How to restore IMEI (IMEI) on Android

IMEI is a unique phone identifier that is assigned to each device at the production stage. With its help, you can verify the originality of the device, and also, in rare cases, find your lost phone. Users of smartphones (tablets) often encounter the problem of missing IMEI, which usually occurs when the device’s firmware is incorrectly flashed. How to restore IMEI on MediaTek (MTK) processors will be discussed in the article.

What is IMEI

Each mobile communication device has a unique identifier - one for each SIM card slot. It consists of 15 digits and is used to register a smartphone in a cellular network, remotely block data, and verify the information stated by the seller with the real one. It encrypts such data as: manufacturer; device model; Country of Origin; serial number, calculated using the Luhn algorithm and requiring the presence of one check digit, in the case of IMEI presented at the end.

Full reset via recovery

The only 100% way to reset the password on Honor and Huawei is Hard Reset. Hard Reset - Hard reset of the phone to factory settings, including all firmware updates, user data, saved passwords and application data. After the reset, no user data remains; the phone becomes the same as it was when it was first turned on after purchase.

In order to unlock Honor and Huawei without a password with a full data reset, you will need:

Turn off the phone.
Press and hold the volume up button and the power button.
After the Huawei logo appears, release the power key. You cannot release the volume up key until the menu is completely loaded, otherwise the phone will boot in normal mode.
Click on “Wipe data/factory reset”; on new models you will have to click on “Wipe data/factory reset” several times to confirm your actions.
Confirm your choice by clicking on “Yes”.

On older devices, the volume key allows you to lower the “selection line” to the desired item, the power key confirms the selected actions.

Why does IMEI need to be restored?

When installing third-party firmware, a problem may arise in the form of an unexpected IMEI reset. Despite the fact that this is partly an advantage in terms of preventing tracking, the presence of two devices with the same identifier (the number when reset turns into a combination of 15 zeros) on the same network makes it impossible for one of them to make calls, send SMS, or use data transfer. The owner of another, successfully connected device will encounter difficulties in receiving messages and voice calls, so no one wins in such a situation.

Before proceeding with the steps of the instructions described in this article, you should determine whether the identifier actually needs to be restored - a similar situation happens when you are at a great distance from the tower or the communication modules are damaged. Do the following:

Open the dialing window, without quotes enter “*#06#”;
Click on the call button. A USSD request will be sent, which will not lead to the withdrawal of funds from the internal balance;
Wait a few seconds until the information window opens. If you see "Invalid" or similar instead of a long number or barcode, review your recovery options.

If the USSD request is marked as incorrect, use Play Market store programs: for example, free IMEI Tools or SIM Card Info (advertising is disabled for a fee of 55 rubles). You can also check the code through the device parameters:

Open the Settings program;
Go to the “About phone” section using the button at the bottom;
Click on “General Information”, then on “IMEI Code Data”.

Please note that the number of correct IMEIs must match the number of SIM card slots. In other words, if you are using a phone with 2 SIM, but you see three lines in the window, one of which is marked as “Invalid”, there is no problem.

How can you lose your code?

Since IMEI is the unique identification code of a device when connected to a network, losing it can cause serious problems for the user. The only good thing is that such a nuisance can happen for just a few reasons.

Lost phone

The easiest way to lose your IMEI is to lose your mobile device.

Statistics show that most of those who type the query “How to restore IMEI” into their browser’s search bar face a similar problem. The thing is that thanks to it, the mobile operator can track the device if it was stolen or lost, and also block it. But if you did not recognize this code before losing the device, finding it will be much more difficult, although it is possible, which will be discussed below.

Firmware changed

It is after the update that some users are faced with the fact that the device cannot determine the IMEI. Problems arise for those who refused to install the official version, preferring software from little-known developers.

If the program code is written incorrectly, the NVRAM may be damaged. In addition, an incorrect Android IMEI can be obtained due to a failure during the installation process, which occurs due to a prematurely disconnected cable, an unexpectedly dead battery, or neglect of the instructions.

