Database Users

NOTE TO ALL. DO not help theives.

These "pattern lockout please help" threads are the worst attempt at recovering stolen phones. Its obvious thw thieves create multiple accounts on xda, Then reply with things like "this is happening to me too" It supposed to build their credibility by creating small layers of trust. Its to make you think "Oh, well if multiple people are having an issue, maybe this is just another failure in the long list of problems."
I wouldnt be suprised if they start pm'ing people who attempt to help.
The bottom line is, this is a weak attempt to socially engineer you to break the law by helping them break the law. We all know that if you forget your pattern its easy enough to recover from it. My son locks my phone once a week from incorrect pattern entry. With my G1 it was married to one google account so i was forced to recover via gmail. Therefore if they are the true owners they will have no problem recovering.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Word.
Well said.

Need to sticky this.
I'd pay for an app that locks down the recovery and download mode with a password - can't remember your pass - tough ****.

Hey people, I forgot my....
oh... I guess I have to ask androidforums...

+1
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

HG! said:
Hey people, I forgot my....
oh... I guess I have to ask androidforums...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely agree though!!!

Bump. Sticky this.

I agree with the OP, theres alot of phones on ebay and craigslist of the locked android phones. I sent a message to an ebay seller and his response was the phone was as is, but fully working. Would not go into detail when I asked him was it user error or stolen. My initial Vibrant I bought was stolen and I had no security installed. That mistake wont happen again but Please dont help the theives.

what if the person is being honest, and they are really pattern locked out, and they don't know anything about android? LOL that would suck, but I agree, lets not help thieves.

Yeah pretty much a big f you. I am a legit owner who was locked out the day I got my phone. Gmail did not unlock it so I called tmo. They walked me through a master unlock which made things worse, as now all my gmail info was deleted. Thank goodness there were people willing to help and I was able to get my phone back up and running. Its people like you who really make it hard for someone to get the help they need here on xda.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

SamsungVibrant said:
what if the person is being honest, and they are really pattern locked out, and they don't know anything about android? LOL that would suck, but I agree, lets not help thieves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it happens, but tough ****, we can't determine the real idiots from the thieves so it's best to help no one get past the unlock screen.
(although on stock vibrant there is a known issue that the pattern unlock does not go away even if you do the right thing)

While I do agree we shouldn't help thieves, we shouldn't make such a blanket statement. Just because you get locked out of your phone doesn't mean you stole it. I've had customers whose friends tried to unlock their phone and locked them out.
But I can see it now all the unhelpful vultures on here as soon as someone asks about being locked out of their phone. "ZOMG THIEVE CALL THE POLICE, TELL THE MODS, TRACK THEIR IP, THEIR WORSE THAN HITLER!!!!"

speoples20 said:
While I do agree we shouldn't help thieves, we shouldn't make such a blanket statement. Just because you get locked out of your phone doesn't mean you stole it. I've had customers whose friends tried to unlock their phone and locked them out.
But I can see it now all the unhelpful vultures on here as soon as someone asks about being locked out of their phone. "ZOMG THIEVE CALL THE POLICE, TELL THE MODS, TRACK THEIR IP, THEIR WORSE THAN HITLER!!!!"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am not saying that if a customer brings their phone into my store i am not going to help then(i would get reprimanded for that) but online i have no way of knowing if they are telling the truth or not. when people bring their phone into the store you can usually tell if they are telling the truth or not, or you have a hundred tools at your disposal as a rep that will tell you whether or not they bought the phone and/or it is theirs

I am not suggesting there are not circumstances where everything goes wrong and you are unable to sign in using your gmail account to unlock. Wait... yes i am. If you are in this situation it is 100% your fault.
Take ownership of your phone and whats on it.
If it were so easy to circumvent 2 layers of secuirty on a locked android device... then why even have it on there.
Most if not all people looking to get around the pattern unlock are in possesion of a phone they dont own.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

or they are completely retarded like 90% of my customers, there are thousands of people out there that have an android device and have no clue what their gmail password is because the sales rep set all that up for them and made sure that when they walked out the door they would have no problems. at least once a week i get customers that come in and tell me that they locked themselves out of their phone and i know they did because A) i sold it to them and set it up B) a co-worker sold it to them and i set it up C) they are old. most people don't bother to remember passwords just like they don't remember phone numbers, because technology has the ability to remember stuff for us then why the hell should we have to use our brain at all?
i am not saying that we should walk people through how to get past it, i am just stating that some people really are that stupid and can't remember unlock patterns or passwords, or phone numbers or whatever else. frankly i think even i have locked myself out of my old G1 because i changed my pattern and then forgot what is was(i changed mine once a week) just because i changed the pattern doesn't mean i stole it, it means i'm an idiot
i have also seen phones that will not let you use the gmail credentials even though you can use those same credentials to log in via computer. just because someone is stupid does not make them a thief, although being a thief makes them stupid

