Database Info

[Q] Way to see if its locked/blocked?

Isn't there a way to see if a phone is locked or blocked?

Kakiller93 said:
Isn't there a way to see if a phone is locked or blocked?
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Click to collapse
Call the service provider you are wanting to use it with and ask them.

DarrellRaines said:
Call the service provider you are wanting to use it with and ask them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another way?

No. Why not just call the carrier?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

Kakiller93 said:
Isn't there a way to see if a phone is locked or blocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put a SIM card in and see what happens? It'll request either an unlock code, or not let you do anything if it's locked/blocked.
Phoning an operator would also work.

Yea, if it's locked, a foreign SIM won't work. But it can be unlocked. If it's blocked, it just won't connect to any network, no matter what SIM you put in.
The difference is this: Locked means it needs a unlock code to allow other networks. This was done by carriers as a means to keep cell phones on their networks.
Blocked means it's been reported stolen or lost and won't connect to anything without changing the IMEI (which is in most cases illegal to do for the purpose of unblocking)

deliberate187 said:
Yea, if it's locked, a foreign SIM won't work. But it can be unlocked. If it's blocked, it just won't connect to any network, no matter what SIM you put in.
The difference is this: Locked means it needs a unlock code to allow other networks. This was done by carriers as a means to keep cell phones on their networks.
Blocked means it's been reported stolen or lost and won't connect to anything without changing the IMEI (which is in most cases illegal to do for the purpose of unblocking)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which is why I suggested he call the service provider. If he means blocked the way I took it, then the carrier could provide him with the answer and if it was stolen (not saying the op stole it but could have it) he could assist in the returning of missing property.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

Probably blocked...
DarrellRaines said:
Which is why I suggested he call the service provider. If he means blocked the way I took it, then the carrier could provide him with the answer and if it was stolen (not saying the op stole it but could have it) he could assist in the returning of missing property.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
I dont think its loked cuz I could use the phone first (with both of my sim cards), and after 2 weeks i couldnt call after I made a restore, it was exactly after the restore it went like that. But I have 2 simcards different operators, with one of the i get connection, but cant call, but once i could message with it with the other sim I dont even get connection. I've search around and its probably blocked the guy i bought it from has tricked me *********!!!! But I dont understand, I got it with a cardboard and everything.......
MOD EDIT - Language removed.

Talk to the carrier and see if he reported it before cussing him. It might not be his fault.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

[Q] Lost My Phone...

I lost my damn G2X the other day while drunk and had just installed a new ROM and no tracking app yet. The guy at Tmobile today told that anyone could put their own SIM card in my phone if found and use it without a problem.
Can TMobile really not associate the IMEI off that phone (that I reported lost) with one that cannot be activated? I don't want to believe that and don't believe the fat slob at the store anyways due to how he bad he messed up my account today and failed to share important information with me

aburn95 said:
I lost my damn G2X the other day while drunk and had just installed a new ROM and no tracking app yet. The guy at Tmobile today told that anyone could put their own SIM card in my phone if found and use it without a problem.
Can TMobile really not associate the IMEI off that phone (that I reported lost) with one that cannot be activated? I don't want to believe that and don't believe the fat slob at the store anyways due to how he bad he messed up my account today and failed to share important information with me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any T-Mobile sim card can work with any T-Mobile or Unlocked phone without the need of setting up a IMEI to that sim card. So yes they can just throw in there card and it will work. If you report your phone stolen then T-Mobile might be able to block the use of said IMEI from it's network. That is if you know what that number is and you ask about it over the phone. The first thing you should of done in this situation is called in your phone as stolen. Still it's possible they wont do that. I know I've seen comment for cell phone dealers on ebay who stated that the company sold them a stolen phone that is now deactivated. So best of luck. Also make sure you go to an actual corporate store. Not all T-Mobile stores are owned by T-Mobile. It's very hard to tell the difference between them.

Thanks I have the box it came in I think that has IMEI

its a gsm phone so they can't do anything, if it was a cdma then it won't work!

well crap. someones a lucky ************

If you are fast enough you log onto the Android Market on the internet and install Plan B. If they have not yanked out your sim yet plan b will install, automatically run, send an sms to you with the phone's location and allow you to track it online. You can also lock it and have it put a message on the phone to return it to the owner.

