Is changing IMEI possible?
 

I know changing it would be illegal at some countries, but I'm curious about if Maemo 5 is that open, or not. Anyway, maybe its not even related with OS. BTW, I dont mean BB5 tools or sth like that, I mean just compiling something, or some command, config file etc.

So, is it possible to change/spoof (send another IMEI number to GSM network maybe) it or not (Nokia closed its source, its hw-related etc)? It would be interesting hack.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

I spend pretty much time for investigate this question and didn't find any solution. Look like it is impossible on Nokia phones.....

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

The FCC requires the closed source I believe. :)

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

i believe IMEI is hardcoded into the hardware, maybe on some chip/flash or something. i'm far from expert but i can tell that since complete reflashing on any kind of phone dosen't change IMEI, its not in the OS or any config file available on the phone.

You need to be technical experienced with electronics, since you need to read/write a certain flash rom inside the phone. As far as i know you need special cable and special software to do this.

Your best bet is to research this topic on some phone hacking websites.. wich i can not recommend, most public hacking sites are filled with virus's, trojans.and other malware.. kinda ironic.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

It's to filter out those who shouldn't be there. =P

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

Well, if the IMEI is not acquired through a handshake on a smart card, then it's just a number in a ROM that can be emulated or trapped by different techniques...

An LD_PRELOAD on the right part of the phone daemon for example?

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

So even if its hardcoded into hardware, they should get information ( like $i = "imeinumberhere" ) and send it to gsm network. If we change $i on the fly, or just reassign it, so its all ok. I'm curious if that part of code is closed or not..

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

Hello all,

I'm also searching for same answer. I would also like to know how can I change IMEI or bypass it and send another one to network.
There must be a way. It can not be impossible.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

The IMEI (or MEID) is indeed flashed into the device at time of firmware burn-in. I have heard of utilities to spoof IMEI numbers but I strongly recommend against using them.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

Changing IMEI is illegal in UK and Most of europe*

*i think europe but deffo in UK

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

IMEI tampering is illegal in some countries so i don't think this is the place to be discussing this kind of thing

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

Hi!

You are really fast! Thanks man!

Ok, I'm from Bosnia And Herzegovina and here anyone does not take care about that.
Now, can You point me in correct direction how to change (or spoof) IMEI (IMEID).
I would like to know how to do that.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

Sorry, but NvyUs is correct: this forum isn't the place to provide such information (however discussing the subject objectively in general is okay)

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

before anyone tells you how why dont you tell us why you need to change your imei number

either you have a blocked/barred phone or you wish to commit illegal activities from a cloned imei number

i dont think anyone should help with this to be honest its blantantly illegal why would you want to change the imei number of a handset???

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

I have seen IMEI, written backwards, in the mtd1 (config) partition. It is probably protected by a digital signature.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

Hi,

what i think is that its not so easy to spoof the imei.

So my theroy is that the imei will be send by the gsm modem firmware and not the phoneapp.

i don't know about the n900 but i know from my openmoko freerunner that the gsm firmware is closed source. so
if its the same on the n900 and the gsm firmware sends the imei

its only possible to spoof the imei by altering the gsm firmware.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

All Nokia devices have the IMEI physically burned into the hardware. It is impossible to change it.

(It might be possible with the devices of other manufacturers, though.)

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

Well, reason is that when You buy a phone in Bosnia, You can not be sure that phone is not from other network, that is not stolen from the truck etc. and soled to You. (in this case me). It gets to the shop like all other phones, who knows from where.

For Bosnia, it's a critical mission :). I'm not sure from where is my phone and is it legally imported in country.

I can be sure only if I buy phone at local operator. It is not a case, this time. So, will someone help me?

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

phones stolen in UK are usually sold off-shore b/c they get IMEI barred from all UK networks
if IMEI numbers could easily be changed they would do it instead of exporting them to countries where devices are cheaper, what do not IMEI ban devices.
IMEI banning seems to spreading world wide now with even India banning all chinese fake phones with spoof IMEI's off there networks.
So in short i think people are wasting there time with this subject b/c even criminals can not be bothered with it.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

To fake imei because you might like to buy stolen goods?

