What Can Someone Do with My IMEI Number? (2024)

We all use smartphones in our daily lives. And just like everyone has their own identity, beliefs, priorities, skills, so does your smartphone. In fact, the identity of your smartphone goes much deeper than the mere name of the model or operating system it runs on. Every smartphone in the world has its own IMEI number.

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The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number helps provide your smartphone with its own identity. In this blog, we will cover what the IMEI number is, how to find it, what can someone do with your IMEI number and a lot more.

However, always make sure that you do not give away your IMEI number to anyone else, other than those whom you trust completely. Reason? We have enlisted them below in detail for your understanding:

Someone can get access or track your live location using your device’s IMEI number
Anyone can use your IMEI number and manipulate it to blacklist it from your phone
Hackers can also use your IMEI number to commit fraud or illegal activities and put the blame on you

Therefore, be cautious whenever you are dealing with your IMEI number.

Where can I find my IMEI number on my phone?

You may have come across the IMEI number during a conversation in mobile stores, online e-commerce platforms when you tried to exchange your existing smartphone for a new one or various other places.

Do all devices have IMEI numbers?

Yes, every single GSM device in the world possesses the IMEI number. In fact, you won’t have to take any additional steps to make sure your device’s IMEI number is there. These unique identification codes are placed by the smartphone manufacturers themselves.

Read more: Learn how to find mobile phone using IMEI numbers

What are the benefits of IMEI numbers?

Here are some of the biggest benefits of IMEI numbers:

Block a phone that is stolen

You can use the IMEI number to block a smartphone that has been stolen. All you have to do is get in touch with your mobile operator and provide them with the device’s IMEI number. Soon, the device will get blacklisted, and will not be able to connect to any cellular provider.

You can trace a lost phone

The IMEI number can also play a key role in helping you recover your lost device. You can make use of other apps such as Google’s Find My Device to locate it.

Read more: Easy hacks to find my lost mobile phone

Identify your smartphone

When you are buying a used smartphone, one of the first things that you can do is run it by an online platform to see if the device is legitimate. It is helpful in cases where you think the smartphone may be blacklisted. The IMEI number will also give you more information about the model name of the smartphone.

Warranty issues

Do you have some warranty issues with your smartphone and wish to get it repaired? Make sure you have the smartphone IMEI number handy with you.

Can IMEI be used for hacking?

Yes, it is extremely important that you always keep your IMEI number safe, because it could be used for hacking. One of the most common ways to use IMEI for hacking is known as SIM card cloning. In this process, hackers will create a duplicate version of your smartphone and use it to hack into your original device.

In addition, hackers could also track the live location of your smartphone and use it in multiple ways to commit fraud cases. As a result, make sure you never give out your smartphone’s IMEI number. It would only result in easy ways for others to hack your device. Keep your IMEI number stored in a secure and password-protected file.

Tips to keep your IMEI number safe from hackers:

Never share the IMEI number unless it is absolutely necessary to do so
Only enter your IMEI number on websites that you entirely trust
Make sure you install the security patch upgrades on your smartphone regularly
Ensure your smartphone has a strong password

How to know if my phone is hacked?

Hacking is a very real threat in today’s times. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to know if your smartphone has been hacked or not. Here are some of them:

- Watch out for any sort of unusual activity on your device, such as OTPs, phone calls that you did not make, SMS or more
- Your phone is functioning slower than it usually does
- You see unfamiliar charges on your monthly phone bill when you try to complete your monthly recharge

If you think your smartphone has been hacked, then it is important that you take immediate and necessary steps. Dive into action mode quickly to ensure that your data is safe.

So, on a concluding note, the IMEI number is one of the most important things in your smartphone. Hence, make sure that you always keep it safe. Now that you know what someone can do with your IMEI number, we hope that you will keep your smartphone safer than before and follow the above mentioned steps.

FAQs

What Can Someone Do with My IMEI Number? ›

Unauthorized Use of Your Device: If someone else uses your stolen IMEI on their device, it could lead to unauthorized access to mobile networks and services. This can result in charges for calls, texts, or data usage that you did not authorize.

