Unveil your mystery mobile device by checking your IMEI

The first handheld mobile device was introduced by Motorola in 1973 and weighed a whopping 2 kilograms. It wasn’t until 1979 that the world’s first automated cellular network was introduced in Japan. In the four short decades that followed, in line with assumptions of Moore’s law, mobile technology has evolved exponentially. As of 2020, there were over 14 billion mobile devices in the world, that’s almost 2 for every human on the Planet Earth. Analysts suggest this figure will continue to grow, topping almost 18 billion by 2024.

The world is increasingly connected, not only are mobile devices more prevalent, but they are also more powerful, dependable, integrated and useful. While the first mobile phones would good only for voice calls, modern mobile devices are capable of a great deal more. The average iPhone boasts considerably more computing power than early spacecraft. At the touch of a button, using applications designed by entrepreneurs around the globe, users can book flights, taxis, hotels, food, speak with friends around the world, set up a business, sell products, and a whole lot more.

The growth of the global smartphone market has brought about the emergence of a booming second-hand market. Devices are traded in regularly and customers able to pick up functional devices for a fraction of their retail value as new releases enter the market quicker than ever before. With the latest models priced higher than ever before, savvy consumers opt for second-hand devices only 1-2 years old seeking bargain buys. This market is worth well over £20bn globally.

However, while this all sounds great, there can be a problem when buying smartphones in the second-hand market. You never really know what you’re getting, especially if you purchase from eBay, an independent store or any number of other online sale platforms. Before purchasing a new device, buyers often feel like they have to rely on a seller’s honesty. How do they know the device they’re buying is legit, not stolen and/or exactly what the seller says it is?

Upon receipt of a device, buyers can be unsure of actual model specification, the status of the device (whether it is blacklisted), and what network the smartphone is tied to. If you don’t have any of this information, it may seem like you’re in for a serious problem. But don’t panic just yet, all is not lost.

Revealing the secrets of a mystery device

Fortunately, every smartphone has a unique number associated with it which through the Global System for Mobile Communications can be tracked to obtain the status of that device. This number is commonly referred to as the IMEI code, which stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. The IMEI code can usually be found printed inside the battery compartment and can be displayed on-screen on most devices by typing *#06#

The great thing about your devices IMEI code is that it serves as a kind of permanent tracing code. No matter where your phone goes, whose possession it is in, or what device it is used on. The status of the device can be found via this IMEI. The IMEI can also be used to blacklist or lock the device when reported stolen, this means that particular IMEI is locked from accessing the mobile network and the device itself is rendered unusable.

Imagine for a second you’re scouring the internet for a great smartphone deal, you come across the latest iPhone at a bargain price, but you’ve got no idea who the seller is, you’re reluctant to take their word on the status of the smartphone given the lack of relationship and a relatively large amount of money you’re likely forking out. There’s a simple solution. You can ask the seller for the devices IMEI and settle all of your worries immediately. Once you have the IMEI code, you can Check IMEI online using Check IMEI’s simple online process to reveal everything you need to know about the device itself.

Has the device been stolen? It is blacklisted? Is it locked to a network when advertised as unlocked? Does the advertised specification match the specification listed by the IMEI? A simple online search using Check IMEI can reveal all of this at the click of a button. You could save yourself hundreds of pounds and a frustrating situation in the space of just 5 minutes.