What can the police do with an IMEI number?

Your IMSI and IMEI can be obtained by the police with an 'IMSI catcher', a device deployed to track all mobile phones switched on and connected to the network in its vicinity. Once this identifier is intercepted, it might be used to retrieve personal information about you.
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Can police track a phone with IMEI number?

Because the IMEI number is registered to your specific handset the Police will be able to track the device itself, even if the SIM card has been changed.
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What can be tracked through IMEI number?

This number can be used by the police to locate your lost or misplaced cell phone. Even with a different SIM, the moment a call is made, the IMEI number helps police to track your phone to the exact or nearby cell phone tower.
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Can police track iPhone IMEI number?

The Police can request your mobile carrier via a warrant or judicial requirement to track a stolen device. The Police themselves do not track lost iPhones. The mobile carrier / company uses the IMEI to identify and track the iPhone. You can give the Police the IMEI if you want.
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Can police remotely access my phone?

If you are syncing your images, documents and contacts using any cloud services, the police can use 'cloud extraction' tools remotely to access this information without your authorisation or knowledge, or they can make a legal request to the cloud service provider.
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How Does Police Track Your Stolen Phone Via IMEI Number | Hindi Explain



Can police track your phone if it's turned off?

Moreover, phone location can be tracked using cellular data by a method called triangulation of signals. So, yes, your phone can still be tracked if location services are turned off, assuming other things are still ON.
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Can you track someones location with IMEI?

A mobile phone can be tracked using an IMEI number to know the phone's exact location. IMEI tracking can be achieved through the mobile operator, law enforcement agencies (e.g. the police) or third-party apps. The IMEI information is kept in EIR, a database managed by the mobile operator.
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Can IMEI number be changed?

An IMEI number is a 15 digit long number printed on the backside of your phone as well as on the mobile packaging box and is used to track the device when lost or stolen. Each IMEI number is unique to a mobile set and can never be changed or replaced, unlike a SIM card.
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Can a blacklisted phone be tracked?

Once it's reported stolen by you, the IMEI number is blacklisted across the country. If an IMEI device on the black list is used to make a call, the police will get to know about it immediately. There is a chance that they will track the phone if it comes up for resale or reset.
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What happens if I put my SIM card in a blacklisted phone?

If a phone is listed on the blacklist, wireless carriers will not allow the phone to connect to the cellular network even if using a valid SIM card. Devices are listed by their unique IMEI Number. Many countries have a similar Blacklist, and these are shared on an international database administered by the GSMA.
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Can IMEI blacklist be unblocked?

Others can unlock your phone, but they can't remove it from IMEI blacklists. Even reputable services could have trouble reinstating your T-Mobile phone's IMEI. Two companies that offer IMEI unblocking are IMEI Authority and Cell Unlocker.
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Can a blacklisted phone still use WIFi?

Re: Can a blacklisted phone still use home WIFi

Yes, any smart phone can use WiFi. It is blacklisted against using mobile networks only.
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How can I block my phone with IMEI number?

In order to block the IMEI number, you will need to register an FIR in a police station about your stolen/lost device. The police station will provide you with a copy of the FIR. Take the copy of the FIR to your service provider (Airtel, Vodafone etc) and show them the copy of the FIR.
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Can two phone have same IMEI?

A smartphone's IMEI is like a digital fingerprint: unique to each and every device. It's used by telecom companies to provide network connectivity on a SIM card, and since the IMEI number of two devices cannot be the same, it's also used to track and trace lost devices or criminals.
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What is the IMEI blacklist?

What is blacklisting? Blacklisting works by blocking your phone's unique identifier (IMEI number). When a phone is blacklisted because it has been lost or stolen, it cannot make or receive calls or use data.
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Can IMEI number be tracked without SIM?

No, IMEI is just series number. It does not provide you ability to track. You need to be a service provider, and the phone is registered(log in) with a SIM card to your network core in order to track the device. Without a valid SIM inserted, the phone cannot be tracked.
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Which app is best for IMEI tracker?

6 Best IMEI Tracker and Find My Phone Apps for Android
  • Google Find My Device. You can see your phone, tablet or watch on a map. ...
  • Wheres My Droid. Using the app, you can turn the ringer volume up and make your phone ring. ...
  • Lost Android. ...
  • Security & Antivirus | Lookout. ...
  • Find My Phone. ...
  • Find My Phone: Find Lost Phone.
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How far back can police track text messages?

4) Text messages

Text messages are treated like emails, according to the ECPA. That means, under this crucial and controversial law, officers must obtain a warrant from a judge for content stored by a service provider (like Verizon or AT&T) that is less than 180 days old, but not for content that's 180 days or older.
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How do I block my phone from being tracked?

On Android: Open the App Drawer, go into Settings, select Location, and then enter Google Location Settings. Here, you can turn off Location Reporting and Location History.
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How do I make my phone impossible to track?

How to Make Your Phone Impossible to Track
  1. Turn on Airplane mode.
  2. Turn off Location.
  3. Limit ad tracking.
  4. Use a private browser/VPN.
  5. Limit apps that have access to your location data.
  6. Check if you're sharing your real-time location.
  7. Scan your phone for spy apps and delete them.
  8. Safeguard your Google account.
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How do you check if an IMEI is blocked?

How to Check if Your Phone Is Blacklisted
  1. Find your IMEI number (Dial *#06#)
  2. Call your carrier with the number to verify.
  3. Or check online: IMEI Pro (FREE) or IMEI 24 (FREE)
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Is a blacklisted phone useless?

If a phone is blacklisted, it means that the device was reported lost or stolen. The blacklist is a database of all the IMEI or ESN numbers that have been reported. If you have a device with a blacklisted number, your carrier may block services. In the worst-case scenario, the local authorities could seize your phone.
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Can I sell a blacklisted iPhone?

Once your phone is no longer on the blacklist, you can either continue to use it or sell it. If you bought a phone from someone who stopped paying their installments, you might have to consider other options to unblock the phone.
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How long does it take for an IMEI to be blocked?

Once lodged, a request to block or unblock an IMEI Number may take up to 24 hours to complete.
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What do thieves do with stolen phones?

Some thieves will use the information they find on phones (such as photos, texts or emails), then use it to hold the original owner to ransom. The best thing to do is to remotely wipe your phone as soon as you find out it's stolen – this can be achieved with apps such as Find My Device (free – Android and iOS).
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