IMEI stands for “International Mobile Equipment Identity” and IMEISV stands for “International Mobile Equipment Identity with software version” which is a unique identification of your mobile internationally. Like the way we humans have a unique fingerprint, IMEI is the fingerprint of your phone. You can find the IMEI number written on your mobiles box pack or under the battery of your phone. If you can’t still figure it out then you can dial *#06# from your phone. This code works for most of the mobile phones. If you have a old SONY/ SONY ERICSSON then u can enter * Right * Left Left * Left*

“Track lost phone through IMEI”, is the statement that comes to your mind whenever you lose your phone because you have heard that lost phone can be traced or tracked through IMEI, in that order you go on google and search the term “Track IMEI or similar terms” and you get a list of websites offering to Track your lost phone through IMEI, and when you go on these websites they show you a box asking IMEI number, with the claim of finding your lost phone and when you put your IMEI number you get no significant results,

Myth & truth about Track IMEI::

Yes everyone has heard that lost phone can be traced through IMEI number but that the half information, the complete information is that only telecom operators find the location of the lost phone through IMEI, below are the two possibilities,

#1. Last location of device from where mobile call or msg was received or dialed,

#1. In most cases thief will throw the SIM and use new one and when this new SIM number dial a call or receive a call/ msg mobile operator can record the location,

But in both the case mobile operator will not give any location to you until local police will ask them to do in written, So it is advisable to follow local police, but in most case they will not be able to help because they will have bigger to cases to solve, but there is no harm in trying your luck,

Now, the question is how can these websites claim that they can help you find your lost mobile, here is the answer,

#1. These websites use “user-led database creation and information retrieval” method: these websites as user to submit their phone IMEI in database with details and same can be retrieved when required, few websites like 3gadgets.com take proper report of lost phone and request used phone buyers to verify all used phone’s IMEI before purchasing, and upon match of records, reportee is informed about the IP address and location from where phone is searched,,

#1. Few website just make fake interface to show that some data is getting processed in order to find your phone but actually, you get standard answer “Could not find details of your phone”, so don’t waste your time and energy on such websites,

Other details are mentioed below,

Tracking lost or stolen mobile through IMEI

#1. IMEI number tracking through Telecom operator:

In this process is telecom operator after police permission put reported IMEI on tracking and as soon as that device connect to telecom network, they get to know the location and they hand it over to police; only hurdle here is that it can’t be done for every lost or stolen mobile because of huge number and telecom operator will never do it unless they have a written police permission.

#2. IMEI number tracking through preinstalled IMEI number trackers applications:

Condition for this kind of tracking is that mobile tracking software should been installed and activated before phone was lost or stolen, even in the situation when mobile tracking application was installed and activated it can be deactivated by thief by formatting the phone, not easy for every tracking application for still possible.

#3. IMEI number tracking through database of lost, stolen and found mobiles:

How to report in database of lost and Found mobiles.

Open 3gadgets.com & click on “Report Lost gadget” link

Fill form in 3 steps.

- Fill case details like when and where phone was lost, announce reward to find lost phone,

- Fill lost mobile’s IMEI along with Make, Model, price you bought at etc

- Fill personal details along with phone no and right email id, all the update will come on that Email id only.

And it’s done visit your registered email id and activate your email id. You can also go on check authenticity page and check if it is showing proper details, in case of problem you can write to them at support@3gadgets.com

Structure of IMEI & IMEISV

IMEI / IMEISV number is a 15/17 digit code, IMEI (15 decimal digits: 14 digits plus a check digit) or IMEISV (14 digits plus a check digit followed by 2 digits of SVN) includes information on the origin, model, and serial number of the device. It can also tell you Est date of range issuance, reporting body, primary market, legal basis for allocation, type allocation holder, mobile equipment type and GSM implementation Phase.

For example, the old style IMEI code 35-814004-982193-9 or IMEISV code 35-814004-982193-9-01 tells us the following

Information on IMEI 358140049821939