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[Q] Invalid IMEI after installing ROM

Hello guys,
I just installed 4.1.2 Android from 4.2.2 and now My phone can't read my SIM card. When I'm trying to unlock my phone with GalaxSim Unlock it says "Warning: invalid IMEI. Restoring an EFS backup before unlocking is advised." The IMEI code on *#06# and on my phone's box are different. I have no ideas what I can do because I have never had this problem before after ROM installing. How I can solve this problem?

did you backup you umei/efs before at ant time?
Cruzin' tha Galaxy SIII via Obsessed Rom / "INAPPROPRIATE" Kernel

bbolton_98 said:
did you backup you umei/efs before at ant time?
Cruzin' tha Galaxy SIII via Obsessed Rom / "INAPPROPRIATE" Kernel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I did not. Is there an other way to solve it?

check out below thread. hope you'd get it back!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1852255

thats the best way (link in above post) if you happen to of installed synergy rom at any time it would have asked about making one for you. also nandroid manager can backup it also so check and see if any of your nandroids have a efs partition saved. if not read post in link more than once before doing anything.
Cruzin' tha Galaxy SIII via Obsessed Rom / "INAPPROPRIATE" Kernel

Is terminal emulator download available in Google play store??

bbolton_98 said:
thats the best way (link in above post) if you happen to of installed synergy rom at any time it would have asked about making one for you. also nandroid manager can backup it also so check and see if any of your nandroids have a efs partition saved. if not read post in link more than once before doing anything.
Cruzin' tha Galaxy SIII via Obsessed Rom / "INAPPROPRIATE" Kernel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed all steps but there is some problem in Restore. My phone is rooted and I have Terminal Emulator. When I write "su reboot nvbackup' it works and my phone reboot. But when I write "adb reboot nv restore" it says "device not found". Could you help me? I cannot reply on that thread.
http: //i39.tinypic.com/x513yc.png
Delete the space in this link because I cannot post any links until I do not have 10 post.

Edvinas1602 said:
I followed all steps but there is some problem in Restore. My phone is rooted and I have Terminal Emulator. When I write "su reboot nvbackup' it works and my phone reboot. But when I write "adb reboot nv restore" it says "device not found". Could you help me? I cannot reply on that thread.
http: //i39.tinypic.com/x513yc.png
Delete the space in this link because I cannot post any links until I do not have 10 post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to reread the directions in the Comprehensive IMEI thread. You'll see why it's failing. I will say this though, "adb" is primarily a computer command so it's unnecessary on mobile.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4

I still do not get this. It says that I do not need ADB if I have Terminal Emulator and my phone is rooted. I just need to restore it in a some way.

Edvinas1602 said:
I still do not get this. It says that I do not need ADB if I have Terminal Emulator and my phone is rooted. I just need to restore it in a some way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll ask you this now before I explain to you the command, does your IMEI in Settings/About Phone match what's on your Verizon GSIII retail box? Cuz restoring your IMEI will not work right now if its the wrong one. What you just backed up could be the "broken" IMEI and restoring it will do you more harm than good.
twistedillutions said:
Is terminal emulator download available in Google play store??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For clarity purposes, yes. Although, I see you posted this question in the Comprehensive IMEI thread and received an answer there as well.

SlimSnoopOS said:
I'll ask you this now before I explain to you the command, does your IMEI in Settings/About Phone match what's on your Verizon GSIII retail box? Cuz restoring your IMEI will not work right now if its the wrong one. What you just backed up could be the "broken" IMEI and restoring it will do you more harm than good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMEI codes are different. Now the IMEI code is 004999010640000. On my box the IMEI code is very different that one.

Edvinas1602 said:
IMEI codes are different. Now the IMEI code is 004999010640000. On my box the IMEI code is very different that one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aight, second question. Are you absolutely sure that you have a Verizon Galaxy SIII (d2vzw aka SCH-i535)? If so, proceed to read.
if you just performed this IMEI backup with the improper IMEI then the restore command will only reinsert this same wrong IMEI. You want your "proper" IMEI which is on the box to be backed up before you ever attempt an IMEI restore. If you have a CWM or TWRP rom backup then you should try restoring that THEN check if your IMEI is correct or wrong.
Do not post your proper IMEI. If it returns if/when you restore your rom in CWM or TWRP then just say "my IMEI is correct" or something like that. If you don't have a CWM or TWRP backup or don't know what I'm talking about then you're going to need a Windows computer and you'll need to Odin flash stock VRALF1 or VRAGL1 firmware tar. Make sure to unzip the file before using Odin, Odin flashes "tar" and "tar.md5" files only. If your IMEI is not restored at that point, then you'll need to reprovision your LTE sim card with the following code. It will erase your phone's storage. The dialer code only works o ICS software (so you'll need absolutely need VRALF2 or VRALG1):
Open the dialer and enter *2767*3855#
I'm stepping out for an hour or so. If you have any questions, hopefully someone else can provide input. If someone else things what I wrote above is unnecessary, please say so.
Edit: For clarity as well, I do not know if the VRALF2 or VRALG1 tar files format your internal storage (let's reasonably assume they do wipe /sdcard), so backup whatever important data you have on the phone to your computer or external sdcard.

