How to Track a Phone Using an IMEI Number Online (IMEI Tracker) (2024)

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a unique serial number assigned to every mobile phone, acting as an identity certificate for the device.

One of the most common reasons for tracking an IMEI number is to find a lost or stolen phone. Since the IMEI is unique to each device, people can use it to track the phone even without a GPS.

In case of a stolen phone or even a lost phone, you can use the IMEI number to block or blacklist the phone.

You can remotely blacklist your devices without any physical access. This helps prevent unauthorized use or aid in recovery by law enforcement, such as with a police IMEI tracker.

Method 1: How to Track a Phone Using IMEI Number Online Free

As I evaluated, I found out that you can look for an IMEI number for free. Hence, here’s your answer to “How to track a phone with an IMEI number?”: According to my review, having your IMEI number ready makes tracking more efficient.

How to Find IMEI Number in Android Devices

Step 1) First, select the ‘Settings’ app on your Android phone.

Step 2) Scroll down and select ‘About phone’ or ‘About device’.

Step 3) Here, you’ll see the IMEI number listed. Sometimes it might be under a subsection like ‘Status’ or ‘Phone identity’.

How to Find IMEI Number in iOS Devices

Step 1) Open ‘Settings’ on your iPhone.

Step 2) Go to ‘General’ and then select ‘About’.

Step 3) Search to check the IMEI number.

Android and iOS devices often print the IMEI number on the original packaging or the purchase receipt.

This number is crucial if you need to track a phone using IMEI or when reporting a stolen or lost mobile phone to the authorities.

I recommend you write down your phone’s IMEI number and keep it safe. This can be a valuable piece of information in case your phone is misplaced or stolen.

With IMEI number tracking, you can find lost phone locations more efficiently, especially when the usual tracking methods aren’t available.

Method 2: Best IMEI Number Tracker Apps

An online IMEI tracker is a tool or service used to track the location or status of a mobile device based on its International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. I tested several phone tracker apps that can help you if you are wondering, “how to find my device with IMEI?”. I found each of these apps unique, and their features were reliable and efficient.

Here are some of the top phone tracker apps that can help you find your IMEI number:

1) Spokeo

As I analyzed Spokeo, a digital search tool that aggregates data from various online and offline sources. It’s primarily used for finding people and looking into public records.

Spokeo can also be used for tracking purposes. This includes using it to find a lost phone using its number. It can instantly track a mobile phone via its contact number in case of theft or misplacement.

Features:

• Phone History: Spokeo provides detailed information on phone ownership and history. It can show details about previous and current number owner along with their detailed address. Such as the old and current owner’s previous and present address.
• Wide Database: It allows you to access public records linked to the phone number number. I could find out the owner’s details, their email, social media, criminal records, etc.
• Ease of Use: This phone finder has a user-friendly interface and provides reports within seconds, making it easy for me to navigate and receive results.

Visit Spokeo >>

7-Day Trial for $0.95

How to Track Using Spokeo:

Step 1) Visit the Spokeo website then enter the associated phone number in the search bar.

Step 2) Spokeo will compile a report based on the entered number.

Step 3) Review the report to gain insights into the phone’s details and potential location.

Visit Spokeo >>

7-Day Trial for $0.95

2) mSpy

Throughout the appraisal process, I reviewed mSpy, an advanced monitoring tool primarily used for parental control and security purposes. It offers various features that can help track a phone using its IMEI number. I found it to be the most reliable solution for phone tracking.

The software can easily track the GPS location of the device, to provide real-time location updates as well as location history. Users can set up virtual boundaries and get notified when the device enters or leaves these designated areas. Additionally, mSpy is also one of the most used IMEI trackers online for lost mobile in across the globe.

