Database Users

[Q] IMEI Backup and Restore

I am totally new to flashing. I just backed up my IMEI (created a rfs file using Terminal Emulator and just copied of the efs folder to my sdcard).
My question is that suppose I happen to lose my IMEI on flashing, can I recover it by simply copying the contents of the backed up efs folder to the original folder using root explorer?

yeah, its as simple as that

manish19 said:
I am totally new to flashing. I just backed up my IMEI (created a rfs file using Terminal Emulator and just copied of the efs folder to my sdcard).
My question is that suppose I happen to lose my IMEI on flashing, can I recover it by simply copying the contents of the backed up efs folder to the original folder using root explorer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U can also flash it with Odin even without rooting.

devc0ol said:
U can also flash it with Odin even without rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks but I am not sure how I would do that. I went through the IMEI backup and restore thread. So is this what I have to do?
1. Select the .ops file.
2. In the efs section, add the file and not select the one package option.
3. Connect my phone in download mode
4. Flash
Is this method correct?

manish19 said:
Thanks but I am not sure how I would do that. I went through the IMEI backup and restore thread. So is this what I have to do?
1. Select the .ops file.
2. In the efs section, add the file and not select the one package option.
3. Connect my phone in download mode
4. Flash
Is this method correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup thats the way the say it to do.
But i think u have to change the efs folder into a .tar file to flash it.
DO IT AT UR OWN RISK!

manish19 said:
Thanks but I am not sure how I would do that. I went through the IMEI backup and restore thread. So is this what I have to do?
1. Select the .ops file.
2. In the efs section, add the file and not select the one package option.
3. Connect my phone in download mode
4. Flash
Is this method correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=888193
Have a look at this Thread also..
Gives the basics of different ways of mounting the efs partion.
Its safe to use the ADB method i guess.
But flashing with efs.tar file should work.

[GUIDE] Recover your IMEI in 9 steps.

If you did not make any backup of your EFS folder, and your IMEI is messed up, this could be your solution to recover your lost IMEI. NOTE THAT AT LEAST YOU MUST HAVE THE SHIPPED ORIGINAL EFS FOLDER ON YOUR PHONE ( even if you didn't make a backup of it yet and even it's messed up ) FOR THIS METHOD TO WORK
My history with my IMEI:
I flashed my phone with some ROMs, and I didn't backup my EFS folder before, then My SGS2 IMEI was changed to 004999010640000, and we know this is the fake IMEI that is assigned to the phone if the nv_data.bin file is messed up.
so I researched. searched all the forums and didn't find anything that could cure my phone's IMEI and set it to the original IMEI number. so I experimented and after some hours, I fixed my IMEI.
one thing that led me to the conclusion that " .nv_data " file is the thing that I need to fix the IMEI is that they share a very look alike name, and they have the same 2MB size.
PS: I restored my phone's firmware to it's original PDA, Phone and CSC, rooted it with CF-Root, and then done this procedures below
here is what I have done:
you must have:
-Root
-Root explorer for copying files to and from EFS folder
-Android SDK for the ADB tools or Terminal in your phone.
It is interesting to know that the IMEI is stored in ".nv_data" file in ORIGINAL SHIPPED EFS folder too, so you just have to do these:
1) make a copy of your EFS folder to your sdcard using root explorer and then make a backup of the folder to your computer [ to have another copy if you had to format sd card sometime ]
2) delete the EFS folder (BE SURE YOU HAVE BACKED IT UP IN A SAFE PLACE AS SAID IN STEP 1) from the root of your phone using root explorer.
3) reset the phone, after that, go to the root, and you can see that the EFS folder is still there, don't make any mistake, this EFS folder is new and generated by the android OS.
4) go to EFS folder using root explorer, and delete "nv_data.bin", "nv_data.bin.md5".
5) go to your backed up EFS folder on your sdcard, copy the "imei" folder to the EFS folder at the root of your phone, then again go to the backed up EFS folder at yout sdcard and copy the " .nv_data " file to your EFS folder at the root of your phone using root explorer, NOTE: the dot in first of nv_data is not a mistake, copy the ".nv_data" file.
6) make another copy of the ".nv_data" file in EFS folder in your phone, so you would have 2 copies of ".nv_data" in EFS folder
7) rename one of ".nv_data" files to "nv_data.bin" and another one to "nv_data.bin.bak"
8) at your PC open CMD at the ADB tool path, or run Terminal at your phone enter these commands:
adb shell ( use this command of you use ADB, if you're using terminal, skip this line )
su ( ALLOW THE MESSAGE CAME AT YOUR PHONE's DISPLAY BY SUPERUSER PROGRAM )
chown 1001:radio /efs/nv_data.bin
9) reset your phone.... after that you have your original IMEI. you can check your IMEI by dialing *#06#.
and DO IT ON YOUR OWN RISK.
and PLEASE MAKE A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL EFS FOLDER BEFORE DELETING IT. IT HAS IMPORTANT FILES IN IT.
and sorry for bad English.

