How to change the IMEI identifier on an Android device. How to change the serial number on a Samsung phone. Advice on how to change phone imei

In the next series of articles we will touch upon the issue of changing the IMEI of various devices where this is present. As a rule, these are mobile phones and 3G modems.

We would like to warn you right away that these materials are not a call to action. In some countries, these manipulations are prohibited by law. They can also harm your mobile device.

Let's start with the theory - what is IMEI?
IMEI (English International Mobile Equipment Identity) - international mobile equipment identifier, a number (usually 15-bit decimal), unique for each UMTS mobile phone. The model and origin of the phone are described by the first 8 digits of the IMEI (the so-called TAC/Type Allocation Code number). The remaining part is the serial number with a check number at the end.

IMEI Is installed at the factory during manufacture and serves to identify the device on the network.
It is stored in the device’s firmware, usually written on the packaging, in the warranty card, and also under the battery of the mobile phone.
Plays the role of the serial number of the device.
Broadcast when logging into the network.

IMEI is used to track devices and to block stolen phones at the cellular operator level (believe me - in harsh Russia this is a myth, I know from personal experience, of course you will get your phone - but if you have connections in the FSB, although it is doubtful that they will get into -for one phone).

The accuracy of the determination, according to various sources, ranges from several tens of meters to several meters. Therefore, for special services or law enforcement agencies, if necessary, figuring out the location of a person with a mobile phone turned on is not a particular problem (this is so that you know that if you mess up too much, they will find you and put you in).

Don’t forget that changing IMEI is a criminal offense in some countries (In general, before going somewhere, I recommend being realistic and reading the criminal code).

Get to the point...
Is it possible to change IMEI? Can.
The technical aspects of changing IMEI depend on the device model. In some models (most old phones and devices made in Asia-China), changing the IMEI is quite easy - all you need is a special program and a phone-to-computer cable.

In other models, to completely change the IMEI, you need to replace some of the phone’s electronic components with new ones (processor chips, flash memory, or controller), and then reprogram the device’s flash memory. Some models allow an “incomplete” IMEI change, in which the phone software is modified (a patch to the firmware is installed) so that it transmits the required IMEI number to the base station, and not the one programmed in the phone hardware. In case of an “incomplete” IMEI change, the original IMEI value will be restored after updating the phone software. We will not consider legal aspects.

However, I would like to note that in actual judicial practice there were cases of both indictments being issued with a sentence of three years of suspended imprisonment, and cases being closed due to the lack of corpus delicti. Depending on the country, the maximum sentences for committing such crimes are quite severe - up to 5-8 years in prison.

Practice…
Since I have a Samsung phone, models from this company will be reviewed (later I will add descriptions to others, but since the blood alcohol content is off the charts today, then... a little later) To change the firmware (and change the IMEI), we will need a service cable ( The kit often includes a data cable, which is not suitable for such purposes). I will say right away that the procedure for changing IMEI is similar on many phones.

For our work we need:

the device itself
correct firmware
firmware cable and necessary software.

I hasten to please you - everything related to software can be found on specialized forums. Don't be lazy.

Before you begin, you must give a sober account of your actions. Attention! The power should not be turned off until the end of the procedure. Therefore, it is better to sew from a laptop with a pre-fully charged battery. Otherwise, the problems can be very serious (and imagine that half of the operation and the lights were turned off and... the mobile phone will be R.I.P.).

Let's look at an example Samsung IMEI changer.
I’m not posting this software on purpose (and don’t contact me in person) - it can be found on the Internet (but check it out on virustotal!!!). Make sure the software works with your model!!!

Procedure:

0. (Programmers count from 0!). Now carefully read the procedure 10 times!!

1.Run the test.exe program

2.In the GSM Phone Test Program V1.0 program window that opens, click the Download button

3.The WTDN RAM Downloader window will open

4.Click the Open button and from the TEST directory open the file corresponding to your phone model.

Example: for model N500 you need to open the file N500.axf
(As I said, you need to look for these files in advance, and only for your model).

