IMEI vs. MEID

Have you ever wondered what that IMIE or MEID number on your cell phone means? Would you like to know why your phone shows a MEID number instead of an IMEI number or vice versa? If you are interested in knowing what the difference is between the two, then read on. This is the right place for you if you are looking for the information you need. The purpose of this article is to give you an understanding of what IMEI and MEID numbers are and how they can be used.

An IMEI or MEID number is a number that identifies your phone or tablet that is unique to any other mobile device on the market. There are several reasons why you may need this number. These include unlocking your phone or tablet, tracking or finding a lost or stolen phone, or finding out if your phone will work on the network of another carrier. If you would like to locate the IMEI or MEID on your mobile device, take a look at the instructions below.

Recommended: RANDOM IMEI GENERATOR

What is MEID?

This Mobile Equipment Identifier (MEID) is a string of 14 digits that are used to identify cell phones utilizing CDMA technology to provide cellular service to their subscribers. There is no SIM card in CDMA phones, and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) is just a type of technology used for wireless phone service. Isn't it strange that most CDMA phones don't have SIM cards?

There are a number of wireless communication service providers who use CDMA technology to provide their services to their customers, including Verizon, Sprint, and US Cellular.

MEID consists of three fields

• 8-bit regional code (RR)
• 24-bit manufacturer code
• 24-bit manufacturer-assigned serial number
• (CD) is not considered part of the MEID

MEID provides operators with optional capabilities to track stolen or malfunctioning mobiles that are superior to those available with ESN or IMEI.

THE IMEI - MEID - ESN CONVERTER

MEID is a replacement for ESN (electronic serial number). MEID began replacing ESN in 2006.

• How to check MEID?

The MEID number is located under the battery, below the battery, or on the back or bottom of the device.

• Free MEID Checker

Once you locate your device's MEID Number in front of you, easily visit the IMEI.Info website and use Free MEID Checker in order to gain loads of advanced information regarding your smartphone.

What is IMEI?

There is a number called the International Mobile Station Equipment Identity, or IMEI. This number is associated with mobile phones that run on the GSM network and allows them to be identified.  
There are a number of other types of wireless technologies that are used in mobile services, aside from GSM.

It is relevant to note that AT&T and T-Mobile are both wireless carriers that provide their customers with wireless services using GSM technology.

• The Structure of an IMEI Number

IMEI numbers either come in a 17-digit or 15-digit sequence of numbers. The IMEI format currently utilized is AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D:

• AA: These two digits are for the Reporting Body Identifier, indicating the GSMA-approved group that allocated the TAC (Type Allocation Code).
• BBBBBB: The remainder of the TAC (FAC)
• CCCCCC: Serial sequence of the Model (SNR)
• D: Luhn check the digit of the entire model or 0 (This is an algorithm that validates the ID number) (CD)

What is the purpose of IMIE and MEID?

There are two different types of device identifiers that are used to help wireless carriers and cell phone manufacturers identify certain devices on the market. They are referred to as "device identifiers" by most users. As you can see, each of these Device Identifiers is unique to the device that it identifies.

In many ways, you can think of the IMEI number or the MEID number as the social security number of the phone. Each of the thousands of cell phones that are released will have its own unique Device Identifier (ID), even if there are thousands of specific models and make of cell phones produced and released.

How to find the Device Identifier of your phone?

In order to find the IMEI/MEID number on your cell phone, there are a few different methods that you can use.

• Using the dialer

The IMEI/MEID number on a smartphone can usually be found by opening up the phone's dial pad as if you were trying to dial a telephone number. Enter the number #06# in the space provided. If you enter "#06#" on the phone's display, the IMEI will appear once you type in the number.

• Using the settings

The Device Identifier of your cell phone can also be found in the settings of your phone. In order to locate this feature, you might need to search around a bit in your settings. This depends on the type of phone you have and what version of software you are running on the phone.

• Printed on the label

There are times when it is impossible to use the phone at all. What can you do if, for example, your phone won't even power on and you are unable to provide this number? On the back of the phone, you will find the IMEI and MEID numbers, which are usually printed on a sticker. Depending on your device, you will have to look for the exact location of the battery compartment, SIM compartment, or memory slot. However, it is often found in one of these areas. When your phone allows you to remove the battery, take the battery out and take a look at where the battery sits. You will most likely see the IMEI or MEID number on your phone.

If you have an Android smartphone and would like some more information about how and where to locate the IMEI/MEID number for your smartphone, you can click here for more details about how and where to locate your device's IMEI/MEID number.

What does it all mean?

If you have a phone that runs on the CDMA network, in a nutshell, your phone will have a MEID number; in other words, if you have a phone that runs on the CDMA network, your phone is most likely to have a MEID number. In the event that your phone uses GSM technology for its wireless service, then it will have an IMEI number associated with it. In a nutshell, it's as simple as that.

Why do we need them?

Mobile phones and the mobile phone industry rely heavily on these numbers.
 

