How to find a stolen phone by having a code. Setting up the avast! Anti-Theft in the gadget. How to find a phone by imei: reviews


In this article, we will consider the situation when you have lost or stolen your phone and how to find it by IMEI, as well as what settings need to be made in the phone itself immediately after purchase.

If your phone is lost (stolen), there are several ways to get it back, including using the IMEI identification number. However, the latter is not always effective; below it will be described in detail why. We will also take a closer look at how else you can calculate the location of the device and try to return it yourself.

What is IMEI, how to find a phone with it

IMEI is a unique identification number of the device, which is assigned to it at the factory. You can find out the IMEI of your device in several ways:

Note that phones with two SIM codes will also have two.

To find a device by IMEI, you need to contact the police, write a statement. Please note that you will not only need to know the identification number of the device, but have all the documents for it, a sales receipt, a box.

Before that, you should call your operator and ask to block the SIM card. Some operators, with an application to law enforcement agencies, can trace the phone or completely block it, making it impossible for an attacker to use it even if the SIM card is changed.

If you have not blocked the phone, then police officers can make appropriate inquiries to the cellular company. Those, in turn, check if your phone is online, when and where it got in touch with the base station. This is how the cellular operator can calculate at which stations your phone has been "lit up" recently.

Why is it impossible to find a phone by IMEI on your own?

It is impossible to independently find a smartphone by IMEI, since only the cellular operator has access to the station switching center, that is, to all stations. Consequently, all applications that allegedly provide a service for finding a phone by IMEI are fraudulent.

Another thing is information services that provide access to their own IMEI database of lost or stolen phones. If you register the identification number of your stolen device in one of them, there is a small chance that you will receive it back for a reward. One of these services is LoSToleN.

Using the standard Android remote control feature

For modern devices running Android, it became possible to remotely control the phone. Its activation allows you to:

  • block the device and delete all information from it,
  • determine the location of the phone.

You can use remote control when the function that opens access to geodata has been activated in advance. You also need to add a Google account to it and log in with your ID.

Remote control is configured in the following way:


You can check if the location feature is working at android.com/devicemanager. Once signed in, you should discover your device.

Otherwise, check again if the remote control function is active on the phone and if access to geodata is open.

Lost Android App

This program offers wider functionality for remote control of the device. To start using it, you need to install the utility client from Google Play, after which the Personal Notes application will be installed on your smartphone. Further:

  1. Activate the program and grant it device administrator access.
  2. Register using your Google account.

After that, the following functions will become available to you:

  • sound, display and vibration on the stolen phone;
  • search for a device on the map, and if the GPS on the phone is turned off, the user himself can activate it remotely;
  • blocking the device over the Internet;
  • sending messages demanding the return of the device;
  • viewing and saving pictures, contacts;
  • when replacing the SIM card on the device, the owner receives a corresponding notification.

Special service for Samsung phone owners

Samsung devices have their own form for locating and verifying the number. To do this, register in the Find My Lost Phone service. You need to be prepared for the fact that checking the device during registration can take up to several days. Having entered this service, you need to enter your IMEI, after which the location of the device will be displayed on the map.

How to find a stolen iPhone or iPad

To be able to locate a lost or stolen Apple device, enable Find My iPhone in advance. To do this, go to the "iCloud" section in the device settings and activate the appropriate switch.


IMEI is a completely unique code that is embedded in a smartphone. By the identifier, you can distinguish it from another with almost 100% accuracy and prove your rights to the phone. On the Internet, there have been many rumors about this IMEI, which claim that you can use it to find a smartphone on your own. Within the framework of the article, we will consider which of this is true and which is a fiction aimed at pumping money out.

How do I find out the IMEI?

There are several places that contain the required phone code, in each of them the same identifier is duplicated. Use one of the available options:

  • In the phone itself, you need to enter * # 06 #;

  • The battery must have a code label. If the battery has changed, then, accordingly, it will not be possible to find it;
  • In the documents on the phone and in the box. They must contain this information without fail.

Using one of the methods, you will find out a unique 15-17-digit code. IMEI is a great option to prove ownership of the phone if there is a dispute. It is extremely difficult to change the identifier and only a few bother with this, and then for exclusive models.

How to find a phone by IMEI?

