How to Track Phone with IMEI Number
After losing or misplacing your phone, it can be a challenge to even think of where to start. This blog post shows how to track a stolen phone with an IMEI number. We also offer effective native ways to GPS track a phone and highlight what IMEI Tracker tools really do. Let's get started.
- Is It Possible to Track Phone with Its IMEI Number?
- Best Practice to Track a Stolen Phone with IMEI
- GPS Track a Phone with Built-in Features (Free)
- Myth Busted: Hot IMEI Tracker Tools DON'T WORK
- What Is an IMEI Number and How Can You Find It?
- How Does IMEI Help with Phone Tracking?
- Why Isn't IMEI Tracking Easily Available?
- Tips to Protect Your Phone and Prevent Loss
Is It Possible to Track a Stolen Phone with Its IMEI Number?
Yes, it's possible to track a stolen phone using its IMEI number. Technically, IMEI helps identify and locate phones, especially with triangulation and GPS. However, currently, only network carriers or authorities can do this. They typically intervene only in serious cases, such as theft, robbery and other crimes. If you want to learn how to find your phone with their help, keep reading.
If your device has enabled the built-in tracking feature or installed tracking apps, try using them for faster location tracking. For enterprise devices with comprehensive MDM, contact the company to locate the phone.
You may have seen that there are various IMEI tracker tools online. However, none can directly locate a phone via IMEI number alone. Most are scams, require installation on the target device, or only show you whether the device has been reported lost or disabled.
Best Practice to Track a Stolen Phone with IMEI
For personal devices, follow these steps to recover them with carrier and police help:
- Confirm IMEI: Save the IMEI when buying or using the phone. If the mobile is already lost, find it on the original box or through your Google or Apple account.
- Notify Carrier: Contact your carrier immediately to blacklist the IMEI when the phone is lost or stolen. This prevents the device from working on your national network, even if the eSIM is changed.
- Report to Police: Quickly report the loss to the police and provide necessary information. With legal authorization, they can start to locate the lost phone.
Limitations & Challenges:
- If the device is offline or turned off, and lacks an offline tracking chip, carriers can only provide the last known location.
- Police prioritize serious crimes due to limited resources. They may lack time and manpower for small cases like lost phones.
- Changing SIMs or eSIMs doesn't alter the IMEI, but may switch carriers which will affect tracking. Some regions, like India's CEIR platform and some EU carrier alliances, are trying to create cross-network or international IMEI blacklists.
- Criminals may attempt to alter or clone IMEI numbers to bypass tracking. Law enforcement need to detect if an IMEI is genuine and matches the device's hardware.
If the devices will be owned by a company, register the IMEI in the MDM platform upon activation. This allows the members to remotely track, ring or lock the device if lost. You can also contact the carrier to restrict usage.
How to GPS Track a Phone with Built-in Features (Free)
You can use Google Find My Device or Find My to trace, erase, or secure data from your lost phone remotely. However, the device should be switched on and connected to the internet. Here are step-by-step guides on how to use the two services:
1For Android: Google Find My Device
To use this method, your phone should be logged in to your Google account, and it should also be visible on Google Play. This process also helps you to get the IMEI number.
- Step 1. Get Google Find My Device
- Visit google.com/android/find at a brower. You can also another phone or tablet to access Find My Device app.
- Step 2.Sign In
- Sign in with the email address logged in on the lost device. If you are using the app on a friend's device, tap "Sign in as a guest."
- Step 3.Select the Device to Locate
- From the list of devices listed under your account, tap the one you want to find. For security purposes, you might be prompted to: provide the lock pattern of the lost device (Android 9 and above) or type your Google password (Android 8 and below.)
- Step 4.Find the Device
- On the map, click the phone location icon to be directed to where the phone is. Google uses cell towers, GPS, and nearby Wi-Fi to show the device's location, with an accuracy of about 20 meters.
- If your device is within 10 meters, you'll see a shape that fills in as you get closer: Tap "Find nearby." It may take a few seconds to update. The radius around your location pin shows Google's confidence in the accuracy. If it can't find the current location, you might still see its last known location.
- Step 5.Select What to Do
- Google provides the following methods to secure your phone:
- Play sound: If you have misplaced the phone within a short radius, this is the best option. Even when your device is in silent or vibration mode, it plays the sound at full volume for 5 minutes.
- Secure device: You can lock your phone using a PIN or password. If you don't have one, you can set it. Besides, you can leave a message on the home screen to help someone return it.
- Factory setting: If you can't find the device and you would like to delete all the data, select the "Factory reset device" option. Remember, this means that:
- All data will be permanently erased from the gadget.
- After the reset, the device's location will no longer be available in Find My Device.
- If the device is offline, the erasure will begin once it goes online again.
2For iPhone: Find My iPhone
Unlike the common notion, you can use an Android or another iPhone to find a lost iPhone. However, for you to find the lost device, the "Find My iPhone" settings must be turned on.
