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Root [AT&T] Straight talk and bad esn gs4

jrccomputer

Well-Known Member
Will I be able to activate a bad esn gs4 on straight talk??

I believe I already know the answer, but need to make sure before I go all in!!
 
Nope, especially since ST uses AT&T's network. Once a device is blacklisted, the only place it *might* work is on a foreign network.
 
Nope, especially since ST uses AT&T's network. Once a device is blacklisted, the only place it *might* work is on a foreign network.

For some reason I dont fully understand this!! The sims card is where the validation is done!! So why does the phones IMEI matter?? JW
 
For some reason I dont fully understand this!! The sims card is where the validation is done!! So why does the phones IMEI matter?? JW

In order institute a deterrent on phone theft, carriers will run the IMEI of the device against the national blacklist data base once it connects to their network. If an IMEI appears on that list, then it was reported stolen and thus they kill service to it.
 
In order institute a deterrent on phone theft, carriers will run the IMEI of the device against the national blacklist data base once it connects to their network. If an IMEI appears on that list, then it was reported stolen and thus they kill service to it.

Thank you!! Ok, I see!! Not so much a matter of activation as much as, a cancellation of service thus after activation!!
 
Thank you!! Ok, I see!! Not so much a matter of activation as much as, a cancellation of service thus after activation!!

It can occur at either location. Some carriers will ask for the IMEI before activating a sim and if it turns up blacklisted then they stop the process. Other times they read it after it's activated and then hit the kill switch.
 
It can occur at either location. Some carriers will ask for the IMEI before activating a sim and if it turns up blacklisted then they stop the process. Other times they read it after it's activated and then hit the kill switch.

Thanks a million man!! I was confused!!
 
Thanks a million man!! I was confused!!

No problem, it really sucks buying a phone that was reported stolen without knowing ahead of time that it was or being the victim of phone insurance fraud. I hope that didn't happen to you with this S4 you're asking about. :(
 
No problem, it really sucks buying a phone that was reported stolen without knowing ahead of time that it was or being the victim of phone insurance fraud. I hope that didn't happen to you with this S4 you're asking about. :(

I bought it online!! And never knew!!

But I know how to fix it!! Its just more money that I will have to spend
 
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