View Full Version : Is changing IMEI possible?
I know changing it would be illegal at some countries, but I'm curious about if Maemo 5 is that open, or not. Anyway, maybe its not even related with OS. BTW, I dont mean BB5 tools or sth like that, I mean just compiling something, or some command, config file etc.
So, is it possible to change/spoof (send another IMEI number to GSM network maybe) it or not (Nokia closed its source, its hw-related etc)? It would be interesting hack.
I spend pretty much time for investigate this question and didn't find any solution. Look like it is impossible on Nokia phones.....
The FCC requires the closed source I believe. :)
i believe IMEI is hardcoded into the hardware, maybe on some chip/flash or something. i'm far from expert but i can tell that since complete reflashing on any kind of phone dosen't change IMEI, its not in the OS or any config file available on the phone.
You need to be technical experienced with electronics, since you need to read/write a certain flash rom inside the phone. As far as i know you need special cable and special software to do this.
Your best bet is to research this topic on some phone hacking websites.. wich i can not recommend, most public hacking sites are filled with virus's, trojans.and other malware.. kinda ironic.
Laughing Man
2009-12-27, 19:04
It's to filter out those who shouldn't be there. =P
Well, if the IMEI is not acquired through a handshake on a smart card, then it's just a number in a ROM that can be emulated or trapped by different techniques...
An LD_PRELOAD on the right part of the phone daemon for example?
So even if its hardcoded into hardware, they should get information ( like $i = "imeinumberhere" ) and send it to gsm network. If we change $i on the fly, or just reassign it, so its all ok. I'm curious if that part of code is closed or not..
Hello all,
I'm also searching for same answer. I would also like to know how can I change IMEI or bypass it and send another one to network.
There must be a way. It can not be impossible.
The IMEI (or MEID) is indeed flashed into the device at time of firmware burn-in. I have heard of utilities to spoof IMEI numbers but I strongly recommend against using them.
Changing IMEI is illegal in UK and Most of europe*
*i think europe but deffo in UK
IMEI tampering is illegal in some countries so i don't think this is the place to be discussing this kind of thing
The IMEI (or MEID) is indeed flashed into the device at time of firmware burn-in. I have heard of utilities to spoof IMEI numbers but I strongly recommend against using them.
Hi!
You are really fast! Thanks man!
Ok, I'm from Bosnia And Herzegovina and here anyone does not take care about that.
Now, can You point me in correct direction how to change (or spoof) IMEI (IMEID).
I would like to know how to do that.
Sorry, but NvyUs is correct: this forum isn't the place to provide such information (however discussing the subject objectively in general is okay)
Hi!
You are really fast! Thanks man!
Ok, I'm from Bosnia And Herzegovina and here anyone does not take care about that.
Now, can You point me in correct direction how to change (or spoof) IMEI (IMEID).
I would like to know how to do that.
before anyone tells you how why dont you tell us why you need to change your imei number
either you have a blocked/barred phone or you wish to commit illegal activities from a cloned imei number
i dont think anyone should help with this to be honest its blantantly illegal why would you want to change the imei number of a handset???
I have seen IMEI, written backwards, in the mtd1 (config) partition. It is probably protected by a digital signature.
Hi,
what i think is that its not so easy to spoof the imei.
So my theroy is that the imei will be send by the gsm modem firmware and not the phoneapp.
i don't know about the n900 but i know from my openmoko freerunner that the gsm firmware is closed source. so
if its the same on the n900 and the gsm firmware sends the imei
its only possible to spoof the imei by altering the gsm firmware.
All Nokia devices have the IMEI physically burned into the hardware. It is impossible to change it.
(It might be possible with the devices of other manufacturers, though.)
Well, reason is that when You buy a phone in Bosnia, You can not be sure that phone is not from other network, that is not stolen from the truck etc. and soled to You. (in this case me). It gets to the shop like all other phones, who knows from where.
For Bosnia, it's a critical mission :). I'm not sure from where is my phone and is it legally imported in country.
I can be sure only if I buy phone at local operator. It is not a case, this time. So, will someone help me?
phones stolen in UK are usually sold off-shore b/c they get IMEI barred from all UK networks
if IMEI numbers could easily be changed they would do it instead of exporting them to countries where devices are cheaper, what do not IMEI ban devices.
IMEI banning seems to spreading world wide now with even India banning all chinese fake phones with spoof IMEI's off there networks.
So in short i think people are wasting there time with this subject b/c even criminals can not be bothered with it.
Well, reason is that when You buy a phone in Bosnia, You can not be sure that phone is not from other network, that is not stolen from the truck etc. and soled to You. (in this case me). It gets to the shop like all other phones, who knows from where.
For Bosnia, it's a critical mission :). I'm not sure from where is my phone and is it legally imported in country.
I can be sure only if I buy phone at local operator. It is not a case, this time. So, will someone help me?
To fake imei because you might like to buy stolen goods?
So, will someone help me?
Again: THIS is not the forum for that. Please search or ask elsewhere.
Nop. It's not a reason. When you buy any phone in this country, I'm sure 80% that phone is not ok. Specially on place like e-bay website (on for local market). Price is low, but you are newer sure. Eaven if you buy it in phone shop.
Phones are usually from one of EU networks (have logo sign) and than they get flashed before they get to buyer hands.
Yes, I will not ask such things in this forum. It's not a place for this topic. Thanks anyway.
masterx: If you buy an imei-blocked phone, then it's stolen (as you're basically saying yourself). Why on earth would you then think it's ok to _use_ the phone, by spoofing the imei? It's exactly things like that which creates a market for those gangs from certain parts of Europe which are currently doing the burglar rounds in my own and other countries. Without a market this extremely annoying thieveries wouldn't be an issue.
hardkorek
2010-04-08, 16:13
Well i think there is more reasons to change IMEI than using stolen phone.
I think this is only one way to be anonymous and use gsm phone.
It has nothing with anonymity - the phone IMEI is known for mobile providers and SIM card issuer only. In most countries they don't give it anybody besides police.
Mots likely - cheating one or both of it (phone providers or police).
Well i think there is more reasons to change IMEI than using stolen phone.
I think this is only one way to be anonymous and use gsm phone.The IMEI is like a MAC address for networking devices. To refute that changing the IMEI will make you anonymous, let's take my work computer as an example. It has a unique MAC address. While I am on my computer right now, other employees are able to log onto my computer. Therefore, given a unique device identifier, it is not possible to personally identify a person. Instead, I think the SIM card containing the credentials needed for me to get onto the GSM network is what identifies one user from another.
The GSM network knows the simcard which has been inserted in the phone with the particular IMEI during every call. So, even if you change the simcard they can still tell, that this is the phone which you have been using previously.
The IMEI is like a MAC address for networking devices. To refute that changing the IMEI will make you anonymous, let's take my work computer as an example. It has a unique MAC address. While I am on my computer right now, other employees are able to log onto my computer.
It is not a case for GSM. GSM network assigns your smartphone an IP address basing on a couple of factors and geographic location is a primary choice.
Moreover, it doesn't give you an Internet IP address but some internal IP and hide you behind NAT or proxy server. It is by 3G design.
Whilst it is illegal to change the IMEI number in the UK, i can see why someone might want to change it. IMEI is quickly being used as a tracker for people who have registered phones.
I am familiar with the practise of the police using the IMEI to track down a person. In some cases even people who work with network providers (e.g. a guy who is stalking someone will pinpoint their location and turn up at their house). I have friends who run a mobile franchise business in Asia and im constantly told how their employees, and now police are abusing this tracking identifier.
As for the UK, do i think my IMEI number is only being used legally? hell no. I'm pretty sure the police here track anyone they want when they want. Anyway I digress, so IMEI number changing is illegal - and im sure the individual asking here has no good intentions but I would keep an open mind to what the IMEI number means for authorities.
Police uses both - IMEI and SIM card ID number. As long as you have the same SIM card (the same number), you have no anonymity from police. But if you change SIM, you lose your phone number.
You should put your efforts in another direction - ask your parliament representative to change a law to prevent police stalking you without a case and judge approval. And put efforts to win a BIG money from phone provider who allows its employees to track down you/your friend without judge approval.
As for Asia... well, the only way to be not stalked - switch phone OFF and remove battery. Believe me, there are multiple ways to track your even you change IMEI and SIM card.
I guess it can be discussed on this forum as it is not illegal in most countries.
In the UK however it IS illegal..
There are ways to change the IMEI on most phones but usually
it requires different methods depending on the model of the phone and newer phones tend to be more difficult to reprogram due to the lack of information about on the net.
Im UK based so dont want to go posting info on how to do it. I honestly dont know how to do it on the N900 yet but its almost certainly possible.
P.S 10% of IMEI's in the UK are duplicates (ref bbc website) so someone is modifying a hell of a lot of devices..... dont think that IMEI blacklisting is worth doing because it is no use against dedicated organisations that deal in stolen phones. the databases ar just there to make people feel better once their phone has been nicked )
"There are ways to change the IMEI on most phones"
Nokia started program IMEI into RF chip during production long time ago. So, it is impossible to change IMEI in Nokia phones "on-a-fly"/"on-a-run", it requires some hardware work.
So, all discussion about anonymity is useless - the permanent changing of IMEI is for stolen phones only but not for goal of non-tracking.
You're right the police have many different ways. A phone even while idle can be used as a microphone to listen to your conversations. Battery removal is the only way.
My efforts in another direction? I havent made any efforts in this regard. As for the Parliament to pass a law - thats a joke. Post 9/11 the police can do whatever they like without a law. No one openly admits to breaking of privacy laws but it happens. They can shoot you in the head 9 times on a train and say "oops", carry out early dawn raids and send you to Gitmo, lock you up in the UK without trial for a period of time and even have you arrested for thought crimes. No getting away from it.