Features:

• A Third Eye: I can access call logs and text messages. This allowed me to learn about where my target device was from the texts shared and calls made and received.
• Geofencing: mSpy can monitor the target device’s routes and find out when it leaves a safe zone or arrives at a particular location. I could set up a virtual fenced area, which helped me receive alerts whenever the device left the safe zone.
• Software Versatility: It is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

How to Track Using mSpy:

Step 1) Sign up and purchase a suitable plan on the mSpy website. Install the mSpy app on the target device by selecting the version and following the provided instructions.

Step 2) Access the mSpy control panel from your device to start tracking the phone.

Step 3) Monitor the phone’s location and activities remotely. Thus, in case the mobile is lost or misplaced, you can track mobile via IMEI online using mSpy.

Visit mSpy >>

14-Days Money-Back Guarantee

Both mSpy and Spokeo offer unique capabilities for IMEI number tracking, providing valuable resources in the event of a lost or stolen phone. While mSpy focuses more on real-time monitoring and control, Spokeo excels in aggregating and presenting data from various sources. Both tools help track and identify devices, however, they are not direct IMEI tracker services. Hence, you can use the device’s phone number in case of Spokeo or find its IMEI by remotely going into the device to find it using mSpy.

Method 3: How to Track Phone Using IMEI Number Tracker Online

In the digital age, several online tools exist for IMEI tracking. These tools help locate your stolen or lost cell phone using the IMEI number. Let’s look at two such tools and how to use them.

1) Find My Device (IMEI Tracker)

In the course of my review, I checked Find My Device, a service provided by Google, as an effective IMEI tracker online. While primarily used with Google accounts, it can help track a phone based on its IMEI number. I noticed that it offers a user-friendly interface that is suitable even for beginners.

Find My Device can also work even if your phone isn’t stolen. One interesting feature of this tool is that if your phone is in silent mode, you can make it ring loudly to find it if it’s nearby.

Features:

• Locate Device: Find My Device tracks the exact location of the device. It provides a convenient Google map for you to find the accurate location that can be easily zoomed in and out.
• Shows History: I could see the last known location of my device with this IMEI number tracker, even if it was offline.
• Total Control: No matter where I was, I could erase all the data on the phone or lock it for complete security.

How to Use Find My Device

Step 1) Visit the Find My Device website, it is a free IMEI tracker online.

Step 2) Use the Google account linked to your lost phone.

Step 3) The service will display the phone’s last known location using its IMEI number.

Step 4) You can lock the phone or erase its contents for security purposes.

Link: https://www.google.com/android/find/

2) IMEI Info

IMEI Info is another useful online tool for IMEI number tracking. This tool provided me detailed information about my device based on the IMEI number and was quite easy-to-use.

It can help you check if a mobile phone has been reported lost or stolen in its blacklist. Devices on the blacklist are also often blocked from accessing cellular networks.

Features:

• Comprehensive Report: It provides detailed information about the device, including model and brand. I could also find out the warranty and country of the phone.
• IMEI Calculator: I found its IMEI calculator feature extremely useful as it helps you check if there are any incorrect entries to the EIR or CEIR equipment.
• Mode Display: IMEI Info checks the status of the IMEI number (e.g. if it’s blacklisted).

How to Use IMEI Info

Step 1) Visit the IMEI Info website.

Step 2) Enter your phone’s IMEI number in the provided search bar.

Step 3) The tool will then provide various information associated with that IMEI number.

Step 4) While it doesn’t directly show the phone location, it can be instrumental in understanding your device status and details of the device.

Link: https://www.imei.info/

Both Find My Device and IMEI Info are valuable resources for tracking phones with IMEI numbers, but they have different functionalities. Find My Device is a great option for locating lost or stolen mobile phones according to my review. On the other hand, IMEI Info offers the best way to understand the details and status of your device based on its IMEI number.

Using these tools can provide a sense of security in knowing that you have ways to track and manage your phone, even when it’s not physically with you.

Method 4: Contact Your Mobile Carrier

I evaluated the necessity of contacting your mobile carrier for tracking your phone with an IMEI number. Most carriers have procedures in place for dealing with a stolen or lost device and can use your IMEI number to track the device. In my opinion, this is the best way to start the recovery process.

