Hey everyone, I have the classic question of how to avoid the data plan. So a couple questions.
I want the nexus 5, and am always on wifi. I know att forces you to get a data plan with a smartphone but I dont want one.
Can I get a feature phone or dumb phone and swap the sims?
Will att detect the imei on the nexus 5?
Can I get the imei on one of my old dumbphone's and spoof it onto the nexus 5?
I will not switch carriers or plans, so please no "you should just go with t-mobile" answers
If spoofing is illegal to talk about on these forums, sorry I was ignorant.
Nobody has the phone yet and its a good bet att will figure it out they always do.
SIM swapping won't work. There's no possible way to use a smartphone on AT&T without paying for a data plan.
after doing research, you can apparently change the imei relatively easily using
Code:
su
echo 'AT+EGMR=1,7,"imei" >/dev/pttycmd1
Does this actually change it?
If you could change the imei to a dumbphone, it would work right?
AT&T will figure it out by your IMEI and it is illegal to change your IMEI.
The issue has been argued over many times, and has never really been proven legal or illegal. Anyways, I see nothing wrong with changing the nexus 5's imei to a phone's imei that I will break rendering it useless. My question now is does that snippet of code really change the imei or does it change the text only in the about phone section.
microzee said:
after doing research, you can apparently change the imei relatively easily using
Code:
su
echo 'AT+EGMR=1,7,"imei" >/dev/pttycmd1
Does this actually change it?
If you could change the imei to a dumbphone, it would work right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, I believe you're missing a single-quote, I think it should be like this:
Code:
su
echo 'AT+EGMR=1,7,"imei"' >/dev/pttycmd1
(notice there is a double qoute " and then a single quote ' after imei)
Also, secondly, I think this works with older phones, but I have had no luck getting it to work with my Nexus 5
Related
Hi To run the device turkey. need to change imei. I do not know English. imei change, please explain in the simplest way. already thank you very very very much
You cannot Change the imei.......one question why u want to change it ?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk
Kadir_10 said:
Hi To run the device turkey. need to change imei. I do not know English. imei change, please explain in the simplest way. already thank you very very very much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Woah woah if you change your imei YOU CANNOT USE the phone. Leave imei as is.
You speak any french?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
rkkaranrk said:
You cannot Change the imei.......one question why u want to change it ?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you change ?? illustrated narrative Is there?
Sarius24 said:
Woah woah if you change your imei YOU CANNOT USE the phone. Leave imei as is.
You speak any french?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know English at. do not change imei phone turned off for 1 month. and one more will not open
Kadir_10 said:
Hi To run the device turkey. need to change imei. I do not know English. imei change, please explain in the simplest way. already thank you very very very much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you meant to say you want to change your carrier?
You may need to unlock your phone and use a different SIM?
Http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1081072.
Unlock your phone here.
qkster said:
I think you meant to say you want to change your carrier?
You may need to unlock your phone and use a different SIM?
Http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1081072.
Unlock your phone here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the link, but the phone is already unlocked. I bought a unlock on the amazon.com. only need to change imei for turkey run. Please help me
Why you want to change the IMEI to use the phone in turkey.....All phones work on GSM networks worldwide is there something different with GSM network in Turkey ?
Kadir_10 said:
Thanks for the link, but the phone is already unlocked. I bought a unlock on the amazon.com. only need to change imei for turkey run. Please help me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Each phone has a unique identifier for them to be recognize by their provider. You cannot change your imei. It is also illegal in some places. If you really try and get another imei from a different phone, then two phone will share the same line.
That it's why i think you mean something else when you say imei.
Why don't you take your phone to your carrier and ask them what is needed?
Only possible reason one may want to change IMEI is to prevent from getting stuck with data plans that not everyone needs. So, if you have a dumb phone, you could change the IMEI of your Infuse to the IMEI of your dumb phone (it is quite a process) and then use it with AT&T.
Most of us have WIFI at home/work/gym/hotels; hence, it is really unnecessary to be paying $30-$40 bucks for data every month, it adds up, $350/year.
I like to have my unlimited data plan to listen to Pandora in my car and you can do just fine with $10 Medianet as opposed to smartphone data plans if you use dumb-phone IMEI.
IMEI can be changed to another IMEI, or Samsung generic IMEI (which is easier to do). Carriers in some countries (not US) block generic IMEIs.
