Database Info

Stolen Phone.... Any Help??

I know this isn't a wm6 question, but I do know this is the most viewed forum for this wizard, and I am really reaching out for help from yall. I am fairly certain my phone just got stolen within the past couple of hours. I'm sure many of yall are like myself, in the face that having your wizard stolen/lost would be probably on of the list of things you would forever dread happening. I have tried calling it and it goes straight to voicemail.. Which for my phone (and probably many of yalls) never never happens. I NEVER turn it off.. Unless its getting a new rom or being reset it doesn't know what being turned off is like... So the fact it is going to voicemail leads me to believe a couple things and scenarios.
First someone jacked it, couldn't figure it out, and it turned it off to later resale or whatever else.
Second, since my phone is the Cingular 8125, if the person who stole it has cingular, they could have popped their sim card in, thus making any call I would recieve go straight to voicemail...
I bought the phone off of ebay, so its never been formerly aknowleged with cingular that I have it.
My question is... If someone was to try to use it, is there anyway cingular would even be able to tell (since technically it was never registered officially with them), or should I possibly say goodbye forever...
Also I had no security/stolen phone programs installed... totally regret that now..
I know its just a phone, and not the end of the world. However I know this is a forum where our phones aren't just always phones, but something we put a lot of time and energy into. So I hope you feel where I am coming from...
I am currently a college student, stuggling as all of us are... So losing it is going to hurt the ole wallet pretty hard no matter what I end up doing.. Any input yall have whatsoever is greatly appreciated..
Thanks for listening and letter me vent...

Unfortunately, its probably gone, and I doubt its traceable (if you know the IMEI of the phone, you might be able to get Cingular to shut it off the network, but I doubt they do much more than that).
I've been thinking about installing one of the anti-theft programs (there is a free one I recall that will detect a differnet SIM card). Seeing your post makes me think I need to find this now and look into doing this (I've come close to leaving mine at a resteraunt a few times).
BTW: While I realize you are a college student, but if you have renters insurance (I'm assuming you don't own a home, otherwise we'd be talking homeowners insurance instead), you could possibly make a claim on this there. Also (not that it helps that much) when you do your taxes next year, you can claim property theft (make sure you have documentation though) as a loss / write off (but you have to itemize to claim that so may not be worth it to you if you don't already itemize).

mfrazzz said:
Unfortunately, its probably gone, and I doubt its traceable (if you know the IMEI of the phone, you might be able to get Cingular to shut it off the network, but I doubt they do much more than that).
I've been thinking about installing one of the anti-theft programs (there is a free one I recall that will detect a differnet SIM card). Seeing your post makes me think I need to find this now and look into doing this (I've come close to leaving mine at a resteraunt a few times).
BTW: While I realize you are a college student, but if you have renters insurance (I'm assuming you don't own a home, otherwise we'd be talking homeowners insurance instead), you could possibly make a claim on this there. Also (not that it helps that much) when you do your taxes next year, you can claim property theft (make sure you have documentation though) as a loss / write off (but you have to itemize to claim that so may not be worth it to you if you don't already itemize).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mfrazzz,
You are truly a good person. Not only do you give your time an effort in regards to fine roms and teaching, but you you reach out and help anyone an regarding anything. You gave Zack84a an honest answer and something too turn a bad situation good. I commend you and appreciate you. It's a nice way to be!

http://thinkabdul.com/2007/03/02/mo...monitor-sim-card-changes-via-gps-coordinates/
the above link is for the above mentioned security freeware, at that site is a link for the download, as well as an explanation of how it works. i'm gonna install it now, and hope it works. sorry to hear about your 8125, i know this link is too late for you, but perhaps will help someone in the future.

I don't know how it works in the US but this is what I would be thinking if this happened to me in the UK...
1. I need to report the SIM card stolen to my carrier straight away. Any calls made on that SIM before I report it stolen means I have to pay for them.
2. When reporting it stolen I'd ask the carrier to block both the SIM and phone IMEI. I don't need to know the IMEI, the carrier can trace that from my phone number. It also doesn't matter if I bought the phone from my carrier or elsewhere as my account with them is registered by the SIM.
3. The best I could hope for is that once the phone is IMEI blocked the thief will throw it away and some kind person will hand it in to a police station. Here in the UK you can register your IMEI on a national police computer database so it can be sent back to you if found (obviously if you don't have a record of your IMEI then you can't do this, and here in the UK a carrier wouldn't be allowed to give you the IMEI).
Hope some of this might help.

akashastrega said:
http://thinkabdul.com/2007/03/02/mo...monitor-sim-card-changes-via-gps-coordinates/
the above link is for the above mentioned security freeware, at that site is a link for the download, as well as an explanation of how it works. i'm gonna install it now, and hope it works. sorry to hear about your 8125, i know this link is too late for you, but perhaps will help someone in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to remember one thing about that software. It only works if your phone has GPS. The 8125 does not have GPS hardware. So this wont do anything for us 8125 or MDA users.

something i did, was change my boot screen. it has an image i like, but using a paint program, i typed over the image:
this mda belongs to jennifer boyd
it may have been lost or stolen
if found please contact me
[email protected]
at least when they boot the phone, unless they whore xda and KNOW how to change the boot screens, they will see this message...in my mind, it may not get my phone back, but at least i will guilt trip the person...and if it is found, perhaps a kind person will actually return it to me.
and all the above suggestions are good. i wish you the best of luck. i'd freak if i lost my precious.
and damn and double damn, i was hoping that software would help. guess i'll stick to my guilt tripping method.

