[Q] Changing IMEI on Samsung Nexus S legitimate reason, please read on. - Android Software Development

I'm quite new to Odin but have spent the last 2 days researching it and its uses..
The problem I have, is that I flashed a ROM from over at Samsung Nexus S forum along with about another 25-100 people,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1034130&page=118
the ROM in question re-wrote the IMEI numbers on all the phones to the same number, causing some networks in some country to deny access and in other countrys not causing any imidiate problems, but that could change anytime.
I've read that if I flash back to stock with Odin with a .pit file and Re-Partition ticked, that Odin will cause the phone to re-write all partitions and correct this.
NOW PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. or point me in another direction if you know of one.
I've got the correct ROM for my region but cant find the Samsung Nexus S .pit file anyware.
Can someone tell me if I have to use a specific .pit file for the Samsung Nexus S and if so where I can download it from.
Looking for a good Dev with exceptionable skills in this particular area ????
Many thanks in advance.

Do you have a backup of your EFS folder?
Did you do a nandroidbackup?
Flashing a new rom, will not exchange your IMEI back to what it was. Restoring a backup or overwrite the EFS folder with your old backup will tho.

edici said:
Do you have a backup of your EFS folder?
Did you do a nandroidbackup?
Flashing a new rom, will not exchange your IMEI back to what it was. Restoring a backup or overwrite the EFS folder with your old backup will tho.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No didn;t have efs floder backed up and tried restoring from several back ups but that doesn't work.
Thanks anyway

Related

EFS Folder deleted - SGS fu** up - NO BACKUP

Hello,
i googled and searched for hours but can't find a solution for my problem. It looks like i lost my whole EFS Folder when i wanted to flash Galnet MIUI and after that CM7.1 because it failed.
So:
- CAN'T Flash ANY CWM zip (Status 7 error)
- CAN'T use mobile connection (No SMS,no Calls,no Internet etc.)
- NO Backup of the EFS folder ...
- Able to flash any ODIN/Heimdall ROM
- Up and Downgraded 100 times from FROYO to Gingerbread and so but still no EFS rapair :/
HELP,please ...
UPDATE: If anyone is wondering what i have done - i sent it to Samsung and they repaired it for free and even 4 months later it works like a charm (with ICS )
Flash any ROM using repartition. If that doesn't help, flash any modem / kernel after flashing ROM.
Already done that,no change...
Uwe303 said:
Already done that,no change...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search for Ezodin rom or something like that on forums or try flash froyo
Try this out....not sure if it will help but give it a go.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=991792
Hope it helps
galaxy89 said:
Try this out....not sure if it will help but give it a go.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=991792
Hope it helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes man thats whay i say butt i didn't remember
Try this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1261948&highlight=imei+unknow
miui creates a backup by itself in sdcard named backup
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
Check your internal SD card, it should be there.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
if you don`t have a backup of your efs folder... your imei is lost forever.... you`ll have a service imei 0040etc .Efs folder will be automatically rebuilt but this will not get your imei back... i sent my phone to a Vodafone service for another problem and didn't canceled my warranty so its no problem
Nothing what you posted works. salesale's link was good,but i dont have a backup on my sdcard so its useless ...
I was NOT able to flash MIUI/CyanogenMod so i even dont have this backup ... and all my sdcard backups are only folders like DCIM/Music/Videos but not the whole sdcard. Before i tried to flash MIUI i backuped my whole sdcard but theres no efs folder there with a backup :/
I think i cant send my phone to samsung. they will cancel my warranty because i cant call and say my IMEI / efs folder was deleted without any reason. they know i have flashed and have fu**** up my phone.
