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Wrong IMEI number

The IMEI number on my Thunderbolt does not match the one Verizon has in there system. They cannot figure out how to correct this. I even call HTC to trace the erroneous IMEi number and it doesn't come up as anything in their system. I bought phone day 1 it came out and am not rooted. What could cause this and does anyone know how to fix it. Verizon has no clue.

You have been using it since day 1? Why all of a sudden is there an issue then?

The sim works but with the wrong IMEI I won't get any updates to phone. I recently noticed that on the My Verizon section on the the verizon website, picture of my phone is blank. That's what led me to call verizon.

ajmillinger said:
The sim works but with the wrong IMEI I won't get any updates to phone. I recently noticed that on the My Verizon section on the the verizon website, picture of my phone is blank. That's what led me to call verizon.
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If you purchased it from VzW you should demand a new phone. Otherwise you don't get updates? Screw that man! They should rectify this issue.

Does the number on the box match the device? Have them scan the box.
Sent from my ThunderBolt using XDA Premium App

the number on box and phone are same. Only verizon has a different one

Then Verizon screwed up. Go get a new one.

You will still recieve ota updates... Id only raise a fuss if you had insurance on tour tbolt
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

I was told I wouldn't get updates because it is sent out by IMEI number which Verizon has wrong for me

ajmillinger said:
I was told I wouldn't get updates because it is sent out by IMEI number which Verizon has wrong for me
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If the phone and box have same IMEI # you need to tell VzW you demand they change it in their system to match yours or give you a totally new phone. You paid them for it and your service!

I am in the process of having a new phone sent to me. I wish they could figure out how to simply change the number in system but they can't seem to do it. It's been a week now. You would think it is simple to do but no one there can figure it out.

Make sure it's new and not a 'like new' replacement. Not that theres anything wrong with a refurb but it would be principle to me to obtain a new replacement for their brain fart.

Something must be really messed up as I just activated a ebay bought thunderbolt last night with a 4g sim card I had shipped to my house (both arrived same day). I called in and spoke to a woman who just took my sim card number, and told me the meid and all other info comes over automatically to verizon...and sure enough about ten minutes later when I logged in online to see it was all there...so somehow your phone is not reporting the right imei number or something has been manually over-ridden.

Verizon made good and sent be new phone. Works like a charm

[Q] Re-Activating Charge

I just got my Charge in the mail today and went and activated it, but then realized it was a little to early. I had to switch back to my old phone (Fascinate) and do some updates and now I want to switch back.
When I switched back to the Fascinate it said that I had 90 days to re-activate the 4G phone on the existing SIM card, otherwise I would need a new one. Anyway, so far I haven't figure out how to re-activate. Anyone done this before? Verizon Customer Service is closed now otherwise I would call them up.
Thanks!

You have to get a new SIM card. It says you have 90 days, but the SIM is invalidated seconds after you switch from 4G to 3G. I've done this numerous times.

Mean Bro Greene said:
You have to get a new SIM card. It says you have 90 days, but the SIM is invalidated seconds after you switch from 4G to 3G. I've done this numerous times.
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Wow, that really sucks. Do they "give out" the SIM cards in the store or is it something that has to be purchased? I am sure that I can get CS to get me another one for free, but that means I have to wait 2 more days.
Seems weird that they tell you that you have 90 days when you really don't.

xceebeex said:
Wow, that really sucks. Do they "give out" the SIM cards in the store or is it something that has to be purchased? I am sure that I can get CS to get me another one for free, but that means I have to wait 2 more days.
Seems weird that they tell you that you have 90 days when you really don't.
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Yeah, for whatever reason, VZW just won't activate the same SIM twice. I've only gotten them to give me a SIM in store once, and that was when they made a mistake and invalidated my SIM(they swapped the wrong phone to the wrong line). You can easily get another one for free on the website. Just go about the process of activating the Charge, and when it asks for a SIM, choose the option that you need a SIM. I buy them 5 at a time from a vendor on ebay =P

Mean Bro Greene is definitely wrong. Technical support -- that's the second tier of people you talk to, not the first, despite what the menu tree says -- reactivated my SIM card and 3G/4G service after I did the exact same thing (had to switch back to the Fascinate to update the firmware).
You just need to get your call escalated to technical support -- the first tier of support operators can't do it. The second tier can.
And you can actually reactivate the SIM for calls only without speaking to anyone, but you won't have data service until you call technical support. The automated number is (877) 807-4646.

