Many smartphone owners are faced with a situation where the unique device identifier stops working or requires replacement for technical reasons. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a serial number that is assigned to each phone during production. It is necessary to identify the device in the networks of cellular operators and allows you to block stolen gadgets at the network level. However, there are times when the user needs to change this parameter, for example, when flashing Chinese devices or recovering from software failures.
It is worth understanding that the process of changing the digital passport of a phone is not a trivial task and requires a deep understanding of the operating system. Android. Depending on the device model and operating system version, the methods may differ dramatically. Some modern smartphones have protected memory sections where it is impossible to write new data without special access rights or an engineering cable.
It is important to immediately note the legal aspect: in most countries of the world, including the Russian Federation, changing IMEI in order to bypass blocking or fraud is illegal. This article is for informational purposes only and describes the technical capabilities of restoring factory identifiers. The use of these methods to clone numbers or bypass blocking by a telecom operator is prohibited by law.
Why do they change IMEI at all and what are the risks
The main legal reason for changing the identifier is to restore it after an unsuccessful flashing. Often, users install custom firmware that does not work correctly with the NVRAM database, where the unique code is stored. As a result, the phone stops seeing the SIM card or displays a zero ID. In such cases, IMEI restoration restores the device's ability to operate on a cellular network.
On the other hand, there are illegal reasons associated with the desire to hide a device that has been blocked by the operator due to theft or non-payment. If the phone is on the blacklist, changing the digital passport formally allows it to register on the network again. However, modern telecom operators have learned to track such manipulations, and the device can be blocked again using other parameters.
⚠️ Attention: Changing the IMEI can lead to a complete failure of the communication module. You risk turning your smartphone into a tablet without the ability to make calls if the procedure is performed incorrectly or is interrupted at a critical moment.
In addition, there are risks associated with the security of personal data. When you use third-party software to write new values to memory, you are giving the app deep access to the system. Unscrupulous software developers can introduce malicious code that will intercept SMS with verification codes or access to banking applications.
Prerequisites and device preparation
Before you begin any manipulations with system files, you must prepare the device. Without meeting the basic requirements, no app will be able to access protected sections of memory. The first step is always to obtain superuser rights, or root access. Without them, writing to the system areas where it is stored IMEIis impossible.
The second important condition is the availability of drivers for your specific processor. Smartphones based on MediaTek, Qualcomm or Spreadtrum require the installation of different sets of drivers for the PC. If the computer does not see the phone in the engineering menu or Bootloader mode, the app will display a connection error. Also, be sure to make a complete backup copy of your data, since the risk of losing information is extremely high.
☑️ Preparing to change IMEI
Don't forget to check the processor model. You can find out through applications like CPU-Z or in your phone settings. The choice of recording tool directly depends on the type of chipset. An attempt to use the software for MediaTek on a device with Snapdragon will not yield results and may cause a software conflict.
Methods of change through the engineering menu
The safest and easiest method available for some devices is to use the engineering menu. This is a hidden section of the system intended for testing equipment by engineers at the factory. It can often be accessed through a special set of commands in the Phone app. For example, for many processors MediaTek the code works ##3646633##.
Once in the menu, you need to go to the Connectivity or CDS Informationtab. There you select the item Radio Information. In the list of fields that opens, you need to find IMEI 1 (for the first SIM card) or IMEI 2. A new fifteen-digit code is entered into the input field. After entering the data, you need to press the button Set at Power On or Write, and then reboot the device.
- 📱 Works only on devices with MediaTek chipsets and some Spreadtrum models.
- 🔒 Does not require installing third-party software on the computer, everything is done on the phone.
- ⚠️ On new versions of Android (10 and higher), this method is often blocked by the manufacturer.
It is worth considering that on modern smartphones this method practically does not work due to increased security. The system checks the integrity of the bootloader, and when trying to write through the engineering menu, it may simply not save the changes. In this case, you have to resort to more complex methods using a PC.
What to do if the engineering menu does not open?
If the code ##3646633## does not work, try downloading the Engineering Mode Connector application from Google Play. It can activate a hidden menu on some models, but there are no guarantees of success on new Androids.
Using specialized PC software
If the built-in tools do not help, computer apps come to the rescue. For processors MediaTek the most popular tool is SN Write Tool or Maui Meta 3G. These utilities allow you to interact directly with the NVRAM database. For them to work, the phone must be switched to Preloader mode (usually by holding down the volume buttons when connecting the cable).