Thank you very much for taking the time to write this helpful thread, but can you please tell us how your IMEI was changed to a fake one in the first place so that we don't have to go through all this?

maddada said:
Thank you very much for taking the time to write this helpful thread, but can you please tell us how your IMEI was changed to a fake one in the first place so that we don't have to go through all this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing a rom may often be the only reason .
jje

Had you already made a copy of your EFS folder before your IMEI was changed?

kcaz said:
Had you already made a copy of your EFS folder before your IMEI was changed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I didn't had the back up before IMEI change.
To make a conclusion:
... You didn't backup your EFS folder.
... Your IMEI changed because of ROM flashings.
... You want to recover your IMEI.

For the purpose of making a backup of the EFS folder, how about simply copying the whole folder into a safe place?
There is an app called Nitrality (if my spelling is not wrong) which one of its various functions is to backup and restore the EFS folder. I've made a backup using this method and it seems that what the app actually did was simply copying the whole folder into a different directory. If it's simple like that, it seems that Root Explorer or similar app would be enough for that purpose.
Nevertheless, as there are numerous guides on this topic, all of which providing more complex methods, either using ADB or Terminal Emulator (I've made a backup using it as well, just in case, which resulted in the EFS being saved as tarball file), I have some doubts whether simply copying the whole folder would be enough for a eventual restoration. Would it?

angelomaldito said:
For the purpose of making a backup of the EFS folder, how about simply copying the whole folder into a safe place?
There is an app called Nitrality (if my spelling is not wrong) which one of its various functions is to backup and restore the EFS folder. I've made a backup using this method and it seems that what the app actually did was simply to copy the whole folder into a different directory. If it's simple like that, it seems that Root Explorer or similar app would be enough for that purpose.
Nevertheless, as there are numerous guides on this topic, all of which providing more complex methods, either using ADB or Terminal Emulator (i've made a backup using it as well, just in case, which resulted in the EFS being saved as tarball file), I have some doubts wheter simply copying the whole folder would be enough for a eventual restoration. Would it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just copying your EFS folder to a safe place is enough, using any method, but copying EFS folder messes up wih its permissions, so if you want to restore your nv_data.bin file, you must set the owner of the nv_data.bin using "chown" command in ADB like described in my post.
After all, I hope this method works for everyone, worked for me though.

Have copied the efs folder onto my PC.
At least i now know i have a backup, i can mess about with permissions there and then if it ever comes down to it!

I do not have the .nv_data file. onle *.bin or *.bak. Any suggestions or do I have to stick with the generic 00... IMEI? The whole procedure did not word for me, but thanks anyway.
By the way I think you do not need adb for that. You can execute the chmod command in a Terminal editor on the phone.

Schindler33 said:
I do not have the .nv_data file. onle *.bin or *.bak. Any suggestions or do I have to stick with the generic 00... IMEI? The whole procedure did not word for me, but thanks anyway.
By the way I think you do not need adb for that. You can execute the chmod command in a Terminal editor on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes you can use terminal in your phone, but as for information for the other users, you don't need to enter " adb shell " command in step 8, because you are already connected to the phone's kernel.
I think you deleted your original EFS folder that came preinstalled with your phone, because I had " .nv_data " file.
anyway, use " nv_data.bin.bak " instead of " .nv_data " and see what happens.
thanks for the update.
---------- Post added at 07:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:53 PM ----------
superleeds27 said:
Have copied the efs folder onto my PC.
At least i now know i have a backup, i can mess about with permissions there and then if it ever comes down to it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for your reply. but please don't play with EFS folder too much. the Android OS can't recover your IMEI if you lost it completely. I've been lucky with this method to restore my IMEI.
thanks.

Do you know if there are providers that block your
IMEI? I do not have any problems with my carrier now but I will soon go to the states, and I don't know wether my phone will get blocked there.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Im not messing with it at all. Basically just copied it onto my SD card and then onot my PC. That way i know i deffo have a backup if anything was to happen

Schindler33 said:
Do you know if there are providers that block your
IMEI? I do not have any problems with my carrier now but I will soon go to the states, and I don't know wether my phone will get blocked there.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know any providers. but as a guess, I think some providers MAY block an irregular IMEI because of their security policy. but it's just a guess.

vaskodogamagmail said:
No, I didn't had the back up before IMEI change.
To make a conclusion:
... You didn't backup your EFS folder.
... Your IMEI changed because of ROM flashings.
... You want to recover your IMEI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand how you were able to apply the steps you describe to your case if you didn't have a backup of your original efs folder...