NoDataFound said:
I am not suggesting there are not circumstances where everything goes wrong and you are unable to sign in using your gmail account to unlock. Wait... yes i am. If you are in this situation it is 100% your fault.
Take ownership of your phone and whats on it.
If it were so easy to circumvent 2 layers of secuirty on a locked android device... then why even have it on there.
Most if not all people looking to get around the pattern unlock are in possesion of a phone they dont own.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just because you have not run into a situation in which all systems failed does not mean it doesn't happen. Don't be do short sighted and pig headed that you under mind the purpose of help forums. I consider myself a semi intelligent person but somehow found myself completely locked out of my first vibrant. With the help of a few good people I was back up and running the next day. And this was on my day old stock vibrant. And yes the gmail auth failed even with the correct login info.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Apexsilverevo said:
Just because you have not run into a situation in which all systems failed does not mean it doesn't happen. Don't be do short sighted and pig headed that you under mind the purpose of help forums. I consider myself a semi intelligent person but somehow found myself completely locked out of my first vibrant. With the help of a few good people I was back up and running the next day. And this was on my day old stock vibrant. And yes the gmail auth failed even with the correct login info.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I pointed out already(and I'm agreeing with you) this is a known issue, and t-mo has said many times that they plan on a fix but I doubt it will be soon
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide using XDA App

tubaking182 said:
or they are completely retarded like 90% of my customers, there are thousands of people out there that have an android device and have no clue what their gmail password is because the sales rep set all that up for them and made sure that when they walked out the door they would have no problems. at least once a week i get customers that come in and tell me that they locked themselves out of their phone and i know they did because A) i sold it to them and set it up B) a co-worker sold it to them and i set it up C) they are old. most people don't bother to remember passwords just like they don't remember phone numbers, because technology has the ability to remember stuff for us then why the hell should we have to use our brain at all?
i am not saying that we should walk people through how to get past it, i am just stating that some people really are that stupid and can't remember unlock patterns or passwords, or phone numbers or whatever else. frankly i think even i have locked myself out of my old G1 because i changed my pattern and then forgot what is was(i changed mine once a week) just because i changed the pattern doesn't mean i stole it, it means i'm an idiot
i have also seen phones that will not let you use the gmail credentials even though you can use those same credentials to log in via computer. just because someone is stupid does not make them a thief, although being a thief makes them stupid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Overall you are correct. I deal with people all the time that dont know tech at all. The only thing I see wrong with your logic is that those type of people would not be on this forum. If the people bought the phone through a legit source they can go back to that store and get it unlocked or replaced.

tubaking182 said:
As I pointed out already(and I'm agreeing with you) this is a known issue, and t-mo has said many times that they plan on a fix but I doubt it will be soon
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got to love the xda app lol, I meant to quote the post above. But appreciate your response
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Listen, there is a flaw with the fail safe of the patern lock. Its supposed to verify your google account info. It completely failed for me. First I was told I had to do it using 3G and not wi-fi. But neither worked. T mo actually replaced my phone because I got licked out
locked. They saw the error when I showed them I could log on with a computer but not with the phone which I had a receipt for.
Try it for yourself. Enter the wrong code until it asks for google verification.
Before you get your panties in a wad, why not see if there's a bug here after all.
Sent from my Samsung Vibrant using XDA App

Somebody on T-Mobile w/ Vibrant for 90 days want to call for me?

So I'm on T-Mobile and everytime I call, they give me a total BS code and it doesn't unlock ANYTHING =/
Can someone give it a try for me? I can provide you with the EMEI.
Please and thanks!

Sorry to tell you this, tmo will not give out the code unless the phone have been used on the account for 90 days for the person that is calling in.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

I saw many people doing it before, as long as they have a Vibrant that's 90 days or older, T-Mobile will give them the code.

And have we tried the SGS_unlock program from the market yet ?
Why yes, it does work, thank you for asking.

Actually, it doesn't work for me. I also tried the PC program. All failed.
I actually even called T-Mobile as stated in my first post, but they gave me a bunch of BS codes.
Last option.

