How to find out the IMEI of a phone: all ways to find out the IMEI

IMEI - International Mobile Equipment Identifier

If no one has ever dug into your phone, then you can be sure that it has the factory IMEI.

Typically you can see it by typing *#06# .

Usually, this same number is visible on the label under the phone's battery (and on the phone's shipping box).

A discrepancy between the internal and “label” IMEI can occur in several cases: the phone case was changed (broken), it was “altered”, etc.

Example IMEI: 4 4 7 4 0 2 - 5 1 - 5 4 3 7 6 5 - 0

FAC = Final Assembly Code:

(01.02 = AEG)
(07.40 = Motorola)
(10.20 = Nokia)
(30 = Ericsson)
(40,41,44 = Siemens)
(50 = Bosch)
(51 = Sony, Siemens, Ericsson)
(60 = Alcatel)
(61 = Ericsson)
(65 = AEG)
(70 = Sagem)
(75 = Dancall)
(80 = Philips)
(85 = Panasonic)

SNR = Serial Number ( serial number).

SP = Spare - spare, almost always = 0.

It's no secret that phones of the same model, from the same manufacturer, assembled in different countries, can vary significantly in quality and reliability. Therefore, many experienced buyers are looking for how to find out the country of origin by IMEI, not trusting the data provided on the box. We will share with you information that will help you understand the device codes and extract useful information from them.

What is an IMEI number and where to find it

The “Imei” code is a 15-digit unique number that identifies each released smartphone, tablet, and modem. In addition to the country of origin, you can use it to find out a lot useful information about the device: whether it has a branded warranty, presence on “black” lists, software version. The gadget is identified by IMEI mobile networks. Using this code you can also get some information about unknown phone models.

Changing IMEI is a criminal offense not only in the UK, Belarus, Latvia, but also in our country. However, this does not reduce the number of fakes, which, by the way, can also be calculated using this 15-digit number.

Before you find out the country of origin by Phone IMEI"Nokia", "Samsung", iPhone or other gadget, you need to find this code. "Have" usually indicates branded packaging device, or under its battery. You can display this code on the screen of your smartphone by typing the command: *#06#.

Structure of the name code

Depending on the year of assembly of your device, you may see an old and a new code. Let's consider both options. The old IMEI will have the following structure: 123456-78-912345-0. Let's decipher it:

• 123456 - Type Approval Code. Numbers of the official standard sample of your device model.
• 78 - Final Assembly Code, number of the country of the final assembly. Those who are looking for how to find out the country of origin of a phone by IMEI will find it useful.
• 912345 - Serial Number, serial code your device.
• 0 is a check digit.

Since 2004, a new number format has been used: 00-000022-333333-1. The country of origin is also encrypted here with the seventh and eighth characters. The numbers in a slightly different form mean the same thing:

• 00-0000 - TAC, your phone's unique model number.
• 22 - FAC. We will also calculate how to find out the country of origin of a phone by IMEI using it.
• 333333 - SNR, device serial number.
• 1 - spare, check digit.

If your device was manufactured during the period when FAC was abolished (2003-2004), then the 7th-8th characters of your "name" code will be two zeros (00). In this case, you will not be able to determine the country where your phone was assembled by IMEI.

How to find out the country of origin of a phone by IMEI

05, 70, 02, etc. - it is the combination of these numbers that will help you see the true country of origin of your phone. It is worth noting that corporations that produce smartphones prefer to keep data about the country of final assembly secret, so all the information provided below is unofficial. In addition, manufacturers of various “smart” devices (Samsung, Sony, iPhone, Nokia, etc.) encrypt states in IMEI codes under different symbols.

Here is a summary table that tells you how to find out the country of origin of a phone by IMEI (06, 01, 07 and others), and also has some ratings from direct users.

If the country code you determined by IMEI conflicts with what is written on the box or under battery device, that is, there is a possibility that the phone you are holding in your hands is a fake.

Alternative methods

In addition to IMEI, you can calculate the manufacturer of your smartphone by S/N - the serial number of the device. It is also indicated on the box or under the battery next to the “have” code. You can determine the final country of assembly by this number by going to one of popular services who specialize in providing such information.

The next option is to determine the manufacturer by the number under the barcode, also printed on the brand name. In this case, you need to pay attention to the first digits. Here is a table with the most likely codes.

That's all the methods that tell you how to find out the country of origin of a phone by IMEI, as well as using the barcode on the box. The coincidence of all results, including the name of the country of assembly indicated on the box, is a guarantee that this is a branded device.

IMEI (short for International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a number unique to each phone. Used in mobile phones and some satellite phones.

