What is the IMEI number
The International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI is a unique number that allows you to identify independently of the SIM card any device that can connect to GSM, UMTS and LTE networks. It gives operators more flexibility to enhance the security of their smartphone fleets, especially by allowing or not allowing devices on their network. But not only. The IMEI also allows the operator to automatically know the device type of its subscribers for technical, marketing and customer support purposes. Indeed, specific fields of the IMEI are assigned for an identification of the manufacturer and the model. Thus, if the operator supports it, it allows him to make an automatic detection of the terminal model.
What is the IMEI number?
Specifically, this number allows, in case of theft, to prohibit the use of the device on the network of operators. During a complaint this number can be added to a blacklist, and calls then become impossible even if one has a valid SIM card. However, this is not always effective: these databases are not always well connected, and are mostly national or regional.
More recently, private sites offer to register users' IMEIs, especially when they are stolen. The interest is that a buyer of a used smartphone can thus verify that the IMEI number of his new device is not part of these databases, simply by entering the IMEI number of the smartphone in Google.
How to obtain the IMEI number
Do you have the smartphone in your possession? There are several ways to get it regardless of the model or brand of your smartphone (even if it is a feature phone ...):
Dial * # 06 # in the Phone app
Directly on an inscription present somewhere on the phone (it is usually found under the battery when it is removable ...)
In the Google Find my Device app
If you no longer have the smartphone in your possession, the IMEI number can be found as follows:
On the labels on the smartphone packaging and on the purchase invoice
By asking your operator