Any other suggestions? :/ can someone send me his efs folder? Maybe the phone restores the imei when i follow the tutorial from salesale's link
Flash the latest official firmware for your country and Just go to the service center and tell them that your phone doesn't work after update with KIES.
That's all! You don't know why this happened
Since there is no need to open the phone, your IMEI needs only to be rewritten. If the service center's staff is OK, they will easily recreate your IMEI without much efforts.
celeronix said:
Flash the latest official firmware for your country and Just go to the service center and tell them that your phone doesn't work after update with KIES.
That's all! You don't know why this happened
Since there is no need to open the phone, your IMEI needs only to be rewritten. If the service center's staff is OK, they will easily recreate your IMEI without much efforts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes play stupid.. it will work
I remember reading a thread where someone had a programme that i think he made, to restore a lost efs folder with the correct imei, Ill have another quick search but its out there, you just need to find it...
Can't find it,sorry ...
Right well i've just been searching since i posted and found these.....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=842775&highlight=restore+imei
http://darkyrom.com/community/index...40000-instead-of-unique-original-number.1876/
http://forum.samdroid.net/f28/complete-imei-restore-how-1817/
http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/archive/t-1206374.html
I realise the samdoird link is not for the i9000 but im sure they will be able to do the same for your phone...
OMG 30 mins searching and reading!!
salesale said:
Try this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1261948&highlight=imei+unknow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check user nokia8260's method in the link from salesale.
He does some edit on /efs/imei/mps_code.dat to match CSC.
Not sure if you need to flash a stock ROM + 512.pit + rooted kernel to establish a basic filesystem.
Warning: Have not tried this myself, please read and decide.
Sent from my GT-I9000
Uwe303 said:
Nothing what you posted works. salesale's link was good,but i dont have a backup on my sdcard so its useless ...
I was NOT able to flash MIUI/CyanogenMod so i even dont have this backup ... and all my sdcard backups are only folders like DCIM/Music/Videos but not the whole sdcard. Before i tried to flash MIUI i backuped my whole sdcard but theres no efs folder there with a backup :/
I think i cant send my phone to samsung. they will cancel my warranty because i cant call and say my IMEI / efs folder was deleted without any reason. they know i have flashed and have fu**** up my phone.
Any other suggestions? :/ can someone send me his efs folder? Maybe the phone restores the imei when i follow the tutorial from salesale's link
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just restore your phone to official firmware and call Samsung, tell them your phone doesn't recognize your similar card anymore and can't make or receive calls or text, thats what I did when i messed up my efs on my galaxy s 4g and i got it back within 2 weeks.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
Uwe303 said:
Nothing what you posted works. salesale's link was good,but i dont have a backup on my sdcard so its useless ...
I was NOT able to flash MIUI/CyanogenMod so i even dont have this backup ... and all my sdcard backups are only folders like DCIM/Music/Videos but not the whole sdcard. Before i tried to flash MIUI i backuped my whole sdcard but theres no efs folder there with a backup :/
I think i cant send my phone to samsung. they will cancel my warranty because i cant call and say my IMEI / efs folder was deleted without any reason. they know i have flashed and have fu**** up my phone.
Any other suggestions? :/ can someone send me his efs folder? Maybe the phone restores the imei when i follow the tutorial from salesale's link
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EFS backup not required. Do you have EFS folder? I lost my imei. With these instructions I have recovered imei and network, signal. Good luck
I have a efs folder but its completly empty! So how can i edit these things,when its empty? Can i somehow restore them? I dont even have a developer IMEI (0049 ...)