Overall, it has uses. Legality, obviously, is a question. Some people attribute it to changing VIN on the car, which is understood. People pay a fortune for their phones and IMEI modification allows thieves to get away with our prized possessions - major downside. I think of it as changing identity string on the browser.
rkkaranrk said:
Why you want to change the IMEI to use the phone in turkey.....All phones work on GSM networks worldwide is there something different with GSM network in Turkey ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
qkster said:
Each phone has a unique identifier for them to be recognize by their provider. You cannot change your imei. It is also illegal in some places. If you really try and get another imei from a different phone, then two phone will share the same line.
That it's why i think you mean something else when you say imei.
Why don't you take your phone to your carrier and ask them what is needed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sumeet909 said:
Only possible reason one may want to change IMEI is to prevent from getting stuck with data plans that not everyone needs. So, if you have a dumb phone, you could change the IMEI of your Infuse to the IMEI of your dumb phone (it is quite a process) and then use it with AT&T.
Most of us have WIFI at home/work/gym/hotels; hence, it is really unnecessary to be paying $30-$40 bucks for data every month, it adds up, $350/year.
I like to have my unlimited data plan to listen to Pandora in my car and you can do just fine with $10 Medianet as opposed to smartphone data plans if you use dumb-phone IMEI.
IMEI can be changed to another IMEI, or Samsung generic IMEI (which is easier to do). Carriers in some countries (not US) block generic IMEIs.
Overall, it has uses. Legality, obviously, is a question. Some people attribute it to changing VIN on the car, which is understood. People pay a fortune for their phones and IMEI modification allows thieves to get away with our prized possessions - major downside. I think of it as changing identity string on the browser.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know that the guys of illegal. necessarily have to change my IMEI for registration is full, but the acquaintance of a passport. How can I do it with usb? consider that the form of imei 0000000000000.
If you are serious and really want to do that you can try an delete the efs folder with the help of Root exlorer.
BEFORE DOING THAT TAKE A BACK UP OF THE FOLDER.
Hi,sumeet909,
Don't know if I should ask this question here. But I really need help.
I have been searching solutions to fix the unknown baseband and IMEI problem for my infuse. No result so far. As you said "IMEI can be changed to another IMEI, or Samsung generic IMEI (which is easier to do).", any solution can fix my prolbem?
Thanks in advance.
sumeet909 said:
Only possible reason one may want to change IMEI is to prevent from getting stuck with data plans that not everyone needs. So, if you have a dumb phone, you could change the IMEI of your Infuse to the IMEI of your dumb phone (it is quite a process) and then use it with AT&T.
Most of us have WIFI at home/work/gym/hotels; hence, it is really unnecessary to be paying $30-$40 bucks for data every month, it adds up, $350/year.
I like to have my unlimited data plan to listen to Pandora in my car and you can do just fine with $10 Medianet as opposed to smartphone data plans if you use dumb-phone IMEI.
IMEI can be changed to another IMEI, or Samsung generic IMEI (which is easier to do). Carriers in some countries (not US) block generic IMEIs.
Overall, it has uses. Legality, obviously, is a question. Some people attribute it to changing VIN on the car, which is understood. People pay a fortune for their phones and IMEI modification allows thieves to get away with our prized possessions - major downside. I think of it as changing identity string on the browser.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so I purchased a used hox on craigslist the other day. When I first put my sim card in after purchase I was unable to get a data connection using the pta apn. I had network connection and was able to make/receive calls and texts, but had no data connection. I was getting the "misconfigured apn" error in network settings. After some googling I found that I need to switch my plan to an att LTE plan (I am in a covered area). I am not the account holder, and it would be a day or two until I could get in contact with the account holder, so I just threw in the wap.cingular or phone apn and was able to get an hspa connection fine. So I rooted the phone and unlocked the bootloader (using htc dev) without a problem, flashed a few custom roms, everything is working 100%. Except for last night when I finally decided to switch my plan over with AT&T and try to connect to LTE. After about an hour on the phone with technical support, they concluded that I don't have an AT&T phone, which I am certain I do.