Not that I have anything to hide, just saying us behaving like sheep and saying the IMEI number cannot be changed because we shouldnt isnt the answer.
Places like Asia/Africa/South America and even Europe now - there is always a danger of being picked up by secret groups. I've personally witnessed conversations with the police where they track people within minutes for whatever reason. No regard for the law. But that was Pakistan. In the UK we do it secretly.
yeah seriously if you dont want to be tracked then why not go buy a PAYG phone and seperate simm and supply incorrect details or pay by cash.
If you really dont want to be tracked then how about not using a bloody transmitter that can be triangulated via the masts it communicates with?? i.e dont use a mobile!
Post 9/11 the police can do whatever they like without a law. No one openly admits to breaking of privacy laws but it happens. They can shoot you in the head 9 times on a train and say "oops", carry out early dawn raids and send you to Gitmo, lock you up in the UK without trial for a period of time and even have you arrested for thought crimes.
Again, it is a case to talk with your representatives and people to elect a right judge which WILL send that police guys to jail. It can't be solved by IMEI change. Moreover, in this environment an IMEI change could lead you to jail under false suspicion. You are going to wrong direction in UK.
As for Asia... I don't know, it depends from country and a reason why you visit it. More simple - don't use the same mobile/SIM, just in case.
IMEI's cannot be changed without physically ripping the chip out that contains it and replacing it with a blank one that doesn't yet have an IMEI.
They use write once eprom like devices just you don't get the e for erasable.. :) its physically impossible to achieve, and, you shouldn't be trying !
I imagine these chips aren't distinct devices either, probably a small piece of auxillary silicon on the cpu wafer....
hardkorek
2010-04-08, 17:38
In some countries you need to register prepaid card before activation. In registration process you need to give you name and secound name. It is matter of time when you will not be able to use non name-registered sim card.
Only way to use mobile phone anonymously is changing imei or having another phone with another sim card and be sure that persons who you calling won't give you credentials to cops.
Buying n900(legaly) i was hoping to have control over my phone.
I would like to have an ability to change IMEI, be sure if I'm turning gsm module off it's really off so I can not be traced, nor some gestapo guys can hear me.
People have not enough information about technology they are using. GSM network is powerful surveillance technology. Don't you think is nice to have as much controll over it as possible.
I'm not programmer but maybe some one with more skills agree with me and can inspect the source code and let community know how your beloved n900 can be used to control you.
Then maybe there will be possibilities to prevent it.
Isn't that what open source is about ?
hardkorek
2010-04-08, 17:44
Going back to IMEI topic.
Wifi card have hardware mac as well. When you changing your MAC(eg. ifconfig interface_name hw ether 00:your:mac:here) you are not changing anything physically on a wifi card. It should be possible to emulate IMEI somehow.
~phoenix~
2010-04-08, 18:22
DONT TRY TO CHANGE IMEI IT WILL **** UP YOUR PHONE...
beacause IF certs watchdogs simlockdata imei are stored like in any other bb5 phone... you can change imei .... but it wont power on until you recalkulate Security zones....
I would like to have an ability to change IMEI, be sure if I'm turning gsm module off it's really off so I can not be traced, nor some gestapo guys can hear me.
People have not enough information about technology they are using. GSM network is powerful surveillance technology. Don't you think is nice to have as much controll over it as possible.
are u a little bit paranoid??
I'm not programmer but maybe some one with more skills agree with me and can inspect the source code and let community know how your beloved n900 can be used to control you.
Then maybe there will be possibilities to prevent it.
Isn't that what open source is about ?
NO changing the imei has nothing to do with openess...
Imei is an standart for Identification numbers on mobile phones.... if you could change it... it would be useless....
because you could use a imei from a brand new phone... insert it into your old phone (same Type) and give it to nokia for warranty repairs even if it is not on warranty....
if a phone gets stolen ... and the thief could change the imei ... the phone qould not be recognized.... even if they chatch the thief....
the imei is only stored @ the Manufacturer and the Resseller because of warranty ....
noone cant track you if he knows the imei .... only when they know the phone number... and have the technology....
UNderworld
2010-04-08, 18:31
Im UK based so dont want to go posting info on how to do it. I honestly dont know how to do it on the N900 yet but its almost certainly possible.
by law, you should not DO IT... There's no law to prevent you from telling others HOW to do it :p
There was a software I used (BB5) to debrand my brother's 5800. by altering the product code.. There was an option to change IMEI also, but I didnt want to risk it.
is there any software like this for the n900?
I think there is no incentive to work on it.
Debranding is a serious incentive for phones like 5800 but it is not a case for N900. Why I could work on it - it doesn't benefit neither me nor another normal N900 owners?
Of course, Asia men may work their own way. But in most countries with educated people it is possible to buy a phone w/out suppling your name/address.
afaq made some good points there..
masterx: If you buy an imei-blocked phone, then it's stolen (as you're basically saying yourself). Why on earth would you then think it's ok to _use_ the phone, by spoofing the imei? It's exactly things like that which creates a market for those gangs from certain parts of Europe which are currently doing the burglar rounds in my own and other countries. Without a market this extremely annoying thieveries wouldn't be an issue.
yeah, I'd like to see you happily throwing away your new £450 phone as you realise that it's stolen. Or maybe ask the police to pay you back :rolleyes:
Concerning that market, would you really want that authorities worldwide could just with one click shut down your mobile?
I wouldn't (FYI: I already had a phone stolen, not nice; still..)
But that is not the actual point IMO.
Well i think there is more reasons to change IMEI than using stolen phone.
I think this is only one way to be anonymous and use gsm phone.
precisely.
It has nothing with anonymity - the phone IMEI is known for mobile providers and SIM card issuer only. In most countries they don't give it anybody besides police.
Mots likely - cheating one or both of it (phone providers or police).
Unfortunately having trust in the police to always do only the Right Thing with the power/information they have hasn't quite proofed a good idea. This is not about 'having something to hide' or sth illegal going on, it is about privacy rights and prevention.
And this discussinon is especially in the interest those who legally obtained their phone: It's a very short way from the phone vendor to your doorstep.
I don't get why on this topic, even the members of an open source based community are against giving the user the right to control his identity. No one would go on and say 'TOR is abused a lot by criminals. Let's make it illegal and ensure that everyone connecting to the internet is 100% identifiable. Oh and we should add the functionality to brick their computer if we see them try to use it' (btw, IPv6 gives me the creeps..).
Furthermore, I do think this is a topic that should rather be discussed here than advising ppl to leave the forum and search on hacking sites. Please don't get me wrong on that, I do not at all want to promote any illegal actions, but a technical discussion should still be possible. Or will maemo.org then get blocked by the big UK firewall? :)
Unfortunately having trust in the police to always do only the Right Thing with the power/information they have hasn't quite proofed a good idea. This is not about 'having something to hide' or sth illegal going on, it is about privacy rights and prevention.
If you don't believe a police - why I should believe you? I have much more reason to believe a police.
As long as there is no way to change IMEI in my N900 I am sure there is no market for stolen N900 and it is much less probability that somebody can steal my N900.
this really isn't about believing in the police or in me (I don't quite have their tools.. although anyone with enough money can easily get any information they want, with politicians that are like a cab for hire (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsvideo/uk-politics-video/7495978/Stephen-Byers-Im-like-a-cab-for-hire.htmlhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsvideo/uk-politics-video/7495978/Stephen-Byers-Im-like-a-cab-for-hire.html))
sure, cause thieves are going to check what phone you have before they steal it from you. out of your pocket in the subway, running away with your handbag.... oh and if they happen to get a n900 you'll probably get it back as it's no use for them :confused:
ossipena
2010-04-08, 19:25
As for the UK, do i think my IMEI number is only being used legally? hell no. I'm pretty sure the police here track anyone they want when they want. Anyway I digress, so IMEI number changing is illegal - and im sure the individual asking here has no good intentions but I would keep an open mind to what the IMEI number means for authorities.
so it is ok to break the law if you are wearing a tinfoil hat?
If you don't believe a police - why I should believe you? I have much more reason to believe a police.
As long as there is no way to change IMEI in my N900 I am sure there is no market for stolen N900 and it is much less probability that somebody can steal my N900.
Man seriously, in this topic you've only said that the police is honest, the government is honest, you have all the rights, they will never infringe those rights and everybody is equal.
you're american, you should know better. you, from all the civilized countries have the least rights.
I was actually laughing with a friend in december when in Frankfurt they had extra security checks for americans.
Anyhow, you are part of the country (free) which is the most controlled on the planet.
The police can track you down only using your IMEI, if they want to, even if you change the sim card they will know who to track, because they can chose from IMEI and phone number. Do they abuse it? hell yea, I know thousand of chases. I even abused the system asking a friend to track down someone, and my friend is at the low end of the chain of command. I won't go into details since it would be stupid of me to do that, as it's illegal, as there is no prof.
I know cases in the news paper when the police tracked down criminals from their IMEI as they used to swipe simcards very often.
I even found to buy a tracker, and device listener (exactly as said before to listen to the conversations), but it was too expensive for me (10000euros). It's not illegal to sell it, but it's illegal to own it.
Stop trusting everything they say about privacy, law, only court order. Everybody has his price, and if you find someone who's too expensive, go to his colleague, he will be cheaper.
ossipena
2010-04-08, 19:37
Man seriously, in this topic you've only said that the police is honest, the government is honest, you have all the rights, they will never infringe those rights and everybody is equal.
you're american, you should know better. you, from all the civilized countries have the least rights.
I was actually laughing with a friend in december when in Frankfurt they had extra security checks for americans.
Anyhow, you are part of the country (free) which is the most controlled on the planet.