[Info] EFS/Lost IMEI - Must to read for every Newbies.

What is EFS
This part of the device contains some important and some basic info related to our device identity like Bluetooth MAC address, wireless devices MAC addresses, product code (also in the nv_data.bin) and the very main IMEI address (nv_data.bin), programming parameters for the device such as your account information (phone number, etc), data provisioning parameters, and a whole bunch of other things. So you can guess it's will be different for each device and one can't use others.
How it can corrupt :
- Any bad flashing, mishandling system modification can cause this.
- Also It can be corrupted by downgrading stock ROM. If you flash any old ROM (older to first ME6) on newer ROM (ME6 or any other rom released after ME6) it can corrupt EFS. Basically newer ROM believed to have new kernel that changes EFS data which older Modems can't read and results to fail in reading IMEI.
Impact on device/How I know I have corrupted EFS
When there is EFS partition is corrupted, device loses IMEI and due to this device can't gets connected to network. Baseband info also sometimes shows unknown.
-Check your IMEI in setting / by dialling *#06# if it is null OR if it starts with 0049** then IMEI is generic and corrupted. In Normal case IMEI which you can see in device setting or dialing *#06# is exactly same you can see on bill/box/sticker under battery compartment
-If you are unable to connect to network in spite of correct IMEI, chance are
A. Your device is Locked to specific Network OR
B. Your device is banned due to tempered IMEI
-If your AP,CP,CSC all are correct and even you are getting error (unknown CSC XXX) on kies update, it may be due to corrupt Product code in EFS. Read This for detail.
What care should i take
Before flashing anything, first thing you should do is to make EFS backup. Every person who have rooted device should make EFS backup earliest and place it to safer place on PC and /Cloud.
If you are on older ROM, make EFS backup on older ROM as well make another after upgrading ROM too.
If you have already updated to newer ROM, make backup on current ROM.
Here is different common methods for EFS Backup/Restore [There are hundreds of tools available on play store and don't use blindly, as unsupported tool can cause EFS partition failed to mount and to recover it need to use adb shell and more. Better use one of the below mentioned time tested tools]
You must have device rooted. Read post #2 of this thread, how to root Note2
you can use any of method said below.
1.With Aroma installer - No need to have PC, need CWM/TWRP installed. Here is Other Tool I recommend to must have for Newbies, Which also have many other options.
2.From Device itself - No need of PC, just requires installing application from play store.
3.Philz recovery - Also you can find this option on other CWM/TWRP, but i have tested only this.
4.EFS Backup/Restore Tool - you needs to use PC to work this.
How to recover lost IMEI that happens with downgrading ROM
If you have lost IMEI just by downgrading (as said by above by flashing older ROM), still you can recover IMEI without having EFS backup.
-Again upgrade ROM will restore IMEI OR
-Flash latest Modem. You can find it here.. You can download MG1 modem and flash using PC Odin with 'Phone' tab instead of PDA.
Remember above said works only if IMEI is corrupted by downgrading ROM only, if it was corrupted by other things, this won't be helpful.
Also Read This, if you have issue restoring EFS OR device stuck to factory mod.
Hope this will find helpful to all newbies regarding question about EFS and IMEI problem. I have posted this to general section so newbie can post to it if they have any queries.
Informative
Very informative and helpful thread Brother :good::good::good::good:
:good: great guide ketan :good:
you are one of the best things to happen to Note 1 and Note 2 as well..!!
god bless ya bro..! :good::good:
Very informative in precise words!
Thanks, +1:good:
There is already a post about this.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Zionator said:
There is already a post about this.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you link to it? I have not found in general section where newbies can post. Though you can report it to moderator if double post.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
The EFS image backup has proved to be immensely helpful all the way with the Terminal emulator!:good:
Please confirm: can the EFS backup image be flashed with Philz Recovery as an alternative to the Terminal emulator?
Provided you put it to correct place.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Thank you for info and helpful Pro ^_^
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
You can easily make efs backup and restore with this app Andromizer(free version) with one click
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.j.y.daddy.customizer
These models of note 2 supported
GT-N7100,GT-N7102,GT-N7105,SHV-E250S,SHV-E250K,SHV-E250L
SPH-L900,SGH-T889,SGH-T889V,SGH-L317,SGH-I317M,SCH-I605,SCH-R950
dr.ketan said:
Can you link to it? I have not found in general section where newbies can post. Though you can report it to moderator if double post.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Finally you have listened my request.
Dr.Ketan, he may be talking about this thread.
This guide is very helpfull. :thumbup:
May helps and warn all mates before flashing different roms.
Please make this thread sticky.
sent from my GT-N7100. Press thanks if I helped..
It's already been added to sticky roll up (list of thread worth to stick)
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
dr.ketan said:
What is EFS