I am guessing that the only way they could tell that I didn't have an AT&T phone was from the IMEI which they asked for at the beginning of the call. So I checked the IMEI on the box against the IMEI on the phone and they are different. The SNs match, but the IMEIs are different. I checked out the phone IMEI online and it came back as invalid. (For the record I also checked the box IMEI against the lost and stolen phone database and it was not found)
So, basically, I am wondering if this issue can be caused by something that I did (ie rooting, bootloader unlock, rom flashing, etc) or if I was somehow sold a tampered device or if this is something to be concerned about. Its not a very big deal if its something I did, I understand the risks associated with rooting/unlocking/flashing etc.
henchdiesel said:
Ok so I purchased a used hox on craigslist the other day. When I first put my sim card in after purchase I was unable to get a data connection using the pta apn. I had network connection and was able to make/receive calls and texts, but had no data connection. I was getting the "misconfigured apn" error in network settings. After some googling I found that I need to switch my plan to an att LTE plan (I am in a covered area). I am not the account holder, and it would be a day or two until I could get in contact with the account holder, so I just threw in the wap.cingular or phone apn and was able to get an hspa connection fine. So I rooted the phone and unlocked the bootloader (using htc dev) without a problem, flashed a few custom roms, everything is working 100%. Except for last night when I finally decided to switch my plan over with AT&T and try to connect to LTE. After about an hour on the phone with technical support, they concluded that I don't have an AT&T phone, which I am certain I do.
I am guessing that the only way they could tell that I didn't have an AT&T phone was from the IMEI which they asked for at the beginning of the call. So I checked the IMEI on the box against the IMEI on the phone and they are different. The SNs match, but the IMEIs are different. I checked out the phone IMEI online and it came back as invalid. (For the record I also checked the box IMEI against the lost and stolen phone database and it was not found)
So, basically, I am wondering if this issue can be caused by something that I did (ie rooting, bootloader unlock, rom flashing, etc) or if I was somehow sold a tampered device or if this is something to be concerned about. Its not a very big deal if its something I did, I understand the risks associated with rooting/unlocking/flashing etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what method did you use to unlock the bootloader? If you used the one without HTCDev found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1734558 it changed the IMEI number. You can put it back though.
gunnyman said:
what method did you use to unlock the bootloader? If you used the one without HTCDev found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1734558 it changed the IMEI number. You can put it back though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually used the method outlined here, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1671396, which is probably a similar method under the hood I guess. How would I go about returning the IMEI to stock? Is it as simple as opening mmcblk0p4 in a hex editor and changing the 11111111 back to CWS__001?
henchdiesel said:
I actually used the method outlined here, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1671396, which is probably a similar method under the hood I guess. How would I go about returning the IMEI to stock? Is it as simple as opening mmcblk0p4 in a hex editor and changing the 11111111 back to CWS__001?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope.
the method you used doesn't TOUCH IMEI. IMEI and CID are two different things.
did you happen to notice when you got the phone if the bootloader said locked? or was it re-locked?
I suspect if it's the latter then whoever had the phone before you did used the "without htc dev" method to unlock and didn't copy back the unaltered partition when they were done.
There are ways to rewrite the correct IMEI to the phone. I don't know how, and discussion of it is forbidden here. Maybe someone who can help you will send you a PM.
gunnyman said:
Nope.
the method you used doesn't TOUCH IMEI. IMEI and CID are two different things.
did you happen to notice when you got the phone if the bootloader said locked? or was it re-locked?
I suspect if it's the latter then whoever had the phone before you did used the "without htc dev" method to unlock and didn't copy back the unaltered partition when they were done.
There are ways to rewrite the correct IMEI to the phone. I don't know how, and discussion of it is forbidden here. Maybe someone who can help you will send you a PM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone did say locked when I got it. It may have been re-locked, but there is no way for me to be sure. I guess if anyone has info about repairing my IMEI and could pm me I'd really appreciate it. Otherwise I guess I'm out of luck. Thank you very much for your help.
henchdiesel said:
The phone did say locked when I got it. It may have been re-locked, but there is no way for me to be sure. I guess if anyone has info about repairing my IMEI and could pm me I'd really appreciate it. Otherwise I guess I'm out of luck. Thank you very much for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if it said LOCKED then IMEI got corrupted by some other means. Sorry I can't be of more help. I do have a suggestion though.
Find one of those Cell phone stores that advertises flashing phones to some other carrier. Maybe THEY have the means to fix your IMEI.
gunnyman said:
if it said LOCKED then IMEI got corrupted by some other means. Sorry I can't be of more help. I do have a suggestion though.
