IMEI Full Form: What is IMEI Number, Meaning & How to Find It

The full form of IMEI is International Mobile Equipment Identity. International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a unique 15-digit serial number used to identify valid mobile devices on a cellular network.

Quick Answer: IMEI = International Mobile Equipment Identity

What is the Full Form of IMEI?

Short Form	Full Form
IMEI	International Mobile Equipment Identity

What is an IMEI Number?

The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a globally unique 15-digit code assigned to every GSM, WCDMA, and LTE mobile device. No two phones share the same IMEI - making it the most reliable way to identify a specific handset.

IMEI is stored in the phone's hardware (specifically the EIR - Equipment Identity Register) and transmitted to the carrier network whenever the device connects. Dual-SIM phones have two IMEI numbers - one per SIM slot.

How to Find Your IMEI Number

There are several quick ways to find your IMEI:

Method	Steps
Dial code	Open Phone app → dial `*#06#` → IMEI appears instantly
Settings	Settings → About Phone → IMEI
Phone box	Printed on the retail box barcode label
Battery slot	On older phones, printed inside the battery compartment
Google Account	myaccount.google.com → Security → Your Devices

Pro Tip: Note your IMEI and save it somewhere safe (cloud notes, email) - you'll need it immediately if your phone is ever lost or stolen.

IMEI Number Format

35 209900 176148 1
└─┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ └┘
 ↑      ↑        ↑      ↑
TAC  Manufacturer  Serial  Check
     & Model       Number  Digit

Part	Digits	Meaning
TAC	1–8	Type Allocation Code - manufacturer & model
Serial Number	9–14	Unique serial for the specific unit
Check Digit	15	Luhn algorithm validation digit

What Can You Do With an IMEI?

✅ Check if a Phone is Stolen

Visit CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) - India's official portal at ceir.gov.in - to verify if a phone is blacklisted before buying a second-hand device.

✅ Block a Lost or Stolen Phone

In India, file a report on ceir.gov.in:

Enter your IMEI number
Upload the FIR copy
The phone gets blacklisted - unusable on any Indian network

✅ Verify Authenticity

Fake or cloned phones often have duplicate/invalid IMEIs. An IMEI check reveals if a phone is genuine.

✅ Carrier Unlock Check

Check if your device is network-locked to a specific carrier using IMEI-based unlock services.

Can IMEI Be Changed?

Legally - No. Changing or cloning an IMEI is illegal in India under the Telecom (Equipment Identity Register) Rules, 2017 and is punishable with up to 3 years imprisonment. Law enforcement agencies use IMEI to track and recover stolen phones.

What is the full form of IMEI?

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a unique 15-digit number assigned to every mobile phone that identifies the device on cellular networks worldwide.

How do I find my IMEI number?

The fastest way is to dial *#06# on your phone - the IMEI appears immediately on screen. You can also find it in Settings → About Phone, or printed on your phone's original box.

Can police track a phone using IMEI?

Yes. When a phone connects to a mobile network, the IMEI is registered. Indian police can request network operators to track the current location and identity of the SIM using a specific IMEI - this is routinely done in theft cases.

What if someone knows my IMEI number?

Knowing your IMEI alone doesn't grant access to your data or calls. However, never share it unnecessarily - unscrupulous services could potentially misuse it for fraudulent IMEI cloning.