Hello All,
I need to safeguard my phone's IMEI and the device id. How can I do it?
Or is it that there is no way to do it which is sad :crying:
You can only back that information up, if you are rooted.
If you are not rooted, flashing a complete stock firmware has a chance to restore it. Or you can use Kies to recover it.
JagDave said:
You can only back that information up, if you are rooted.
If you are not rooted, flashing a complete stock firmware has a chance to restore it. Or you can use Kies to recover it.
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Click to collapse
So, does it mean I just cannot safeguard my IMEI by any chance? I just need to safeguard it and make sure that no one else can access my phone's data by any means. Just need some serious help with this
Funny Sykes said:
So, does it mean I just cannot safeguard my IMEI by any chance? I just need to safeguard it and make sure that no one else can access my phone's data by any means. Just need some serious help with this
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Click to collapse
You're just overly paranoid. Just use your phone without worrying a bit. Nobody is gonna steal your data as you are no VIP holding something valuable to be targeted by hackers. Also having your IMEI exposed to the public won't cause your data any harm. It's just your phone's identity. It's the same as your name being available publicly also where no one can steal info from your brain just by using your name.
Riyal said:
You're just overly paranoid. Just use your phone without worrying a bit. Nobody is gonna steal your data as you are no VIP holding something valuable to be targeted by hackers. Also having your IMEI exposed to the public won't cause your data any harm. It's just your phone's identity. It's the same as your name being available publicly also where no one can steal info from your brain just by using your name.
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Click to collapse
I totally get what you are trying to say, but in a way, yes I am kind of a VIP who needs tyo safeguard this phone from hackers. I cannot really tell you what happened, but I hope if you can tell me if there is a legit way to safeguard my IMEI from hackers. I also deactivated my facebook account so that they won't know my friends name.
Please help me out with this
By safeguarding your IMEI you'll be able to restore it. I'm not sure if you know what an IMEI is but to put in in simple words, every single phone made has a unique code, an IMEI, you can swap SIM cards, change phone number, use different facebook accounts but your Note 4 will always have the same IMEI, if you get another Note 4, your IMEI will change, as it's associated with the device.
Unless you root your phone you won't be able to backup your IMEI, this has a lot of sense because most of the people don't even know what an IMEI is, they'll will never lose it because they'd never change FW or flash a new ROM.
If someone "hacks" your IMEI they won't be able to access your data, hell they won't even be able to call using your phone (unless it's CDMA), If you're afraid of someone "hacking" you, I'd be trying to protect my social network accounts and my phone number, none of those are associated to your IMEI directly. Tell your friend not to worry about his IMEI, he needs to use two way authentication for social networks, he needs to be careful who he messages with, and who he calls.
Ok then if you are really a VIP needing this then I would safely assume you have connections. So in order to do so then the 1st thing I would do is contact your network provider and obscure all phone identity requests from your IMEI.
2nd is to not install applications that has permission to read your phone's info.
3rd is obviously not to post your IMEI publicly.
Doing these 3 things would surely secure your IMEI from any hackers.
Related
Is there a way to change a device's name, such that a carrier can't tell what kind of device it is?
I'm a bit concerned that Cingular is showing which of my phones I'm using when I login to their site. I'd rather not have them know I'm using an 8125 most of the time, instead of the 2125 I purchased with a data plan and such.
I'm running one of molski's roms now, so if there's something that could be changed and reflashed, I'd do that too...
Ideas? Or is it all IMEI based, and is being determined from that?
Miwa said:
Is there a way to change a device's name, such that a carrier can't tell what kind of device it is?
I'm a bit concerned that Cingular is showing which of my phones I'm using when I login to their site. I'd rather not have them know I'm using an 8125 most of the time, instead of the 2125 I purchased with a data plan and such.
I'm running one of molski's roms now, so if there's something that could be changed and reflashed, I'd do that too...
Ideas? Or is it all IMEI based, and is being determined from that?
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Click to collapse
Hush and don't fret about the website, it's in the User-Agent portion of the HTTP call to the server. It intelligently pulls the name of the device from it and then displays information relevant to you. Kind of like if you go to Google.com while in japan, it redirects you to google.co.jp, they traced the IP back and found it was based/located out of Japan and forwarded the client accordingly.
It's all IMEI based for device authentication, and unless they bothered to write down the IMEI number from your 2125, they won't be able to tell. I had a SideKick2, an NGage, and SE K750i all at the same time on my account. They couldn't tell what was what, but knew I was a phone fanatic, most carriers aren't alarmed when you have 2 or 3 IMEI number associated with your SIM card, it's not weird, however they will start to wonder when your SIM is tied to say, 10 IMEI numbers, all recently.
