More secure to change sim card after number change? - Security Discussion

or is it equally secure to use the same sim card but a new different number.
On the same carrier

kjarak said:
or is it equally secure to use the same sim card but a new different number. On the same carrier
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In general...
Carriers tie the Phone Number with the SIM card Number and the SIM Card Number is tied to a devices IMEI (aka Serial Number).
So if you have a phone number for a device, and then change the SIM Card, the device will not be able to use that phone number on a different SIM.
The only way to tie the phone number to a different SIM is for the carrier to port the phone number over to the new SIM.
This cannot be modified or bypassed on the device because their all tied in to the carriers system for the towers.
I hope that I had explained this okay via text...
Good Luck!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I DO NOT provide support via PM unless asked/requested by myself. PLEASE keep it in the threads where everyone can share.

Thank you. I was trying to figure out the following scenario.
Let's say I suspect some kind of remote tampering or location tracking without physical access to my phone.
Which one is more secure:
1. Change the phone number with the same carrier
2. Change the phone number and ask for a new sim card on the same carrier.
This is a European carrier.

kjarak said:
Thank you. I was trying to figure out the following scenario.
Let's say I suspect some kind of remote tampering or location tracking without physical access to my phone.
Which one is more secure:
1. Change the phone number with the same carrier
2. Change the phone number and ask for a new sim card on the same carrier.
This is a European carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's one thing that you need to know: tracking your device is also possible when the IMEI number is known(and the IMEI can be changed also) so even when you switch the sim card and the device has location services or internet access it's quite easy to locate your device once it's been setup.

Actually one of these people has all the info from the phone box (IMEI, etc)
Are there other ways to track. Is it easy for anyone to track me with an app, etc. Is it equally easy to track an older non-smart phone.
I saw several time, errors with I think triangle with exclamation mark (I can't remember the exact words) that I have no access to network. This would stay briefly and then be removed. What are the implications of this.
If someone has my number, is it fairly easy for them to get the IMEI.
If they have the IMEI, does this allow them to track location or also get access to my data.
How can I protect myself.
strongst said:
There's one thing that you need to know: tracking your device is also possible when the IMEI number is known(and the IMEI can be changed also) so even when you switch the sim card and the device has location services or internet access it's quite easy to locate your device once it's been setup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

How would these 2 situations be explained.
I am putting the regular (not smart) phone in the pocket. It turns on. It appears I called my own number. It's possible that I pressed dial but I felt I wasn't pressing any keys. It's an old phone with a square large button below the screen. The call log on the phone does show that a call was made to the same phone (calling my own number). would this be visible on the phone if it was done remotely (or would that even be possible: remotely causing a phone to call itself)
I am told by an older guy that someone called from my number and gave a different name than mine (I am asked if I use a different name). The phone was in my possession at all times and it's a smart phone.

I was testing google find my device. I am getting "can't reach device" with location ON on phone. Why would this happen?
On the other hand, I can "play a sound"

kjarak said:
I was testing google find my device. I am getting "can't reach device" with location ON on phone. Why would this happen?
On the other hand, I can "play a sound"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, yeah seems like your device is high jacked by someone. There was a case like yours some month ago here on xda(don't remember the thread right now). You should wipe your device completely(within twrp format every partition.
Then install a aosp based rom.
Maybe this wipes the remote access too, but sadly I'm not sure cause the other guy did it he same but after this it was like before.

Which part makes you think it's hijacked?
not being able to find the device.? or something else (someone calling with the same number in the above post)
It did find the device after I moved it a little bit. It wasn't finding it when it was still.
Then it was not finding the device after I turned off location.
Is that how it works if someone is searching by using IMEI with an app. ie. if I turn off location then device cannot be located.
Which AOSP ROM?
In that case, if remote access wasn't wiped, what was the reason?
If someone has the IMEI, can they hijack repeatedly?
strongst said:
Hi, yeah seems like your device is high jacked by someone. There was a case like yours some month ago here on xda(don't remember the thread right now). You should wipe your device completely(within twrp format every partition.
Then install a aosp based rom.
Maybe this wipes the remote access too, but sadly I'm not sure cause the other guy did it he same but after this it was like before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

kjarak said:
Which part makes you think it's hijacked?
not being able to find the device.? or something else (someone calling with the same number in the above post)
It did find the device after I moved it a little bit. It wasn't finding it when it was still.
Then it was not finding the device after I turned off location.
Is that how it works if someone is searching by using IMEI with an app. ie. if I turn off location then device cannot be located.
Which AOSP ROM?
In that case, if remote access wasn't wiped, what was the reason?
If someone has the IMEI, can they hijack repeatedly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This makes me think someone hijacked your phone https://forum.xda-developers.com/ge...-change-sim-card-change-t3746592/post75146000
I don't know what device you have(you didn't wrote it) but try any non stock rom hence aosp based like LineageOS or ressurection remix for example and wipe your device before completely.
I don't know the root cause of this problem, I just remember me what was happening on the other member last year and maybe you are in the same situation.
If not, maybe there's help for you

It's an LG G3.
The link you posted leads to a ROM. Is it the correct link?
strongst said:
This makes me think someone hijacked your phone https://forum.xda-developers.com/ge...-change-sim-card-change-t3746592/post75146000
I don't know what device you have(you didn't wrote it) but try any non stock rom hence aosp based like LineageOS or ressurection remix for example and wipe your device before completely.
I don't know the root cause of this problem, I just remember me what was happening on the other member last year and maybe you are in the same situation.
If not, maybe there's help for you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

If I put the SIM card which was briefly in the phone into a new phone, would that allow someone to continue to track me or should I get a new number and sim

kjarak said:
It's an LG G3.
The link you posted leads to a ROM. Is it the correct link?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, wrong link
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ge...-change-sim-card-change-t3746592/post75546070
kjarak said:
If I put the SIM card which was briefly in the phone into a new phone, would that allow someone to continue to track me or should I get a new number and sim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should try. It's also possible to track you again if he has a duplicate sim(yeah, that's possible). But I don't think so.