How about this one?
nottoosmart said:
You have to remember one thing about that software. It only works if your phone has GPS. The 8125 does not have GPS hardware. So this wont do anything for us 8125 or MDA users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.scpsoft.com/
I´m sorry Zack84a, I know is too late.... but here it is, doesn´t require GPS and creates a similar message as described in the prvious post.

luiggi said:
http://www.scpsoft.com/
I´m sorry Zack84a, I know is too late.... but here it is, doesn´t require GPS and creates a similar message as described in the prvious post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone used and tested this app? Is it worth $20? Sorry to here about the lost phone Z!

akashastrega said:
something i did, was change my boot screen. it has an image i like, but using a paint program, i typed over the image:
this mda belongs to jennifer boyd
it may have been lost or stolen
if found please contact me
[email protected]
at least when they boot the phone, unless they whore xda and KNOW how to change the boot screens, they will see this message...in my mind, it may not get my phone back, but at least i will guilt trip the person...and if it is found, perhaps a kind person will actually return it to me.
and all the above suggestions are good. i wish you the best of luck. i'd freak if i lost my precious.
and damn and double damn, i was hoping that software would help. guess i'll stick to my guilt tripping method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have done a similar thing, by putting the "owner" info into the rom and changing the registry to remove the "owner info" control pannel applet then when they hard reset they get my welcome note same as you and also they can't disable/change owner details

Thanks everyone.....
I've pretty much decided that getting it back is a lost cause.....
I encourage everyone to some type of antitheft application installed... its something I always saw, but always thought "oh it will never happen to me"....
If anyone knows of someone trying to get rid of their wizard, or know of a place other than ebay that sells used phones... please let me know...
Zack
ps mfrazzz
Thanks for the help that you give everyone in this forum.... Its probably no coincidence that you were the first to reply and the fact that I had crossbow reloaded on my phone at time it was stolen... You do awesome work and are an asset to this forum...

eye on thief
Hi
Since a couple of weeks I have the application Eye on Thief on it... and... it works.
Eye on thief is an application that sends an SMS message to a predefined other number (of your girlfiend/mom/dad/... ).
In that way you have the mobile phonenumber of the one who stole it/found it/ bought it from the thief.

akashastrega said:
http://thinkabdul.com/2007/03/02/mo...monitor-sim-card-changes-via-gps-coordinates/
the above link is for the above mentioned security freeware, at that site is a link for the download, as well as an explanation of how it works. i'm gonna install it now, and hope it works. sorry to hear about your 8125, i know this link is too late for you, but perhaps will help someone in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, MobileJustice is free, and it does work fine on the Wizard (you just can't use the GPS or LOCman part of it). I installed it last night on my phone (after reading Zack84a's post) and set it up and it sent an SMS to my wife's phone when I didn't tell it a valid SIM. Also has a feature where you can send an SMS to your phone (so after you get the SMS about an unknown sim, you can reply back) with a password and a command and put messages on the screen of your phone (they don't see the SMS come in, just suddenly a dialog box with your text shows up on the screen).
I've made a package for this, and plan on building this in to the next version of Crossbow Reloaded if people want to use it. Like Zack84a, I've always seen these apps, but just thought I'd do it later... Seeing his post has made me realize I need to put this in place.
Downside with MobileJustice is unless you build something inot the extended rom, a hard reset would knock it out. Some of the commercial stuff apparently does this for you (so that alone may make it worth the $20 or so to register).

IMEI nomber
Hey Zack84a,
Your Cingular 8125 IMEI # is on a label on the original box, if U still got it/keep it.

Hey, I have a friend selling his T-mobile MDA (htc wizard) for $200. Let me know soon, and I can put you in contact with him, cuz he's posting it on ebay.

hey i know exactly how you feel. my phone didnt exactly get stolen but it was lost and i wasnt able to find it. and here in the US theres not much you can do about your phone getting stolen so it really sucks. luckily i got a new one from a friend because he works for cingular and someone that worked there had it.i put the security software on my new phone too.
so im sorry for your lose and hope you figure something out.

mfrazzz said:
Actually, MobileJustice is free, and it does work fine on the Wizard (you just can't use the GPS or LOCman part of it). I installed it last night on my phone (after reading Zack84a's post) and set it up and it sent an SMS to my wife's phone when I didn't tell it a valid SIM. Also has a feature where you can send an SMS to your phone (so after you get the SMS about an unknown sim, you can reply back) with a password and a command and put messages on the screen of your phone (they don't see the SMS come in, just suddenly a dialog box with your text shows up on the screen).
I've made a package for this, and plan on building this in to the next version of Crossbow Reloaded if people want to use it. Like Zack84a, I've always seen these apps, but just thought I'd do it later... Seeing his post has made me realize I need to put this in place.
Downside with MobileJustice is unless you build something inot the extended rom, a hard reset would knock it out. Some of the commercial stuff apparently does this for you (so that alone may make it worth the $20 or so to register).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't figure it out! I put a bogus SIM number in and the wife's phone number to report to and I did a soft reset and nothing!

calouro said:
I can't figure it out! I put a bogus SIM number in and the wife's phone number to report to and I did a soft reset and nothing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the 3rd post of the Crossbow Reloaded 1.7 thread. Maybe that will help. Personally to test it I've just deleted all sim's in the auth list. Just enabled it and setup the person to send it to.