Jboxer is right, most probably the thief doesn't know as much to know that he can throw another sim card in there.
Best of luck though
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium

And it is not true that T-Mobile cannot block the IMEI. If you call T-Mobile and report it lost they will definitely block the IMEI from use on their network. Whoever found it or stole it won't be able to use it on T-Mobile but they would still be able to sim unlock it and use it on AT&T or another network.

Thanks everyone. I think it's all too late. I tried installing Wheres my Droid from net the next morning but it either needs to be set up on phone first (can't remember) or the phone had already died. Wish I knew about "Plan B." This succcccks. I really hope something goes wrong with it for the new owner, And sure hope they like a basic ass setup of MIUI!!!

HELP! Phone stolen and Tmobile won't block IMEI!

My wife's phone was stolen yesterday. We didn't have insurance or that silly lookout security on it. I bought it on Craiglist last december for her Christmas gift. It was already unlocked and rooted. So the person who stole it can just through any sim in there and use it (we disabled the sim on it through tmobile immediately.) Tmobile is happy, they got a new phone sale and a 2 year contract extension out of it.
But they refuse to block/blacklist the IMEI!
I've called customer support *multiple* times and get the same answer every time - company policy is to not block IMEIs on lost or stolen phones. WTF? The only time they block IMEIs is if you buy a phone and don't pay for it, or if you have insurance (and even that part is not clear, it sounds like they just use the Lookout security program to lock it, which any savvy user can disable in minutes).
I've filed a police report, and when I finally told them that by not blocking the IMEI they are aiding and abbetting a felony theft. They said to write to the legal department.
The police report they gave my wife doesn't even say phone or the IMEI. I asked her to go back and get the full report or get the officer to write the phone model and make on the little slip as well as the IMEI, and I'm going to take it in person to every carrier and see if they'll block the IMEI from their system, just in case this person has another carrier (since it's unlocked).
Does anyone have advice on what to do? I know I won't be tracking or recovering the phone I just want to make sure it's unusable.

Well until you blocked the sim you could have used lookout's plan b to attempt to find the phone. You are pretty much screwed unless the phone shows up in a pawn shop. Did t-mo give a reason for not blacklisting the imei?

You can install androidlost remotely from a computer or another handset. Go to wwwDOTplayDOTgoogle.com sign into the account email that is on the phone that was taken and search for (androidlost) and click install. It will install the on the device when it connected to a data network via wifi or GSM. Then go to wwwDOTandroidlostDOTcom and follow the instructions on their site. I hope this helps. "Since this is my first post I am unable to put web links so Dot is used in place of (.)
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium

The phone's sim has been disabled. My wife already has a new sim and new phone. I don't think I can remotely install apps anymore. And before blocking the sim, lookout hadn't been installed. I suppose I could've tried to push lookout, but it still has to be run and activated before it can be used. And I doubt the thief would've done that.
The reason they gave was A) they don't disable IMEIs on stolen and lost phones and B) they have no way to do it (which I called BS on and said connect me to someone who can, they wouldn't)

Ok I was able to install androidlost apparently. At least it said it could send it to the phone. However I go to the website and it says the program needs to be run on the phone first. Like I said, doubt the person will do that. And I can't send an SMS to it to start it, since the sim has been disabled. Now if I knew the phone number of the SIM they plugged into it then maybe I could do something. I also put lookout plan b on. Again I can't send it a text and I don't know if it will really even install. If they've thrown a new SIM, MAYBE plan B will work and send an email to my wife's gmail and MAYBE it'll have the phone number in it, from which I can text to start androidlost.
Edit: God I wish I'd known about plan B before we disabled it
Edit2: Anyone know if the person plugs another sim card in, will Google Play still be able to download to it?

If they dont change the google account then yes it will install. Otherwise mate your screwed. But as a aside you now know about things that can be done to help find the device. I suggest looking into cerabus for your current phones. You can set it up to remain through a factory reset/data wipe on rooted phones. Im sorry this happened and we cant offer much more help.