The only real way to find a phone by IMEI is to contact the police. You should have a set of documents for the device with you:

  • Box;
  • A receipt confirming the purchase of a smartphone;
  • Warranty card.

Based on these data, it will be possible to start actions to find the phone, but this still does not guarantee a positive outcome. The operation that allows you to find a phone via IMEI is very troublesome, but you may be able to interest the law enforcement agencies in an early resolution of the situation. It is no secret that the search does not go very quickly either in Russia or in Ukraine for an ordinary person, but if you promise rewards or you are an influential person or just endlessly beat the thresholds, then you will succeed.

Why is it difficult to find a phone by IMEI on your own, or rather unrealistic, but the whole point is that the necessary base for the search is stored by the mobile operator. Naturally, he refuses to provide data without a court order, and even more so they will not post this database on third-party sites.

Important note. This operation can be dangerous if the smartphone was brought into the country illegally. Then IMEI will be absent in the database, and you can be fined and even brought to criminal liability. If you are not sure that your IMEI is "white", then the search may turn out to be more expensive for yourself.

Immediately after your application, at least there should be a petition to the court, where law enforcement agencies need to prove the need for further search. If the court approves and gives its order on the provision of data on this IMEI, then the search will continue.

Only after that, the police will try to find a phone by IMEI via satellite, in fact, there are much more chances to find it, but as you understand, no one will be in too much of a hurry, especially without additional interest, in particular, if the disclosure of a serious case depends on it.

Have you stolen a phone, how to find it by IMEI yourself?

A separate topic that requires coverage. Here you do not have such an opportunity, there is nowhere to take the IMEI database, and the location is calculated using the signal intersection points. That is, when there are 5 communication lines, it means that there are 5 towers in the coverage area. If you cross the signal of each, you can determine the location of the phone with high accuracy. As you understand, it will not be possible to calculate via satellite and towers, where to get these resources from.

To find a stolen phone via IMEI, you will have to follow standard procedure and hope for a better outcome. More modern models are easier to find and therefore much more likely. The probability that everything will end favorably is, and moreover, it is not small.

Alternative ways to find a smartphone

Regardless of the fact that you cannot find a phone on your own by IMEI, you have other ways, albeit less effective. Perhaps some of this will be useful to you:

  • Fill out the business card on your phone. Thus, if the device was not stolen, but simply lost, the finder will have the opportunity to contact you at an alternative number, mail or address;
  • Install anti-virus software. Almost all antiviruses have the function of remote control over the smartphone, including displaying the current location. Some even have the function of locking the phone when changing SIM, deleting personal data, etc.;

  • Also, despite the fact that this will not help you in finding a smartphone, but immediately after discovering the loss, block the SIM card so that you will not be robbed on electronic payment services;
  • If the lost phone is an iPhone, then you have the opportunity to find it through the service https://www.icloud.com;

  • Also, add the phone to the list of stolen phones on the LoSToleN service - this is a kind of general database where buyers check the origin of the phone.

It is worth noting, do not forget to use the built-in fingerprint functions, pattern keys, etc.

The lesson is simple, when you try to find an IMEI phone over the Internet, the maximum you can achieve is to lose your money by giving it to scammers. Do not make hasty decisions and use the nearest police station.

If you still have questions on the topic "How to find a stolen phone by IMEI?", You can ask them in the comments


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This time we will consider the option of how to find a phone by IMEI on our own via the Internet, because sometimes you need to quickly and urgently find a smartphone that has been lost.

The most commonly used gadget in the modern world is a mobile phone. It is always at hand, it contains a ton of information, all the important numbers, as well as dates. And it is not strange that after the loss or theft of such an assistant, a person in the literal sense of the word remains “ like no hands". If this happens, the person tries to find the lost gadget as soon as possible. But at such a moment, a logical question arises: what needs to be done in order for the search to become as fruitful as possible? There is a lot of information on the Internet about this. The most widespread The way to find a phone on an android is a search using imei, well, this is provided that you know it.

What is the IMEI of an Android phone (Have)

Imei Is a special phone code consisting of 15 digits... It is usually located on the body of the device under the battery. But, in order to see it, it is not necessary to pull out the battery. It is enough just to dial the combination *#06# and the number will appear on the mobile screen.