Step 1) Call your mobile carrier’s customer service number.

Step 2) Provide them with your phone’s IMEI number. This is why it’s important to have your IMEI number noted down somewhere safe.

Step 3) The carrier can then use their resources to track your phone’s location and search mobile by IMEI number. In some cases, they might be able to remotely lock it to prevent unauthorized use.

Step 4) They may also blacklist the IMEI number, making the phone unusable with any carrier.

Method 5: File a Police Report

Apart from all the methods above, this may seem like a lot of work, but I would suggest that filing a police report is a vital method if your phone has been stolen. The police can use the IMEI number as part of their investigation to track down your phone. I noticed that it also significantly aids the recovery process.

Step 1) Visit your local police station to file a report about your lost or stolen phone.

Step 2) Provide the police with the IMEI number of your phone. This will be used as a unique identifier in their search efforts.

Step 3) The police may collaborate with mobile carriers or use their own IMEI tracker tools to locate your phone.

Step 4) Keep a copy of the police report, as it may be required by your insurance company if you’re claiming the loss.

Filing a police report is critical in the process of locating a lost phone using the IMEI number. They not only aid in potentially recovering the phone but also ensure that necessary measures are taken against its unauthorized use.

Method 6: How to Find Lost Phone with IMEI Number Using CEIR

I reviewed the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), a government-run service by the Department of Telecommunications in India. It provides a centralized system for IMEI number tracking, specifically for lost or stolen phones. I particularly appreciate how CEIR helps trace and block devices across all telecom operator networks in India, preventing misuse.

Here below, I have mentioned the steps on how to use CEIR for IMEI tracker purposes:

Step 1) Firstly, report the lost or stolen phone to the police and keep a copy of the report.

Step 2) Ask your service provider for a duplicate SIM card of the lost number. This step is crucial as it’s needed for the OTP verification process in the request submission.

Step 3) Gather all of the necessary papers, including a copy of the police report and identification. The mobile purchase invoice might be useful as well.

Step 4) Go to the CEIR website and fill out the request registration form to have the IMEI of the lost or stolen phone blocked. Attach any required papers to the form.

Step 5) After submitting the form, you will be given a Request ID, which you may use to track the status of your request and unblock the IMEI in the future.

CEIR’s system not only facilitates tracing the lost phone but also ensures that if a phone is blocked, its traceability is generated if someone tries to use it. This provides extra security, making it tricky for stolen or lost phones to be misused. Once the phone is located and found, it can be unblocked on the portal for regular use.

Is IMEI Tracker Fake?

Not all IMEI trackers are fake, infact most “IMEI tracker find my device” option in spy apps are helpful. Legitimate tools like mSpy, Spokeo, and services provided by law enforcement or telecom operators can effectively use IMEI numbers for tracking. However, be cautious of fraudulent or misleading services that are offered by non-reputable providers.

What Is the Police IMEI Tracker?

Police IMEI tracker refers to the system used by law enforcement agencies to track and locate lost or stolen phones using their IMEI number. This often involves cooperation with mobile carriers and specialized tracking technology.

Can Thieves Change the IMEI Number?

Yes, technically, thieves can change an IMEI number, but it’s illegal in many countries. Changing the IMEI number makes it harder to track a stolen device.

Verdict

Some of the best IMEI number-checking tools that I would like to suggest, according to my verdict, are:

• Spokeo is an efficient tool that compiles detailed reports from various sources to help locate phones using the device’s contact number.
• mSpy offers real-time GPS location tracking and monitoring features that are invaluable for tracking lost devices using IMEI numbers.
• Find My Device (IMEI Tracker) by Google allows you to locate, lock, or erase your phone remotely using its IMEI number, providing robust security and control.

Apart from these tools, you can also use methods like filing an FIR or contacting your mobile carrier for professional assistance in locating your device.