Actually I have got SGS3 i9300. When I created this thread I didn't see that here is a subforum for i9300. Thanks for the help I will try it and let you know.

SlimSnoopOS said:
I'll ask you this now before I explain to you the command, does your IMEI in Settings/About Phone match what's on your Verizon GSIII retail box? Cuz restoring your IMEI will not work right now if its the wrong one. What you just backed up could be the "broken" IMEI and restoring it will do you more harm than good.
For clarity purposes, yes. Although, I see you posted this question in the Comprehensive IMEI thread and received an answer there as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes i posted both places up late last night ill stay over there for answers thnz for the response

SlimSnoopOS said:
Aight, second question. Are you absolutely sure that you have a Verizon Galaxy SIII (d2vzw aka SCH-i535)? If so, proceed to read.
if you just performed this IMEI backup with the improper IMEI then the restore command will only reinsert this same wrong IMEI. You want your "proper" IMEI which is on the box to be backed up before you ever attempt an IMEI restore. If you have a CWM or TWRP rom backup then you should try restoring that THEN check if your IMEI is correct or wrong.
Do not post your proper IMEI. If it returns if/when you restore your rom in CWM or TWRP then just say "my IMEI is correct" or something like that. If you don't have a CWM or TWRP backup or don't know what I'm talking about then you're going to need a Windows computer and you'll need to Odin flash stock VRALF1 or VRAGL1 firmware tar. Make sure to unzip the file before using Odin, Odin flashes "tar" and "tar.md5" files only. If your IMEI is not restored at that point, then you'll need to reprovision your LTE sim card with the following code. It will erase your phone's storage. The dialer code only works o ICS software (so you'll need absolutely need VRALF2 or VRALG1):
Open the dialer and enter *2767*3855#
I'm stepping out for an hour or so. If you have any questions, hopefully someone else can provide input. If someone else things what I wrote above is unnecessary, please say so.
Edit: For clarity as well, I do not know if the VRALF2 or VRALG1 tar files format your internal storage (let's reasonably assume they do wipe /sdcard), so backup whatever important data you have on the phone to your computer or external sdcard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm actually considering doing this today. I lost my IMEI/ERI and restored them with the forbidden software but the problem I'm having is on some roms my google play store won't connect and it's been kinda frustrating and I don't know what else do, I've cleared store cache and data, plus every other fix I could find online. Plus it might be good practice for me if I have to send my phone back in the future as I bought my S3 rooted and unlocked.

TheAfroSamurai said:
I'm actually considering doing this today. I lost my IMEI/ERI and restored them with the forbidden software but the problem I'm having is on some roms my google play store won't connect and it's been kinda frustrating and I don't know what else do, I've cleared store cache and data, plus every other fix I could find online. Plus it might be good practice for me if I have to send my phone back in the future as I bought my S3 rooted and unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might as well give it a try, not much at risk you know?

SlimSnoopOS said:
Might as well give it a try, not much at risk you know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing I can chalk it up to is maybe there was something still wonky because I didn't Odin back and used the Repair Tool. I'm off today and not really interested in the football game tonight so I got time. I'll Odin back, reprovision and reroot, unlock and see what happens with play store after that, thanks for all your help. Learned alot from your posts dude...:good:

TheAfroSamurai said:
I'm actually considering doing this today. I lost my IMEI/ERI and restored them with the forbidden software but the problem I'm having is on some roms my google play store won't connect and it's been kinda frustrating and I don't know what else do, I've cleared store cache and data, plus every other fix I could find online. Plus it might be good practice for me if I have to send my phone back in the future as I bought my S3 rooted and unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you restore your IMEI? What software did you use?

