You suspect someone and want to track their phone? But you’re unable to grab their phone out of their hands? Exhausted by all this secrecy, you finally decide to follow him using the IMEI number of his phone.

Such technology was once complex and difficult for ordinary people to use. Not anymore!

How do I track a phone using its IMEI number?

It’s easier than you think! There is an inexpensive application you can use that connects to the phone automatically and secretly. It detects and extracts the IMEI number of the cell phone by simply entering the phone number of the device into the application. Once the remote connection is established, the application collects data such as text messages, call data, photos, videos, Facebook messages and more. It also uses the phone’s IMEI number to track its location as long as the application remains connected to the device.

What is the IMEI number?

Every phone, unless forged, has an International Mobile Station Identity (IMEI). It is a 15-digit number that is specific and unique to the cell phone. Similar to cell phone spyware, it can be used to find a phone when it is lost or stolen.

How do I find my IMEI number?

The location of your IMEI number may differ depending on the mobile device you have. Below are detailed instructions on how to find your IMEI on an iPhone and Android device.

Find your IMEI on an iPhone :

Step 1: Go to Settings

Step 2: Click on General

Step 3: Click on About

Step 4: Scroll down to IMEI and write down your number

Find your IMEI on an Android (Method 1) :

Step 1: Check the IMEI on the back of your cell phone. If it is not there, you must follow the steps below.

Step 2: Go to Settings.

Step 3: Scroll down to About Phone.

Step 4: Enter the IMEI number that appears.

Find your IMEI on an Android (Method 2) :

Step 1: Turn off your cell phone.

Step 2: Remove the battery cover and battery.

Step 3: Search for the IMEI inside your phone and copy it.

Step 4: If not, simply remember to dial the code *#06# on your phone keypad and press the call key, the IMEI number should then be displayed.

How to locate your cell phone using IMEI

1/ Contact the police

It would be wise to contact the police if your smartphone has been stolen. Give them your IMEI phone number, and law enforcement should be able to retrieve it for you.

2/ Ask your cell phone provider

If you have lost your cell phone, you can ask your provider to find it for you (Orange, SFR, etc.). Just give them the IMEI of your smartphone to search for.

3/ Using an IMEI tracking application

There are many IMEI tracking applications for cell phones that you can use to locate your device. With most of these applications, you simply enter your IMEI number and it can find your device. One of the best for Android and iPhone is IMEI Tracker.

Knowing your IMEI number can certainly help you in case your smartphone is lost or stolen.

How to use the IMEI Tracker application

Step 1: Search “IMEI tracker” in Google Play, find “AntiTheft App & IMEI Tracker All Phone Location” on your phone. Make sure your phone is running Android 4.4 or higher. Then start installing the application.

Step 2: After the installation is complete, launch the application. Give all permissions that the IMEI tracking application asks for, including contacts, calls, storage, SMS and location. In case you need to track your phone, all these permissions will be required to activate all features.

Step 3: Press “Continue” to continue after watching a short commercial. This free IMEI tracking application is great, but the problem is that it contains ads that you need to watch. Unfortunately, you can’t skip the ads, and if the video hasn’t loaded yet, you won’t be able to proceed to the next step.

Step 4: Enter the IMEI number of your Android phone, verify your entry, then press “Track”. A small window with a list of locations will appear, showing the location and proximity of your phone.

Using the IMEI number to track a phone is not the only function of IMEI Tracker. There are also some important anti-theft features that you will be able to see.

Summary

A recent study shows that 90 million phones are lost each year. Without a SIM card, GPS location or Internet access, it may seem like everything is lost when your phone disappears. But did you know that you can use the IMEI number to track your lost Android phone?

FAQ

What should you do if your cell phone is stolen?

– Immediately notify your telephone operator so that they can block your cell phone from being used.

SIM card and thus the use of your phone line.

– File a complaint with a police station or a police brigade.

gendarmerie. Communicate the unique identity number of your cell phone.

(IMEI code). The police department or gendarmerie unit will transmit it by

electronic way to your operator so that the use of the telephone is

blocked. Your mobile becomes unusable.

Why file a complaint?

Filing a complaint is a citizen’s initiative. It makes it possible to bring to the attention of the public

of justice a crime that has been committed. If the perpetrator is apprehended, he or she is liable to prosecution.

may be judged for his act.