The police can track you down only using your IMEI, if they want to, even if you change the sim card they will know who to track, because they can chose from IMEI and phone number. Do they abuse it? hell yea, I know thousand of chases. I even abused the system asking a friend to track down someone, and my friend is at the low end of the chain of command. I won't go into details since it would be stupid of me to do that, as it's illegal, as there is no prof.
I know cases in the news paper when the police tracked down criminals from their IMEI as they used to swipe simcards very often.
I even found to buy a tracker, and device listener (exactly as said before to listen to the conversations), but it was too expensive for me (10000euros). It's not illegal to sell it, but it's illegal to own it.
Stop trusting everything they say about privacy, law, only court order. Everybody has his price, and if you find someone who's too expensive, go to his colleague, he will be cheaper.
changing imei is illegal and totally wrong for the reason of its existange. perioid.
did you know that there is a lot of information about everyone outside gsm-data too? health records, addresses, tax information....
hardkorek
2010-04-08, 19:45
changing imei is illegal and totally wrong for the reason of its existange. perioid.
did you know that there is a lot of information about everyone outside gsm-data too? health records, addresses, tax information....
Great argument: it's wrong according You, so it must be wrong:)
You health records, adressess etc. can not hear what you talking about or find your geographical location.
did you know that there is a lot of information about everyone outside gsm-data too? health records, addresses, tax information....
yes, but there's a big difference between that and tracking me.
what makes you think that this won't be abused.
Changing IMEI is illegal only in some countries of the EU, not all.
L.E. : we're going off-topic, and I think we should stop, I just wanted to state this, not to go in to a debate, it's everybody right and opinion, I personally, have nothing to hide so they can track me down as much as they want, but at a certain point they might cross the line, since they've already started.
why are you scared to be identified via your IMEI when your identified on 100's of CCTV cameras daily without your knowledge.
i'd rather people protest about DNA data base and CCTV and email data bases than about them knowing your IMEI
your phone is a choice you don't have to buy one but you DNA is in forever and if certain members of government in various countries get there way people will be put in DNA archives from birth
no, I'm not. the only place I'm identified is at work if I arrive to early and have to use the RFID to disconnect the alarm, and at the ATM once in a while. I can swear I never passed a CCTV camera in the last month except the supermarket.
Also, no DNA database, no fingerprint (which means no passport thanks to the USA).
Also most CCTVs in other countries don't belong to the municipality or the Police, they are private, so it's harder for someone to access them,
while with IMEI they can track you wherever they want without even struggling.
Anyhow, I understand that in some countries is illegal, due to the amount of stolen phones, but there is a thin line between privacy and big brother theory, which is very dangerous. Exactly like Google Cookies ;) which can lead to another story like the one where AOL disclosed it's database of cookies, and CNN managed to track that person down even if it didn't had any personal data (name, Social security number etc)
plus in my country it's not illegal, so I should be able to change it.
~phoenix~
2010-04-08, 20:09
There was a software I used (BB5) to debrand my brother's 5800. by altering the product code.. There was an option to change IMEI also, but I didnt want to risk it.
is there any software like this for the n900?
you probably used nemesis service siute... like i said... you CAN change the imei ... but you have to recalculate the securtyzones .... and this will be expensive...
no, I'm not. the only place I'm identified is at work if I arrive to early and have to use the RFID to disconnect the alarm, and at the ATM once in a while. I can swear I never passed a CCTV camera in the last month except the supermarket.
Also, no DNA database, no fingerprint (which means no passport thanks to the USA).
Also most CCTVs in other countries don't belong to the municipality or the Police, they are private.
nearly every town centre in UK is monitored by CCTV and control centres are run by the police or contracted to security firms to assist the police and local councils.
no, I'm not. the only place I'm identified is at work if I arrive to early and have to use the RFID to disconnect the alarm, and at the ATM once in a while. I can swear I never passed a CCTV camera in the last month except the supermarket.
Also, no DNA database, no fingerprint (which means no passport thanks to the USA).
Also most CCTVs in other countries don't belong to the municipality or the Police, they are private.
when i mentioned CCTV i was not talking about local supermarkets i was talking about public spaces,nearly every town centre in UK is monitored by CCTV and control centres are run by the police or contracted to security firms to assist the police and local councils.
nearly every town centre in UK is monitored by CCTV and control centres are run by the police or contracted to security firms to assist the police and local councils.
UK != the World :)
Siva zona. :)
IMEI information is usualy paired with your IMSI and can be stored by your operator in order to identify you as a user of some device so they can customize their offers for device dependent value added services, or to protect themselfs against abuse of sims embedded in special hardware. Usually a history of IMSI-IMEI pairs is kept and it is posible to trace any change in hardware for a selected sim. Police could requst this info from operators if court so orders, but IMHO it is not a practice for tracing stolen phones. I guess investigation costs much more then a stolen phone, and such events unless they are organized crime, or similar issue, are not interesting to the police.
You would be amazed how many IMEI duplicates one can find in a single network, and I can't imagine all the reasons why this is so, but it renders them useless for unique identification.
If you know how to, and in dilema to change imei or not. Just don't. Your device could be identifed as something else, and change itself can be noticed. :)
The police can track you down only using your IMEI,
Yes, it is true.
if they want to
That is not true, at least in US. They need an approval. Without it they would be not serviced by provider who has all equipment. If they do and I know it I can be reach (I don't consider some extreme cases).
Do they abuse it? hell yea, I know thousand of chases. I even abused the system asking a friend to track down someone, and my friend is at the low end of the chain of command.
I don't know and it is an exact reason why in Frankfurt there is an additional security for US flights. It is like Internet firewall. Sorry for you guys.
Changing the IMEI sounds as fishy as falsifying a motor vehicle's identification plate/vin.
Anyone smell a fish
UK != the World :)
i've not thought that or implied that
i'm telling people how it is here in UK and correcting outsiders how it is here when they think its different.
i can hardly go on about the big brother state of somewhere else when i've never lived there, i can only tell about my own experiences in my own country
Stop trusting everything they say about privacy, law, only court order. Everybody has his price, and if you find someone who's too expensive, go to his colleague, he will be cheaper.
Man where do you live? Noone in this world I know would sell you such information unless they are ultimately stupid. Companies keep access logs, and leak can be identified in less then a minute.
And for what? A price of a hendset? Come on. :mad:
Discussing about moral & law reasons serve no purpose I think. If it is not legal on your country, or if you really really trust your government (sounds stupid, anyway..) and you don't want to be anonymized, so do not change your IMEI. But not all ppl wants to change their devices' IMEI number are criminals :) Personally, I prefer to be anonymous. Not because I'm a criminal or a threat to anyone (Because I'll dominate the World. mwahaha--) just because I think I have rights to have a private life, with private information. And my mobile device -which bought by me. It was not free, or given as a gift by government- should not be a collar for me. But, like I said, It is matter of choice. I prefer to be anonymous, I LOVE being anonymous and I don't think It is reasonable to trust anyone (police,government, you name it) that much.
So, It's better to not discuss why to do it. Since I own this device, I think I have the right to customize or change any parts of it.
About how to do; I think it is not that important even if it's written on HW, It can be possible to emulate it on-the-fly. (like WiFi MAC address, which already mentioned)
IMEI writing is only illegal in certain countries.
The IMEI is stored in a non-writable block on the N900. It's most definitely possible to modify it, provided you have the right tools.
IMEI writing is only illegal in certain countries.
The IMEI is stored in a non-writable block on the N900. It's most definitely possible to modify it, provided you have the right tools.
True.
But it completely undermines the discussed goal - anonymity. Because anonymity requires a change on-a-fly, without visiting some lab with equipment. If you change IMEI once you are not shielded by anonymity, phone is localized/bind to your SIM card soon after that.
So, if people insist on discussing this topic then they have another reason...
propelli
2010-04-08, 21:09
L.E. : we're going off-topic, and I think we should stop, I just wanted to state this, not to go in to a debate, it's everybody right and opinion, I personally, have nothing to hide so they can track me down as much as they want, but at a certain point they might cross the line, since they've already started.
I think that we should not stop :-)
This thread is just starting to get interesting. I think that it is quite important that this kind of discussion goes on about things like changing imei codes on phones.
At least in democratic countries the law is basically just a written expression of what is commonly accepted to be right or wrong in the community.
I think that therefore it is you and I who ultimately decide in our democratic communities (read countries) what is illegal and what is not.
As we all have noticed already while reading this thread; changing imei codes is illegal in some countries and legal in others - doesn't that alone make you wonder why is that?
I wouldn't want to be tracked by an imei code (or by any other means). Unfortunately I don't have any choice in my country at the moment. I think that this is wrong and that this is something that needs to change in the future.
propelli
IMEI writing is only illegal in certain countries.
The IMEI is stored in a non-writable block on the N900. It's most definitely possible to modify it, provided you have the right tools.
You don't need to write that location to change the IMEI. What you need to do is change the firmware code that reads the IMEI.
You don't need to write that location to change the IMEI. What you need to do is change the firmware code that reads the IMEI.
It is true too.
Just decrypt the checksum capability and it could be OK to change firmware.
IsaacDFP
2010-04-08, 21:42
Why da hell would you want to change your IMEI anyways?! I can only think of negative outcomes.
Plus, isn't it like trying to change a MAC address? I don't think it's possible... Maybe you could spoof some sites/individuals, but your IMEI should never change.
Plus, isn't it like trying to change a MAC address?
Changing your MAC address is trivial, and has no real impact beyond your nearest router (cablemodem, wifi router, etc.) On top of that, it isn't illegal.
Changing your MAC address is trivial, and has no real impact beyond your nearest router (cablemodem, wifi router, etc.) On top of that, it isn't illegal.
You right, and changing IMEI usually has one goal - sell stolen phone. Actually, it is required before selling a stolen phone because old IMEI can be blocked pretty fast and phone can be useless.