You can also turn on the "Find My Network" toggle to track your phone even when offline. "Send Last Location" helps you find the last place your phone was on in case it goes off or is switched off.
Next, let's go through a step-by-step on how to track your lost iPhone:
- Step 1.Open iCloud in Another Device
- Go to your iCloud and log in. Here is the URL: https://www.icloud.com/. Because you might be prompted to enter a two-step verification code, click the "Find Devices" option to skip this step.
- Step 2.Select Your Lost iPhone
- Click "All Devices" to select the taraget iPhone. Then you will see its current location if it's online.
- Step 3.Choose an Option
- If you have misplaced the phone, click "Play Sound" to locate the phone. You can activate the "Lost Mode" to let Find My Network to access its location.
- In case you suspect your device is compromised, click the "erase iPhone" option. This ensures that all your confidential information is secure. If your iPhone is running on iOS 15 or higher, you can still play the sound after erasing it.
Myth Busted: Hot IMEI Tracker Tools DON'T WORK
There are thousands of "IMEI Trackers" online, frequently recommended in various blogs and videos. We have tested lots of them and found that they belong to three types.
These websites or apps are basically scams, designed to defraud advertising commissions or app subscription fees. Location information cannot be retrieved.
Examples: IMEI Tracker, CodeClary IMEI Tracker, Mobile Location, Find my phone - IMEI Tracker, Find My Phone Info.
You need to install this type of app on the target device. They actually track the location through GPS and can't locate the location by just entering the IMEI number.
Examples: IMEI Tracker - Find My Device, Find My Device (IMEI Tracker).
This type of website or app can check relevant information about the device, such as whether the corresponding device has been reported lost or disabled by GSM, but it can't locate the device's current location.
Examples: IMEI Report, IMEI CHECK.NET, IMEI.info, IMEI Tracking.
1IMEI Tracker (Web)
The website "imei-tracker.com/track" claims that it can locate any device linked to the identity of a mobile device. After you enter the IMEI number and pick a country, the interface starts showing the progress of the query. It takes about one minute. When the query is done, you have to fill out a survey, and a lot of ads will pop up during the process.
After finishing the questionnaire, you still need to buy something on the shopping site https://www.aliexpress.com/. But it still shows no results or no update after completing the purchase. Also, if there's an error during the query, you have to type in the IMEI number digit by digit again. There's no history save, and no copy option.
2CodeClary IMEI Tracker (Web)
CodeClary IMEI Tracker "www.codeclary.com" also claims it can locate a phone's position with the IMEI number. But after we actually enter the IMEI number, it jumps to another site: https://www.istaunch.com/imei-tracker/. On this site, you need to enter the IMEI number again and verify your identity. After several tries, the page just refreshes. It doesn't show any location info.
3Mobile Location - Find lost phone by IMEI code (Web)
Although the title of Mobile Location website "mobile-location.com/find-phone-by-imei" says you can find a lost phone with its IMEI number, actually, the content on its interface is about finding the corresponding IMEI number through a phone number. And it shows that you can't locate a phone by IMEI for free.
4Find my phone - IMEI Tracker (Android) 
Find my phone - IMEI Tracker is a completely free app and it's very easy to use. After you enter the IMEI number, the result will be shown quickly. However, just like other online tools, when we entered multiple IMEI numbers, it doesn't show the location. Even when we switch to registering on the webpage, the result is no different; we just see more ads.
As can be roughly guessed from its promotional page, only if the person who picked up our lost phone reported its location in the app would we have a chance to locate it. But that's almost impossible.
5Find My Phone Info: IMEI Track (Android) 
You have to pay before you can enter the IMEI number to search location in this app. After we subscribed and entered the IMEI numbers of several mobile phones, none of them showed the correct location, just like what the users' reviews on Google Play said. This app is probably a scam, too.
6IMEI Tracker - Find My Device (Android) 
The app claims to be an IMEI Tracker, but actually it can't locate your lost phone just by using the IMEI. It works on the same principle as the common GPS Phone Tracker. The relevant app must have been installed and activated before the device was lost.
If you had already completed the setup before losing your phone, even if the person who stole your phone replaces the SIM card, as long as the app isn't deleted, you can still find its location.
It's not free and has an auto-subscription. If you've subscribed to this app to try to locate your phone, be sure to remember to cancel the auto-subscription.
7Find My Device (IMEI Tracker) (Android) 
Similar to the previous app, Find My Device (IMEI Tracker) also tracks the location of the phone by GPS instead of only the IMEI Number.
You must have installed the corresponding app on the device before it was lost so that you can log in to the website to check the device's location at any time.
It is not free, so you must pay before using this app.
8IMEI Report (Android & iOS) 
If you want to buy a new cell phone and want to make sure that the mobile is not a stolen device, you can use the app. You can download it on both Android and iOS. It can check for free whether GSM locks the device.
