International Mobile Equipment Identity

Uncommon card · No. 97153

The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a numeric identifier, usually unique, for 3GPP and iDEN mobile phones, as well as some satellite phones. It can usually be found printed on the handset. On feature phones, and smartphones with removable backs, it is usually printed inside the battery compartment. On smartphones without removable backs it is generally printed on the back of the handset, on the SIM tray, or inside the charging port. It can also be displayed on-screen on most phones by entering the MMI Supplementary Service code *#06# on the dialpad, or alongside other system information in the settings menu on smartphone operating systems. GSM networks use the IMEI number to identify valid devices, and can stop a phone from accessing the network. For example, if a mobile phone is stolen, the owner can have their network provider use the IMEI number to blocklist the phone. This renders the phone useless on that network and sometimes other networks, even if the thief changes...

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