so I bought a galaxy s7 edge from craigslist. I should of researched the fact that phones can be blacklisted and what not (i had no idea). Anyways I'm now stuck with it. I cant use it on ATT or tmobile. Is there any way i could root it with maybe a rom made for the sprint/boost version to use on boost network? Do i have ANY options? any help would be appreciated thanks!
Try getting a refund, if the IMEI is blacklisted it likely won't work on any networks in your country
*Detection* said:
Try getting a refund, if the IMEI is blacklisted it likely won't work on any networks in your country
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first thing i did but now the guys phone is off. so i got totally ripped off I know ATT only shares their blacklist with tmobile so I cant use any att or tmobile but I can use boost (sprint) or verizon.
Look on Ebay, there are people who can unblacklist it, i done it before. $10 bucks or so
But it can be blacklisted on both networks can it?
Changing the IMEI is illegal in most countries so therefore the discussion thereof is strictly prohibited on XDA.
Thread closed.
Related
I'm buying a used GSM phone to use on tmobile.
Is their anything I should check for?
I know that non t-mobile phones need to be unlocked. I figure that I check here if it has been rooted then unlock it myself.
But the other things I'm worried that is that I wont be able to activate it, or that it might have network incompatibilities.
So what should I check? ESN? What antennas does it need to have?
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freshjr said:
I'm buying a used GSM phone to use on tmobile.
Is their anything I should check for?
I know that non t-mobile phones need to be unlocked. I figure that I check here if it has been rooted then unlock it myself.
But the other things I'm worried that is that I wont be able to activate it, or that it might have network incompatibilities.
So what should I check? ESN? What antennas does it need to have?
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Click to collapse
ESN refers to CDMA phones, not GSM. If you're purchasing a T-Mobile phone, I'd check the IMEI number since T-Mobile is starting to block stolen/lost/etc phones like Sprint and Verizon. If you're purchasing a phone from another country or something, make sure the frequency is the same as T-Mobile as they are AWS. Any GSM phone thats not AWS will work with T-Mobile once unlocked but your data speeds will be slower.
PakAttack1994 said:
ESN refers to CDMA phones, not GSM. If you're purchasing a T-Mobile phone, I'd check the IMEI number since T-Mobile is starting to block stolen/lost/etc phones like Sprint and Verizon. If you're purchasing a phone from another country or something, make sure the frequency is the same as T-Mobile as they are AWS. Any GSM phone thats not AWS will work with T-Mobile once unlocked but your data speeds will be slower.
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If a phone has a bad IMEI on ATT, would you know if it would still be good on T-mobile?
I might be able to save some money if this loophole exists.
I don't think AT&T blocks IMEI's but even if they do, once unlocked it will be good on T-Mobile. Just how if there was a bad IMEI on a T-Mobile phone, you can unlock it and use it with another GSM carrier.
Figure out how to check for water damage for that specific model you're buying. And absolutely check for it.
I've been hosed once because I didn't properly check. Ended up having to replace the motherboard of the phone I bought.
PakAttack1994 said:
I don't think AT&T blocks IMEI's but even if they do, once unlocked it will be good on T-Mobile. Just how if there was a bad IMEI on a T-Mobile phone, you can unlock it and use it with another GSM carrier.
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I think they (and all cariers) do as part of the insurance agreement.
I think when I person reports a phone stolen and goes through insurance, I thought the IMEI gets blacklisted for life. That and not paying the bill / early termination fee.
Thanks for telling me everything. I just hope I dont buy a phone, and the guy reports it stolen AFTER I buy it.
Yeah I agree with you in regards to T-Mobile since someone can just report it stolen after they've sold it but I'm pretty sure AT&T doesn't do that as of yet. Also, AT&T and T-Mobile don't share IMEI databases so even if its stolen on T-Mobile, AT&T wont know and it will be useable. Like Azure1203 said, check for water damage, any discoloration on a white screen, see if the digitzier works, check for the red water damage indicator on the battery and underneath, etc.
Looking to buy used unlocked att or factory unlocked g3 on swappa to activate on straight talk ( I've also heard Verizon might work too?). I do not want to buy a fake! (A good camera and IR blaster are a must for me) I feel if I had the phone in hand I could tell but what can I ask from the seller to confirm its real? What if I ask for pic of page with sn,software version ,kernel etc What would I even be looking for ? Or can that page be spoofed as well?
