Apps Reviews

04/23/25

7 min

IMEI Tracking: How Does It Work

Do you know how to use your phone's unique identifier, IMEI, to detect it?

Do you know how to use your phone's unique identifier, IMEI, to detect it? 

  • Now you will learn about the possibilities that IMEI number tracker opens up, and find out if IMEI tracker free really exists. We will tell you how find my phone IMEI tracker or mobile tracker by phone number can help you recover your lost device. 

  • It is important to understand that although track phone using IMEI online free may sound tempting, there are certain limitations and nuances. 

  • We will also touch on the topic of using the IMEI number location map to determine the location of a phone and discuss alternative, legitimate methods used by the police and other authorized services.

What Is It and Why Is It Needed

The International Mobile Equipment Identity is a unique 15-digit number assigned to each mobile device. It's like a serial number, only for phones.

  • Structure: It consists of several sections identifying the manufacturer, model, and serial number of the device.

It Performs Several Functions

  • Identification of the device in the operator's network.

  • Blocking stolen phones (blacklisting them), making them useless on the network. IMEI number tracking plays an important role in this process.

  • Confirmation of the legality of the device when buying / selling.

  • Is it possible to track the phone by IMEI? Yes, theoretically it is possible. IMEI phone tracker is a tool that can help with this.

It Is Used to

  • Recover stolen phones (however, effective tracking requires the assistance of law enforcement agencies). Finding my device with IMEI is the goal of many owners of lost devices.

  • Search for lost devices (although the effectiveness is limited, but more on that below).

Screenshot of iPhone settings, About section with phone's IMEI

Restrictions

Track phone by IMEI is not always a straightforward process.

This often requires cooperation with a telecom operator and a warrant from the police.

Information does not allow you to track your phone in real time on your own.

IMEI tracker offline simply does not exist. Tracking requires an active network connection.

It is almost impossible to find an IMEI number using a mobile number online on your own, as this information is confidential and not publicly available.

The ability to find my Android device by IMEI number is limited without additional measures such as pre-installed tracking apps (e.g. Google Find My Device).

Although IMEI tracker find my device is a welcome tool for many, it is important to understand that it does not always guarantee success.

Online Tracker Free

It is important to understand: IMEI tracker online free offers instant IMEI tracking, often do not work or are fraudulent. It is better to use the built-in features and tools provided below.

Number Tracker 

  • Allows you to track your location in real time. 

  • With the consent of another user. 

  • You can also set routes directly in the app and create private circles. 

  • There is an opportunity to use AI in the application.

However, the real location history is only available through law enforcement agencies. To search for a lost device, use the built-in Android/iOS functions. 

There are no reliable tools for IMEI location tracker or just IMEI locator that allow you to track phone IMEI by IMEI number location in real time and for free.

Find My Device (Android)

  • Built-in Google app.

  • Automatically linked to your Google account.

  • Functions: 

    • Location detection, blocking, and data deletion. 

    • This is your main tool so that finding my device by IMEI number is possible (although It is not used directly, the application is linked to the account).

 iCloud (Apple)

  • Service for Apple devices.

  • Enable "Find iPhone" in iCloud settings.

  • Advantages: Precise location detection, missing mode (lock, message on the screen).

Screenshot of iPhone settings, iCloud settings, Find My iPhone

Other Trackers

  • Many online services claim to be able to track. Be careful! Most of them are useless or unsafe. Do not rely on IMEI tracker online for lost mobile from unknown sources.

Google Maps (Location History)

  • If the "Location History" is enabled in the Google account, you can see the movements of the device for a certain period.

  • This allows you to restore the device's route, but not track it in real time. Although it is not possible to directly track the IMEI number through Google earth, the Location History can show where the phone was. There is no Google earth IMEI tracker in the literal sense.

Methods of Obtaining Information with the Help of the Police

  • The police have powers and resources that are not available to ordinary users, including access to information from telecom operators. They can use your phone for many purposes. 

    • Requesting data about the last location of the device when it was actively connected to the network.

    • Tracking the movement of the device on cell towers (requires court approval).

    • Matching It of the stolen phone with other devices appearing on the network. It is important to understand that there is no police IMEI tracker freely available to citizens. 

    • The police use specialized systems, and they do not provide a free IMEI tracker.

Communication with Law Enforcement Agencies

If your phone is stolen or lost, contact the police immediately. Provide them with the necessary information.

A woman is sitting in the police department. She is very upset and writes a statement about the theft of the phone. A strict policeman is sitting in front of her


Theft/loss statement.

A copy of the documents confirming ownership of the phone (receipt, warranty card).

IMEI of your phone.

A detailed description of the circumstances of the theft/loss.


  • Remember: the police consider each appeal individually, and the success of tracking depends on many factors. Do not expect that track IMEI number online is free or will replace the official investigation. 

  • Attempts to track phone IMEI number on your own are usually ineffective. The main goal is to find my phone with IMEI through legitimate channels.

Although independent attempts to find a device by IMEI may bring limited results, the best strategy is to insure yourself in advance. 

  • First, activate the built-in tracking features. These tools, though, do not use It directly. 

    • They allow you to remotely lock your device, display a message with contact information on the screen, or even delete personal data in case of theft or loss.

  • Secondly, do not forget that in order to obtain the most accurate location information and effectively track a stolen phone, contacting law enforcement agencies is a key step. 

It is the police, with the appropriate powers and resources, who can request data from telecom operators and take the necessary measures to locate phone by IMEI  and return it as one of the identifiers.

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