Hello everybody. Please forgive me for showing my ignorance. I'm very new to Android phones so please bear with me.
I recently purchased a OnePlus One from a friend of mine. I've been using the phone for a week on T-Mobile's network without a hitch. It doesn't work so well in my basement apartment but I still love the phone. Anyway, I went to make a call yesterday (10/11) and "Mobile Network Not Available." I called T-Mobile. I was told that the mfr put a block on the IMEI as the phone had been reported lost or stolen. I can assure you, the person I purchased it from did no such thing nor, obviously, did I. Does anyone have an explanation as what might have happened?
Trying to get OnePlus Customer Service to contact me is like trying to swim through cement, so I'm turning to the pro's here I've read great things about this forum and I'm sure someone here can help me.
I will try anything at this point. If someone could email me, I'd be very grateful. Thanks for any guidance you can offer!
Fred
That's interesting. T-mobile should not have the power to block the imei since it's an international phone. Att doesn't even have the imei in their systems. You haven't attempted to root your phone correct?
Sent from my OnePlusOne
Check that you got a valid IMEI at all
Send from OnePlus One using Tapatalk
Are you in the UK? Did your friend get the phone new from 1+?
Maybe someone got hold of the imei number and then claimed on their insurance by saying it was lost or stolen. In the UK it doesn't matter if it is a carrier phone or sim free, if it is reported on the lost/stolen register it will be blocked and can't be unblocked. It will still work outside of the UK
osmosizzz said:
That's interesting. T-mobile should not have the power to block the imei since it's an international phone. Att doesn't even have the imei in their systems. You haven't attempted to root your phone correct?
Sent from my OnePlusOne
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According to T-Mobile, they cannot block a non-T-Mobile phone, as you say. No, I haven't attempted to root the phone. I know what rooting is but I'm such a technological idiot I would never attempt it.
Hey everyone.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
to be perfectly honest my dad has a att lg g3. A few months ago he switched to Verizon
due to a very large bill. He was considering selling the phone but was under the next program.
which means the device was Was not paid off. So I told him instead of selling it to someone then in a few month have the imei go bad Let me see if I can unlock the device and changer the imei, that way
the buyer isn't crewed over.
If any one can help me with these steps it would mean a lot.
Thanks!
Changing the IMEI is not allowed, and so is all discussion about it as well.
With that being said:
----> Thread closed
I purchased a T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note5 from someone who isn't longer reachable on Craigslist, unfortunately they got one over on me, it's blacklisted however I contacted T-Mobile & it was due to non payment but there still isn't anything they can do nor I can do.
To my question, is there anything I can do to fix the issue so I can use it.
I currently have metro pcs, if I were to get it unlocked would it then work?
Help me please!
Thanks in advance,
Joanna
Msjoannalynn said:
I purchased a T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note5 from someone who isn't longer reachable on Craigslist, unfortunately they got one over on me, it's blacklisted however I contacted T-Mobile & it was due to non payment but there still isn't anything they can do nor I can do.
To my question, is there anything I can do to fix the issue so I can use it.
I currently have metro pcs, if I were to get it unlocked would it then work?
Help me please!
Thanks in advance,
Joanna
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Click to collapse
If you were to use it on a non-tmobile network (att, straight talk on att,etc) yes. Just none that use tmo network.
I don't know why T-Mobile doesn't do it, but when I has Verizon and the same thing happened to me, they have me an option to pay the balance due on the device and use it. I didn't, they wanted way to much money. But the option was there.
diopskill said:
If you were to use it on a non-tmobile network (att, straight talk on att,etc) yes. Just none that use tmo network.
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justin94 said:
I don't know why T-Mobile doesn't do it, but when I has Verizon and the same thing happened to me, they have me an option to pay the balance due on the device and use it. I didn't, they wanted way to much money. But the option was there.
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Unfortunately the information that was provided to you was to the best of my knowledge incorrect. Due to the fact that T-mobile owns Metro PCS it would not be usable even if you unlocked the device. All of the GSM carriers in the U.S share blacklists now and a device cannot be unlocked and taken over to another carrier. I have had this happen to me previously before. A word of advice for all future craigslist transactions call customer care and ask if there is a remaining EIP or Lease balance on the device you are looking to purchase. The individual you are purchasing the device from will have to verify their account and get the information for you but this is the quickest and easiest way to avoid a scam.