Edvinas1602 said:
How did you restore your IMEI? What software did you use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was before I found the Samsung Repair Utility so you may not need QPST and you can just use the repair utility.
1) I restored my IMEI using this guide here: http://droidmodderx.com/galaxys3/?page_id=79
2) Please note that since I hadn't found the repair utility you may not need to do step one, the repair utility does both IMEI/ERI
3) Go here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=44871571&postcount=3
4) We don't want to get XDA in trouble so I can't link the repair utility or have a mirror for it. I can only put you on the block and you have to find the house....
5) Once everything is ok flash your modem back up to whatever current modem you were using.
6) Also it may be best to just Odin back as I'm having issues with Play Store on certain roms.

TheAfroSamurai said:
This was before I found the Samsung Repair Utility so you may not need QPST and you can just use the repair utility.
1) I restored my IMEI using this guide here: http://droidmodderx.com/galaxys3/?page_id=79
2) Please note that since I hadn't found the repair utility you may not need to do step one, the repair utility does both IMEI/ERI
3) Go here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=44871571&postcount=3
4) We don't want to get XDA in trouble so I can't link the repair utility or have a mirror for it. I can only put you on the block and you have to find the house....
5) Once everything is ok flash your modem back up to whatever current modem you were using.
6) Also it may be best to just Odin back as I'm having issues with Play Store on certain roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is the version of your Android? When I write *#7284# I don't see something like "Qualcomm USB Settings"

[Q] WiFi/BT broken, stuck at "Starting Services" in ALL ROMs and Stock? Help please!

[Q] WiFi/BT broken, stuck at "Starting Services" in ALL ROMs and Stock? Help please!
Hello! After a misadventure I managed to get CM 10.2 to run on my Photon Q, and it was fantastic! Wifi and BT work great. However, accidentally flashing the wrong kernel, I got stuck at the bootloader unlocked screen forever.
So, I reinstalled CM 10.2 and all seemed to be well. (I did this from CWM using a ZIP.) However, I quickly discovered WiFi and BT are both broken! If I hit ON, it goes gray for a second and tries to enable, and goes back to OFF with no error or other response. If I open the WiFi or BT menu and hit ON or SCAN, same result or it just does nothing.
So, I tried to downgrade to something older, something with ICS and not JB, which is what I prefer anyway. TwistedAsanti gets stuck forever at "Starting Services..." and the home screen never comes up, even if left overnight. I get a message that no cell networks were found asking if I want to switch to GSM. It's covered by STARTING SERVICES ... so I can't hit "No", but either way I don't have a carrier, so that's no issue. I use WiFi only. I can pull down the notification bar and go into settings. While there, I see the same problem with WiFi and BT, both are broken. I can't run any apps or get to the homescreen, still.
So, I tried to install 10.1, same result. Then MIUI, Carbon and SlimBean. Same result! I installed TWRP and flashed a backup of Stock JB from WIN files I found here on the forum. It boots up, but this time it's stuck at "Starting Services..." just like TwistedAsanti was. Notification bar works, settings menu works, homescreen won't appear, Starting services never goes away, can't run any apps. Wifi and BT still broken in the same manner.
Now downloading a backup of ICS Stock to see if that works any better, but I'm not holding my breath.
Has anyone ever experienced this? Thanks for any advice. I attached some photos that might help. I had to use my Tracfone because now that is the best camera I have access to, so sorry for the blurriness. I hope it gives you the general idea of what is going on.
EDIT: For each flash, I am wiping data, cache and dalvik cache. I also wiped modem and pds by mistake, could that be the problem? If so, how would I restore those? Thanks
Again, thanks for your time!

Jeez, how many threads do you need to post in? I have responded to all your posts in all of the various threads, INCLUDING your PM's.
Let's focus here, if you want custom we can do that. If you want stock we can do that. Please focus, what do you want.
If you want custom, perhaps you're not wiping everything properly... So boot recovery. Wipe system. Factory reset - wipe data, cache, dalvik-cache, sd-ext. Best to do the actual "factory reset" option than wiping all of those by hand, because wiping /data will wipe /data/media (internal SD) while factory reset will preserve /data/media.
Next, flash ROM of your choice. Twisted Asanti is kinda outdated, hasn't had any attention in a loooong time. Let's try something stable, CM10.1. Flash it. Flash gapps. Boot, do you still have the same issues?

Probably the wrong kernel is still flashed, you need to flash the stock kernel.
Wiping modem and pds could be the problem.
The first I would do in your position is to flash with RSD the stock ROM. This Thread -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2095536
edit: If you post in several threads and try different things "in" different threads we won't be able to help you.
EVERYTHING in one thread and we may see what you have done and where you have had problems.
You should keep it simple and give all information in one good structured post so we don't have to read pages to see what you did.