Why does IMEI become invalid?

It is unlikely that when using official firmware and downloading updates from a reliable source, the user will encounter a similar situation. Automatic IMEI reset usually occurs when one software package is not fully compatible with another. An important factor is also the experience of the people who created the archive. High risks are possible in the case of firmware from little-known companies.

Another possible reason is that the smartphone is disconnected from the computer while SP Flash Tool or a similar utility that requires constant file transfer is running. Along with this, other, more noticeable bugs usually arise. If the NVRAM is “overwritten”, resulting in the loss of IMEI, a non-existent network “Nvram warning err = 0x10” appears in the list of Wi-Fi networks, indicating errors in the operation of the gadget.

How to unlock an Honor and Huawei phone if you forgot the password

The methods for unlocking Huawei phones are practically no different from the standard ones provided on Android devices.

There are two ways to unlock your smartphone if you have forgotten your pattern key or PIN code:

Through recovery using a Google account. The method does not work on new smartphones, the “Forgot your access code?” button. (or something similar) just doesn't appear.
Through a hard reset of the phone to factory settings. However, in this case, all data is deleted without the possibility of recovery.

IMEI repair methods

Below are 11 error correction methods that require different levels of preparation. Another method, not presented below, is to return the gadget to a service center, but in this case the warranty will not apply. If you encounter difficulties, seek help on the device manufacturer’s forum or describe your problem in the comments under this post so that other users can help solve it. And so, if you don’t know how to restore IMEI on Android, use one of the options in this instruction.

It is important to first USB debugging , since some of the options mentioned in the article require connecting the smartphone via cable:

Launch the settings by tapping on the gear on the quick access panel;
Open “About phone”, click on “Build number” several times;
Go to the tab that appears, move the slider next to the “USB Debugging” item, having read the warning about possible risks in the form of providing access to flashing and deleting data.

Engineering menu

To use this option, you must first know the menu code. In Xiaomi devices it looks like this – “*#*#6484#*#*” ; on Samsung – “*#*#8255#*#*” or “#0#” . Relevant information is provided in the user manuals of smartphones, and can also be easily searched using Yandex or Google. The Play Market has applications that are catalogs of numerical combinations, as well as programs that allow you to immediately open a menu.

The instructions look like this:

Having opened the advanced control panel of your smartphone, go to the “ Connection ” section, click “ CDS Information ”, then “ Phone 1 ”, “ Radio Information ”;
Switch to command sending mode. Enter " AT+ EGMR=1.7+", instead ofIMEI> by substituting the value indicated on the device box. Click on the button Send at command»;
You will receive a toast notification that the command completed successfully. All that remains is to reboot the device, and then check the IMEI according to the instructions above - via USSD or the settings program.

Chamelephon

The Chamelephon program is used to change IMEI to absolutely any value, which is why it is not placed in popular digital goods stores. The advantage is the presence of a random number generator of fifteen digits. Despite this, it is recommended to indicate the “native” identifier - otherwise the operator will perceive the device as not previously used or mistakenly determine that it belongs to another client. You can download the application through w3bsit3-dns.com - a forum for mobile device owners.

Correct operation of the utility is possible only on gadgets with Android OS 2.2 and higher using processors of the MediaTek 65XX family. You must have superuser rights (root), otherwise using the program will not bring results.

After installation, perform the following operations:

Open the application, click " Generate random IMEI ";
Erase the number that appears in the input field, enter the real digital combination instead;
Press "Apply new IMEI", reboot the device and check the result.

