Understanding Your Phone’s IMEI Number
IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. Every modern smartphone sold in the US comes assigned with a 15-digit IMEI number (or two, for dual-SIM phones). These numbers can’t be changed and no two are the same, so cross-referencing the IMEI number of a recovered device with carrier records is a reliable way to verify ownership. As of a recent update to Google Play services, on devices running Android 12 or newer, your phone’s IMEI number can be displayed alongside emergency info like the designated contacts and at-a-glance medical info you can configure in device settings. Many devices come with their IMEI number stamped on the SIM card tray. But some new phones (including the Pixel 11 series) are going eSIM-only, eliminating a formerly reliable way to access a device’s IMEI.
Why Hide Your Phone’s IMEI Number?
While having your phone’s IMEI number accessible from the lock screen can help you recover a lost or stolen device by providing easy proof of ownership, it also poses a security risk. Bad actors can exploit an exposed IMEI by cloning it or impersonating your device. This can lead to unauthorized use of your phone number and potentially fraudulent reporting of your device as stolen. Google’s support documentation states that device IMEI numbers will be accessible by default if you’ve enabled emergency sharing in the Personal Safety app. However, it’s not hard to turn this setting off.
How to Turn Off IMEI on Your Lock Screen
If you’ve enabled sharing in the Personal Safety app, Google says that your IMEI will be accessible from your lock screen by default. If you want to disable that setting, though, it only takes a few taps. Here’s how to do it:
- Scroll down and tap Security & privacy.
- Scroll down and toggle the Device identifier on lock screen option off.
The steps and screenshots above show the process on a Pixel phone. The process is similar on modern Android phones from manufacturers like Samsung and OnePlus as well, though exact settings may vary. If your phone wasn’t opted into making its IMEI accessible from the lock screen by default, you can also use the above steps to enable the feature (by flipping the toggle in step 5 to the on position).
Additional Tips for Safety
If you want to make it easier for law enforcement or anyone else who ends up with your lost phone to return it to you without exposing your IMEI, consider adding people you trust as emergency contacts or adding your email address or other contact information to your lock screen.
Conclusion
By hiding your phone’s IMEI number from the lock screen, you can protect against potential security risks and easily verify ownership in case of loss or theft. This simple step can provide peace of mind and safeguard your device and personal information. Remember to disable the IMEI sharing setting if you don’t want it to be easily accessible, and consider adding trusted contacts or other contact information to your lock screen for added security and convenience.