How to Find the IMEI Number on a Mobile Phone

The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is on all GSM and UMTS mobile phones, commonly found in Europe, Asia, Africa and increasingly in America. Cingular & T-Mobile are the major US carriers but there are growing numbers of regional carriers who are switching to GSM like Centennial Wireless, Highland Cellular, Dobson Cellular to name a few. Mobile phone companies use the number to identify valid subscribers. You can thus use the number to remotely disable the phone in the event it is stolen or lost.

Steps

1. Turn off your handset.
2. Turn it on again.
3. Allow the handset to load completely.
4. Press the following keys one by one: * # 0 6 #
5. Read the screen. As you press on the last #, a number will appear with the title IMEI number

Alternate Battery Method

1. Look behind the battery at a white sticker, or have a look at the phone's original packaging. Near one bar code or another should be copies of your IMEI.

Tips

* If your mobile phone is stolen, call or go to the nearest service center of your mobile network, and give that IMEI number to staff and ask him to block that number for a period of time, so no one can use your mobile phone for any illegal purpose.

* Store your 15-Digit IMEI Number in a safe place, so you could find it if your phone is stolen.

Warnings

* Do not ask the Service Center Staff to block your IMEI number permanently.

* The * # 0 6 # process does not work with the LG-WX3200 phone, or all Nextel iDEN handsets, or a Razr v3m.

* Sometimes, fraud people change the IMEI Number of a handset, soon after the theft, and according to a recent report, most of the new numbers used by them are of already existing Cell Phones, so it is better to check whether your handset's number is not used somewhere else by visiting IMEI Number Analyzer. If it shows the Model of mobile, which you have, then it means that it is not used by someone else, but if it does not, then you should immediately contact Central Equipment Identity Register, and consult them regarding this problem.