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!
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?
Hello,
I am a bit anxious about my phone. It works well under omega 3.1 but I was checking my saves and I foud that:
1) My EFS folder is empty
2) I have two efs backup files but they seem rather small (35k each) ans they are dated 1970 I am pretty sure they are empty
3) my IMEI is correct when I go into about phone (But does not appear when I dial *#06#
Is there something wrong ?
The Imei seems good but as the efs folder is empty it should not...
Any idea ?
dronarg said:
Hello,
I am a bit anxious about my phone. It works well under omega 3.1 but I was checking my saves and I foud that:
1) My EFS folder is empty
2) I have two efs backup files but they seem rather small (35k each) ans they are dated 1970 I am pretty sure they are empty
3) my IMEI is correct when I go into about phone (But does not appear when I dial *#06#
Is there something wrong ?
The Imei seems good but as the efs folder is empty it should not...
Any idea ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
see it with a root explorer. or file manager with root access (enable root explorer in its setting).
how did you backup your efs??
Yes I looked a t it with a root explorer and it is empty.
The backup was donne while flashing rom but I have not the original efs backup (I forgot to back it up)
dronarg said:
Yes I looked a t it with a root explorer and it is empty.
The backup was donne while flashing rom but I have not the original efs backup (I forgot to back it up)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try to backup it now with terminal emulator and see the size
I9505 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=41536475&postcount=8
I9500 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=41559366&postcount=2
samersh72 said:
try to backup it now with terminal emulator and see the size
I9505 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=41536475&postcount=8
I9500 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=41559366&postcount=2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure how to do it with terminal emulator.
After flashing TWRP recovery and while the phone was brand new I made a full backup of the phone and inside there is a efs backup wich is 35k
Also I made another backup made with twrp recovery and it is 35 k again for the efs.ext4.win
Is that a normal size ?
dronarg said:
I am not sure how to do it with terminal emulator.
After flashing TWRP recovery and while the phone was brand new I made a full backup of the phone and inside there is a efs backup wich is 35k
Also I made another backup made with twrp recovery and it is 35 k again for the efs.ext4.win
Is that a normal size ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont think so.
download terminal emulator from play store and just do the command in link. it is very easy.
samersh72 said:
i dont think so.
download terminal emulator from play store and just do the command in link. it is very easy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did it and it created a 13.62 mb file.
However I dont know if there is something inside as there is no file in efs folder. It may have copied blank data ?
dronarg said:
I did it and it created a 13.62 mb file.
However I dont know if there is something inside as there is no file in efs folder. It may have copied blank data ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
very good. right size for I9505 !
nothing wrong with your phone :good:
copy it to your pc for emergency
i advise also to backup m9kefs partitions also http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=41537402&postcount=10 arround 780 kb each one
it doesnt matter if you dont see it. the efs partition is fine
samersh72 said:
very good. right size for I9505 !
nothing wrong with your phone :good:
copy it to your pc for emergency
i advise also to backup m9kefs partitions also http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=41537402&postcount=10 arround 780 kb each one
it doesnt matter if you dont see it. the efs partition is fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I did it also for the m9kefs partitions and everything is stored in safe place.
Many thanks to you !
My efs (files and folders inside) is 3.xx kb and is correct.
The whole partition of efs is about 13.xx mb.
Even the efs folder has no files in it or have,
the size of the partition remain the same.
Thanks.
ausdim said:
My efs (files and folders inside) is 3.xx kb and is correct.
The whole partition of efs is about 13.xx mb.
Even the efs folder has no files in it or have,
the size of the partition remain the same.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Yes :thumbup: i was pointing to the whole partition. it seems that his efs partition is not corrupted. I suggest always to backup the whole partition.
Sent from my Galaxy using xda premium
samersh72 said:
Thank you. Yes :thumbup: i was pointing to the whole partition. it seems that his efs partition is not corrupted. I suggest always to backup the whole partition.
Sent from my Galaxy using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And any idea why the efs folder is empty ? Is the efs a hidden partition and the folder just a dumb file or symbolic link ?
dronarg said:
And any idea why the efs folder is empty ? Is the efs a hidden partition and the folder just a dumb file or symbolic link ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what explorer are you using?
download attached file manager, install it. open it, go to the settings of file manager, check "root explorer" (grant permission) and check "mount system folder". now see efs folder.
Hi, i copied my EFS folder to my PC with rood explorer, is this a safe backup, or do i need a backup with a program like it was done with K-Tool on the S3.
If my IMEI gets deleted can i restore it with a simple EFS folder backup, (if so how)
If not, how can i backup the EFS with GT-I9500 XXUBMF8, i tried the touch recovery EFS custom backup, but i kept getting empty folders where the backup was supposed to be copied, (even tho it sayed that the backup was succesfull). Is there another way?
0mega007 said:
Hi, i copied my EFS folder to my PC with rood explorer, is this a safe backup, or do i need a backup with a program like it was done with K-Tool on the S3.
If my IMEI gets deleted can i restore it with a simple EFS folder backup, (if so how)
If not, how can i backup the EFS with GT-I9500 XXUBMF8, i tried the touch recovery EFS custom backup, but i kept getting empty folders where the backup was supposed to be copied, (even tho it sayed that the backup was succesfull). Is there another way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use this and next time, search first .