Moreover, by filing a complaint and communicating your IMEI code, you allow to

make your phone unusable. The latter then loses all value, making your phone useless.

Theft and concealment are of interest.

Where to find your IMEI code?

– on the phone’s packaging box ;

– on the back of the mobile, under the battery;

– on the service contract;

– on the mobile by typing on the keyboard *#06# ;

– by contacting your operator.

The public authorities have taken new measures. What are they?

Previously, in order to block the telephone box, the victim of a theft had to

send a copy of his complaint to his operator. A large proportion of people do not

did not do so because they had no direct interest in it, their line being already blocked.

Coming into force on March 16, 2011, the orientation and programming law for the

Homeland Security Performance Project (LOPPSI) now provides that the

gendarmerie and police as soon as they register a complaint transmit the data

IMEI of the telephone stolen from the operator (Article 42). The latter has the obligation to proceed

to blocking within 4 days.

On what technical principles is the ban on the use of cell phones based stolen is it based?

The mobile operators have created a common database that lists the

identified phones that have been reported stolen.

At each request to connect to a network, the mobile operator therefore checks that the

IMEI number of the phone that wants to connect to its network has not been registered

in the database of phones reported stolen.

– If the IMEI number is not entered, the connection is established normally.

– If the IMEI number has been reported stolen and registered in the base, the connection is refused.

No incoming or outgoing communication can be established.

Network checks are performed for all types of customer use, both voice and data.

as SMS/MMS and mobile data.

The operators feed the database once a day, which centralizes, at the

international, all IMEI codes of stolen mobiles.

53 mobile operators in dozens of countries are involved in the management of the stolen cell phones. of this base.

Does this device also work in MVNOs?

Mobiles reported stolen from MVNOs also

known by the acronym MVNO for Mobile Virtual Network Operator, are

included in the base. Indeed, MVNOs validate the IMEI numbers of mobiles that

have been stolen from them and transmit them to their host operator, who supplies power to the base for

their account.

What is the delay between the victim’s complaint and the actual blocking of the use of the account?

of the stolen cell phone on all French mobile networks?

As soon as it is notified by the security forces, the operator has a legal deadline of

four working days to register the IMEI in the common database.

The block is then effective.

The important thing is that the victim of a robbery files a complaint so that the police forces

can transmit the official declaration to the operator concerned.

Has the CNIL been consulted to validate this cell phone blocking process?

stolen from a common base?

Yes, even if the file does not contain any sensitive information (not

personal information, but only stolen cell phone numbers).

The National Commission for Data Processing and Liberties, which had been consulted by

police services, confirmed that the base was in line with its recommendations to

protection of personal data, as imposed by the Data Protection Act and freedoms.

What is the situation in other European countries?

Operators who are members of the Global Mobile Operators Association (GSMA)

have set up a similar system and enter the IMEI codes of stolen cell phones into the

the international base. A large majority of the countries of the European Union (EU)

adhere to the GSMA process and can block mobiles reported stolen from their homes at

from the international base.

Note however that the blocking of mobiles registered in the base only works

on the territory of the mobile operator to whom the report was transmitted. A mobile

stolen and blocked in France can therefore unfortunately be used in another country.

Aware of this gap in the system, the French Federation of Telecoms

is currently working with the GSMA to extend the blocking of declared cell phones.

stolen internationally.

Can the IMEI number be changed by the thief to unlock the phone?

The IMEI number is very difficult to change on a cell phone. If some cases of

cracking exist, they are the work of hackers, well known for their ability to

equipped. These cases are therefore very rare.

Mobile operators, especially French ones, through the French Federation of the

Télécoms, are very vigilant on this subject. A watch allows to identify regularly

the cell phones most affected by attempts to crack their IMEI, and

to ask the manufacturers concerned to take appropriate countermeasures.

This watch has been bearing fruit for several years, given the steady decline in the

number of so-called “crackable” phones.

Can individuals verify that a phone has been reported stolen?

No. In accordance with the declarations made to the CNIL, the common database

is not open to consultation by individuals. It is therefore not possible to

an individual for example to consult blocked IMEI numbers.

There is evidence that some people have experienced problems, for example on sites with

auctions, buying phones that don’t work and look stolen.

You should be cautious when being offered the purchase of a used phone.

If it turns out that the phone is stolen and blocked, report it to the security forces.