Find one of those Cell phone stores that advertises flashing phones to some other carrier. Maybe THEY have the means to fix your IMEI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just glad it was something that I screwed up as opposed to my buying a tampered/stolen device. Mods can probably close this thread, mark it as "solved" or something like that, before we get too far into the IMEI modding stuff. Hopefully I can get this figured out on my own. Thanks again for your help.
Hit me on gtalk. Ill get u fixed up seriously tho. Pmed
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
It's likely not an IMEI issue....but more likely you don't have an LTE SIM. Symptoms are just that.
Op said the Imei numbers between phone and box don't match up
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
18th.abn said:
Hit me on gtalk. Ill get u fixed up seriously tho. Pmed
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
best person to contact for your issue...
not a big deal...if you have the stick on the back on the phone or the box
imei, sn, mb....you good...
I've never had a smart phone. I've always just used a little cheap "texting" phone with a regular sized SIM card from AT&T.
I want my first smartphone and I've decided that I like the Nexus 5 because I use to own a Nexus 7 Tablet, in which I assume are similar in some ways. I live in CA, USA
My question is whether I would have to get a new SIM card from AT&T. Right now I have a family plan with no Data services. Just an unlimited texting service and minutes. I'm always around Wi--Fi so I feel that I won't ever need any kind of data plan (2g,3g,4g,LTE). Because the Nexus 5 is unlocked, I was questioning whether AT&T would force me to purchase a Data Plan for this phone. Is there any way around it as of right now? Do I need to show them my phone to get a new SIM card (if needed?
Edit: I was doing some research and found this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2507422 , but it wasn't much of help since the phone wasn't out at the time.
Does this work?
You have two choices for the SIM card.
- cut it down to Micro SIM size
- Get a new Micro SIM card from AT&T
Here is the problem that you'll most likely run in to.
When you put that SIM card in your Nexus 5 the good folks at ATT will detect it's a smartphone and require you to get a data plan for the phone.
nexus 4 was detected by at&t
nexus 5 will be as well, especially since it'll be sold by t-mobile (t-mobile phones are detected on at&t, the two carriers probably share IMEI lists)
some people have luck by first adding a data block (no MMS though) on the line while using a dumbphone, then switching SIMs (but you'll need to keep that data block)
Axis' said:
You have two choices for the SIM card.
- cut it down to Micro SIM size
- Get a new Micro SIM card from AT&T
Here is the problem that you'll most likely run in to.
When you put that SIM card in your Nexus 5 the good folks at ATT will detect it's a smartphone and require you to get a data plan for the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aw man, and there is no way to change this so called IMEI (I think that's what it's called correct?).
paperWastage said:
nexus 4 was detected by at&t
nexus 5 will be as well, especially since it'll be sold by t-mobile (t-mobile phones are detected on at&t, the two carriers probably share IMEI lists)
some people have luck by first adding a data block (no MMS though) on the line while using a dumbphone, then switching SIMs (but you'll need to keep that data block)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this what changing a phone's IMEI is? There isn't some kind of rooting you can do to change the phones IMEI number into something else so that they can't detect it?
Terminatez said:
Aw man, and there is no way to change this so called IMEI (I think that's what it's called correct?).
Is this what changing a phone's IMEI is? There isn't some kind of rooting you can do to change the phones IMEI number into something else so that they can't detect it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Changing the imei is illegal. It shouldn't be discussed
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
jd1639 said:
Changing the imei is illegal. It shouldn't be discussed
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok with that being said, I will not discuss on how to change an IMEI, but I would like more information about this.
Would changing the IMEI from Phone A (Nexus 5 Legally purchased) to Phone B (Samsung Texting Phone Legally Purchased) be illegal?
Terminatez said:
Ok with that being said, I will not discuss on how to change an IMEI, but I would like more information about this.
Would changing the IMEI from Phone A (Nexus 5 Legally purchased) to Phone B (Samsung Texting Phone Legally Purchased) be illegal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't believe it is but some are quick to point to laws that don't exist.
Doesn't really matter at this point as it is not possible to change your imei on the n5.
lafester said:
I don't believe it is but some are quick to point to laws that don't exist.
Doesn't really matter at this point as it is not possible to change your imei on the n5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's true.