There is two unlock programs from the market. Only the Galaxy S unlock by Helroz worked for me and not the SGS unlock.

Dattack what ROM are you running?

I am using the Bionix v1.2 right now. I have using a telcel sim when I go to baja mexico and the unlocking by Helroz has always worked for me. I think there is an xda thread on the unlocking started by helroz. good luck.

draikz said:
I saw many people doing it before, as long as they have a Vibrant that's 90 days or older, T-Mobile will give them the code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure how they did it back then, but when I called in to unlock a phone that I have not used, they wouldn't give me the unlock code because I didn't use it with my number for 90 days. Maybe a nice rep might hook it up, but from my experience they will give you the same bs with their 90 day policy.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

draikz said:
Actually, it doesn't work for me. I also tried the PC program. All failed.
I actually even called T-Mobile as stated in my first post, but they gave me a bunch of BS codes.
Last option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try troubleshooting the unlock methods in their respective threads. The unlock java program worked for me. There are several ways to do it, in all likelihood one should work.
Avoid user error.

maybe you did something wrong on your phone that's why the unlock code won't work for you. Yes that happened to me but the method posted here worked for me.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Haha, it's ok. I got it fixed. I used the one by Heroz and it worked sooo finne

Go to one of the stores and call them for the unlock code from there. Then, if it doesn't work you can get the store manager to intervene or better yet get them to exchange the phone.

oka1 said:
Go to one of the stores and call them for the unlock code from there. Then, if it doesn't work you can get the store manager to intervene or better yet get them to exchange the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol the store manger can't do anything about a subsidy unlock. Beyond that, OP seems to be ignorant about unlocking the phone, instead blaming faulty codes on someone else.
When an official subsidy is filed, it goes to an unlock team who contacts the manufacturer, and is specific to the IMEI of the device. Chances are, if the OPs code didn't work, they weren't following instructions on entering it in, or never provided accurate info for the unlock.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

draikz said:
Haha, it's ok. I got it fixed. I used the one by Heroz and it worked sooo finne
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OP has resolved the issue.

TheMan42 said:
lol the store manger can't do anything about a subsidy unlock. Beyond that, OP seems to be ignorant about unlocking the phone, instead blaming faulty codes on someone else.
When an official subsidy is filed, it goes to an unlock team who contacts the manufacturer, and is specific to the IMEI of the device. Chances are, if the OPs code didn't work, they weren't following instructions on entering it in, or never provided accurate info for the unlock.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow I like how you just called me ignorant.
I've provided T-Mo the same IMEI 3 times, yes, I quadruple checked it each time. Always got the same unlock code back. How is that MY fault?
Gee.
But thanks everyone for helping with the Heroz unlock

Just bought an EPIC 4G (Sprint said was CLEAR, now NOT CLEAR?)

So long story short, bought a NEW EPIC 4G from someone after being on the phone with SPRINT and verifying the ESN was "CLEAN & CLEAR" for activation. 5 minutes later I call Sprint back to swap the phone onto my account and was told "The phone is currently active on an account". Ok WTF is up with that? Anyone had a similar experience? I have tried to search for ways to get in and change the MSID and phone number but I have had no luck. The MSID & Phone Number show up as 000-000-0508 if that isnt weird enough.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Any way to get in and change the MSID to mine? Any way to repair this ESN?
Thanks for any and all help, this isn't a stolen phone, fresh out the box, as told it was good and now being told it was bad. I wish Sprint would hold themselves accountable for their screw ups.
Mike
The signs that tell me it has never been active as far as my knowledge is:
Phone number:
000-000-0508
MSID:
000-000-0508
Username:
<Not set>
Im 100% sure if it has been used before that this info would be filled in no matter how many times you reset it.

There isn't anything that can be done about the ESN.
Try contacting whoever you purchased it from to make sure they put a different phone on the line, it won't be usable until it is removed from whatever line it was attached.

I understand all of that, my phone is a Sprint rep told me the phone was good, few minutes later it was no longer good. The phone number, msid, username do not make any sense at all. It was brand new out of the box, never been activated before.

ssconceptz said:
I understand all of that, my phone is a Sprint rep told me the phone was good, few minutes later it was no longer good. The phone number, msid, username do not make any sense at all. It was brand new out of the box, never been activated before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It had to have been activated at some point for the ESN to be attached to a line.

Thats the point, either sprint screwed up somewhere but I have no clue. Do you have information on changing the MSID? This is not my first rodeo at buying or even rooting phones (not that I have even attempted to root this thing) but I have never had an issue with what I was told from sprint and now I feel I can no longer trust what sprint even says.