It is like changing car VIN - without it it is impossible to register a stolen car.
oscillik
2010-04-08, 22:10
you're american, you should know better. you, from all the civilized countries have the least rights.
I was actually laughing with a friend in december when in Frankfurt they had extra security checks for americans.
Anyhow, you are part of the country (free) which is the most controlled on the planet.
The police can track you down only using your IMEI, if they want to, even if you change the sim card they will know who to track, because they can chose from IMEI and phone number. Do they abuse it? hell yea, I know thousand of chases. I even abused the system asking a friend to track down someone, and my friend is at the low end of the chain of command. I won't go into details since it would be stupid of me to do that, as it's illegal, as there is no prof.
I know cases in the news paper when the police tracked down criminals from their IMEI as they used to swipe simcards very often.
I even found to buy a tracker, and device listener (exactly as said before to listen to the conversations), but it was too expensive for me (10000euros). It's not illegal to sell it, but it's illegal to own it.
Stop trusting everything they say about privacy, law, only court order. Everybody has his price, and if you find someone who's too expensive, go to his colleague, he will be cheaper.
one thing you're forgetting - most of the handsets in the US are not GSM, and as such do not have an IMEI number. most of the handsets are CDMA and have an ESN. and according to Wikipedia, there are no more unique ESNs, the last unique codes having been allocated back in November 2008.
but i'm just being a pedant now ;)
Leaving aside all the legal arguments (not really the place to argue for/against), I am curious why you would want to do it?
Changing the IMEI can, in some cases cause the device to be blocked by some over-eager networks which use the EIR (Equipment Identity Register) function in network equipment to stop stolen mobile devices being used.
I can't tell you how to change the IMEI, but I would suggest you not to do it, unless you have a really good reason to do it.
Hope that helps.
ossipena
2010-04-09, 10:43
Personally, I prefer to be anonymous. Not because I'm a criminal or a threat to anyone (Because I'll dominate the World. mwahaha--) just because I think I have rights to have a private life, with private information.
simple solution: stop using cellphones. problem solved and then you aren't bending the morale either.
ossipena
2010-04-09, 10:45
True.
But it completely undermines the discussed goal - anonymity. Because anonymity requires a change on-a-fly, without visiting some lab with equipment. If you change IMEI once you are not shielded by anonymity, phone is localized/bind to your SIM card soon after that.
So, if people insist on discussing this topic then they have another reason...
same to you. stop using gsm networks and there you go. public wlans can be found pretty easily today imo....
+1 for Ossipena's answer.
If you value your privacy that much then stop using a) mobile phones, b) any form of electronic banking and to a lesser form c) the internet.
Between those 3 services it is possible to see what you are doing, where and with who.
I value my privacy alot, and I take as many precautions to maintain it as much as possible. In the end the best you can do it make it as difficult as possible - use cash when possible, turn off you're phone between calls, etc.
I think you have to think about what you (egoshin and Aranel)are saying..
+1 for Ossipena's answer.
If you value your privacy that much then stop using a) mobile phones, b) any form of electronic banking and to a lesser form c) the internet.
Between those 3 services it is possible to see what you are doing, where and with who.
I value my privacy alot, and I take as many precautions to maintain it as much as possible. In the end the best you can do it make it as difficult as possible - use cash when possible, turn off you're phone between calls, etc.
I think you have to think about what you (egoshin and Aranel)are saying..
Internet is safe if you know how to use it, there are a lot of platforms like TOR for privacy. Also, mobile phone, I repeat, if I want not to be tracked can be done, by switching IMEI and Sim card at the same time, so you would appear as a new phone in the network.
The banking, I don't care about that, since the bank can only see where I buy, not what. But if you would want safe banking Switzerland is always available, or countries you've never heard off.
attila77
2010-04-09, 11:49
Personally, I prefer to be anonymous. Not because I'm a criminal or a threat to anyone (Because I'll dominate the World. mwahaha--) just because I think I have rights to have a private life, with private information. And my mobile device -which bought by me. It was not free, or given as a gift by government- should not be a collar for me. But, like I said, It is matter of choice. I prefer to be anonymous, I LOVE being anonymous and I don't think It is reasonable to trust anyone (police,government, you name it) that much.
I often wonder what's more dangerous - the abuse potential of trackability or the false sense of anonymity people sometimes have.
cashclientel
2010-04-09, 11:59
New readers: To summarise the thread up to this point then, it can be done (at least in theory) but no-one who has the skills seems that interested.
Certainly a topic to take off TMO and onto one of the less regulated forums where such dodgy matters can be discussed with no prejudgements.
Internet is safe if you know how to use it, there are a lot of platforms like TOR for privacy. Also, mobile phone, I repeat, if I want not to be tracked can be done, by switching IMEI and Sim card at the same time, so you would appear as a new phone in the network.
The banking, I don't care about that, since the bank can only see where I buy, not what. But if you would want safe banking Switzerland is always available, or countries you've never heard off.
1. Tor does not provide privacy. It provides a certain level of anonymity but once you exit from the Tor network, it is possible to have your traffic intercepted.
Tor has been already been attacked by Tor router owners who sniff their users traffic.
* http://wiki.noreply.org/noreply/TheOnionRouter/TorFAQ#ExitEavesdroppers
* http://archives.seul.org/or/talk/Sep-2007/msg00082.html
Hence, Tor does not provide you with 100% privacy, only a certain level of anonymity.
2. Switching IMEI and SIM at the same time? WTF? You mean using a different device? Sure, thats what most people who want to protect their privacy do - journalists, private people, whistle-blowers, etc.
3. Banking. Switzerland is not as private as it used to be.
Anyway, I think this thread is a few replies away from invoking Godwin's Law.
a
yeah, I'd like to see you happily throwing away your new £450 phone as you realise that it's stolen. Are you seriously saying that you think it's OK to use stolen equipment?
Or maybe ask the police to pay you back :rolleyes:You may have misunderstood how to use the police force. Hint: Tell them about the fence. You can legally claim your money back. And in the case the fence is so untrackable that it's imposible to find him and his money then it's really your own fault that you lost your money: It should have been quite clear to you that the seller was selling dubious goods, and you deserve your loss.
david.hicks
2010-04-09, 16:02
I agree with TA-t3...
The IMEI block system is very important in the fight against mobile crime. Circumvention of that system is irresponsible and doesn't really give you much in the way of anonymity, specially if you want to keep an identifiable phone number.
If you buy a stolen phone then it's your lookout. If the situation with phone sales in your country is that bad then insist you get to try the phone with your SIM card first to check it.
I'm very sympathetic to the Big Brother arguments when it comes to DNA databases and CCTV, but not in this case.
I don't think the argument here should be is it legal or not to change the IMEI. It should be more, why do you want to?
I think (I have to check) but 3GPP does not require, by legal requirement, a handset manufacturer to provide a unique IMEI for a handset - yes it is very useful, and helps alot, but I don't think it is required to validate the device tecnically.
Some operators don't care about devices without IMEIs - there has been millions of fake Nokia/Blackberry/Sony Ericsson devices used on networks in Pakistan/India/China for years. All these devices have had a) cloned IMEIs, b) no IMEIs.
I would be more worried about the affect it would have on the device's operation on the network.
If you are doing it for illicit purposes (stolen/fraud) then you deserve to get caught. If its for valid reasons, then away you go, but be warned..
this sounds about as legit as changing the vin on a car... i begin to wonder why...
propelli
2010-04-10, 19:46
this sounds about as legit as changing the vin on a car... i begin to wonder why...
I think that vin numbers and imei codes are quite different by their nature. Even though the both are "unique identification numbers", a vin number would be like imei only if it was possible to track car movements on a network (of roads) remotely by it's vin number.
In my opinion this makes a big difference when it comes to ones privacy.
propelli
attila77
2010-04-12, 11:26
Just out of curiousity, why is IMEI the problem ? Your SIM/number is just as (if not more) trackable as the IMEI. The question no IMEI change proponent answered is why do you want the HARDWARE to be untrackable but not yourself (which would be the goal if the real reason is privacy concerns) ?
ossipena
2010-04-12, 11:36
I think that vin numbers and imei codes are quite different by their nature. Even though the both are "unique identification numbers", a vin number would be like imei only if it was possible to track car movements on a network (of roads) remotely by it's vin number.
In my opinion this makes a big difference when it comes to ones privacy.
propelli
so they have gps-systems integrated to cars, how do you know those are not calling home?
just keep your phone closed while travelling and switch phones with random people at random intervals plus one sim card per turning on a phone.
or then again stop using gsm-stuff.....
e: and what if changing imei would be possible? would you really switch to a new sim-card after each change? could you really change imei with such pattern that can't be described by an algorithm?
abill_uk
2010-04-12, 12:27
This thread should be IMMEDIATLY SHUT DOWN this topic IS illegal and anyone who even attemtps to help will be reported by me for sure !!!! i lost my E90 stolen and blocked by Nokia. Please people ignore this thread .
It is illegal in some places and legal in others. Please don't try to force your laws or your morals on the rest of the internet.
IMEI changing has a very legitimate reason - some programs lock themselves to IMEI. If your device is broken and replaced as part of warranty service, or is lost and you decide to get a new one, you suddenly can't use the programs you bought. You find yourself at the mercy of companies which might accept this change and might not. Changing the IMEI to the original one is much easier.
michalurban
2010-04-12, 12:55
This thread should be IMMEDIATLY SHUT DOWN this topic IS illegal and anyone who even attemtps to help will be reported by me for sure !!!! i lost my E90 stolen and blocked by Nokia. Please people ignore this thread .
Easy, dude, relax ... youre going to have heart attack ... ;)
abill_uk
2010-04-12, 12:55
It is illegal in some places and legal in others. Please don't try to force your laws or your morals on the rest of the internet.