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Can someone do anything with my IMEI number? ›

Someone can get access or track your live location using your device's IMEI number. Anyone can use your IMEI number and manipulate it to blacklist it from your phone. Hackers can also use your IMEI number to commit fraud or illegal activities and put the blame on you.

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Is it OK to give someone your IMEI number? ›

You should not give it out to anyone unless you are sure that they are trustworthy. Somebody can do something with your IMEI number, here are some things they can do: Track your phone. If your phone is stolen, the person who stole it can use your IMEI number to track your phone's location.

Can someone see my messages with my IMEI number? ›

Not unless you have access to the carrier's IT systems. The IMEI just identifies the device - it's the serial number. It doesn't provide any access to what the device is doing. You could spoof the IMEI (i.e. clone a device with the same IMEI, but without the SIM, that doesn't really get you anywhere).

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What can the IMEI number be used for? ›

An IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. Think of it as your phone's fingerprint — it's a 15-digit number unique to each device. Phone carriers and manufacturers share IMEI numbers to enable tracking of smartphones that may be stolen or compromised.

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Why would someone ask for my IMEI number? ›

However, the primary reason IMEI numbers are important is their ability to help track down and secure lost or stolen phones.

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Can someone spy on my phone using IMEI? ›

While it's impossible to spy on a phone's contents with just the IMEI number, you can use it with other tools (such as phone spy apps) for more advanced monitoring capabilities.

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Can you change your IMEI number? ›

The IMEI number is programmed into the phone's hardware, so changing it requires rooting the phone and using a special tool. There are many tutorials online that explain how to do this, but it is important to note that it is illegal in most countries. There are a few reasons why changing the IMEI number is illegal.

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Should you hide your IMEI when selling a phone? ›

Don't give out the IMEI number. You can never really know if the person on the other end is a hacker with malicious intentions.

How do I stop IMEI tracking? ›

Call up your mobile network provider's customer service line. Inform them that your phone has been lost or stolen and provide them with the IMEI number. They can then proceed to block your phone, ensuring that the device cannot be used on any network with any SIM card.

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Why do people check IMEI numbers? ›

The primary purpose of an IMEI check is to prevent theft and locate a device if it's being used to commit fraudulent activities.

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Can I be tracked with my IMEI? ›

Yes, it's possible to track your lost or misplaced phone using its International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. However, the process isn't as easy as most tracking apps and guides provide. In fact, we tried the suggested methods in most guides and only ended up with a bigger list of mobile apps.

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Does IMEI contain personal information? ›

However, the IMEI only identifies the device and has no particular relationship to the subscriber. The phone identifies the subscriber by transmitting the International mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number, which is stored on a SIM card that can, in theory, be transferred to any handset.

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What happens if someone gets my IMEI number? ›

Authorities can use the IMEI to track its location on the network to find it. Blocking Stolen Devices. Your network provider can blacklist the IMEI if you report it stolen so the thieves can't use it on their network.

What can companies do with IMEI number? ›

With an IMEI number, you can track the location of a device, block it from being used on any network, and report it as lost or stolen to the authorities. However, it is important to note that it is illegal in some countries to track or locate a device without the owner's consent.

How to get owner details from IMEI number? ›

The IMEI of the instrument is related to the Mobile Number and is available in the Home Location Register (HLR) of the operator equipment. Security and Law Enforcement authorities use these data sources. This information is not in public domain, and so, you cannot get the name from IMEI.

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Can phone activity be tracked with IMEI number? ›

Mobile network operators and law enforcement agencies can use the IMEI number to track devices on their networks and aid in locating stolen phones. However, it is important to be aware of privacy concerns and legal considerations surrounding IMEI tracking.

Can someone block your phone with IMEI number? ›

Call up your mobile network provider's customer service line. Inform them that your phone has been lost or stolen and provide them with the IMEI number. They can then proceed to block your phone, ensuring that the device cannot be used on any network with any SIM card.

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