IMEI Number: What It Is,
How to Find It, and How It Helps

What Is an IMEI Number?

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a unique 15-digit number assigned to every mobile phone at the factory — no two devices in the world share the same IMEI. Unlike your SIM card number (which changes when you switch operators), the IMEI is permanently embedded in the phone's hardware.

Telecom networks use IMEI to identify devices on their network. This is why it can be used to block a phone even if the thief inserts a new SIM card — the block is on the device, not the SIM.

Phones with dual SIM slots have two IMEI numbers — one for each slot. Both are printed on the same sticker inside the battery compartment or on the box.

How to Find Your IMEI Number

You should save your IMEI before your phone is lost. Here are all the ways to find it:

Method 1: Dial *#06# (Fastest)

Open your phone dialler and type *#06# — your IMEI number(s) appear on screen immediately without pressing call. This works on all Android and iOS devices.

Method 2: Phone Settings

Go to Settings → About Phone → Status → IMEI Information. The exact path varies by manufacturer:

• Samsung: Settings → About Phone → Status information → IMEI
• Xiaomi / Redmi: Settings → About phone → All specs → IMEI
• OnePlus: Settings → About device → IMEI
• Motorola: Settings → About phone → IMEI

Method 3: Phone Box or Invoice

The IMEI is printed on a sticker on the back of the retail box, and also on your purchase invoice or warranty card. This is the most reliable backup — keep your box stored safely.

Method 4: Google Account (After Loss)

Sign in to myaccount.google.com/device-activity. Google records your IMEI when the device syncs — you can often retrieve it even after losing the phone.

Method 5: Battery Compartment (Older Phones)

On phones with removable batteries, the IMEI is printed on a sticker inside the battery compartment under the battery.

Do this now: Dial *#06#, screenshot your IMEI, and email it to yourself or save it in Google Keep. You cannot retrieve it from a locked, off, or factory-reset device.

What Can You Do With an IMEI After Your Phone Is Stolen?

1. Block the Phone on All Indian Networks via CEIR

The government's Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), accessible at ceir.sancharsaathi.gov.in, lets you blacklist your IMEI. Once blacklisted:

• The phone cannot make or receive calls on any Indian network (Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL)
• It cannot access mobile data on any network
• The block applies even if the SIM card is changed
• The block is applied within 24 hours of submission

You need a copy of your FIR and government ID to submit the request.

2. File a Police FIR

When you file an FIR for a stolen phone, provide the IMEI number. Police register it in the ZIPNET system, which allows them to request location and call record data from telecom operators. With an IMEI and a court order, police can trace which tower a device last connected to.

3. Track via Google Find My Device

While Google Find My Device doesn't use IMEI directly, it works alongside it. Visit findmydevice.google.com while the phone is still online to get GPS location, play a sound, lock the screen, or erase data. Use CEIR to block it once you've exhausted tracking options.

4. Insurance Claims

Most phone insurance policies require the IMEI number when filing a theft claim. Without it, many insurers will reject the claim outright.

Can IMEI Tracking Locate a Phone in Real Time?

A common misconception: IMEI is not a real-time GPS tracker. Only telecom operators can query cell tower data for a given IMEI, and they only do so when requested by law enforcement with a legal order.

For real-time tracking, you need a tracking app installed before the phone is lost — either Google Find My Device or a dedicated app like Raksha, which reports GPS location over the internet.

The combination that works: Raksha for real-time GPS + CEIR to render the device useless if not recovered. Install Raksha now so you have both options.

IMEI Cloning: Is It a Real Risk?

IMEI cloning — where a thief copies your IMEI onto another device — does exist but is technically difficult and illegal under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act. Operators have systems to detect duplicate IMEIs on the network. If you suspect cloning (multiple devices showing on your account), report it to your carrier and DoT via the Sanchar Saathi portal.

Be Prepared Before Loss Happens

The best time to record your IMEI is now. But your IMEI alone doesn't give you real-time location — for that you need a tracking app running in the background. Raksha keeps a live connection to your device and lets family members ring, flash, or lock it remotely if it's lost — no IMEI needed.