If the phone is good and working without a confirmed balance make sure before you leave you make a phone call or two to register the device to your account to somewhat avoid a loss/theft claim as well. If you want to go a step further in ensuring that the device you just bought stays non-listed as lost or stolen complete the IMEI change during the same conversation as the balance inquiry and make sure the representative notates your account that the phone has been purchased from said individual. If they somehow manage to make a claim after that all they will have to do is look at the notes and they will see that both accounts were verified during the process and 9/10 times unlock the device again.
This has happened to me more times than I would like to admit and those are some of the things i have dont to really cover myself in the case of a scam.
I wish you the best of luck with future purchases and sorry for what happened!!
Hello,.
I bought a phone, 8t plus (tmobile version). when i try to check imei status it says invalid imei... it came with a deactivated sim card.
i tried paying three different unlock site services for the t-mobile unlock app. but they keep returning to me saying that they could not find the imei or its invalid.
I'm in a real pinch here, I love this phone, what are my options? is there some way to force unlock it with a different firmware or something like this? maybe you've got a clue why my imei doesn't show up anywhere?
many thanks
If it's bought from eBay, you're SOL - invalid IMEI is invalid IMEI. You will want to refund it and buy the virgin OnePlus 8T to ensure you don't run into problem.
It will be tough to remove the IMEI from the blacklist, as it's usually death sentence for that ID number, not to mention it's illegal to mess with it.
Especially for this reason, I don't buy used phone anymore unless it won't see network service (usually as a Linux hacking plaything), and I mainly buy new phones ever since to guarantee that I don't run into any problems.
Sent from my OnePlus 8T using Tapatalk
it doesnt give any error, through the tmobile unlock app it says "not eligible" which all unlock sites say that's what you want to get..
THEY say that they cant find the imei anywhere and that maybe I gave them invalid imei, but I'm sure I did not... this happened with more than 1 service site. any clues? i don't want to return it unless absolutely neccessary
Alright, double check your IMEI to ensure you don't make any mistake. There are three ways to check the IMEI, of course; 1. dial *#06#, browse into Settings, and go through "About phone", and 2. touch "Network Status" if the IMEI is not shown or 3. reboot your phone into Fastboot and scroll the UEFI Fastboot bootloader option down to "Show barcodes". It's easy to make mistakes with long numbers like IMEI - had to triple check mine before submitting the application for the bootloader unlock token.
Sent from my OnePlus 8T using Tapatalk
I checked, the imei i gave them was the correct one, I wish that was the problem. how can an imei be invalid (not blocked/blacklisted)?isn't there any way to flash something on the phone to sim ulock it? thanks
even services that CHECK if its blacklisted doesnt work with phones IMEI. what is going on here?! thanks
This phone is not blocked—it’s ready to use on the T-Mobile network.
Device Name Not Available
IMEI: *****************
that's what the unlock service site sent me, they said that is the reply they received..
Alright, if you have Straight Talk or maybe a T-Mobile SIM, test it to make sure it's alive.
Sent from my OnePlus 8T using Tapatalk
You have to have it so long before T-Mo will unlock the device.
Three days minimum if I recall. I had mine unlocked in a week after the purchase, and only have unlocked its UEFI bootloader a few days ago once the LineageOS 18 ROM matured just enough for my liking. Otherwise it's a 40 days wait.
Sent from my OnePlus 8T using Tapatalk
Proneous said:
Hello,.
I bought a phone, 8t plus (tmobile version). when i try to check imei status it says invalid imei... it came with a deactivated sim card.
i tried paying three different unlock site services for the t-mobile unlock app. but they keep returning to me saying that they could not find the imei or its invalid.
I'm in a real pinch here, I love this phone, what are my options? is there some way to force unlock it with a different firmware or something like this? maybe you've got a clue why my imei doesn't show up anywhere?
many thanks
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Click to collapse
Hey there!
can you PM me a screen shot of your IMEI, please? I really want to look in this. I have a oneplus 8t. Thanks.
I am outside of the usa at the moment so the T-Mobile SIM card that came with the phone is unable to activate... I'm starting to wonder if that's the only problem
I have found a rather expensive service provider that has full confidence that he can unlock my phone. Will update you further when I have more details.
Is it safe giving my imei to other forum members? can it be used for malicious activity?
Many thanks.
Alrighty, keep us posted.
Sent from my OnePlus 8T using Tapatalk
try this https://www.oneplus.com/unlock_token
---------- Post added at 10:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:30 AM ----------
Why did you buy a t-mobile phone if you're outside of the usa?
Proneous said:
This phone is not blocked—it’s ready to use on the T-Mobile network.