Thanks, but I did what the post said, still no go! I sent an SMS to my wife's phone manually (just to make sure it works) and it went through! So, for some reason, the MJ program just will not work with my config. Not sure why.

Zack84a said:
I know this isn't a wm6 question, but I do know this is the most viewed forum for this wizard, and I am really reaching out for help from yall. I am fairly certain my phone just got stolen within the past couple of hours. I'm sure many of yall are like myself, in the face that having your wizard stolen/lost would be probably on of the list of things you would forever dread happening. I have tried calling it and it goes straight to voicemail.. Which for my phone (and probably many of yalls) never never happens. I NEVER turn it off.. Unless its getting a new rom or being reset it doesn't know what being turned off is like... So the fact it is going to voicemail leads me to believe a couple things and scenarios.
First someone jacked it, couldn't figure it out, and it turned it off to later resale or whatever else.
Second, since my phone is the Cingular 8125, if the person who stole it has cingular, they could have popped their sim card in, thus making any call I would recieve go straight to voicemail...
I bought the phone off of ebay, so its never been formerly aknowleged with cingular that I have it.
My question is... If someone was to try to use it, is there anyway cingular would even be able to tell (since technically it was never registered officially with them), or should I possibly say goodbye forever...
Also I had no security/stolen phone programs installed... totally regret that now..
I know its just a phone, and not the end of the world. However I know this is a forum where our phones aren't just always phones, but something we put a lot of time and energy into. So I hope you feel where I am coming from...
I am currently a college student, stuggling as all of us are... So losing it is going to hurt the ole wallet pretty hard no matter what I end up doing.. Any input yall have whatsoever is greatly appreciated..
Thanks for listening and letter me vent...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you still have your phone box?? perhaps you can report the IMEI of the phone so they disable it and no one can use it, more over they can catch the robber.
Good luck m8. im sorry for you big loss

[Q] (not) Unique Situation - Have 2 Galaxy S3 Verizon and Need Guidance

Hi:
I started writing a thread the other day but stopped as it was full of drama and detail not important. This is what happened (when there is drama I will insert [D] with no detail so the context is maintained a bit.
I was minding my own business when one day last week my Samsung Galaxy G3 (I535) suddenly lost the ability to make/receive calls. I was on 4.1.2 and rooted, bootloader unlocked via ODIN. I thought I had loaded software that caused the problem. Couldn't resolve. Called Verizon [D] [D] to level 2, no problem, let me check a few things, OK, cool, do you have 2nd SIM? Yes! OK, it must be the phone, let's get you a replacement.. (Saturday, Phone arrives Tues).
New phone, powers up, no updates, authentication nightmare. Will not auth. Call Verizon...just wait a while?...OK.
Some hours later, authenticated. Very odd problems: charge isn't indicated on several chargers, then it is, then it isn't, charger independent? Keyboard exhibits over 1000 ms delay on press; unusable. Several other odd problems. Confused, I look online: Verizon Galaxy G3 4.4.2 update slow. First two hits happen to be Verizon's own "self-support" boards. All my symptoms and more. Lot's of Verizon's taking customers through the swamp looking for snipe. Reboot, Sim pull/insert, Factory Reset. Called Verizon back, hold times 4x previous call. Getting to Level 2 very difficult, CS rep actually states: "I know most of our phones and I haven't heard this set of problems". I refered him to Verizon's web site, grudingly sends me to Level 2. Extremely long hold time, and upon answer that group is not busy at all but relaxing talking together. Guy is grumpy, "Let me check something", back without hold in about 10 mins. "What ROM did you flash on the phone!?" first thing he said to me.
I've never flashed a ROM on any phone, for the record. I told him I knew what was and didn't do that. He insisted that he "couldn't read the software on the phone" [D] [D]!
I maintained polite, and focused on a solution, but he would not hear of that. I also offered to do a Factory Reset at least twice. "The Custom ROM will still be there after Factory Reset!" Perhaps, but then that would prove what I did and didn't do, maybe? Finally, I told him that I was very tired, and we weren't solving anything. Could I have an problem ticket number or incident number for reference. "We don't use those anymore". "You can have my employee ID and my phone number." Sorry if this is not PC, but it felt like a rapist giving his victim his contact information, should victim want to be in touch. I said, no, I'll just call back.
Immediately upon termination the new phone (replacement) displayed "Safe Mode" no apps, and the inabilty to unselect "screen mirroring" a new feature to me, but now turned on. I pull the SIM and factory reset, even though I had loaded many apps back (Inclulding Towelroot, which I had found and implemented). Although no idication of root before, the phone showed rooted and customer or modified, I don't remember the fields. Next day called back, long holds, CS OK, everyone had read Level 2 notes. Sent me up to Level 2. Long hold time, over 30 minutes. Cold response. I asked why the replacement of a non-functioning device had branched into, after receiving said device, two separate issues, to me it was one, getting my service back. Cold, "what do you want us to do?" Not knowing, I said, "I don't know, I just want the phone to work". Finally he went to talk to the boss, came back at 0 deg. Kelvin, through clenched teeth: You can take your phone to Best Buy, they will flash it back (I presumed to 4.1.2), after factory reboot and confirm no....[D] Thanks, I terminated.
At this point I had no working phone for several days, and I felt very upset about the entire situation, especially how I'd been treated by the last two guys. The first after the replacement was so out of line he should have been sanctioned, and an appology directed at me by manager, unless....
This is what they intended to happen. Because the OTA updates hadn't taken, perhaps, they disabled the G3 connection on the device (and it was unprovisioned on their server), knew this would lead to the likely steps above, and were so intent on getting me under their control with 4.4.2 (which I knew nothing about, in terms of root, etc), they had manipulated me to 4.4.2? I am a long time customer with unlimited data, a withdrawn discount, and paying over $200 for two lines with shared limited minutes and txt. No contract.
Whatever the case I still have my 4.1.2 G3 (no voice) and the 4.4.2 replacement. Obviously, I cannot consider staying at Verizon (likely what they want, apparently). Which do I keep? How do I prep the other for return to them? Know any good class action attorney? Obviously, Verizon is too big to care about me and, like so many huge corporations, no one dares attempt to regulate them.
Thanks for any advice. For infomormation on any technical steps to support the above paragraph, please simply refer me to the thread or post and I'll take it from there. I am not super technical, and had to re-do the original ODIN process about 3 times before it took, so any existing process instructions targeted at the Stupid User level would be appropriate and very much appreciated.
Sorry this is so long, I honestly left out a few calls because it just dawned on me, after I called V back today to figure out next steps, the guy listened (read the notes), said I was very poorly handled, I deserved better, would go talk to manager, be right back, 20 minutes later, manager still busy, can he call me back? Sure, gave info. Not a single call or attempt. That was the "It's not us, it's you response" but made to sound the other way round. Apparently they want me to walk away with a useless device, and since it's old and I'm not under contract, but love the phone, I can't understand why they would destroy my property and tell me to f-off, other than they feel like it.
If this sounds like paranoia, you might be surprised what big companies will do to you if they can. And so far, I'm the only one harmed, since they probably expected me to stop days ago. In any event, I have to send back a phone to them and hopefully keep one that works somewhere else. Please help me with the steps I need to take.
If you like history, or want to see how the big guys got a stranglehold on the US after the Civil War, then were forced back into decency by Teddy Roosevelt, W. Wilson, and FDR check out the Roosevelt 7 part documentrary recently appearing on PBS. I'm up to Episode 4, and already knew much of the story, but the detailed focus on their private and public lives and how they matured and developed is moving, enlightening, and awe-inspiring.
Thank You in Advance,
Mark