SN Write Tool

This instruction applies to devices with MediaTek processors and assumes a computer with the Windows operating system. The procedure is as follows:

Download the English version of the program from the official source; for greater stability, select the latest release. Unzip the archive via Windows 10 Explorer or a third-party application, for example, 7-Zip, WinRAR, WinZIP;
Connect your smartphone to your PC or laptop via USB and launch the utility. After a few seconds, the program will display a yellow indicator. Along with it, a window will appear that can be buried;
In point Target Type select Smart Phone and click the item below System Configto save the settings;
In the menu that appears, you will need to check the box next to the item IMEI (if you have 2 SIM cards in your phone, then activate the item below Dual IMEI);
Read also: Setting up the computer shutdown timer in Windows 10
In the right tab you need to activate the items On/Off next to the tabs: IMEI_1 Header And IMEI_2 Header;
Indicate the first 8 digits of your IMEI code in these tabs. If you have one, then only in the first tab;
Save all changes by clicking Save in the main menu of the program;
Below in the section Database File you need to specify the firmware file to download for your phone. This can be done on the same thematic forum 4pda;
Next you need to click Start;
The program will ask you to specify again IMEI, only now in full form (all 15 digits), so enter them and click “OK”;
As soon as the procedure is completed, you will receive a corresponding notification in the program;
Safely remove the device by taking it out of reconfiguration mode by clicking on “ Disconnect ”. Reboot the device - the changes will take effect.

If the “Download IMEI to flash” error occurs, you will first need to reflash your smartphone, and then return to the items from the list above.

ADB Run

Using the ADB Run utility, you can perform a lot of operations related to the device - from deleting a pattern to installing factory settings. Recovery is only available on MediaTek; is carried out on behalf of the superuser, so you should first start issuing root rights. A simple text interface allows you to use the computer program without a mouse and easily get used to the controls.

Follow these steps:

Install the program, connect your smartphone to the PC;
Go to "Manual Command", select "Restore IMEI" A SIM selection window will appear - click on “1” if you use one, “2” if you have two;
Enter the required ID. A document called MP0B_001 – move it to the phone’s internal memory or MicroSD card associated with it;
Install the Aroma file manager, use it to copy the above-mentioned file to the following path: /data/nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/MP0B_001 or, if there is an nvram folder outside data, bypassing the first directory in the same way. A window for selecting an action with the file may appear - click “Overwrite”;
Reboot your device.

IMEI Generator

Unlike Chamelephon, this utility is available on Google Play and does not require root, since the change is carried out through the engineering menu. The application has a lot of free analogues, so nothing prevents you from using several applications if the previous options fail. The application is not a simple random value generator, but a smart script that allows you to create codes for certain countries, manufacturers, and models.

To restore the ID, open the application, enter the desired value, click “Generate” and go to the control panel. If you are interested in creating a new IMEI, after starting the program, do the following:

Swipe right to get to the " tabDevice IMEI" Choose your device among more than 1000 devices: from large Samsung with Huawei to lesser-known Oysters, teXet;
A list of possible identifiers will be generated. Copy the one you like using the button on the right. Check the correctness through the form in the “ Analyzer ” section, and then assign it as a gadget through the PU;
Reboot your smartphone.

MTK Droid Tools

With devices running Android 2.2.1 and higher that have a MediaTek (except MT 6580 and MT 67**), operations can be carried out through MTK Droid Tools, which is distributed free of charge through the w3bsit3-dns.com forum. Due to system limitations, the program must be launched in superuser mode with the mandatory presence of the ADB driver. The software is downloaded to your computer and requires Windows XP or higher.

In case you encounter errors in reading the section with IMEI information, take the following steps after installation:

Connect your device to your computer and launch the application. At the bottom left is the current status indicator - if it is yellow, first click " Root" in the lower right corner, then follow the steps indicated in the window that opens. Green color indicates that you can proceed to the next step; red – connection problems, possibly caused by cable damage, debugging prohibited, or dust in the ports;
Select "IMEI/NVRAM", check the box next to the lines /data/nvram And /dev/nvram/. Click on the button Backup» to create a backup. The files will be placed in the folder you specify in two formats - .bin And .tar. The first one will contain data from /dev/nvram/, and the second, respectively, from /data/nvram;
Place the backup files in a safe place (we recommend using the cloud). As soon as problems appear with the NVRAM, restore it from a saved copy by following the same steps, but selecting “ Restore ” instead of “ Backup ”.

