Each mobile phone has his/her own identity which is not something that we tend to remember, yet, it can be a very powerful one. Being concealed under the sleek design, shiny screens and sophisticated features is a code that may tell almost everything about the way some device passed. This code is a standard bearing name the International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI. Even though most mobile users do not bother to notice it, the IMEI is a digital fingerprint that can unlock the necessary information concerning the authenticity, ownership and background of a phone.
This identity code will be even more significant to learn as mobile devices continue to define our every day lives. It may be that you just wish to buy a second couple of phones or you just wish to keep your phone safe, learning to use the IMEI-doing an IMEI Check can save you the result of expensive errors.
What Exactly Is the IMEI?
IMEI is a number of 15 digits that is allocated to all mobile phones that can be connected to the cellular systems. The IMEI is inextricably tied to the hardware of a device unlike software distinctions, which can be altered. This implies that it cannot be altered following factory resets, software updates or alteration of carriers.
Imagine it is the DNA of a phone, which is unique, permanent and incredibly informative
Using this identity code, mobile carriers, manufacturers, and even law enforcement agencies can be able to check the legitimacy of a device and trace its history between networks.
Why the IMEI Code Matters
Smartphone fraud and mobile theft is more prevalent than ever in the digital world of the present day. Millions of devices are stolen each year and they may get into online markets where unsuspecting buyers can fall prey. Here the IMEI will come in handy.
An IMEI Check can reveal:
1. Whether a Phone Is Genuine
Copies of smartphones are getting more difficult to spot. They tend to copy mainstream model and can even execute customized versions of mainstream operating systems. Nevertheless, IMEI cannot be easily forged. Comparing it to official databases will show whether the equipment is original or a fake one.
2. Original Specifications of the Device
IMIEI search may display the specific model, color, date of manufacture and storage setup. This will assist the buyers to be satisfied with what they are buying and not what the seller described to them.
3. In case of Stolen Device Reporting
After a phone is stolen and reported it is put in a blacklist at an international level with its IMEI. The device might be denied entry into the network in the future, even though it might seem that it is operating. A blacklisted device will immediately be identified using an IMEI Check and allow users to evade illicitly acquired devices.
4. Warranty and Activation Status
This represents the warranty and activation status for the product’s parts and components Warranty and Activation Status This is the warranty and the activation status of the parts and components of the product.
There are also some IMEI databases which offer warranty information, repair history, and activation history. This is vital in the purchase of used phones or the confirmation of refurbished phones.
How to Locate Your IMEI Code
Locating IMEI is not hard on your phone. You may find it with the help of one of the following means:
- Dial *#06# on your phone
- Check “Settings > About Phone”
- Look at the SIM tray
- Examine the initial phone packaging.
- Check your bill of purchase or recording.
It is good to keep this number somewhere in place. In case your gadget is lost or stolen, the IMEI can be used to block it to prevent misuse by the authorities and carriers.
Why You Must Never Fail To Check the IMEI Before Purchasing a Secondhand phone
Purchasing second hand smart phones will save hundreds of dollars but it also comes with its own pitfalls. A lot of customers buy stolen, blacklisted, or fake devices unknowingly just because they do not do an IMEI Check.
An irrespective IMEI check prior to buying a product will guarantee:
- The device is not stolen
- The model and specifications is the same as the IMEI.
- The phone is not network restricted or carrier locked.
- There are no unpaid financing with the device.
- The phone has not been changed or tampered.
This easy measure may save the problem of losing network connection, the inability to turn on a device, or spending money on an ineffective phone.
The IMEI: It is not only a Number
Your phone IMEI is even stronger than it looks. It ensures the safety of buyers, maintains the carriers and aids in discouraging crime using mobile devices. Knowing its use and knowing which device to use wisely will help you to avoid scams, keep your device safe as well as make better choices, either when purchasing, selling, or even when just protecting your digital life.
The next time you hold your smartphone in hand, bear in mind: the little identity code that is concealed inside carries with it the entire history of your gadget. And in a flash IPEI Check you can discover it.