I really should say I'm surprised but in reality I'm not. Your right when you say they don't care because I've experienced it for myself and with my gf over the phone and my mom for that matter. The sad part is they are getting way too big for even themselves and like most companies don't have very good customer service. I'm unlocked as well and have never had issues with voice calls on this phone, only my first phone with a weird rom. It's not there business to ask you if you've installed a custom rom or not. I wouldn't even of answered the question myself.
Personally i would dump verizon if they treated me like that. I was in the store yesterday with my gf and she is a looooong time VZW customer. I'm taking 14 plus years and she went to best buy to get a phone because VZW doesn't know how to take care of customers at all.
It's a sad trend but the bigger the company the worse the customer service is
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP

mrbonine said:
Hi:
I started writing a thread the other day but stopped as it was full of drama and detail not important. This is what happened (when there is drama I will insert [D] with no detail so the context is maintained a bit.
I was minding my own business when one day last week my Samsung Galaxy G3 (I535) suddenly lost the ability to make/receive calls. I was on 4.1.2 and rooted, bootloader unlocked via ODIN. I thought I had loaded software that caused the problem. Couldn't resolve. Called Verizon [D] [D] to level 2, no problem, let me check a few things, OK, cool, do you have 2nd SIM? Yes! OK, it must be the phone, let's get you a replacement.. (Saturday, Phone arrives Tues).
New phone, powers up, no updates, authentication nightmare. Will not auth. Call Verizon...just wait a while?...OK.
Some hours later, authenticated. Very odd problems: charge isn't indicated on several chargers, then it is, then it isn't, charger independent? Keyboard exhibits over 1000 ms delay on press; unusable. Several other odd problems. Confused, I look online: Verizon Galaxy G3 4.4.2 update slow. First two hits happen to be Verizon's own "self-support" boards. All my symptoms and more. Lot's of Verizon's taking customers through the swamp looking for snipe. Reboot, Sim pull/insert, Factory Reset. Called Verizon back, hold times 4x previous call. Getting to Level 2 very difficult, CS rep actually states: "I know most of our phones and I haven't heard this set of problems". I refered him to Verizon's web site, grudingly sends me to Level 2. Extremely long hold time, and upon answer that group is not busy at all but relaxing talking together. Guy is grumpy, "Let me check something", back without hold in about 10 mins. "What ROM did you flash on the phone!?" first thing he said to me.
I've never flashed a ROM on any phone, for the record. I told him I knew what was and didn't do that. He insisted that he "couldn't read the software on the phone" [D] [D]!
I maintained polite, and focused on a solution, but he would not hear of that. I also offered to do a Factory Reset at least twice. "The Custom ROM will still be there after Factory Reset!" Perhaps, but then that would prove what I did and didn't do, maybe? Finally, I told him that I was very tired, and we weren't solving anything. Could I have an problem ticket number or incident number for reference. "We don't use those anymore". "You can have my employee ID and my phone number." Sorry if this is not PC, but it felt like a rapist giving his victim his contact information, should victim want to be in touch. I said, no, I'll just call back.
Immediately upon termination the new phone (replacement) displayed "Safe Mode" no apps, and the inabilty to unselect "screen mirroring" a new feature to me, but now turned on. I pull the SIM and factory reset, even though I had loaded many apps back (Inclulding Towelroot, which I had found and implemented). Although no idication of root before, the phone showed rooted and customer or modified, I don't remember the fields. Next day called back, long holds, CS OK, everyone had read Level 2 notes. Sent me up to Level 2. Long hold time, over 30 minutes. Cold response. I asked why the replacement of a non-functioning device had branched into, after receiving said device, two separate issues, to me it was one, getting my service back. Cold, "what do you want us to do?" Not knowing, I said, "I don't know, I just want the phone to work". Finally he went to talk to the boss, came back at 0 deg. Kelvin, through clenched teeth: You can take your phone to Best Buy, they will flash it back (I presumed to 4.1.2), after factory reboot and confirm no....[D] Thanks, I terminated.
At this point I had no working phone for several days, and I felt very upset about the entire situation, especially how I'd been treated by the last two guys. The first after the replacement was so out of line he should have been sanctioned, and an appology directed at me by manager, unless....
This is what they intended to happen. Because the OTA updates hadn't taken, perhaps, they disabled the G3 connection on the device (and it was unprovisioned on their server), knew this would lead to the likely steps above, and were so intent on getting me under their control with 4.4.2 (which I knew nothing about, in terms of root, etc), they had manipulated me to 4.4.2? I am a long time customer with unlimited data, a withdrawn discount, and paying over $200 for two lines with shared limited minutes and txt. No contract.