GhostPhone Pro

Despite having the word "Pro" in the name, GhostPhone is free and can be downloaded here. The application runs on Android 4.1 and higher with root access, MTK 65xx/67xx chips. The program includes: IMEI generator; checking the correctness of the identifier; automatic reboot at the end of the process; support for dual SIM phones. The code is changed directly, without action through the engineering menu.

The process of use is simple: enter the desired digital combination in the fields or let the program automatically generate it. After that, click on “ Apply new IMEIs ” and reboot your smartphone if this does not happen automatically.

Device ID IMEI Changer Xposed

The utility allows you to manage not only IMEI, but also other data, such as MAC addresses for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections. As in most previous cases, root access is required. Snapdragon and MTK processors are supported.

The usage guide is as follows:

After granting superuser rights, run the program. IMEI line by entering it yourself or generating it using the corresponding button on the right side;
After entering the code, save the changes by clicking on "Apply" The actions taken will take effect after the device is rebooted;
Check the correctness of the changes made, if necessary, download a backup if it was created earlier through the same program - the line for entering the name of the archive and the button to start creating it are located at the bottom.

SP Flash Tool

The program is intended for a computer, but its distinctive feature from the above applications is that there is no need to grant superuser access. If you have dealt with firmware, you can easily master IMEI repair using this utility - you need to do the following:

Download the original firmware of the device;
Connect your phone to your PC via USB, open SP Flash Tool;
In the operations menu, select “ Scatter-load ”, go to the “ ReadBack ” section;
At the top of the table, click “ Add ”, enter the name of the firmware to save. In the " Region " form, write " EMMC_USER " without quotes;
Open file format .img in Notepad, AkelPad, Notepad++ or another text editor, copy the field values "Length" And "Start Address" into the firmware program, click "Read Back».
Read also: How to record a phone conversation during a call - instructions for Samsung

If the device is not detectable, download the drivers from the website of the smartphone or chip manufacturer, and also disable the verification of digital signatures in Windows by alternately entering the bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS and bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING ON .

MauiMETA

The instructions for using this utility are similar to the previous one:

After downloading the device drivers and CDC Serial, launch the software. In its settings, specify the device type ( Platform Type ) – “ Smartphone ”; COM Port – “USB COM”. Turn off your smartphone, pair it with the device;
Click on " Connect ". The occurrence of the “ Get Kernel port ” error means that the CDC Serial driver is damaged or incorrectly installed. Add it through the “Device Manager” using the “Install old device” button that appears when you click on the computer name. control command - enter it in the window that appears when you simultaneously press the “ Win ” and “ R ” keys. The specific section is located in the “System” tab, in the left menu;
Return to the MauiMETA interface, click "Load DB"top left. A window will appear, in it select “ From file", specify the path to a file with a name containing the phrase "BPLGUInfo" In the search bar, enter " IMEI Download" - a table for editing codes will open, to save the data in which you need to click on "Write»;
If successful, the message “Write IMEI to target successfully", which means you can shut down the device and program - click "Disconnect" The button is in the place where “Connect” was. Reboot your smartphone yourself to confirm the changes.

MTK65xx Changer

The last option to fix the error is to use the MTK65xx Changer utility, available at this link. The program needs to be granted root; works on Android 2.2 and higher. Based on the name, the application can be used on devices with MediaTek chips.

MTK65xx Changer automatically receives the necessary data, including processor information. Before work, you will need to remove the SIM cards, and then proceed to change the IMEI to the desired ones. There is a function for generating IMEI, as well as automatically assigning the same identifiers to both slots.

You can change and restore IMEI on Android even if you are unable to connect to a computer - just have root or know the code to open the engineering menu. Fixing this error will help you use communication features as before.

