[Q] Unlocking found SIII with no password, pin, google acct info etc. possible - Sprint Samsung Galaxy S III

Hello all,
Today I found a sIII. I'm trying to figure out how to get into the locked phone (swipe style password). I have no password, pin, or google account information.
Ideally I'd like to unlock the phone and retain the current information so that I can track down the owner. (I don't know why anyone puts passwords on their phones as it's impossible to track down the owner!!) I'm aware of the "bug" that allows you to get into the emergency contact section etc., but I'm not sure that works when the phone does not have service as it says something about service currently unavailable.
If I can't get into it and retain the current info, will a hard reset allow me to bypass the password? Maybe rooting the phone?
Any advice is appreciated.

nnamssorxela said:
Hello all,
Today I found a sIII. I'm trying to figure out how to get into the locked phone (swipe style password). I have no password, pin, or google account information.
Ideally I'd like to unlock the phone and retain the current information so that I can track down the owner. (I don't know why anyone puts passwords on their phones as it's impossible to track down the owner!!) I'm aware of the "bug" that allows you to get into the emergency contact section etc., but I'm not sure that works when the phone does not have service as it says something about service currently unavailable.
If I can't get into it and retain the current info, will a hard reset allow me to bypass the password? Maybe rooting the phone?
Any advice is appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I say you see what provider the phone is for. call the provider and tell them that you found a device. if its a cdma give them the ESN and they should be able to tell the owner of the phone that it has been found. i think that is what you should do.

Get into download more and factory reset is worth a try but if you look hard enough. Or you tubes there's ways to do it I saw a video about that on YouTube the other day but I didn't bother looking at the video.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using XDA Premium App

I don't know how to get pass the lock screen.
However afrer hard reset, although the data will be wiped, u can dial
##786# 》 View 》 mobile number.
For sprint phones, unless u activate this phone on a different account, previous number is stored.
Good luck
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

Just take it to a sprint store if its a sprint phone.
Not saying you are because i don't know anythong about you. But even though you said you want to track down the owner. Asking how to get around security measures on a phone makes the thought of keeping it or selling it for $$ pop in my head. Again no offense.
Sent from a planet far far away.

Thanks for the info guys. I know it sounds a little shady, but if I was really trying to keep it I'd say; "LOL forgot my password, pin, and google info hehe I'm a silly gurl plz help!" Problem is I found it on a mountain and I'm out of town and there is no service for me to answer any calls it receives. by the time I drive back down to get service, I'll be too far to turn back to return it.
I'm trying to do the right thing, but if it's going to be next to impossible it might just be a lost cause.
If there was no password on it, it would take me a couple minuted to track down an email or phone number I could track this guy/girl down with, unfortunately, if this is not the case it I might hold onto it.

You're trying too hard to be a good samaritan. This is simple. If it is a Sprint/Verizon/AT&T/TMobile phone, stop by the nearest Sprint/Verizon/AT&T/TMobile store and just simply drop it off saying i found this phone and want it to get back to it's owner. The employees know how to look up the details via ESN and or IMEI and get in touch with the account holder. It is that simple.
All this asking for how to bypass the PIN or lock code is irrelevant....unless you have personal designs on the phone yourself.

nnamssorxela said:
Thanks for the info guys. I know it sounds a little shady, but if I was really trying to keep it I'd say; "LOL forgot my password, pin, and google info hehe I'm a silly gurl plz help!" Problem is I found it on a mountain and I'm out of town and there is no service for me to answer any calls it receives. by the time I drive back down to get service, I'll be too far to turn back to return it.
I'm trying to do the right thing, but if it's going to be next to impossible it might just be a lost cause.
If there was no password on it, it would take me a couple minuted to track down an email or phone number I could track this guy/girl down with, unfortunately, if this is not the case it I might hold onto it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't have to be the store nearest to where you found the phone. It could be any store. They all have the same computers. And can ship phones.
Sent from a planet far far away.