Whatever the case I still have my 4.1.2 G3 (no voice) and the 4.4.2 replacement. Obviously, I cannot consider staying at Verizon (likely what they want, apparently). Which do I keep? How do I prep the other for return to them? Know any good class action attorney? Obviously, Verizon is too big to care about me and, like so many huge corporations, no one dares attempt to regulate them.
Thanks for any advice. For infomormation on any technical steps to support the above paragraph, please simply refer me to the thread or post and I'll take it from there. I am not super technical, and had to re-do the original ODIN process about 3 times before it took, so any existing process instructions targeted at the Stupid User level would be appropriate and very much appreciated.
Sorry this is so long, I honestly left out a few calls because it just dawned on me, after I called V back today to figure out next steps, the guy listened (read the notes), said I was very poorly handled, I deserved better, would go talk to manager, be right back, 20 minutes later, manager still busy, can he call me back? Sure, gave info. Not a single call or attempt. That was the "It's not us, it's you response" but made to sound the other way round. Apparently they want me to walk away with a useless device, and since it's old and I'm not under contract, but love the phone, I can't understand why they would destroy my property and tell me to f-off, other than they feel like it.
If this sounds like paranoia, you might be surprised what big companies will do to you if they can. And so far, I'm the only one harmed, since they probably expected me to stop days ago. In any event, I have to send back a phone to them and hopefully keep one that works somewhere else. Please help me with the steps I need to take.
If you like history, or want to see how the big guys got a stranglehold on the US after the Civil War, then were forced back into decency by Teddy Roosevelt, W. Wilson, and FDR check out the Roosevelt 7 part documentrary recently appearing on PBS. I'm up to Episode 4, and already knew much of the story, but the detailed focus on their private and public lives and how they matured and developed is moving, enlightening, and awe-inspiring.
Thank You in Advance,
Mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't really have any info to help you, so I apologize for that.
But out of curiosity, do you have the MyVerizon app (or whatever the name is) installed?
At one point the app requested root permission, which is EXTREMELY sketchy in my opinion. I wonder if you grant it, or even deny it (if they can detect the denial) if they ASSUMED that you installed a custom ROM, because a lot of those that root also install custom ROMs.
Maybe just try at a different time of day to maybe get a call center in a different state or country?
That is extremely unprofessional on their part though...
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app

XdrummerXboy said:
I don't really have any info to help you, so I apologize for that.
But out of curiosity, do you have the MyVerizon app (or whatever the name is) installed?
At one point the app requested root permission, which is EXTREMELY sketchy in my opinion. I wonder if you grant it, or even deny it (if they can detect the denial) if they ASSUMED that you installed a custom ROM, because a lot of those that root also install custom ROMs.
Maybe just try at a different time of day to maybe get a call center in a different state or country?
That is extremely unprofessional on their part though...
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Speaking of verizon and apps. My gf when she was on the phone was told by a rep that she had updated an app the previous day through Google play. Talk about sketchy! Yea I remember when the verizon app requested root permissions on my phone, that was it for verizon apps for me
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP

ShapesBlue said:
Speaking of verizon and apps. My gf when she was on the phone was told by a rep that she had updated an app the previous day through Google play. Talk about sketchy! Yea I remember when the verizon app requested root permissions on my phone, that was it for verizon apps for me
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, that takes things to a whole new level....
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app

XdrummerXboy said:
Wow, that takes things to a whole new level....
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
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Your telling me. She's not rooted or unlocked though but that's still messed up. She got her shiny new S5 yesterday, looks nice
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP

ShapesBlue said:
Your telling me. She's not rooted or unlocked though but that's still messed up. She got her shiny new S5 yesterday, looks nice
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP
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Hmm.. I wonder how they knew that then
Nice! I wanted the S5 or Note4, but I'll be hanging onto the S3 for another year. I can't justify buying one when I have a baby on the way
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app