That's a link to this thread in which we are posting.
strongst said:
Sorry, wrong link
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ge...-change-sim-card-change-t3746592/post75546070
You should try. It's also possible to track you again if he has a duplicate sim(yeah, that's possible). But I don't think so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

kjarak said:
That's a link to this thread in which we are posting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly: your story let me think your phone/sim is hijacked.

I thought you found the thread you were talking about here of someone from a few months ago.
strongst said:
Hi, yeah seems like your device is high jacked by someone. There was a case like yours some month ago here on xda(don't remember the thread right now). You should wipe your device completely(within twrp format every partition.
Then install a aosp based rom.
Maybe this wipes the remote access too, but sadly I'm not sure cause the other guy did it he same but after this it was like before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

kjarak said:
I thought you found the thread you were talking about here of someone from a few months ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There was no solution sadly :crying:

If a phone is hijacked, does that mean the attacker has access to all data, camera, mic, calls, etc. Can make calls from the number, etc. or just track location.
Would this be visible to the phone company?
Is there a solution.

kjarak said:
If a phone is hijacked, does that mean the attacker has access to all data, camera, mic, calls, etc. Can make calls from the number, etc. or just track location.
Would this be visible to the phone company?
Is there a solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With Trojans its all possible.
Did you already do what I wrote? Format the phone completely and install a aosp based rom? You didn't wrote what rom you're running and which apps... Maybe you have a app that's faulty

kjarak said:
If a phone is hijacked, does that mean the attacker has access to all data, camera, mic, calls, etc. Can make calls from the number, etc. or just track location.
Would this be visible to the phone company?
Is there a solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Further to previous comments By strongest
Yes, if hijacked (trojan installed ) then it's likely they can access anything they want, though it depends on Trojan installed.
As you got a phone call from someone who gave a different name your phone may have been cloned (possibly after malware infection or if someone has hadphysical access to it & copied imie etc). This is good in that your phone bill will show activity of the other phone & you can get help from your phone company. Your Google acc may show something too....
have you done the basics? Installed good anti virus, checked if rooted, checked if app showing in device administrators etc. Even if it comes back negative a port may have been opened & Trojan self deleted. Then you need to either try a firewall or check network traffic to identify unknown connections so probably easiest to just reflash full stock ROM or custom ( best as LineageOS will give you security updates every month ) ( make sure you backup your pic, files, contacts etc first )
They can only track your imei if they have access to the network infrastructure (as far as I know) assuming you have removed any Trojans, tracker, spy app etc and have clean install a ROM,
If you had a Trojan you should assume they have ALL your passwords, including your WiFi (maybe router admin too!) Change them all (use a password manager)