Please help this newbie
wildmansgirl said:
Looking to buy used unlocked att or factory unlocked g3 on swappa to activate on straight talk ( I've also heard Verizon might work too?). I do not want to buy a fake! (A good camera and IR blaster are a must for me) I feel if I had the phone in hand I could tell but what can I ask from the seller to confirm its real? What if I ask for pic of page with sn,software version ,kernel etc What would I even be looking for ? Or can that page be spoofed as well?
Please help this newbie
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You cannot buy them for use on Verizon. Straight talk is several different resellers. But verizon no. Verizon is a cdma carrier. AT&T and factory unlocked phones are GSM. For Verizon you'd need a Verizon phone or sprint phone.
People DONT sell fakes on Swappa as its not allowed.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
hyelton said:
You cannot buy them for use on Verizon. Straight talk is several different resellers. But verizon no. Verizon is a cdma carrier. AT&T and factory unlocked phones are GSM. For Verizon you'd need a Verizon phone or sprint phone.
People DONT sell fakes on Swappa as its not allowed.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Yes ill stick with att I know they work with st. As far as fakes not allowed we know people lie and cheat and not follow rules so is there some type of guarantee swappa makes that every phone is genuine? They wouldnt even answer my question about what happens when some one sells me thier in contract phone (wich at that point would have a clean imei) and then stops paying thier bill 3 months later and they block the phone? Wich is why I'm only looking at phones saying unlocked there again Noway to prove I guess. there's gotta be one thing to check or get pic of that proves its real
wildmansgirl said:
Yes ill stick with att I know they work with st. As far as fakes not allowed we know people lie and cheat and not follow rules so is there some type of guarantee swappa makes that every phone is genuine? They wouldnt even answer my question about what happens when some one sells me thier in contract phone (wich at that point would have a clean imei) and then stops paying thier bill 3 months later and they block the phone? Wich is why I'm only looking at phones saying unlocked there again Noway to prove I guess. there's gotta be one thing to check or get pic of that proves its real
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First off as I said above AT&T phones WONT work on Verizon, which is what you asked. Yes they will work on ST AT&T, ST T-Mobile, but will not work on ST Verizon. If you buy it expecting to be on Verizon's network you'll be disappointed. Straight talk is sold across several different networks.
Well if you'd read about Swappa when someone sells there phones they HAVE to enter an IMEI for one and in which will tell Swappa if it's on a paid account EDGE, NEXT, etc. and which is not allowed there.
The only thing that could possibly happen is if someone reports it stolen after selling and In which there's no way to find that out.
I have sold a ton of things on Swappa as well as buying on Swappa.
Also if you would look at a phone listing you would see they have Feedback, which I'm sure someone that has sold a few + phones with no issues I'm sure Your not going to buy a fake or junk phone.
There's no real thing or pic to prove anything. I could sell you a note 1 and make it say it's a note 4 in the software but just a screenshot you might not ever know lol.
Also a bit of a hint unlocked phones cannot save you from that unless your in another country. If you have a dead IMEI on say a T-Mobile phone even if it's unlocked you still cannot use it on AT&T
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks
Thanks for the info! I may not be explaining well I'm not going to verizon I'm wanting to use straight talk who advertises you can bring any GSM phone when I called was told att brand works best. I thought the other was verizon but like u said that's CDMA maybe t-mobile was the other compatible? Idk anyway I'm happy to hear about the contract phone not being issue I had read that could happen maybe it wasn't a payment issue after all. Maybe it had been reported stolen after he bought.
hyelton said:
.. Well if you'd read about Swappa when someone sells there phones they HAVE to enter an IMEI for one and in which will tell Swappa if it's on a paid account EDGE, NEXT, etc. and which is not allowed there. ..
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I'm pretty sure IMEI checks for ATT phones tell you nothing about the contract status of a phone, only if it's been blacklisted (lost or stolen)--
TMO phones OTOH will receive the additional information on EIP status, in-contract status, etc.
ATT should be forced to provide the same AFAIC.
You can use CDMA phones on Straight Talk. The kit you buy gives you the network info for CDMA phones and the SIM card for GSM.
Hi all,
I bought a BAD IMEI Z3 Tmobile on craigslist. Is there any way to get it unlocked and use it on ATT or use it internationally?