IMEI changing has a very legitimate reason - some programs lock themselves to IMEI. If your device is broken and replaced as part of warranty service, or is lost and you decide to get a new one, you suddenly can't use the programs you bought. You find yourself at the mercy of companies which might accept this change and might not. Changing the IMEI to the original one is much easier.
Read the guys posts you will clearly see he is dealing with a stolen phone, if he had nothing to hide then he would post the existing imei and he also talks BB5 , know i dont know what world you live in but coming from Poland and asking what he is asking AND you must remember this is a community, does it look good for the community such discussions? now where do you think most stolen anything gets sold off? ask yourself some serious questions and IF your N900 is stolen just how would you feel?.
Changing the IMEI to the original one is much easier.
You say its much easier, but I think we've found from this thread that its not that easy!!
This thread should be IMMEDIATLY SHUT DOWN this topic IS illegal and anyone who even attemtps to help will be reported by me for sure !!!! i lost my E90 stolen and blocked by Nokia. Please people ignore this thread .
Agree with Matan here - I'm from the UK and I know that the act of doing it is illegal, however talking about it isn't illegal over here, and even so, as Matan said, you can't force your laws, customs and views on other people. Our collonial days are over and long may it stay that way!
Solution? Don't read this thread if you don't like it!!
abill_uk
2010-04-12, 13:22
You say its much easier, but I think we've found from this thread that its not that easy!!
Agree with Matan here - I'm from the UK and I know that the act of doing it is illegal, however talking about it isn't illegal over here, and even so, as Matan said, you can't force your laws, customs and views on other people. Our collonial days are over and long may it stay that way!
Solution? Don't read this thread if you don't like it!!
Problem is if the answer WAS posted on this forum it would no way look good and the guy was asking for a direct answer so go read all his posts and you will see what i am on about. I know just how it feels to have a expensive mobile stolen and i also know how to change the imei but no way would i ever give out such information.
If he was legitimate he would contact Nokia direct and post a pic of his imei and give a valid reason.
Any talk about changing mobiles identity is going to bring hostile comments no matter what especially from those who have suffered a loss. Your in the UK so you should know already the fight against such activities so why condone it on this community?.
Think long and hard before you condone such talk.
cashclientel
2010-04-12, 13:29
@abill_uk - your personal opinions on this add nothing to the constructive discussion about technical feasibility.
abill_uk
2010-04-12, 13:30
Well, reason is that when You buy a phone in Bosnia, You can not be sure that phone is not from other network, that is not stolen from the truck etc. and soled to You. (in this case me). It gets to the shop like all other phones, who knows from where.
For Bosnia, it's a critical mission :). I'm not sure from where is my phone and is it legally imported in country.
I can be sure only if I buy phone at local operator. It is not a case, this time. So, will someone help me?
Post a pic of your IMEI and once its been checked out as not stolen just maybe someone will give you some help ok.
attila77
2010-04-12, 13:34
IMEI changing has a very legitimate reason - some programs lock themselves to IMEI. If your device is broken and replaced as part of warranty service, or is lost and you decide to get a new one, you suddenly can't use the programs you bought.
Let's not mix legitimate and fair here. The EULA of any application will certainly not endorse circumventing DRM, so you're on the slippery slope of Fair Use at best. It sure sucks having your hands tied or applications lost, but that does not automatically grant legitimacy.
abill_uk
2010-04-12, 13:35
@abill_uk - your personal opinions on this add nothing to the constructive discussion about technical feasibility.
The technical feasability as you put it is very very simple to those who know how but you simply cannot post information like that on ANY forum because the chances are you would probably get a visit from your local police ha ha. It is NOT a personal opinion its about the fight against stolen mobile equipment. The only discussion about changing imei is WHY do you want to change not post how to do it ! omg get a life will you.
cashclientel
2010-04-12, 13:39
omg get a life will you.
This response sparked a thought in my mind. The real issue with the N900 and TMO is the mixing between your average phone user and the Linux type community. Both sides aren't really familiar with dealing with each other.
Anyway, that's a bit off topic.
abill_uk
2010-04-12, 14:04
This response sparked a thought in my mind. The real issue with the N900 and TMO is the mixing between your average phone user and the Linux type community. Both sides aren't really familiar with dealing with each other.
Anyway, that's a bit off topic.
Problem with the N900 is the very fact its no way an average mobile and many many average mobile users have bought one then realised the implications of it not doing the job the average user is used too, this is Nokia's fault for releasing a mobile without the basic working functions thats common place in 2010, i could even go so far as to say there is nothing in existance like the N900 in any way or form yet and its come as a shell shock to many many people thats why they are ranting and raving for the firmware to be upgraded.
Anyhow i am not having an argument or losing my rag in any way regarding the changing of imei but suffice to say whatever discussion regarding imei it just cannot be changing it without some radical reason because it IS illegal near enough world through now and manufacturers themselves are only too aware of the implications, this is why they will only do this themselves usually so that stolen does not come into the equation in any way or form.
Incidently imei is instantly trackable to its owner or seller so before any talk could possibly take place at least that side of it would have to be proven and out of the way.
Very very sticky subject to talk about .
Which laws govern whether or not it is legal or not to post something online? I say that the laws of the jurisdiction where the information is hosted (e.g. Finland) should apply.
Of course if local law forbids you to share information, it is your responsibility to comply.
I'm not an expert in law, and Finnish law especially, but I think it should be illegal to do criminal acts, but it shouldn't be illegal to write and discuss about them.
Murder, arson, theft are illegal, but you can't arres t me for talking about how they are committed.
it's not impossible to change IMEI, I have witnessed someone changing their IMEI on their N95s before, using the debranding software
To all ppl with "simple solutions":
Thanks for your opinions. Since they are not reasonable, I don't have to discuss anything about this :) And.. No thanks, I'll keep using Internet and GSM. I know %100 privacy is not possible nor guaranteed, but doing my best is better than doing nothing. So there's no "false feeling of anonymity" when it comes to me. Maybe you should consider your motives about not letting other ppl hack their devices as they wish.
@abill_uk
You sir, are terribly wrong =) Personal ideas are personal, and most of people (including me) do not care. Since this thread is named "Is changing IMEI possible?" it's a simple yes/no question with a hidden question "If It's possible, how to do it?" So its not a discussion of WHY, it is a discussion of HOW. It's a technical discussion, not a moral one.
You think It's not good to change it, or you dont want to change it? It is ok. Do not use this thread. Hey, I have seen another thread with some guy asking about pr0n on N900. It's funny!! But please, do not force your opinions or viewpoints on other people.
Sharing information and applying that information are not the same. Even if some people stole devices and change IMEI because of it, there's other users just want to change it because of anonymity, or just for fun, etc. Computers are more open than gaming consoles, and you see, lots of ppl pirating software. So what? We should make them more closed? So they can't pirate software, or if we close all torrent trackers, It'll affect pirates?
It is just.. weird to see that kind of solutions on a GNU/Linux distro's forum.
BTW, most of you guys already know that, but: If you steal a device, you can sell it, or find someone with enough knowledge and hardware to change it's IMEI number for you. They are already doing that for years, so It's possible for some ppl, but I don't know if it's possible on N900, how they do it and if it's possible with on-the-fly patching software, instead of some hardware and tools. (which WAS the main topic of this thread, long time ago)
abill_uk
2010-04-12, 14:47
Which laws govern whether or not it is legal or not to post something online? I say that the laws of the jurisdiction where the information is hosted (e.g. Finland) should apply.
Of course if local law forbids you to share information, it is your responsibility to comply.
I'm not an expert in law, and Finnish law especially, but I think it should be illegal to do criminal acts, but it shouldn't be illegal to write and discuss about them.
Murder, arson, theft are illegal, but you can't arres t me for talking about how they are committed.
It is not about law its about not allowing people to deliberatly gain the use of something they have stolen or knowingly give the use of something stolen, ok here is a scenario for you to think about...
you just had your N900 stolen... i have got it ... i ask on some forum how to change the identity of your mobile and i get the answer, how are you going to feel about the fact someone has told me exactly how to use your mobile and you can do absolutely nothing about it ?
The moral of this is not just about law its about trying to stop people doing something immoral.
By giving out such information on the internet about how to change imei is going to progress crime not stop it.
So best way to stop progress of crime is not to talk about how easy it is to commit it !.
abill_uk
2010-04-12, 14:53
You sir, are terribly wrong =) Personal ideas are personal, and most of people (including me) do not care.
Enough said !
It is illegal in some places and legal in others. Please don't try to force your laws or your morals on the rest of the internet.
IMEI changing has a very legitimate reason - some programs lock themselves to IMEI. If your device is broken and replaced as part of warranty service, or is lost and you decide to get a new one, you suddenly can't use the programs you bought. You find yourself at the mercy of companies which might accept this change and might not. Changing the IMEI to the original one is much easier.
Do you know the way to read IMEI by non-root application in N900?
qwerty12
2010-04-12, 15:28
Do you know the way to read IMEI by non-root application in N900?
sysinfo-tool -g /certs/npc/esn/gsm
And the DBus equiv.: run-standalone.sh dbus-send --print-reply --type=method_call --system --dest=com.nokia.SystemInfo /com/nokia/SystemInfo com.nokia.SystemInfo.GetConfigValue string:"/certs/npc/esn/gsm" (returned as an array of bytes)
sysinfo also has a library (libsysinfo0) with no publicly released headers that Nokia apps can use to access sysinfo directly. With all that said, however, I dunno if the phone daemons use sysinfod
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=34058 also discusses getting it from the GSM daemon itself.
@abill_uk
You sir, are terribly wrong =) Personal ideas are personal, and most of people (including me) do not care. Since this thread is named "Is changing IMEI possible?" it's a simple yes/no question with a hidden question "If It's possible, how to do it?" So its not a discussion of WHY, it is a discussion of HOW. It's a technical discussion, not a moral one.