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Related

[Q] 4 year old + screen lockout menu + random passcode=crap..

so like alot of the other tthreads, i wont bore you with details on how a toddler managed to turn on the screen lock and enter the same code twice and lock me out of my phone, question is, i heard there is software that can "break" thru the passcode, or read the passcode so i can either disable it, or find out what it is,enter it and disable it.
i was told SN-RMS will do it but:a. its carrier only, b. nothing in the product manual mentions anything about this being a feature or ability
will QPST or CDMA workshop work for this? a hard reset is really not an option, since i was a moron and didnt backup my stuff. any suggestions?
TL;DR : What software can get into a phone while the security lock screen is on to either disable lock screen, or read passcode so I can disable it. TIA
This has been discussed before and due to security of the rest of our phones I dont think you are going to get any help on this topic.. If I were you I would go to your closest sprint store and see if they can help you. Good luck!
sprink0281 said:
This has been discussed before and due to security of the rest of our phones I dont think you are going to get any help on this topic.. If I were you I would go to your closest sprint store and see if they can help you. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 Security Issue, visit your Local Sprint store for help. You should be able to put in your Unlock code.
enter gmail
pw =null
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

[Q] Question about switching between 2 smartphones

My Story
I recently switched from the Incredible to the Droid 2 global to give it a try. Don't worry I got it for free thanks to the deal that Verizon is running about buy one get one of the same. *Upgraded a family member so I took the free one as I thought what the hell*
Now I've played around with this phone for 1 and 1/2 days so far and I'm not liking the battery life. I rather not return the phone as it was free and so I was thinking if I could just keep it as a backup that would be great.
Now my question is can I switch between the phones without going into the store? I want to activate my incredible again for a while since it got better battery life. *and before you ask, yes I've spent at least the last 15 hours using it like I did my other phone but still the battery was drained faster*
Now I have done a google search already about this topic and found this so far.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5046976_switch-phones-easily-verizon-wireless.html
Has anyone here done this before? I'm not looking to change anything about my services other than the phone. Both phones are smart phones and thus I don't see a problem but I figured I would ask the all mighty people here.
I just call verizon and they do it for me.
Its very simple just call them up and they ask for the codes off the new phone and your set. I believe you can do it right off the website as well.
Eh well I have 1 problem with calling them. I only have my cell as my phone. So I can't call them on the phone that will be deactivated. I'm looking at this as saving me time from having to deal with going to the store or from having to call them.
I'm just worried that since I'm on a contract that I would be locked to this specific phone unless I upgrade again.
Bump
Anyone else done this before?
There's a couple of approaches (or maybe many more I haven't thought of):
1) Do you have a computer (not a phone)? If so, can you just use Skype or some such thing to call them at their 800 number or whatever it is? Then you can shut off the phone.
2) I have an old droid 1 and a dinc. I switch between them by shutting off the dinc, and turning on the droid, typing *228 and that's that. Reversing the process works as well. No one asks for the MEIN/ID, but once I had a small contract screwup where I had a replacement phone I'd forgotten about, and I was asked for the MEIN (is that the right acronym?) , and had to yank the back off to find it and give it to them. It is also in 'about phone' but the phone has to be on.
---
So none of that may be useful to you unless you have access to a computer and skype (or an equivalent).
Good luck -
So you say you can just turn off one phone and *228 on your deactivated phone and that will automatically switch which phone is active at the time?
Yes, I can do that as long as the original paperwork on each phone really matches what they have in their computers.
For example, I mentioned that one phone was broken and replaced early on, and I had to call them to change to that one, but once I'd done that call, I could just use the *228 to change.
It sure doesn't hurt to try it.
hachamacha said:
Yes, I can do that as long as the original paperwork on each phone really matches what they have in their computers.
For example, I mentioned that one phone was broken and replaced early on, and I had to call them to change to that one, but once I'd done that call, I could just use the *228 to change.
It sure doesn't hurt to try it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah cool well both phones match the paper work on my account as I own both and they had both been activated before on my account so I will give it a try and see what happens. If this works then I will be very happy as I can just switch back and forth all I want.
Just tried that and it didn't work. As soon as I tried it asked me to enter the phone number that I was trying to activate.
I think this does have to be done via the website first. I would love to hear some someone that has tried the instructions that I linked above.
I do this on a monthly basis. When u dial *228 from the phone u want to use press 1 for program. When prompted enter phone number with area code that u want on that phone. If your act has a password u may be prompted to enter that or the last 4 digits of the act holders social security number. When it goes through, may take up to 10 min u will get programming complete. Dial *228 again then select 2 to unlock prl and update roaming. Pm me if u need further help. Peace.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
wetworkforfun said:
I do this on a monthly basis. When u dial *228 from the phone u want to use press 1 for program. When prompted enter phone number with area code that u want on that phone. If your act has a password u may be prompted to enter that or the last 4 digits of the act holders social security number. When it goes through, may take up to 10 min u will get programming complete. Dial *228 again then select 2 to unlock prl and update roaming. Pm me if u need further help. Peace.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what he said. no need to call them.

