One of the unique numbers assigned to each Android device is called IMEI. It can be used for personal purposes, restored or exchanged for Android. It is also worth always remembering why it is needed and knowing when IMEI may be required.
What is IMEI of a smartphone or tablet
IMEI is a unique identifier that every Android phone and tablet has. It is needed so that the device can make calls, send messages and use mobile internet. That is, if you have an IMEI, you can use all the functions that the SIM card provides.
How to find out device ID on Android
There are two ways in which you can find out Phone IMEI or Android tablet: by entering a USSD code or a sticker located on back side devices.
Via USSD code
Enter the code
Code for the first and second SIM cards
Look at the sticker inside the case
Remove the cover of the device and look for the sticker, which may be on the case or under the battery. Find the IMEI line on it, which will have 15 digits.
We look at the IMEI code
How to change IMEI or restore it if it’s lost
After flashing the device, updating or resetting data and settings, the IMEI may become confused or disappear. If this happens, you will not be able to use mobile communications, Internet and messages. In this case, there is only one thing left to do - restore the unique number by changing it to another code. This can be done using the built-in engineering menu or through third-party applications.
How to write code through the engineering menu
We take out the SIM card
Open the Phone application
Open the engineering menu
Go to the Connectivity section
Go to the CDS Information section
Open the Radio Information section
We write the command
Confirming the IMEI change
Reboot the device
Insert the SIM card into the device
We write the command
Insert a space after the + sign
How to change through a third-party application
To change or restore the IMEI code, root rights are required, as system-related settings will be made.
Download and install the application
Press the button to get root rights
Open Play Market
Install the Chamelephon application
Generating IMEI
Click the Apply new IMEI button
Video: changing the unique code on Android
Finding a stolen or lost phone by IMEI
Since the IMEI code is unique, a purely theoretically lost device can be found by contacting law enforcement agencies or your mobile operator. But this method of searching for a device in most cases does not help, since it is quite difficult to get the operation started, and the fraudster who stole the phone most likely changed the IMEI a long time ago.
The only thing left to do is to enter your IMEI into a single database (http://sndeep.info/ru/lostolen) and declare the device associated with this code as missing. If you add a reward message for finding and returning the phone, you may be able to get it back. Most often, sellers of stolen equipment check this database, so maybe you will get lucky.
We enter the IMEI of the lost device and other necessary data
Under no circumstances should you access websites that offer the opportunity to find a device by IMEI for a certain amount of money. Only telecom operators and law enforcement agencies have access to search by code; all other organizations simply do not have access to necessary programs and equipment, which means they won’t be able to find your device and take your money.
Is it possible to remove IMEI?
Some users mistakenly think that by erasing the IMEI they will make their device secret and will not be able to make calls to it. But this is absolutely not true, especially since you cannot delete IMEI, you can only change it to a different combination of numbers. How you can change the IMEI code is described above in the article.
Each Android device is initially assigned its own unique code IMEI, which can be viewed, restored or changed. To do this, you will need knowledge of special USSD codes, an engineering menu or root rights. You can find a lost device by IMEI only with the help of a telecom operator or law enforcement agencies, but not through Internet sites that offer this service. You cannot delete IMEI, you can only change the code numbers.
Any Android smartphone or tablet has a unique 15-digit radio module identifier (IMEI), which can be verified in several ways. But sometimes the IMEI may go missing, and there may also be a need to replace or restore it.
What is IMEI and how to find it on Android devices
IMEI - individual number of the radio module that is included in each Android device or other operating system. IMEI is needed to authorize devices in the operator’s mobile network. Without it, the user will not be able to make and receive calls, as well as SMS messages. If the gadget uses two SIM cards at once, then two IMEI codes will be displayed at once.
You can find out the IMEI of your device in several ways:
- dial the combination *#06# in the dialing menu;
- go to the settings menu of your smartphone or tablet in the information section “About the device”;
- find information on the back cover of the gadget, SIM card tray or on the device box.
After which a 15-digit code will be displayed on the screen - this is the IMEI.
How to restore IMEI if it is missing or lost
In rare cases, a system window may appear on the device screen with the message “ Invalid IMEI", due to which the smartphone is not authorized in the mobile operator’s network. If this error occurs, the user cannot work with the network, that is, make calls, receive calls and use the mobile Internet.
There may be several reasons for the appearance of error information about the loss of the IMEI identifier or the display of an empty window when checking using a USSD request. For example, due to an unsuccessful attempt to flash the gadget or hard-reset (reset to factory settings). It is worth noting that if problems arise with IMEI, all functions of the device are fully functional, in addition to those related to the radio module (network coverage).
If it suddenly happens that your device does not display the IMEI when prompted, there are several ways to restore it.
