Seven ways to find out the IMEI of your phone. What is Imei and how to find it out


What is IMEI? This is the unique identification number of each mobile phone. Most often it is used to identify mobile equipment in the networks of cellular operators. In some cases, it is used to find lost or stolen mobile phones and smartphones. How to find out Phone IMEI And what you need to do?

Find out IMEI using a mobile phone

The IMEI number is written inside every mobile phone. And changing it in some countries is punishable by law - even criminal liability. To find out the IMEI number, you need to use special team*#06#. Judging by the syntax of the command, we see that it is similar to the most ordinary USSD command. The only difference is that there is no need to press the call key after dialing the last number.

After typing the command *#06# you will see its IMEI on the mobile phone screen. If the phone works with two SIM cards at once, then two IMEI codes will be displayed on the screen at once - for each SIM card. The number of digits in this identification number is 15 pieces. In smartphones on Android, iPhone and Windows Phone IMEI is checked in a similar way. Sometimes, along with the IMEI, a barcode is displayed in which the identification number is encrypted.

Some users believe that the presence of IMEI indicates the original origin of the phone (not a fake). In fact, absolutely all mobile phones have an IMEI, even if they are manufactured in the next basement.

Owners of Android smartphones are luckier - they can see the IMEI of their device directly through the menu. To do this, go to “Settings – About device – Status”. In the list of options you will see Smartphone IMEI. If the smartphone is designed for two SIM cards, then two tabs will be visible here with information on both working SIM cards and telephone modules.

Other ways to get IMEI

In order to find out the IMEI of a phone, you need to look under it battery. Carefully remove the back cover of the device, remove the battery and look at the sticker - it will indicate Device IMEI. If the phone is designed for two SIM cards, then two IMEIs will be indicated here at once. There is a similar sticker on the phone box - it will be useful to you if you want to file a report with the police (regarding the theft of a mobile phone).

How to check your phone by IMEI

You can check your phone's IMEI online and get Additional information about the device. For example, it will help to identify the name of the model and find out some hidden service data - specialized databases on the Internet are used for this. Why are they created?

As we already said, IMEIs can be used to locate lost or stolen phones. But mobile operators diligently ignore this functionality, preventing it from developing. Therefore, databases of lost and stolen mobile phones have begun to be created on the Internet. If you have lost your phone, enter its IMEI into these databases - this will give you another chance to find your loss. If you find someone’s phone on the street, then using these databases you will be able to find the owner of the device. True, the chances are quite small, since it knows about the IMEI number databases limited quantity of people.

By the way, it is impossible to track a phone by IMEI and determine its location - there are no such services on the Internet. Only mobile operators do this, and only upon a corresponding request from law enforcement agencies.

Losing a mobile phone becomes modern man a real tragedy, because it stores contacts, correspondence, passwords to social networks, banking applications and much more. There are many ways to find lost phones, but not all of them are as effective as they should be. And some methods do not give any results at all. Many people ask: is it possible to find a phone by IMEI via satellite for free?

Let's figure out what this technique is and what its effectiveness is.

What is IMEI

IMEI is the unique identification number of a mobile phone. It consists of 15 digits and does not change when the number is changed. IMEI is flashed into the phone's memory and stored there forever, so changing it is very problematic. In some countries, this process is criminalized, which is why there is no need to experiment with changing this number. IMEI is tied directly to the phone. It is transmitted to the cellular network as one of the equipment identifiers.

If the device supports two SIM cards, then IMEI numbers there will be two, not one. Thus, cellular networks track the correspondence between IMEI and phone number. All this allows us to produce remote locks equipment and search for lost or stolen telephones.

To find out the IMEI of your mobile phone, look under the battery or dial *#06#. It is also indicated in the warranty card and on the packaging.

How to find a phone by IMEI

Searching for a phone by IMEI occurs as follows:

  • A request is submitted to law enforcement agencies (documents on the phone are also provided there);
  • Law enforcement agencies submit requests to mobile operators (together with IMEI);
  • Cellular operators search for the device in their databases and find out who owns the SIM card that is installed in this device;
  • The received data is sent to law enforcement agencies for further investigation.

