Many Android smartphone users sooner or later face the need to change the unique identifiers of their device. The reasons may be different: from the desire to hide traces after reselling the gadget to an attempt to unlock a device that has been blacklisted by operators. However, before taking active steps, it is important to clearly understand what exactly you are going to change. In the world of mobile equipment, there are different types of identifiers, and confusing them means risking turning the phone into a “brick.”
The most common request concerns the change IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). This is a unique equipment number that is assigned at the factory and programmed into the modem. This is how telecom operators identify the device on the network. There is also Android ID a software identifier generated by the operating system during the first boot, and serial number (Serial Number), which is often used for warranty service. The methods of working with each of them are radically different.
It is worth immediately indicating that changing factory identifiers, such as IMEI, is illegal in most countries of the world. Changing IMEI on Android devices in the Russian Federation and many other countries is prohibited by law and may entail administrative or criminal liability. This article is for informational purposes only and describes the technical aspects of the system, and does not call for violation of the law. We will look at the theoretical capabilities of the system and software methods for changing less critical identifiers.
Differences between IMEI, Android ID and Serial Number
So as not to get confused in terms, it is necessary to clearly distinguish between the types of identifiers. IMEI is the “passport” of your communication module. It is stored in a special protected memory area of the modem. Operators use it to block stolen phones. If you change this number incorrectly, the phone may stop receiving the network or turn off completely. In contrast, Android ID is a 64-bit string created when the device is first activated. It is used by Google apps and services to track installations and licenses.
A serial number (Serial Number or SN) is a unique code assigned by the manufacturer to a specific device. It is often needed to check the warranty or when contacting a service center. Unlike IMEI, the serial number can sometimes be changed programmatically without deep intervention in the modem firmware, although this also requires superuser rights. Understanding these differences is critical before any manipulation begins.
Users often mistakenly believe that changing one identifier automatically changes the other. This is wrong. The Android system stores this data in different sections of the file system. IMEI located in Partition EFS (on Qualcomm processors) or NVRAM (on MediaTek), access to which is strictly limited. Android ID is stored in the system database, and the serial number can be registered in build.prop or also in a protected area, depending on the manufacturer.
⚠️ Warning: Tampering with EFS or NVRAM partitions without a backup may result in the phone losing its ability to work with SIM cards. Restoring the factory IMEI after such an error is often only possible in an authorized service using paid equipment.
The legality and risks of changing identifiers
The issue of the legality of changing identifiers comes first. As already mentioned, IMEI was created as a measure of protection against theft. If an attacker steals the phone, the operator can block it at this number, and the device will become useless in the networks of this operator. Bypassing this block by changing the IMEI effectively legalizes the use of a stolen device, which is a crime in many jurisdictions.
In addition to the legal consequences, there are serious technical risks. Modern smartphones have complex mechanisms for checking software integrity. Trying to change the IMEI may break the digital signature of the bootloader or system files. This will cause banking applications, Google Pay (Wallet), Netflix in HD quality and other services that depend on SafetyNet or Play Integrity API.
to stop working. It is also worth considering that changing Android ID or the serial number may cause problems with the licenses of purchased applications. Some apps are tied to a unique device identifier. By changing it, you may lose access to the purchased content, and restoring access rights will require complex manipulations with the developer account or a repeat purchase.
What does the law say?
In Russia, Article 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation provides for liability for the illegal circulation of special technical means intended for secretly obtaining information. Although changing the IMEI itself does not always fall under this article, the use of "boxes" for flashing modems is often classified as an illegal activity.
Software methods for changing Android ID
If your goal is to change it specifically Android ID (for example, to reset an advertising ID or test applications), then this process is relatively safe and does not require reflashing the modem. To do this, you will need superuser rights (Root). Without them, it is impossible to change system identifiers. A popular tool for such manipulations is an application Device ID Changer or analogues.
The process usually looks like this: after obtaining root access, you install a specialized application that has access to the system database. This database stores the key android_id. The application generates a new random string and replaces the current one with it. After rebooting the device, the system will consider it a new phone from the point of view of Google software services.
It is important to understand that this method does not change the IMEI and serial number visible in the "About phone" settings. It only affects how apps see your device. This is useful for developers testing installing apps on "new" devices, or for users wanting to reset an ad tracker.
Before changing your Android ID, be sure to create a full backup of your data via TWRP or similar recovery. Even seemingly safe operations with system databases can lead to a cyclic reboot (bootloop).
