Looks like phone imei. What is a phone IMEI and what is it for? What is phone IMEI

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 the serial number of the device. 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 can be blocked at the cellular operator level.

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 branch:

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:


Surely you have already heard this abbreviation - IMEI. For most owners of mobile gadgets, IMEI is a kind of phone identifier, something like a serial number, most likely needed by engineers and developers, but not of any value to the average person. Let's figure out what IMEI actually means, how it can be useful to an ordinary user and how to find out Phone IMEI if necessary.

What is IMEI?

IMEI is a unique international identifier of any mobile device (phone, smartphone, tablet and even USB modem).

IMEI code is assigned to each mobile device and some satellite phones still at the production stage and usually consists of 15 digits. When the device is connected, the IMEI is automatically transmitted to the operator’s network and serves to identify the device itself. IMEI has nothing to do with the owner of the device or the SIM card used in it.

It is believed that IMEI cannot be changed or faked, since this code is stored in the ROM chip of the mobile phone. However, some “traditional craftsmen” have long learned to do this. Moreover, on the Internet you can find detailed algorithms for changing the IMEI of a phone. But you should know that fake IMEI is illegal. Moreover, in some countries (not yet in Russia), replacing the IMEI code in a device is a criminal offense.

A simple key combination ✶ # 06 # will allow you to find out the IMEI code of your phone. It will immediately appear on the device screen.

Alternative methods:

  • View IMEI on Android devices you can directly through the menu: “Settings” → “About phone” → “Device identifiers”. In addition to IMEI, this tab will also indicate the name of the phone model, its serial number and other useful information.
  • Find out IMEI on iPhone and other Apple devices You can also do it through the main menu: “Settings” → “General” → “About device”. Just like the above, this page contains comprehensive information about the phone, including its IMEI, serial number, and more.

In addition, manufacturers also indicate the IMEI of the phone on the device itself (look under the battery) and on the box (next to the barcode).

For older iPhone models (before iPhone 5), the IMEI is indicated on the SIM card tray.

How to find out the IMEI of a stolen phone?

Few people think about looking at the IMEI of their phone in advance and keeping it in a safe place. On the contrary, the question “how to find out the IMEI number of a phone?” As a rule, it arises when the device is no longer in hand - it has been stolen or lost. It’s good if you still have the packaging from under the device - you can look at the IMEI on it. But what to do if it’s not there either? Is it really impossible to find out IMEI now?

Maybe! And here Google and Apple come to the aid of their users!

How can IMEI be useful?

So, we have already learned what the IMEI of a phone is and how to find it. What benefit can you get from this information?

Via IMEI you can identify, locate and block specific device connected to the operator's network. Thus, in theory, if a phone is stolen, it is easy to return it to its rightful owner. But in practice neither mobile operators, nor the police are searching for mobile phones by IMEI, citing the lack of necessary equipment.

Therefore, for an ordinary user, IMEI will be more likely to be useful as a means of additionally checking the purchased phone for its authenticity and the presence of a “criminal record” (stolen or not). This is especially true if you purchase the phone second-hand.

On the Internet there is special services through which you can find out Interesting Facts about the phone by its IMEI number: device model, build date, check whether the phone is on the “black list” as stolen. Users of Apple gadgets can get more detailed information: device color, memory capacity, production date, firmware version when selling the device, as well as unlocking and jailbreak methods).

Just like people, cell phones, smartphones, tablets and modems that use the cellular network to access the Internet have their own unique “identity document” that distinguishes them from each other. For a person, this can be an identity card, license or passport, but in the case of identifying mobile devices, this means the IMEI code.

IMEI (International Mobile Identity) is a unique digital code, used to identify mobile phones, tablet smartphones and some types of satellite phones.

It can be found in the following places:

  • By entering numbers on one of the many websites dedicated to IMEI code. It is usually printed inside the battery compartment (next to the SIM card tray).
  • If the device has a non-removable battery, the numbers will be printed on either the removable SIM card or back cover devices.
  • Alternatively, it can also be displayed on the device display when using special codes or clicking on the smartphone system menus.

IMEI is in use GSM network to identify the "correct" phones, so if the device is stolen, it can be blocked simply by using that number. In case of stolen or lost mobile phones, just call your operator cellular communications and, having provided the number, ask to block the device. Then the code will be placed to the “black list” of blocked devices that can no longer be used.

How to check phone IMEI

Checking is simple: enter the numbers into one of the portals containing the list and check it.

The IMEI is tied to your phone and does not have a permanent or semi-permanent relationship with the user. However, identification of the latter in cellular network assigned to IMI (Internet Identifier mobile subscriber) on the SIM card.

EMI structure

The identification number consists of a combination of 15 digits, divided into three parts, and contains information about the origin, model and serial number of the device. First eight digits, called the type allocation code, refers to the model and country of origin of the device. The next six refer to the device serial number and are determined by the mobile device manufacturer. The last digit is the control number.