That's sucks man! There is a way to track a phone via imei and what tower they are connected to but i think that software is only available to certain agencies (the feds...lol). No matter what SIM is in the phone, or if there is even a sin in it, when you send an app to it via play store, it installs as long as your Google account hasn't been removed from the device.
Sent from my SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

Well I installed both Plan B and Lookout but no emails from plan B At least I know if they do put a SIM card in, even for another carrier, I can still install stuff to it as long as the google account isn't changed. Of course I have no way of knowing if the google account is changed. Actually...if the google account is changed, will it disappear from the list of devices I can install to on the Google Play store? Does the fact it's still listed as one of my devices I can install things to mean the google account hasn't been changed?
Cerberus looks awesome. Actually, what if I just go ahead and buy and install Cerberus to it remotely? Does it need to be configured/enabled on the device itself before it starts being able to be tracked by the cerabus web site and give me the new phone number of a changed SIM?
Edit: Aw nuts. Cerberus DOES have to be configured on the phone itself and granted permissions. DAMN I wish I'd thought about this issue before. Also wish she'd at least put the PIN or pattern lock on her phone. I put it on mine but she didn't put it on hers. That would've prevented someone from getting into the phone unless they wiped the ROM, right?
Edit2: I went ahead and put Cerberus on my own phone and bought a license I was so impressed.. This is way better than Lookout. I hid if from my app drawer, but how do you make it so a person can't uninstall it? It still shows up on the list of installed programs.

I think you need to be rooted for that. I would ask the support for cerebus Im not real sure I just know people on reddit speak very highly of it.

All they have to do is factory reset it.....all gone.....and if its got a security lock when you wake the device all they have to do is the 3 button combo into recovery and do factory reset.....either way....your phone is gone and tmobile dont care cuz most likely it will be of use to someone else hoping with thier service....plus hey they just made a few more bucks from you

With celebrus it will persist through a factory reset/data wipe. The only way it will be removed is if they wipe system.

I guess they will do that too.
I always neglected these anti theft apps, since they appeared too heavy and RAM consuming..
I decided to take the chance, but I agree - it's a real bummer, our entire lives are in these devices.
sent from me

I'm pretty impressed with Cerberus. It consumes <1mb RAM, it has a disguised version, if your phone is rooted it will survive a factory reset, if the person change SIMs it will send you a message with the new # (which you can then send secret cerberus commands to), if the person changes the gmail account on the phone it will still work -- it's a SLICK program. It has an SMS command method and a web dashboard and you can do all sorts of stuff - track location, lock, display a message, sound an alarm, wipe SD, record video or audio, all sorts of stuff. It has a disguised version too (need root though) and the person can't uninstall it.
God I wish I'd installed this on my wife's phone. It's only $3 too, one time fee and you can install it on 5 devices with that license. No monthly fee. Just for comparison, Lookout has a 21MB RAM footprint.
I've not tried the Avast anti theft program but it sounds nice too. I'm not trying to shill for Cerberus here, I'm just really impressed. And damn I wish I'd put it on there before it got stolen...

Unfortunately no carrier will be willing to block a stolen phones imei
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium

New info only way to block imei is if your on a payment plan for the device.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium

New info. Look at the dates before pulling up dead threads.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda app-developers app

disabling sim is one of the worst things you can do to it, cause you block communication to it unless the other person puts a sim card with a data plan in it.

airfluip1 said:
disabling sim is one of the worst things you can do to it, cause you block communication to it unless the other person puts a sim card with a data plan in it.
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Click to collapse
Indeed very true. I learned that the hard way.
To elaborate - you can remotely install tracking software from the play store to give you a chance to recover it, wipe it and other useful tools.