Several ways to find a phone by IMEI on your own via the Internet

Now we will look at 4 of the most effective and efficient ways to find a missing pet. The very first methods are the simplest and fastest, and the latest are more complex.

Service "Android Remote Control" is known to few people, except for users of the Google system. But with his help you can find your device... In fact, it is already automatically built into the phone's operating system. Therefore, it allows you to find your smartphone on a virtual map that shows its current location.

But, such a system indicates not just the coordinates of the device that was lost. As a rule, the owner can use the service " Call", As well as" Block and Delete data ". But it is worth remembering that the device you are trying to find must have an android firmware no older than 3.2.25. In other cases, this will be done impossible.

Find lost android phone through computer with Airdroid

Airdroid is analogous to Google. True, in this case, you will be able to independently control the device at a distance at the software level. But there is one drawback, and quite a weighty one! If the SIM card is removed from the phone, or disconnect it from the internet, it will be impossible to do all the manipulations for the search. This application can be found through the Google Play system.

How to find a phone by gps through a computer - Lost Android program

Lost Android is pretty common, actually very powerful program allowing remote control of the device. And also, as in the previous version, to use it, Google Play will help you. After installation, an application called "Personal Notes" will appear in the smartphone, under which a true tracking program will be hidden. When activating the program, give it the device administrator rights. After that, you will have to go through a small registration using your Google account. After that, the program is completely ready for use. She can use such opportunities remotely, how:

  • Turn on vibration
  • Turn on the sound
  • Turn on the display
  • Blocking and unblocking from the Internet
  • Send messages that will pop up on the screen asking you to return the device
  • Copy and view photos, video files, and contacts
  • Receiving a notification about the replacement of a SIM card and much more.

If your device has GPS enabled, you can easily find it on the map.

Find a phone through the police

In the Russian Federation, only cellular operators have access to the location. But such information are announced to citizens only after they contact the law enforcement agencies. That is why in order to obtain such data, you need to contact the police, presenting the ownership of the phone, specifying your data, imei, as well as filling out all the necessary papers.

After registering the application, law enforcement officers send an official request to the cellular operator, and they confirm the authenticity of the words you said about the owner of the device. Only then is an official response provided. But as practice shows, if you are an ordinary person, you will hard to find a device in this manner. As a rule, the police rarely react to such statements and try to do something about it. As a result, a swindler who stole or misappropriated the device manages to change the card, or sell the phone on the market. Then find it practically impossible.

But this method is suitable for those who have at least the slightest police connections, FSB, or a cell phone company. Then the process will definitely give results. Then, the search can last only a few hours, and be fruitful even if the device was turned off. But on practice, only a small percentage of people contact the police after their phone is missing. In addition, it is worth remembering that if during the search it turns out that the person just lost the phone, then you can get a not frail fine…

CONCLUSION

After reading the detailed material on the topic of finding a missing smartphone, you will probably know how to find a phone by IMEI on your own via the Internet, and therefore write your phone on a piece of paper in advance.

In most cases, IMEI search helps.

Read our article on how to track your device and prevent repeated theft.

Modern equipment, in particular, of the middle and higher price categories, are of particular value for pickpockets.

They can steal your device and then resell it on the black market.

A logical question arises: how to track your phone in order to return it? In most cases, IMEI search helps.

This code is a unique 15-digit number assigned by the manufacturer to the device prior to sale.

It is almost impossible to change it, even if you remove the SIM card. To find out the IMEI of your terminal, just dial * # 06 #.

Or you can find it on the box with the device.

But how are things going in practice, and will it be possible to find the device using the phone's IMEI? The procedure is feasible, but fraught with a number of difficulties.

Police report

To begin with, it is not possible to find the device on your own, because the operators who store the list of IMEI numbers in the database will not give out the data to third parties without the permission of law enforcement agencies. They just don't have the right.

In this regard, the victim is forced to go to the police, leaving a corresponding statement, attaching to it all the accompanying documentation confirming the act of ownership:

1) box;

2) purchase receipt;

3) warranty card.

It is worth mentioning right away that this is a very troublesome business, but if you are an influential official, and the device stores a lot of important corporate and personal data, this will greatly speed up the search.

Checking on the official base

According to the legislation of Russia and Ukraine, the law enforcement officer is obliged to go to court, convincing the judges to obtain permission to search for information about the current position of the mobile terminal.