Someone else sent my text to my friend

Wondering if my phone got hacked. I am running infamous rom on tmobile. Tonight my friend received my text messages from another number, and when my friend questioned who he was, he either didnt seem surprised or he was just playing along. If my phone did get hacked, do you guys have any advice like a system format, a setting I can change, or should I call tmobile directly?
Thank in advance
mikatachan said:
Wondering if my phone got hacked. I am running infamous rom on tmobile. Tonight my friend received my text messages from another number, and when my friend questioned who he was, he either didnt seem surprised or he was just playing along. If my phone did get hacked, do you guys have any advice like a system format, a setting I can change, or should I call tmobile directly?
Thank in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd call T-Mo directly and advise them of the situation. You might ask your buddy if he would participate and allow his carrier to use information to find what phone did the spoofing, and they can track the user via the IMEI number that is recorded when transmission is initiated. You MIGHT be required to have a police report to get the tracking done, so you ought to consider making the report to your local PD.
Be SURE your buddy isn't jerking your chain before you do anything, and I'd probably want to SEE the TM before any action on your part.
Aloha and Good Luck!
Bobolinko's advice is correct and the best course of action.
But to answer your specific question about the phoen being hacked...No, wiping it won't help. Neither will installing a different ROM or anything else.
If what your buddy is saying is actually happening, it's most likely not that someone have hacked into your phone and is remotely sending messages from your phone. It's far more likely that someone intercepted your cell signal, hacked the IMEI number (as stated above) and applied your IMEI number to another device, thus cloning your phone.
That message to your buddy came from another device entirely and never went through your phone at all. The problem is that this is very hard to fix. You can't have T Mobile jus tblock your IMEI number because then your phone won't work either. T Mobile can't distinguish between your phone and the cloned fake phone because both are broadcasting the same IMEI number, which is the identifier T Mobile uses to use your phone.
Have you left the United States recently and used your phone in another county? This whole scenario is vey common in Russia and other Eastern European countries. People got there on a vaction, use their phone, and immediately the phone's IMEI is captured and stolen. If you had mobile data turned on or used wifi, the user data on the phone is also likely compromised. Meaning all passwords, etc.
If you haven't left the US, it's much less likely, but still possible this is what happened.
Someone could have also physically looked at your phone, wrote down the IMEI number under the battery, and cloned it that way just to screw with you. No intercepted radio signals or anything. Just good old fashioned "copying the key". In that scenario it's almost certainly someone you know (unless you are in the habit of leaving your phone completely unattended around strangers).

