Do you want to track your lost phone? IMEI tracker offers the best solution to trace your lost phone. Continue reading our article for a detailed guide; most people have been in this situation.
If you have lost a phone, remember you are not alone. Most of us have been in similar conditions. That should not scare you either. Things can change in a blink of an eye while keeping them in your pocket. You might feel that it is hard to find your lost phone if you limit your mind.
However, all the latest phone (Android and iPhone) comes loaded with many advanced features and tracking software vital for locating your stolen phone. The only situation where this is not an application is when you have not installed the tracking software on your phone. But you should not worry anymore.
Therefore, every phone has an IMEI tracker software which is powerful in tracking and finding your phone when it is lost. You only need the IMEI number to trace using google Maps at no extra cost.
International Mobile Equipment Identity-IMEI is a unique number that identifies a device, and in most cases, it is found behind the phone battery or box. Some phones are locked, and you can only unlock them using IMEI when you buy them. You cannot change the IMEI number on a device.
However, there are cases where some people can change the IMEI number when it is a stolen device which is a worth offense punishment. But again, it is hard to find the flashing tool. This is why IMEI is used in tracking the hardware when it is stolen.
So, if you want to track a stolen phone or device using IMEI, then we are here to help you. Check out our guide.
How to Find Your IMEI?
IMEI is a serial number that you can use to track your lost device. Besides providing the country of origin, you can also use the serial to identify the manufacturer. So when your mobile gadget is stolen, there are many options you can use to locate it. One of them is IMEI which is simple and easy. However, we must first understand how to find the IMEI on a device.
1. For Any Device
You can easily find an IMEI address on any device using a universal method. This is the easiest method where you only use a phone dialer:
Step 1: First, you need to open a phone dialer application
Step 2: Then type in *#06# on your device
Step 3: You will see the IMEI number on your screen.
2. For iPhone
You can find the IMEI number on your iPhone through several methods. These include iTunes or in-finder, original packaging, or the actual device.
Let us take, for instance, through settings. Here are steps you need to follow:-
Step 1: Get your device and navigate to settings
Step 2: Choose general settings
Step 3: Then go to the ‘About.'
Step 4: Then scroll down to see the IMEI number.
3. For Android
For Android, the case is similar to iPhone. still, you can use the settings option on an android device and follow these steps:
Step 1: Click on settings
Step 2: The tap on about phone
Step 3: Scroll down to access the IMEI number
4. For Samsung
You can also find the IMEI number of your Samsung device on settings.
Step 1: Head to settings and click on it to open
Step 2: Then tap on about device or about the phone
Step 3: You will be able to access the model, serial, and IMEI number on the screen.
However, there are also older Samsung devices with different settings. You need to go to the status to access IMEI, serial, and Model number in such a case. The other method is to check at print on the back of your device.s
5. Look at Reverse Side of Phone
you should also note that, on most mobile devices, the manufacturers provide IMEI numbers on the reverse side of your mobile hardware and precisely beside the battery. In other cases, you can also find it in the packaging box. For identity, it is labeled on the packaging with a barcode.
How to Track Phone By IMEI Number
Now that you know where to find the IMEI numbers on your phone hardware, it is time to dive into the various methods of tracking lost devices. This section will consider two main methods using the IMEI tracker. These methods work on all devices. Let us get started with the first method.
1. Use the Online IMEI Tracker
You can also track your lost or stolen phone using online IMEI tracker tools. There are various tools online such as Track IMEI, IMEI Tracker, IMEI track. You can pick one of the above online IMEI trackers then enter your IMEI address to query the location. For illustration, in our case, we will use IMEI Tracker. Then follow these steps to work it out and trace the location.
Step 1: Open your browser and go to the IMEI Tracker website,
Step 2: You will be prompted with a spacebar to enter your IMEI number. Type in and proceed
Step 3: Select your location that is country
Step 4: Then, click on ‘Track IMEI to initiate the tracking process below the spacebar.
Step 5: The tool will connect to the satellite, check traceability, and process data.
Step 6: After that, you will be redirected to the new tab to access the device's location.
Step 7: Finish identity verification and redirect you to your phone's location upon completion.
While the above methods work when the thief is less smart, there are situations when a simple formating can make the stolen phone invisible.