Falcyn said:
Mean Bro Greene is definitely wrong. Technical support -- that's the second tier of people you talk to, not the first, despite what the menu tree says -- reactivated my SIM card and 3G/4G service after I did the exact same thing (had to switch back to the Fascinate to update the firmware).
You just need to get your call escalated to technical support -- the first tier of support operators can't do it. The second tier can.
And you can actually reactivate the SIM for calls only without speaking to anyone, but you won't have data service until you call technical support. The automated number is (877) 807-4646.
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Thanks. I called them this morning and all that they had to do was manually activate it and then I had to make a call (and he called me to verify as well). So I am back up and running.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App

Falcyn said:
Mean Bro Greene is definitely wrong. Technical support -- that's the second tier of people you talk to, not the first, despite what the menu tree says -- reactivated my SIM card and 3G/4G service after I did the exact same thing (had to switch back to the Fascinate to update the firmware).
You just need to get your call escalated to technical support -- the first tier of support operators can't do it. The second tier can.
And you can actually reactivate the SIM for calls only without speaking to anyone, but you won't have data service until you call technical support. The automated number is (877) 807-4646.
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Apparently, I got the Verizon employee that just didn't care enough to help...twice. Good info on this, thanks for that
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App

One thing I learned about Verizon is if you don't like the answer you get once, keep calling back until you get the right answer for you. Yesterday I called to deactivate a line on our acct which had matured and no longer using. During the conversation she informed me that we could have switched the primary line to any other handset a long time ago. Last guy I talked to months ago told me I needed to wait until I could deactivate the line which was primary at the time. I could go on and on. Pretty much every scenario I have had to call about, I have gotten different answers each time. Its kinda sad.

jamesnmandy said:
One thing I learned about Verizon is if you don't like the answer you get once, keep calling back until you get the right answer for you. Yesterday I called to deactivate a line on our acct which had matured and no longer using. During the conversation she informed me that we could have switched the primary line to any other handset a long time ago. Last guy I talked to months ago told me I needed to wait until I could deactivate the line which was primary at the time. I could go on and on. Pretty much every scenario I have had to call about, I have gotten different answers each time. Its kinda sad.
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I get the same thing, which is why I called twice about the SIM reactivation, two different people told me it was impossible. Then again, this was in March and LTE was relatively new.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App

When ED01 Froyo first released for the Fascinate it took days of calling to get someone to listen to me and do a DMU/ESN reset on their end. When I finally convinced them and it fixed it instantly(for the time being) I asked the guy to please make a memo so others would not go through hell.

Mean Bro Greene said:
Then again, this was in March and LTE was relatively new.
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That could definitely be part of it too. Verizon seems to be absolutely horrible at training their support employees about new policies and procedures. Heck, it sounds like the OP had an easier time than when I did it, and my call was only a couple of weeks ago...

should I activate my old Fassy? does it real matter?

Falcyn said:
That could definitely be part of it too. Verizon seems to be absolutely horrible at training their support employees about new policies and procedures. Heck, it sounds like the OP had an easier time than when I did it, and my call was only a couple of weeks ago...
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I totally agree, and in all my years of hacking and swapping devices back and forth multiple times in a day I learned one thing. When you call VZW to get help for activation or data issues NEVER EVER talk to the person who answers the call. Always request to get transferred to a Tier 2 or Tier 3 tech support agent on the line. They at least know what is up as 90% of the others are clueless.

will2live said:
I totally agree, and in all my years of hacking and swapping devices back and forth multiple times in a day I learned one thing. When you call VZW to get help for activation or data issues NEVER EVER talk to the person who answers the call. Always request to get transferred to a Tier 2 or Tier 3 tech support agent on the line. They at least know what is up as 90% of the others are clueless.
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Yup, that's what I do. The thing I hate about Tier 1 with Verizon is EVERYTHING can be fixed with a "factory reset".
Even network issues apparently lol. I was having issues here in my work area a few months ago, and I refused to do a factory reset since I knew it was a tower issue as I'm familiar with RF Engineering, frequencies, etc. I finally got ahold of a T3, and got a network ticket put in, two days later, I have LTE again.
T1 is more customer support than anything.

Hot sim card, and now no sim.

I have had my Infuse for about 2 weeks now. From the day I got it, I noticed it would completely lock up and start vibrating. Last week i noticed the sim card was getting hot. This morning I was using it with no problems. I set it on the table, and when I picked it up to use it, the phone was showing a "No Sim" message. I have removed the sim and rebooted several times, but it still says "No Sim." Is my phone pretty much shot?