Related

What happens if you ddn't write down your device ID when you got your phone

I flashed to Froyo 2.2 leaked the day I got my phone and never even knew about device ID. What does this mean for my future
avs420 said:
I flashed to Froyo 2.2 leaked the day I got my phone and never even knew about device ID. What does this mean for my future
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can always flash back to stock using the following method (see link):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=731989
Once you flash back to stock, write down the ID and then do as you wish. This is the only way I can think of right now in order to get your ID. However, I thought the Froyo 2.2 leaks only changed the Android ID and not the device ID. But in any case, you can always go back to stock and write whatever information you need down.
Yeah, the problem is with the Android ID. After flashing 20+ times now, I decided only 2 days ago to save my Android ID when I flashed back to JF6. Before then, I was running with the incorrect Android ID or randomly generated ID without a problem.
And the way I ended up getting my Android ID was flashing to JF6, and downloading the app "Android ID Changer" (no root required just to view your ID)
I still have a backup copy of my JF6 settings.db file on my computer from when I first enabled sideloading. Just so happens, it's also my backup of my Android ID.
So just a thought for everyone else who comes around this thread for whatever reason, if you have a nandroid backup of your 2.1 rom, just dump the data.img file and grab your settings.db, open it with your favorite SQLite editor, and nab your Android ID out of it.
Ok, let me make sure I know what we're talking about. I flashed my Captivate to the leaked 2.2. It's rooted and lagfixed.
So, in doing so I've lost my device ID? How does this affect the phone? I haven't noticed any differences.
Mike
MicroBeta said:
Ok, let me make sure I know what we're talking about. I flashed my Captivate to the leaked 2.2. It's rooted and lagfixed.
So, in doing so I've lost my device ID? How does this affect the phone? I haven't noticed any differences.
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may have periodic market problems. There are some games that may not work.
If it is working ok for you then go with it for now. When you are bored with what you are on and want to change roms you should and probably have to flag back to stock. St that time you can readily retrieve your id using app android id changer
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
i had an issue where even flashing back to stock one click wasn't rest IMEI or ID (also had changed my product code to tmobile.
Regardless your originial id can be found in multiple places
1. i believe its on the label under your battery
2. if the label is unreadable if you registered your phone with samsung website log in you can see your IMEI.
bames said:
i had an issue where even flashing back to stock one click wasn't rest IMEI or ID (also had changed my product code to tmobile.
Regardless your originial id can be found in multiple places
1. i believe its on the label under your battery
2. if the label is unreadable if you registered your phone with samsung website log in you can see your IMEI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The IMEI and Android ID are NOT the same thing. They are not related in any way at all.
If you mess up your IMEI there is no way to recover it or change it without a hardware device. The IMEI ties your phone to the carrier network and is used in conjunction with your SIM card.
This discussion is about the Android ID - it has nothing to do with cell phone networks or carriers, but it is used by games and the Market to identify your device. It can be changed very easily.
alphadog00 said:
The IMEI and Android ID are NOT the same thing. They are not related in any way at all.
If you mess up your IMEI there is no way to recover it or change it without a hardware device. The IMEI ties your phone to the carrier network and is used in conjunction with your SIM card.
This discussion is about the Android ID - it has nothing to do with cell phone networks or carriers, but it is used by games and the Market to identify your device. It can be changed very easily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not sure what your referring to as hardware device. Mine was messed up after flashing one of the i9000 roms as was my product code. Many of the custom roms assign a generic imei when installed but is usually restore to original when one click odin back to stock. In one instance doing such wouldn't restore it.
Both were able to be restored using root manager and a hex editor to correct the nv_data.bin file.
Where do you find the device id anyway?
qwertyaas said:
Where do you find the device id anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I downloaded an app called "ID" made by "Sora Takayama" from the market. That lists your SIM Serial, Device ID, Android ID and Subscriber ID.
The IMEI and Android ID are NOT the same thing. They are not related in any way at all.
If you mess up your IMEI there is no way to recover it or change it without a hardware device. The IMEI ties your phone to the carrier network and is used in conjunction with your SIM card.
This discussion is about the Android ID - it has nothing to do with cell phone networks or carriers, but it is used by games and the Market to identify your device. It can be changed very easily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually if you look at the first post the user asked specifically about their DEVICE ID (+ the thread title is regarding DEVICE ID) which is the IMEI as i understand. The Android ID is in fact different than the IMEI (DEVICE ID) and its possible he meant to reference android id but i was simply responding to the question as it was stated rather than reading anything into it.
So to be clear my understanding is
IMEI = DEVICE ID
IMEI does not = ANDROID ID
DEVICE ID does not = ANDROID ID
-------------
and +1 on the ID app...i am going to snap a screen shot of it to keep saved on external and hard drive so i have the info accessible if something gets messed up.
Sorry I meant Android ID
What happens if you ddn't write down your device ID when you got your phone?
A little Korean dude shows up at your house, rings the bell and then laughs in your face.
JK
cappysw10 said:
What happens if you ddn't write down your device ID when you got your phone?
A little Korean dude shows up at your house, rings the bell and then laughs in your face.
JK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
he already did that after the most recent "gps optimization" app released in the market

Best security application?: Locate, wipe, lock, etc...

Hey
Whats the best security application out there? So I can lock, locate, make it ring, wipe, etc...
I like seekdroid. Its $0.99. But its the only I've used...
so if a thief removed the sim do these apps still work?
AndroidLost. a new addition
P.S its FREE
ermacwins said:
so if a thief removed the sim do these apps still work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. They are installed on the phone. IMEI is stored so in theory some should
riahc3 said:
Yes. They are installed on the phone. IMEI is stored so in theory some should
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i don't think that most of these apps will still work if you disable mobile data or even remove the sim. i guess most of them use the google market push option to lock/wipe/whatever and without internet access they won't ever receive the lock/wipe request.
so i think they're just useful if you lost your phone and no one has found it already...
j4velin said:
i don't think that most of these apps will still work if you disable mobile data or even remove the sim....so i think they're just useful if you lost your phone and no one has found it already...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the problem all of these apps suffer from. An experienced thief will pull out the SIM card as soon as he can to cut off the mobile phone network and data connection. We've had a few iPhones/Blackberrys stolen at work and they disappear from the network minutes after so they don't respond to a wipe command sent from Exchange or a SMS with a wipe command in it.
I guess the apps are useful if you have lost your phone, or if somebody isn't savvy enough to remove the SIM. I use an app like this, but back it up with another; Autowipe. This lets you wipe the phone if the person changes the SIM or puts the incorrect password/pattern/pin in a number of times. Granted, it won't get your phone back, but it should protect your data.
If you're interested; its here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=717469
(I know it's in the Nexus One forum, but it works on an HTC Desire too).
I use prey ... it texts you the new sim card number to a nominated other number when the sim card is changed. I have not tried putting in a different sim but in theory it should lock the phone when a new sim is put in.
None of these programs work when you reflash the phone though.
indesisiv said:
I use prey ... it texts you the new sim card number to a nominated other number when the sim card is changed. I have not tried putting in a different sim but in theory it should lock the phone when a new sim is put in.
None of these programs work when you reflash the phone though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's interesting and an improvement on what I have seen before, but it still leaves your data at risk: after stealing your phone, I'll hold down the power button and put it into aircraft mode; now I can keep trying your swipe pattern until I get access.
Personally I want the data wiped off the phone immediately. I guess stuff like this should be built into Android so it can't be removed.
But thanks for the heads up re prey. I'll take a look at that.