How to recognize him

Finding the universal code for your device is far from easy. difficult task. In fact, there are several methods more or less applicable to all types of mobile phones or mobile devices.

  1. Remove back phone, lift the battery and find the 15 digit code in the label on the battery compartment.
  2. If the phone's battery is not being replaced, a code will be printed on the removable carriage (such as iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4) or on the cover (such as iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPad, iPod touch and Nexus).
  3. Enter the code *#06#, the code will be displayed immediately on the phone display.
  4. In the sales package of the device, find the identification label (usually used as a packaging seal) and read the code under the “IMEI” label.
  5. If you have Android, simply enter Phone Settings, open the Phone Info section (usually the last menu item) and go to State. Here, among the various information you will find, you will also find the code you are looking for.
  6. If you're on iOS, tap Settings, go to General, and tap Info to view serial numbers, IMEI/MEID, and ICCIDs.

Is it possible to change IMEI

Same as for your MAC address network devices, you can change IMEI for one smartphone. To do this, you need to have the appropriate tools to reprogram the devices via serial or USB cable. In some cases (for example, for smartphones) you can reprogram the code using a special software or with firmware or OS versions that are created ad hoc to change the device code.

However, you need to be very careful. Changing this data is equivalent changing the device identification code and is comparable to the use of a false or counterfeit identification card or document. It is also used in case of theft or loss of the device to lock it and render it unusable: this cannot be done by modifying it. In most countries it is prohibited to change IMEI, while the Law on mobile phones In England, owners of tools and devices have every right to change the data of any of their gadgets.

Video

In this video you will learn how to check iPhone by IMEI or serial number.

It has its own unique international equipment identification number, better known as IMEI. This number is typically 15 or 16 digits long and is used by telecom operators to identify devices registered on networks. Being unique and difficult to change, it is possible to block the IMEI of a stolen phone for online registration. In some cases, you can even track the location of your phone using IMEI.

But how to find out the IMEI of a phone? I know several ways to find out IMEI - this is to enter special code, look in settings, look in data about account etc. These and other ways to find out the IMEI of a phone are described below.

NOTE. The serial numbers and IMEI numbers in the images below have been blurred on purpose.

How to find out the IMEI number of any phone, iPhone or Android:

Method number 1: Dial *#06#

It doesn't matter what kind of phone you have, it could be an iPhone, Samsung or Xiaomi. If you enter *#06# on the dialing screen, your phone's IMEI number will appear. On some phones, you may need to press the CALL button for it to work

The IMEI number can also be found in your phone's settings. On iPhone you will find it at this path: Settings > General > About. On phones Samsung Galaxy and Xiaomi - Settings > About phone.


Method No. 3: IMEI can be written on the phone itself

Some phones have an IMEI number engraved on the back, as well as a serial number and various regulations. But, this method is only valid for older models, such as the Galaxy S7 or iPhone 6. You will not find them on new phone models, as manufacturers strive to make their smartphones look as clean as possible.


Method number 3: Look at the SIM card tray

Manufacturers still have to list the IMEI of their phones somewhere. That's why many of them started engraving it on the SIM card tray. If you don't have a tool to remove the SIM card, use a regular paper clip.


In addition to the above, the IMEI number of the phone can be found on the box it was in when purchased. Sometimes, this is the only option to find out the IMEI of a phone if it is lost or stolen.


Method #6: View your IMEI in iCloud (iPhone only)

This is only for iPhone owners. Go to appleid.apple.com and enter your Apple ID and password. After logging in you will see a list of all your Apple devices. Click on the one whose IMEI you want to know.


Method #7: View IMEI from another iOS device (iPhone only).

You can view the IMEI of one iPhone from another iPhone that is signed in to the same Apple ID. To do this, go to Settings and click on your name at the very top and scroll down. Here you will see a list of all your devices. Click on the one whose IMEI you want to find out.


Conclusion

Friends, if you still have questions about how to find out the IMEI of a phone, ask them in the comments below.

The abbreviation IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identifier, which means “international mobile equipment identifier”. In other words, IMEI is a unique serial number for each GSM phone, which is automatically transmitted by the device to the operator’s network when connected. That is, if in your stolen cellular telephone someone inserts their SIM card and makes at least one call, law enforcement agencies, through the telecom operator, can find out who the SIM card is registered to and seize the phone. However, before that, it can gather dust in the windows of some store for months.

The IMEI code consists of 15 digits

First 6 digits
TAC = Type Approval Code - approved code of the standard sample, phone model (the first 2 digits are the country code).
then 2 digits
FAC = Final Assembly Code:
6 numbers
SNR = Serial Number.
and one number
SP = Spare - spare, almost always = 0.

You can find out the IMEI of your phone by typing the key combination *#06# on the keyboard. In this case, a 15-digit number will be displayed on the screen, which must be remembered or written down. Also, IMEI is indicated on the box under the barcode and under the battery on the phone body. Therefore, when buying a hundred square meters, it is always recommended to compare these numbers so as not to get into trouble.