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Hey everyone, I have seen someone Samsung Galaxy S3's on craigslist for like $300 and their IMEI is blocked. Meaning either stolen, blocked, or the owner didn't pay a bill.
I honestly can care less, I just want to know if T-Mobile blocks an IMEI if I can still use Simple Mobile on it, or I will have to unlock it to use a AT&T or other GSM carrier. My main concern is for Simple Mobile though since it is my current network.
Also, I have heard of changing the IMEI, can anyone provide information about that?
Thanks.
MasterGGM said:
Hey everyone, I have seen someone Samsung Galaxy S3's on craigslist for like $300 and their IMEI is blocked. Meaning either stolen, blocked, or the owner didn't pay a bill.
I honestly can care less, I just want to know if T-Mobile blocks an IMEI if I can still use Simple Mobile on it, or I will have to unlock it to use a AT&T or other GSM carrier. My main concern is for Simple Mobile though since it is my current network.
Also, I have heard of changing the IMEI, can anyone provide information about that?
Thanks.
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I would get the ESN and call to see if they would activate it. That's what we used to do when I sold cell phone years ago.
The imei is the gsm equivalent of esn. Anyway, call them before you buy, and simple mobile is a T-Mobile subsidiary so if it's blacklisted on tmo it won't work on simple because the towers refuse to work with you. I say just call tmo and they might help you, but don't tell them you want to use it on simple because they might not.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk 2
No, it won't work on Simple Mobile, because Simple Mobile runs on T-Mobile. You're not allowed to discuss buying phones not owned by the seller. You don't own the phone if you pay the $200 to buy it and then stop paying the bills.
I have purchased CDMA phones on Craigslist for years now. I bought one phone with a bad ESN and learned the most important lesson with regards to buying a cell phone second hand...activate the phone before handing over any cash. If that means taking it to one of these places or meeting the seller at a place that unlocks phones (unless you have a laptop and the means to unlock it yourself prior to purchasing). Also even with the phone not activate it should still call customer service. Verify that the IMEI is good. If a seller acts shady when you tell them you are going to do this...save your gas.
how??
MasterGGM said:
Hey everyone, I have seen someone Samsung Galaxy S3's on craigslist for like $300 and their IMEI is blocked. Meaning either stolen, blocked, or the owner didn't pay a bill.
I honestly can care less, I just want to know if T-Mobile blocks an IMEI if I can still use Simple Mobile on it, or I will have to unlock it to use a AT&T or other GSM carrier. My main concern is for Simple Mobile though since it is my current network.
Also, I have heard of changing the IMEI, can anyone provide information about that?
Thanks.
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Click to collapse
How can it be blocked when its a gsm? if its stolen you jus pop your sim in it and thats it it still works.
blocked imei i never heard of. can someone please clarify?
intrygue83 said:
How can it be blocked when its a gsm? if its stolen you jus pop your sim in it and thats it it still works.
blocked imei i never heard of. can someone please clarify?
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You can block an IMEI like you can block an ESN now if the phone is lost, stolen, or has an unpaid balance.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Product F(RED) said:
You can block an IMEI like you can block an ESN now if the phone is lost, stolen, or has an unpaid balance.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
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I had a Galaxy S 3 stolen yesterday. There is no way for me to get it back, I can get over that. What I can't get over is someone having my 3 month old phone and being able to use it with no problems.
I contacted T Mobile on 3 separate occasions to see if they could block the IMEI number because I have the original packaging. I was told from 3 different account specialists that T Mobile CANNOT block the IMEI. Whoever stole my phone just has to pop in a new sim card and the stolen phone will work just fine, and there is nothing I can do about it.
If anyone knows how I can get my stolen phone blocked, I'd love to hear how.
Adam
boda05 said:
I had a Galaxy S 3 stolen yesterday. There is no way for me to get it back, I can get over that. What I can't get over is someone having my 3 month old phone and being able to use it with no problems.
I contacted T Mobile on 3 separate occasions to see if they could block the IMEI number because I have the original packaging. I was told from 3 different account specialists that T Mobile CANNOT block the IMEI. Whoever stole my phone just has to pop in a new sim card and the stolen phone will work just fine, and there is nothing I can do about it.
If anyone knows how I can get my stolen phone blocked, I'd love to hear how.
Adam
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Escalate it and tell them you need that phone marked lost or stolen. They do it for non-payment, they can do it for lost or stolen phones.
Product F(RED) said:
Escalate it and tell them you need that phone marked lost or stolen. They do it for non-payment, they can do it for lost or stolen phones.
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Thanks so much for the reply. On all three occasions I escalated the matter as high as I could. Have you had an IMEI blocked personally by calling T Mobile?
boda05 said:
Thanks so much for the reply. On all three occasions I escalated the matter as high as I could. Have you had an IMEI blocked personally by calling T Mobile?
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I'm on Straight Talk AT&T. I've never had experience doing that, but I know it's possible because people have been scammed and end up with lost/stolen/non-payment T-Mobile phones that won't register onto the network.
well..
boda05 said:
Thanks so much for the reply. On all three occasions I escalated the matter as high as I could. Have you had an IMEI blocked personally by calling T Mobile?
