Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

I agree with TA-t3...

The IMEI block system is very important in the fight against mobile crime. Circumvention of that system is irresponsible and doesn't really give you much in the way of anonymity, specially if you want to keep an identifiable phone number.

If you buy a stolen phone then it's your lookout. If the situation with phone sales in your country is that bad then insist you get to try the phone with your SIM card first to check it.

I'm very sympathetic to the Big Brother arguments when it comes to DNA databases and CCTV, but not in this case.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

I don't think the argument here should be is it legal or not to change the IMEI. It should be more, why do you want to?

I think (I have to check) but 3GPP does not require, by legal requirement, a handset manufacturer to provide a unique IMEI for a handset - yes it is very useful, and helps alot, but I don't think it is required to validate the device tecnically.

Some operators don't care about devices without IMEIs - there has been millions of fake Nokia/Blackberry/Sony Ericsson devices used on networks in Pakistan/India/China for years. All these devices have had a) cloned IMEIs, b) no IMEIs.

I would be more worried about the affect it would have on the device's operation on the network.

If you are doing it for illicit purposes (stolen/fraud) then you deserve to get caught. If its for valid reasons, then away you go, but be warned..

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

this sounds about as legit as changing the vin on a car... i begin to wonder why...

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

I think that vin numbers and imei codes are quite different by their nature. Even though the both are "unique identification numbers", a vin number would be like imei only if it was possible to track car movements on a network (of roads) remotely by it's vin number.

In my opinion this makes a big difference when it comes to ones privacy.

propelli

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

Just out of curiousity, why is IMEI the problem ? Your SIM/number is just as (if not more) trackable as the IMEI. The question no IMEI change proponent answered is why do you want the HARDWARE to be untrackable but not yourself (which would be the goal if the real reason is privacy concerns) ?

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

so they have gps-systems integrated to cars, how do you know those are not calling home?

just keep your phone closed while travelling and switch phones with random people at random intervals plus one sim card per turning on a phone.

or then again stop using gsm-stuff.....

e: and what if changing imei would be possible? would you really switch to a new sim-card after each change? could you really change imei with such pattern that can't be described by an algorithm?

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

This thread should be IMMEDIATLY SHUT DOWN this topic IS illegal and anyone who even attemtps to help will be reported by me for sure !!!! i lost my E90 stolen and blocked by Nokia. Please people ignore this thread .

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

It is illegal in some places and legal in others. Please don't try to force your laws or your morals on the rest of the internet.

IMEI changing has a very legitimate reason - some programs lock themselves to IMEI. If your device is broken and replaced as part of warranty service, or is lost and you decide to get a new one, you suddenly can't use the programs you bought. You find yourself at the mercy of companies which might accept this change and might not. Changing the IMEI to the original one is much easier.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

Easy, dude, relax ... youre going to have heart attack ... ;)

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

Read the guys posts you will clearly see he is dealing with a stolen phone, if he had nothing to hide then he would post the existing imei and he also talks BB5 , know i dont know what world you live in but coming from Poland and asking what he is asking AND you must remember this is a community, does it look good for the community such discussions? now where do you think most stolen anything gets sold off? ask yourself some serious questions and IF your N900 is stolen just how would you feel?.