Chosen Solution
Is there a visible unique identifying number on a Galaxy S4 motherboard? I read that the IMEI is hardcoded onto the motherboard, but if that is true, then swapping a broken motherboard would leave you with mismatched IMEI numbers (referring to the sticker with IMEI number on the handset itself, and the replacement board)? Is the code printed on a part of the board, or is it coded into its ‘firmware’? If a motherboard is fried (such as mine is), then how can one tell what the IMEI on that board is? Thanks for any help!
I’ve read that there’s no “connection” between the peripherals (camera/screen etc) thus, as far as the hardware is concerned, there should be no issue swapping the motherboard. Your old IMEI number gets thrown away when you throw away the broken board. The numbers on the board are specific to the chips installed, not the software. Make sure the MoBo is the same model number as your handset (others won’t fit). If its a sch-i545 (verizon), this is the motherboard you should purchase. Don’t buy a different carrier’s model number unless you are certain it will fit all connectors and the form factor for the handset you are using). Once you switch the MoBo out you can find out what the new board’s IMEI number is under settings->about phone just as you could on your old unit (maybe make a new sticker and replace the old one if you want; useful if you brick the new unit). Good luck.
samsung imei are encoded inside the EMMC ic.