[GUIDE]How to find your Android Device AFTER it has been stolen

Well lets assume your android device has been stolen! Good lord !! . Not to worry, this guide should hopefully help you recover it. Even if its a thief.
PS: This contents of this read may bear resemblance to the reddit thread i created
A about two weeks ago (17th April to be exact) one of my friend lost his Samsung GT-I9003 from his dorm room at 0200hrs. Today when i was scanning my latitude, i saw him position a few hundred meters from me. Problem is, we are on a university campus. 500+ students, staff, kitchen, cleaning - basically lot of people. I suggested we check Google Latitiude's location history and sure enough for the past 15 days, the phone's location is spread all over the campus.
Premise of the crime
The phone is ON and is connecting to the Wi-Fi.
The phone is still tied to the primary gmail account and is thus reporting location.
The SIM has been removed or changed since the original number is now switched off
The person does not have good knowledge of using a smart phone (maybe helping staff)
Steps we have taken
Since we assume it is in the possession of either a student or helping staff we don't want to startle him.
Tried Plan-B on my phone. However the location it was reporting was the same as Google Latitude.
The phone does have Where is my Droid installed but the web interface says invalid email ID. So that option is ruled out unless you have pre configured Where is my Droid previously.
How we found the phone
After Where is my Droid failed us, we started looking for other applications. We found this application called Android Lost. Unfortunately we hit a dead end when we realised that it needs to be activated by sending an SMS. Since we dont know the phone number, or that there is even any SIM card in the phone, that application also seemed useless.But turns out the developer of Android Lost has also made a nifty app called AndroidLost Jumpstart which is can trigger Android Lost without the need of an SMS.
According to the description
This app will wake up the registration process on the androidlost app when ever a phone call is made, an SMS received, battery is low, a package is added, removed or changed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So we got android lost installed. Trust me, its a life saver. We got calls logs, sms, pictures, voice recordings. We tracked the person with the help of this.
Hope this helps anyone in the future!
maverick340 said:
Well lets assume your android device has been stolen! Good lord !! . Not to worry, this guide should hopefully help you recover it. Even if its a thief.
PS: This contents of this read may bear resemblance to the reddit thread i created
A about two weeks ago (17th April to be exact) one of my friend lost his Samsung GT-I9003 from his dorm room at 0200hrs. Today when i was scanning my latitude, i saw him position a few hundred meters from me. Problem is, we are on a university campus. 500+ students, staff, kitchen, cleaning - basically lot of people. I suggested we check Google Latitiude's location history and sure enough for the past 15 days, the phone's location is spread all over the campus.
Premise of the crime
The phone is ON and is connecting to the Wi-Fi.
The phone is still tied to the primary gmail account and is thus reporting location.
The SIM has been removed or changed since the original number is now switched off
The person does not have good knowledge of using a smart phone (maybe helping staff)
Steps we have taken
Since we assume it is in the possession of either a student or helping staff we don't want to startle him.
Tried Plan-B on my phone. However the location it was reporting was the same as Google Latitude.
The phone does have Where is my Droid installed but the web interface says invalid email ID. So that option is ruled out unless you have pre configured Where is my Droid previously.
How we found the phone
After Where is my Droid failed us, we started looking for other applications. We found this application called Android Lost. Unfortunately we hit a dead end when we realised that it needs to be activated by sending an SMS. Since we dont know the phone number, or that there is even any SIM card in the phone, that application also seemed useless.But turns out the developer of Android Lost has also made a nifty app called AndroidLost Jumpstart which is can trigger Android Lost without the need of an SMS.
According to the description
So we got android lost installed. Trust me, its a life saver. We got calls logs, sms, pictures, voice recordings. We tracked the person with the help of this.
Hope this helps anyone in the future!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or install Avast anti theft before your phone gets stolen ;D never the less, very useful, thank you.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA
okmijnlp said:
Or install Avast anti theft before your phone gets stolen ;D never the less, very useful, thank you.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep always good to be safe before hand. After this incident lot of my friends have installed or gotten some security app.