063_XOBX said:
It had to have been activated at some point for the ESN to be attached to a line.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone would reflect the last used phone number as well as last username.

The phone keeps trying to complete hands free activation as well.

I don't have an explanation as to how it became activated on a line, I can only say that until it is removed from that line it will not be usable with Sprint. All I can recommend is that you contact whoever you bought it from and try to sort this mess out.

The phone has never been activated. Sprint zone says "This Device is not currently active on a Sprint Account"

I can help you out tomorrow when I go to work. PM me and I'll give you my number at the store.

Not trying to be an ass at all, hopefully you understand how frustrating this is. I went in and manually changed the MSID & Phone number but not that it will matter much. Cant figure out how to change username though.

Whosdaman said:
I can help you out tomorrow when I go to work. PM me and I'll give you my number at the store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much!

qpst will work to change the msid username and whatever else you want to change. I do advise you understand the program fully cause you can cause some real damage if programmed incorrectly. I would wait for whodaman to be honest probably your best bet.

Yea i will wait for him. I was just curious. Thanks
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Whosdaman said:
I can help you out tomorrow when I go to work. PM me and I'll give you my number at the store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that's service and a very nice fellow.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

ssconceptz said:
The MSID & Phone Number show up as 000-000-0508 if that isnt weird enough.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Any way to get in and change the MSID to mine? Any way to repair this ESN?
MSID:
000-000-0508
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks to me as if someone (previous owner) was attempting to modify the ESN/MEID on your epic (possibly cloning another phone, for good or bad, last you'll hear from me on the topic). Should be repairable but not discussable here. Whosdaman should be able to help you out though.

If you just bought it why not return it?
Something smells fishy
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

MysteryEmotionz said:
If you just bought it why not return it?
Something smells fishy
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the OP bought it from a person rather than a store.
to the OP: Make sure the MEID under the battery matches what's on the box AND go to menu > settings > about phne and make sure THAT MEID matches the other 2 if it doesn't, then it's likely it was tampered with or changed for some reason...
Post back after you check these numbers (if they all match, then wait for whosdaman to help u out)
let us know how it goes.

daddymikey1975 said:
I think the OP bought it from a person rather than a store.
to the OP: Make sure the MEID under the battery matches what's on the box AND go to menu > settings > about phne and make sure THAT MEID matches the other 2 if it doesn't, then it's likely it was tampered with or changed for some reason...
Post back after you check these numbers (if they all match, then wait for whosdaman to help u out)
let us know how it goes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes they all match I made sure of this. The phone in settings matches the outside as well.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Thread cleaned. Please do not advertise warez or suggest it on XDA. Thank you.

Found a myTouch 3G Slide. How can I tell its blocked?

At work today and found a myTouch 3G Slide how do I know if the phone has been blocked?

really?? Just return it to the user or ask around don't steal someones phone, its not cool

krinilssen said:
really?? Just return it to the user or ask around don't steal someones phone, its not cool
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be the proper thing to do.

That is what i was trying to do. I am not a thief. I own an EVO right now don't really need it. Should i take it to T-Mobile store?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

That is an option, they should be able to let the owner know you turned it in.

Or you can snoop a little and send him/her an email or look for "Mom/home" in contacts.

epic 4g sprint lost

Hi all.
I lost my Epic 4G Sprint. i had no extra plan with sprint for lost or stolen device and i didnt have installed any of those apps that find your droid. i changed gmail password and all other accounts. i am not worried for that as i didnt have much pics videos music or other data on the phone. i called Sprint and now my line is shut down, but i have to buy a new device full price.
is there anything left to do to track it or find it or something else?
when lost it was on stock gingerbread EL30.
any idea would be greatly appreciated.
thanks

hormosapiens said:
Hi all.
I lost my Epic 4G Sprint. i had no extra plan with sprint for lost or stolen device and i didnt have installed any of those apps that find your droid. i changed gmail password and all other accounts. i am not worried for that as i didnt have much pics videos music or other data on the phone. i called Sprint and now my line is shut down, but i have to buy a new device full price.
is there anything left to do to track it or find it or something else?
when lost it was on stock gingerbread EL30.
any idea would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are apps you can install remotely that can turn on your GPS and give you the location. Idk about now since its deactivated though
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium

hormosapiens said:
Hi all.
I lost my Epic 4G Sprint. i had no extra plan with sprint for lost or stolen device and i didnt have installed any of those apps that find your droid. i changed gmail password and all other accounts. i am not worried for that as i didnt have much pics videos music or other data on the phone. i called Sprint and now my line is shut down, but i have to buy a new device full price.
is there anything left to do to track it or find it or something else?
when lost it was on stock gingerbread EL30.
any idea would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install PLAN B from play.google.com now.
If the battery hasn't shut down, you might still be able to find it.
Though, you should've done it before you deactivate it. Even if you recover it, it's now been blacklisted by Sprint as stolen and there's no way to undo that.