You think you can detach moral and technical issues?
OK, what would you feel if some people discuss technical ways to genocide people? Or... whatever, it is just example what there are issues the moral ground of it's should be taken into account first.
As for now I see only two arguments in favor of IMEI change possibility - anonymity and access to software after changing equipment.
Anonymity has a very little with IMEI change and anybody who speaks about it doesn't answer the simple question - "will you change SIM card frequently with IMEI change?". They understand that IT is an issue but not IMEI because it is pretty easy to change phone in the name of anonymity but anonymous SIM card is difficult to obtain in many countries.
As for access to software change - that is an issue, at least in some countries law doesn't enforce the rights of owners or contractors. In US you can ask the game/software provider about allowing you to change equipment for locked software, BTW.
But in any case, the IMEI read is difficult for application software and actually, I think Nokia would inforce DRM via attaching DRM software to chip which would have it's own serial number. The reason is simple - between application and RF chip which hosts IMEI there is an open source and easy hackable software (and you, Matan, do it each day :) and replace IMEI in it is pretty easy.
So, N900 IMEI can't be used for enforcing DRM in N900 and that is also not a case.
sysinfo-tool -g /certs/npc/esn/gsm
And the DBus equiv.: run-standalone.sh dbus-send --print-reply --type=method_call --system --dest=com.nokia.SystemInfo /com/nokia/SystemInfo com.nokia.SystemInfo.GetConfigValue string:"/certs/npc/esn/gsm" (returned as an array of bytes)
sysinfo also has a library (libsysinfo0) with no publicly released headers that Nokia apps can use to access sysinfo directly. With all that said, however, I dunno if the phone daemons use sysinfod
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=34058 also discusses getting it from the GSM daemon itself.
It is not from RF chip and can be easily faked, so - it can't be used by DRM.
abill_uk
2010-04-12, 16:00
To all ppl with "simple solutions":
Thanks for your opinions. Since they are not reasonable, I don't have to discuss anything about this :) And.. No thanks, I'll keep using Internet and GSM. I know %100 privacy is not possible nor guaranteed, but doing my best is better than doing nothing. So there's no "false feeling of anonymity" when it comes to me. Maybe you should consider your motives about not letting other ppl hack their devices as they wish.
@abill_uk
You sir, are terribly wrong =) Personal ideas are personal, and most of people (including me) do not care. Since this thread is named "Is changing IMEI possible?" it's a simple yes/no question with a hidden question "If It's possible, how to do it?" So its not a discussion of WHY, it is a discussion of HOW. It's a technical discussion, not a moral one.
You think It's not good to change it, or you dont want to change it? It is ok. Do not use this thread. Hey, I have seen another thread with some guy asking about pr0n on N900. It's funny!! But please, do not force your opinions or viewpoints on other people.
Sharing information and applying that information are not the same. Even if some people stole devices and change IMEI because of it, there's other users just want to change it because of anonymity, or just for fun, etc. Computers are more open than gaming consoles, and you see, lots of ppl pirating software. So what? We should make them more closed? So they can't pirate software, or if we close all torrent trackers, It'll affect pirates?
It is just.. weird to see that kind of solutions on a GNU/Linux distro's forum.
BTW, most of you guys already know that, but: If you steal a device, you can sell it, or find someone with enough knowledge and hardware to change it's IMEI number for you. They are already doing that for years, so It's possible for some ppl, but I don't know if it's possible on N900, how they do it and if it's possible with on-the-fly patching software, instead of some hardware and tools. (which WAS the main topic of this thread, long time ago)
OK am going to put you right on the spot now... here is YOUR chance to steal the limelight (cos no way i want it !!! )
WHY and for what reason would you want to change imei on your N900 ?
After saying to me ... @abill_uk
You sir, are terribly wrong =) Personal ideas are personal, and most of people (including me) do not care.
Then i will rest my case because no matter what reason ANYONE gives for wanting to change imei they must have a valid reason to do so.
My personal idea as you put it is simple... dont condone crime by telling everyone just how to change imei.
That is LOGIC not personal ok.
UNderworld
2010-04-12, 16:04
LOL at Abill_uk... who is talking about stealing your/anyone's phone??
The thread is about imei changing.. Which, in the uk at least, is Illegal to DO, but I guess its not illegal to talk about the subject..
If your phone was stolen/lost, do you think those who stole it are genius people who know how to change imei??? they probably dont even know what imei is.... If I want to sell a stolen phone, I'll sell it to another country, thats simpler than changing imei or whatsoever... CHILL DUDE!!
If you are really so much concerned about you phone being stolen/lost, there are insurance as cheap as £4.99 a month.... I have it, and tbh, I dont give a damn if its bricked, lost, stolen, broken..
Hasn't this discussion pretty much played out?
UNderworld
2010-04-12, 16:11
Hasn't this discussion pretty much played out?
here comes trouble :P ... :D
LOL at Abill_uk... who is talking about stealing your/anyone's phone??
The thread is about imei changing.. Which, in the uk at least, is Illegal to DO, but I guess its not illegal to talk about the subject..
Would you like any discussion about finding a way to burn your house? Or you could check the intention of that discussion first? I mean - moral ground.
If your phone was stolen/lost, do you think those who stole it are genius people who know how to change imei??? they probably dont even know what imei is.... If I want to sell a stolen phone, I'll sell it to another country, thats simpler than changing imei or whatsoever...
Or, it simple - use google and find it. But that guys are smart enough to target only phones which are commercially profitable to sell, they don't stole anything which has no market. If there is no known way to change IMEI then that market doesn't exist for N900 ... or at least it is restricted by some 3rd world countries without IMEI locking.
Heard that something (I don't know even if its a HW or SW, think of it as both) Advance Box just did the trick for N900. I'm not sure if it is possible yet to change IMEI on N900, but.. here it is:
http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/f609/
UNderworld
2010-04-13, 17:19
Would you like any discussion about finding a way to burn your house? Or you could check the intention of that discussion first? I mean - moral ground.
If you buy a car which goes 200mph, does any authorities question you whether you will be speeding or not?? NO
But if you speed, you get caught, your problem..
Its illegal to go over 70mph on a motorway in uk, but its not illegal to de-limit a car which already does 150mph....
Or, it simple - use google and find it. But that guys are smart enough to target only phones which are commercially profitable to sell, they don't stole anything which has no market. If there is no known way to change IMEI then that market doesn't exist for N900 ... or at least it is restricted by some 3rd world countries without IMEI locking.
mobile phone thieves are "opportunists".... They see a phone, want it? grab it/nick it quietly. then walk/run away...
Do you think some thief will see your N900, and think "oh nice looking phone, but let me google first whether there is a good black market for this"....?? :D
UNderworld
2010-04-13, 17:33
Heard that something (I don't know even if its a HW or SW, think of it as both) Advance Box just did the trick for N900. I'm not sure if it is possible yet to change IMEI on N900, but.. here it is:
http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/f609/
found this from that site
http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/f609/n900-sucessfully-flashed-975230/
WHY and for what reason would you want to change imei on your N900 ?
Maybe he wants to install N900-Pptest-Pack 1.0.0-2010042416?
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http://maemo.org/packages/package_instance/view/fremantle_extras-devel_free_armel/n900-pptest-pack/1.0.0-2010042416/&sl=zh-CN&tl=en
Maybe he wants to install N900-Pptest-Pack 1.0.0-2010042416?
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http://maemo.org/packages/package_instance/view/fremantle_extras-devel_free_armel/n900-pptest-pack/1.0.0-2010042416/&sl=zh-CN&tl=en
I don't think so. AFAICT the package is only to test the packaging system. The reason is this package, which provides chinese input method through mscim: http://maemo.org/packages/package_instance/view/fremantle_extras-devel_free_armel/mscim-n900-ppinputmethod/1.0.0-2010042905/
However, it seems to only be available for devices sold in Hong Kong, which is ensured by checking the device IMEI. It does not provide means to change the IMEI.
Thats how I found this thread.... I want that input method... Can you tell me how to change IMEI now? :D (j/k)
david.hicks
2010-05-04, 12:12
mobile phone thieves are "opportunists".... They see a phone, want it? grab it/nick it quietly. then walk/run away...
Do you think some thief will see your N900, and think "oh nice looking phone, but let me google first whether there is a good black market for this"....?? :D
Which is exactly why making it unprofitable to steal any mobile phone at all is a good thing.
I'll say again, if the phone market in your country is bad enough that you don't know whether you're buying blocked/stolen goods, then insist on trying before you buy. It's your responsibility to make sure you are not part of the problem.
mozdogan
2010-07-08, 15:29
Firstly i'm sorry that i join your discussion wiht my poor English skill.
I have read your discussion completely about how to IMEI changing. I can give you an example why a person really needs to do it.
I work in SSSR. Last year i have been to Turkey. At that moment i stayed to use my gsm (N97) and there is no way to use without registration your gsm, because of laws even you bring it with you. I have registered at that moment once.
So, it was last year happen.
And now Nokia published the new version of Nokia which is N900 named. I bought n900 this year and i came to Turkey again for spend my holiday with my parents.
It seems everything is ok but no. So, I bought this gsm in SSSR and i payed TAX for use it in SSSR. But there is a law here in Turkey which you couldn't register again a new mobile even you bring with you in two years.
What should i do if i need to use it here in Turkey?
I'm not thief as you described.
Even I payed completely for it to use in SSSR. But there is no way to use it here in Turkey without registration and there is no way to register in two years 2 gsm(s) to your passport.
I think that could be a reason to change IMEI and to use it or am i wrong?
There's rumours of T-Mobile beginning to block all non-Hiptop IMEIs from their Hiptop PAYG plan (which is the only PAYG plan with data). I'd be interested in learning how to spoof a Hiptop IMEI in case this ever affects me...