5. Click the Line Settings button and in the Comport Line Settings window that opens, set the following values:

Baud Rate: 115200(this is the port speed)
Data Bits: 8
Stop Bits: 1
Parity: None
Port:Com1(attention - the number of the com port to which the cable and telephone are connected!!).

7. Click OK to close the settings window.

8. Make sure the cable is connected to the phone and press the Start button.

9. The download process takes approximately 10 seconds (depending on the model and capabilities of your computer).

10. After the download is complete, the program will display the message “Downloading operation finished.”

11. Click OK, window WTDN RAM Downloader will automatically close and a menu for selecting further actions will appear in front of you.

12. Press the EXIT button to exit the program.

13. Attention! If the menu does not appear, you need to check the connections and try again. (look for where you made a mistake, may Google be with you!).

14. If everything has worked out for you up to this point, congratulations, young phreakers, now let’s not waste time - immediately launch the IMEI.exe program.

15.

16.In the New IMEI line, enter the IMEI number and press the Change IMEI button.

17. If the program displays an error message, this means that either the phone is not connected, or it is not in test mode, or the program does not work with this model.

18. If there is no point 17, then everything is fine

1. If you are not sure about even the smallest detail - do not do that! It’s better to figure it out and understand than to throw it in the trash later.
2. This article is for informational purposes only.
3. I am not responsible for your actions - you do it at your own peril and risk! Remember this. If it's not cheap, buy an old one, practice will only be a plus.

4. I will update the article as much as possible - post reviews on how to sew other models, as well as possibly phone models that are best to deal with, and if there is time left, I will probably touch on gsm modems...

Outro:
Samsung owners (checked on the SWIFT platform) can reset their IMEI code on the keyboard *2767*3855# . But there will be a complete reset - everything will be lost!!! iMEI will change to the standard factory one!!! Do this at your own risk - it will be much more difficult to restore it!!

to be continued….

Last updated by at January 27, 2017.

If you buy a used phone or have bad firmware, you may experience problems connecting to the mobile network. The reason for this is a lost IMEI, which is very easily restored.

International mobile equipment identifier. When your phone communicates with a mobile network, it transmits two main identifiers - your SIM card number and the phone's IMEI. This is a fifteen-digit code of decimal digits: from the first to the eighth are the model and place of origin, after that is the serial number, and the last digit is the control digit, calculated using the Luna algorithm based on the previous ones.

At a time when phones still had buttons, IMEI was the very beacon by which the police found stolen phones. With the advent of the Android operating system, which gives the user full control over the device, IMEI has ceased to be a stigma and turned into a parameter that can be very easily changed or lost under unfortunate circumstances.

To find out your IMEI, dial the number on your phone: *#06#.

Or look at it in the settings.

The IMEI should be listed under the cover of your device, most often under the battery and on the box you bought it in.

Video: how to find out the IMEI of an Android device in a couple of taps

Why IMEI disappears and how to restore/change it

The main reason for losing IMEI is unsuccessful phone firmware, and a little less often - an attempt to obtain root rights.

As mentioned above, IMEI is one of the main identifiers of your phone when communicating with a mobile network. And if it fails (all values are set to 0), communication problems may arise.

If you bought a used phone and found a discrepancy between the IMEI indicated on the phone and the one registered under the battery, it is better not to install the original IMEI.

Things to remember about IMEI:

deleting IMEI means changing IMEI to a zero value (000000000000000), restoring IMEI means changing IMEI to its original value;
there are no ways to restore the original IMEI if you do not know it, since information about it is not stored anywhere;
if it is not possible to determine the original IMEI, you can always invent or generate it;
Never trust services that offer to find out your original IMEI for restoration - these people are scammers and offer the impossible;
The only way to find your missing/stolen phone by IMEI is to contact the police.

Recovery via the engineering menu

To change IMEI, you will need to enter the engineering menu. You can enter it by dialing a special number on your Android device. The most common number to enter the engineering menu is *#3646633#*. And if it doesn't help you, try these:

Manufacturer	Service code
MTK processor	##3646633##, ##54298##
Samsung	##8255##, ##4636##
HTC	##8255##, ##4636##, ##3424##
Sony	##7378423##
iPhone 5 on Android	##4634##
Phylips, Fly, Alcatel	##3646633##
Huawei	##2846579##

In addition to the above list, the engineering menu entry number should be indicated in the instructions for your device.