However, there are a lot of ads when you use it. Every time you open a new window, ads will pop up. These ads last from a few seconds to dozens of seconds, and there's no way to skip them.
9IMEI CHECK.NET (Web)
IMEI CHECK.NET "imeicheck.net" is used to look up information related to devices. The free version allows you to look up the manufacturer and the device model. After paying $1.99, you can also look up the warranty status, blacklist status and so on. It doesn't show the location information of the devices.
10IMEI.info (Web)
IMEI.info "www.imei.info" is also used to look up information related to devices. The free version allows you to look up the brand and the device model. After paying $3.99, you can also look up if your device is clean or blacklisted.
11IMEI Tracking (iOS) 
IMEI Tracking can also check for free whether the device has been stolen or lost.
You need to register by entering your mobile phone number and choosing the corresponding network. You can only choose some mobile carriers in Brazil and Norway.
What Is an IMEI Number and How Can You Find It?
An IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is a unique identifier assigned to mobile devices. It consists of 15 digits and is used for security, tracking, and service purposes. While you can change the SIM card, the IMEI number can't be changed per phone.
You can usually find the IMEI number on the device itself, in the Google or Apple account or under the battery.
- From Phone App: Open the phone dialer app and dial *#06#, the IMEI number will be displayed on the screen.
- In Settings
- Android: Navigate to Settings > About Phone.
- For iOS: Head to Settings > General > About.
- SIM Card Tray: Some devices have the IMEI number printed on the SIM card tray.
- Under the Battery: For some older devices, the IMEI number is printed on a label under the battery.
- Via Account:
- Android: Go to google.com/android/find and sign in. Select the one you want to check if you have multiple devices. Once your phone is located, click on the ‘i’ icon next to your phone to view its IMEI.
- For iOS: Visit account.apple.com in a web browser and sign in. Select the Devices section and then the device you need to check.
- Android: Go to google.com/android/find and sign in. Select the one you want to check if you have multiple devices. Once your phone is located, click on the ‘i’ icon next to your phone to view its IMEI.
- Original Packaging: The IMEI number is often printed on the original packaging of the device.
How Does IMEI Help with Phone Tracking?
When a phone connects to a cellular network, it reports its IMEI to the carrier. If the phone is lost or stolen, the IMEI can blacklist the device. It will prevent network access but not affect location tracking.
Location Assistance
Carrier Cooperation: Police or authorized agencies can request carriers to check the recent location of the IMEI. They can use triangulation or GPS for precise location.
Legal Authorization: Only law enforcement or court-authorized situations can use IMEI for cell tower-level tracking.
Theft Prevention and Blacklisting
If a phone is stolen, users can provide the IMEI to carriers or police to blacklist it, preventing network access by thieves. Some countries, like India, have a CEIR platform to block stolen phones across all networks nationwide.
Enterprise MDM
For company-purchased phones, the IMEI is crucial for asset management. With an MDM platform, administrators can quickly locate or lock devices, effective within the company.
Why Isn't IMEI Tracking Easily Available?
As mentioned above, we can't directly track a mobile's location using IMEI and IMEI tracking has some challenges. Let’s explore the reasons.
Importance of Legal Authorization
In most countries, using IMEI to track others' devices often violates privacy and communication laws. The only legal way is to report your lost or stolen phone to the police with the IMEI number.
Privacy Compliance (GDPR, etc.)
Under the EU GDPR, IMEI is often considered “personal data” as it can link to a specific user. Companies or apps collecting and storing IMEI data must inform users and obtain legal consent.
Sharing IMEI blacklists or location data across countries must comply with each country's data protection laws.
Challenges of International Tracking
Different countries lack a unified blacklist/tracking system legally or technically.
For example, within the EU, some countries share blacklists, but global interoperability faces significant barriers.
Tips to Protect Your Phone and Prevent Loss
Using an IMEI to find a lost phone is challenging. It's better to prevent loss.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Keep track of your phone in public. Don't leave it unattended. Use a case with a strap for easy carrying and security.
Set Up a Strong Lock Screen Password: Use a unique, complex password, PIN, or pattern that's hard to guess.
Enable Built-in Tracking Features: On Android, activate "Find My Device." On iPhone, turn on "Find My iPhone."
Install a Reliable Tracking App: Choose a reputable app with remote locking and tracking features. Some, like AirDroid Family Locator, let you see who has your phone.
Keep Your Phone Updated: Regularly update your phone's system and apps for the latest security features.
Backup Your Data Frequently: Set up automatic backups to the cloud or a computer. This ensures data safety if lost.
Prevention is better than cure, especially for protecting your smartphone and sensitive data.
Conclusion
In conclusion, IMEI numbers are vital for identifying and tracking devices. However, locating stolen phones with them is limited. The best method combines IMEI data, official reports and GPS features.
Always remember to take preventive measures like enabling remote tracking and locking features. You can also use reliable security apps to protect your phone.
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