How to find a phone by IMEI: universal and proven methods

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Many of us search for phones all over the house and about 50% of us have ever found ourselves in an awkward situation when the phone is lost or stolen! Nowadays, mobile devices play a huge role in our lives, so losing a smartphone can be a real challenge. In this article, we will look at universal and proven methods that will help you find a phone by IMEI. This article will be useful and interesting to everyone who values ​​their time and nerves.

What is IMEI? IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is an individual number for each phone, a kind of barcode. It is used to identify the device in a mobile network. It consists of fifteen digits, where the first two are the assembly code, the next six are the approval code, another six are the serial number, and the last digit is the checksum.

 

Where to find IMEI code

Often, the number is printed on the back cover of the smartphone, as well as on a sticker under the battery. Sometimes the identifier is hidden in the SIM card slot (for example, in SONY products), or on the sliding frame of the SIM card slot (in Apple). You can view the IMEI code on the screen after entering the combination *#06#.

How advise numbertracker360.com/ there are several ways to find a phone using IMEI if it is lost, for example:

  • When purchasing a mobile device from an operator, the code can be found in the contract and on the purchase invoice.
  • If the device was purchased from an electronics store, the IMEI number should be found in the transaction confirmation document.
  • When buying a smartphone from someone, don't forget to write down the model number, or ask for the original box from it. Since it contains the IMEI of the product.
  • On Android smartphones, the code is available in the account options, in the Google panel. 
  • In the case of iOS, the number is located in the iCloud app.

 

Is it possible to find a switched off phone by IMEI?

Searching for a smartphone by international identifier directly depends on GPS. If the device is turned on, all the necessary data will be available via IMEI. But if the phone suddenly runs out of battery or is turned off, the information transfer system will also not be available. All attempts by law enforcement agencies and security personnel of mobile operators will unfortunately be in vain, since it will not be possible to find the lost device.

 

Methods for searching a phone by IMEI

If you type this question into the search bar, the search engine will give you a million links that promise to find out the location of your lost device in just a few minutes. As experience shows, unfortunately, it is not worth rejoicing too early! In Ukraine, there is no single company that would have access to data from absolutely all mobile operators.

There are now a large number of programs for searching smartphones by IMEI identifier. But it is worth considering that many of them are purely fraudulent and are not capable of giving the desired result. In addition, their task is to take possession of your personal data and use it for ignoble purposes. Basically, such applications:

  • request your credit card details (although the program was initially positioned as free);
  • to determine the location of a lost smartphone, they ask to send a text message to it;
  • if the application offers to find your device via satellite (this service can only be used by people with special access and this option will not be free).

In order not to fall for other, more intricate schemes that will try to deceive you, you need to approach the matter responsibly and with a cool head. In case of theft of the phone, seek help from law enforcement agencies, or try to find the device using proven methods. All possible methods are described below.

 

Program to find phone by IMEI for free

The simplest option, where a program for searching a phone by IMEI is used, can sometimes help. But it is important to understand that only those utilities that search based on the information you entered personally and nothing else will be effective.

 

IMEI is a popular application that uses for searching:

  • mobile phone number;
  • IMEI code of the lost smartphone;
  • the last point in space before loss;
  • last time of use (last call, network access).

But you can't count on this method of how to find a phone by I have, the most effective. As an option, you can try.

 

How to find a phone via IMEI on a computer?

How to find a phone by imei via satellite for free? One of the most frequent user requests in Google is "imei search online", so what do you need to do for this? To find a lost smartphone, you need a PC or laptop, on which you should install a special program. It works via satellite, and will try to find the location of your device. But, an important point!

Geolocation detection will only work if the same program was previously installed on the lost or stolen device! If the program was not installed earlier, then all that can be obtained using the utility is the gadget model, data on where the smartphone was purchased and its manufacturer, and its status (lost or stolen).

When buying a new smartphone, it is better to immediately install a special search program, quite often it comes in the antivirus package. For example, in Eset Mobile Security, you can activate the "Anti-Theft" module in the application. And in case of loss of the device, it is possible to track its location through the official website of the program developer.

 

Methods to search for a phone by IMEI depending on its OS

Different OS and programs, how to find a phone by imei yourself via the Internet, are respectively different. If one application is available on Google Play and can be downloaded to an Android smartphone, then unfortunately it is not available for IOS devices. And exactly the opposite. Serious difficulties often arise. So that you do not get confused, we suggest considering utilities that will be suitable for each of these OS.

 

How to find iPhone by IMEI?

Apple smartphones are a tasty morsel for thieves and fraudsters, they are much more expensive than their analogues, which is why they attract criminals. If it suddenly happens that your iPhone is stolen or you lose it, use this method to find it:

  • Connect to the iCloud program.
  • Find iPhone Finder Mode.
  • Go to the official resource ICloud.com, where you enter your unique Apple ID and password in a special line.

If everything is done according to the instructions and you entered the data correctly, then you will immediately know where your device is. And now, what's even better, you will be able to track its movement.

 

How to find a stolen Android phone by IMEI?

It is impossible to find mobile devices not made by Apple via iCloud. But there is another way out for owners of more affordable manufacturers such as: Xiaomi, Huawei, Honor, etc. Owners of Android smartphones can try to determine the location of their devices using a satellite. But it is worth considering that in this case you cannot do without Google.

The user's personal account stores all the data needed for the search. Go to "Android Remote Control", after which you can:

  • find your IMEI code;
  • find out where the device is;
  • find out how much battery charge is left (if the device is still on);
  • call your smartphone and this way you can determine whether it has been stolen or lost somewhere;
  • erase important data (to prevent third parties from acquiring it);
  • remotely block it, after which the person who stole or found the phone will not be able to use it.

 

How to find a Samsung phone by IMEI?

What should Samsung owners do, you ask? As it turns out, the algorithm for searching for Samsung mobile devices is the same as for other Android gadgets. There is a good alternative - through special applications that are available for free download on Google Play. Some of the popular ones are:

  • Wheres My Droid- offers a wide range of information, including gadget coordinates, access to the phone book, camera and other applications;
  • Lost Android- this program cleverly disguises itself from intruders, as it looks like a regular notepad icon on the desktop;
  • SeekDroid- (with a built-in function for sending geodata to determine the device with an accuracy of 3-5 meters).

 

How to find a stolen phone by IMEI in Ukraine for free?

 

The big difficulty of searching is that even if you have the IMEI number, it is not always possible to find out where the smartphone is. If a special program is pre-installed on the device, it is possible to track it using a satellite signal. But if the device is not online, all attempts are in vain and the "tracking" operation has failed. Unfortunately, the only thing left is to write a statement to law enforcement agencies and provide the packaging from under the phone with the identification number (IMEI). But even here, not everything is simple, since the police first need to get permission from the court to check the IMEI code. And only after that will they be able to begin trying to get to the smartphone you lost.

Useful tips

In order to increase your chances of finding a lost phone by IMEI in the future, activate the Anti-Theft program or its analogue now. Download the applications from the Internet in advance.

Do not try to solve the detection problem yourself - contact the competent authorities, since without a search utility previously installed on the smartphone - all attempts are pointless. Police officers know how to do this effectively and quickly.

 

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