Repairing IMEI using the engineering menu
To call the engineering menu (Engineer Mode), you need to use a special combination, which may differ depending on different devices. You can find out which combination will help you call up the engineering menu from the instructions or documentation that comes with the device.
If for some reason the documentation is lost or is not nearby, try using the code *#3646633#. If it doesn't work, you can try to select a code from the options for different manufacturers.
Table: IMEI call commands for various smartphone models
After the engineering menu has been called up, you need to do the following:
Video: how to restore IMEI after unsuccessful firmware using Engineer Mode
How to repair IMEI using IMEI&SN Writer app
One of the frequently used IMEI repair applications is IMEI&SN Writer. Since this program is very easy to use and does not require root rights, every user can use it to restore the IMEI of their device. To restore the IMEI identifier, you will need Android device drivers, database files of the type of processor used by the gadget, and an IMEI&SN Writer.
- Install device drivers on PC. Next, run the utility, select SMART PHONE in the PlatForm field, USB under it, fill in the IMEI_1 and IMEI_2 fields. Click the Select DB button.
- In the window that appears, first select the modem part database file. Typically it starts with the characters BPLGU.
- Then open the processor part file. In most cases, its name begins with APDB.
- In the main window, click Start to begin the recovery.
- After completing these steps, connect your Android device to your computer and wait until the recovery procedure is completed and the IMEI recording success message appears.
- Turn on your smartphone or tablet, enter the USSD request *#06# and make sure that the IMEI is displayed.
If the user does not have the original factory firmware and is unable to find it, he should try using the firmware of a gadget with a similar processor model.
Video: IMEI repair using IMEI&SN Writer
Changing IMEI ID using applications
There may be several reasons for changing IMEI, for example, if you want:
- disable device tracking;
- change invalid code IMEI for new one;
- reset the settings to factory defaults or update the device.
To change the IMEI identifier, you can use special programs, but most of them require root access. These rights allow you to change system settings Android devices up to deletion system applications. Initially, the user does not have root rights and must be obtained. But it should be noted that upon receipt of them, the manufacturer’s warranty of the gadget used becomes invalid, so choosing this method is recommended only for experienced users.
Device Id IMEI Changer Xposed
Using the Device Id IMEI Changer Xposed application, you can not only change IMEI, but also ID, MAC address and Network SSID. IN Google Play Market are available both paid and free version, but in the paid version it is possible to return to the previous settings.
Video: how to change IMEI on Android using Device Id Changer Free
Chamelephon
The Chamelephon application is also suitable for changing IMEI, but this requires root rights.
Video: replacing IMEI on Android with Chamelephon
How to use IMEI to find a stolen or lost device
It is worth noting that the chances of finding a lost or stolen gadget on your own are very small for two reasons:
- No necessary equipment to search by IMEI: in order to find a stolen or lost device, you must have access to special equipment, as well as databases of all mobile operators in the country where the loss or theft occurred. It is thanks to this that you can determine the location of a lost device and a new one. mobile number, which is used by the gadget. The problem is that only law enforcement officials have access to equipment and information;
- there is no access to information about the location of the device: absolutely all online services that the user can find on the Internet, as well as applications and programs supposedly for searching smartphones by IMEI, are completely ineffective. Operator only cellular communications has the right to provide information about the location of devices at the request of the police, who accepted a statement from the owner about the theft. So you should not turn to online services and various applications to search for stolen or lost devices.
The only sure way to find your gadget is to contact law enforcement agencies to file a theft report. The police, in turn, submit a request mobile operator to search for a device. Quite often this method leads to the discovery of smartphones and tablets.
Google service "Find my device"
Google provides a service that can help you find your device if it is authorized in account Gmail.
- Go to your browser from your computer and enter “Google find my device” in the search bar.
- Select a site whose address contains the word google and go to it.
- An account form will open, enter your email name and password.
- Confirm from your phone that you are its owner.
- If everything went well, a map will open, on the left side of which you will see the parameters of your phone and a functional menu in which you can call, block or erase data from the phone. However, if geolocation is turned off on your phone, your phone's location cannot be shown.
- Your phone's location will appear on your computer screen.
To enable display on the map, in the “Settings” - “Location” menu, move the lever to the “ON” position.
To quickly find your smartphone if you lose it, it is recommended to follow some tips:
- fill out a business card with contact information on your smartphone or tablet. This will help, in case of loss of the device, the finder to find the owner of the device to contact him;
- install the TheftAlert application on your device, which is designed to send an SMS message when changing the SIM card to a phone number specified in advance;
- If you lose your device, immediately use one of the services (for example LoSToleN), which will allow you to add the IMEI of the gadget to the database of stolen devices. Also, in many similar services you can specify the amount of reward for return.
Is it possible to remove IMEI
Since IMEI is a very important identifier for any device and there is no way to deliberately remove it.
