Each smartphone running Android OS has its own International Mobile Equipment Indentity (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number, or in common parlance IMEI. The number is unique and an ordinary user cannot change it. To tell you how to find out the IMEI of your phone and why you need it at all, we have prepared special material, which we want to bring to your attention.
What is IMEI
IMEI is an acronym for International Mobile Equipment Identity, which translates to “international mobile device identifier”. In simple terms, this is a unique 15-digit code that is assigned to each mobile device, as well as some satellite phones. Let's figure out why it is needed and how to find out the phone code.
Another way to call it is the serial number of the phone. The operator determines it when the device goes online.
The IMEI code has a decoding:
- The first six numbers are the code for identifying the phone model, with the first two digits being the country of origin code;
- the next two digits are the code of the country where the device was assembled;
- the next six numbers are the serial number of the device;
- the last digit is the backup number.
No two IMEIs are the same. Attempting to change the serial number of a mobile device is illegal. Essentially, this is the same as “interrupting” the numbers on a car engine.
Why do you need a mobile device ID?
The phone's unique serial number (identifier) is used to locate the device on the network. Using it, a mobile operator can, if necessary, find a phone if it was stolen or illegally imported into the country. Using the IMEI code, you can not only find a device on the network, but also block it to protect the owner’s personal data.
IMEI can help with more than just locating a stolen device. With its help, you can understand, for example, when buying a phone second-hand, whether the seller is offering you an illegal or stolen device.
What is the serial number used for and should it be hidden?
Your serial number is typically used by the manufacturer to track your device—mostly for things like repairs and warranty claims. Since it is usually printed on the outside of the box, you can conclude that it is not very important that it remains completely private. However, there are certain situations where sharing a serial number may cause you problems in the future. For example, if you share your serial number and someone uses it to claim a false warranty repair for a device, you may suddenly find yourself with a phone that is not covered by warranty.
How to find out your phone number - universal methods
Most users do not know how to check their phone number. There are several ways to do this.
Method number 1 - using a special command
One of the easiest and fastest ways to find out your phone's IMEI code is to use a special code by typing it on your device:
- open the Phone application;
- dial the command *#06#;
- wait for the operator’s response message with the device identifier.
Don’t be alarmed if you see two IMEIs - almost all modern smartphones are equipped with trays for two SIM cards, so have such models have a double one for each SIM card. Accordingly, if the device supports only one SIM card, the IMEI code will be the same.
The special command for displaying the IMEI of a phone is the same for models from all manufacturers of smartphones and tablets, including Apple products. On a Samsung, Honor, Huawei or Xiaomi phone, the command works the same.
Method number 2 - in the device menu
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- open “Settings”;
- Scroll down the menu to the “About phone” tab and open it;
- In the device information, find the IMEI.
No. 3 - using a phone box
You should throw away boxes from technically complex devices only if they do not contain important information that may someday be useful. For example, on boxes for phones and tablets you can find not only the device name and model name, but also IMEI. In addition, this is also additional proof that you are the owner of this device.
Depending on the device manufacturer, the IMEI information may be located on the back or side of the box.
Method number 4 - remove the battery
Now this method works mainly on older models, since almost all modern mobile devices are equipped with non-removable batteries. To find out the phone's imei, you need to remove the back panel and remove the battery. Under it there is a sticker with information about the device model, country of manufacture and IMEI. If the device is dual-SIM, there will be two IMEI codes on the sticker.
No. 5 - how to find out your phone number using the Google Find My Device application
To find your phone's IMEI, you can use Google's Find My Device program:
- open the application;
- if necessary, log in to the service;
- if you have several devices, find the one you need at the top of the screen and click on its icon;
- click on the "!" next to the device model name;
- A window will appear with the phone's IMEI number.
No. 6 - looking for a warranty card
When purchasing a phone, the buyer is given a warranty card for the device. Sometimes the purchase receipt acts as a warranty card. The seller can indicate the IMEI of the phone in the warranty card when selling the device, but this is not always done.
How to find out if your phone is locked
If trouble happens and for some reason the device turns out to be blocked, you can find out its IMEI using the box from it, or try to find the number in the warranty card.
You can also use the Google Find My Device program. You need to install it on any available smartphone, log in with your username and password and look at the IMEI of the locked phone.
Second way
Let's find the IMEI through the phone menu. To do this, go to settings.
We find the section “About phone” or “Phone information” - usually it is the last one in the menu, or the penultimate one.
We see IMEI.
Above is an example based on Samsung, and this is what the page looks like on a Huawei smartphone:
How to change IMEI on Android
If messages appear on the gadget that the identification number is incorrect or invalid, you need to change it.
Most often, this happens after flashing the device. In this case, there are 2 options, either restore the previous Name, or simply find out how to change the Name.