You cannot remote install an app if you change your Google password.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

if that device is screwed now cause sprint blocked it, why cant they just contact me and bring it back to me?
or is there any other use of it like a ipod or even use it on some other carrier?

jnadke said:
Install PLAN B from play.google.com now.
If the battery hasn't shut down, you might still be able to find it.
Though, you should've done it before you deactivate it. Even if you recover it, it's now been blacklisted by Sprint as stolen and there's no way to undo that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i did but its not emailing me any email with the position of my device

hormosapiens said:
if that device is screwed now cause sprint blocked it, why cant they just contact me and bring it back to me?
or is there any other use of it like a ipod or even use it on some other carrier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is actually a way to clear up a blacklisted phone. It is not easy but if you prove you HAVE the phone and you ARE its original owner it can be done. Sprint reps will give you a number to call and what not.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

You can still flash a sprint ET4g to metro PCS, cricket...prepaid cell company with a bad esn. I have mine flashed over to metro...it was somewhat expensive...(mine has a clean esn- so if i want to activate it to Sprint, i can)...but worth it.Have you tried Craigslist to see if anyone has put it for sale? Sorry to hear about your situation. I hope you do find it.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S2 using Tapatalk

montecristo1 said:
You can still flash a sprint ET4g to metro PCS, cricket...prepaid cell company with a bad esn. I have mine flashed over to metro...it was somewhat expensive...(mine has a clean esn- so if i want to activate it to Sprint, i can)...but worth it.Have you tried Craigslist to see if anyone has put it for sale? Sorry to hear about your situation. I hope you do find it.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S2 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your in the wrong forum bud
Lulz
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S using xda premium

Why would that be? This forum is about the ET4G...right? I have a ET4G...just a different carrier.Flashing a smartphone that I bought, with a clean ESN, onto metro so that I only pay $40 a month "wrong"? Flashing isn't illegal...I merely advised OP to investigate CL to possibly look to see if someone had posted it as well that someone can active a bad esn onto metro. Not all phones with bad ESN are stolen...
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S2 using Tapatalk

montecristo1 said:
Why would that be? This forum is about the ET4G...right? I have a ET4G...just a different carrier.Flashing a smartphone that I bought, with a clean ESN, onto metro so that I only pay $40 a month "wrong"? Flashing isn't illegal...I merely advised OP to investigate CL to possibly look to see if someone had posted it as well that someone can active a bad esn onto metro. Not all phones with bad ESN are stolen...
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S2 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No actually this isn't a GS2 at all.
Sent from my SPH-D700

Feel like such a noob...I just noticed it is the Epic 4g and not the Epic Touch 4g..ha ha...my apologies...
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S2 using Tapatalk

montecristo1 said:
Feel like such a noob...I just noticed it is the Epic 4g and not the Epic Touch 4g..ha ha...my apologies...
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S2 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you may have been confused about where you were/are, but your point were on topic and relevant.
With that you ahead of many constant posters.
So stick around....

LargePrime said:
you may have been confused about where you were/are, but your point were on topic and relevant.
With that you ahead of many constant posters.
So stick around....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup no one said he had to leave just that he sounded confused about where he was lol
Sent from my SPH-D700

/10char....

To the OP, even if you can't get you original phone back, you can probably find a nice used Epic on eBay or Craigslist for ~$100. Just make sure it has a clean ESN before you buy it.

My sister just lost hers over the weekend and we were able to find it by using Google Latitude. It would already have to be running on your phone though. The last time my phone was able to ping hers was the EXACT location where she found it. Pretty incredible.
Sent from my Epic 4G

TallCan211 said:
My sister just lost hers over the weekend and we were able to find it by using Google Latitude. It would already have to be running on your phone though. The last time my phone was able to ping hers was the EXACT location where she found it. Pretty incredible.
Sent from my Epic 4G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But he changed his Google password so he is screwed.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

Thanks everyone for comments. I think I will move on and buy a new phone.

How much for an Epic? I have one sitting around I keep as a backup. I'd consider.