Thus, you can find a phone by IMEI, but satellites have absolutely nothing to do with it, since cellular has nothing to do with satellites. What will law enforcement officers do? They will find out who owns the SIM card and find who is using the phone in this moment. It is possible to find a stolen phone by IMEI, but the police most often do not do this. The exception is complex cases when the police are interested in solving the case and catching the criminal. In other cases, no one is looking for stolen phones, although technical feasibility everything is just like that.

Moreover, operators are able to block lost phones at their level, depriving them of the opportunity to register in their networks (in practice, this feature is practically not used). Is it possible to find a phone by IMEI if it is simply lost? Neither the police nor the mobile operator will deal with this. Searching is labor-intensive, and the police are not a lost-and-found office. Therefore, by searching lost phone you will have to study on your own, without relying on anyone’s help.

Looking for a phone on our own

Your phone was stolen and you want to find it by IMEI online? We dare to assure you that this is practically impossible. There are simply no services on the network that could show the location of the phone by its IMEI. The only way out will be the use of special tracking services that allow you to track modern smartphones by reading their approximate coordinates and transmitting them via the Internet. All other services are nothing more than fantasy.

IN Lately Services have begun to appear on the Internet that allow you to find out whether a phone with one or another IMEI is listed as missing. That is, people register their devices in these services, after which they have additional chances of finding their phones if they are lost. Naturally, there is no talk about tracking phones here - these services are purely informational. And they are not widely used, so the chances of finding a lost handset using them are still small.

Finding a phone by IMEI via satellite is nothing more than a picture from a science fiction movie. Therefore, count on the availability of such services in real life no need to.

The manufacturer is obliged to provide each piece of equipment with a unique serial number, which can be read using special device, you can find out the “contact” information of the product - country of manufacture, release date, information about the manufacturer. Cell phones also supplied serial code, but, in addition, they also have an International Identifier - IMEI, unique for each unit of product. In this article we will tell you how to check the IMEI of your phone and why you should check it.

Why is IMEI needed?

IMEI is “stitched” into the phone during its manufacturing process at the factory. The mobile device broadcasts the IMEI to the operator to authorize itself on its network. The IMEI format is the same, but all international identifiers are unique and therefore the IMEI can be used to track and block stolen phones. For example, an operator can “connect” to a stolen device and deny it access to options. However, unfortunately, nothing prevents an attacker from buying a SIM card from another operator, in whose network he was not previously authorized, and quietly using all services.

IMEI check

The phone's IMEI is usually printed on the device's packaging and duplicated on its body - sometimes on the outer part visible to the user's eyes, sometimes inside it. But even if you don’t see the IMEI on the case, and you lost the phone box a long time ago, you have the opportunity to determine the IMEI. Just dial the combination *#06# on your phone, then press the call button, and the IMEI will appear on the display. It is a 15-digit code written without spaces or punctuation.

After you find out the IMEI, you can go to one of the services for checking international identifiers, for example, here, select the model of your device, enter the IMEI and get information about the device. In addition to parameters and manufacturer information, you can also find out if the phone is on the list of stolen or lost.

Such services also help to check the authenticity of IMEI: if the international identifier you specified is fake, the service will notify you about this.

Flashing the device or installing applications from unverified sources may cause the IMEI to be reset. The abbreviation means International Mobile Equipment Identity - an international unique identifier for mobile equipment. This code is written on program level communication modules. If the code is erased, it is impossible to make calls through the smartphone. To restore functionality, you need to change the IMEI on Android.

What is it used for?

The IMEI code is a unique identifier for smartphones working with GSM and UMTS modules. Consists of 15 digits. The first 8 digits mean TAC/Type Allocation Code, the rest are the serial number with a check number at the end.

The code is set at the factory during manufacture, is used to identify the device on the network, and acts as serial number apparatus. With each authorization on the network, it is transmitted over the air of mobile radio communications.

Advice! IMEI can be used by mobile radio operators and law enforcement agencies and blocking them at the level of the cellular operator.

How to find out the IMEI of a phone?

First, let’s find out whether the smartphone detects the identifier. Go to phone mode and enter the code *#06#. The IMEI code or codes will be displayed if the device supports 2 SIM cards.

If the text “IMEI is not defined” appears in the field, it means it has been reset.

Advice! You can view the IMEI in the settings, in the “About phone” section; it is written in the warranty card, on the packaging, and also on the smartphone itself, under the battery.