There's rumours of T-Mobile beginning to block all non-Hiptop IMEIs from their Hiptop PAYG plan (which is the only PAYG plan with data). I'd be interested in learning how to spoof a Hiptop IMEI in case this ever affects me...
The short answer is you will not be able to spoof your IMEI over the cellular network - as long as the network is using this number as an access control method, your only option will be to buy compatible hardware.
For sure you can modify the IMEI value in parts of the application engine (operating system), but on the cellular side, not going to happen unless you have your own chip fabrication plant : )
So hypothetically speaking here.
If I tried to get a phone out on contract (because I never wanted to wait until I had saved up to buy a phone on P&G which would have been outdated buy the time I had all the money together) and my credit check failed because I lost my job and car so I was black listed for anything on credit,
Then I asked my partner to get the phone for me on T-Mobile, then when I have paid the first 6 months of the contract coming from my bank account then when I ask for a "change of ownership" they say they can not do it because my credit check has still failed.
So I'm left with a phone which is in my parters name, no wait now my "EX" partners name and I'm still paying the bill because I need to use the phone to for calls/texts/internet. On day she decides to go ape sh*t at me and go "Oh I know how to pi*s him off, I'll phone T-Mobile and because he couldn't get it changed into his name I'm the account holder so I'll report it stolen" (Baring in mind that the bills have been paid from my account and the address is registered to mine too.) The she goes along and does that, I can't unblock it not being the account holder. I'm shafted really aren't I???
So if I wanted to avoid this situation from happening again for a 3rd time. How could I Mask/change/clone it to my friends N900 which he is happy for me to do (It's on Vodafone), so I could avoid being barred and not being able to use my phone when ever the "BiG bAg of crazy" decides to throw her toys out of the pram.
Just to neaten that up
Bill Payer: Me
Phone: Me
Registered Address: Mine
Account Holder (Contract): Ex
T-Mobile are aware of this I've tried may thing to get it changed. I have even challenged them writing into the the accounts department. Still They don't care so long as they are getting the money.
If no one is willing to PM me or contact me on how I could change the IMEI of my phone, is it possible that someone in here works for T-Mobile or better still have any other suggestion to try and help me out on this one. Thanks
P.S. As most of you may have gathered from that, it's a true situation that currently happening. :(
fnordianslip
2010-08-19, 17:43
How about this. Stop paying the bill. Get a PAYG SIM from somewhere and put it on the phone.
So if I wanted to avoid this situation from happening again for a 3rd time.
Just to neaten that up
Bill Payer: Me
Phone: Me
Registered Address: Mine
Account Holder (Contract): Ex
Teach your ex - stop paying bills.
But seriously - you should talk to lawyer, he can explain you that fix some injustice with avoiding law is Not Good Thing. In life there are many situations which can be resolved just jumping the law... at least for some time. What happens if your EX file the lawsuit against you because phone is listed on her? Judge, not you would decided - is you bill payment for phone service is a prove that you own a phone. In my understanding the law would be against you here, you don't own the rented car. If your partner have chance to present her point of view I suspect it would be a perfect case of your attempt of stealing her phone which she rented to you.
How about this. Stop paying the bill. Get a PAYG SIM from somewhere and put it on the phone.
Nice way of looking at it, but your forgetting that T-Mobile can block my phone by adding my IMEI number to the National Blacklist, so when it sends off the IMSI and IMEI number It will be block on any UK network considering all the APN's around my are UK lol. I thought of it myself but then I'd be cause more hassle.
Teach your ex - stop paying bills.
But seriously - you should talk to lawyer, he can explain you that fix some injustice with avoiding law is Not Good Thing. In life there are many situations which can be resolved just jumping the law... at least for some time. What happens if your EX file the lawsuit against you because phone is listed on her? Judge, not you would decided - is you bill payment for phone service is a prove that you own a phone. In my understanding the law would be against you here, you don't own the rented car. If your partner have chance to present her point of view I suspect it would be a perfect case of your attempt of stealing her phone which she rented to you.
Humm never really looked at it like that I suppose, well I may play the dirty and make sure I don@t pay on time just to muddy up her credit lol.
& Hope fully instead of T-Mobile saying "we're not interested. We got the money coming in" it will be the case of "Danm, we ain't getting paid, we should review the account holder and find out whats happening." Either way a IMEI cloner would be great.
Thanks for the suggestions.
TiagoTiago
2010-08-27, 04:20
The thread about using additional frequencies with the FM transmitter not only explains how to do somthing that is illegal in many countries but actually provides links to binaries to achieve that goal, and yet no one has asked that thread to be closed nor anything, why is it different here?
I'm not condoning the purchase of stolen goods, i'm just trying to understand the (apparent) double standard.
Creamy Goodness
2010-08-27, 06:51
you have a nokia n900, aka RX-51
it is built on the nokia bb5 (base band 5) platform
it contains security known as sl3 (sim lock 3)
I see the products "dm3" and "atf" (advance turbo flasher) advertise support for this device. i don't know if they would actually do an "IMEI repair", however.
they cost hundreds of dollars, more than a new phone, but perhaps you can find a store advertising "IMEI repair" that have this equipment available. or just contact the manufacturer of those products. they like to advertise all over the internet, i'm sure you can figure it out.
The thread about using additional frequencies with the FM transmitter not only explains how to do somthing that is illegal in many countries but actually provides links to binaries to achieve that goal, and yet no one has asked that thread to be closed nor anything, why is it different here?
I'm not condoning the purchase of stolen goods, i'm just trying to understand the (apparent) double standard.
it's silly to compare the two, it is not a double standard.
which one do you think would cause more problems -- a million cloned cellphones, or a million radios transmitting at a slightly higher power level or wrong frequency.
a cloned cellphone is more likely to be linked to crime, benefiting criminals, and causing problems for other users of the network.
a bad radio isn't going to do anything unless someone 20ft away is trying to use that frequency for something else.
plus, the imei is logged by your network. they probably won't do anything, but how safe can you be? all they have to do is send the cops after you to check if the sticker on your phone matches.
oh yeah, why don't you just sell your phone to someone in the USA or Canada? apparently the providers over here are too damn stupid and lazy to pay any attention to your list of bad IMEIs. they can only handle blocking phones on their own networks...
stickymick
2010-08-27, 07:06
Wouldn't it just be easier if you did what every other law abiding citizen did?
Keep your damn @ss out of trouble. :p
therealdeal
2010-09-05, 22:29
Guys,
I am in a situation...... i got ganged up by a bunch of guys and got beaten up real bad and they took my iphone 32GB!!! this is pure injustice and the police in uk will not find them.
i am planning to take things in my own hand. i got insurance on it the following day however if i give the insurance company my imei number then they will see i reported it stolen the day before i took out the insurance
my plan...i got a cuz in ny. could i claim i lost my phone and give his imei number??? would the brits b able to track it and get me done for fraud???
this is just an idea and I emphasise I am not planning to do this for legal reasons ;)
jgbreezer
2010-09-05, 22:57
I think they'd be suspicious enough with you just having bought the insurance, oh and look a few days (or even weeks) later it gets stolen.. hmmm. You could just give up and accept **** happens; get a new phone and be more careful with it/yourself - oh, and put the security codes on it (both the phone and the sim card if you're paranoid).
Hope you didn't have any lasting damage from their attack. Did you report the attack to the police? I believe most insurance (in UK at least and many other countries) will want you to report the theft to the police before they'll accept the insurance claim.
TiagoTiago
2010-09-06, 19:41
talking about security code, how can i set the N900 to ask for a password/pin when the sim card is swapped/removed?
thebtman
2010-09-14, 21:41
IMEI changing is illegal and for good reason and all those cloaked twisted reasons kicking around this thread that suggest a justifiable excuse to change a device imei are just ********.
People want to know how to do it for one reason only, to cheat the system. Ultimately that means someone who has lost their phone or had it stolen, loses out and I for one (who paid full cost for mine) do not support that.
michaelxy
2010-11-12, 09:44
I guess its makeable with the phoenix service software on older Nokia Phones. If it will go on the N900 - i dont know. Also there ist software for other vendors (Siemens) to change the IMEI. I Guess i saw such an option on the Nokia E70 and/or Nokia E90 via the phoenix service software. :p
It is possible. When you are completely flashing the N900, before you download the files it asks your phone IMEI number and whatever you write it is written to the software.
no you're WRONG haider93
it only asks for imie so only people with n900's download it. its like capcha.
its not that easy to change imie.
do some reasearch before posting wrong things
IMEI changing is illegal and for good reason and all those cloaked twisted reasons kicking around this thread that suggest a justifiable excuse to change a device imei are just ********.
People want to know how to do it for one reason only, to cheat the system. Ultimately that means someone who has lost their phone or had it stolen, loses out and I for one (who paid full cost for mine) do not support that.
You are quite near sighted to say things you don't know well too boldly. If a phone is reported stolen, its IMEI is locked, then changing the IMEI is supporting stealing. I have a different story for you to consider.
I bought a N95 operator locked to Softbank Japan. Softbank does not support Nokia firmware update. Elsewhere in the world the N95s are updated to 3.* firmwares but in Japan, the firmware for N95 just remain the same at 2.* version. I change the regional code to a non-softbank one, update to the new 3.* firmware, and get myself to a delema: the phone nolonger work with Softbank because all pre-configured things like useragent, wap setting for softbank are gone.
Failed to get setting information for N95 from softbank, I bought another softbank phone, a Toshiba T01a, which turned out to be a joke because the windows phone doesnot have english UI.