To change the IME, there are 2 effective ways: through the device’s engineering menu or through third-party applications.
Engineering menu
The engineering menu is available on all devices running Android (Samsung, Lenovo, Sony, Xiaomi, Prestigio, etc.). It is designed to test and configure certain functions, and is typically used by software developers.
Access to this menu depends on the manufacturer and model of the mobile device. For example, for Samsung Galaxy it is *#*#4636#*#*, and for Huawei *#*#3646633#*#*. You can find out the code specifically for your device by simply googling the name and entering the phrase “entering the engineering menu.”
The found code must be entered into the field for entering a phone number by calling it. If the USSD request was entered correctly, EngineerMode will be displayed.
Now you need to follow the instructions:
- In the main menu, scroll to the “Connectivity” section.
- Find the “CDS information” tab and tap on it.
- From the displayed items, select “Radio Information”.
- Information about the device's radio module will appear. Here you need to click on the line “Phone 1”.
- In the new window, the first item will be the identification number currently in use. You need to enter the command “AT+EGMR=1,7,” (without quotes, but with all commas and an equal sign), and immediately after the comma, open the quotes, enter the desired new identifier and close the quotes.
- To save changes, you need to confirm them by tapping on the inscription “Send at command”.
Now you can exit the engineering menu. In order for the device to assign a new identification combination to itself, you need to reboot the device.
It is recommended to check whether the changes have taken effect by using any method to view the IMAE code.
Third party software
Changing the identification number through third-party software is only possible if you have root rights.
Since obtaining superuser rights directly relates to this method of changing IMEI, in the instructions below I will first describe the method of obtaining them, and then smoothly move on to a description of changing IMEI through the application.
Step-by-step actions with detailed descriptions:
- Download and install the program Farmarootpro5.1. It can be downloaded from the browser as an apk file, since it is not available in the official application store.
- Open the program and tap on “Install SuperSU”.
- Choose any of the proposed methods for obtaining root rights. It doesn't matter which method it is, because options that aren't available won't be able to be selected.
- Within a minute, the process of obtaining superuser rights will be completed. To end the action, you need to restart your mobile device.
- Now you can install the Mobileuncle application, which is also downloaded as an executable file.
- In the main window (icon with a picture of a house), click on the “EngineerMode” section.
- As in the standard method, open “Connectivity” and go to “CDS information”.
- A field with the current Aimei will immediately appear here. To replace it, you need to enter “AT+EGMR=1.7,” and then enter a new identification number.
After saving the changes and rebooting the system, all actions will take effect.
What can you do with your phone from a distance?
The best thing to do if your phone is lost is to contact your provider. They can provide you with the information you need about locking your phone.
If your phone is synced with your Google account, you have a few more options.
- Go to https://myaccount.google.com
- Sign in with the account you use on your phone
- Click Find Your Phone on the left side of the screen.
Google will list every device connected to your account. Although you can't see the IMEI from here, you can lock your phone. From your computer, you can set a password and leave a message on your phone screen. Without the password, the phone will be impossible to use.
How can you lose your code?
Since IMEI is the unique identification code of a device when connected to a network, losing it can cause serious problems for the user. The only good thing is that such a nuisance can happen for just a few reasons.
Lost phone
The easiest way to lose your IMEI is to lose your mobile device.
Statistics show that most of those who type the query “How to restore IMEI” into their browser’s search bar face a similar problem. The thing is that thanks to it, the mobile operator can track the device if it was stolen or lost, and also block it. But if you did not recognize this code before losing the device, finding it will be much more difficult, although it is possible, which will be discussed below.
Firmware changed
It is after the update that some users are faced with the fact that the device cannot determine the IMEI. Problems arise for those who refused to install the official version, preferring software from little-known developers.
If the program code is written incorrectly, the NVRAM may be damaged. In addition, an incorrect Android IMEI can be obtained due to a failure during the installation process, which occurs due to a prematurely disconnected cable, an unexpectedly dead battery, or neglect of the instructions.
Somewhere outside
Very often, the IMEI of an Android smartphone or tablet is written on the battery, above or below the barcode, somewhere on the box in which the device was sold, or even on special stickers included in the package. Then, to determine your IMEI, you just need to find the corresponding inscription and carefully rewrite the sequence of numbers - this is as easy as finding out whether a mobile phone is tapped.
Important: The IMEI of a device is confidential information and should not be shared with anyone without a compelling reason.
The owner of the device can, using the instructions given below, find out the IMEI on his own, and all offers to “break through” it on the Internet are, in the vast majority of cases, fraud. The same applies to paid services: IMEI is assigned to the phone by the manufacturer according to a single algorithm and is not classified information for the owner - which means there is absolutely no need to spend money to check it.
