers) not registered with the Turkish Telecommunications Authority are blocked for connection through a Turkish sim card.

According to the Turkish customs regulation, from 1st February 2008, travellers can bring only one mobile handset into Turkey in two calendar years as one of their personal belongings, free of customs duties and they do not need to declare it to the Turkish Customs.

In order to get your handset registered, the following documents should be submitted to the Telecommunications Authority within one month from entrance date, through a subscription centre (“abone kayit merkezi” in Turkish) of relevant Turkish mobile operator.
• Passport and copies of relevant pages of passport (identity and entry stamp pages),
• A petition indicating IMEI number of handset. (could be provided by subscription centre)

After the registration is completed Turkish network sim card can be used with a British handset. Please ensure that the handset must be sim free or not locked.

You can check if your handset's IMEI number is registered with the Telecommunications Authority or not through Turkish Telecommunications Authority's website at: http://imei.tk.gov.tr"


Like hell i'm submitting my passport and a written petition to use my own damn phone. That's just orwellian.

[salada2k]

"Because the recent changes in the Turkish Telecommunications regulation requires all mobile phones to be registered with the Turkish Telecommunications Authority’s database with their IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) numbers in order to use Turkish sim card. Mobile phones (IMEI numbers) not registered with the Turkish Telecommunications Authority are blocked for connection through a Turkish sim card.

According to the Turkish customs regulation, from 1st February 2008, travellers can bring only one mobile handset into Turkey in two calendar years as one of their personal belongings, free of customs duties and they do not need to declare it to the Turkish Customs.

In order to get your handset registered, the following documents should be submitted to the Telecommunications Authority within one month from entrance date, through a subscription centre (“abone kayit merkezi” in Turkish) of relevant Turkish mobile operator.
• Passport and copies of relevant pages of passport (identity and entry stamp pages),
• A petition indicating IMEI number of handset. (could be provided by subscription centre)

After the registration is completed Turkish network sim card can be used with a British handset. Please ensure that the handset must be sim free or not locked.

You can check if your handset's IMEI number is registered with the Telecommunications Authority or not through Turkish Telecommunications Authority's website at: http://imei.tk.gov.tr"


Like hell i'm submitting my passport and a written petition to use my own damn phone. That's just orwellian.

Crikey. Good luck with that!

[someone1234]

Not doing it their way is illegal! Like it or not!

Also changing the IMEI is illegal in most (if not all) countries. I feel your pain, and you might not agree with their law, but it is a law, so you shouldn't break it.

In order to get your handset registered, the following documents should be submitted to the Telecommunications Authority within one month from entrance date, through a subscription centre (“abone kayit merkezi” in Turkish) of relevant Turkish mobile operator.
• Passport and copies of relevant pages of passport (identity and entry stamp pages),
• A petition indicating IMEI number of handset. (could be provided by subscription centre)

[Black93300ZX]

Also changing the IMEI is illegal in most (if not all) countries.


Totally, that's like replacing the VIN plates on a car here in the US. The only reason you do it is if it's stolen. :-P

[toofunal]

I know that is an old topic but the info that I gave my be usefull who need to visit Turkey more than 15 days.

First of all it's partly restricted to use any phone not bought in Turkey.
I said partly because one who want to use this kind of phone in Turkey has 2 options.

First, if you won't stay more that 15 days in Turkey there is no restrictions. You may use any brand or any type of wireless device that compatible with GSM network.

Second , if you need to stay more than 15 day you may apply any office of any GSM provider (which are AVEA, VODAFONE, OR TURKCELL in Turkey) to register your device.

There are some rules for registration,
You may need to apply with your passport, that show you had enter Turkey within 1 month. Any application after 30 days from the date of arrival time wont accepted.
You may register only 1 device for 1 passport.
You may register only 1 devive in 2 years.
And finally you will be charged for registration fee about €5.

You need to register your phone if you want to use it with your own home country operator. Othervise it will be blocked too, because you will gain your service, over one of Turkish operators.
After registration you may able to use your phone with your own home country operator or Turkish operators.

Note: This process is to prevent illegal importing, to save local customers who need to deal with fake devices. And ofcourese IMEI cloning is illegal in Turkey too.