Loader009 said:
Probably the wrong kernel is still flashed, you need to flash the stock kernel.
Wiping modem and pds could be the problem.
The first I would do in your position is to flash with RSD the stock ROM. This Thread -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2095536
edit: If you post in several threads and try different things "in" different threads we won't be able to help you.
EVERYTHING in one thread and we may see what you have done and where you have had problems.
You should keep it simple and give all information in one good structured post so we don't have to read pages to see what you did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry about that. I'll keep it in one place. Thanks Still trying to get RSD to work, but it won't detect the phone for some reason. Well, on one PC it will, but then it fails to flash saying there was a Remote error (FAIL). On another PC, it won't detect. In BOTH cases, fastboot devices successfully shows the phone. I can even format partitions and flash files. I have successfully flashed TWRP this way.
trying to flash the system image doesn't work with the error "invalid sparse file format at header magi", then fastboot crashes. (What?) So, RSD doesn't work and fastboot kinda works, but not for all the images.
I got a copy of all the kernels I could find .. arrrghhh's for every FW I can think of. Searching out a stock kernel now. It says on the Peas and Q's post that it's just a stock FW with a new name, so I grabbed that too, might be worth a shot...
got CM 10.1, I guess I'll try installing that, and then what do I want, the STOCK kernel? or just use the one that it came with? (How confusing.)
To be more clear, either Stock or Custom is fine. I'm happy with either so long as it boots properly and WiFi works again. Root would be nice but I can worry about that later.

You don't have to quote whole posts (just press "QUICK REPLY").
The most important thing is to get RSD to work.
I'm not the guy where you get information about RSD and kind of. I know where to look for and show the right direction.
In the thread I posted you might get help for RSD and you could get help there.
Ask there for help as the more experienced users are reading only the "important" threads and not the "smaller" ones.
(I know this, I do this most time, but I'm not the "know-everything" guy )
As I never needed those FXZ method, I never used it and my RSD Lite experience is rather small.
You might need to install motorola drivers to get it to work but I'm not sure, you should ask in that thread.
PS: If Stock will work again, Custom will work too.
To avoid problems it might be needed to wipe data/cache/dalvik before and after flashing a ROM.

Loader009 said:
You don't have to quote whole posts (just press "QUICK REPLY").
The most important thing is to get RSD to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got RSD to see the phone using a different PC. When I try to flash "asanti_c-user-4.0.4-7.7.1Q-6_SPR-89_ASA-36-42-release-keys-Sprint-US.xml" it gets all the way up to flashing "system", which is one of the last steps, then it says the device reported FAIL. This is the same file I couldn't get to flash with fastboot when I was trying to do it manually. But in that case, fastboot crashed entirely.
Not sure what to try now ...

Did you read the following?
Skrilax_CZ said:
NOTES
- use at least RSD Lite 6.1.5 (maybe 6.1.x will work too) or you get an error on flashing system.img.ext4
- you may have to open the zip and edit the xml, and delete the 2 lines "<step operation="getvar" var="max-download-size" />" if you get unknown command fastboot getvar max-download-size
- do not flash Sprint firmware to phone from Cellular US and vice versa unless you know what are you doing!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said, I never tried the FXZ method and I have no experience on error which could appear.
Ask in that FXZ thread and you may get it work soon.

Epicenter714 said:
I got RSD to see the phone using a different PC. When I try to flash "asanti_c-user-4.0.4-7.7.1Q-6_SPR-89_ASA-36-42-release-keys-Sprint-US.xml" it gets all the way up to flashing "system", which is one of the last steps, then it says the device reported FAIL. This is the same file I couldn't get to flash with fastboot when I was trying to do it manually. But in that case, fastboot crashed entirely.
Not sure what to try now ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try a different port? Different cable? Different computer? Are you using the stock cable?
Perhaps something else is broken... I'm not sure at this point. Do you have any screenshots of the failure? Any specific output from the software?
Did you edit the XML file properly? I think you did, but you said you were downgrading too - are you always trying ICS or have you tried the FXZ file for JB as well?

Useless thread bump.
Another fellow had the same issue, and was using an old version of RSD Lite. What version are you using?