But sometimes under the word " complete removal" also implies the following:
- force the IMEI not to be displayed on the screen by dialing *#06#, which is possible with certain knowledge in the field of programming;
- prohibit reading or accessing a memory cell. But what cannot be read, for example, via the RS-232 channel (computer port), can be read by the USB-Jig device (used in service centers to restore “bricked” Android devices) or, as a last resort, with a programmer (a device designed to write and read information in ROM - read-only memory);
- forcing you not to release IMEI to the network upon request is problematic, but possible. But in this case, there is a high probability that service will be denied or the phone will never find the network.
Each operator has an IMEI database, request individual number The radio module is required when registering on the network, and if the network operator does not receive a 16-digit number upon request, it will not allow the phone to use the network. From all that has been said above, we can conclude that “complete IMEI removal” is impossible.
Due to the fact that IMEI is really important in every Android device, it is recommended to check it on all gadgets, rewrite it and save it in a safe place. If any difficulties arise, you can use methods to restore or replace IMEI.
Trouble came from an unexpected place. And although this cannot be called a disaster, it still caused some inconvenience at first. The reason for this situation came from the desire to format the phone memory with the program SPFlash Tool due to a decrease in its volume after the firmware. But in order to do this correctly, first we had to collect necessary information. But I was in a hurry and I paid for it.
Having raked through heaps of different information in Networks and having quickly tried several methods to no avail, I remembered that I had a program installed on my computer MtkDroidTools, whose functions include restoration IMEI-ev. The only thing is on the OS " seven"It was terribly slow and I had to switch to the good old XP(fortunately, in addition to “ sevens"there are still three operating systems on the PC), where this program I just flew.
Easy to install. You just need to unpack the archive. I installed the folder in the root directory. Launched the program. It is highly desirable to have root access on your phone, and although the program MtkDroidTools It may give a temporary root, but I have never had this happen. To connect the phone I used a standard USB cable. IN Settings gadget on the tab - For developers activated the line - O debugging via USB. After some time, this request appeared (smartphone Explay Fresh - Android 4.42, but on Android 4.2.2 such a request does not appear). Confirmed.
After some time, a message appeared that the changes will take effect after rebooting the phone. In the program window I clicked - Reboot.
After the reboot, I first made a USSD request, but mobile network was unavailable. You just need to wait about 5 minutes and the network signal indicator (in the upper right corner) began to show that there is a connection. A test call confirmed this.
VIDEO:
Download the program MtkDroidTools you can follow this link -
There are often situations when, for example, after updating the firmware and then installing all applications, you cannot access the Internet, make calls or write SMS. The fact is that along with the change of firmware there is a change shell devices, while codes are updated, unwanted processes are removed, and a new structure is created.
But you need to understand that any mistake made during the installation of any program elements can cause a violation in the system, leading to the loss of IMEI - a special number stored in the device’s firmware and identifying it on the network. You can see it on the packaging (box), in the instructions included with the smartphone (warranty card), under the battery of the device itself.
If your device is designed for two SIM cards, then two IMEI will be indicated.
On a normally functioning phone, finding out the identification number is not difficult at all - in the telephone number entry field you need to type the following combination of characters: *#06# (on some devices you also press the call button), then the corresponding information should appear on the screen. If your request is unsuccessful, then the same failure as described above has occurred.
But, not everything is so hopeless - the identification number has not changed and has not gone anywhere, but simply lost its own registration power, and this is the reason for the failure of the main functions of your device. We will now tell you what can be done in this situation.
There are several ways to restore the functionality of your Android device.
The first, and most reliable, is to trust the services of a specialized service; you just need to find out its location. But we are not used to looking for easy ways!
Those who love experiments and those who are confident in themselves can immediately move on to the second method.
Before using this method, you should know that you need “Superuser” (or) rights. Now, you need to write down the IMEI of your device (see paragraph above), then step by step:
Download and install the program.
Open the utility, give permission to the request and find the “data” folder, go into it, then find the “nvram” folder, then “md.”, where the “NVRAM” folder is located, which we delete and wait until our Android recreates the files , after which a window should appear in which the operator of the network used will be determined.
We go to the engineering menu by typing the following combination of characters in the number input field: *2366*#
We are looking for CDS Information, then - Radio Information, and - Phone 1.
In the line after the letters AT+ we enter E, it should turn out: AT+EGMR=1.7,"" and also AT+EGMR=1.10,""
Now, having selected AT+EGMR=1.7,"" in quotation marks, enter your identification number of the first SIM card (it turns out AT+EGMR=1.7,"967311665444199″), after that, under the line click SEND AT COMMAND, below should appear entry "AT command is mSent".
All that remains is to reboot the device and check the IMEI installation.
Loading...