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Sorry your phone was stolen but doing that is not going to stop anything. If it was password protected then they won't has access to it.
until they bring it to someone like myself who can wipe it and reuse it. Its a GSM so all i have to do is wipe it n pop a new sim in it and wola.
That's just how it is
intrygue83 said:
Sorry your phone was stolen but doing that is not going to stop anything. If it was password protected then they won't has access to it.
until they bring it to someone like myself who can wipe it and reuse it. Its a GSM so all i have to do is wipe it n pop a new sim in it and wola.
That's just how it is
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Product F(RED) said:
I'm on Straight Talk AT&T. I've never had experience doing that, but I know it's possible because people have been scammed and end up with lost/stolen/non-payment T-Mobile phones that won't register onto the network.
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Yes I've read many stories about people buying a used phone from a person and the imei being blocked. I am just confirming/questioning that this isn't possible (whether it's a recent thing or ever) with T Mobile.
This seems like a good way for stolen phones to be blocked, but what about customers that report their phones stolen to t-mobile and then sell it on craigslist (I know a few people that do this)..the poor sucker that bought the phone will have it activated and by the time T-mobile blacklists the number they are left with a worthless phone.
euklid said:
This seems like a good way for stolen phones to be blocked, but what about customers that report their phones stolen to t-mobile and then sell it on craigslist (I know a few people that do this)..the poor sucker that bought the phone will have it activated and by the time T-mobile blacklists the number they are left with a worthless phone.
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People just neeed to do their research and take precautions. If you don't put in the extra time to figure out how to buy a used phone safely, you're going to be taking a chance - and you get what you get.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda app-develope rs app
Blacklisted
I work for a cell phone buy-back firm. Every since November of last year we have been running into blacklisted imeis. We've got phones coming back because the person who sold us the phone quit paying on a subsidized phone. Considering our agents call people all over the country attempting to buy their used or inactive phones, most people see us as way out. This hasn't been an issue with cdma phones because we can check esn. Two days ago checkesnfree.com added imei blacklisted. But what I don't understand is our audit department can put a live sim card in a blacklisted phone and make a successful test call. But when a customer tries to put it on an account, it can't be done. Can someone explain to me why this is. I understand the calls and text are using a different section of the tower than the data network uses. But any more than that I'm at a loss. Thanks
IMEI blocking is only inner company at the moment. If att black lists an imei it will not work on any carrier that piggy backs att towers. Soon it will become cross company and global.
Wayne Tech S-III
zelendel said:
IMEI blocking is only inner company at the moment. If att black lists an imei it will not work on any carrier that piggy backs att towers. Soon it will become cross company and global.
Wayne Tech S-III
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ok every one i have you this solved !!!! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS UNLOCK THE PHONE BAD ESN/IMEI ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS UNLOCK THE PHONE i have gotten 2 Samsung Galaxy S III and a s4 off ebay with "BAD ESN/IMEI" unlocked them and working fine on simple mobile !!
juggalo818 said:
ok every one i have you this solved !!!! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS UNLOCK THE PHONE BAD ESN/IMEI ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS UNLOCK THE PHONE i have gotten 2 Samsung Galaxy S III and a s4 off ebay with "BAD ESN/IMEI" unlocked them and working fine on simple mobile !!
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How would I unlock it, please share, I have a galaxy s3
Put in a sim from another provider and then search for an unlock code and your done its about $15-$20 normally
Sent from my SGH-T679 using xda app-developers app
Hello XDA-Developers,
I am at my wits end. I can not for the life of me find a Sim Unlock code for my Samsung Note 3 N900W8.
I will start from the beginning... I purchased this phone from a woman who is the manager of a telecommunications in London ON. She listed the phone on Kijiji as "Brand new in box, unlocked!". I met her at a kiosk for my carrier to test the phone on one of their sim cards. It turned out the phone was sim locked. She seemed nice enough and genuinely surprised when it came up sim locked. She said she had received the phone as a promotional gift from her company, but didn't like the size of it and wanted to use her existing phone. She asked me if I would prefer to have her get it unlocked or she would take 50$ off of our originally agreed price to put towards the unlocking cost. I opted to get it unlocked myself, my mistake lol.
First I had to find out which carrier it was locked to so through a process of elimination I figured out it was locked to Bell. I contacted Bell and asked to get a sim unlock code from them. They said that they have no record of my phone in any of their data bases and that I should contact Samsung and confirm that my phone is locked to Bell. I contacted Samsung who confirmed that my phone is locked to Bell. I contacted Bell again and they put me through to tech support. He was a nice guy, but didn't give me the answer I wanted lol. He said that because my IMEI is not in any of their data bases that there's no way for him to give me a code. He suggested flashing a different kernel and it would remove the sim lock? I'm sorry I am not that knowledgeable when it comes to this stuff. Anyways, I have taken the phone to 3 reputable phone repare shops in my area and tried cellun******.net. All have said that they can't find an unlock code?