[Q] LG G3 McaFee issues big time

Hi everyone
This is my first post here and a sad one at present.
i restored my G3 back to stock last night and all seemed to go well but now my phone says McaFee mobile security your device is locked and is asking for a pin to unlock it.
i don't have this pin and i don't have a clue how to get it, i purchased the phone as a used mobile and it was all good until i did the root back to stock because lollipop was causing some serious lag issues.
can anyone please help me with a way around this if possible
big thanks in advance
Contact the person who sold you the phone. He entered the PIN. McAfee thinks the phone is stolen now.
You can try flashing stock firmware (kdz) file with CSE flash. It could help
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2785089
DelBoy said:
Contact the person who sold you the phone. He entered the PIN. McAfee thinks the phone is stolen now.
You can try flashing stock firmware (kdz) file with CSE flash. It could help
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2785089
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply
I contacted the seller and it seems the phone is infact 3rd hand if not more and basically he does not have the pin
i did the firmware flash and thats why I'm in the pickle now as the phone knows its been factory reset and MacaFee kicks in for security, the sellers not interested as he sold me the phone working which it was but lollipop was just killing the phone when i updated it and after trying to get back to kitkat I'm in brick land
If anyone else has a suggestion or can help then please do get in touch if possible
Thank you
In fact the previous owner set up an account here: McAffee Mobile Security.
Contact someone there and explain your situation.
I will contact McAfee for sure and see if they can help me but I do believe the answer I will receive will be can't help and I come to this conclusion through general security measure because I'm pretty sure anyone could steel a phone and call them up asking for the unlock code but let's see what they say.
If anyone has had this happen and have found a way around the issue please do send me a private message if you don't wish to publish it as I am stuck big time at present
Cheers
I have just got off the phone with McAfee customer support here in the UK and well to be blunt I'm up that creek without a paddle
Nothing they can do for me because even though the software licence is valid and I have the original owners email address that confirms this because I don't have a prof of purchase for the phone like a receipt or mobile number for the original owner they can not help me I'm anyway
All they said I can do is to keep emailing the owner with this email address and hope for a reply and if I get one enter the pin and it will unlock
So people be very careful if you don't have the pin for your phone as it looks like I have just lost £240 and now have a brick to look at
Again if any of you wonderfully cleaver people know of a fix please do help me out if possible
Thanks
Joe
talk2joe said:
I have just got off the phone with McAfee customer support here in the UK and well to be blunt I'm up that creek without a paddle
Nothing they can do for me because even though the software licence is valid and I have the original owners email address that confirms this because I don't have a prof of purchase for the phone like a receipt or mobile number for the original owner they can not help me I'm anyway
All they said I can do is to keep emailing the owner with this email address and hope for a reply and if I get one enter the pin and it will unlock
So people be very careful if you don't have the pin for your phone as it looks like I have just lost £240 and now have a brick to look at
Again if any of you wonderfully cleaver people know of a fix please do help me out if possible
Thanks
Joe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have you tried any diff roms or cyanogen mod? maybe a diff software wont have the mcafee on like cyanogen mod
No I haven't tried to put any other software on because I can no longer access download mode as the McAfee has a kill switch and won't let me do anything from what I can see.
All I can do it switch on my device I can't even get into setting properly because the McAfee block kicks in to quickly and I've tried probably 20 odd times
If anyone can explain a way for me to flash another operating system onto my handset please get in touch as I will try anything rather than have a dead phone and e out of pocket
Cheers
Take it some private repair shop. They will solve your issue.
DelBoy said:
Take it some private repair shop. They will solve your issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If i can not get around this fix i will defo take it to a shop as you mentioned and try my luck.
but i have some news
i have managed to get into the phone and it allows me to gain access without lock down but no sim installed yet.
i followed the steps from an earlier thread on how to get to buddy lock code and gain access to Macafee software but i do not see or can not figure out how to enter a buddy number as suggested in the last part of the solution
anyone know how to enter a buddy number please
cheers
Bump up just for those who might have missed this thread
Anyone know how I add buddy number please
Cheers
open the apk. on top , on the right there are like three dots. settings, scroll down to find device-buddy list.
under settings you can also see subscription info. there you can find the email of the person who set up the apk.
Well just wanted to say thanks to everyones help who replied or sent me a ptivate message
My phone is back and working well and i now have a new password for mcafee
Took some time and my device went through a few stalls n freezing trips but after being persistant i got around the issues.
Cheers to all
talk2joe said:
Well just wanted to say thanks to everyones help who replied or sent me a ptivate message
My phone is back and working well and i now have a new password for mcafee
Took some time and my device went through a few stalls n freezing trips but after being persistant i got around the issues.
Cheers to all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how were you able to enter the buddy code?
i have the same problem..i cant access my lg g3 because of mcafee.. i dont know the pincode.. im the 3rd owner of the phone and i dont know how to contact the first person who bought this.. im begging you guys please help me
cass10 said:
i have the same problem..i cant access my lg g3 because of mcafee.. i dont know the pincode.. im the 3rd owner of the phone and i dont know how to contact the first person who bought this.. im begging you guys please help me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Deleted
here is the method :https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg...are-method-t3534946/post70470494#post70470494