I faced same problem.
Just use latest veersion of RSD lite, 6.0 is ok
and do not forget to remove two getvar commands from xml file.
I tried same and now my phone is alive. But now.IMEI/MEID is gone (zero)
WIFI and bluetooth is now connecting but not receiving any data (useless).
I tried many cdma tool to recover MEID but failed.
I thing we lost EFS partition.
Please look at my thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2429609
i also need help on that
If any one have EFS backup or something?

lovepreet39 said:
I faced same problem.
Just use latest veersion of RSD lite, 6.0 is ok
and do not forget to remove two getvar commands from xml file.
i also need help on that
If any one have EFS backup or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem WAS RSD's version! Thanks to everyone for your help. I had 5.6.4 running before and it would always die at System.img.ext4 and one other partition later on. That's on the WinXP system that would see the phone in RSD. The Win8 machine wouldn't see it at all, even in XP compatibility mode with admin rights. Go figure. I'll take this as another excuse to not be fond of Win8.
I checked and my phone has boot, system, recovery, data, pds and modem, but no EFS. I'm not familiar with that .. Isn't EFS a filesystem type, not a partition? Like EXTFS?

Epicenter714 said:
I checked and my phone has boot, system, recovery, data, pds and modem, but no EFS. I'm not familiar with that .. Isn't EFS a filesystem type, not a partition? Like EXTFS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand, are you still having issues? Why are you asking about EFS?

arrrghhh said:
I don't understand, are you still having issues? Why are you asking about EFS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was replying to lovepreet39 about the EFS thing.

Epicenter714 said:
I was replying to lovepreet39 about the EFS thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EFS is a partition which contain your IMEI/MEID and Mac address information.
Please check in your settings is your IMEI/MEID there.
I gone from same problem and now IMEI/MEIS is zero.
---------- Post added at 03:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:46 PM ----------
@arrrghhh
Please look at my thread, i also need help

Epicenter714 said:
I was replying to lovepreet39 about the EFS thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but he is having an issue with EFS. You, on the other hand, are not... correct?
You post seems to indicate that despite getting RSD to work, you are still having issues. I want to make sure that is not the case...
lovepreet39 said:
EFS is a partition which contain your IMEI/MEID and Mac address information.
Please check in your settings is your IMEI/MEID there.
I gone from same problem and now IMEI/MEIS is zero.
---------- Post added at 03:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:46 PM ----------
@arrrghhh
Please look at my thread, i also need help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey buddy, I would love to help but that is way above my pay grade. I used my Q on Sprint, never liked mucking with that stuff personally.

@arrrghhh
Dear sir
Problem is that i wasted approx $250 on this device.
I am indian and $1 = Rs65 and $250 = Salary of one month.
I am here on XDA to save my $250.
There is no support on this phone in indian market,
If there any solution please help.
You can post here or PM me.
Or there is only by which i can only get my IMEI back, then i will apply GSM addon on it,
I do not care much about CDMA.
I know IMEI/MEID repair is illegal in USA.
For proof I can provide you original images of phone showing Zero Imei/meid
I do not want to change, only i want to restore original one.

IMEI Repair, HELP NEEDED

Hey all,
Ive been flashing things since early HTC Hero days and never had this issue before. I flashed a new kernel (Uber nightly if that matters) the other day and the IMEI is now 0, no network signal, cannot connect to services, random reboots, etc. Tried completely clean flash stock rom using guide at beginning of general thread running bat file (by windows), still nothing. The file seems to be corrupt until I can reenter the numbers so device recognizes and can get network. Went completely back to stock yet still have unlocked bootloader. Tried looking over the internet for some solutions, only found Octoplus IMEI repair but do not know if I need the box or not in order for it to work. Any alternatives or if anyone knows if the software works without having to buy the box. Want to avoid sending back to Google or LG. Links and suggestions are appreciated.
EDIT: no previous backup had been made to the file.

Did you backup your imei?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

havy15 said:
Did you backup your imei?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, didnt previously make the backup of the file. I know it exists on the phone back and other places Ive seen but I need to inject that number back into system files so the phone recognizes it again. I didnt know of this issue before this but I wont be making this mistake again.

This probably won't help you after the fact, but I'll link this thread right here http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/development/modem-nexus-5-flashable-modems-efs-t2514095 and check the EFS Backup section.
You basically have to figure out a way to manually input the IMEI back into the EFS Somehow, the thread I linked might point you in the right direction.

{Mod edit: Quoted post has been deleted}
Do you know how to get the tool to recognize the device, etc on how to use it. I downloaded demo to look into this yet no luck thus far on how or where device is to write to. I have drivers ,ADB, etc installed.

{Mod edit: Quoted post has been deleted}
Even after reading, still no idea on how the program recognizes the Nexus. Still blank unless you know how

RevelationOmega said:
Even after reading, still no idea on how the program recognizes the Nexus. Still blank unless you know how
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For now I would keep trying re-flashing factory images again, this time using the long method 2.
I have had this issue. It happened to me on November when I got the phone and wiped cahe. I fixed just Reformating cache on twrp and flashing a CM Rom. It returned my IMEI
Other solved cases http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/help/lost-imei-please-help-t2529103
..... http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/help/efs-backup-imei-lost-t2703948

try flashing a new bootloader for the device. i take no responsibility for what happens to your device after you flashed the new bootloader.