Is there an alternative way to use the Nexus 5 without having a data plan then? What about prepaid from AT&T?
Terminatez said:
That's true.
Is there an alternative way to use the Nexus 5 without having a data plan then? What about prepaid from AT&T?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as I said, try the "put data block on line before switching sim to nexus 5, keep data off on the nexus 5"...
if it doesn't work, then move away from att
Agree with the above comment. A friend of mine did the same thing with his Nexus 4 and he still hasn't been caught by Att and he got the phone since last March. So call Att from your dumbphone and cancel data access.
Could you let us know how it goes?
I'm hoping to get a smartphone (either a Moto-G or Nexus 5) without having to pay for a data plan. Yes, I know there are dozens of topics asking whether or not this can be done; I've read everyone--that's why I'm making this new thread.
There are a lot of different things I see stated on ways to get around AT&T automatic application of expensive data-plans when they detect that you're using a smartphone. Some people have said that all you have to do is turn off 3G Data Use from the menu of the new phone BEFORE inserting a new SIM card, and then insert the old dumphone sim card and everything will work. Some people make vague allusions to changing the IMIE--to which some people claim that's illegal, and others claim AT&T or random clerks at Radio Shack will do this for you upon request. Still others claim that all you need to do is install a "data blocker" program onto the smartphone before switching SIM cards, and it will do the trick.
The basic goal seems to be "hiding" the IMEI number from AT&T.
So, my question: how does AT&T recognize the IMEI number? Will they see it only if the phone is active on their 3G/4G/LTE networks? Or do they see it "through" the normal dumbphone calling networks?
My apologies if this is a stupid question. I really don't know anything about phones are anything about non-PC electronics or software in general. Basically, I'd like a smartphone but refuse to pay an exhorbitant monthly fee for a feature I'd never use (wifi is everywhere I go), and am not in a position where I can switch carriers, and it's like I'm part of a(n evidently sizable) demographic that no one wants to market to.
If times haven't changed too much from when I tried the same thing 2 years ago, you should just be able to request that all data on your line be blocked. I would try calling them before you switch the SIM to the smartphone and ask for all data to be disabled to your line, then swap the SIM. I would also leave the data turned off on the smartphone for good measure. This is basically how I got around your same issue with AT&T, and it doesn't have to necessarily come down to illegally changing the IMEI or "hiding" the IMEI from the carrier. Eventually they'll cross-check your device and figure out it's a smartphone and add your data. But to my knowledge, the adding of the data is all automatically done by computers; so if the system sees that all data is disabled for you, it shouldn't attempt to add anything.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
hi i have a samsung galaxy s3 from sprint, rooted. My question is where/how do i find the "network & mobile network state" folder or file? the reason is cuz i would like to connect the phone to a prepaid or other carrier and i think deleting those files will allow me to do so, (PLEASE correct me if wrong)....
OR better question is how can i get the phone connected on a different carrier?
Can i or do i have to erase, change or clear any of the following; MEID, DEC, HEX#'s or IMEI & ICCID to do so? I Rooted the phone with a custom ROM (CM). Some say sprint will give me a certain number but my service was cut yrs ago so i doubt they would help being that i owe them $.. and is rooting same as unlocking?
THANK YOU
imperial0007 said:
hi i have a samsung galaxy s3 from sprint, rooted. My question is where/how do i find the "network & mobile network state" folder or file? the reason is cuz i would like to connect the phone to a prepaid or other carrier and i think deleting those files will allow me to do so, (PLEASE correct me if wrong)....
OR better question is how can i get the phone connected on a different carrier?
Can i or do i have to erase, change or clear any of the following; MEID, DEC, HEX#'s or IMEI & ICCID to do so? I Rooted the phone with a custom ROM (CM). Some say sprint will give me a certain number but my service was cut yrs ago so i doubt they would help being that i owe them $.. and is rooting same as unlocking?
THANK YOU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im not going to be of much help with most of that but,
you defiantly dont want to remove the imei or related items, or the phone wont work on any carrier.
if this is the phone you were using when you stopped paying them, it may be blacklisted, and wont work on any carrier.
best option would be to browse the s3 forums and see how others are switching carriers.
some phones its as simple as changing the sim, others require more steps such as carrier unlocking and possibly more depending on the situation. and in some instances you cant change to the carrier you want because the phone doesnt support the necessary bands.