Although, aren't security suite like Avast, McAfee and overkill for finding lost phones?
And who was the thief?
Sent from my LG Optimus 2x with xda premium app
another possibility is to instal Cerberus App
Hi everyone. I have recently been the victim of theft for my nexus 7. I had the device locked with the pattern so there is no way that the thief could get into it unless they do a software reset from the recovery mode. The thing is, either way there is no way i would be able to recover it because if in fact they do a factory reset my lookout security would be uninstalled and my nexus would be lost forever, also if they can't get through the pattern and find a way to connect to Wi-Fi, it will still be lost forever. I have read about installing lookout in the system/app folder of a rooted device so its not easily uninstalled by normal means or factory reset. But do you think it is possible to have android lost and lookout pre-configured and installed in the system/app folder so that even if the device is factory reset, the credentials will remain?
is it factory-reset proof?
Just a quick little question: How did you get the phone to register on Android Lost? I can't get a friend's phone to be recognized in the web app, after installing the Jumpstart and another app...
Thank you
Very good contribution, gratz! i will follow your steps in case my android get stolen!
How did it fail?
You say that "after Where's my Droid failed us"...what do you mean by that...how did it "fail"? I would like to know before installing it. What exactly happened that it "failed" you?
Thanks
Losing a phone is irritating
I lost my phone sometime back. I didn't have the time to do research and maybe these apps weren't available at the time of theft. I got the SIM de-activated and tried to track my phone via IMEI number.
So, a few questions
1. Have they changed its IMEI number ?
2. Have they removed my Google account ?
This pretty much messes it up. If you can't track it via IMEI nor can you use any network then its as good as history. These were the only remaining identification tags that could have got your phone back and the thief would know of it. The moment I called on my own number he switched it off. He logged into my account and posted crap(not that I knew any of it had it not been for my friend who reported some strange FB and Twitter status) as if it wasn't enough that he had my phone.
One of the most disturbing things that they can do is play with the IMEI. Older phones were more susceptible to that kind of thing but a Nexus ? P990 ? GT19100? I thought they were much harder to hack. Not only can you NOT track your phone but also lose all other alternatives because the phone is now linked to another google account. I was searching for a post that would walk me through a process of changing the google account currently associated with the phone. In an attempt to understand if this indeed was the case. I wanted to try this app so badly but now I blew it off, my only chance.
Hardware based identification is the only way to go about fixing this issue. Any low level process that runs off some hard coded tag independent of software control known only to the owner of the phone. I just don't know what other options are left with person who lost it. I think there is no other way.
Time for a new phone, I guess
Edit: I guess I was right about that. They had done a hard reset but the IMEI associated with my account is intact. So there are two ways of messing it up. One, you change the IMEI(which sounds ridiculously dumb). Second, you change the primary account(more believable). How stupid of me to think of the first one
i think if a android phone is lost and a guy with a bit knowledge of flashin roms gets it then we might have to forget our phone.. if the phone has screen lock the guy can reset the phone through stock recovery and all security apps like where's my droid,avast etc get wiped off.. i personally don't install any anti-theft apps. i beleive in being EXTRA CAREFUL than installing any anti theft apps
And you are damn right bro, its good to be careful than putting all your believe in one anti-THEFT software which can easily get wiped off.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
That's useful, thanks !
How did you get the Logs.
Hi Maverik,
My phone was robbed yesterday & the SIM card was removed,
I wanted to know how were you able to get the call logs, pics etc of your lost phone to ........
Very useful! Thanks!
we have Find My Phone
you can have a try
Find My Phone - find your misplaced phone/stolen phone/lost phone easily
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.phonefindandlock
Thanks for share your experience with AndroidLost.
Inviato dal mio K00E utilizzando Tapatalk
AndroFind is the best
i highly recommend AndroFind to find stolen phone.
you can find it in android market :good:
Hi, but It's possible to find any kind of phone also with older Android version?
Thanks!