Changing IMEI through the GPRS tab

Changing IMEI via the CDS Information tab

Video: IMEI repair via the engineering menu

Repair IMEI using applications

If you have difficulty entering the engineering menu, or the engineering menu is not available on your device, you can always change the IMEI using applications. As mentioned above, the last IMEI digit is a control digit and is generated using the Luna algorithm based on the previous ones. And if you want to register a non-native IMEI, then it is better to generate it using one of these applications.

To download the application for changing IMEI, go to the Play Market and enter the word IMEI in the search bar.

All found applications for changing IMEI are identical, and we will look at them using Chamelephone as an example. It is worth saying that each of the applications requires root rights, and this is a separate story.

Getting root rights

Root or superuser rights grant the user special powers, such as:

deleting system files;
embedding programs and melodies;
removal of advertising;
CPU overclocking;
Activation of hidden Android functions.

Having Root rights will be required for some subsequent actions when cleaning the device. Rooting will void your device's warranty. Each device has its own characteristics, and the risk of damaging the system when obtaining root rights or after always remains. If you have root rights, you will not be able to receive warranty updates to the operating system.

If you haven't installed apps from external sources before, go to Android settings and open the Security tab under Personal Data.
Activate the "Unknown Sources" option.
Download the latest version of Framaroot from the Internet. This application has analogues in the Play Market, but they may not be as reliable.
Install Framaroot. If the installer blocks the process, select "Additional information" and click "Install anyway (unsafe)."
Launch Framaroot and select “Install SuperSU”, then click on any of the methods for obtaining root rights. Once received, reboot your device.
There is a possibility that your device is not supported by this application. You can try alternative programs, but this will increase the risk of crashing your system. The best thing to do is to find out the individual method for rooting your device.

Sometimes it happens that when updating the firmware, IMEI may be deleted - separate identifiers that are embedded in the system part of the communication modules. If the IMEI is deleted, the device will perform all basic tasks except the main one - receiving calls and making calls. This article will look at the solution to the problem step by step, how to change IMEI.

How to find out IMEI

At the very beginning, you need to know the IMEI code. To do this, you need to enter the command on the keyboard: *#06#. After typing the command, a special code will appear on the screen (or several, if the smartphone has two SIM cards).
If the identifier is erased for some reason, the field will display the message “Device IMEI is not defined.”

Changing identifiers

Now we will show possible methods for changing IMEI on a smartphone.

How to change IMEI on Android: Video

Through the engineering menu

The combination of keystrokes to activate the engineering menu can be very different for smartphones. If you want to find out which combination is required for your device, then study the adjacent instructions, or visit the forums of other device owners. After activating the engineering menu, you need to go to the section: “Connectivity” - “CDS information”, and then select “Radio information”. The last section will contain sections (the number proportionally depends on the number of built-in SIM cards). Next, go to the “Phone 1” category, and after the AT+ value, manually enter the command: EGMR = 1.7, “here is a new IMEI”. The latter is most often written either on the packaging of the smartphone or under the device’s battery. The command is entered using a key called SEND AT COMMAND. The same manipulation must be done for another SIM card.

How to determine Device ID on Android: Video

With ROOT rights

Using this method requires the user to obtain ROOT access. Next, you need to download the Mobile Uncle application and run it on your device.

In the main menu, select the “Engineering Mode” section, go to the engineering menu for your processor.

The algorithm of actions is no different from the case described above: Go to the “Connectivity” section, select the “CDS information” category, then click on “Phone information” and select a SIM card using “Phone 1, 2”. In the window that appears after this, type the same commands as in the method described above.

The abbreviation IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identifier or “International Mobile Equipment Identifier”. Represents a unique set of numbers that uniquely identifies a specific mobile phone or tablet. In the material below we will try to figure out how to change IMEI on Android and why you need to do it at all.

