IMEI is a unique 15-digit identifier for your smartphone, which is used by telecom operators to device identification on the network. Changing it may be necessary in rare cases: after unsuccessful firmware update, when buying a phone with a broken IMEI, or to bypass regional restrictions. However most methods of changing IMEI violate the laws of many countries, including Russia, and can lead to blocking of the device by the operator.

In this article we will analyze all current methods for changing IMEI on Android in 2026including legal alternatives, risks and consequences. It is important to understand: if your phone is working normally, change IMEI not only pointless, but also dangerous. We do not recommend doing this without a good reason - it is better to first try other ways to solve the problem.

Why change IMEI on Android at all?

There are only a few reasonable ones reasons for changing IMEI, and most of them are related to hardware faults or manufacturer errors:

  • 🔧 Damaged IMEI after unsuccessful firmware (displayed as 000000000000000 or null).
  • 🌍 Regional restrictions (for example, the phone is tied to an operator in another country and does not work with local SIM cards).
  • 📱 IMEI cloning to restore the device after theft (legal only if there is proof of ownership).
  • 🔄 Software testing by developers (in limited conditions).

If your case does not fall into this list, most likely you do not need to change IMEI. For example, unlocking the bootloader or resetting settings often solve network problems without changing the identifier. And if the phone is stolen, it’s better to contact the police rather than try to “reflash” it yourself.

📊 Why are you interested in changing the IMEI?
The phone's IMEI is lost after firmware
I want to bypass regional blocking
The phone is stolen/lost
Just wondering how it works
Another reason

Before resorting to radical methods, try these legal alternativesthat can solve your problem:

  1. Restoring IMEI through the engineering menu (works on Mediatek, Qualcomm and some Spreadtrum). Often the IMEI simply “flies” after resetting the settings or firmware, and it can be restored to the original value.
    How to check if the IMEI is damaged?

    Type on the keyboard *#06#. If instead of 15 digits you see zeros, symbols or an error, the IMEI is damaged.

  2. Contacting a service center. Manufacturers (for example Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme) can restore IMEI using the device serial number - this is legal and safe.
  3. Using dual SIM adapters. If the problem is regional blocking, sometimes an adapter with two SIM cards helps, which “deceives” the network.
  4. Flashing to stock firmware. Often, IMEI is restored automatically after installing official software via Fastboot or ODIN (for Samsung).

If none of these methods helped, and you still want to change IMEI, read on. But remember: The following are methods that may violate the laws of your country. and warranty conditions.

💡

Before any manipulations with IMEI, make a backup copy of the data via adb backup or manually. After changing the identifier, the phone may require a factory reset.

Methods. changing IMEI on Android: from simple to complex

All methods of changing IMEI are divided into three categories: through engineering. menu, with special applications and by flashing modified softwareEfficiency depends on the processor of your phone:

Method Suitable processors Complexity Risks
Engineering menu (codes) Mediatek, some Qualcomm Low May reset after reboot
Applications (for example, Chamelephon) Mediatek (MTK) Average Requires root, Google account blocking
Firmware via Fastboot/SP Flash Tool Any, but requires modified files High Loss guarantees, "brick"
Soldering EEPROM chip Any Very high Damage to the board, irreversible consequences

The most common method for Mediatek is using the engineering menu. For example, on phones Xiaomi Redmi, Realme or Infinix the following algorithm often works:

Open the "Phone" application and dial ##3646633##|Go to Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information|In the field AT+EGMR=1.7,"NEW_IMEI" enter a new ID|Click Send AT Command and reboot the phone-->

For Qualcomm the process is more complicated and usually requires QPST or QCNfiles. And on phones with Exynos (for example, Samsung Galaxy) or Kirin (Huawei) changing IMEI programmatically is almost impossible without deep knowledge in radio engineering.

💡

Most modern smartphones (starting with Android 10) block IMEI changes at the kernel level. Even with root access, this may not work.

Step-by-step guide for Mediatek (MTK)

If your phone runs on a processor Mediatek (check in Settings → About phone → Processor model), you can try changing the IMEI through the engineering menu. You will need root access and original IMEI (if you restore).

Step 1. Find out the current IMEI

Dial keyboard *#06#. If zeros or an error are displayed, the IMEI is damaged. If a normal number is shown, write it down - you may need it for recovery.

Step 2. Open the engineering menu

Enter the code for your model:

  • For most MTK: ##3646633## or ##4636##
  • For Xiaomi: ##4636## → MTK Settings
  • For Realme/Oppo: *#36446337#

Step 3. Change IMEI

  1. Go to section Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information.
  2. If you have two SIM cards, select SIM 1 or SIM 2.
  3. In the input field, enter the command: 
    AT +EGMR=1,7,"NEW_IMEI_15_DIGIT"

    (for example, AT +EGMR=1,7,"123456789012345" - but use real valid IMEI!)