The only other way they might be able to tell, is if the device has a "heartbeat" where it connects to the network to pull data down for one reason or another, and is very specific about where it gets the data from. Then they might be able to track what device you have, but that level of scrutiny into your packets, is illegal for any provider, and only obtainable by FBI or other such agency, and only if you're a bad bad evil person.
So now the question comes down to, do you have 10 phones you plug your SIM into, OR, are you a bad bad person who deserves to be in jail? If the answer is 'no' to both. Breathe a sigh of relief just as much as we all do, because we know then we don't have a criminal in our midsts.
I'n not terribly worried about legality, more them bumping my plan to the $40 PDA connect, instead of the $20 Smartphone connect. Or even worse, disabling the data plan, and setting it pay-as-you-go. That'd be a nasty suprise.
It's just a bit weird to have the 8125 show up, when they shouldn't know I have one.
hey guys,
I lost my Hero yesterday.
Is there any way to turn on the GPS from any computer, and see where it is?
lj
I think there are plenty of possibilities to track your phone over the internet, but you needed to install these apps on your phone before you lost it.
I'm not sure but I think you'll have to find your phone without GPS-features ...
Good luck!
iirc only apps that are installed in the /system partition can activate the gps. not sure if that is correct though... nevertheless podb's statement is correct, anything that hasn't been installed before losing your phone won't help now.
It's a little too late for this but... WaveSecure could have done the trick..
I'm loking for something where I can find it by IMEI number.
its imposible dude.
sensorama said:
its imposible dude.
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Well... the IMEI number is the phones ID on the network. The many cell towers stores this number whenever your phone boots up and stays connected. The different operators can easily check this information. But YOU won't ever get hold of it... unless you're the police doing a crime investigation.
I'm thinking about asking them to do something.
I'll see.
Thiesen said:
Well... the IMEI number is the phones ID on the network. The many cell towers stores this number whenever your phone boots up and stays connected. The different operators can easily check this information. But YOU won't ever get hold of it... unless you're the police doing a crime investigation.
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Click to collapse
the IMEI number is the phone's id, that is correct. the network doesn't care too much for the phone, it cares for the subscriber, which is identified by the IMSI. from what i know no operator will look for your phone based on IMEI and the fact that you lost it. if your country's operators use the EIR feature they can block the phone out of their networks, but that is about as far as it will go.
My friend lost his HTC-Wildfire ( India, Bangalore).
There was no tracker enabled, is it possible to request HTC to block the device based on IMEI number? I read somewhere, it is not yet possible in India ( the blog-post was about a year old).
Any other suggestions?
HTC will not do it. Your mobile operator will do it, but, it needs a FIR from your local police station, and, as expected, it is a process full of hassle, unless you have 'contacts'.
And I heard, mobile operator keep asking to go back to device manufacturer. ( we work at SIM level, and not device, unless it is locked).
Then perhaps I should let the 'finder' enjoy his luck for now.
As I said, its a hassle filled process. From what I read and heard, it is the mobile operator who should do it, because, all of them have access to a global database of stolen phones. All they need to do is simply add your IMEI to this global list, and it is locked for use with any sim - any network. Obviously, its a process filled with legal red tape, which is why they are uncooperative.
I think when we are using android market, Google will be having our imei/serial number. Don't know if that helps to track the phone ( maybe not ). But I think everyone with android phone must be using market.
And if the person who got the phone wants to use wildfire without a sim or any other internet networks, then u can do really really nothing. All we should do is to protect our phone from being lost.
You could also try Plan B,if it works in your country.It`s an app that installs itself when the device connects to the market and then sends you the location of the phone.
Hope it will work for you^^
Haska said:
You could also try Plan B,if it works in your country.It`s an app that installs itself when the device connects to the market and then sends you the location of the phone.
Hope it will work for you^^
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That was the first thing I did, but I think I was late by hours. By that time the device was offline.
ALso, there was a 'pattern' based unlock password. So, if the person goes about reflashing the ROM (himself, or whoever he sells to).. then that wont work.
Haska said:
You could also try Plan B,if it works in your country.It`s an app that installs itself when the device connects to the market and then sends you the location of the phone.
Hope it will work for you^^
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Click to collapse
It's already lost unfortunately.
Besides, atleast as far as I know, mobile thieves are today much more intelligent. They will first flash and format your phone before even attempting to use it (They switch off your phone immediately after picking it - happened to me once). Also, another aspect is that it is hardly ever the thief who will use it. He will sell it at first opportunity.
^@3xeno
Exactly.
I had no hope from planB, but I still did it - just in case.