What is a mei and what is it used for?

Identifier IMEI is a number consisting of fifteen digits. Each mobile phone or tablet is assigned its own unique name at the factory, by which the device can later be identified. Typically this number is indicated on the box in which the device is supplied. Let's figure out why such a unique cipher is needed for a mobile gadget.

It can be used for the following purposes:

Blocking of the mobile device by the communication service provider in case of theft of the phone;
Connecting to a specific device for listening by the police or various special forces;
in case of loss or theft.

note

Some mobile device users believe that the SIM card is somehow related to the IMEI number. This is wrong. If the owner of the smartphone changes and the SIM card is replaced with another, the name remains the same. It is not erased even when the device settings are returned to factory settings.

How to find out your IMEI?

Before you change IMEI on Android, you need to figure out how to view it at all. There are several ways to do this. Their description is presented below.

Through the smartphone options menu

To find out the name via the settings menu, you need to do the following:

Using a special service code

The second way to view your number is consists of using (a code) to dial using the smartphone's dialer keyboard. The procedure is as follows:

On the box or on a sticker under the smartphone battery

The manufacturer always indicates the IMEI number on the packaging in which the electronic gadget is supplied. Also, the identifier value is duplicated on a sticker located under the device’s battery (in the case of a removable battery).

Will be useful

If a smartphone supports the simultaneous operation of several SIM cards, then it has its own code for each radio module. If there is only one radio module and two SIM cards, then the smartphone will issue two identical identification numbers.

Changing IMEI on Android

Why might a respectable citizen who has no problems with the law need to change the serial number of a mobile device? There can be many reasons, here are the main ones:

Damage to the device firmware, resulting in the possibility of restoring the previous identification number.
Protecting your device from eavesdropping by unscrupulous individuals.
Masking your movements from tracking.

Below is a detailed description of several ways to change your name on Android.

Method 1. Through the smartphone’s engineering menu

Through a special service menu, you can view various parameters of the electronic device, as well as change the gadget identification number.

The order of manipulations is as follows:

Method 2: Using third-party applications Another way to change the name on Android is to use specialized utilities from third-party developers. For such programs to work properly, you need to get the so-called (SuperUSER) on your device.

The FarmaRoot application is suitable for these purposes. You can download it on the Internet (this program is not available on Google Play Market).

The procedure for obtaining root rights using the FarmaRoot utility is as follows: After obtaining superuser powers, we will figure out how to change imei on Android using third-party utilities.

The most well-known tools for such purposes are programs Sometimes owners of Chinese smartphones encounter a reset problem IMEI. This mainly happens when applying "Reset to Factory Settings". If notI MEI-

The phone loses the GSM signal, it does not receive calls or make outgoing calls. The operator and communication signal may even be displayed: MTS, Kyivstar, Life, etc., but it will not receive or make calls. Some models will display "IMEI is incorrect" or "IMEI is missing" for both SIM cards. *#06# You can confidently determine whether you have an IMEI by typing . in the call dialing menu The screen will appearIMEI: " 15-digit code" or not. (sometimes you need to enter).

*#06# and press call

It seems like a big problem, especially when the service charges quite a bit of money. However, the procedure itself to restore IMEI on a phone is simple and quick. IMEI on Chinese smartphones. If you plan to use them, understand that the phones and firmware are different, the examples described may not be suitable for your phone, and an independent incorrect change in the engineering settings can lead to incorrect operation, debugging the device and removing it from warranty service, act at your own peril and risk. The author is not responsible for the use of this instruction.

Initially, you need to check the IMEI by dialing *#06# call

Method 1

There is no IMEI, you need to do the following to restore it:

1. Turn off and remove SIM cards. Rewrite the 15 IMEI digits, they are indicated on the back of the phone under the battery, if the phone is non-separable, like a copy of the iPhone 5, look on the warranty card or on the box. Turn on your phone.

If nothing happens, try the following codes to enter the engineering menu.