This part of the device contains some important and some basic info related to our device identity like Bluetooth MAC address, wireless devices MAC addresses, product code (also in the nv_data.bin) and the very main IMEI address (nv_data.bin), programming parameters for the device such as your account information (phone number, etc), data provisioning parameters, and a whole bunch of other things. So you can guess it's will be different for each device and one can't use others.
How it can corrupt :
- Any bad flashing, mishandling system modification can cause this.
- Also It can be corrupted by downgrading stock ROM. If you flash any old ROM (older to first ME6) on newer ROM (ME6 or any other rom released after ME6) it can corrupt EFS. Basically newer ROM believed to have new kernel that changes EFS data which older Modems can't read and results to fail in reading IMEI.
Impact on device/How I know I have corrupted EFS
When there is EFS partition is corrupted, device loses IMEI and due to this device can't gets connected to network. Baseband info also sometimes shows unknown.
-Check your IMEI in setting / by dialling *#06# if it is null OR if it starts with 0049** then IMEI is generic and corrupted. In Normal case IMEI which you can see in device setting or dialing *#06# is exactly same you can see on bill/box/sticker under battery compartment
-If you are unable to connect to network in spite of correct IMEI, chance are
A. Your device is Locked to specific Network OR
B. Your device is banned due to tempered IMEI
-If your AP,CP,CSC all are correct and even you are getting error (unknown CSC XXX) on kies update, it may be due to corrupt Product code in EFS. Read This for detail.
What care should i take
Before flashing anything, first thing you should do is to make EFS backup. Every person who have rooted device should make EFS backup earliest and place it to safer place on PC and /Cloud.
If you are on older ROM, make EFS backup on older ROM as well make another after upgrading ROM too.
If you have already updated to newer ROM, make backup on current ROM.
Here is different common methods for EFS Backup/Restore
You must have device rooted. Read post #2 of this thread, how to root Note2
you can use any of method said below.
1.From Device itself - No need of PC, just requires installing application from play store.
2.Philz recovery - Also you can find this option on other CWM/TWRP, but i have tested only this.
3.EFS Backup/Restore Tool - you needs to use PC to work this.
How to recover lost IMEI that happens with downgrading ROM
If you have lost IMEI just by downgrading (as said by above by flashing older ROM), still you can recover IMEI without having EFS backup.
-Again upgrade ROM will restore IMEI OR
-Flash latest Modem. You can find it here.. You can download MG1 modem and flash using PC Odin with 'Phone' tab instead of PDA.
Remember above said works only if IMEI is corrupted by downgrading ROM only, if it was corrupted by other things, this won't be helpful.
Also Read This, if you have issue restoring EFS OR device stuck to factory mod.
Hope this will find helpful to all newbies regarding question about EFS and IMEI problem. I have posted this to general section so newbie can post to it if they have any queries.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dr. Ketan,
Kem chho bhai!!
I am facing problem with EFS , i read your post and come to know that my IMEI is corrupt. It is starting with 0049*** and not matching with phone sticker. Following procedure mentioned in your post but no success!! STill am not able to connect network how should i proceed now??
Already flashed kernel, recovery, modem from pc odin also tried to switch to stock rom. i.e. UAE i guess now downloading Saudi Arabia and will gong to try all.
Please help!!!
You need to mention how does it happen in Details.
How does happend it, i mean what did you flashed? And what rom you had when you flash it.
Do you have efs backup?
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Hi Dr. Ketan,
No I don;t have EFS backup and till today flashed many times but not faced any problem like this.
I recently flashed PRobam rom which works on 4.3 android and later return back to my region flashing CWM recovery. Later i tried toolkit for note 2 and tried mod for camera HD.But later come to know that toolkit has no support for my rom.
I think i lost my IMEI while flashing Probam but using wrong baseband trough toolkit can also be problem.No so sure.
Tried to go back on regional rom by different methods but no success.
Thanks!!
Basically it happens if you flash older kernel (it may happened by wrong selection in toolkit)
Reflash latest modem and try.
Just want to get this straight into my head here before I go diving into flashing a ROM sorry for being silly I just like to get it clear lol
Ok my phone is on DME6 so that means I can't flash any samsung based custom ROM that is using a version lower than that yes? but AOSP ROM's don't matter as they don't use the modem so won't corrupt the EFS correct? I am aware that for the SIII there was a flashable zip you can use to make the modem the newer one for flashing older firmware custom ROMS is there one for this? I want to flash this ROM or the HD revolution ROM (HD rev showing an older version in the title) mainly want a custom stock ROM that gets rid of that pesky SMS conversion thing
Thanks for your time
You have already flashed ME6 so you will have latest modem so yes flashiung older ROM you will lose IMEI. regarding AOSP ROM i am not sure, i have never used any AOSP ROM and not following so not familiar with that.
1.Make EFS backup Use one of the tool mentioned in OP)
2.Flash desired ROM, if you select older ROM and lose IMEI, you can find latest modem from my All in one thread (look signature) post #7. simply extract and use modem.tar.md5 to flash with 'Phone' tab (Not PDA) of Odin.
yeah I made a backup of the EFS (on the ME6 version not the older as this is how i got the phone) so I can use any stock based ROM as long as i flash that modem? think i'll probably stay with a ROM labeled as ME6 anyway to keep it easier on myself