[Q] [HELP] Heat and signal problems on ZTE V970

Hi to all, I'm writing here because I had my first problems with my v970 (with etotalk rom). This evening I checked my mobile and I found that none of the sim was active (I was not in airplane mode) and I could not activate them, as if they were not in their slots. Meanwhile the upper part of the device began to heat up, so I tought it could be an antenna/receiver problem. I almost forgot to say that I installed Truecaller (deleting Contapps) and updated facebook and few others apps less than one hour before the event, but I already uninstalled them to exclude some of the possible causes. I'll gladly listen to any advice. Thank's in advance. GL
Restart, and see if it continues.
Already tried a lot of times, with or without sim cards. I also noticed an abnormal use of battery.
When did the problem start? What did you do before it started? Does your cellphone always have no signal, or does it come & go (sometimes SIM works, sometimes it doesn't)? Have you checked your APN settings?
post-mortem said:
When did the problem start? What did you do before it started? Does your cellphone always have no signal, or does it come & go (sometimes SIM works, sometimes it doesn't)? Have you checked your APN settings?
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Click to collapse
The problem started yesterday and I never experimented It till now. As I Said, before I encountered It, I updated some apps from the market and I changed the default caller manager (should I call It in this way?) with Truecaller. I also deleted my sim contacts
. I can't check apn because there are no apns to check (Android shows me the voice "mobile networks" but I can't select it
Update: I tried to restore the original rom, but the problem persists. I also made a check with the recovery, and it shows me that the device cannot detect sim cards. I begin to think that it's an hardware problem (ouch). Am I right?
What did you do in recovery that checks SIM cards? Are you talking about CWM recovery?
post-mortem said:
What did you do in recovery that checks SIM cards? Are you talking about CWM recovery?
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Click to collapse
Nope, it's the faulty recovery that etotalk sent me with the phone. I would like to install the cwm and flash another rom, but I'll leave that as the last option
If the recovery they sent you is faulty, then what good is it? If there's a custom recovery available for your phone, you might as well go with it, not that it'll solve anything by itself.
You might try inserting some kind of shim along with the SIM card to see if the extra pressure help make contact with the leads. Careful, of course, that whatever you stick in there doesn't stay behind.
post-mortem said:
If the recovery they sent you is faulty, then what good is it? If there's a custom recovery available for your phone, you might as well go with it, not that it'll solve anything by itself.
You might try inserting some kind of shim along with the SIM card to see if the extra pressure help make contact with the leads. Careful, of course, that whatever you stick in there doesn't stay behind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know about the recovery, but I was trying to don't invalidate the warranty (as if I'll ever use it...). Now I'm charging the phone, it's already the third time today...
Aw, heck. If you've got warranty, just send it in.
post-mortem said:
Aw, heck. If you've got warranty, just send it in.
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Click to collapse
Yep, I've got warranty, but sending it in China will cost me almost as much as buying a new one
Ok, I flashed a recovery and a custom rom, but nothing happened.The signal is still absent and the antenna heats up the same way as before. I tried to enter engineer mode and it shows me messages as "com.android.internal.telephony.CommandExcepti on: RADIO_NOT_AVAILABLE", "3G off. Cannot set", ecc... It also shows me "invalid IMEI" if I try to look at it and I cannot change it back with the AT +EGMR command (it says "Radio on" and "SIM State: ABSENT", altough the SIM card is in its slot).
I think you have to crack the case.
ArcheoGian said:
Ok, I flashed a recovery and a custom rom, but nothing happened.The signal is still absent and the antenna heats up the same way as before. I tried to enter engineer mode and it shows me messages as "com.android.internal.telephony.CommandExcepti on: RADIO_NOT_AVAILABLE", "3G off. Cannot set", ecc... It also shows me "invalid IMEI" if I try to look at it and I cannot change it back with the AT +EGMR command (it says "Radio on" and "SIM State: ABSENT", altough the SIM card is in its slot).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm... if your phone is reporting invalid IMEI numbers then I would try first to get that working as it should. Read this tutorial and re-write your IMEI numbers.
Then I would try the latest stock ROM, which is available on ZTE support website. Here is the direct link to the ROM.
If your phone still doesn't work after that, then I'm afraid you have a hardware problem.
I have had the telephone for more than one month with no problem. Trying every ROM made by Bruno with no problem at all with signal, but...
About 4 days ago, I started suffering exactly the same problems stated by ArcheoGian. I have tried everything (installing older Roms, rebooting, changing SIMs from 1 to 2, etc.) but unfortunately with no success. I just have to try to install the original ROM, but I supose it will be the same.
Afer a few reboots, I can make the telephone to search for a network, it founds it, it connects, it transfers data, I can make calls, but ramdomly (can be after 30 seconds, 30 minutes or maximum one hour) it disconnects and the red X of death (Xbox 360 times ) appears on top of the screen.
I can try to go and return from airplane mode, or search for networks that it won't re-connect.
I fear it can become a typical problem for this phone.
I am "delighted" to send it back to China and wait for two months to get it back (after explaining it to the seller and so on). Fingers crossed
@prinxo: did you buy it from eto...k? (I don't know if I can write the entire name of the seller)
Update: I tried everything it was told me (except to crack the case, at least not yet...), my last hope is to manually insert the IMEIs inside the data folder. There's just one problem: none of the methods suggested in the link posted by bcgngm works on my phone, so I need to generate the IMEIs whit my pc (I couldn't open the exe with windows 7, I'll try with win xp in a while, otherwise I have to ask someone to create it for me).
ArcheoGian said:
@prinxo: did you buy it from eto...k? (I don't know if I can write the entire name of the seller)
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Click to collapse
No, I bought it from another seller at Aliexpress.
As I thought: I tried to re-install an original ROM, and everything remains the same. I thought I was successfull but after one hour the phone disconnected itself from the network. After that moment, I need about 3 re-boots to get signal again and it lasts for just a few minutes.
At this point, I would disregard a software problem.
Happy happy to have to send it back to China.
ArcheoGian said:
Update: I tried everything it was told me (except to crack the case, at least not yet...), my last hope is to manually insert the IMEIs inside the data folder. There's just one problem: none of the methods suggested in the link posted by bcgngm works on my phone, so I need to generate the IMEIs whit my pc (I couldn't open the exe with windows 7, I'll try with win xp in a while, otherwise I have to ask someone to create it for me).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you say it is not working? My preferred method is to use the adb commands (and for that you have to install Android SDK). Don't forget that when you type the commands there is no output message on the screen. The phone has to be restarted so that changes take effect.
bgcngm said:
Why do you say it is not working? My preferred method is to use the adb commands (and for that you have to install Android SDK). Don't forget that when you type the commands there is no output message on the screen. The phone has to be restarted so that changes take effect.
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Click to collapse
The third and the fourth ones are the only methods to restore IMEI I didn't try, just because I never used sdk and adb (and I'm not sure to be able to use them). I followed the others options (I also created the IMEI file with the russian program), but it continues to show me the "invalid IMEI" message. Can you help me, maybe showing me a good walkthrough?
This ADB Tutorial looks easy to follow. Check it out!

