0In this article, we will explain how to find IMEI on iPhone. The need to find a phone by IMEI usually arises in two situations: when the gadget is stolen and when a person loses it inadvertently—just during a walk, on the way to work, from work, etc.
If such a situation has occurred with you, take a deep breath and don't panic—most likely, no one except you will be able to access the contents of the device if it is securely protected by a complex graphical key, fingerprint or facial scanner. Deceiving modern ultrasonic analyzers is practically impossible, and even with optical methods, it would require significant effort to bypass the security.
In our guide, we will explain how to find out IMEI on iPhone, explore all the methods that actually work, and also discuss actions that should never be taken to avoid falling victim to scammers. People, driven by emotions, may make foolish and irrational decisions—this is often exploited by criminals trying to take advantage of individuals in difficult situations.
What is it and how do I find IMEI on iPhone
It is a unique code assigned to the device at the factory during the manufacturing process. It is provided to mobile devices for device tracking, allowing any gadget listed in the database to be identified and its location determined.
When a smartphone is connected to the network, the Network provider receives data about device registration and can determine its location with high accuracy. However, this device information is not provided to third parties without an official request from the police.
In simpler terms, you cannot call the customer support of the mobile operator and ask them to find the phone by code online – they will refuse. That's why, if you lose your phone, or it is stolen, your first step should be to contact the police and file a relevant report. Among other things, you will be asked to provide the IMEI of the phone – usually, it can be found in four places.
IMEI number how to check:
- In the firmware of the smartphone – to find it, you need to dial the combination *#06# and make a call.
- Under the battery inside the device.
- On the packaging of the smartphone.
- In the warranty certificate.
Once you provide the police with all the necessary information, they can send a corresponding request to the mobile operator, and the operator, in turn, will help determine the exact location of the device, but only if it is turned on. Moreover, even if the wrongdoer removes your SIM card, the base station will still be able to determine the phone's location when it connects to the network.
Therefore, finding the phone on your own through the internet won't be possible, but if you seek assistance from the police, chances of locating it will increase.
How to access IMEI number: one more way
But when lost, you can’t to type the number from gadget, as modern smartphones have non-removable batteries, and the packaging or warranty may not be available. So, there is different option for how to find the IMEI on an iPhone.
Open the appleid.apple.com, type the Apple ID used on your gadget. Then, go to Devices, and the IMEI will be listed in the device information. You can also find the number in iTunes under the overview tab.
For effective tracking, it's necessary to configure and activate the "Find My" feature in advance. The system may suggest enabling the Activation Status during the smartphone setting, but many users decline or skip this step, which can significantly complicate the device's tracking later on. Therefore, do not neglect it and activate the feature in advance for security purposes.
How to view IMEI number: can you find a smartphone by yourself?
Attempting to search for the device on your own through a computer is pointless. As mentioned earlier, there is only one truly effective way to find a lost or stolen phone by IMEI – through the mobile operator, which has access to the base station. It 'sees' the smartphone every time it turns on and attempts to register in the network, allowing the operator to determine the approximate location of the device. From there, it's all in the hands of the police.
Do not try to independently download and install dubious programs to search for the phone via the serial number on your computer – they do not work and are inherently fraudulent.
How to find the IMEI number: what else is important
Now let's list recommendations for those who are trying to find a phone using the international identifier:
- Never disclose your code to third parties. There is a risk of encountering scammers who may enter your identifier into a stolen device database and extort money. If this has already happened, don't panic; such websites are purely informational, and even if your code is added to such a database, it doesn't pose any direct threat to you.
- Do not install dubious software on your computer to search for a smartphone by IMEI – in 99% of cases, these are scams. You already know how to show IMEI number, and this method won't work for locating a lost device.
- If your smartphone is stolen, promptly lock it remotely through your iCloud account. Even if the device cannot be found, protecting personal data from unauthorized access is entirely possible. Rest assured, if needed, the gadget can be unlocked in the same way.
- If your phone is with you, consider the possibility of finding the phone by IMEI in advance – earlier in the article, we described the settings that need to be activated for a successful search through iCloud. You can also install some GPS monitoring application in advance – there are indeed many of them.
- Store all important photos and personal data in the cloud so that in case of theft or loss of the device, you can recover everything. After all, a smartphone is just a piece of metal, but what is stored on it is much more valuable for most people.
The offender will try to dispose of evidence as quickly as possible: discard the SIM card and reflash the smartphone's code within a few hours. We hope our advice will help you, and your phone is peacefully waiting somewhere for its owner's return. Now you know how to find IMEI code and can act swiftly.