Frustrated, I put the softbank SIM back to the N95 to find out that its IMEI has been locked by softbank !! I made lots of complaint to softbank but cannot get my N95 IMEI back. So I send it to my country and a new IMEI is implanted in 5 minutes. (That's why I decided to stay away from any Japanese operator-locked phone and get myself a real treat, a N900, anyway).
In this island, even using a non-operator-locked phone is said to be illegal by those stupid japanese phone sellers. They locked my IMEI just because I bring it to them and by a new one from them!
I hope in my case, you don't see that changing the IMEI of MYOWN phone because it has been illegally IMEI locked by operator as illegal.
I am not a phone technician so I dont know how to do it, but I haven't seen any phone with IMEI impossible to be changed. Well, don't support stolen phones, but I love the idea of being able to do whatever you like with the product you own. I hate the idea my beloved one is being tracked. How many stolen phones have found their way back to their owners thanks to IMEI? So why IMEI?
erionzani
2010-12-25, 16:10
Yes, IMEI changing is possible via service software such as Phoenix. As a user of nokia symbian phones in the past i had a similar problem as Duy2anh. My earlier cell, E55, was branded. Changed IMEI to general western EU region and was able to flash the phone with new firmware everytime. I'm i little bit sceptic about N900 though.
Yes, IMEI changing is possible via service software such as Phoenix. As a user of nokia symbian phones in the past i had a similar problem as Duy2anh. My earlier cell, E55, was branded. Changed IMEI to general western EU region and was able to flash the phone with new firmware everytime. I'm i little bit sceptic about N900 though.
Hmm, it sounds like you have changed the phone's regional code, not the IMEI though.
As far as I can guess, Nokia use the regional codes because they pack their firmwares with different language pack for different region. Like if your phone has EU 1 region code, you dont have Chinese language packed in your firmware. Changing your regional code enable you to flash your phone to different language, and possibly different function, sometimes (like the FM transmitter in the N900 case.) Changing that regional code does not affect your IMEI at all.
erionzani
2010-12-26, 11:29
Hmm, it sounds like you have changed the phone's regional code, not the IMEI though.
As far as I can guess, Nokia use the regional codes because they pack their firmwares with different language pack for different region. Like if your phone has EU 1 region code, you dont have Chinese language packed in your firmware. Changing your regional code enable you to flash your phone to different language, and possibly different function, sometimes (like the FM transmitter in the N900 case.) Changing that regional code does not affect your IMEI at all.
True that. Now i recall it. Precisely as you say. But i remember i did change IMEI once couple of years ago on a symbian device. It is doable with some service software i did find on internet. Hell i even can't remember why i did it, it doesn't bring anything really. I guess experimenting.
Wikiwide
2010-12-26, 12:12
IMEI changing is illegal and for good reason and all those cloaked twisted reasons kicking around this thread that suggest a justifiable excuse to change a device imei are just ********.
People want to know how to do it for one reason only, to cheat the system. Ultimately that means someone who has lost their phone or had it stolen, loses out and I for one (who paid full cost for mine) do not support that.
Whether IMEI inside the device is changed or not, there is IMEI written under the battery. If the device is lost, it will be easier for a human to look at paper IMEI than to recharge the device to get electronic IMEI. If the device is stolen, thief will have to erase this paper IMEI, too, and any attentive/suspicious buyer will not like this and might (if he is suspicious enough) start an official investigation.
But I agree, changing IMEI is a shadowy activity. Not always illegal, but it's like: how can I make a plastic mask which would hide my face from passers by and look like normal human face?
TiagoTiago
2010-12-28, 07:50
Isn't the product code and not the IMEI what was used on Symbian devices to find new firmware versions?
Don't wanna ruin anyone's argument, but mobile phone theft is rising and it's got nothing to do with the fact wether you can change your IMEI or not. It's due to the rise in gadget prices and the fact that more people got them. Most stolen phones from the UK will end up in East Europe or Africa where even blocked phones gain new life without any IMEI tricks(which could be and being done as we speak/write) Most thiefs/muggers don't have time reading these forums as they are busy doing drugs. And most of them are not very educated to understand the technical details anyway. So why is it a taboo topic?
Why would anybody want to change their IMEI if they are not criminals? I'm sure ppl heard of the case of some chineese folks having their gmail account hacked... Or people living in Zimbabwe etc.
Ps: I'm very happy with my IMEI and have no intention of changing it or anyone elses and the last time I stole something I was 7 and my Mum beat me very much and I never done it again :)
tusharmax
2010-12-29, 08:40
you probably used nemesis service siute... like i said... you CAN change the imei ... but you have to recalculate the securtyzones .... and this will be expensive...
from what i remember NSS options with usb cable is pretty limited, hence changing imei without the real dongle is as such not possible.. but J.A.F might be helpful in this process tho.
if it was easy to change IMEI criminal rings in UK would do it when they get stolen devices what have blocked from UK networks instead of sending them over seas where they are worth less
Isn't the product code and not the IMEI what was used on Symbian devices to find new firmware versions?
Yeah it is the product code checked to update the firmwares, not only symbian but all nokia phone I think, at least with my N900. Mine is coded for Hongkong N900 version. Been thinking if I should change the code to EU or US though. Can anyone tell the difference between HongKong N900 PR1.3 and EU N900 one beside chiness input support (which I don't use)?
I reflashed the phone to PR1.3 with the global image because I could not get the OTA update, but infact the global image is a little bit different from the Hongkong firmware (no chinese input). After reflashing the global image, I have to run Nokia Software Updater to flash to the HongKong PR1.3. I don't know if I should do that or it is just a waste of time.
My N900 is not operator locked, so I do not have to worry about changing IMEI though. I don't think my carrier will help me lock the IMEI even if the phone is lost. They will laugh at my stupidity for not buying a properly protected local phone, maybe.:)
Justina Bonatelli
2011-02-18, 02:17
Hi,
There is typically more than one CPU on the phone, one for PDA stuff, the other provides the 3G/2G/GSM etc. stack, and is often connected together via serial lines.
It would not be running Linux, more likely a real time operating system like Nucleus, etc.
The IMSI is stored on the SIM card, but the IMEI is hard coded number used like the phone's MAC address.
I would be impressed if you could somehow figure out how to do it, maybe trying with:
- sending a "special" SMS, like the unlockers do
- fuzzing the 3G stack
- JTAG pads
- use the ARM chip to fuzz the serial line or syscalls.
- etc
Ciao!
Justina B.
MaurerPower
2013-02-09, 06:50
Yes, changing the IMEI on a cellular device is illegal in most countries, however wanting to know how to do it does not mean a person is trying to do anything illegal.
In my case, I am running an android appliance in a virtual machine on my laptop. I have no idea how, but it keeps assigning an IMEI to a NON-cellular device (most tablets do not have this, they should only be assigned an Android Device ID). Thus I cannot play any games on my vm as the IMEI it keeps assigning is actually in use by someone. Thereby causing me to involuntarily spoof someone else's IMEI. I want to change that seeing as how it's not illegal to change if the device does not reside on a cellular network, and I would love to have proper usability on my virtual machine.
Also, it is most certainly not illegal to install an android device in a virtual machine as it is a freeware OS. Thus my interest in learning to change my IMEI.
For example, bluestacks (a well done but INCREDIBLY slow android emulator does not provide cellular IMEI), can be used to create many accounts for any Mobage game (a company that uses IMEI validation), however it is FAR to slow on most netbooks. Creating a VM works amazing, but how to I either remove the IMEI on my non-cellular device or is there another way I can go about this?
Dunno if anyone can help or point me in the right direction? For all I know this could even be the wrong forum to discuss this?
michaeljos
2013-09-03, 09:57
I think it’s illegal to change the IMEI of a phone and can lead to legal
action....
I think it’s illegal to change the IMEI of a phone and can lead to legal
action....
Depends on the country where you do it I belive :D
Last time I looked there are no laws in the world that are universally enforced, in some 3rd world countries it is even legal to kill a fellow human being as a (claimed) self defence!
oguzhanssan
2014-10-24, 13:38
In Turkey, u can not buy phone from outside world.
if you buy u have to register it. if u get out the country within 2 months, u may register if not, u have change its imei!
so i need this because of i bought phone from another country.
any solution for Jolla!!!!!
panjgoori
2014-10-24, 17:49
In Turkey, u can not buy phone from outside world.
if you buy u have to register it. if u get out the country within 2 months, u may register if not, u have change its imei!
so i need this because of i bought phone from another country.
any solution for Jolla!!!!!
changing IMEI is not possible. except changing the phone board itself (correct me if im wrong)
peterleinchen
2014-10-24, 18:11
... in some 3rd world countries it is even legal to kill a fellow human being as a (claimed) self defenceSo you call the US a 3rd world country? ;)
In Turkey, u can not buy phone from outside world.We know.
if you buy u have to register it. if u get out the country within 2 months, u may register if not, u have change its imei!Could you please rephrase. I cannot understand fully.
I know it was possible for older 'dumb phones' (but e.g. for Nokia this was also not possible anymore since BB5 afair). I do not know for Samsung/Apple and so on .....
so i need this because of i bought phone from another country. any solution for Jolla!!!!!
I am afraid you are out of luck. But you should check in a local shop, ,aybe they already have a solution (which i doubt for this niche device).
So you call the US a 3rd world country? ;)
Don't make me say it aloud :D:D:D:D
jellyroll
2014-10-25, 09:47
I didn't understood the Turkish goverment rules anyway. If you live out there and want to do some illegal action on a cellphone just buy a few second handed on the local blackmarket and pay in cash.
I don't have any need to change IMEI, no iPhone 6 plus in the packet, don't want to robbed by some dumbass.
Does anyone knows what the side effect would be when you change your IMEI number to an existing number at the same cellurar network.
Does anyone knows what the side effect would be when you change your IMEI number to an existing number at the same cellurar network.
The IMEI will be blacklisted, and both phones useless
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