But wasn't changing imei illegal?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

{ESO} said:
But wasn't changing imei illegal?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is

{ESO} said:
But wasn't changing imei illegal?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is illegal to change it for another one. but the issue Op has is something about recovering his own withing allowed parameters.

RevelationOmega said:
Hey all,
Ive been flashing things since early HTC Hero days and never had this issue before. I flashed a new kernel (Uber nightly if that matters) the other day and the IMEI is now 0, no network signal, cannot connect to services, random reboots, etc. Tried completely clean flash stock rom using guide at beginning of general thread running bat file (by windows), still nothing. The file seems to be corrupt until I can reenter the numbers so device recognizes and can get network. Went completely back to stock yet still have unlocked bootloader. Tried looking over the internet for some solutions, only found Octoplus IMEI repair but do not know if I need the box or not in order for it to work. Any alternatives or if anyone knows if the software works without having to buy the box. Want to avoid sending back to Google or LG. Links and suggestions are appreciated.
EDIT: no previous backup had been made to the file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey did you get a solution for your problem...Me too lost my IMEI and didn't have the EFS backup. Can we inject the IMEI? if yes, can you please provide the steps?

rajvernekar said:
Hey did you get a solution for your problem...Me too lost my IMEI and didn't have the EFS backup. Can we inject the IMEI? if yes, can you please provide the steps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly, no. The imei number file is specific to the phone and to get it "injected" was considered illegal since people who steal the phone could, by theory, inject the new imei to sell a phone as new. There is things out there (sort of) on this yet nothing good can be done. I use TWRP now since the back up allows EFS folder as well, versus CWM that didn't. I haven't had the problem since on nexus 6 or lg g3. The only way I know how to "solve" it was warranty through Google for nexus 5, they sent a new one to me and took the bad one. Only they (the manufacturers LG and Google) can legally inject the phone back to working condition. In all, had to get new one because no real true fix out there (legally) since even recovering it may be an attempt at stealing, the manufacturers cannot distinguish one person from another. Wish I had better news. Hope that helps and you can get it resolved.

There is an app on*******. IT'S ILLEGAL TO CHANGE A PHONES IMEI NUMBER!!
You can't take a number of am old phone and put it on a new, even if you have both. I can't see its wrong to put the original number back though. I've started a thread and asked the powers that be to rule on giving out the apps name, etc.

Sorry if I revived this post...
I know how you feel.
If you message me I will send you a link to a blog I wrote on this subject, I didn't think it was possible to fix but you can.
I know it's illegal. But google supports custom roms and rooting. So they must understand that this can happen.

Uhhh, I think all of you are incorrect. You may want to check your facts or your phones. If you have the manufacturer's firmware, in my case it is a Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G, you can use the manufacturer's (or other) method to flash the firmware and the IMEI numbers will be reinstalled. I was required to login to their site, but that's why you should register electronics with the manufacturer when you purchase them. It might not even need a registered product. And, after I was able to recover the lost IMEI numbers, I noticed that I can freely change them if I desire. Soooo, maybe I'm breaking the law? I suppose that would all depend on my location because this phone is mine, I bought it, rooted it, put a custom ROM on it, then did the dumb a$$ move of arbitrarily deleting files that "just didn't look right". One of those was a key component. Keep in mind, possession is 9/10th of the law. I possess this phone so no matter what, they can only charge me with 10% of a crime.

[Q] Lost IMEI when tried to restore TWRP backup from other phone

Hello everyone,
I wanted to move all the contents of one Nexus 5 to another one, but I'm learning that I might have failed to properly account for the EFS partition and now my phone has an IMEI of "0" and won't register with T-Mobile. I'm not sure how to restore it at this point, as no backup of this phone was ever taken (it was stock).
Can anyone point me in the right direction? I did find someone else who had this problem here:
http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/85807/nexus-5-imei-0-how-to-restore-imei
and that led me to
http://forum.xda-developers.com/goo...t/modem-nexus-5-flashable-modems-efs-t2514095
which had a script for, I think, helping to download or export the EFS information. Problem is that this phone doesn't have any IMEI info any longer! I do have another N5 I can use if needed to extract what I need and then perhaps I can edit the IMEI manually?
Thanks a lot everyone

Sorry to say, but there is no fix short of sending it to LG and they'll charge you
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app

