Find the IMEI of a Lost Android Phone

Your mobile phone has a globally unique number associated with it, called the IMEI number, that uniquely identifies your device within the mobile network. If your phone gets lost or is stolen, you would need to provide this IMEI number to the law enforcement agencies and the telecom operator for them to blacklist your device and prevent anyone else from using your phone on their wireless network.

What is an IMEI and Why do I need to know it?

Before getting started, let’s clarify a few things about your IMEI number. Basically, your IMEI number (which stands for “International Mobile Equipment Identity”) is a 15 digit code that is unique to every single broadband or mobile device. IMEIs are not just limited to phones. You can also find them printed on laptops and tablets that have wireless cards installed. One thing is common to all IMEI codes – they are built into the hardware of the device, and they are almost impossible to change. So why is it handy to know this number?

• Your mobile phone provider can block your phone based on the IMEI in case it gets stolen
• It might be used for warranty reasons
• If you’re selling your phone, the buyer might need to IMEI in order to check with police if the phone is registered as stolen

If you have however lost your phone but did not record the IMEI number beforehand, you can still retrieve the number from your Google Account.

Just go to google.com/settings, sign-in with your Google account and expand the Android tab. Here you will see of all Android devices that are connected to your Google Account and it will list the IMEI number of your phone as well.

In the case of iPhone, the IMEI number is printed on the box itself. And if nothing works, trace the phone’s receipt – the vendor may have written the IMEI number o the phone on it at the time of sale.