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.
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Is anyone aware of something like this, or what would be involved?
Before I am assaulted for asking this question, the reason it is of interest of me is not because I have a stolen phone, but T-Mobile US is now blocking certain data plans by identifying handsets by IMEI number.
I recently bought a unlocked HTC Magic and inserted my SIM card which worked just fine on a T-Mobile Shadow (HTC Juno). The data plan worked for a few hours, and then was blocked because the T-Mobile network recognizes these phones IMEI as a G1. The data plan I actually had (per the recommendation of a T-Mobile rep), was a Blackberry plan with an International E-Mail Roaming package (as I travel frequently internationally). After many hours on the phone with them trying to find a solution, T-Mobile determined there was not a solution and I could not use the HTC Magic with my plans.
Given these changes on the T-Mobile US network are relatively new, and the imminent growth of Android handsets, I believe there could be a market for such an application.
Lastly, according to my research, in the United States, there are no laws that exist which bar changing of an IMEI number. So, to all of you vigilantes out there, please leave law enforcement up to the police.
Anyone have insight into this?
from what i understand, every time the phone is booted up, it connects to the carrier to let it know what your IMEI is, then associates your account(your number, sms, email, etc) to that imei. if you change it, you could run the risk of picking someone else's imei and start receiving some of their things(from what i understand, although i could be a bit off.) but from the bit of info i have read online about it, its similar to MAC address Spoofing on a pc, in respects to what need to be done and how and what it works for.
I talk to us cellular a few weeks ago and they said I could activate a HTC touch Pro without the data package. Well, I bought one on ebay and went to activate the phone and then they said I had to have a data package. Is there anyway to activate the htc touch pro as a phone only? I would still like to use the wifi, gps and and sync my calendar to my computer. I tried to find info on the web but have found nothing that really helped me.
I think US Cellular is a CDMA network, which means, unlike GSM where you just swap the SIM card from an existing phone, US Cellular actually has to activate your phone for you for your account to be active. So this isn't really a phone issue, its really a matter of whether US Cellular will permit you to use a smartphone w/o a data plan.
Call back a few times asking the same thing, sometimes different customer service reps will give you different answers/service.
Yes, us cellular reps seems to give different answers and it is a CDMA. Is it possible to activate the phone without them knowing it is a smart phone and just activate the phone option. I would need to know how to activate the phone before hand and know what option I need to fill out. I would give them the dec number and than ask for the number I need to make the phone work.
Not sure if this rings true for CDMA, but the IMEI number for GSM phones identify each phone uniquely (manufacturer, model, plus unique code for each phone). So if you need to give them a similiar number for a CDMA phone (its called the ESN number I think), they'll know right away if its a smartphone (if they cared to look it up).
Best bet is probably keep calling until you get a nice rep that won't ask too many questions.
Not sure if this rings true for CDMA, but the IMEI number for GSM phones identify each phone uniquely (manufacturer, model, plus unique code for each phone). So if you need to give them a similiar number for a CDMA phone (its called the ESN number I think), they'll know right away if its a smartphone (if they cared to look it up).
Best bet is probably keep calling until you get a nice rep that won't ask too many questions.
alright im on attblue, and i refuse to upgrade. their new plans blow compared to mine, however ive a question.
i know att now imei checks phones for pocketpcs and adds 30$ data if it matches, i know it detects my hermes and displays it in billing control panel.
however, if i slapped a universal on a attplan would they be able to tell it was a pocketpc or could i get away without data?
any input from people would be..very useful.
try putting your sim card in a regular phone then add the data
oh, would they now. How do you know this? what device have you tested it on, and was it international based or an att branded one.