Help
My SGS 4G IMEI is corrupted showing some random symbols. Now I have taken backup of my EFS folder. EFS>root>afs>setings has .nv_state and nv_data.bin.
In IMEI folder there are only two files bt.txt and mps_code.dat.
Can it be repaired back to original IMEI? I don't have back up of my original EFS folder.

jerome.d said:
I don't understand how you were able to apply the steps you describe to your case if you didn't have a backup of your original efs folder...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't had a backup of my original EFS folder BEFORE IMEI CHANGE.
after my IMEI has been changed to the fake one, then I backed up my EFS folder and do the steps in the first post.
---------- Post added at 05:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:13 PM ----------
s_d123 said:
My SGS 4G IMEI is corrupted showing some random symbols. Now I have taken backup of my EFS folder. EFS>root>afs>setings has .nv_state and nv_data.bin.
In IMEI folder there are only two files bt.txt and mps_code.dat.
Can it be repaired back to original IMEI? I don't have back up of my original EFS folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the Content of your IMEI folder is correct, we don't have any business with the IMEI folder's content.
but look at your EFS folder contents, find the file named " .nv_data " (no post-fix), then do the steps in the first post.
but NOTE: my SGS 2 is a GSM model, not the 4G model, so I cannot guarantee that this method works with your phone too as it did for me.
thank you

Works in galaxy s too?
Thanks.

Hi...
I don't understand very well what you mean by
NOTE THAT AT LEAST YOU MUST HAVE THE SHIPPED ORIGINAL EFS FOLDER ON YOUR PHONE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean that we should have the efs folder with the sud-folder and files structure as it was when the IMEI was not corrupted???
I.E.
/efs (dir)
nv_data.bin (file)
.imei (hidden file)
.nv_data.bak (hidden file)
.nv_data.bak.md5 (hidden file)
nv_data.bin.md5 (file)
nv_state (file)
/.android (hidden folder)
/imei (folder)
bt.txt (file)
mps_code.dat (file)
nvmac.info (file)
Another issue i'm facing is the fact that I can't do a chown radio:radio because i get the error that user/group radio does not exist...
And would this work for SGS I?

Like others I am confused.
I flashed a ROM night before last.
I ended up with a phone that wouldn't work and the fake IMEI number.
By some chance I was able to get my phone working again with HC-kTool by restoring a efs.tar file -- I have a number of efsxxxx.tar.gz files in a folder called EFS_BACKUP on my sdcard (I don't how it got there but there are various dates of these files).
Now my phone works with data on the ATT network but my IMEI number is still the fake one.
SOOOO -- if I DON"T have an original backup of my EFS folder (or at least one I'm sure of) HOW do I restore my origianl IMEI ???

Thanks for this!

How can I restore IMEI from backup?

Hi,
I've flashed a new ROM, and found that my IMEI is now 004999010640000 (Generic)
I have a backup of my efs folder.
How do I restore it from the backup?
It looks like when I delete the efs folder, the system recreates it automatically...
What's the way to do it?
Thanks
Gil

I fixed this problem and it took me 4 hours to fix it!
Your real IMEI show on under the battery where you see the model phone.
You need to copy the numbers (without the / if u have this) to this website http://www.adamek.biz/md5-generator.php this website make ur imei to md5 .
After you have created the md5 go to efs folder via root explorer and you need to see the file (.nv_data.bak.md5 or nv_data.bak.md5) On this file you see the md5 of the currety copy the md5 u created to the files and close everything and restart ur phone

I already have a working efs backedup
I already have a working efs backed up!
The thing is that when I copy the files from the backup on the efs folder, they get reverted automatically... I don't know what's doing it...
The backup date is older than the current files... this might be the problem...
but how do I make it work?

Is the security and permissions set up correctly on your backup efs?

gilamran said:
I already have a working efs backed up!
The thing is that when I copy the files from the backup on the efs folder, they get reverted automatically... I don't know what's doing it...
The backup date is older than the current files... this might be the problem...
but how do I make it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you tried to delete the folder and replace the efs folder backup?

I think you have to copy both the files and the hidden files (starting with a dot) from your backup..
The files with a dot are there to prevent you from accidentally deleting your originals and be left with nothing

The only files I see are:
1) .nv_state
2) bluetooth
3) imei
4) lost+found
5) nv.log
6) nv_data.bin
7) nv_data.bin.md5
Should I choose the file that says: "nv_data.bin.md5"?

If you have backuped your efs folder, this thread can help you:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=22195291&postcount=1008

I think there is a lot of confusion going on around here... so just to be clear...
What file should I have in my efs backup, including the hidden one?
Thanks!

No backup of EFS folder. I believe it was during my attempt to backup that I corrupted the folder.

tamaratee said:
No backup of EFS folder. I believe it was during my attempt to backup that I corrupted the folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same situation, same files as posted above, anyone has any idea?

must back up your efs on stock rom?