Unknown activity HTC ONE M9

I have unknown activity on my phone.
Along with numerous "unknown" outgoing calls with no number shown on my device (and 2 other M9 phones on the same plan) or any number registering on my carrier's system (when I called R, they said their system did show connected calls lasting various amounts of time, the could not determine what number the calls were going to), there's also a call in the log going to "(unknown)" "***,144***"
Anybody have any clue what's going on? R gave the bs answer that all 3 of us were calling our VM, even while we were sleeping. However, the times we did check our VM, the number did register on the phones and with the carrier's system.
Thanks!
Im adding a question. My M9 was unlocked without my knowledge. I'm guessing that ***,144*** might be the secret unlock code. IS there a way I can determine if it's been rooted as well?
--
squidstings said:
I have unknown activity on my phone.
Along with numerous "unknown" outgoing calls with no number shown on my device (and 2 other M9 phones on the same plan) or any number registering on my carrier's system (when I called R, they said their system did show connected calls lasting various amounts of time, the could not determine what number the calls were going to), there's also a call in the log going to "(unknown)" "***,144***"
Anybody have any clue what's going on? R gave the bs answer that all 3 of us were calling our VM, even while we were sleeping. However, the times we did check our VM, the number did register on the phones and with the carrier's system.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting issue. I am not sure about the rooting. You are probably going to need to ask experts around here. Hopefully, they can help you with that. As for security, you could try checking if you have any suspicious apps running in the background or installed (You might be using same GPS or another app for example). It could be that one of the malicious apps had access to your calls which lead to them outputting calls to somewhere. You could try disconnecting your internet for a day and see if the calls persist (That is probably not an option for you, but it is an idea). Additionally, you could try a factory reset on one of the phones and see if the problem is still there.
squidstings said:
Im adding a question. My M9 was unlocked without my knowledge. I'm guessing that ***,144*** might be the secret unlock code. IS there a way I can determine if it's been rooted as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just saw this,
https://www.xda-developers.com/htc-says-the-ads-in-its-keyboard-are-a-mistake-fix-icoming/
which reminded me of your issue, though I don't suppose it's linked, but it does make you wonder WTF HTC are up to!
Anyhow with your issue I wasn't going to answer as I don't know the answer but my thoughts may help in some small way. I don't thank the 144 is a phone developers code to "root" or turn of security in some way as that would not show on your provides call logs as they stay internal to the phone (mostly). Also I don't think it's adware callng a premium number as your phone company says it does not register properly, so nobody will be paid.
That only leaves a more malicious form of hacking, I would say. So maybe that code does enable your data to be sent but untrckable over a network. That suggests to me it's possibly your actual network (who are R? What country, is it?) or maybe even your government if you are an activist or something? Though more likely is a criminal or business competitor, assuming the other people affected are business colleagues. So could be your boss trying to snoop on you all, if not HTC or the Chinese Communist Party aparatus!
What to do? As Ross says disconnecting is probably not practicable. If you have malicious activity they probably are using data as well as calls. So I would install a firewall to block most apps and log attempted connections (normally have to pay for this) then check IP addresses tell see if they are legit. However this may not show anything as data may go via root. So setting up a proxy to route traffic to your PC and use a sniffing program to see traffic or at least I P addresses.
You can download root checking apps from play store. Also check your security settings any app with admin rights? Also use a good antivirus you might get lucky, but even if negative you may still be infected.
Only way to really clean your system is to reinstall your OS, though a factory reset will fix often. But first you need to know how you were all compromised and fix that else it will just return, I would think it's most likely your local work network, (but could be your provider R or even something else you connect to in sore way eg Bluetooth, or an app you all have (you can boot into safe mode to disable 3rd party apps, but with HTC system apps possibly containing apps that use the Baidu apk etc that still has a possible backdoor unpatched (as far as I know) safe mode will not help white those!)
You might have to look into freezing/uninstalling all HTC installed apps.
IronRoo said:
just saw this,
https://www.xda-developers.com/htc-says-the-ads-in-its-keyboard-are-a-mistake-fix-icoming/
which reminded me of your issue, though I don't suppose it's linked, but it does make you wonder WTF HTC are up to!
Anyhow with your issue I wasn't going to answer as I don't know the answer but my thoughts may help in some small way. I don't thank the 144 is a phone developers code to "root" or turn of security in some way as that would not show on your provides call logs as they stay internal to the phone (mostly). Also I don't think it's adware callng a premium number as your phone company says it does not register properly, so nobody will be paid.
That only leaves a more malicious form of hacking, I would say. So maybe that code does enable your data to be sent but untrckable over a network. That suggests to me it's possibly your actual network (who are R? What country, is it?) or maybe even your government if you are an activist or something? Though more likely is a criminal or business competitor, assuming the other people affected are business colleagues. So could be your boss trying to snoop on you all, if not HTC or the Chinese Communist Party aparatus!
You might have to look into freezing/uninstalling all HTC installed apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
Rogers, Canada. But I've switched carriers within the last few days.
I've actually done the FR 5 times now. Disabeling the pre-installed "Gmail" (I think it's more Google thn HTC related seems to have stopped the calls. I've disabled as much as I could.
so here's the kicker. I'm literally nobody! On disability, no exciting employment history and those In my family who have, aren't in contact, nor do I have contact info. And it was my wife and daughter who had the other phones, but mine was central i think. daughters phone was locked. So nothing so exciting. Which is why I even bothered asking lol
squidstings said:
Thank you!