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

Again: THIS is not the forum for that. Please search or ask elsewhere.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

Nop. It's not a reason. When you buy any phone in this country, I'm sure 80% that phone is not ok. Specially on place like e-bay website (on for local market). Price is low, but you are newer sure. Eaven if you buy it in phone shop.
Phones are usually from one of EU networks (have logo sign) and than they get flashed before they get to buyer hands.

Yes, I will not ask such things in this forum. It's not a place for this topic. Thanks anyway.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

masterx: If you buy an imei-blocked phone, then it's stolen (as you're basically saying yourself). Why on earth would you then think it's ok to _use_ the phone, by spoofing the imei? It's exactly things like that which creates a market for those gangs from certain parts of Europe which are currently doing the burglar rounds in my own and other countries. Without a market this extremely annoying thieveries wouldn't be an issue.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

Well i think there is more reasons to change IMEI than using stolen phone.
I think this is only one way to be anonymous and use gsm phone.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

It has nothing with anonymity - the phone IMEI is known for mobile providers and SIM card issuer only. In most countries they don't give it anybody besides police.

Mots likely - cheating one or both of it (phone providers or police).

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

The IMEI is like a MAC address for networking devices. To refute that changing the IMEI will make you anonymous, let's take my work computer as an example. It has a unique MAC address. While I am on my computer right now, other employees are able to log onto my computer. Therefore, given a unique device identifier, it is not possible to personally identify a person. Instead, I think the SIM card containing the credentials needed for me to get onto the GSM network is what identifies one user from another.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

The GSM network knows the simcard which has been inserted in the phone with the particular IMEI during every call. So, even if you change the simcard they can still tell, that this is the phone which you have been using previously.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

It is not a case for GSM. GSM network assigns your smartphone an IP address basing on a couple of factors and geographic location is a primary choice.

Moreover, it doesn't give you an Internet IP address but some internal IP and hide you behind NAT or proxy server. It is by 3G design.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

Whilst it is illegal to change the IMEI number in the UK, i can see why someone might want to change it. IMEI is quickly being used as a tracker for people who have registered phones.

I am familiar with the practise of the police using the IMEI to track down a person. In some cases even people who work with network providers (e.g. a guy who is stalking someone will pinpoint their location and turn up at their house). I have friends who run a mobile franchise business in Asia and im constantly told how their employees, and now police are abusing this tracking identifier.

As for the UK, do i think my IMEI number is only being used legally? hell no. I'm pretty sure the police here track anyone they want when they want. Anyway I digress, so IMEI number changing is illegal - and im sure the individual asking here has no good intentions but I would keep an open mind to what the IMEI number means for authorities.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

Police uses both - IMEI and SIM card ID number. As long as you have the same SIM card (the same number), you have no anonymity from police. But if you change SIM, you lose your phone number.

You should put your efforts in another direction - ask your parliament representative to change a law to prevent police stalking you without a case and judge approval. And put efforts to win a BIG money from phone provider who allows its employees to track down you/your friend without judge approval.

As for Asia... well, the only way to be not stalked - switch phone OFF and remove battery. Believe me, there are multiple ways to track your even you change IMEI and SIM card.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

I guess it can be discussed on this forum as it is not illegal in most countries.

In the UK however it IS illegal..

There are ways to change the IMEI on most phones but usually
it requires different methods depending on the model of the phone and newer phones tend to be more difficult to reprogram due to the lack of information about on the net.


Im UK based so dont want to go posting info on how to do it. I honestly dont know how to do it on the N900 yet but its almost certainly possible.

P.S 10% of IMEI's in the UK are duplicates (ref bbc website) so someone is modifying a hell of a lot of devices..... dont think that IMEI blacklisting is worth doing because it is no use against dedicated organisations that deal in stolen phones. the databases ar just there to make people feel better once their phone has been nicked )

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

"There are ways to change the IMEI on most phones"

Nokia started program IMEI into RF chip during production long time ago. So, it is impossible to change IMEI in Nokia phones "on-a-fly"/"on-a-run", it requires some hardware work.