ReganH22 said:
I have had my Infuse for about 2 weeks now. From the day I got it, I noticed it would completely lock up and start vibrating. Last week i noticed the sim card was getting hot. This morning I was using it with no problems. I set it on the table, and when I picked it up to use it, the phone was showing a "No Sim" message. I have removed the sim and rebooted several times, but it still says "No Sim." Is my phone pretty much shot?
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Wow, never heard of that before. Even if there is a fix for your issues id bring it back, since its only 2 weeks old the store should exchange right in the store. If you wait past 30 days than you may have to send it out for warrenty replacement.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997R using XDA Premium App

Thanks Nash. The only problem is this phone was a replacement phone that my cousin got when he had problems with his first Infuse. They day this one arrived I traded my iPhone 4 for this Infuse. I'm not sure if AT&T will even do anything at this point. Looks like I might have to send it back to Samsung.

I forgot to mention that I am using the SIM card from my iPhone 4. It is smaller then the actual SIM card slot on the phone. I just took the card out and re-centered it, and now it works. I'm thinking I need to go in and upgrade my SIM card. I'll still take it in for the other problems, but for now at least I can make calls.

The first thing i would suggest would be the sim card. I have also had good luck with att's warranty center on the phone. I bought a samsung captivate from craigs list. The service rep said my account said I got the phone in like November (mind you I don't call att and change my imei unless with an upgrade). Told them I had the random shutdown problem and they replaced it no questions asked.

ReganH22 said:
I forgot to mention that I am using the SIM card from my iPhone 4. It is smaller then the actual SIM card slot on the phone. I just took the card out and re-centered it, and now it works. I'm thinking I need to go in and upgrade my SIM card. I'll still take it in for the other problems, but for now at least I can make calls.
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That's the problem that sim. Needs replaced fast buddy take your phone there and get new one asap
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997R using XDA Premium App

Yes you should replace your ip4 sim for one that fits, only thing is- I'm sure att will change your number from iphone to Infuse, with that pending, I'm not sure if samsung will warrenty that phone since you weren't origianlly contracted to that phone, I could be wrong. I do know that att can downgrade your data package by switching phones. I bought my gf an inspire from craigslist, I was told that att was releaseing an update for inspires to have "unknown sourses" but you had to call and request it. I called and when they asked for my account info and phone number they noticed that phone number went to a samsung captivate. I said that phone broke so I picked up a replacement. They said they would have to change account from captivate to Inspire, I said go a head. Than they told me said I'm having work done to a non contracted phone, I will loose my unlimited data. I said touch my data and I'm gone to verizon...cancel my request. I later called back and explained, they left me alone and updated my phone. Kinda messed up what att can or try to do to your account.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997R using XDA Premium App

Thanks for the info guys. I just landed in San Diego and walked over to the At&t store near the hotel. They replaced the similar card with no questions asked for free. Nothing changed on my account. The sales Rep said his Infuse has the same freeze with the vibrating problem as well.

You need to go make a full size similar card, or get one from at&t
sent from my big bad infuse 4g

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM!!!!!!! its around the sim card right hand side gets really hot too

For those traveling international with the S3

Alright not too long ago, I called verizon to notify them about my travels to Japan, 2 weeks prior my trip (i got back less than 24 hours ago). They did some over the phone stuff, added that 100mb plan. And told me to dial *228, I've been warned about dialing *228 on 4G phones before... But this is a Verizon REP telling me this. So i did it, and i was supposed to dial it again when i reached Japan, to update my roaming with their cell towers.
I did so as well... thought little did i know the message i got when i was in japan said my phone did not work over there (didn't know it at the time had my friend translate the message for me days after i already dialed)
Long story short, I've noticed after my initial dial of *228, I somewhat noticed my phone never connected to 4G again. It bugged me, but i was still able to FORCE LTE Only in Phone Info. But when i had that setting in, i couldnt recieve or send calls, or texts... just blazing fast internet.
In my area since I live relatively close to Los Angeles 4G is pretty much everywhere here. What i dont understand why my phone hasn't connected to 4G ever since i called.