XdrummerXboy said:
Hmm.. I wonder how they knew that then
Nice! I wanted the S5 or Note4, but I'll be hanging onto the S3 for another year. I can't justify buying one when I have a baby on the way
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
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I hear that. I have mine until June next year. Not quite sure what I'm doing just yet. The Super power saving mode is quite a nice feature. It basically disables all apps but the essential ones. The battery life then goes way over a day plus on the S5
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP

Et tu Verizon
Thanks for the info. I did have the MyVerizon app installed, I believe. I don't remember it requesting root, but I sometimes click through those things without paying too much attention (since I'm fairly careful about what goes on the phone); the reason I install software requiring root is to access it (circular, I know) so, they are doing what they must to run. I appreciate the suggestions about other call centers, etc. I do have the contact information from the single most helpful and polite (funny how that goes together) person I talked to through this debacle. I'll drop him a quick note, but really, since they never even bothered to call back, it's clear to me that they want me to leave. Paying over $200 per month to be treated like crap is not something I could ever do. They are big, very profitable, and don't care about anything but extracting cash from people under contract, or too complacent to leave (I'm in the 2nd category until now). Being in a codependent relationship with Verizon is not only self-defeating, but irrational. Until we have some politicians owned by the people instead of corporations we have no chance of reigning these folks in. Sure, they employ lot's of people, but an army of good people working against the best interest of everyone is not good, it's an uncontrollable menace: just look at the banks that gambled with people's homes, lost their bets, then collateralized them when the bottom fell out of their own septic tank of greed. The entire world economy hit an air pocket, but we're still letting the same greed intoxicated pilots fly. My only regret is believing their lies as long as I did. I deserve better, and it's won't be particularly hard to find it. Since the 4.4.3 G3 (nor the 4.1.2 for that matter) are particularly compatible with the GSM carriers, and Samsung is the lookout for the felonious Verizon, I'll probably get a Nexus 5. I think the G5 is better for several reasons, but that's too bad. All of the tech and marketing in the world will not make me "grateful" to manufacturers or carriers that somehow feel controlling how you use the equipment you buy from them is somehow acceptable. The money Verizon cares about is the corporate contracts, since they can manage that process much better, the revenue is less volatile, and they don't have to take calls from subscribers, wasting the money that could be spent on acquisitions, and expanding their market oligarchy. Public utilities create natural monopolies. There are not 2 sets of power lines, or water lines, or sewers running into your home. And the idea that competition from fiber will for improvements from Comcast is false, prices may move, but service will not get better. Only when barriers of entry are low can new competitors help drive down the price of entrenched utilities. We could all create our own mobile system on meshes of unlicensed 5.0 Gig or other spectrum, but it would be very costly to do that and linking this metropolitan radio webs would be tricky. But probably, someone is already working on that. Ask a HAM radio enthusiast about how they handle phone calls over shortwave. They have licenses, yes, but the technology to connect 2-way voice wireless signals to PSTN phone calls has been around for many years. Big corporations exact huge profits and drag down anyone that needs the services, the trick is to find creative ways around them, most importantly by thinking outside of the feature/function cage they've placed around us. Soon, you'll be able to buy just the cable channels you want, perhaps. I have hundreds and I generally watch less than 10.
The accusation flung at me by the enraged employee is little more that hot air. It reflects a corporate culture of mendacity and blame. My fault was to allow him to take control of the conversation, for a millisecond. Whatever I've done to the software on the phone (which, as you noted, was not a ROM change) it's still my phone and not theirs. They don't even provide the "insurance" to replace the failed device, a third party does. I didn't stop my phone from working to get a new phone. Had the replacement worked as well or better as the one it replaced I would have been happy. Now, I'm going over a week with no phone and they will never get paid for that week. The longer it takes to resolve, the less on my final bill, which will be coming up soon. When folks have experiences like this it's best to communicate the problem to the FCC (as if they cared) and their state PUC. Not that they will do anything about it, but it's important to remember they have a duty to regulate whether this group of appointees cares or not. The only thing that affects Verizon is withdrawing my monthly gratuity and when that happens because of abuse, manipulation, and possible fraud, the regulators need to be informed, if only so they can't say they didn't know.
Thanks for the reminder that they have no business asking questions about rooted phones or ROMS. That lingering guilt that one may have done something Daddy Verizon doesn't approve of is there, for sure, but since what I was accused of I didn't do, it was easier to just say, no, I didn't do that.....when I offered to factory reset TWICE during the call and he pretended not to hear me I realized it was all just a manipulative game played by a bully. No, no lunch money for you today, dude. I think they actually hire volatile people and use them as scarecrows. If Verizon didn't want their customers to be exposed to abuse, they'd fire these guys. The second guy was so cold, trying to do the right thing, but hating it. If you've ever been to a time-share presentation and not purchased one, you are familiar with this game. It's not only wrong, but it reflects how truly manipulative and immoral the employers are, they are paying the guy to be insulting, intimidating, and thuggish. So many large companies act this way, it's amazing we let them get away with it. The only way to stop it is to stop paying them and tell them why. I worked in a small hardware store in a small town 30+ years ago. Even when customers were trying some trick, like returning something they didn't buy from us, or a more elaborate ruse (I'll bring the old stuff back tomorrow......), I just explained how it worked and enforced the process; I never shouted, "You are so busted...." These were customers, some making honest errors, some trying to take advantage, but there were none I didn't want to come back again, because it would be bad for business and likely make an enemy. After I leave Verizon I will never give them another dime ever, and I think they honestly don't believe that.
XdrummerXboy said:
I don't really have any info to help you, so I apologize for that.
But out of curiosity, do you have the MyVerizon app (or whatever the name is) installed?
At one point the app requested root permission, which is EXTREMELY sketchy in my opinion. I wonder if you grant it, or even deny it (if they can detect the denial) if they ASSUMED that you installed a custom ROM, because a lot of those that root also install custom ROMs.
Maybe just try at a different time of day to maybe get a call center in a different state or country?
That is extremely unprofessional on their part though...
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[Completed] Locked relative out of phone :(