How to find out model number on Galaxy s9 tmob..

Hello fellas(and ladies)
I have a Samsung Galaxy S9, from t-mobile, dark blue. I've locked myself out of the device, and I have a friend that is going to help me get it back working. In order for him to be able to help me, he needs to know the model number. I know it's a SM-G960.. but how do I determine the exact model (i.e. sm-g960f, sm-g960e, etc). I'm unable to login to the phone so I cant check it like that, and the back cover is sealed on there as you know unless you have the tools to remove the cover (which I don't). Is there another way to find out which model it is, like download mode or recovery mode or something? Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for your advice.
Edit- US Model
KooKlique said:
Hello fellas(and ladies)
I have a Samsung Galaxy S9, from t-mobile, dark blue. I've locked myself out of the device, and I have a friend that is going to help me get it back working. In order for him to be able to help me, he needs to know the model number. I know it's a SM-G960.. but how do I determine the exact model (i.e. sm-g960f, sm-g960e, etc). I'm unable to login to the phone so I cant check it like that, and the back cover is sealed on there as you know unless you have the tools to remove the cover (which I don't). Is there another way to find out which model it is, like download mode or recovery mode or something? Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for your advice.
Edit- US Model
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your box will tell you. But its a u model. ALL US CARRIER PHONES ARE A U MODEL, there is no difference between any of them.
kekistaneerefugee said:
Your box will tell you. But its a u model. ALL US CARRIER PHONES ARE A U MODEL, there is no difference between any of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for taking the time to answer, I appreciate it.
KooKlique said:
Thank you for taking the time to answer, I appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just keep locking yourself out of devices don't you....
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-j7/help/galaxy-j7-g-oogle-verification-issue-t3852720/
Well one thing you can do is reset your Google password on a computer then try to login again after 24 hours. Surely you have a recovery email address which you can use?
This is Samsung's instructions on what to do:
If you already reset your device, but don't remember your Google username and/or password, the device can't be used. In that case, you can do one of these:
If you know your Google username but can't remember the password, you can reset your password on the device, or at www.google.com. It can take up to 24 hours for a new password to sync with all registered devices. After 24 hours, you can try logging in to your phone with the new password.
If you have multiple Google Accounts, and you can't remember which Google Account you set up on your device, visit https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager.
Log in with your Google username and password and check the list of devices registered to the account. If you don't see the device listed on the account, it means the device is registered to a different account. Use the same process to check for devices linked to your other Google Accounts. When you find the registered account, use it to log in to your device.
If you can't remember any of your Google Account information, you can send your device, along with proof of purchase, to an authorized Samsung Service Center. Samsung has special tools to reset the phone to factory defaults with no protection enabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source: https://www.samsung.com/us/support/frp/
Furthermore:
It seems dodgy to me that you posted a topic pretty much asking the same thing about a month ago regarding a totally different phone here - https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-j7/help/galaxy-j7-g-oogle-verification-issue-t3852720/
FRP is there to prevent lost/stolen phones from being used, if you've bought a phone that is FRP locked you should take it up with the seller. Not try to break the lock yourself!
Thread closed.

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