I just rooted my brand new note3 but I forgot to backup my EFS before flashing X-note... Now I made a backup on X-note rom, is it still ok for restore if I ever lost my EFS? Thank you

As long as you have the EFS file then it should be OK, keep it seperated from your internal HD if possible also!
EDIT: Btw the EFS file is around 14MB or so -

darn,.. my backup only 408KBs. I use this method http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2447342 result said Everything is OK..
any idea why my file is so small?
from my root explorer ... the efs folder only 1.4MB big
OH! when i decompressed the file, there is disk image file is around 14MB
how do i restore it? btw.... I throw this compressed winrar file into ODIN? or decompress first, and then select these individual files accordingly

h3nyr said:
darn,.. my backup only 408KBs. I use this method http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2447342 result said Everything is OK..
any idea why my file is so small?
from my root explorer ... the efs folder only 1.4MB big
OH! when i decompressed the file, there is disk image file is around 14MB
how do i restore it? btw.... I throw this compressed winrar file into ODIN? or decompress first, and then select these individual files accordingly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like it's OK.
Restoring I'm not so sure, due to me not having done it myself, I know you need busybox installed though or you'll encounter problems. Be warned EFS cause be a major ballache to do from people I've seen trying to restore, some have no issues though.

[Q] How to repair IMEI on I9300I. [Q]

Hey folks,
I have GT-I9300I S3 Neo Duos. I brought it from Russia and i moved to India i don't have to unlock the device as its working without any problem for last 2years.
Is there anyway to repair the IMEI of my device a day before it was ok .
Device was lagging so i Restore to its original setting & after restart my device IMEI is gone for good.
Thanks in advance

Search for imei changer on playstore...
There r Xposed modules also to change write a new imei number

sahilkhan9557 said:
Search for imei changer on playstore...
There r Xposed modules also to change write a new imei number
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually i tried to put it via xposed but nothing worked or may be i not doing it the right way.
both of my sim are not showing.
if u can tell me the right procedure to work on Xposed.
thanks

mukulkas143 said:
actually i tried to put it via xposed but nothing worked or may be i not doing it the right way.
both of my sim are not showing.
if u can tell me the right procedure to work on Xposed.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U need a root explorer app and of course root! Also
The steps are little bit tricky...
Step 1
Make a copy of your EFS folder on your sdcard using root explorer and then backup to your computer [ to have another copy if you have to format the sd card sometime ]
Step 2
Delete the EFS folder (Make sure you have the BACKUP in a safe place as mentioned in STEP 1) from the root of your phone using root explorer.
Step 3
Do a Factory Reset. After that, navigate to the root directory of your phone.
Step 4
Go to EFS folder using root explorer; delete “nv_data.bin” and the “nv_data.bin.md5” files.
Step 5
Go to your backed up EFS folder on your sd card, copy the “IMEI” folder to the EFS folder at the root of your phone, then again go to the backed up EFS folder in your sd card and copy the ” .nv_data ” file to your EFS folder at the root of your phone using root explorer.
NOTE: the dot in first of nv_data is not a mistake, copy the “.nv_data” file.
Step 6
Make another copy of the “.nv_data” file in EFS folder in your phone, so you would have 2 copies of “.nv_data” in EFS folder.
Step 7
Rename one of “.nv_data” files to “nv_data.bin” and another one to “nv_data.bin.bak”
Step 8
Open Command Prompt in your Windows PC (Terminal for all you Linux users) at the ADB tool path, or run Terminal at your phone enter these commands:
adb shell (use this command if you use ADB, if you’re using terminal, skip it )
su ( When the option comes up allow the superuser to access the file system by clicking “grant” on the phone screen )
chown 1001:radio /efs/nv_data.bin
Step 9
Reset your phone…. after that you have your original IMEI. you can check your IMEI by dialling *#06#.
You have successfully recovered

It seems to me the nv_data files are not present in the efs folder.
I was just going through steps but I didn't find these files.

I have backed up the files before flashing the phone using the twrp & Samsung tool box. But in both of the backups there is no nv_data files available. N currently in efs folder there is no no_data file.

the dot in front of .nv_data means they are hidden. you probably won't see them

mukulkas143 said:
I have backed up the files before flashing the phone using the twrp & Samsung tool box. But in both of the backups there is no nv_data files available. N currently in efs folder there is no no_data file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to Enable "show hidden folders" first

sahilkhan9557 said:
Try to Enable "show hidden folders" first
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i have done that but still no good as there is no nv_data as well as no bak file.
Now i have no clue what to do next....

Tried xposed module & Imei changer by xposed.
Now both the sims showing the same IMEI n both are showing no service.
can anyone help...
Thanks in advance.

you could try flashing a fimware for india. maybe that could help.