Tracking a cell phone by IMEI is not something that only happens in movies. It is also a technique used in real life to locate a cell phone.
If you landed here looking for a way to track a cell phone by its IMEI, surely, you already know what it is.
In case you don’t, we’ll quickly explain what an IMEI is.
The IMEI number is a unique code that identifies each device (cell phone). It consists of 15 digits, with some exceptions. If your IMEI has only 14 digits, it is because the last digit was a 0 and has been removed. If it has 17, two more zeros have been added.
In dual SIM cell phones, you will have 2 Imeis, one for each SIM.
As we said before, this code identifies univocally and unequivocally each device, because they are unique, there are not 2 IMEI the same. The acronym IMEI means: International Mobile Equipment Identity.
Knowing your IMEI code is extremely important because in case of theft or loss your phone service provider could track its location just with the help of this code. They could also block it to prevent it from connecting to the network so that the person who currelnty has the cell phone in their possession cannot use it to make calls.
If you are going to report the theft of your phone to the police, this is one of the pieces of information they will ask you for in order to formalize the report.
How to find out the IMEI of the cell phone to be tracked?
It usually comes in a sticker in the box, along with the serial number of the device. If the battery of your phone could be extracted / removed, it is also a very common location to find a sticker with this same information under the battery. If you still have the handset in your hands, by typing *#06# on the dialer the IMEI will pop up. There are many apps to download from any app store that will reveal the handset’s IMEI.
If you have your Google account set up on the handset, you could find out what your IMEI is, by accessing this url. And you will also have access to a lot more information about your device, including the IMEI.
Find my device by IMEI
How to track a cell phone by IMEI?
Let’s be honest, we are going to tell you the method that is 100% effective to track your cell phone with the help of the IMEI. This is to report it to the police or contact your operator to ask for help to find out its location so you can recover it. To do this, you will usually need invoices and other documentation to prove that the phone belongs to you, you’re the legitimate owner.
Yes, there are other methods but they may require either that you have made some configuration before losing access to your phone or that you make a financial outlay.
There are paid applications that could help you out in this mission, the free ones are not entirely reliable. But said that, I won’t even trust 100% the formers. We have dedicated a section on this site to analyze these apps, and to explain their operation in detail (see links below). Here there are some names: Cerberus, IMEITracker – Find My Device, … and more.
Other ways to track a cell phone
If you do not know your IMEI, the police or your operator won’t collaborate with you to locate your cell phone. Also, if you have no money to buy any of those apps, dont worry, there are many other free options that with a little luck will help you to recover your lost or stolen cell phone. I am talking about tracking a cell phone by Whatsapp, by Google/Gmail, with free/commercial/default apps, by GPS. All the links below.
This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)