How to Find IMEI Number of Lost or Stolen Phone (Android and iPhone)

Long gone are the days when phones meant landline or residential and were usually planted back in our homes. Nowadays, everyone has a smartphone that is handy, easy to carry, and usually equipped with tons of features that enable us to work and talk on the go. However, ever since smartphones hit the market, they have become more and more vulnerable. A smartphone, as it is easy to carry, similarly it is easy to get lost or stolen.

find imei number of lost phone

When you lose your device, the first thing that crosses your mind is the information available in it. This includes the details regarding the information saved on the mobile, the replacement cost, and the photos you had on your device.

Therefore, we ought to care for our smartphones and most importantly we have to find them in case they are lost or stolen.

An IMEI number is one such number that is unique to a mobile phone and is something that we can use to track a mobile that has been stolen or lost in any possible way. However, the problem is people don’t really note their IMEI number in advance.

IMEI stands for “International Mobile Equipment Identity” is a unique 15-digit number assigned to every smartphone. The IMEI number is added to the hardware of the mobile or an electronic device, making it nearly impossible for the user to change the number.

It’s essential that you know the IMEI number of your smartphone so that the service provider can block your device if it gets lost, misplaced, or stolen. In addition to that, you could use the IMEI number for warranty purposes.

The question is “is there any way to find IMEI number of a lost or stolen phone”?

In this post, we will discuss a few steps you could use to find IMEI number of lost Android or iPhone devices.

How IMEI Number Can Help to Find Lost or Stolen Phone

An International Mobile Station Equipment Identity number or IMEI number is attached to every single mobile phone and is a unique set of numbers that is ingrained with each device.

This number is a particular set of numbers that is used to identify valid devices. Therefore, if your mobile phone gets stolen, you can simply call your network provider and ask them to blacklist the phone with the help of the IMEI number of the device.

If you apply this method immediately as soon as you detect the loss of your phone, then you can simply render the phone useless on your network. Also, in some cases, you can do the same for other networks too.

You don’t need to worry if you have a smartphone or you haven’t because this method will work for all mobile phones, both the smart ones and those that aren’t. Besides, the law enforcement agencies and cellular providers also need the IMEI number usually to help you people deal with the situation.

If you are worried about finding the IMEI number of your mobile device, then you should know that the IMEI number can be found out simply by dialing *#06#. However, if you are wondering about the possibility of finding your IMEI number in case you have lost your mobile phone or it has got stolen somehow, then no need to worry because we are here with you on that.

Reasons for Phones Get Lost or Stolen

In the busy lives we lead, we often find someone or the other dropping their mobile phones or leaving their phones behind for some moment. This habit might often prove to be really harmful to them and many people end up losing their valuable smartphones in one way or the other.

However, these phones can be easily tracked now with the emergence of the latest cutting-edge features and facilities that surround us!

How to Find IMEI Number of Lost or Stolen Phone

1. Look at the Phone’s Box

The best way to get your IMEI number is by looking at the back of the phone package. Smartphones come packed in boxes that feature stickers that show the IMEI number. You only need to locate the 15-digit code on the package.

find imei number of lost phone

Some people throw the packaging away. If that’s the case, you may have to look for the contract you signed with the mobile company. The number could be found on your monthly bills, but that’s a rare case.

2. Google Dashboard

In case you have got an android device and you want to know the IMEI number of your device, then you are in luck. This is because the IMEI number comes built-in with every make or model and can also be synced to your Google account when you register your device for Google Play services.

You could log into your Google account, get to the Android Device Manager, and find the IMEI number. You can find the number displayed right next to the registered Android phone. This information will allow you to find your lost or stolen device in the easiest possible way.

Here’s how you can:

  • First, you need to navigate to www.google.com/settings on your web browser.
  • Then you need to sign in to the Google account that you used to register the lost device.
  • Next, you need to scroll down and select the Dashboard that appears under Account tools.
  • Here you may also be asked to re-enter your Google account password.
  • After that in the Dashboard view, you need to expand the Android section in order to find your registered Android devices.
  • Here you will get the IMEI number of the registered phone that will be displayed along with the details of the device.
  • In case you have multiple Android devices registered under the same account, you need to make sure to note down the IMEI numbers of the particular device.

3. iTunes

Visit iTunes, select the Preference tab. For those who are using the Mac device, you can click on edit > preferences. Select the “Summary” button and click on your mobile number twice.

Final Words:

Finding the IMEI number of your mobile devices sometimes becomes really crucial, especially if you have lost your phone or it has been stolen. However, with this lucid guide, you would definitely find it out without any hassles. So, good luck!

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Posted by
Dharmesh Donda

iStaunch is written by Dharmesh Donda, an avid Internet geek, IT professional since 2012. Have been in IT industry for more than a decade, and currently doing management and consulting work have taken a plunge into entrepreneurship.

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