Even if it works, the accuracy of location would be very important.
I can be evil and go all-out to get IMEI blocked. But just thinking whether its worth the hassle ( its more of a revenge), as they say, it wont help to get the device back.
Or should I let the 'receiver' enjoy his luck.
As i can remember there is a app in the market called 'plan B' which helps to track your phone even after it is lost. Log in to the market with your pc and search for it.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA Premium App
shiranmotha said:
As i can remember there is a app in the market called 'plan B' which helps to track your phone even after it is lost. Log in to the market with your pc and search for it.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA Premium App
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Of course he can install "Plan B" remotely in his device from PC android market without any confirmational messages (but provided only if his gmail account is still associated with his phone. This happens only if his sim card was unchanged and i dont think that is the case).
It would be nice if google gives some more security to keep the gmail account attached to the phone.
bharatgaddameedi said:
It would be nice if google gives some more security to keep the gmail account attached to the phone.
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I had that feeling almost two months afther buying it: you can simply pull out the sim card of the device and start it up, resulting in having access to the persons mails and contacts. You can even send mails if you enable wifi.
Solution for that: the pattern unlock. Most of the time annoying, but thiefs will have to hard reset the phone to get past it, loosing all the contact with my mail and google contacts.
EDIT: or at least I hope so, never really tried to see if there was a way to get past the unlock code (accept when you get called, but I really hope that the thief is not someone who has my number )
ErwinP said:
I had that feeling almost two months afther buying it: you can simply pull out the sim card of the device and start it up, resulting in having access to the persons mails and contacts. You can even send mails if you enable wifi.
Solution for that: the pattern unlock. Most of the time annoying, but thiefs will have to hard reset the phone to get past it, loosing all the contact with my mail and google contacts.
EDIT: or at least I hope so, never really tried to see if there was a way to get past the unlock code (accept when you get called, but I really hope that the thief is not someone who has my number )
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Click to collapse
A typical thief wont be able to get past 'pattern-unlock'. However, in hands of a hacker, with adb - everything is possible with sufficient time and motivation.
Typical thief would either sell it, or try to use it using different sim ( your best hope for any post-theft-tracking possibility).
Irony is that, pattern lock saves you from un-educated 'thief' misusing your data. But, on the other hand it motivates them to reflash the ROM, thus eliminating any chance of u tracking it.
In hands of even bigger experts, even IMEI-lock wont stay for long. I am sure there are people who know how to spoof IMEI. But I would imagine that is very small community.
Yes it all depends on the person that finds/steals the phone but better to try and fail than not try at all.And yes the Plan B requirement is that the person that has your phone uses your gmail account login on the market.With pattern lock the one that finds it would have to flash it as akshayxyz said so it all depends on the settings/luck or whatever ,but still there is no harm in trying.
After all what are the chances that someone with knowledge about these things finds your lost phone,and if that was the case then your friend has really bad luck.
I lost my phone and i used it just in case,I even kept the same password in the hope that one would log in with it.It didn`t help me since as i found out later my lcd cracked when it fell out of my pocket ,but after i got it back(the person that found it came into the store i work at and asked how much would the replacement cost) and loged in the market the app installed itself,so try it.
No harm done and its just a few clicks on the net^^.
Hey guys, I have a Galaxy S5 that I'm 99% sure is fake. I have uploaded some screenshots of the system and hardware info. Can anyone tell if it's definitely fake? If so, would it be safe to use? I factory reset it to clear any apps or anything that might leak personal information but I don't know if that's enough. I was thinking that the manufacturers of fake phones could hide malicious code deep into the system that could potentially leak my personal information like my email address and password and other passwords I enter online.In the case that they do intend to get my personal info I have a VPN service I pay for, so would connecting to the VPN before doing anything online keep them from being able to get information or could they still have a keylogger that logs my keystrokes and what windows are up when I enter them? Are there any roms I could download for it? Also I tried to boot into download mode like my old S3 and it went to a mode that was all in Korean (or Chinese or whatever). So I mean I pretty much know it's fake :silly: Is there any reason I should be worried? I am also having network issues. I have tried many different APN settings (it's unlocked and I have T-Mobile) but I cannot get anything more than a very poor edge connection. Any ideas?