[GUIDE] How to restore EFS on I9300

It started when I was trying Swapper 2 from the Play Store. Will, I guess I should read the comment, but I didn't. And yes, it corrupted my EFS and my phone was stuck at the Samsung boot logo. I have tried many method I can search over XDA, but non works. (I'm not sure about this one, which I only find while writing this guide.)
This is by far the easiest method for me, and it doesn't involve Linux, which was a pain since I haven't use Linux in years. I had to VM one for some of the XDA method, which didn't work at end of the day.
1. Flash the firmware with ODIN (original firmware) with original version that you had before. Not the custom ROM, but the original firmware version.
2. Recover with EFS with the EFS image attached in the thread. I used kTool as it faster and easier than any other tool. (Yes, I tried them all...)
3. Download Chimera Tool and buy their cheapest license (or whatever you want) which is €12.90.
That it. Yes you pay, but it the easiest, and most time saving. I spent a week Googling, trying all this various method over ADB, and no, non works. And for Samsung to repair, which they refuse and simply want to change a board and charge me US$ 200 for it, I rather pay €12.90 and do it myself. If you still have problem connection to the network after restoring IMEI, please read post 3.
FAQ
If you need the ODIN, you can find theme over here. Myself I've always used version 3.07. And as always under options you only need the 'Auto Reboot' and 'F. Reset Time' checked. Whether it a modem or stock ROM, click on 'PDA' choose the correct file and than click on start.
Q: Won't flash the EFS image I provide means I'm getting your IMEI?
A: I've wondered this as well. If it were so simple, there wouldn't be so many thread on recovering and so may people cry for help... (I'm included). As my last resort before I buy Chimera Tool's license, I flashed over my bro's S3 EFS, which I didn't want to, as I said it was a last resort. And as it turned out, I didn't get his IMEI. Instead I got his phones' Update S3 product code and serial number. And that was it. IMEI has changed from my previous 'NULL' to the infamous generic 004999010640000.
Q: Why do I still need to do EFS recovery if Chimera Tool can restore it.
A: I've experiment this myself, as I also absolutely did not want my bro's EFS. But unfortunately Chimera can only restore the IMEI and serial number, not rest of the missing files in the EFS folder. If I repartition the EFS folder and using Chimera to restore my IMEI, it would show the correct IMEI but still refuse to connect to the network. And it will have the annoy overly showing my CSC and other bunch of info on my homescreen, as if my EFS is still corrupt.
Q: Does Chimera need some special box?
A: No, a normal USB cable will work. That pretty much means standard ADB command would work, but unfortunately I can't find any info on that. I wish I did, so I don't need to get the Chimera Tool but there was no other way for me. I was also sceptical at first, as I read over many forums and they say it impossible with some sort of service box/tool. I gambled, and luckily it worked out.
Q: Where does the EFS image go for kTool?
A: Sorry, don't remember. Google it, or use the backup option first than overwrite the EFS.IMG file. That what I did.
Q: Now that I got my IMEI back, how do I back it up?
A. Use kTool again? Personally I use TWRP, as I think it the easiest. Since you can do it at a recovery level. No trying of ODIN the OS for corrupt OS before restoring the EFS. In any case, Chimera would still be function for the next couple of month and you can still mess around until than.
Q: Why the need of ODIN the original firmware?
A: I was on a custom TW ROM and Chimera didn't work. Maybe CM and other custom ROM will will work, you can give it a try. But this is how I did it and I know it works.
EFS / Baseband(modem)
It easy to criticize a member and simply tell him use the 'search function', but without realize sometimes the article will help you the most, simply just doesn't come up. Murphy's law. I was on stock 4.1.2 and after restore IMEI and EFS, the phone indicate it register on the network, but I couldn't make calls or connect to the net. This is a vary good article regarding EFS, and sadly it didn't come up easily on my search result. I came across it after I fixed the issue with tones of Googling and was searching for a different topic. But I understand people that desperate need to solve the problem quick (like I was) simply spent hour reading over hundreds of post under that article is just testing a persons sanity. So I'm going to summarised some of the stuff along with my experience. First thing you need to know:
- EFS v2 Basebands (modem) was introduced at Android 4.3 and can read EFS partition v2 and EFS v1
- EFS v1 Basebands (modem) CANNOT read EFS v2, ONLY EFS v1
If you phone is still under warranty and cannot connect to network, the best way is to stay on stock firmware and use TriangleAway to reset the flash counter and sent back to Samsung. With your IMEI number correctly showing, Samsung has absolutely no excuse on not fixing it. If you are no longer warranty, read on.
Q: My IMEI is now showing correctly but I still cannot make calls!
A: This is where the Ariza Patch kicks in. If you are on stock fimware 4.1.2, you need the Ariza Patch to fix the baseband. But after long reading over plenty post, it seems once this patch has been done, it irreversible. So beware. Before you try this patch, you may want to try update to the stock 4.3 firmware and see if it solves the problem before applying the patch.
Q: I'm on stock 4.3, now what?
A: If you still have problem connecting to the network, you need a patched modem (baseband) file. You can find them here. I think this is from the original author who did it. Instead of searching over the forums and files scatter all over the place, I'm pretty sure I dug the link out of XDA while reading through. Someone please tell me if it isn't and provide the the proper link. I'll fix it.
Q: I was on stock 4.1.2 and went to a custom 4.3 ROM, what fix shall I apply?