Hey all, firstly, sorry this is a rushed post but I'm hoping I can get some advice and pointed in the right direction. I'll start by saying I'm fairly experienced in tech and with Android.
So, a family member was having problem with her new android phone (Samsung J ... 6, 5 or something, I can find out) so I said I'd just do a factory reset - there was nothing on there she was worried about losing).
Long story short, this new security feature (if stolen) where you can't just factory reset has completely screwed me over. They are not tech orientated and can not remember the original google login they made, and barely half of the security questions to remember the original google account. I just want to cry. What was a basic factory reset has turned out to looking like I've 'bricked' their phone. I obviously haven't but it doesn't look good. I've read there's an APK to skip this google sign in step, and I feel competent to do it, but I feel like things can only get worse by this point. There is still hope to reset the google account, but what is your experience using this skip sign in APK. It sounds too easy, for would be thieves, and I don't trust it much. I'm thinking this has gone far enough, I should just tell her to take it back to the provider (EE UK) She's only had it a month. Any idea if they can do this in store or it'll be sent off. Any other words of advice with this skip sign in APK; pulling hair out, thanks
EDIT: Am I right in thinking I can't contact google any further to get the original account back?

whatsoup said:
Hey all, firstly, sorry this is a rushed post but I'm hoping I can get some advice and pointed in the right direction. I'll start by saying I'm fairly experienced in tech and with Android.
So, a family member was having problem with her new android phone (Samsung J ... 6, 5 or something, I can find out) so I said I'd just do a factory reset - there was nothing on there she was worried about losing).
Long story short, this new security feature (if stolen) where you can't just factory reset has completely screwed me over. They are not tech orientated and can not remember the original google login they made, and barely half of the security questions to remember the original google account. I just want to cry. What was a basic factory reset has turned out to looking like I've 'bricked' their phone. I obviously haven't but it doesn't look good. I've read there's an APK to skip this google sign in step, and I feel competent to do it, but I feel like things can only get worse by this point. There is still hope to reset the google account, but what is your experience using this skip sign in APK. It sounds too easy, for would be thieves, and I don't trust it much. I'm thinking this has gone far enough, I should just tell her to take it back to the provider (EE UK) She's only had it a month. Any idea if they can do this in store or it'll be sent off. Any other words of advice with this skip sign in APK; pulling hair out, thanks
EDIT: Am I right in thinking I can't contact google any further to get the original account back?
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Greetings!
Thank you for using XDA Assist.
Having the correct phone model would be helpful here because there are different methods available for fixing this issue. Google will be of no help whatsoever. You can try to bring the device to an authorized Samsung repair center, if available. Also I do recommend bringing it back to the original place of purchase.
Good luck!

Thanks for your reply and sorry for mine being so slow. I guess I'm on my own with this one, but if you can point me to the most favoured guide for a Samsung J36 (I think that is J3 (6) I would appreciate it.
The APK method seems seems easy enough but I'm really worried it has been patched out, seeing as it's a relatively new phone. The last thing I want to do is make it worse. Could you advise how safe the APK method is? usual disclaimers aside
I went into EE today and they weren't much help; they said there's not much they can do, which I don't believe, if we can prove the phone is from them, only a month ago. Thanks for your help. Stress :S

whatsoup said:
Thanks for your reply and sorry for mine being so slow. I guess I'm on my own with this one, but if you can point me to the most favoured guide for a Samsung J36 (I think that is J3 (6) I would appreciate it.
The APK method seems seems easy enough but I'm really worried it has been patched out, seeing as it's a relatively new phone. The last thing I want to do is make it worse. Could you advise how safe the APK method is? usual disclaimers aside
I went into EE today and they weren't much help; they said there's not much they can do, which I don't believe, if we can prove the phone is from them, only a month ago. Thanks for your help. Stress :S
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I haven't seen one for the J3 specifically, as there isn't a specific forum for that model on XDA. May I recommend doing a search to see what turns up. I know that official Samsung repair centers can fix this problem.

Will do, thanks. I wanted to avoid paying for a fix but if it keeps things safe, so be it. I'd have to travel so hopefully they'd do it on the spot. ty

Friend may be screwed - bypass Factory Reset Protection ( FRP ) on Pixel 3

One of my coworkers who is a nice guy, and far too naive and trusting to be using craigslist, bought a Pixel 3. His coming from an iPhone 5 and I guess the sim cards are different sizes. He took the sellers word for it and bought the phone. When he got home and tried setting it up while on wi-fi, it said that the phone was factory reset and needed to be signed in by the previous user. Naturally the guy has gone dark and is no longer responding to my coworker. After calling Google and having them turn him down for assistance, he prayed on it (I'm not even joking) and he remembered I routinely tinker with my phones.
I know it sounds sketchy whenever anyone asks how to bypass protections and I fully understand not wanting to help because others may see it. I have done searches on how to do this, but I am not having much luck. I do not know what version of Android this phone has on it, but I would assume Pie. I have't run stock for any longer than it takes to unlock the bootloader. I will provide any information I can. While I am not very active on the forum, I am a relatively long time member with no history of shady crap.
Any help or guidance would be very much appreciated!