***As you can see it only has 1GB of internal memory lolololololol
jtl_777 said:
Hey guys, I have a Galaxy S5 that I'm 99% sure is fake. I have uploaded some screenshots of the system and hardware info. Can anyone tell if it's definitely fake? If so, would it be safe to use? I factory reset it to clear any apps or anything that might leak personal information but I don't know if that's enough. I was thinking that the manufacturers of fake phones could hide malicious code deep into the system that could potentially leak my personal information like my email address and password and other passwords I enter online.In the case that they do intend to get my personal info I have a VPN service I pay for, so would connecting to the VPN before doing anything online keep them from being able to get information or could they still have a keylogger that logs my keystrokes and what windows are up when I enter them? Are there any roms I could download for it? Also I tried to boot into download mode like my old S3 and it went to a mode that was all in Korean (or Chinese or whatever). So I mean I pretty much know it's fake :silly: Is there any reason I should be worried? I am also having network issues. I have tried many different APN settings (it's unlocked and I have T-Mobile) but I cannot get anything more than a very poor edge connection. Any ideas?
***As you can see it only has 1GB of internal memory lolololololol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can be sure for a 100% thats is fake. Yes you should be worried, if there is an issue with your device in the future you won`t have warranty and 0% afterservice, so you`re pretty much on your own and may have to buy another phone.
PS: Don`t flash anything fom the S5 forum or you`ll brick your phone.
jtl_777 said:
Hey guys, I have a Galaxy S5 that I'm 99% sure is fake. I have uploaded some screenshots of the system and hardware info. Can anyone tell if it's definitely fake? If so, would it be safe to use? I factory reset it to clear any apps or anything that might leak personal information but I don't know if that's enough. I was thinking that the manufacturers of fake phones could hide malicious code deep into the system that could potentially leak my personal information like my email address and password and other passwords I enter online.In the case that they do intend to get my personal info I have a VPN service I pay for, so would connecting to the VPN before doing anything online keep them from being able to get information or could they still have a keylogger that logs my keystrokes and what windows are up when I enter them? Are there any roms I could download for it? Also I tried to boot into download mode like my old S3 and it went to a mode that was all in Korean (or Chinese or whatever). So I mean I pretty much know it's fake :silly: Is there any reason I should be worried? I am also having network issues. I have tried many different APN settings (it's unlocked and I have T-Mobile) but I cannot get anything more than a very poor edge connection. Any ideas?
***As you can see it only has 1GB of internal memory lolololololol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install Phone INFO ★Samsung★ app, open Menu > 'Refurbishment Check'. It will tell you exactly if your phone is genuine or a fake one.
gee2012 said:
You can be sure for a 100% thats is fake. Yes you should be worried, if there is an issue with your device in the future you won`t have warranty and 0% afterservice, so you`re pretty much on your own and may have to buy another phone.
PS: Don`t flash anything fom the S5 forum or you`ll brick your phone.
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Click to collapse
I'm not concerned with the warranty. I actually haven't bought it yet but my friend did and she didn't know it was fake. I would buy it for 50 bucks if I can get 4g to work so what would you guys say? I'm doing some investigating to see if it's safe to use with my gmail and other accounts. What would be the best way to ensure that my information doesn't get sent out? I rooted it last night and found a couple forums for fake samsung phone roms but some of the numbers didn't add up. Thanks for your help.
If it is fake then you shouldn't use it. Your information and passwords may leak and there's a possibility that the device may explode.
Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
So I was down in Cancun, Mexico and my phone is either lost or stolen...
Its got fingerprint and pin code.... unfortunately, I can not track it as I didnt get local sim with data and its been put into Airplane and Battery Save mode... I tried to locate it in hopes someone crack the pin and turned on Wifi so I can track it but not.
So my question is, the only way for someone to use my phone now is to go into fastboot and erase everything. Since the phone is still tagged in my google account...
Will I know if someone who flash the phone back to stock?
Will Android Device Manager be smart enough to detect this?
Will I ever get my phone back?
I can get the IMEI number in a few days after I get home, it should be printed on the box, If its needed...
I know this is a long shot but hopefully somoene can shed some light and tell me what can be done...
I knew I should have bought Cerberus...
gd6noob said:
So I was down in Cancun, Mexico and my phone is either lost or stolen...
Its got fingerprint and pin code.... unfortunately, I can not track it as I didnt get local sim with data and its been put into Airplane and Battery Save mode... I tried to locate it in hopes someone crack the pin and turned on Wifi so I can track it but not.
So my question is, the only way for someone to use my phone now is to go into fastboot and erase everything. Since the phone is still tagged in my google account...
Will I know if someone who flash the phone back to stock?
Will Android Device Manager be smart enough to detect this?
Will I ever get my phone back?
I can get the IMEI number in a few days after I get home, it should be printed on the box, If its needed...
I know this is a long shot but hopefully somoene can shed some light and tell me what can be done...