i ask because it seems they can't identify devices that arent ATT
So for my job they are forcing me to get a HTC thunderbolt(which isnt a bad phone btw) but i have a droid bionic supposedly i can just switch the sim cards and itll work(Btw if anyone can reply and answer tell me for sure that would be great) but i was wondering if there was a way to block the sim reporting which phone i have or trick it into thinking that i have a different phone
Reviving the thread for searchers:
you are free to switch sims and it'll even activate 3g (not just 4g)
there is no way to stop it from knowing but provided it isn't a bad ESN it's basically the same as switching phones online
to my knowledge verizon doesn't really care provided whatever device would be applicable under your plan (especially with the share everything plans)
(I was searching to see about duplicating or something until I realized the micro sim isn't as difficult to place/remove on the tray; it just needed to be used a few times)
Not even sure how to search for this and tried Google and some other forums, but settled on asking the question here when I couldn't find an answer.
To be specific: I have a Droid Incredible that is left over once a member of family plan upgraded to iPhone. We are on Verizon. Another member of the family plan has a basic phone (enV3) which is breaking so we need a non-data replacement. Since I have this extra Droid, I am trying to understand why we can't use it...
I know that Verizon requires a data package with any smart phone. My understanding of the magic you all do here is limited, but I have a vague thought that it has to do with ESN or MEID that tells Verizon what make & model phone you have, alerting them to the fact that you activated a smartphone on the line, and giving them the signal to slam some charges on the account for monthly data.
My question (finally) is why can't I just flash a ROM on the phone that disables the 3G antenna thing and makes the phone look like a basic phone to Verizon? Ideally I'd like to still have the ability to get on WiFi and use the phone features, just not the 3G data side of it. We already use it as an "iPod" like device. Even though it isn't activated, I can connect to Google Play and Amazon App Store over Wifi and install apps. I can check email. I can play games. I can even dial and get the operator where they say I can make a call if I enter a credit card. Why cant I keep all that functionality I already have and just hook it up to my family plan to make calls with it too? Maybe the answer is that it IS possible, but nobody is interested in creating such a ROM. Maybe there is some technical problem making it not feasible. Or maybe it does exist, but searching couldn't find it cause people rarely want to do such a thing...
I just want to learn why this cant be done, so someone enlighten me. If it actually can be done, all the better. Again, specific details are Droid Incredible on Verizon Wireless family plan.
jmb.filter said:
Not even sure how to search for this and tried Google and some other forums, but settled on asking the question here when I couldn't find an answer.
To be specific: I have a Droid Incredible that is left over once a member of family plan upgraded to iPhone. We are on Verizon. Another member of the family plan has a basic phone (enV3) which is breaking so we need a non-data replacement. Since I have this extra Droid, I am trying to understand why we can't use it...
I know that Verizon requires a data package with any smart phone. My understanding of the magic you all do here is limited, but I have a vague thought that it has to do with ESN or MEID that tells Verizon what make & model phone you have, alerting them to the fact that you activated a smartphone on the line, and giving them the signal to slam some charges on the account for monthly data.
My question (finally) is why can't I just flash a ROM on the phone that disables the 3G antenna thing and makes the phone look like a basic phone to Verizon? Ideally I'd like to still have the ability to get on WiFi and use the phone features, just not the 3G data side of it. We already use it as an "iPod" like device. Even though it isn't activated, I can connect to Google Play and Amazon App Store over Wifi and install apps. I can check email. I can play games. I can even dial and get the operator where they say I can make a call if I enter a credit card. Why cant I keep all that functionality I already have and just hook it up to my family plan to make calls with it too? Maybe the answer is that it IS possible, but nobody is interested in creating such a ROM. Maybe there is some technical problem making it not feasible. Or maybe it does exist, but searching couldn't find it cause people rarely want to do such a thing...
I just want to learn why this cant be done, so someone enlighten me. If it actually can be done, all the better. Again, specific details are Droid Incredible on Verizon Wireless family plan.
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Simple answer is that changing the ESN of a phone is illegal and will not be talked about on XDA. Can it be done. Maybe but you won't any info here on it. A search for change ESN would have told you this.
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