• Carriers of wireless services

Whenever a cell phone is lost or stolen, the wireless provider of the phone will be able to block the IMEI/MEID number of the phone. This will ensure that the phone will no longer be able to connect to a wireless network and will no longer be ready to receive service. There will not be much point in using this device as a phone since it is pretty much worthless. It discourages theft and fraud, which is great.

As a matter of fact, wireless carriers can also look at IMEI numbers to determine what kind of phone you have, when you activated that phone for the first time (they can see your activation date and time to the second), and what telephone numbers have been dialed on a specific phone with the help of the IMEI/MEID number of that phone. Using this tool can also be an extremely powerful tool. This is because the first date the phone was used can show exactly when the phone became out of warranty and when it was first activated.

The warranty department of a phone is highly likely to ask for the IMEI/MEID/ESN or S/N number of the phone if you call them. In order for the warranty department to check whether the phone is still under warranty as well as to ensure the correct phone is received if it needs to be repaired or replaced, the warranty department will require the IMEI/MEID/ESN or S/N number of the phone.

• Industry manufacturers

There is also the convenience of being able to track common issues in this way. When there appears to be a common problem with a specific cell phone, the manufacturer will be in a position to cross-reference the IMEI/MEID numbers of the affected phone with other phones that are experiencing the same issue. The result will be that they will be able to find out if the phone was manufactured around a certain time or if it was produced in a specific location as a result of this information. When a pattern is identified, the manufacturer can tag particular IMIE numbers that were assigned to the faulty batch of phones. This will enable the manufacturer to add those phones to a known defect list if a pattern is identified.

All of this occurs behind the scenes, of course, and users are not guaranteed to experience physical problems with these cell phones due to a defective piece of hardware (for example, a volume key). When a cell phone user files a warranty claim for physical damage, it is less likely that a claim for physical damage will be considered at fault. This is because it is a known issue with the phone.

Is there anything you need help with? Despite that, it is a powerful tool for keeping track of such things as well. The same applies if a known issue has been resolved

In many cases, you'll be able to get the cell phone fixed or replaced if there is a known issue because physical damage voids a phone's warranty. However, it may also mean you have to buy a new phone if you encounter a known issue, or you may have to buy a new phone, which can be expensive. Particularly if you still have a contract in place and do not have the option to upgrade at this time due to being tied into a contract.

Uses of IMEIs and MEIDs
 

• Buying used phones

When purchasing a used phone, this is also something that needs to be kept in mind. You might want to take a second look at the phone before buying it if the description states "failure ESN" "failure IMEI" or "faulty MEID" because the phone will not be able to connect to a wireless network and won't be able to make and receive calls. If you are buying the phone only to repair it, you might want to think twice before purchasing it.
 

• Cell phone tracking - lost or stolen

Several third-party applications claim to be able to help you track your phone if it is stolen and you need to track it in the event of its theft. In order to maintain consistency with your device (often based on its Device Identity), you can make use of the GPS capabilities of your device. In order to use these applications, you will need to have the phone installed before it is stolen. They do not offer any guarantee that they will be able to help you locate or retrieve your phone if it is missing.

Although this idea is well-intentioned, it is difficult to provide a guarantee if a phone is stolen or lost.
 

• Repairs and replacements - Tracking

It's early in the article that I mentioned IMIEs are a powerful tracking tool for cell phone manufacturers and wireless carriers. You should also keep in mind that it can protect you too.

When you ship your phone in for repair or return a malfunctioning phone in after receiving a replacement. You receive it back all smashed up with a letter inside telling you it is no longer covered by warranty a week or two later. However, when you sent in your phone it was fine. However, when it's broken and still doesn't feel like your phone. You can compare the IMEI/MEID of the phone you sent in. This will make sure it's the one you sent in. It's likely that there was a mix-up, so you should definitely tell the people you brought your phone to for repair or replacement if that's the case.

Point of sale insurance or warranty claims

As a minor point to keep in mind, and one that I would like to bring to your attention, there is a bit of gray area about IMEIs that you should keep in mind when you choose to purchase phone protection through your POS (Point of Sale). It's wise to buy your phone from a reputable retailer, like Best Buy, which offers an extended warranty through their store for an additional fee. When you file a warranty claim with Best Buy, they usually require that you return the exact same phone you received from them. This is so that they can verify that you purchased the phone from them.

So let me give you a more detailed explanation of what I mean. Whenever you buy a phone from a retail outlet, if the phone fails, you should pay that retail outlet to have it insured rather than purchasing that protection through your wireless carrier or a third-party insurance company like Asurion, if the phone fails. As a result, you must take your phone back to that store location in order to have it replaced. You must not file a warranty claim or insurance claim with your wireless provider in order for this to work. It is critical to understand that if you do this, the retail warranty you purchased is going avoided. This is because the phone you received for the warranty claim is not the same phone you purchased at that retail store. As a result, their IMEI numbers will not be the same.

If you choose to purchase an extended warranty from your Point of Sale, make sure that you use that extended warranty first. This will enable you to file a claim under the manufacturer's warranty. In this way, you will avoid any problems in the future. You will save not only the money you spent on the extended warranty but also a lot of frustration and time down the road when things turn out wrong.