Thanks for your help!
You mean it's blacklisted? Changing the imei is illegal and hard to do dependable if there is tools for it.
Most likely u bought a stolen device.
There are tools for some devices for IMEI but it's illegal.
Always check IMEI or buy from a reputed seller, I believe T-Mobile has an IMEI check tool online. In most cases a payment despute, early contract termination or a stolen device is what you are dealing with. You better return the device.
Yes the phone is blacklisted due to early termination, I just checked on t-mobile's website. Can I still get an Unlock Code, unlock it and use it in europe and outside USA?
Yes you probably could, just not in the US, but unlocking may be hard as it's done over the air by T-Mobile which they won't for a blocked/non customer device. I don't think the regular unlock services online will work but feel free to try....
Quite a few people actually do insurance fraud by claiming lost device and sell on eBay internationally, kind of sad thing though.....
Also just an FYI, the T-mobile variant only has 3 LTE bands and that 700Mhz band differs from the one on AT&T. Basically the phone will be crippled LTE wise on AT&T and certainly abroad as well.
I have here a Tmo Note5 that recently got blocked by Tmo, but my friend said the phone was permanently unlocked with the app before it got blocked. I may get a prepaid sim and use it with that sometimes, assuming it will work. I'm leaning towards something that runs on AT&T's network, since I already have unlimited data with Tmo. I'm thinking about Cricket but am open to suggestions. Thx
Side note: my friend was perplexed that the unlock worked, because once the IMEI got blocked, that maybe indicated that the phone was not paid off. But, maybe the original owner reported it stolen? T-Mobile would not give specifics. Gonna get some kind of sim today and see if the unlock has stuck, my friend did say that it worked with his AT&T sim..
YrrchSebor said:
I have here a Tmo Note5 that recently got blocked by Tmo, but my friend said the phone was permanently unlocked with the app before it got blocked. I may get a prepaid sim and use it with that sometimes, assuming it will work. I'm leaning towards something that runs on AT&T's network, since I already have unlimited data with Tmo. I'm thinking about Cricket but am open to suggestions. Thx
Side note: my friend was perplexed that the unlock worked, because once the IMEI got blocked, that maybe indicated that the phone was not paid off. But, maybe the original owner reported it stolen? T-Mobile would not give specifics. Gonna get some kind of sim today and see if the unlock has stuck, my friend did say that it worked with his AT&T sim..
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Click to collapse
Sideways people suck badly!!!
I'm not 100 on this, but I remember reading a few times that t-mobile and AT&T share blacklisted databases. Not sure of the legitimacy of that claim but that's what I have read.
There are also apparently imei switchers that you can use thatapparently use to unblacklist your device.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
Yeah, I heard that about the blacklist sharing too, but Cricket says the device is clean as far as they're concerned, and a Cricket sim had full service on the phone. Same with my friend's AT&T sim. Tmo says that the device was on an installment plan but that the account is now closed, so that person needs to pay the balance for the phone to be unblocked...... I'm not holding my breath for that!
I see remote IMEI repair on eBay for as low as $39, and even an xposed module that doesn't change but spoofs your IMEI. Were you alluding to any specific switcher that might be good?
YrrchSebor said:
Yeah, I heard that about the blacklist sharing too, but Cricket says the device is clean as far as they're concerned, and a Cricket sim had full service on the phone. Same with my friend's AT&T sim. Tmo says that the device was on an installment plan but that the account is now closed, so that person needs to pay the balance for the phone to be unblocked...... I'm not holding my breath for that!
I see remote IMEI repair on eBay for as low as $39, and even an xposed module that doesn't change but spoofs your IMEI. Were you alluding to any specific switcher that might be good?
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Click to collapse
Never had to do any of that so I don't know of it being legit. I've only seen it on Craigslist and swappa bone yard.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
YrrchSebor said:
I see remote IMEI repair on eBay for as low as $39, and even an xposed module that doesn't change but spoofs your IMEI. Were you alluding to any specific switcher that might be good?
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Click to collapse
Changing or altering your IMEI is illegal, but I don't know if that applies to spoofing it (probably since it's essentially the same thing). I'd be careful using any of those options.
MadJoe said:
Changing or altering your IMEI is illegal, but I don't know if that applies to spoofing it (probably since it's essentially the same thing). I'd be careful using any of those options.