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Changing IMEI to Android 7.0 (8.0) via Farmaroot

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It is also a worthy application that also acts as an excellent tool for zip archives. You can download it without any problems in Google Play, but it requires “Superuser” rights . If you already have them, the procedure is extremely simple for you:

After installation, open the program;
The main home page appears, where we select Install SuperSU ;
And now in the window that appears, simply select the rooting method;
We reboot the smartphone. Ready. As you can see, it is very fast, simple and effective.

By logging into your gmail account

The fastest and most accessible way to unlock your Honor phone if you forgot your password is to use your Google account. After entering the pattern key or PIN code incorrectly five times, the following message appears on the screen: “Forgot the pattern key.” Next, we perform all the steps according to the algorithm:

click on the notification that appears;
Enter in the field that appears the email address that was previously used on the phone;
enter your login information;
choose a convenient unlocking method among those offered to you by the system.

More about Huawei: The latest version of Magic UI 3.1 firmware has become available for eight Honor smartphones

Important! For this method, only a Google account that has previously been activated on this device is suitable. There will be difficulties logging into a third-party account because the device does not remember it.

Tips to simplify the process of finding your gadget

To quickly find your smartphone if you lose it, it is recommended to follow some tips:

fill out a business card with contact information on your smartphone or tablet. This will help, in case of loss of the device, the finder to find the owner of the device to contact him;
install the TheftAlert application on your device, which is designed to send an SMS message when changing the SIM card to a phone number specified in advance;
If you lose your device, immediately use one of the services (for example LoSToleN), which will allow you to add the IMEI of the gadget to the database of stolen devices. Also, in many similar services you can specify the amount of reward for return.

Let's use the engineering menu

Many experts call this method the simplest, because you don’t need to download or install anything. True, you can find out how to call up this engineering menu specifically for your model (for example, S4, S5, S6, etc.) either from the instructions for the phone or on the Internet. This is a simple key combination that gives you access to advanced device settings.

So, after calling the above menu, you need to perform the following actions:

go to the Connectivity tab, and then follow the path – CDS information – Radio information;
in the last paragraph you will find one or two sections (according to the number of SIM cards);
go to the Phone 1 tab and enter the command EGMR=1,7 “new code” after the letters AT+;
after entering this data, you will need to click the Send at Command button;
similar steps will need to be done for the second card, if you have one.

Actually, that’s all the actions that this method involves. Here, the most “difficult” thing is that you need to know the key combination to call the engineering menu.

We use the Mobile Uncle program

The second way is to install the Mobile Uncle program, which gives access to the same engineering menu, only without the need to look for a combination to call it. In the language of specialists, the downloaded utility gives superuser rights to your Samsung S6 or S7.

Download and install it on your phone. Once launched, follow the following instructions:

find the tab called “Engineering Mode”;
then follow the path Connectivity – CDS information – Phone information;
go to Phone 1,2;
after this, the same menu appears as in the first method - and you need to enter data in the same way as we described above;
Confirm the entered code using the Send at Command key.

This is all! Actually, these two methods are similar, because we use the same mode of working with a smartphone, but we access it in different ways.

Finally, we would like to say something else about how to avoid the need for a recovery procedure. To do this, never download programs or updates from unverified sources. Along with them, a virus can get into the smartphone, which can simply erase the information. Therefore, trust only official applications and updates to them.

Do you want to always be aware of useful life hacks for your gadget? – Then subscribe to our blog updates on social networks and on the YouTube channel! See you soon.

It is difficult to imagine a person without a name. That is, without a name at all - he does not introduce himself in any way and does not exist in society, all he can do is simply move in space, no one will know how to call him (okay, I’m exaggerating here, options can be found) and how to start a conversation . And when asked about his name, he will only shrug his shoulders.

The same goes for phones without IMEI. This is a unique serial number and name of the device, which it transmits to the network when it connects to it.