A: This was my scenario. And I was kind of desperate as well since I just fix my IMEI and was expect the phone to work. I wish I could come across the article on top earlier. I would've tried stock 4.3 first instead of applying the Ariza patch. Any ways, I was on stock 4.1.2 and it didn't work, so I tried a modified 4.3 TW ROM. I wish the OP would mention the EFS thing, which he didn't. I'm not blaming him or anything, but seriously not everyone keep in track of what happening with Android. The OP should mention about the EFS thing or simply post a link such as the topic above and just let people know instead of wasting hours on figuring out why it wasn't working. What I did was, after using the mod 4.3 TW ROM, the IMEI went crazy. So I thought it was corrupt again, so I ODIN back the stock 4.1.2 TW. Than I applied the Ariza patch, wolla, I could call and browse again. So I decide to give the mod 4.3 TW ROM another try. To my surprise, the IMEI still went crazy. So after more Googling only I found out because I wasn't on stock 4.3, my baseband would still 4.1.x. I tried the modem (baseband) patch which for some reason still did not work for me. So I decide to keep the stock 4.1.2 baseband and simply use a custom kernel that could read EFS v1 and v2 - Boeffla Kernel. Remember to download the 4.3 kernel not the 4.1.x! That it, you should now have a working phone.
I just use SA manager .It will backup EFS & MODEM .store it in Ext SD .If EFS corrrrupted just install SA mgr back & restore .
Most important is backup and its very simple process
u need HKCtool to backup efs both img and tar files first of all.
if this is not possible u need a stock rom and odin .after installing stock rom the efs will be repaired.
nainaabd said:
I just use SA manager .It will backup EFS & MODEM .store it in Ext SD .If EFS corrrrupted just install SA mgr back & restore .
Most important is backup and its very simple process
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't try SA manager as I was in a rush and looking specifically for Samsung phones only. But it definately somehting I want to try if I get a Sony phone. Though I still prefer at a recover level. It just so simple.
keenimo said:
u need HKCtool to backup efs both img and tar files first of all.
if this is not possible u need a stock rom and odin .after installing stock rom the efs will be repaired.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TAR file is just a compressed version of IMG file.
im in nairobi kenya, unfortunately i can not buy the chimera tool because we dont have the necessary paying methods. anyone who can lend me theirs please? my S3 has the generic imei, repair would cost 15k here, which is too much. anybody that can help will be highly appreciated.
TNCS said:
It started when I was trying Swapper 2 from the Play Store. Will, I guess I should read the comment, but I didn't. And yes, it corrupted my EFS and my phone was stuck at the Samsung boot logo. I have tried many method I can search over XDA, but non works. (I'm not sure about this one, which I only find while writing this guide.)
This is by far the easiest method for me, and it doesn't involve Linux, which was a pain since I haven't use Linux in years. I had to VM one for some of the XDA method, which didn't work at end of the day.
1. Flash the firmware with ODIN (original firmware) with original version that you had before. Not the custom ROM, but the original firmware version.
2. Recover with EFS with the EFS image attached in the thread. I used kTool as it faster and easier than any other tool. (Yes, I tried them all...)
3. Download Chimera Tool and buy their cheapest license (or whatever you want) which is €12.90.
That it. Yes you pay, but it the easiest, and most time saving. I spent a week Googling, trying all this various method over ADB, and no, non works. And for Samsung to repair, which they refuse and simply want to change a board and charge me US$ 200 for it, I rather pay €12.90 and do it myself. If you still have problem connection to the network after restoring IMEI, please read post 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can also downgrade to 4.0.4 and do flash i9300 efs.tar via odin 3.07 but first backup your EFS with helroz's app from here https://market.android.com/details?id=com.boiteoutilssgshelroz&feature=search_result or use any other efs backup maker
But YOU NEVER NEED TO RESTORE EFS after a flash or whenever, just in case you have an issue with it.
if u have 0049xxxx or 00xxxx imei just flash I9300XXUNA7 or any latest android 4.3 and that's it you have your unknown baseband and null imei fixed aka efs corrupt issue.
Warning!!!!
i am not responsible if you get any damage to your device as per my experience i have fixed many i9300's efs and didn't get any problem .
Good luck!
(CHANGE THE ATTACHED FILE'S EXTENSION TO .md5)
Xubair91 said:
you can also downgrade to 4.0.4 and do flash i9300 efs.tar via odin 3.07 but first backup your EFS with helroz's app from here https://market.android.com/details?id=com.boiteoutilssgshelroz&feature=search_result or use any other efs backup maker
But YOU NEVER NEED TO RESTORE EFS after a flash or whenever, just in case you have an issue with it.
if u have 0049xxxx or 00xxxx imei just flash I9300XXUNA7 or any latest android 4.3 and that's it you have your unknown baseband and null imei fixed aka efs corrupt issue.
Warning!!!!
i am not responsible if you get any damage to your device as per my experience i have fixed many i9300's efs and didn't get any problem .
Good luck!
(CHANGE THE ATTACHED FILE'S EXTENSION TO .md5)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I understand, that still under the condition of prior having an EFS back-up first, right? My guide is for people who doesn't. Like in my situation, where the app screwed up the EFS partition and I had no back-ups.
If you really want in details - Swapper 2 moved the EFS partation on to my ext SD card and format the EFS partition. I was in a flat panic with the soft-brick froze at the Samsung boot logo, assume the SWAP was on the ext SD and screwed it up than format the ext SD. Well, boom, without expectation the app would do something like that and had no prior experience with EFS - no back-ups of EFS at all. And no, full nandroid back-up from CWM does not contain EFS, I've tried that. This isn't some normal scenario of incompatibility between kernel/ROM and EFS/Modem. This is recovery guild for corruption of EFS with NO back-ups.
trying ....
mezo_mmm said:
trying ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And how did it go? The suspense it killing me .