I lost my IMEI a while ago when flashing a openmaster build (that's pure aosp). Reflashed stock by factory images/flash-all.sh, got my IMEI back no sweat.
a maguro wrote this.

beekay201 said:
I lost my IMEI a while ago when flashing a openmaster build (that's pure aosp). Reflashed stock by factory images/flash-all.sh, got my IMEI back no sweat.
a maguro wrote this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a lot different than flashing a nandroid from a different device with the efs partition
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app

Not sure if it's possible but you could try... I'm thinking it may be possible to edit the nandroid with the EFS part to the IMEI of the 2nd device. Your device should have the IMEI sticker on the back, so you could try to replace the IMEI in the nandroid to the one on the back of the phone. Hopefully you understand what I'm trying to stay and good luck with it.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using the N5X LRX21V ROM

fastboot format cache
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Tampering with the imei is illegal

procitysam said:
Not sure if it's possible but you could try... I'm thinking it may be possible to edit the nandroid with the EFS part to the IMEI of the 2nd device. Your device should have the IMEI sticker on the back, so you could try to replace the IMEI in the nandroid to the one on the back of the phone. Hopefully you understand what I'm trying to stay and good luck with it.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using the N5X LRX21V ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I was thinking of doing. How would I get the EFS part from the 2nd device? Would I use TWRP to back that part up, then try to restore only that onto the old phone (after replacing the original, proper IMEI from the label)?
Thanks!

dicecuber said:
Tampering with the imei is illegal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only if your changing it to another. In this case the OP would be legal to try and restore the correct IMEI to the phone.

I've done a backup on the other phone of just EFS, and have three files:
efs1.emmc.win
efs2.emmc.win
recovery.log
But I can't get anything out of the two .win files. I tried changing their extensions to .zip, .tar, and .tar.gz, but none allow me to open them with 7-Zip. And even if I did, they're each about 3MB in size and I wouldn't know where to look for the IMEI. If anyone has any thoughts I would appreciate them.
Thanks

jd1639 said:
That's a lot different than flashing a nandroid from a different device with the efs partition
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
still, recovering /efs... forget copying it from another device.. just flash factory images.

beekay201 said:
still, recovering /efs... forget copying it from another device.. just flash factory images.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried that twice already. Factory images would be awesome for me if they worked. After I do it, the IMEI is still zero.
It seems that everyone feels I am trying to do something illegal. On the contrary, I'm just trying to get the phone to work with its own IMEI short of sending it back to LG, which I will do if I have to, but I thought this would be a lot easier to do given that I have two Nexus 5s right hear to play with, and the IMEI stickers still on both of the phones. I read that on the Nexus 5 that stuff is stored in EFS, and erasing it was a total noob mistake (even though I've been flashing phone ROMs for years and years now), since I never suspected that IMEI info would be in non-hardware areas of the phone. Live and learn, I guess.

beekay201 said:
I lost my IMEI a while ago when flashing a openmaster build (that's pure aosp). Reflashed stock by factory images/flash-all.sh, got my IMEI back no sweat.
a maguro wrote this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will do it again. I flashed factory quite a few times with no luck. I then installed TWRP again just in case I find a way to recover or reinstall the EFS partition. So that's the current state of the phone.

sshanky said:
I will do it again. I flashed factory quite a few times with no luck. I then installed TWRP again just in case I find a way to recover or reinstall the EFS partition. So that's the current state of the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=51823398. But from my experience the only way you're going to get the imei back is to send it to LG
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app

theesotericone said:
Only if your changing it to another. In this case the OP would be legal to try and restore the correct IMEI to the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Suppose it depends on the law you read and how you interoperate it but most of them generically say something like "tamper" or "modify". Either way though, all discussion of it is banned.

jd1639 said:
You could try this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=51823398. But from my experience the only way you're going to get the imei back is to send it to LG
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just checked that out, and it looks interesting. However, someone asked if it rebuilds EFS and the answer was "no".
If anyone has any way to explain something to me in general terms, so that they do not feel they are discussing anything illegal, I would appreciate it a lot. Or a PM, or any roundabout way of discussing it...anything that can help me would be great.
Thanks

Did you ever do a TWRP backup?

Tried LG flash tool but it did not restore the IMEI.

sshanky said:
Tried LG flash tool but it did not restore the IMEI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As mentioned. Unless you have an efs backup from the second device before restoring. You're screwed. Send it to LG for paid repair. It won't cost much.

[Q] [Help] Random Reboots after Corrupted EFS partitions.