Device Name Not Available
IMEI: *****************
that's what the unlock service site sent me, they said that is the reply they received..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then use it on TMobile for minimum 3days then unlock it via tforce on facebook or twitter T-Mobile help. But this requires you to have TMobile service. That's the only way you will unlock that phone those unlocking site aren't connected to get the 8t from T-Mobile unlocked that's mainly for samsung devices trust me I run a repair shop and use the unlocking sites. If you can't get TMobile service then you best bet is to return the device if you can't return your SOL until a simunlock bypass come
I'm not from the USA . Anyone got suggestion how to get it activated ? Thanks
Hey friends!
i've promised to update as it unfolds, day before I was supposed to return phone I got it unlocked by a vendor claiming he is working with T-Mobile directly or something like this, and said he can do it although not cheaply.
That guy had a handful of troubles to deal with me as I put him on a timeline, and not only that, bombarded him with conflicting messages before I decided to actually use his service. he was extremely polite and understanding.
may I recommend an ebay vendor here? if yes I will put a link to his store.
thanks!
Proneous said:
Hey friends!
i've promised to update as it unfolds, day before I was supposed to return phone I got it unlocked by a vendor claiming he is working with T-Mobile directly or something like this, and said he can do it although not cheaply.
That guy had a handful of troubles to deal with me as I put him on a timeline, and not only that, bombarded him with conflicting messages before I decided to actually use his service. he was extremely polite and understanding.
may I recommend an ebay vendor here? if yes I will put a link to his store.
thanks!
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Click to collapse
Sounds like you purposely bought a phone that was either lost or stolen in the US and was sold to an overseas buyer because the blacklist on devices from US and Canadian carriers does not extend outside of the US and Canada.
jcsww said:
Sounds like you purposely bought a phone that was either lost or stolen in the US and was sold to an overseas buyer because the blacklist on devices from US and Canadian carriers does not extend outside of the US and Canada.
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Sounds like you're trying to be holier than thou.
I bought it unbeknownst whether it's blacklisted or not. It was brand new and price was great. Where's the problem? Why should I care where it comes from if it works?
Proneous said:
Sounds like you're trying to be holier than thou.
I bought it unbeknownst whether it's blacklisted or not. It was brand new and price was great. Where's the problem? Why should I care where it comes from if it works?
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Click to collapse
It is more of a buyer beware statement about buying cheap devices from other countries.
I bought the S-908E in Australia to be used in the US on AT&T. With the exception of the mmWave band that is only present on US models, everything else especially 5G should work perfectly. Problem seems to be from other posts here that when the phone comes and I insert my AT&T SIM card, AT&T will immediately lock it because they only allow the U version of the phone on the network.
I haven't confirmed this is the case because I don't have the phone yet, but obviously want to be prepared for this when it arrives.
From what I've read here, there seems to be only two options. One, call AT&T and beg them to unlock the SIM and allow the phone to be used. Second, change the IMEI on the E phone to the IMEI from the U phone and AT&T won't know the difference. I've read that this should be an easy process to do, and am wondering if anyone had successfully done either of these suggestions?
Brixster said:
I bought the S-908E in Australia to be used in the US on AT&T. With the exception of the mmWave band that is only present on US models, everything else especially 5G should work perfectly. Problem seems to be from other posts here that when the phone comes and I insert my AT&T SIM card, AT&T will immediately lock it because they only allow the U version of the phone on the network.
I haven't confirmed this is the case because I don't have the phone yet, but obviously want to be prepared for this when it arrives.
From what I've read here, there seems to be only two options. One, call AT&T and beg them to unlock the SIM and allow the phone to be used. Second, change the IMEI on the E phone to the IMEI from the U phone and AT&T won't know the difference. I've read that this should be an easy process to do, and am wondering if anyone had successfully done either of these suggestions?
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Hello and good afternoon, @Brixster
Edit or change of IMEI is illegal in quite a few of countries. For this reason, I've closed your thread! XDA doesn't allow and doesn't accept discussions about or support for such an edit or change.
XDA Forum Rules (excerpt):
...
9. Don't get us into trouble.
Don't post copyrighted materials or do other things which will obviously lead to legal trouble. If you wouldn't do it on your own homepage, you probably shouldn't do it here either. This does not mean that we agree with everything that the software piracy lobby try to impose on us. It simply means that you cannot break any laws here, since we'll end up dealing with the legal hassle caused by you. Please use common sense: respect the forum, its users and those that write great code.
...
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In future, please refrain from starting such a discussion or searches for support on XDA.
Thanks for your cooperation!
Regards
Oswald Boelcke
Senior Moderator