It'll make a great paperweight at this point. The FRP is on there for a reason. Regardless weather he stole it, the seller stole it or you stole it, it still makes a great paperweight.

FilthyFord said:
It'll make a great paperweight at this point. The FRP is on there for a reason. Regardless weather he stole it, the seller stole it or you stole it, it still makes a great paperweight.
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I was afraid of that.

He should turn in to police, with a description and whatever contact information he had for seller. Definitely stolen property.

It may not be stolen if FRP is tripped. That will happen if you reset the phone and don't remove the Google account first. Of course seller going dark is a big clue that it may be stolen.

MOD ACTION:
Thread closed.
Asking for help and helping to bypass security is not encouraged on XDA, especially since there is no way to ascertain if the request is genuine or not.

Can i enable usb debugging on a locked phone or otherwise unlock it?

HI, my stepmoms brother recently passed away and she is asking me if there is any way to unlock his phone. She wants to extract the photos and check the messages for anything pertaining to his death. The sim card was empty
We dont have his samsung account and cant unlock it that way. The USB Debugging is turned off and the phone is not rooted.
Is there anyway to turn on ADB via recovery mode or anything like that? iOS had tons of lockscreen bypasses years ago, are there any for android? Thanks very much

No.
You need a data recovery specialist. Not sure if they can with a screen lock or not... probably not.
That be your best shot.
My thought is if he wanted it to be accessible he wouldn't have locked it...

blackhawk said:
No.
You need a data recovery specialist. Not sure if they can with a screen lock or not... probably not.
That be your best shot.
My thought is if he wanted it to be accessible he wouldn't have locked it...
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I lock my phone so my kids don't see a dirty pic or something. When I'm dead I probably won't have time to unlock it and I hope someone would help my family.
I used software back In the day to recover **** on a locked I phone 5 that my stepson forgot his info to. It wasn't complete data but got alot of photos back and scrambled texts. Obviously it's not a good idea of there's sensitive info but he was young and the phone was done for.
It advertised android but this was 4 years ago. It was sold under the guise of parental control/monitoring. Recovery.

Ry4n83 said:
I lock my phone so my kids don't see a dirty pic or something. When I'm dead I probably won't have time to unlock it and I hope someone would help my family.
I used software back In the day to recover **** on a locked I phone 5 that my stepson forgot his info to. It wasn't complete data but got alot of photos back and scrambled texts. Obviously it's not a good idea of there's sensitive info but he was young and the phone was done for.
It advertised android but this was 4 years ago. It was sold under the guise of parental control/monitoring. Recovery.
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You're point?
If the data is important than amateur attempts can complicate recovery or make it impossible if it is possible at all.
Even if recovered the file structure is destroyed which has far reaching consequences and limitations.
When you lock, encrypt or otherwise password a device, the person most likely to get locked out is you.
As for kids maybe you need to be more of an open book or get use to the fact the book maybe locked till the end of time.
My original thought on the matter stands, the owner wanted it for their eyes only.

blackhawk said:
You're point?
If the data is important than amateur attempts can complicate recovery or make it impossible if it is possible at all.
Even if recovered the file structure is destroyed which has far reaching consequences and limitations.
When you lock, encrypt or otherwise password a device, the person most likely to get locked out is you.
As for kids maybe you need to be more of an open book or get use to the fact the book maybe locked till the end of time.
My original thought on the matter stands, the owner wanted it for their eyes only.
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Man I was just trying to give them a glimmer of hope. I wasnt trying to claim your ethical stance isn't on point. Hell alot of devices require a lock to use stuff. So if by chance there are special photos maybe there's still a chance. I wasn't trying to be right or wrong just that it was possible at one point. Sorry my intent wasn't a disagreement just felt some sympathy for the situation. Have a good one.

Ry4n83 said:
Man I was just trying to give them a glimmer of hope. I wasnt trying to claim your ethical stance isn't on point. Hell alot of devices require a lock to use stuff. So if by chance there are special photos maybe there's still a chance. I wasn't trying to be right or wrong just that it was possible at one point. Sorry my intent wasn't a disagreement just felt some sympathy for the situation. Have a good one.
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Point is you're likely to do more damage than good if you don't know what you're doing.
Simply booting up the device risks overwriting the deleted data. It's unassigned disk space now, free for system use. A hands on recovery expert is the OP's best shot.
I wuv philosophical debates; you opened that door.
In reality we have no clue who this online OP is or who's phone it was. My empathy tends to go to whoever locked the device.
When I lock something it's with the intent I will be unlocking it. Unless I give someone the key as well...

blackhawk said:
When you lock, encrypt or otherwise password a device, the person most likely to get locked out is you.
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Totally agree with this.

@Ry4n83
My grandchilds all got a cheap phone with NO Internet access, only for calling. So it's granted they can't access stuff what isn't good for their mind.