21st century world. Here everyone has a mobile phone, from a garbage-collector to an executive of a multinational and they ought to, because it’s the need of the time.

Now almost everyone of you must have heard of random term IMEI associated with a mobile phone at some point in your life. But do you know what it really is? What it really does and what’s it used for? If you don’t, no need to worry. This post will tell you everything you need to know.

What is IMEI?

IMEI stands for International Mobile Station Equipment Identity. It is an unique number, provided to every handset. No matter what company you choose, no matter what kind of phone you choose. Whether it’s a simple 2k phone or an I-phone, it will have an IMEI number. Now checking your phone’s IMEI number is pretty simple, dial *#06 on your dial pad or check the battery compartment of your phone, you’ll find it.

Structure:

The IMEI is a 15 digit number(14 digits+1 check digit). The structure of the IMEI/SV are specified in 3GPP TS 23.003. The model and origin comprise the initial 8-digit portion of the IMEI, known as the Type Allocation Code(TAC). The remaining digits are manufacturer-defined including a Luhn check digit at the end.

As of 2004, the format of the IMEI is AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D, although it may not always be displayed this way.

AA: Reporting body Identifier indicating the GSMA-approved group that allocated the model TAC

BBBBBB: The remainder of the TAC

CCCCCC: Serial sequence of the model

D: Luhn check digit of the entire number (or zero)

Check Digit:

Now there’s a simple calculation of finding the check digit:

Double every alternate number(eg., 3 → 6), starting from the rightmost number.

Sum all the numbers(eg., 14 → 1+4).

Add a number to the sum of above numbers such that it makes a number which is divisible by 10.

eg. If the first 14 digits are 43781901719262

4 6 7 16 1 18 0 2 7 2 9 4 6 4

4+6+7+1+6+1+1+8+0+2+7+2+9+4+6+4

=71

Now what do we need to add to 71 to make it divisible by 10?

Simple, 9 ain’t it?

So 9 is the check digit.

Now, sometimes it happens that you lose your IMEI number.

The symptoms are no network connection(primarily) and when you enter *#06# you’d find nothing. This means you have lost your IMEI number(s). This happens due to a couple of reasons, sometimes due to installing custom roms.

Now the challenging question is how to replace or restore it, once you’ve lost it?

Don’t worry stay calm there’s always a solution.

Dial *#*#3646633#*#* on your dial pad, this may not work for some devices, or download the MTK Engineer mode app via this link. The dial pad and app work exactly same.

1.Open the app swipe on the left. You’ll go to a Connectivity window.

2.You’ll find a CDS information, tap on it first and then tap on Radio information.

3.After doing this you’ll see Phone 1 and Phone 2, if you have dual sim phone.

4.Click on phone 1, and enter the code

AT+EGMR=1,7,”Your_first_imei”(here enter your IMEI number as shown in the screenshot)

Then click on select at command and you’ll receive a message sent confirmation.

5.Go back click on phone 2, and enter the code

AT+EGMR=1,10,”Your_Second_imei”.

Click on send at command and you are done.

6.Restart your phone and you’ll find the network connection back and your new IMEI numbers on dialing *#06#.

Now note that you’ll find both your IMEI numbers on the manufacturer’s box of your phone or besides the battery compartment. One more thing if you do factory reset after this process your new IMEI numbers will be erased and you’ll have to follow the above procedure again.

Well, that’s pretty much all we’ve got to offer. If you like our post please do share. Your suggestions are always welcome. Do comment if you have any queries. Feel free to contact us anytime. Stay tuned for more.