Engineering menu and service codes
Many users are looking for ways to change ID through the engineering menu. Indeed, on processors MediaTek and some older models Qualcomm there were hidden menus accessible through a set of special codes in the dialer. For example, the code ##3646633## often opened the engineering menu on MediaTek. However, in modern versions of Android (starting from 10 and higher), access to changing IMEI through these menus is usually closed or requires an operator password.
In the engineering menu you can find a section Connectivity or CDS Informationwhere theoretically you can change the modem parameters. But even if the field for entering a new IMEI is available, simply entering numbers there is not enough. It is necessary to execute a write command to NVRAM, which without specific knowledge can lead to radio module calibration errors. The phone will begin to “lose” the network or work only in 2G mode.
For processors MediaTek there was a popular tool Mobile Uncle Toolsthat allowed you to enter engineering mode and try to change the IMEI. However, on new devices this method practically does not work due to increased security of the bootloader and partition signatures.
Using ADB and the command line
For more advanced users, there is a method for changing identifiers through USB debugging and console commands ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method requires connecting your smartphone to your computer. First you need to activate developer mode and enable USB debugging in settings. Then, having root access, you can change the values in the configuration files.
For example, to change the serial number, the command to write to a file is sometimes used build.prop, but this file is read-only in the mounted state of the system. The partition needs to be remounted /system into recording mode. The command may look complex and depend on the specific version of Android.
adb rootadb remount
adb shell"echo'ro.serialno=NEW_SERIAL' >> /system/build.prop"
adb reboot
However, modern versions of Android use dynamic partitions and an A/B update system, which makes direct editing build.prop ineffective or impossible without rebuilding the system image. Changing Android ID via an SQL query to the settings database is a more realistic scenario.
☑️ Preparing to work with ADB
Comparison table of ID change methods
Below is a comparison table that will help you evaluate the risks and opportunities of different methods. Please note that the effectiveness of the methods greatly depends on the processor model and Android version.
| Method | What makes a difference | Root required | Risk of blocking | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reset settings | Android ID (partially) | No | No | Low |
| Applications (ID Changer) | Android ID | Yes | No | Average |
| Engineering menu | IMEI (rarely) | No (but code required) | High | High |
| Xposed / Magisk modules | Android ID, Model | Yes | Medium | High |
| Programmers (Box) | IMEI, Serial | Yes (special software) | Critical | Expert |
⚠️ Attention: Engineering menu interfaces and the presence of hidden codes depend on the manufacturer and firmware version. What worked on Xiaomi Redmi 4 may not work on Xiaomi Redmi Note 12. Do not try to blindly enter commands if you are not sure of their purpose.
Changing identifiers through Magisk and Xposed
The most flexible and relatively safe way for advanced users is to use a framework Xposed (or its analogue of LSPatch) in conjunction with modules. Modules such as Device ID Changer or BuildProp Editorallow you to override the values that applications see when making a request. This does not change the physical IMEI on the modem, but it does change what the application "sees".
This method is ideal if you need a specific application to think your device is different. You can set any model, any serial number and any Android ID for the selected application. This works at the system call interception level. The telecom operator will see the real IMEI, since requests go directly to the modem, bypassing the Android OS spoofing levels.
Installation of such modules requires an unlocked bootloader and an installed rights manager Magisk. The Xposed Framework installation process may vary depending on the Android version. On Android 11-14, LSPatch is often used, which patches APK files of applications or is implemented into the system without flashing it.
Using Magisk/Xposed modules is the only way to change the identifiers visible to applications without the risk of damaging the radio module and losing connection.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to change IMEI without root access?
On modern versions of Android (8.0 and higher) this is almost impossible. System partitions where IMEI is stored are write-protected. Without root privileges, you have no access to these memory areas. Any applications from Google Play that promise to do this without Root are most likely fraudulent.
Will changing the Android ID reset my Google accounts?
No, Google accounts are tied to your login and password, and not just to the device ID. However, some apps may require you to re-authorize because they think you're signed in from a new device. Data inside applications (game saves, settings) may be lost if they are not synchronized with the cloud.
What happens if I enter the wrong IMEI?
If the IMEI checksum does not match the Luhn algorithm, the phone may refuse to work with the SIM card. In the worst case, if you damage the structure of the EFS/NVRAM partition, the phone will no longer see the network at all, and recovery will require professional intervention using boxes (for example, Octoplus or Chimera).
Will changing the ID help if the phone is stolen?
No. If the phone is locked by the operator or via Google Find My Device, changing the IMEI (even if it is legal in your jurisdiction for gray phones) will not remove the Google account lock (FRP Lock). The phone will remain a “brick” for an ordinary user without removing the activation lock.