More to the point in simple language, IMEI is unique identification number for every phone or smartphone. It consists of 14 decimal digits and one check digit. The code contains information about the device's serial number, its model and origin. So, the first 8 digits are called TAC (Type Approval Code) and indicate the device model and its place of origin. The remaining part of the IMEI is the serial number of the device, which is determined by the manufacturer using the so-called Luna algorithm, with a check digit assigned at the end.

There is IMEISV (from English International Mobile Terminal Identity and Software Version number), which already consists of 16 digits. In addition to providing unique identification for each phone, it allows version matching software permitted by the operator. In turn, the services available directly to a given device depend on the software.

In 2002, information was prepared by representatives of large foreign cellular operators, which stated that IMEI could be changed using simple software. Today, changing IMEI is much more difficult, as mobile equipment manufacturers are improving their security systems. Some companies claim that it is simply impossible to change the IMEI on their devices. It is noteworthy that in some countries changing IMEI is a criminal offense.

IMEI is indicated in several places. The easiest way to find it is to dial the number *#06# on the keyboard (supported by most manufacturers):

We have hidden the main digits of the number.

Why is IMEI needed?

• IMEI is used to identify a device on the network.

• IMEI is the serial number of the phone.

• IMEI can be used to track your phone and block stolen devices at the carrier level cellular communications. However, in the latter case, you cannot use the device only within one operator.

• WITH using IMEI you can find out if the device is stolen.

Each mobile device has an IMEI - the serial number of a mobile phone, tablet, smartphone or USB modem. Let's say you, for some reason, wanted to another, pretend to be another device. Let's figure out where to get the new IMEI you need or how to generate this IMEI yourself, and in general, whether changing IMEI is legal.

Learn more about what IMEI is and why change it.

Where to get the required IMEI

It is assumed that the IMEI is absolutely unique and there cannot be a second device with the same IMEI. At a minimum, the devices must differ by one digit in the serial number.

If you decide to flash an IMEI from a tablet into a 4G modem, then you need to take the IMEI of a tablet that is most likely not used on your operator’s network.

1. Most the right way, This take the IMEI of your old tablet, which you do not use or use with a SIM card from another operator.
2. IMEI can be copied from the box tablet computer in the store, with colleagues, with friends. But there is a chance that you will become a double in the operator’s network. It's better if you take the IMEI from a device in another country, like this mobile operators will definitely be different.
3. You can take IMEI from photographs from the websites of foreign online stores.

Generating your IMEI

IMEI from a photo can be unique. To do this, go to the website http://www.imei.info, enter your existing IMEI from the photo (for example 01-3117-00-846788-5), press the Check button and get detailed information by device.

If the IMEI is incorrect, you will receive the message “Invalid IMEI”.

Now instead of 846 788 at 01-3117-00-846 788 -5 We change several numbers at random, for example it will be like this: 01-3117-00-846 900 -5.

We check 01-3117-00-846900-5 on the website, we get “Invalid IMEI”. No worries, we sequentially change the last digit from 0 to 9 until the message disappears.

We got it 01-3117-00-846 900-6 . This code is absolutely correct and can be flashed into your USB modem.

This is how we learned to generate IMEI based on the existing one.

Is it legal to change IMEI?

IMEI is unique code, which allows you to distinguish one device from another, block tubes with made legs, etc.

In many countries Changing IMEI is illegal, for example Kazakhstan, Latvia, Great Britain, the Republic of Belarus.

IN Russian legislation There is no direct ban on changing IMEI, although there have been attempts to apply Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation “Illegal access to computer information” to change IMEI.

The application of Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for changing IMEI is very controversial. In my opinion, even if a ban on changing IMEI is contained in an agreement with a cellular operator, then this lies within the realm of civil law, not criminal law.

Here is a comment from a professional lawyer:

You will not bear administrative, criminal or other liability. But in the event of malfunctions, you will no longer be able to make any claims to the manufacturer and/or seller.

How to reflash IMEI in a 3G or 4G USB modem.

Were you able to generate new IMEI? or is this a useless exercise? Leave your comments...

Surely you have already heard this abbreviation - IMEI. For most owners 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 and how it can be useful to a simple user and how to find out the IMEI of the phone 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 are still at the production stage and usually consist 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, you can find on the Internet detailed algorithms By change IMEI 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 ways:

• 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 use 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 search for mobile phones by IMEI, citing the lack of necessary equipment.

Therefore for regular user IMEI is more likely to be useful as a means additional check 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 on his IMEI number: device model, build date, check if the phone is blacklisted 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).