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Yeah, thanks. I ended up selling the phone on eBay as a bad IMEI/unlocked phone, so it all worked out ok. Crazy tho, I used to think Swappa's IMEI check was fool-proof, but i guess nothing's completely guaranteed, and things can slip thru the cracks.
Hi guys:
I bought a Galaxy S8 64GB from somebody. I exchanged my Galaxy S7 Edge and $100 dollars for it. I have AT&T and of course the phone is not unlocked and does not read mi sim card. I have tried reaching to the guy even calling from another phone and when I told him he just hung up.
I paid a unlock service but it says it will take about 3 to 7 days. I now have a Galaxy S5 Active im using until. What can I do? any help?
Thanks,
Wait the 3-7 days for the unlock service....Since you have th S5 active that will hold you down in the mean time.
danny185 said:
What can I do? any help?
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Click to collapse
Not much unfortunately if the SIM is locked to Sprint. Maybe someone else can shed some light on what happens when you flash another U.S. carriers ROM on a phone sold by a different carrier. Meaning if you Odin flashed an AT&T ROM on your Sprint phone would the radio take on the characteristics of AT&T? I'm thinking that the IMEI will forever be identified to Sprint since it was sold as theirs no matter what you do s/w wise.
I'm guessing the guy you bought it from bought it on an installment plan. That or he received it via UPS/FedEx and reported it not delivered. Or worse, picked it up off someone who was supposed to have received its front porch. If there are unpaid installments Sprint won't unlock it. If it was claimed not delivered or stolen its IMEI is blacklisted which means it won't work on AT&T (or pretty much any carrier) no matter what you do.
You can check if the IMEI is blacklisted here. Although since we're talking 72 hours it might not be listed yet even if it was reported lost/stolen.
https://swappa.com/esn?hc_location=ufi
XBlackChaosX said:
Wait the 3-7 days for the unlock service....
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jus ok so you think they would have something? sombody wrote me to try and install the verizon firmware to see if it works.
Thanks
BarryH_GEG said:
Not much unfortunately if the SIM is locked to Sprint. Maybe someone else can shed some light on what happens when you flash another U.S. carriers ROM on a phone sold by a different carrier. Meaning if you Odin flashed an AT&T ROM on your Sprint phone would the radio take on the characteristics of AT&T? I'm thinking that the IMEI will forever be identified to Sprint since it was sold as theirs no matter what you do s/w wise.
I'm guessing the guy you bought it from bought it on an installment plan. That or he received it via UPS/FedEx and reported it not delivered. Or worse, picked it up off someone who was supposed to have received its front porch. If there are unpaid installments Sprint won't unlock it. If it was claimed not delivered or stolen its IMEI is blacklisted which means it won't work on AT&T (or pretty much any carrier) no matter what you do.
You can check if the IMEI is blacklisted here. Although since we're talking 72 hours it might not be listed yet even if it was reported lost/stolen.
https://swappa.com/esn?hc_location=ufi
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Click to collapse
Well i checked with swap and others at it says the phone is clean!
BarryH_GEG said:
Not much unfortunately if the SIM is locked to Sprint. Maybe someone else can shed some light on what happens when you flash another U.S. carriers ROM on a phone sold by a different carrier. Meaning if you Odin flashed an AT&T ROM on your Sprint phone would the radio take on the characteristics of AT&T? I'm thinking that the IMEI will forever be identified to Sprint since it was sold as theirs no matter what you do s/w wise.
I'm guessing the guy you bought it from bought it on an installment plan. That or he received it via UPS/FedEx and reported it not delivered. Or worse, picked it up off someone who was supposed to have received its front porch. If there are unpaid installments Sprint won't unlock it. If it was claimed not delivered or stolen its IMEI is blacklisted which means it won't work on AT&T (or pretty much any carrier) no matter what you do.
You can check if the IMEI is blacklisted here. Although since we're talking 72 hours it might not be listed yet even if it was reported lost/stolen.
https://swappa.com/esn?hc_location=ufi
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Click to collapse
BTW somebody wrote to me to try the verizon firmware since it is "unlocked" I started downloading it but i don't want to do anything until somebody has some light.