Changing ID

I would like to warn you that in some countries changing IMEI is prohibited by law. Therefore, traveling abroad with such a gadget can cause some difficulties. Also, if you are a novice user, it is better to leave the idea of ​​changing the IMEI, as there is a chance of inadvertently damaging the device, or turning your gadget into a brick.

Technically, you can change the ID. However, the complexity of the change depends on the device itself:

  • on older devices you can change it using simple programs and manipulations;
  • on new devices (from most well-known manufacturers), to change the IMEI you need to replace the smartphone chips (processor, controllers, flash memory, etc.), which is not possible in software.

Let's look at two ways to change the Android ID.

Engineering menu

Call engineering menu different for each gadget manufacturer. You can view yours online, on the Internet, or in the documentation for your device.

After entering the menu, go through the following thread:

Connectivity - CDS Information - Radio Information Phone 1

If the smartphone is designed for 2 SIM cards, then the Phone 2 section will be displayed.

In Phone 1, after the letters AT+, enter EGMR = 1.7,"your_IMEI".

In Phone 2 (if it exists) we write EGMR = 1.10,"your_IMEI".

Click SEND AT and reboot your device. If it doesn't work, put a space after AT+.

Using Root rights

To get started you will need . Then you need to install Mobile program Uncle (Only works with MediaTek processors). You can see your processor in the “About phone” settings. Now:


First, let's find out the meaning of this abbreviation. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)- personal 15-digit number mobile device. It is unique and assigned at the factory upon release. IMEI allows identify the phone, establish its authenticity and detect it if necessary, even when changing SIM card. This often helps to find the device after it is stolen and return it to its rightful owner.

In older models, a phone certificate was used - a unique electronic document, which was assigned to devices based on the Symbian OS. He also determined the authenticity of the smartphone, allowing or blocking installation additional applications and providing access to the full functionality of the device. Now for these purposes there is only IMEI.

This digital code actively used mobile operators. The 15-digit number is needed for authorization on the network. The company can block the device in case of theft and the corresponding statement from the owner. It is stored in memory and is almost impossible to change to modern devices. You can find out the phone model by IMEI, its origin, year of manufacture, market for which the device was manufactured, as well as other data.

Methods for determining IMEI

The simplest and most common way IMEI checks is the combination set *#06#, after which the number appears automatically on the phone screen. Some models may display two numbers. There is no need to be alarmed, this is quite normal for devices with two SIM card slots. What to do if your smartphone cannot be turned on or is locked?

Find out IMEI by phone number to the average user will not work. As a rule, most devices have this information in such places:

  • the internal panel of the phone under the battery;
  • SIM card slot (if there are two of them, then each must have its own number);
  • packaging box (if the smartphone is certified and is of original origin);
  • warranty card.

For smartphones based on operating system Android systems there is another very convenient way IMEI definitions. If the device is unlocked and access to its menu is open, then in the “Settings” section there is an “About phone” item. By clicking on it you will see “Device Identifiers”, where basic information about the gadget will be collected, including the identification number.

When your phone is turned off or is missing, you can use Google account. Once logged in you will find full list devices ever connected to to this user. By selecting the desired model, you will see brief information about it and directly IMEI. Using this service you can even determine the location of your smartphone.

Determining IMEI on iPhone, iPod touch or iPad

Searching for a 15-digit IMEI in gadgets based on the iOS operating system has its own characteristics. If the device is working normally, you can find out the identification number in the settings by going to the “Basic” section and then “About this device”.

On off or locked iPhone new models, you can see the 15-digit number on back cover. For older models, the IMEI is located on the SIM card slot. This applies to the series:

  • iPhone 4s;
  • iPhone 4 (GSM model);
  • iPhone 3G;
  • iPhone 3GS;

IMEI in iPad devices or iPod touch engraved on the outside of the case back, straight under Apple logo . Also this number can be found in the iTunes online service; to do this, you need to connect the device to your computer. In the window that opens, you need to click on the phone icon and select the desired model from the list provided. Then click the “Browse” tab and all the necessary information will be displayed.

In the event that the device is not accessible, you can find the IMEI on the original packaging box. If it is not preserved, you should use your account to your Apple ID (via a browser on your computer or using another Apple device with operating system iOS 10.3 or higher later version). Then, in the Settings menu, scroll down to the Devices tab and select the desired model.

These methods should help even an inexperienced user find out the IMEI of a phone.


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