What is an IMEI code?
The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit code used to identify mobile devices. This code is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of your device or can be retrieved by dialing *#06# on your phone.
The IMEI code is an important way to identify your specific device and has several uses:
- It can be used to block or blacklist lost or stolen devices.
- Carriers use it to identify valid devices on their networks.
- It allows you to track and monitor your device activity.
- Law enforcement agencies can use it to help recover stolen devices.
Knowing your IMEI code is important for security and identification purposes. Here are some key facts about IMEI codes:
- IMEI is unique to each mobile device.
- IMEI is usually 15 digits but can be 16 or 17 digits.
- The first 6 digits represent the Type Allocation Code (TAC) identifying the manufacturer and model.
- IMEI will remain the same even if you switch carriers.
- IMEI is different from other IDs like SIM card number, MAC address etc.
In summary, the IMEI code serves as a unique fingerprint that identifies your specific mobile device.
Checking your IMEI code
There are a few easy ways to find and retrieve your device’s IMEI number:
- Dial *#06# – Dial this code on your phone to display the 15-digit IMEI. This works on most Android, iOS, and other smartphones.
- Remove battery – Open the back cover and remove the battery to reveal the IMEI printed on a sticker or engraved into the inner case.
- Check settings – On many phones, the IMEI is listed under “About device”, “Status”, “Model number” or similar in the settings app.
- Extract from barcode – Some phones have the IMEI embedded into the barcode on the box. You can scan and extract it.
- Carrier support – Contact your cell carrier as they may have your IMEI on record from when you activated service.
Once you have your IMEI number, it is recommended you record and save it somewhere safe in case you ever need to retrieve it again. You can store it securely online or written down at home.
Uses of the IMEI code
Now that you know how to find your IMEI number, here are some of the main uses and applications for this important device identifier:
Block stolen or lost devices
If your smartphone is ever lost or stolen, reporting the IMEI can get the device blocked across mobile networks to prevent unauthorized use. You can report the IMEI to your carrier and they will add it to a shared blacklisting database. Any network that checks the database will block access from that device.
Identify valid devices
Carriers use IMEI numbers to detect valid devices on their networks. Phones with invalid or suspicious IMEI may be blocked or restricted from accessing the carrier’s services. This helps prevent device cloning and unauthorized access.
Tracking and monitoring
Many mobile security and monitoring tools utilize IMEI to identify and track devices. Parents can monitor children’s phone activities, companies can track corporate-owned devices, and individuals can track their own phone if lost or stolen. The IMEI provides a persistent identifier for tracking.
Law enforcement recovery
Reporting your IMEI to police if your device is stolen can help aid in recovering it. Law enforcement agencies can work with carriers to track the device or detect it if it ends up on another subscriber’s account. However, success often depends on the jurisdiction and cooperation from the carrier.
Identification and troubleshooting
Customer service agents, tech repair shops and other support teams may ask for the IMEI number to uniquely identify your device and look up the device history. This can help troubleshoot technical issues and identify hardware problems.
Limitations of IMEI
While the IMEI is useful, there are some limitations to consider:
- Carriers and law enforcement don’t always cooperate in blocking devices.
- savvy thieves know how to reprogram, wipe and alter the IMEI.
- IMEI can only identify the device hardware, not the subscriber using it.
- Some networks and countries don’t utilize IMEI blocking.
- WiFi-only devices like iPads and iPods don’t have IMEI.
So while the IMEI is helpful, it is not a foolproof anti-theft system and has gaps in implementation. You should use it together with other security precautions like passcodes, backups and mobile tracking apps for a layered defense.
Is the IMEI code always unique?
IMEI codes are meant to be unique identifiers, but sometimes errors can occur that lead to duplicate IMEI numbers:
- Manufacturing defects may accidentally repeat IMEI on different production batches.
- Some carriers assign pseudo-IMEI codes to devices without cellular (like tablets) which could overlap.
- Cellular modem bugs or software errors can sometimes reset and rewrite the IMEI.
- In rare cases, unscrupulous sellers have deliberately re-used and rewritten IMEI codes on cloned devices.
Fortunately, these occurrences of duplicate IMEI are extremely rare. The GSMA (Groupe Speciale Mobile Association) monitors and tracks all issued IMEI numbers in a central database to prevent collisions. Manufacturers and carriers can check this database to look for duplicates.
So while no system is completely foolproof, nearly all mobile devices have a reliably unique IMEI thanks to standardized processes and centralized databases.
Can you change the IMEI code?
Changing or modifying the IMEI is technically possible but not recommended or legal in many regions. However, there are some scenarios where the IMEI may get changed:
- Repair – Some repair shops may install replacement modem hardware that comes with a new IMEI. Usually this is updated in the carrier database.
- Unlocking – When legally unlocking carrier-locked devices, the IMEI may get overwritten or updated in the process.
- Hacking – Dubious third-party software or disreputable repair shops may offer IMEI reprogramming, an illegal practice in many areas.
- Cloning – Illegally copying and assigning the IMEI to multiple cloned devices for fraudulent resale.
Consumer tampering with the IMEI risks getting devices blacklisted and banned from cellular networks, rendering them unusable. The GSMA maintains global blacklists of problematic IMEI numbers known to be invalid, fraudulent or duplicated.
In summary, IMEI should remain untouched and unchanged for legitimate usage. Only trusted parties like carriers and authorized repair centers should modify it when absolutely necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you lookup or track an IMEI number?
There is no official public database where you can search for or track an IMEI number. However, there are some unofficial sites that claim to offer IMEI lookup services, but the data is unverified. Your best options are to report the IMEI to your carrier or law enforcement and have them track through private channels.
Where is the IMEI number on an iPhone?
On an iPhone, you can find the IMEI/ESN by going to Settings > General > About. It will be listed as “IMEI” followed by the unique 15-digit code. You can also dial *#06# on the Phone keypad to display it. It may also be printed on the SIM card tray or back of the device.
Can IMEI be used to track a phone?
In some cases yes, law enforcement or carriers can use the IMEI to identify the cellular connections and approximate location of a phone. However, more sophisticated tracking requires specialized mobile surveillance software that may also utilize the IMEI as one tracking parameter. Standard consumers cannot directly use the IMEI alone to track a phone.
What is the difference between IMEI and MEID?
IMEI and MEID are very similar – they are both unique identification numbers assigned to cellular devices during manufacturing. The main difference is:
- IMEI is used on GSM networks (AT&T, T-Mobile)
- MEID is used on CDMA networks (Verizon, Sprint)
So in practice, devices will either have an IMEI or MEID depending on your carrier’s technology. They serve the same purpose as a unique device identifier.
What if my device doesn’t have an IMEI?
Some devices like tablets or iPods may not have cellular connectivity and therefore won’t have an IMEI. On Apple devices you may find the serial number or WiFi/Bluetooth MAC addresses which can sometimes be used for identification purposes instead. On Android tablets, the Android ID or serial number may be usable alternatives.
Can you hide or spoof your IMEI?
Some shady apps claim the ability to mask or randomly generate fake IMEI numbers as a security measure. However, this will likely cause issues with your carrier and may be illegal. In general, you should never tamper with the IMEI and only trust official channels for any modification.
Summary
The IMEI is a useful 15-digit code for identifying and tracking mobile devices, but has some limitations. You can find your IMEI by dialing *#06# in most cases or looking in the battery compartment. Law enforcement and carriers use IMEI to help blacklist, block or recover stolen devices. While not perfect, the IMEI code remains an important unique fingerprint for your smartphone or mobile device.