[Q] abroad - infuse can call only emergency - IMEI ok

I bought an infuse 4G in 2011 in USA then, the same year, I brought it with me in Italy, I unlocked it and it worked since then both in USA and in Europe. I deeply love this phone.
A month ago I accidentally broke some pins of the SIMM socket and then I thought to start using the infuse as a guinea pig to play with android and customized roms.
After many issues and trials and many "return to stock processes", I finally managed to have a working CM9 installed on it. It worked so well that I decided to repair the SIMM socket to use it again. I brought it to the repairing shop and I've got it back a few days ago.
Unfortunately, both with the american and italian SIMM cards I can only call the emergency number (911). Basically it can not register to any network. (btw I'm currently in Italy)
To my understanding if I can call and talk to 911 it should mean that the repairing was good.
I also called my provider to see if my IMEI number is blocked for some reasons but they have confirmed no bad records.
I tried returning to fix things following several guides like:
UCLB3_Unbrick_1.1
Odin_UCKE3_v2
No Voice or Data service after install of CM9 - ##72786#
Recover EFS
but I don't see any way out. The problem is still there and it doesn't change, doesn't matter what I do or what ROM is installed.
Unfortunately, I'm kind of lost here because, apparently, everything works and I don't have any error notification (or simply I don't know where to look at to make some debugging)
Do you have any idea, suggestion?
Thank you!

wwr said:
I bought an infuse 4G in 2011 in USA then, the same year, I brought it with me in Italy, I unlocked it and it worked since then both in USA and in Europe. I deeply love this phone.
A month ago I accidentally broke some pins of the SIMM socket and then I thought to start using the infuse as a guinea pig to play with android and customized roms.
After many issues and trials and many "return to stock processes", I finally managed to have a working CM9 installed on it. It worked so well that I decided to repair the SIMM socket to use it again. I brought it to the repairing shop and I've got it back a few days ago.
Unfortunately, both with the american and italian SIMM cards I can only call the emergency number (911). Basically it can not register to any network. (btw I'm currently in Italy)
To my understanding if I can call and talk to 911 it should mean that the repairing was good.
I also called my provider to see if my IMEI number is blocked for some reasons but they have confirmed no bad records.
I tried returning to fix things following several guides like:
UCLB3_Unbrick_1.1
Odin_UCKE3_v2
No Voice or Data service after install of CM9 - ##72786#
Recover EFS
but I don't see any way out. The problem is still there and it doesn't change, doesn't matter what I do or what ROM is installed.
Unfortunately, I'm kind of lost here because, apparently, everything works and I don't have any error notification (or simply I don't know where to look at to make some debugging)
Do you have any idea, suggestion?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My only thought would be did they really fix the pins? Seems one of them still isn't making contact. Return it to stock then return it to the shop where you got it fixed and say you are still having problems.

joel.maxuel said:
My only thought would be did they really fix the pins? Seems one of them still isn't making contact. Return it to stock then return it to the shop where you got it fixed and say you are still having problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i second this but if the shop that you send it to was in the US then its gonna be a while till you get it back but if they end up not being able too then i would suggest buying a new infuse since its about $80-100 on amazon which you would be able to unlock yourself then start from there but yea go to that shop and if they say its fixed try the sim in front of them to make sure it is fixed because returning to stock fixes most if not all issues

wwr said:
To my understanding if I can call and talk to 911 it should mean that the repairing was good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should add that 911 will work whether a SIM card is in or not, valid or not, working or not. Emergency Call is a safety feature that doesn't discriminate (will connect to any network available). This is why telco's ding you with a 911 fee every month rather than charging you for using it when you really need to.

Thank you all for the suggestions
joel.maxuel said:
I should add that 911 will work whether a SIM card is in or not, valid or not, working or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ha! that I didn't know and it changes EVERYTHING!! I thought that being able to call 911 mean I had no problem with the SIMM socket. After whatever you've told me I do believe that most likely the problem sits in the SIMM socket.
One question though: let's say that it wasn't welded well, is it then possible that I can see the SIMM number in the settings panel but it's still not working?

wwr said:
One question though: let's say that it wasn't welded well, is it then possible that I can see the SIMM number in the settings panel but it's still not working?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, I'm not aware of that view. Only know of the network display on the lock screen (including "No SIM Card - No Service").
Sent from my MyTouch 4G Slide using XDA Free mobile app

joel.maxuel said:
Hmm, I'm not aware of that view. Only know of the network display on the lock screen (including "No SIM Card - No Service").
In fact it does say "no service" but I can assure that I can see the SIMM telephone number and I can even launch some of the SIMM card tools (none of them really work though) without having any kind of error notification.
I'll bring the phone to the shop and we'll see. I'll keep you posted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

joel.maxuel said:
Hmm, I'm not aware of that view. Only know of the network display on the lock screen (including "No SIM Card - No Service").
Sent from my MyTouch 4G Slide using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think he means in the phones number with the company...via settings>about phone>status

6th_Hokage said:
i think he means in the phones number with the company...via settings>about phone>status
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forgot about that listing. Think I know why. Just went to that page, and I get an "Unknown" for that value (and my phone portion is working fine).
So that's mixed information, but a pin not making contact still covers that issue. But what it could be is that Access Point Names or Network Operators is out of whack (these things can apparently stay the same between flashes - or at least restored backups - for some reason).
To get to these two options, go to settings, the equivalent of More... under Wireless & Networks (sorry, I'm not on stock at the moment), and select Mobile Networks.

