Simple Tips for Your Android Smartphone
An easy way to find your phone’s IMEI number
If you lose your cellphone or if you’re planning to switch wireless carriers, you’re going to need to know your cellphone’s IMEI (International Equipment Identity Number). The 15-digit IMEI number is your phone’s unique identifier, just like the VIN is for your car.
Here’s a quick and easy way to find your phone’s IMEI number without digging around in your phone’s settings app or looking at your SIM card.
Dial *#06# (that’s Star, Pound, Zero, Six, #) and your IMEI number, and a lot more information will appear on your screen.
How to find your Android smartphone’s IMEI number even if you don’t have your phone
Here is how to find your phone’s IMEI even if your phone is not in your possession.
Log in to your Google account and go to https://myaccount.google.com/dashboard.
In your Google Account dashboard (usually under “Find my device”) click on Android or the Android icon.
If your phone is turned on, you’ll see its IMEI number displayed along with the date your phone was activated (registered) and the last time it was “seen”. And if the phone is turned on, you’ll see its location on a map.
And while you’re there you should familiarize yourself with two more options: Secure Device and Erase Device.
Secure Device
In case you lose your phone, Secure Device lets you leave a message for anyone who finds it as well as a contact number where you can be reached.
Erase Device
If you lose your phone and you have sensitive information on it and it’s not password or PIN protected, you can erase all the data on your phone in “Mission Impossible” style. If the phone is offline as soon as it goes online all data on it will begin erasing.