2. Report Your Phone on CEIR
CEIR is an acronym that stands for the Central Equipment Identity Register. This is an organization that DoT now undertakes, and the government of India has now taken the responsibility to block all stolen mobiles on multiple networks. The initiative aims at discouraging theft and encouraging phone tracing. Others have limitations that become hard to evade through the various tracking methods.
CEIR can help you track lost or stolen phones and block sim card network services. This means that a stolen device will eventually be reduced to a metal box. But how is that possible? here are simple guidelines to follow and block stolen or lost gadgets:
Step 1: Open your browser and visit the CEIR website at CEIR.gov.in.
Step 2: Then tap on CEIR services
Step 3: Then navigate to the Block stolen/lost mobile section. In this step, you will be redirected to the blank form. Ensure you provide all details about the device. This includes IMEI, mobile number, model, brand, owner details, and location. There are other details you will be prompted to provide too.
Step 4: When you are done, tap on the declaration check box.
Step 5: After that, click ‘submit' to generate a report. From there, CEIR will retake your stolen or lost phone and act appropriately.
Other Ways to Track Your Lost Phone
You can use other methods to track your lost phone when the above does not work. Below are other reliable methods:-
1. Use Google Find My Device
Most people do not install any third-party tracking application. So, when they get lost, they always find it hard to trace them. For such a case, Google Find My device makes it simple, and you can quickly locate the device, erase it, or enable the lock without installation.
However, For this method to work, few factors to consider. It must be turned on, signed in with a google account, connected to a network, visible on google play, turned on location, and turned on Find my device. Otherwise, it is simple to operate and command your phone using this method.
Step 1: First, open a browser and log in to your google account. You would need a backup code if you used 2 -step verification.
Step 2: Then go to the Google Find My device website.
Step 3: If you have a different phone connected to your email addresses, select the lost phone at the top of your screen.
Step 4: You will access different options, and the site will automatically start tracking your phone. It will show you the location of your device, charge percentage, and the network connected to it. It will show you the location but not an appropriate one.
Step 5: You can also locate the phone by ringing it. The phone will ring for 5 minutes even if the device is silent.
Step 6: This method also gives you the option to secure the device by setting the screen lock and leaving a recovery message and phone number to anyone who gets it lost or misplaced. But when it is stolen, you can permanently erase the device.
But remember, once you erase it, you cannot track it again. Also, note that when you find your device after erasing, you must have the google account password to reaccess it.
2. Use a Third-Party App
You can also use a third-party application in tracking lost or stolen phones. However, you must first download the application and install it on your device before getting stolen or lost. There are different third-party tools such as Mobile Security – Lookout, Find My Phone, and Lost Android. But, these tools are only compatible with Android. We have never come across any application that is compatible with iPhone.
For instance, Lost Android can easily control your lost device by reading sent and receive messages, formating or locking your lost phone, and erasing your SD card. You can also use this application location by GPS, start alarm with flashing light, send SMS. This tool can perform different tasks, which include tracking locations.
3. Use Google Timeline
This is not a phone tracking tool. However, it is effective in showing you all your recent activities. It involves all the recent history or the places you went through while on the phone. This is a reliable method, and it works even when the phone battery is dead. It will still show you all places or locations you visited before it got lost. When Is it practical, it is also simple to use.
Step 1: Go to google maps and open it.
Step 2: Then choose the timeline on the sidebar. You will be able to access all the timelines of the day. It includes all the places you visited. This way, it gives you a clue of the possible location. Go to these places and ask if someone has found your phone.
This method does not guarantee that you will get your phone. This is because not everyone is trustable enough to present to you a lost phone.
4. Use Google Photos
Last but not least, you can also rely on google photo. So, try this method when you have lost your phone or suspect that it has been stolen. Google photo will give you the current location of your gadget. So, here is how google photo works:-
Step 1: Go to the browser on the PC and login with your Google account
Step 2: Open google photo ID and start tracking the latest photos.
Step 3: If someone clicks on a new photo using your phone, the picture will immediately be uploaded on your google photo. It will show you the person who stole and your phone's location.
However, this method only works if you have to give location access to your google photos and synchronize with your Google account.
Conclusion
sometimes you can misplace your phone, and it gets lost or stolen. The first step is to know where to find the IMEI number. With IMEI numbers, it is easy to track or block. There are multiple methods of tracking lost or stolen phones. Some work well when your device is online- connected to a network but still, those that work even when the battery is dead. Therefore, when you trace and block your lost phone, no can use it again in the future. Use the above methods to identify the IMEI number, and track your phone's location.