If the approval is received and the required document is signed, the representative of the authorities applies to the national operator with a request to provide information about the IMEI code of interest.

Important: the identifier must be "white", i.e. officially included in the legal framework for mobile devices. IfIMEI is "gray", i.e. the device was illegally brought from abroad, you can be additionally fined and prosecuted for using contraband.

Even if the operative received all the data, this does not mean the success of the search.

Based on the information received, investigative measures will be carried out in order to track the current location. In other words, they will try to find the phone via satellite.

In most cases, the device is still located.

Remember that modern smartphones are mini computers with an OS on board.

Smart thieves can programmatically change the unique identifier, after which no one can find the phone.

This method is very complicated and cost-effective only when very expensive or rare specimens are stolen, moreover, only a few are taken for a change.

The second point is the same judgment. Your application may not be satisfied, and then further actions will no longer seem possible.

An independent search on the Internet will not lead to anything good either.

To begin with, only an operator can provide reliable information about IMEI, which under no circumstances will store its database on some dubious third-party resources.

If you are asked to send an SMS-message of any content to obtain data, this is a common scam. In the best case, you will lose money in your account.

Alternative search methods

To protect yourself as much as possible from theft or loss, follow the steps below.

Fill in the business card in the profile of the device, providing contact information, including an alternative phone number, email and residential address.

If the device is found by a respectable citizen, he will be able to dock with you, returning the loss.

Install additional software that will automatically send SMS to the specified number if someone has changed the SIM card on the phone.

If you own a product from Apple - and other services. In addition, activate the Find iPhone service.

This will help you calculate the current location of the gadget via the Internet.

What is Serial Number?

The manufacturer assigns a unique serial number to each released device, in which all information about the device model, country, and release date is encrypted. The serial number is unique for each device from the same manufacturer.

What is IMEI?

Mobile phones, in addition to the serial number, have the so-called IMEI code. IMEI is an International Identifier unique to each mobile phone. IMEI is a generally accepted standard for all mobile devices, which is "sewn" into the phone during manufacture at the factory. This is something like a serial number that is broadcast to the operator when the phone is authorized on the network. The IMEI code format is the same for all phones regardless of the manufacturer. Also, the IMEI code is used to track and block stolen phones at the level of a mobile operator, which in the future does not allow the use of such a device in the network of this operator. However, blocking the IMEI code from one operator does not prevent its use in other networks.

How can I find the serial number of the device?

As a rule, the serial number is printed on the packaging and duplicated on the device body, in most cases the serial number is available through the software shell.

How do I find out the IMEI of my phone?

To check the IMEI of your phone dial * # 06 # and the call button on your phone. The phone's IMEI looks like a 15-digit numeric code. The IMEI code is duplicated under the battery of your phone, on the packaging and in the warranty card.

Why do I need this?

SNDeepInfo is the most affordable way to find out all the information about a device before you give money for it. Enter the serial number of the device or the IMEI of the phone in the input field and get the exact information about the phone model. Apple users receive extended information indicating physical and technical characteristics (device color, memory size, production date, firmware version when the device is sold, unlocking and jailbreak methods).

What is it all for?

SNDeepInfo will protect you from buying a fake device. If, when checking, the serial number is not in the system, think about whether you are buying fake equipment.

SNDeepInfo saves you from buying stolen goods. Every user who has become a victim of theft or who has lost a device has the opportunity to leave the stolen phone number or serial number of the device in the IMEI database. Therefore, SNDeepInfo is not only a service for checking IMEI and serial numbers, but also a database of stolen phones and devices.

SNDeepInfo helps you find stolen and lost. Enter the code of the stolen phone or the serial number of the missing device into the IMEI database, and increase the chances of finding the lost one. If, upon verification, it turns out that the device is listed as stolen, you can return it to its rightful owner and receive a reward if the owner appointed it.

SNDeepInfo is not just a base of IMEI phones and a check of serial numbers, it is a service for in-depth verification of the quality of devices, a test for the conscientiousness of sellers and a service for finding stolen phones and lost devices.

At the moment, the service supports checking the IMEI codes of all phones, including IMEI Apple iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, as well as Samsung Galaxy S8, and Galaxy Note 8! It is planned to expand the service for checking the serial numbers of devices for any electronic equipment.