TL: My efs partition got screwed so my phone doesn't get service which is sad, But when I turn it on, after just working for a few minutes, it just reboots, which is very annoying, does anyone have a solution for this?
Long Version:
I was on the bus home when my phone went out of charge and died, after getting home I plugged it in, but it was stuck on a Loop, which led to me flashing a bunch of Kernels, and ROMs, later one ROM did work and the phone booted up, but my IMEI was gone so I knew my efs partition was screwed, and I just gave up, I still want to use my Nexus 5 as a normal but without the phone feature, which is somewhat okay,
and One weird problem that came to mind is I cannot install any ROM with version 5.0.2, it just won't boot up, but 5.0.1 is okay...but my phone just Reboots every 1-10 mins, I don't know what the problem is, and I don't know how to check whether or not its the power button, anyone have a good idea for solving this ?

You must have corrupted persist partition. Same as here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/help/nexus-5-bootloop-t3047895 the strange thing you both have is that you experience reboot. Are you on lollipop rom?
Also to fix persist follow this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/general/guide-to-fix-persist-partition-t2821576

bitdomo said:
You must have corrupted persist partition. Same as here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/help/nexus-5-bootloop-t3047895 the strange thing you both have is that you experience reboot. Are you on lollipop rom?
Also to fix persist follow this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/general/guide-to-fix-persist-partition-t2821576
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I'm on a Lollipop rom, and I already applied the presist fix, it didn't change anything.

Did you try to flash stock google image?

Sharo93 said:
Yes I'm on a Lollipop rom, and I already applied the presist fix, it didn't change anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kirmr said:
Did you try to flash stock google image?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to flash cache.img in fastboot. If it still does not help, then your EFS is indeed corrupted. I wish I knew a method to fixing efs.

kirmr said:
Did you try to flash stock google image?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I already did, I have almost tried everything, short of sending it to repairs which I can't because where I live there is no such place.
bitdomo said:
Try to flash cache.img in fastboot. If it still does not help, then your EFS is indeed corrupted. I wish I knew a method to fixing efs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already did that...I know the efs is corrupted...the only fix i think is using something like Octoplus Box or something

Sharo93 said:
TL: My efs partition got screwed so my phone doesn't get service which is sad, But when I turn it on, after just working for a few minutes, it just reboots, which is very annoying, does anyone have a solution for this?
Long Version:
I was on the bus home when my phone went out of charge and died, after getting home I plugged it in, but it was stuck on a Loop, which led to me flashing a bunch of Kernels, and ROMs, later one ROM did work and the phone booted up, but my IMEI was gone so I knew my efs partition was screwed, and I just gave up, I still want to use my Nexus 5 as a normal but without the phone feature, which is somewhat okay,
and One weird problem that came to mind is I cannot install any ROM with version 5.0.2, it just won't boot up, but 5.0.1 is okay...but my phone just Reboots every 1-10 mins, I don't know what the problem is, and I don't know how to check whether or not its the power button, anyone have a good idea for solving this ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have pretty much the same issue you do so I'm going to stay posted here.

Do you have an old TWRP backup?
Try to restore any TWRP backup you made of your phone.
Unless you unchecked If you checked that option before making the backup, the EFS partition should be present in the backup.
Best of luck

Anjo_Smash said:
I have pretty much the same issue you do so I'm going to stay posted here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The efs is not gonna get fixed unless you have special tools for it, but the random reboots have spotted ever since I installed the Pure White ROM
joegestes said:
Try to restore any TWRP backup you made of your phone.
Unless you unchecked that option before making the backup, the EFS partition should be present in the backup.
Best of luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I don't have such a back up, I do however have access to two other Nexus 5s, which i don't want to mess with their IMEI because google might block something and them getting screwed is a no-no...I don't know if my Phone service provider would mind if They see the same IMEI coming up on there system twice, but I don't wanna risk it..

Sharo93 said:
Unfortunately I don't have such a back up, I do however have access to two other Nexus 5s, which i don't want to mess with their IMEI because google might block something and them getting screwed is a no-no...I don't know if my Phone service provider would mind if They see the same IMEI coming up on there system twice, but I don't wanna risk it..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do not try to restore an efs from another device. It won't work and you'll make your problem worse.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

Sharo93 said:
Unfortunately I don't have such a back up, I do however have access to two other Nexus 5s, which i don't want to mess with their IMEI because google might block something and them getting screwed is a no-no...I don't know if my Phone service provider would mind if They see the same IMEI coming up on there system twice, but I don't wanna risk it..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man that sucks
Lesson learned I guess, always make a full backup of your device in its original factory state when you buy it.
Sorry for your loss