I knew I should have bought Cerberus...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would not be much difficult for someone to reset your device. If for god's sake it's not stolen, and an honest person has found it,and somehow disabled Airplane mode and enabled WIFI/Data, you can use Android Device Manager to lock your device, and send a recovery message displaying your phone number so that he/she can contact you. Also prefer adding that you would reward that person with something in return.
But with my experience the above method is less likely to work, since you never know what kind of person has found it or stolen it.
The best thing you should do now is register a complaint in the Police for your lost/stolen device, and provide them with details like the IMEI. I have had this situation in the past, and recovered my phone with the help of Police itself.
you are referring to the local police where I lost the phone or back in my home?
gd6noob said:
you are referring to the local police where I lost the phone or back in my home?
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Click to collapse
For me Not police but Hotel in Cancun (been there many times), and maybe your Carrier at home to block...
I have called my carrier and placed a block on it...
I was just wondering, if the phone was flash back to stock, will google someone see the device IMEI being connect to google server or something and maybe let me know?
gd6noob said:
you are referring to the local police where I lost the phone or back in my home?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gd6noob said:
I have called my carrier and placed a block on it...
I was just wondering, if the phone was flash back to stock, will google someone see the device IMEI being connect to google server or something and maybe let me know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Local police, I guess. I am not aware of the rules & regulations that apply there.
It is the best way. If someone boots the phone with your SIM card, or a different one, they will instantly know.
It is possible to track the phone using the IMEI as well but depends on the local laws.
Notify both the police and your service provider, and give them your IMEI number. Cellular carriers have the ability to blacklist IMEI numbers. They can also track them using a cell tower triangulation method if the phone is somehow unlocked & moved out of Flight Mode. Basically, the carrier narrows down the location of your cell phone by measuring the angles to it from nearby cell tower antennas.
Another stroke of luck could be some apps on play store. Just log into play.google.com using a laptop/ PC and send an app to your lost phone so it can be located. Apps like ‘plan B’ can be remotely installed to your android phone at anytime the phone gets switched on and get connected to the internet.
Check if there are any IMEI tracking companies where you are right now or back home. This is purely down to the laws of the land. You can google this. Lots of websites have an online tracking system.
Hope you get your phone back. All the best
is there anyone for me to get the IMEI number while im out here? I can get the number when I get home.. but I would like to get this done all here while Im down here...
gd6noob said:
is there anyone for me to get the IMEI number while im out here? I can get the number when I get home.. but I would like to get this done all here while Im down here...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you buy it online? Most online resellers provide you an invoice copy within their website, or even mail it to you. You will be able to take note of the IMEI number from the invoice itslef.
DJBhardwaj said:
Did you buy it online? Most online resellers provide you an invoice copy within their website, or even mail it to you. You will be able to take note of the IMEI number from the invoice itslef.
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Click to collapse
no point.. carriers in Mexico wont do this unless its their own brand phone.. lol.. so that sucks...
gd6noob said:
no point.. carriers in Mexico wont do this unless its their own brand phone.. lol.. so that sucks...
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Click to collapse
Good luck then, my friend.
I moved on...
Was deciding between the iPhone 6s+ or the Samsung S7 Edge...
I was leaning on the iphone because of the fact that the security is great.. once its lock to an itunes account, no one can use it unless it gets unlink from either the owner or at the store with the owner present... I hate the fact that it doesnt support SD card and the prices are crazy... 128gb cost $1500CAD...
Just picked up the S7 Edge.. 32gb+128gb SD Card... traded a dead sprint phone with $125 credit... so it came in just over $1000CAD...
gd6noob said:
I moved on...
Was deciding between the iPhone 6s+ or the Samsung S7 Edge...
I was leaning on the iphone because of the fact that the security is great.. once its lock to an itunes account, no one can use it unless it gets unlink from either the owner or at the store with the owner present... I hate the fact that it doesnt support SD card and the prices are crazy... 128gb cost $1500CAD...
Just picked up the S7 Edge.. 32gb+128gb SD Card... traded a dead sprint phone with $125 credit... so it came in just over $1000CAD...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice to know that you stuck with Android itself. Good luck with the new device. :good:
Make no mistake. Even IOS security is not complete. There was a store that was just recently raided by the cops that made its money off of selling stolen iPhones. All it takes is forcing the phone to reset itself.
There will never be a complete secure devices. Just like any electronic devices. There will always be holes.
And to explorer some of the comments from earlier. Yes the police can track a device but it requires a warrant that is for far more then a lost phone.
As for IMEI blocking. That only works on one carrier.
Also the first thing that is done when a phones is stolen is the sim card is removed. Then it is factory reset or refreshed. And no Google doesn't care if the IMEI is activated under a new sim and number. No point in keeping track of that sort of thing.