Rogers, Canada. But I've switched carriers within the last few days.
I've actually done the FR 5 times now. Disabeling the pre-installed "Gmail" (I think it's more Google thn HTC related seems to have stopped the calls. I've disabled as much as I could.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah! Rogers Canada should be a well controlled and trustworthy provider, so probably not them, though a rogue employee or having their network compromised can't be ruled out.
Also if official Gmail app it should be safe though it does have some quite intrusive permissions like full network access, view confidential info etc, but all are legit if you want the full functionality of Gmail. But it shouldn't have access to place phone calls, so should not be able to create the behaviour you describe.
That leaves a rouge app, but you would all need to have it I suppose, HTC app (or system behavior) or local hack ie via your router or via your PC. A good anti virus should find rogue app on phone and similarly on PC. HTC system apps hard to spot without doing the firewall etc etc. So I would also be double checking your local router for firmware update and resetting it with a new strong password, to prevent possible return, so to any Bluetooth devices.
Hope it doesn't return! All the best
been a while but, just how does one get a "," in the phone keyboard? long press * for P, but no ",".
Now that time has passed and more people might be awake and less likely to make excuses, I'm wondering if this issue can be solved, or at lest thought about intelligently. Maybe someone who knows how it CAN happen, instead of trying to find ways I'm mistaken. this was on THREE SEPARATE PHONES in 2 separate cities.
squidstings said:
been a while but, just how does one get a "," in the phone keyboard? long press * for P, but no ",".
Now that time has passed and more people might be awake and less likely to make excuses, I'm wondering if this issue can be solved, or at lest thought about intelligently. Maybe someone who knows how it CAN happen, instead of trying to find ways I'm mistaken. this was on THREE SEPARATE PHONES in 2 separate cities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check with a root app to see if your device is rooted
check permissions also you can take back permissions with a app on fdroid
unknown app check with virus total or
IF someone has root on your phone they can do what they want and when they want
a app that has call access they can transfer information over a phone connection which can be anything
The troubling thing here is that your phone was unlocked w/o you which implies root access
IF you bought your phone new you might not be anybody but to be put in perspective amazon lets you steal $500 if you use another id and they say it is not you so you do not lose out
but if it is used this can be from the previous user.
The best thing to do if it does not stop is to upgrade the software on the phone if you have already done that then use a Root firewall or change to a rom here on xda (you can all change making the transition easier).
Applied Protocol said:
Check with a root app to see if your device is rooted
check permissions also you can take back permissions with a app on fdroid
unknown app check with virus total or
IF someone has root on your phone they can do what they want and when they want
a app that has call access they can transfer information over a phone connection which can be anything
The troubling thing here is that your phone was unlocked w/o you which implies root access
IF you bought your phone new you might not be anybody but to be put in perspective amazon lets you steal $500 if you use another id and they say it is not you so you do not lose out
but if it is used this can be from the previous user.
The best thing to do if it does not stop is to upgrade the software on the phone if you have already done that then use a Root firewall or change to a rom here on xda (you can all change making the transition easier).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for taking the issue seriously and not trying to force kool aid down my throat (if carrier was "trust"worthy, THEY would have solved it).
It didn't show root. 2 of 3 m9s were mysteriously unlocked. the 3rd did prompt for a code, but did also show those "unknown #" calls. However, I'm still stuck on the code. I can't even enter a ",". Didn't check the other units for it, but it's still the only unanswered issue that could explain the unlock (aside from your suggestion). No one's even heard of it, but programmers are known for adding backdoors. If anyone's got a new, s-on unit and feels like trying it, that's about the only way to get an answer.
It's dead now anyways. Battery won't charge unless powered off and went from 24+hours regular standby to about 3 hours with extreme powersave on, overnight and doesn't extend with usb power. usb data comm isn't even recognized. All 3 have failed actually (different ways) so I'm going back to my m7 which still works great. Except, it says s-on but works with different carriers and I can't even enter the code I paid for (no prompt. is there another way?)
So, here's the tinfoil hat part. Although I'm nobody, This all started around the time of the '16 election. when I was arguing with a youtube account named (not looking to attract attention so no name, but you know it) for the person who came 2nd.
Thank you for your help. It's a shame it's pooched before solving the issue. But hopefully, the code will be solved.
But any help entering my sim unlock code a different way would be appreciated. But if other carrier sims work, should root be doable while showing s-on?
Thanks a TON!!
squidstings said:
Thank you for taking the issue seriously and not trying to force kool aid down my throat (if carrier was "trust"worthy, THEY would have solved it).
No one's even heard of it, but programmers are known for adding backdoors. If anyone's got a new, s-on unit and feels like trying it, that's about the only way to get an answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would seem in your case that it is a setting change that was made and not comparable to other phones. Probably what we are talking about is a connection to a command server. S-on is a protection so that one cannot change the state of certain partitions namely the recovery boot and system however their are ways to get around this. You would need to get a root app to do that.
As a general rule you need to prove something is going on and funny numbers are a indication but nobody in the security community would touch it because it is very open. What you need to do however is
Get a copy of the calls use pcap and
check your firmware with the standard HTC firmware
this will show you what the phone call is doing and will help the android community overall (improved security)
Also programmers do not try to add backdoors they try to have a good product it is the hacking/security teams of _________ that do that. This being a programmer myself.

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