You guys are my last resort, any and all help is greatly appreciated.
Thank You!
Hi guys.
I won a phone from Samsung in a event they were hosting in downtown toronto. It took them a while but I finally got the phone!!!
Unfortunately its locked to a network im not a customer with - Im on contract with another.
I've paid 3 seperate websites (Canada GSM, Cellunlocker.net, and Unlock Genius) but nobody can find the IMEI in their database! I paid the carrier its locked with - but even they couldnt find it!!!
Do i have a ghost phone? Is there anyway to unlock it other than the unlock code?
Thanks.
try http://www.fastgsm.com/en
Thanks Tomerbi for the advice, but I doubt they'll be able to find it considering 3 other websites couldnt (Paypal is having a field day, freezing the refunds as they come in).
What's the model number of the phone? For example mine is an international unlocked SM-G920F. Perhaps there is a region lock on it? The unlock sites can't do anything about that.
SM-G920W8 - Im using a sim from the appropriate region of the world, and briefly used a sim from the network it is locked to!
Looks like its a Canadian phone. And you're using it in Canada. Strange.
And when you put in the sim card for the network it is locked to that doesn't work either? Then what network were they expecting you to use it on when they gave it to you?
Its locked to Telus - Telus connections do work in the phone. Only type that do work. Just that nothing else does, and Telus doesnt have the IMEI in their database.
I have here a Tmo Note5 that recently got blocked by Tmo, but my friend said the phone was permanently unlocked with the app before it got blocked. I may get a prepaid sim and use it with that sometimes, assuming it will work. I'm leaning towards something that runs on AT&T's network, since I already have unlimited data with Tmo. I'm thinking about Cricket but am open to suggestions. Thx
Side note: my friend was perplexed that the unlock worked, because once the IMEI got blocked, that maybe indicated that the phone was not paid off. But, maybe the original owner reported it stolen? T-Mobile would not give specifics. Gonna get some kind of sim today and see if the unlock has stuck, my friend did say that it worked with his AT&T sim..
YrrchSebor said:
I have here a Tmo Note5 that recently got blocked by Tmo, but my friend said the phone was permanently unlocked with the app before it got blocked. I may get a prepaid sim and use it with that sometimes, assuming it will work. I'm leaning towards something that runs on AT&T's network, since I already have unlimited data with Tmo. I'm thinking about Cricket but am open to suggestions. Thx
Side note: my friend was perplexed that the unlock worked, because once the IMEI got blocked, that maybe indicated that the phone was not paid off. But, maybe the original owner reported it stolen? T-Mobile would not give specifics. Gonna get some kind of sim today and see if the unlock has stuck, my friend did say that it worked with his AT&T sim..
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Sideways people suck badly!!!
I'm not 100 on this, but I remember reading a few times that t-mobile and AT&T share blacklisted databases. Not sure of the legitimacy of that claim but that's what I have read.
There are also apparently imei switchers that you can use thatapparently use to unblacklist your device.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
Yeah, I heard that about the blacklist sharing too, but Cricket says the device is clean as far as they're concerned, and a Cricket sim had full service on the phone. Same with my friend's AT&T sim. Tmo says that the device was on an installment plan but that the account is now closed, so that person needs to pay the balance for the phone to be unblocked...... I'm not holding my breath for that!
I see remote IMEI repair on eBay for as low as $39, and even an xposed module that doesn't change but spoofs your IMEI. Were you alluding to any specific switcher that might be good?
YrrchSebor said:
Yeah, I heard that about the blacklist sharing too, but Cricket says the device is clean as far as they're concerned, and a Cricket sim had full service on the phone. Same with my friend's AT&T sim. Tmo says that the device was on an installment plan but that the account is now closed, so that person needs to pay the balance for the phone to be unblocked...... I'm not holding my breath for that!
I see remote IMEI repair on eBay for as low as $39, and even an xposed module that doesn't change but spoofs your IMEI. Were you alluding to any specific switcher that might be good?
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Never had to do any of that so I don't know of it being legit. I've only seen it on Craigslist and swappa bone yard.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
YrrchSebor said:
I see remote IMEI repair on eBay for as low as $39, and even an xposed module that doesn't change but spoofs your IMEI. Were you alluding to any specific switcher that might be good?
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Click to collapse
Changing or altering your IMEI is illegal, but I don't know if that applies to spoofing it (probably since it's essentially the same thing). I'd be careful using any of those options.
MadJoe said:
Changing or altering your IMEI is illegal, but I don't know if that applies to spoofing it (probably since it's essentially the same thing). I'd be careful using any of those options.
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Yeah, thanks. I ended up selling the phone on eBay as a bad IMEI/unlocked phone, so it all worked out ok. Crazy tho, I used to think Swappa's IMEI check was fool-proof, but i guess nothing's completely guaranteed, and things can slip thru the cracks.
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..
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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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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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It is more of a buyer beware statement about buying cheap devices from other countries.