So, all discussion about anonymity is useless - the permanent changing of IMEI is for stolen phones only but not for goal of non-tracking.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

You're right the police have many different ways. A phone even while idle can be used as a microphone to listen to your conversations. Battery removal is the only way.

My efforts in another direction? I havent made any efforts in this regard. As for the Parliament to pass a law - thats a joke. Post 9/11 the police can do whatever they like without a law. No one openly admits to breaking of privacy laws but it happens. They can shoot you in the head 9 times on a train and say "oops", carry out early dawn raids and send you to Gitmo, lock you up in the UK without trial for a period of time and even have you arrested for thought crimes. No getting away from it.
Not that I have anything to hide, just saying us behaving like sheep and saying the IMEI number cannot be changed because we shouldnt isnt the answer.

Places like Asia/Africa/South America and even Europe now - there is always a danger of being picked up by secret groups. I've personally witnessed conversations with the police where they track people within minutes for whatever reason. No regard for the law. But that was Pakistan. In the UK we do it secretly.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

yeah seriously if you dont want to be tracked then why not go buy a PAYG phone and seperate simm and supply incorrect details or pay by cash.

If you really dont want to be tracked then how about not using a bloody transmitter that can be triangulated via the masts it communicates with?? i.e dont use a mobile!

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

Again, it is a case to talk with your representatives and people to elect a right judge which WILL send that police guys to jail. It can't be solved by IMEI change. Moreover, in this environment an IMEI change could lead you to jail under false suspicion. You are going to wrong direction in UK.

As for Asia... I don't know, it depends from country and a reason why you visit it. More simple - don't use the same mobile/SIM, just in case.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

IMEI's cannot be changed without physically ripping the chip out that contains it and replacing it with a blank one that doesn't yet have an IMEI.

They use write once eprom like devices just you don't get the e for erasable.. :) its physically impossible to achieve, and, you shouldn't be trying !

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

I imagine these chips aren't distinct devices either, probably a small piece of auxillary silicon on the cpu wafer....

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

In some countries you need to register prepaid card before activation. In registration process you need to give you name and secound name. It is matter of time when you will not be able to use non name-registered sim card.
Only way to use mobile phone anonymously is changing imei or having another phone with another sim card and be sure that persons who you calling won't give you credentials to cops.

Buying n900(legaly) i was hoping to have control over my phone.
I would like to have an ability to change IMEI, be sure if I'm turning gsm module off it's really off so I can not be traced, nor some gestapo guys can hear me.

People have not enough information about technology they are using. GSM network is powerful surveillance technology. Don't you think is nice to have as much controll over it as possible.

I'm not programmer but maybe some one with more skills agree with me and can inspect the source code and let community know how your beloved n900 can be used to control you.
Then maybe there will be possibilities to prevent it.

Isn't that what open source is about ?

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

Going back to IMEI topic.
Wifi card have hardware mac as well. When you changing your MAC(eg. ifconfig interface_name hw ether 00:your:mac:here) you are not changing anything physically on a wifi card. It should be possible to emulate IMEI somehow.

Re: Is changing IMEI possible?
 

DONT TRY TO CHANGE IMEI IT WILL **** UP YOUR PHONE...

beacause IF certs watchdogs simlockdata imei are stored like in any other bb5 phone... you can change imei .... but it wont power on until you recalkulate Security zones....

are u a little bit paranoid??

NO changing the imei has nothing to do with openess...

Imei is an standart for Identification numbers on mobile phones.... if you could change it... it would be useless....
because you could use a imei from a brand new phone... insert it into your old phone (same Type) and give it to nokia for warranty repairs even if it is not on warranty....
if a phone gets stolen ... and the thief could change the imei ... the phone qould not be recognized.... even if they chatch the thief....

the imei is only stored @ the Manufacturer and the Resseller because of warranty ....

noone cant track you if he knows the imei .... only when they know the phone number... and have the technology....