Thanks
BarryH_GEG said:
Not much unfortunately if the SIM is locked to Sprint. Maybe someone else can shed some light on what happens when you flash another U.S. carriers ROM on a phone sold by a different carrier. Meaning if you Odin flashed an AT&T ROM on your Sprint phone would the radio take on the characteristics of AT&T? I'm thinking that the IMEI will forever be identified to Sprint since it was sold as theirs no matter what you do s/w wise.
I'm guessing the guy you bought it from bought it on an installment plan. That or he received it via UPS/FedEx and reported it not delivered. Or worse, picked it up off someone who was supposed to have received its front porch. If there are unpaid installments Sprint won't unlock it. If it was claimed not delivered or stolen its IMEI is blacklisted which means it won't work on AT&T (or pretty much any carrier) no matter what you do.
You can check if the IMEI is blacklisted here. Although since we're talking 72 hours it might not be listed yet even if it was reported lost/stolen.
https://swappa.com/esn?hc_location=ufi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
danny185 said:
Well i checked with swap and others at it says the phone is clean!
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Click to collapse
For now, it's clean. Wait until he reports it lost/stolen.
danny185 said:
Hi guys:
I bought a Galaxy S8 64GB from somebody. I exchanged my Galaxy S7 Edge and $100 dollars for it. I have AT&T and of course the phone is not unlocked and does not read mi sim card. I have tried reaching to the guy even calling from another phone and when I told him he just hung up.
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Click to collapse
So, he gets a new Galaxy S8, since his phone was "lost/stolen" by paying for the deductible, he gets to sell YOUR Galaxy S7 Edge for some money, AND he has $100 cash to throw towards that deductible. I'm guessing the deductible will be $150 or $200 for the S8. So, how much can he sell your S7 Edge for? $400 or so?
https://protection.sprint.com/tep/en/faq.html
SPRINT TOTAL PROTECTION
Q: Is there a deductible charge or additional fee?
There is a $50, $100, $150 or $200 non-refundable deductible per approved insurance replacement (depending upon your device). Payment of the deductible is required upon approval of the claim.
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Click to collapse
ChazzMatt said:
For now, it's clean. Wait until he reports it lost/stolen.
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Click to collapse
:crying: aw man!!! I hope he doesn't!!! I don't think those cellphones are on his account he had AT&T also. So don't know if the guy who I bought it from can report them!!!
BTW does yours say on the back main kit?
On the label on the back where the IMEI is mine says Main Kit
anything?
thanks
danny185 said:
BTW somebody wrote to me to try the verizon firmware since it is "unlocked" I started downloading it but i don't want to do anything until somebody has some light.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Umm no, Verizons firmware won't unlock anything.
peachpuff said:
Umm no, Verizons firmware won't unlock anything.
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Click to collapse
:crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying:
So Flashed the Verizon Firmware to the Sprint cellphone and on ODIN everything went well but the cellphone still has sprint splash screens etc.
SO im assuming nothing happened!!
Ok just letting you guys know that i did flash the verizon firmware on the Sprint Galaxy S8 everything on ODIN passed but the cellphone when it rebooted still had Sprints Splash screens etc. So the flash for me did not work!!
danny185 said:
Ok just letting you guys know that i did flash the verizon firmware on the Sprint Galaxy S8 everything on ODIN passed but the cellphone when it rebooted still had Sprints Splash screens etc. So the flash for me did not work!!
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Check your inbox
Out of curiosity do the different us carrier variants of the S8 have different frequency bands?
XBlackChaosX said:
Out of curiosity do the different us carrier variants of the S8 have different frequency bands?
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Don't know but we know that AT&T, T-Mobile,Verizon and sprint all are G950U
XBlackChaosX said:
Out of curiosity do the different us carrier variants of the S8 have different frequency bands?
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Click to collapse
Yes they all support different bands. Some share a few bands but most work best on that specific carrier themselves.
Flashing firmware does nothing to lock status. It has to be unlocked by operator or by code from 3rd party. You cant do anything now just wait for unlock code.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
danny185 said:
I bought a Galaxy S8 64GB from somebody. I exchanged my Galaxy S7 Edge and $100 dollars for it.
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Click to collapse
Why would you ever buy off of Craig's List when you can buy off of swappa? Stupid.
That guy is likely going to stop paying on that device and then it will be blacklisted and worthless. You made an expensive mistake. Next time, buy off of swappa.