Stolen iPhone - bypass IMEI block? 27 February 2017 at 11:13AM in Techie Stuff 6 replies 1.2K views

tizzle6560

Had my phone stolen my some scumbags on a moped on the weekend. When trying to track it on Find my iPhone 10 mins later, it had already been deactivated..

Obviously o2 have deactivated the Sim and the handset via the IMEI number but am I right to assume that there is some jailbreak software that can bypass a subsequent IMEI block? Otherwise I don't see the point in that bothering to steal them in the first place..

AndyPix

Yep, you can assign it another imei using an octopus box.


(If you are that way inclined )

tizzle6560

AndyPix wrote: »

Yep, you can assign it another imei using an octopus box.


(If you are that way inclined )

Thought as much. The website for said box states can unlock all phones released up until 2015. Though again, I'll assume they can still crack a 2017 iPhone 7

AndyPix

Sorry i just re-read your post and realised we were talking about iphone.


No, they cant be flashed using Octopus.


What will happen here is that it will be sold off and shipped to Nigeria or somewhere.
IMEI blocks are country specific so it will work just fine over there


unfortunately

tizzle6560

AndyPix wrote: »

Sorry i just re-read your post and realised we were talking about iphone.


No, they cant be flashed using Octopus.


What will happen here is that it will be sold off and shipped to Nigeria or somewhere.
IMEI blocks are country specific so it will work just fine over there


unfortunately

How in this day and age are IMEI blocks only country specific still?? The mind boggles.. When this type of crime is on the up massively nowadays, something needs to be done to block phones permanently, whether here or on Mars!

AndyPix

I agree, its crazy .. And iv no idea why either !!

EdwardB

tizzle6560 wrote: »

How in this day and age are IMEI blocks only country specific still?? The mind boggles.. When this type of crime is on the up massively nowadays, something needs to be done to block phones permanently, whether here or on Mars!

Well I wonder if world peace might be easier , so many 3rd world countries survive from the crumbs from our table. I remember that documentary flying over a motorway in Africa detecting all the devices in cars that had been stolen. They did not even bother to remove the tracking devices.

However, your phone will most likely end up being broken down for parts if IMEI is blocked. They can often get more money. However, I imagine it will be fenced a few times.