How to Track a Mobile Phone Using Its IMEI Number

You're on Street and you search your pockets in desperation. Street is a big place to lose a phone. How could it happen? You had it just before you boarded that crowded subway car. Then it hits you. You've been jacked. You shuffle sadly back to your friend's apartment. Maybe he'll know what to do. He asks a simple question: "What's your IMEI?" You reply, "My what?"

1. WHAT IS AN IMEI?

The IMEI, or International Mobile Station Equipment Identity, is a 15-digit number that is hardwired into every phone. This number, because it's unique to each phone, means it can be used to track your lost or stolen device.

All you need is the number, which is in your phone… which you no longer have. But if you have not yet lost your phone, this is the point where you write down your IMEI number and keep it in a safe place.

How to Find Your IMEI Number

There are a few ways to find your IMEI number, but we'll cover the three most common ones. All are straightforward.

The 2-Step Process

Dial *#06#. Your 15-digit IMEI number will automatically appear on your phone. There isn't even a need to hit the call button.
Write your IMEI number down and put it in a safe place in case you ever need it.
The 5-Step Process (for iPhone)

Go to Settings
Go to General
Go to About
Scroll down to IMEI
Write your IMEI number down and put it in a safe place in case you ever need it.
The 5-Step Process (for Android phones)

Turn off your cell phone.
Remove the battery cover.
Remove the battery.
Get your IMEI number from the label on the back of your phone.
Write your IMEI number down and put it in a safe place in case you ever need it.
Here is a video that shows you how to do this (though note that since 2009, when this video was recorded, IMEI numbers have become ubiquitous, so it's far more standard than he implies in his introduction).

Things have changed a lot -- back in 2012, all four major US wireless carriers launched a joint database to track stolen cell phones using IMEI numbers.

Tracking Your Phone

Now that you have your IMEI number, you might be inclined to try to track down and recover the phone yourself. This isn't a good idea. Indeed, this point can't be overstated: It's very dangerous to attempt to recover a phone on your own.

Leave tracking to the experts. Notify both the police and your service provider (such as Verizon, AT&T, etc), and give them your IMEI number. Cellular carriers have the ability to blacklist IMEI numbers, making them unusable. They can also track them using a cell tower triangulation method. Basically, the carrier narrows down the location of your cell phone by measuring the angles to it from nearby cell tower antennas.

Can Thieves Change Your IMEI Number?

Remember how we said at the beginning that the IMEI number was unique and hard-wired into your phone? Sort of. Here's the bad news. It's actually possible to change it. Once your IMEI has been changed, efforts to track your phone will be thwarted. So waste no time in alerting your service provider and police so they can get right on it.
Read more like Mobile IMEI Tracker and IMEI Number Tracker
The best advice we can give you is be prepared. Store your IMEI number somewhere safe.

How To Track A Lost Phone

What must you do immediately?
Once you find the phone is missing, do not panic. If you find your mobile missing for just a short span of time, there are greater chances that you get back your mobile. After relaxing yourself for few seconds, call your mobile phone from your friend's cell phone and check out if you are able to find it. There are chances that you could have placed it somewhere and forgotten it. There are several applications that can be installed to track the stolen phone. We shall discuss the features of those applications and measures that can be taken to keep your device safe.

Change passwords
As your mobile is for your personal use, there are chances that you have your bank account or social networking sites to be accessible. The immediate step that has to be taken is to change the passwords for everything that you believe can be reached from your mobile. If you have applications installed in your phone, then activate them by going online. You will have provisions to lock your data or back up your information or at times if you feel they are very confidential, you can also delete them.

Block your card

The second important step that has to be taken is to call your service provider from the cell phone of your friend and block your card as there would be a lot of phone numbers available in it. Once you block your card, file FIR in the police for your lost card. If you do not have your invoice with you, go to the retailer where you purchased the mobile and get the duplicate copy and photocopy it and submit it to the police station. Note the IMEI number from the invoice and update it any database of lost mobiles. On buying second hand mobiles, people are likely to check these databases, if the phone is a stolen one.


Applications that help you track your phone

'Lookout' is a well-known app for tracking your lost phone. It has a feature to turn on your front camera and take a snap of the person using it. You can trigger that option from your laptop. The photo will be sent to your mail immediately when the internet is turned on. This app generally sends mail from front camera, every time the lock code is used wrong for five continuous times. For iPhones, there is an application 'Find My iPhone' exclusively for this model of mobiles. When you log into your iCloud account, you will have permission to delete all your mobile data and also trigger a sound alarm from the phone. You can trace the location of your mobile and also use this app to send message to the person holding it. There are other applications like bull guard and F-secure which have features that help you track the phone. Bull Guard provides space in its server that helps you to back up the data.
See Mobile IMEI Tracker and IMEI Number Tracker.

Safety measures to be taken when you use phone

It is always advisable to have these kinds of applications installed in your mobile, though you keep your mobile always safe. After you purchase the cell phone, keep the invoice and warranty card very safe. Insure the mobile when you buy it, as there is a theft insurance which allows you to get back money for your lost mobile. It is always advisable to have a same position for your cell phone and always take care that you place your mobile only there.