The International Mobile Station Equipment Identity or IMEI is a number, usually unique, to identify 3GPP (i.e., GSM, UMTS and LTE) and iDEN mobile phones, as well as some satellite phones. It is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of the phone, but can also be displayed on-screen on most phones by entering *#06# on the dialpad, or alongside other system information in the settings menu on smartphone operating systems.
The IMEI number is used by a GSM network to identify valid devices and therefore can be used for stopping a stolen phone from accessing that network. For example, if a mobile phone is stolen, the owner can call his or her network provider and instruct them to "blacklist" the phone using its IMEI number. This renders the phone useless on that network and sometimes other networks too, whether or not the phone's SIM is changed.
The IMEI is only used for identifying the device and has no permanent or semi-permanent relation to the subscriber. Instead, the subscriber is identified by transmission of an IMSI number, which is stored on a SIM card that can (in theory) be transferred to any handset. However, many network and security features are enabled by knowing the current device being used by a subscriber.
HOW TO FIND IMEI NUMBER
IMEI number can be found in the phones back under the battery mostly on white stick. In some cases there is written IMEI: <IMEI number> but in other cases there is only number written and it don’t tell you that it is IMEI number. IMEI number can be also found on the box package of the phone.
This is an example of the IMEI label on the phones back (under the battery):
Other option is even better. You can get IMEI number on screen without removing battery. You just need to type *#06# on your screen and it will show you IMEI number of your phone.
The IMEI number is used by a GSM network to identify valid devices and therefore can be used for stopping a stolen phone from accessing that network. For example, if a mobile phone is stolen, the owner can call his or her network provider and instruct them to "blacklist" the phone using its IMEI number. This renders the phone useless on that network and sometimes other networks too, whether or not the phone's SIM is changed.
The IMEI is only used for identifying the device and has no permanent or semi-permanent relation to the subscriber. Instead, the subscriber is identified by transmission of an IMSI number, which is stored on a SIM card that can (in theory) be transferred to any handset. However, many network and security features are enabled by knowing the current device being used by a subscriber.
HOW TO FIND IMEI NUMBER
IMEI number can be found in the phones back under the battery mostly on white stick. In some cases there is written IMEI: <IMEI number> but in other cases there is only number written and it don’t tell you that it is IMEI number. IMEI number can be also found on the box package of the phone.
This is an example of the IMEI label on the phones back (under the battery):
Other option is even better. You can get IMEI number on screen without removing battery. You just need to type *#06# on your screen and it will show you IMEI number of your phone.
