Your phone's IMEI is something you might not know much about. However, your IMEI number incredibly important, as it can help trace your stolen or lost phone. In this article, I'll explain what an IMEI is and show you how to check for it on your cell phone!
What Does IMEI Stand For?
An IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a number assigned to most modern mobile phones and smartphones. Every IMEI is unique and consists of fifteen digits.
Your IMEI can identify and locate your device using your data plan and the cellular network your phone operates on. An IMEI can only identify devices that use a terrestrial cellular network — a network that uses antennas located on Earth rather than satellites.
What’s The Point Of An IMEI?
The purpose of the IMEI is to terminate stolen phones from accessing a cellular network, as well as validate identified devices. IMEI numbers have the ability to identify and locate devices globally, which deters thieves from swapping out the SIM card on a phone they stole.
It's basically impossible to change a phone's IMEI number without also doing some damage to the device. A phone's IMEI is imprinted on the battery compartment of the device, so any attempt to remove the number would likely damage the battery.
Perhaps more importantly, knowing your phone's IMEI will make it much easier to switch carriers. Many carriers give you the option to bring your own phone. One of the most common ways carriers can check network compatibility is by using your phone's IMEI number.
An IMEI Keeps Your Phone Safe
There's no safer way to stop phone thieves than with an IMEI. It's effective in tracking and disabling your stolen device by blacklisting the number. By rendering stolen phones useless using their IMEI numbers, it has never been easier to fight phone theft effectively.
Consumer Reports found that 2.1 million phones were stolen and 3.1 million smartphones were lost in 2014. By knowing your IMEI, or by using a feature like Find My iPhone, you'll be able to recover your phone whenever it goes missing!
Can My Phone's IMEI Be Used To Track My Location?
Hypothetically, the federal government could use your IMEI number to track you. If you're suspected of doing something wrong, the government could obtain a search warrant to get your phone's IMEI number and track your movements.
It'll be easier for the government to get a warrant if you've signed a contract with the carrier for your plan or phone. It's harder to track prepaid cell phones, which is one of the reasons why you'll see some nefarious individuals using “burner phones.”
Can Someone Use My Phone's IMEI To Hack My Phone?
Probably not. There are a ton of websites online that allow you to plug in an IMEI number to ‘track' the phone, but they all just play suspenseful animations and then present you with advertisements. While an IMEI number can be used by the federal government to track you, it's pretty much useless to anyone else.
However, there's no reason for you to give your IMEI number to anyone else. So, assuming your phone has a secure lock method or you tell someone, then no one is going to get your IMEI number anyway.
How To Check Your Phone's IMEI
There are different ways to check your phone's IMEI, depending on the type of phone you have. If your phone has a removable battery, the IMEI can usually be found on or behind the battery. You can also find the IMEI of many different phones by dialing *#06# in the keypad.
A lot of knock-off smartphones have fake a fake IMEI or none at all. We recommend double-checking the IMEI number of a phone if you don't plan on purchasing from a wireless carrier, phone manufacturer, or a brand name big-box store.
How To Find An iPhone IMEI
You can find the IMEI of an iPhone by opening Settings and tapping General -> About. The number to the right of IMEI is your iPhone's IMEI.
How To Find The IMEI On An Android
Although some Androids have different interfaces, you can usually find the IMEI of an Android by opening settings and tapping About Device -> Status. On Samsung Galaxy phones, you'll find it in Settings -> About phone.
IMEI: Explained!
I hope this article helped you understand what an IMEI is and why it's important to know your device's. If you have any other questions about your cell phone, feel free to ask us in the comments section below!