6th_Hokage said:
i think he means in the phones number with the company...via settings>about phone>status
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
precisely

wwr said:
joel.maxuel said:
Hmm, I'm not aware of that view. Only know of the network display on the lock screen (including "No SIM Card - No Service").
In fact it does say "no service" but I can assure that I can see the SIMM telephone number and I can even launch some of the SIMM card tools (none of them really work though) without having any kind of error notification.
I'll bring the phone to the shop and we'll see. I'll keep you posted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I just have got back my phone from the repairing shop and ... it works!!
So I confirm that there was an issue in the welding of the SIMM socket. So this means that it's possible to see / access SIMM information if one of the pins is not connected.
Unfortunately the guy wasn't capable to tell me much about what they did exactly (don't ask, too long to explain ) so I don't know exactly what was causing the issue but I'm pretty sure it was one unwelded PIN.
It's also definitely true that you can call 911 even if the SIMM is not working properly or is not well connected to the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

wwr said:
So I just have got back my phone from the repairing shop and ... it works!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad you got it sorted out.

T-Mobile Digits

Supposedly their one number solution works with any carrier.
https://explore.t-mobile.com/digits-landing

Not sure how it works with any carrier when the sign up asks specifically for your Tmobile phone number? Lol I did however read about the beta sign up page leaking people's accounts by a glitch in the system. https://www.xda-developers.com/t-mobile_digits_security/

highaltitude said:
Not sure how it works with any carrier when the sign up asks specifically for your Tmobile phone number? Lol I did however read about the beta sign up page leaking people's accounts by a glitch in the system. https://www.xda-developers.com/t-mobile_digits_security/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went to the site and started to opt in for the beta. It presented me a 10 digit number that was not one of my several T-Mobile lines. I went no further.
About 10 minutes later I went back to the site. They have changed the sign up process. You now just sign up (no data exchange) and they will get back to you if you are selected.
Hope it works as I have 2 smartwatches and a phone line on T-Mobile, plus I have a work phone on Verizon. This could make it easier for me to use one number and not have to worry about setting up call forwarding on multiple devices.

highaltitude said:
Not sure how it works with any carrier when the sign up asks specifically for your Tmobile phone number? Lol I did however read about the beta sign up page leaking people's accounts by a glitch in the system. https://www.xda-developers.com/t-mobile_digits_security/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to Engadget, the app will work with the big 4 carriers. They're not sure about specifics yet.

Hmm well that might be cool then!

Just signed up on mine. My Pixel XL and Gear S3 now use/share the same number
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I'm not certain that this is the cause, however, since activating Digits, my S3 doesn't seem to want to connect to the mobile device through the cellular network any more. I used to get all the notifications and now -- nothing. Anyone else experiencing this?
I can't seem to activate the "Remote connection" on the Gear App, so I'm not convinced that the problem is with Digits.
Any thoughts?
Dan

SFVDan said:
I'm not certain that this is the cause, however, since activating Digits, my S3 doesn't seem to want to connect to the mobile device through the cellular network any more. I used to get all the notifications and now -- nothing. Anyone else experiencing this?
I can't seem to activate the "Remote connection" on the Gear App, so I'm not convinced that the problem is with Digits.
Any thoughts?
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quick update: Much as I hated to do it, a device reset on the S3 and a reinstall of the Gear app on the phone solved it. My guess is that the phone and the S3 device exchanged pertinent info from the esim card that changed when the phone number changed upon enrollment in Digits. Redoing the whole thing, I presume, forced this new information into the equation and solved it toute suite.
If anyone has any additional insight, I'm all ears, but I'm good to go now.
Dan