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

IMEI full form is International Mobile Equipment Identity. Your phone's IMEI is a unique 15-digit number — like a fingerprint for your mobile device. It is used to identify your phone on a network, track stolen devices, and block lost handsets.

Quick Answer: IMEI = International Mobile Equipment Identity

What is the Full Form of IMEI?

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:

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

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:

1. Enter your IMEI number
2. Upload the FIR copy
3. 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.