[ Q ] efs folder fix

Hello. I was wondering if anyone knows how or could point me in the direction on how to fix my efs folder. It seems like it is only half corrupted. I can still dial #*06# and can still get my imei number but every reboot put me in safe mode and some of my apps don't work. I have root explore and I go into efs folder and nothing is there. It almost seems like I have a semi root. I am currently rooted and on a custom ROM. If anyone could help that would be great. Thanks and have a great holiday.
Taiweanthony said:
Hello. I was wondering if anyone knows how or could point me in the direction on how to fix my efs folder. It seems like it is only half corrupted. I can still dial #*06# and can still get my imei number but every reboot put me in safe mode and some of my apps don't work. I have root explore and I go into efs folder and nothing is there. It almost seems like I have a semi root. I am currently rooted and on a custom ROM. If anyone could help that would be great. Thanks and have a great holiday.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reflashing the stock firmware for your CSC may help.
Thanks for your help. I will try it out.
efs
I flashed the stock firmware to csc and I still have the same problem. Anything else I could do?
EFS restore
Heeeeelp
I have no net, no wi-fi, no mobilnet. I wanted to restore EFS image file but it says I have to buy mannyvinny efs backup tool pro version. But without net it failed
I need help, how to restore img files in other way
Thanks for any help:crying:
Taiweanthony said:
I flashed the stock firmware to csc and I still have the same problem. Anything else I could do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this post.