For devices based on Qualcomm a package of tools is used QPST and utility QCN Writer. The process here is more complicated: first a backup of the file is made .qcn, then the necessary bytes are corrected in a hex editor or a special utility, after which the file is written back. An error in one byte can cause the communication module to stop functioning correctly.
| Processor | app | Connection mode | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| MediaTek | SN Write Tool | Preloader / BROM | Medium |
| Qualcomm | QPST / QCN Writer | Diag Port | High |
| Spreadtrum | Research Download | Upgrade Mode | Medium |
| HiSilicon | DC-Unlocker | Bootloader | High |
The app Xiaomi IMEI Repair Tooldeserves special attention, which is tailored specifically for brand devices Xiaomi. It automates the process, but often requires paid authorization or an account with a certain status. There is no universal “press one button” solution for all models.
IMEI restoration via root access and applications
There is a class of applications that work directly on Android and require superuser rights. Popular representatives are Chamelephon, IMEI Changer or Xposed IMEI Changer. The principle of their operation is to replace system files responsible for identification, or modify libraries libril.so.
The process usually looks like this: the user gets Root access (via Magisk or SuperSU), installs the application, enters a new number and presses the "Apply" button. After this, a mandatory reboot is required. However, the effectiveness of these methods on Android 8, 9, 10 and newer tends to zero, since partitions /persist and /modem now often have read-only attributes even for the root user.
⚠️ Attention: Using applications from Google Play to change IMEI is often empty waste of time on modern smartphones. Moreover, they may contain adware or viruses, masquerading as useful software.
If you have an old smartphone running Android 4-6, these methods can work with a 70-80% probability. For new devices, the only working option is to use engineering cables (for example, UFI Box or Volcano Box), which emulate factory equipment for flashing NVRAM at the hardware level.
Before running any app to change IMEI, be sure to disable the antivirus on your PC. Often such utilities are identified as a threat (HackTool) because they change system areas, and the antivirus can block the recording process, which will lead to an error.
Problems and possible errors when changing
When changing an identifier, users often encounter a number of typical problems. The most common of them is “Null IMEI” or “Invalid IMEI”. This means that the recording was successful, but the checksum did not match, and the modem cannot read the data. In this case, the phone writes “Emergency calls only” or completely loses the network.
Another common error is format mismatch. IMEI must consist of strictly 15 digits. If you enter 14 or 16, the system will reject the entry. There is also a verification algorithm Luna algorithmthat calculates the last check digit. If it does not match the first 14 digits, some operators may not allow the device to connect to the network, although the phone itself will think that everything is in order.
- ❌ "Write Fail" error: usually means lack of access rights or the bootloader is blocked.
- ❌ Sound disappears or Wi-Fi: often happens when the NVRAM partition is damaged, where not only IMEI, but also MAC addresses and antenna calibration are stored.
- ❌ Cyclic reboot: a critical error in system files that requires flashing the stock firmware.
It is important to understand the difference between software and hardware failure. If changing the IMEI does not help, perhaps the problem lies in the modem or antenna module itself, and no apps will help. In such cases, diagnostics are required at a service center.
Main conclusion: If after changing the IMEI there is no sound or Wi-Fi, you have damaged the NVRAM partition. It can only be restored from a previously made backup or a similar phone of the same model.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to change IMEI without root access on modern Android?
On modern versions of Android (starting from 8-10 and higher) IMEI without root access and an unlocked bootloader is almost impossible. The security system of Google and manufacturers blocks access to system modifications. Old methods through the engineering menu most often do not work on new phones.
Will a phone with a changed IMEI work after resetting the settings?
A normal reset (Factory Reset) through the phone menu does not affect the NVRAM partition where the IMEI is stored. Therefore the code should be preserved. However, completely flashing the device with clearing all partitions (Wipe All) can return the factory ID if you do not have a backup of the changed files.
Is it dangerous to use apps to change IMEI?
Yes, it carries risks. In addition to the possibility of “bricking” the communication module, you run the risk of installing malware. apps for changing IMEI are often distributed on dubious forums and may contain Trojans that steal passwords from banking applications and personal photos.
Can a telecom operator determine that the IMEI has been changed?
Yes, modern operator monitoring systems (HLR/HSS) are capable of analyzing the behavior of the device. If the IMEI does not match the entry in the manufacturer's database or if the phone changes identifiers frequently, it may be automatically blocked. The operator also sees the device model, and the discrepancy between the model and the IMEI prefix raises suspicions.