  4. Click Send AT Command.
  5. Repeat for the second SIM card, if necessary (replace 1,7 with 1,10).
  6. Restart the phone.

Step 4. Check the result

Dial again *#06#. If the IMEI has changed, but is reset after a reboot, it means that the change is not saved in NV RAM. In this case, only flashing the modified NVRAMfile will help.

💡

If the engineering menu does not open, try the application MTK Engineering Mode Google Play. But be careful - it requires root and may contain malicious code.

Risks and consequences of changing IMEI

Changing IMEI is not a harmless procedure. Here's how it can turn out:

  • ⚖️ Legal problemsIn Russia, the EU, the USA and many other countries, changing IMEI is considered fraud. is punishable by fines or even criminal liability (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - “Illegal access to computer information”).
  • 📵 Blocking by the operator. If the new IMEI is blacklisted (for example, as stolen), the phone will no longer detect the network.
  • 🔒 Loss of warranty. Any interference with the firmware will void the manufacturer's warranty.
  • 💀 "Brick". Incorrect firmware NVRAM or QCN may make the phone inoperable.
  • 🔄 Automatic reset. On new versions of Android, IMEI may be reset after updating.
⚠️ Attention: If you change the IMEI to a phone that has been stolen, you become an accomplice to the crime. Telecom operators and law enforcement agencies monitor such cases.

Another important point: IMEI is tied to the phone's radio module. If you simply copy someone else's IMEI, the two devices will not be able to work on the same network at the same time. This will lead to conflicts and possible blocking of both devices.

Alternatives to changing IMEI: what to do if the phone does not receive the network

In 90% of cases, network problems are solved without changing IMEI. Here's what you can do:

  • 🔄 Reset network settings: Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings.
  • 📶 Update the radio module firmware. For Samsung this is done through Odin (files marked CP), for Xiaomi - through Mi Flash Tool.
  • 📱 Check the SIM card. Sometimes the problem is in the card itself - try inserting it into another phone.
  • 🛠️ Reflash stock software. Use the official utilities:
  • 📡 Check the antenna. If the phone does not receive the network even after a reset, the antenna contact may have come loose (especially after a fall).

If none of these methods helped, and you are sure that the problem is in the IMEI, contact authorized service center. Manufacturers have legal tools for restoring the identifier by serial number.

⚠️ Attention: Some “masters” offer IMEI change for 500–1000 rubles. Often they simply flash the phone with unofficial software, which leads to problems with updates and security. Official repairs will cost more, but will maintain the warranty.

Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

If you decide to change IMEI, avoid these mistakes:

  1. Use an invalid IMEI. The number must:
    • Contain exactly 15 digits.
    • Pass verification using the Luna algorithm (the last digit is the control one).
    • Not be on the GSMA blacklist (check on imei.info).
How to check IMEI using the Luna algorithm?

Multiply every second digit by 2, add all the digits of the result and check if the sum is divisible by 10. If not, the IMEI is invalid.

  • Lack of NVRAM backupBefore changing, save the original NVRAMfile. (for MTK - via SP Flash Tool, for Qualcomm - via QPST).
  • IMEI does not match the phone model. For example, IMEI from iPhone will not work on Samsung —the operator will block such a device.
  • Ignoring regional features. In some countries (for example, in China), IMEI starts with certain numbers. If you use the “Chinese” IMEI in Russia, you may have problems registering on the network.

    • Another common mistake is attempting to change IMEI on phones with a locked bootloader. On Samsung, Huawei and many other brands, this requires first unlocking OEM Unlock in the developer settings, which will reset all data and can lead to Google account blocking (FRP).

    FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

    ❓ Is it possible to change IMEI without root?

    On most modern smartphones (Android 10+) - no. For Mediatek sometimes engineering codes work, but they require an unlocked bootloader without root and Qualcomm without root and QPST it is impossible to change IMEI.

    ❓ What happens if you enter a non-existent IMEI?

    The phone either will not connect to the network, or the IMEI will be reset after a reboot. In the worst case, the operator will block the device for suspicious activity.

    ❓ Is it possible to return the original IMEI after changing?

    Yes, if you have a backup NVRAM or QCNfile. You can also try to restore it through the engineering menu by entering the original number.

    ❓ Why does the phone not connect to the network after changing the IMEI?

    Possible reasons:

    • IMEI is on the black list.
    • IMEI mismatch with model phone.
    • Error when writing to NVRAM.
    • Blocking by the operator (for example, if the IMEI was stolen).

    ❓ Is it legal to change IMEI in Russia?

    No. According to Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, changing the factory identifiers of a device is considered illegal access to computer information and is punishable by a fine of up to 200,000 rubles or correctional labor.