*#*#54298#*#* or *#*#3646633#*#* - MTK processor
*#*#8255#*#*, *#*#4636#*#* - replacement for Samsung
*#*#3424#*#*, *#*#4636#*#*, *#*#8255#*#* - replacement for HTC
*#*#7378423#*#* - replacement for Sony
*#*#4634#*#* - replacement for iPhone 5C Android
*#*#3646633#*#* - replacement with Philips, Fly, Alcatel
*#*#2846579#*#* - replacement for Huawei

3. Menu item d: CDS Information > Radio Information > Phone 1

4.Place the cursor after AT+ and enter EGMR=1.7,"", using the English alphabet. The system will offer the option EGMR=1.7,"" select it, or enter the characters yourself.

5. Place the cursor in quotation marks and enter the IMEI code, i.e. 15 digits. You should get the following inscription: AT+EGMR=1.7,"123456789101112", Where 123456789101112 - 15 digit IMEI.

7. If the phone has 2 SIM cards, to restore the second IMEI, repeat steps 5 and 6 with only the code AT+EGMR=1.10,"123456789101112", where 123456789101112 is the 15 digits of the IMEI of the second SIM card.

8. Exit the engineering menu and reboot the phone.

9. Check the IMEI code - *#06#. The entered codes should appear on the screen.

10. Turn off and insert SIM cards into the phone. Try making calls, the phone will work.

If you couldn’t restore IMEI, it means either something was done with an error, or this method is not suitable for your device. Do not change other settings unless you are sure what will happen. This may lead to incorrect operation or failure of your device.

Method 2

1. Download the MTK65xx.zip archive or the MTK65xx.apk file

2. Extract the application from the archive

3. Remove SIM cards from the phone

4. Install the application on your smartphone

5. When you first launch the application, you will notify about the type of your Android device, after familiarizing yourself with it, press the button ok

6. The application reads the IMEI if it didn’t count, press the read button

7. Uncheck “same IMEI” and enter new IMEI.

8. Click the “exit” button. Restart Android device

Method 3

Owners of Chinese Google phones based on MTK6515 may encounter the problem of losing IMEI as a result of flashing or resetting to factory settings. As it turns out, the problem is typical for firmwares where the file "MPOB_001", with IMEI in encrypted form, located in /data/nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI, which is rewritten about reflashing. In modern firmware, this file is placed in /nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI, here he no longer disappears.

If you are not sure about the firmware, before updating / resetting, we recommend saving this file on a flash card. This can be done using a terminal emulator, for example: Android Terminal Emulator (available on the play market), or Better Terminal Emulator Pro. Run it after installation and enter the code on the command line:

su, and agree to the provision of root rights.

Now the actual procedure for registering IMEI:

echo "AT+EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_1"" > /dev/pttycmd1
echo "AT+EGMR=1,10,"IMEI_2"" > /dev/pttycmd1

Where IMEI_1 and IMEI_2 are 15 digits of the 1st and 2nd IMEI, respectively.

Method 4

If IMEI is not in the firmware, but in EEPROM. Then changing it is very simple using the supplied data cable (not the firmware one) and the HyperTerminal program, which is included in any Windows.
Instructions for changing IMEI via Hyperterminal:
1) connect the phone in com-port mode to the computer via a USB cable. If you are using Windows: call hyperterminal -> select the virtual port on which the phone is connected, after connecting, dial AT - you should receive OK as a response in the window, i.e. connected via comport;
2) then type a test command (determines whether changing IMEI is supported):
AT+EGMR=?
if supported (OK) - drive in a new one
AT+EGMR=1.7,"IMEI"
(instead of IMEI - real imei numbers).

If it is a dual-symbol, the second imei is changed with the command AT+EGMR=1.10,"IMEI"
(instead of IMEI - real imei numbers).

By the way, the first parameter of the command is zero-read, one-write.
at+egmr=0.7
+EGMR: "135790246811220" - view the first IMEI

At+egmr=0.10
+EGMR: "135790246811220" - view the second IMEI

If they differ, then both are displayed by *#06# on the device’s keyboard; if they coincide, only one is displayed.