[Q] IMEI null/null, No SIM card - unable to find fix

Hey, I started flashing custom ROMs to my S4 (GT-i9506) about three months ago and everything was okay, but just recently I tried to return to my stock i9506 4.4.2 ROM and i succeeded in doing so, but afterwards I noticed that my S4 wasn't recognising my SIM.
At first I assumed it was a faulty SIM card (my SIM had multiple scratches on it), so I bought a new SIM card and yet the problem persisted. I tried to make calls and etc but my phone retuned an error stating, "Mobile network not available". I decided to check my settings and I noticed that my Baseband Version was labelled as "unkown".
After seeing this I searched for solutions online and came upon S4 service codes, I used the "*#06#" code and it returned a message saying "IMEI... null/null". Yet again I searched for a solution and came upon none to help me
I soon found out that my problem had something to do with the EFS parition in my phone. I re-rooted and installed ES File Explorer and opened up my EFS folder. In her everything looked ordinary, but then I noticed that my .nv_data file was missing, which, if i remember correctly, is responsible for important functions such as the IMEI and Baseband
I tried every solution I could find online and nothing fixed my issue - I'm only writing this as it's the only option which doesn't require me to go to my local Samsung Experience Store.
TL;DR
My GT-i9506 doesn't know its own IMEI and Baseband version and I'm all out of solutions at this point.
Am I better off going to the Samsung Store?
BUMP
More BUMP
Please help me
BUMP
IMEI no longer inhabits the EFS folder, so you're not missing anything. Flash the modem for your ROM again through Odin and see if that corrects the issue. If it does, use Wanam's EFS Backup to properly backup the hidden partitions where the IMEI is now stored.
Flash the latest stock lollipop rom for your device and you will be fine. Sounds to me you were on Lollipop stock and you downgraded to Kitkat.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
IMEI no longer inhabits the EFS folder, so you're not missing anything. Flash the modem for your ROM again through Odin and see if that corrects the issue. If it does, use Wanam's EFS Backup to properly backup the hidden partitions where the IMEI is now stored.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So then where is the IMEI stored? I'd just like to know for future purposes
The modem didn't fix it
Lennyz1988 said:
Flash the latest stock lollipop rom for your device and you will be fine. Sounds to me you were on Lollipop stock and you downgraded to Kitkat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried this too, but failed also
I don't know which of the hidden partitions the IMEI is stored in. I only know where it's not, and that's not in the EFS folder. However, based on the partition names, the IMEI is likely stored in any or all of the following partitions: m9kefs1, m9kefs2, m9kefs3. While unlikely, it could also be stored in the following partitions: modemst1, modemst2.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I don't know which of the hidden partitions the IMEI is stored in. I only know where it's not, and that's not in the EFS folder. However, based on the partition names, the IMEI is likely stored in any or all of the following partitions: m9kefs1, m9kefs2, m9kefs3. While unlikely, it could also be stored in the following partitions: modemst1, modemst2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would it be possible to mount any of those partitions?
jakeshekukanneh said:
Tried this too, but failed also
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I need more info then this.
jakeshekukanneh said:
Would it be possible to mount any of those partitions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try it, but I doubt you'll find anything human readable within them.
Lennyz1988 said:
I need more info then this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed the stock I9506XXDOA6 NEE ROM in Odin once more but my IMEI remained null.
So I decided to extract the modem.bin after installing the Lollipop ROM and it too didn't work
jakeshekukanneh said:
I flashed the stock I9506XXDOA6 NEE ROM in Odin once more but my IMEI remained null.
So I decided to extract the modem.bin after installing the Lollipop ROM and it too didn't work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe I didn't elaborate enough....
Try This Maybe This Help!!
use samsung kies fimeware upgrade and instalition then it waant youre imei or s/n and its rightet under battry
Note: Do That in download Mode
I've already tried that multiple times though. Thanks for the suggestion however
Sent from my GT-I9506 using XDA Free mobile app
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I don't know which of the hidden partitions the IMEI is stored in. I only know where it's not, and that's not in the EFS folder. However, based on the partition names, the IMEI is likely stored in any or all of the following partitions: m9kefs1, m9kefs2, m9kefs3. While unlikely, it could also be stored in the following partitions: modemst1, modemst2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I used to use Optimus G, it has IMEI in m9efs* and Modem in modem, modemst*. I never had IMEI problems but on S4 it is really scary. Will backing up EFS in TWRP, manually dd'ing EFS, modemst*, m9kefs* block10 make me stay on safe side?
Sent from my GT-I9505
Just use Wanam's EFS Backup tool. It backs up all those partitions, so no need to run commands in a terminal.
jakeshekukanneh said:
I've already tried that multiple times though. Thanks for the suggestion however
Sent from my GT-I9506 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There was a guy that claimed that his method fixed it for him:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgPEIeXDPNA
Lennyz1988 said:
There was a guy that claimed that his method fixed it for him:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgPEIeXDPNA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, I've already tried that method prior to posting, unfortunately it didn't work. I might just go see the Samsung Experience Store tomorrow

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