USMC-Delta said:
Alright not too long ago, I called verizon to notify them about my travels to Japan, 2 weeks prior my trip (i got back less than 24 hours ago). They did some over the phone stuff, added that 100mb plan. And told me to dial *228, I've been warned about dialing *228 on 4G phones before... But this is a Verizon REP telling me this. So i did it, and i was supposed to dial it again when i reached Japan, to update my roaming with their cell towers.
I did so as well... thought little did i know the message i got when i was in japan said my phone did not work over there (didn't know it at the time had my friend translate the message for me days after i already dialed)
Long story short, I've noticed after my initial dial of *228, I somewhat noticed my phone never connected to 4G again. It bugged me, but i was still able to FORCE LTE Only in Phone Info. But when i had that setting in, i couldnt recieve or send calls, or texts... just blazing fast internet.
In my area since I live relatively close to Los Angeles 4G is pretty much everywhere here. What i dont understand why my phone hasn't connected to 4G ever since i called.
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I'd pull the sim, reinsert and reboot. You may need to reactivate. Sounds like the rep you talked to was a complete waste of space.

preusstang said:
I'd pull the sim, reinsert and reboot. You may need to reactivate. Sounds like the rep you talked to was a complete waste of space.
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I've tried a SIM pull, no luck. I read somewhere dialing *228 could fry to SIM card? Maybe thats what happened, and i'd need to get a replacement...
What do you mean by re-activate?
I've done factory resets quite a few times already today, as well as the IMEI push/fix just in case... still to no luck

USMC-Delta said:
I've tried a SIM pull, no luck. I read somewhere dialing *228 could fry to SIM card? Maybe thats what happened, and i'd need to get a replacement...
What do you mean by re-activate?
I've done factory resets quite a few times already today, as well as the IMEI push/fix just in case... still to no luck
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There's another command using the keypad you can use to factory reset your phone...i just can't remember it. Something like *#4342..etc. I remember seeing it posted on here somewhere but I would search for "factory reset" and see what you can come up with.
This is what people did when they flashed an AOSP rom and were unable to get 4G...it could likely work for you also. It's worth a shot!
Here is the thread and the command: Back up all your info because your phone will be wiped and make sure you are on a stock based TouchWiz rom...go into dialer and hit *2767*3855#. Allow it to reboot and hopefully you will have full use of your phone. If not, go and get yourself a new sim card at the local VZW.

Marcismo55 said:
There's another command using the keypad you can use to factory reset your phone...i just can't remember it. Something like *#4342..etc. I remember seeing it posted on here somewhere but I would search for "factory reset" and see what you can come up with.
This is what people did when they flashed an AOSP rom and were unable to get 4G...it could likely work for you also. It's worth a shot!
Here is the thread and the command: Back up all your info because your phone will be wiped and make sure you are on a stock based TouchWiz rom...go into dialer and hit *2767*3855#. Allow it to reboot and hopefully you will have full use of your phone. If not, go and get yourself a new sim card at the local VZW.
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Tried that twice during the IMEI push. Still to no avail. I'm going to assume the SIM card got bugged during the *228 process... And would probably need a new simcard. My dad also has the S3, and his connects to 4g just fine in my area... THe things i go through with this phone man... I prefer my bionic if the galaxy's camera wasnt so good.

Sorry about the phone woes but once you're up and running again you will see how this device runs circles around your Bionic.
Getting a new SIM card is easy. Verizon gives them away for free and you can just walk in there. Hopefully you get this taken care of.

Marcismo55 said:
Sorry about the phone woes but once you're up and running again you will see how this device runs circles around your Bionic.
Getting a new SIM card is easy. Verizon gives them away for free and you can just walk in there. Hopefully you get this taken care of.
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Got a new SIM card from the Vz store, fixed my problems, got 4G connectivity back...
Mods can close this.

Unlocked and s off random loses service

Well back in 2014 I purchased the htc one m8 from Verizon which was a huge mistake because the bill was huge aswell. I then left Verizon after about half a year and went to metropcs and purchased an lg. Me being a noob I didn't know that you could unlock phones for a different carrier. So for the longest time I've just been using the m8 as a really nice Ipod. So just a few weeks ago I purchased sunshine and unlocked and s off my m8. I did research and found I needed apn settings and I found the correct settings I needed for my phone. After that I called metro pcs and they tied the device to my account with the imei and the SIM card number, over the phone. It worked out dand, I could see the word metropcs at the top and I could call my friends and my parents, I could text and send picture message. It even said I had 4g lte at the top. But here's the problem. About 4 times a day I will lose all service, and to make it come back on I have to attempt to make a call and as soon as I make the call it drops and says call lost. And then give it about 5 mins and I have my service back and I get all my messages that I would have gotten before all at once. Unless I try to make that call I won't have any service. This happens about 4 or 5 times a day and it's really annoying. I need help on how to fix this. Would I need to flash a custom rom like viper rom instead of this Verizon crap? I'm running android version 5.0.1 and I am unlocked and s off.

Try a different ROM like viper and see if it solves it?
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