How To Change IMEI Number On iPhone?

Sometimes, unconventional solutions are needed for various technical problems. One such issue is getting a new IMEI. If you need to change this unique code for your iPhone, this guide will help you understand how to do it, the risks involved, and the benefits of the procedure.

What Is the IMEI Number for iPhone?

The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a 15-digit numeric code that uniquely identifies each mobile device. This means no other device in the world has the same number, which helps accurately identify the equipment. This is useful for technical maintenance, verifying the authenticity of the product, and facilitating its recovery if the iPhone is lost or stolen.

iPhone owners can find this number in several ways:

In the settings menu, where detailed information about the device is displayed;
On the back panel or the SIM card tray;
In the original packaging – on the box, where the serial number is also indicated;
Through the iTunes program on a computer: when the iPhone is connected to a MacBook and iTunes is launched on the computer, you can view the properties of the connected mobile device, including the IMEI number.

Changing the IMEI code requires special equipment and technical expertise. It is important to understand that replacing the IMEI can potentially lead to some implications, such as a loss of functionality of the device. Therefore, the only way to proceed is to seek help from professionals who have the necessary experience and can guarantee the result. You can submit a request, describe your needs to an expert, and find the solution that suits you. Performing an IMEI replacement or modification at home is impossible. It is also not recommended to use third-party IMEI changers without instructions and detailed step-by-step explanations on how to use the tool properly.

Can IMEI Number Be Changed?

Under normal circumstances, the IMEI number is assigned to the device during manufacturing and remains unchanged throughout the device's usage period. However, it is technically possible to change the IMEI for an iPhone if you use special tools to alter the device's firmware. In this case, instead of the original number, the device will be assigned a different, random set of 15 digits. The advisability of such a decision should be carefully considered. If you are using an original product, and everything is in order with it, it is better not to undergo this procedure. This is because you may lose the right to warranty service, introduce unwanted changes to the iPhone's operating system, and the process itself requires special equipment and must be performed with high caution.

Is Changing the IMEI Number Legal?

The legality of changing the serial number or IMEI number for an iPhone is not considered a crime in most countries. It is your device, and you have the right to do whatever you want with it without facing punishment. However, no jurisdiction encourages such a change. If you change the IMEI number to safely use a found or stolen and subsequently purchased device, it carries legal consequences and severe punishment. The same applies to changes made for fraud, theft, and bypassing security measures. For example, in the USA, India, and the UK, such actions are considered criminal offenses and are punishable by fines or even imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense.

From an ethical standpoint, it is also not a good decision as it undermines the integrity of the mobile device identification system, which is the primary purpose of having each mobile phone with its unique, unchangeable code.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Changing the IMEI Number?

When deciding to change your iPhone's IMEI number, it is crucial to be fully aware of all potential consequences of such an action. Under certain circumstances, you might benefit from this option. However, doing it purely for fun or just to see if it is possible and how it works is not advisable due to the limitations and prohibitions it may lead to.

Advantages of Changing IMEI

The primary reason iPhone users opt to change their IMEI number is the possibility of bypassing blacklists. In some cases, certain devices may end up on carriers' blacklists, and they might refuse to service these devices. Theoretically, changing the IMEI number can help bypass such restrictions or bans, allowing you to use all services as before.
Changing the device number significantly enhances privacy. When privacy is a critical issue (e.g., a person is in a witness protection program), this procedure helps avoid tracking by third parties and, therefore, stay safe. In such cases, law enforcement agencies often recommend changing the IMEI.
Testing software and applications in developer mode requires bypassing standard restrictions built into the system. Thus, testers and developers find significant advantages in this solution. Specialists who frequently need to simulate different environments, devices, and network conditions find it more convenient to work, ensuring high-quality output. Sometimes, regular users also need this capability; changing the IMEI can occasionally grant access to more flexible, specific settings.

Thus, security, privacy, and an expanded range of technical capabilities without purchasing a new device — all these benefits become available to users who require them. You can restore or extend functionality even without buying a new device.

Disadvantages & Risks of Changing IMEI

The primary caution to keep in mind when considering IMEI modification is its legality in your region. If you need to change your IMEI number for security reasons, these actions can be coordinated with the relevant organizations, and no problems will arise. However, if the change is associated with fraud or the use of stolen devices, these actions entail criminal liability.
IMEI modification, especially if you turn to non-professionals or random individuals who promise to handle it, can irreversibly damage the device. Such damage is not a warranty case and is not subject to free service in service centers. Therefore, before taking the step of modifying the number, weigh the risks and potential benefits.
The warranty becomes void when your iPhone or any other device undergoes such a procedure. The user support agreement is made with the owner of a specific IMEI number, and when this number changes, the agreement automatically loses validity. Thus, if further repair of the device is anticipated, you will have to do it at your expense.
Updating the usual apps you use may become challenging. The point is that the previous version of the application was installed on one device, and updates are essentially needed for the same gadget, but now, the equipment has a different code, which can lead to critical errors. Trying to bypass these restrictions, you may also encounter the fact that the iPhone becomes vulnerable to malicious software. Paradoxically, though this replacement is done for security reasons, the gadget becomes more vulnerable and less safe to use. Storing financial, personal, or confidential information on it is not recommended.

If you have used low-quality IMEI modification services, there is a risk that mobile operators may detect that the equipment has two IMEIs simultaneously, which is a suspicious situation. The operator tries to block suspicious cases to ensure the ethical and safe provision of services to other network clients.

How to Change IMEI of an iPhone: Different Methods

So, how to change IMEI code? What do you need to do to achieve this?
There are several methods you can try:

Method 1 — Software

First, you need to jailbreak your iPhone, which means removing the restrictions imposed by the manufacturer. This allows you to access the iOS file system to perform the necessary procedures to modify the IMEI.

Next, you will need special software (a terminal program or changer IMEI) that enables the desired manipulations. Using Unix commands and specialized applications, you need to unlock and change the system files. An example of such a command is nvram wifiaddr=<new_IMEI>.

It is a simplified overview that provides a general understanding of the technical process involved.

Method 2 — Using Special Equipment

You can change the IMEI using a hardware method. For this, you need a professional device, and the iPhone will need to be disassembled to access the motherboard and connect to an IMEI Changer. This is a highly delicate process. After such a change, you can continue using the iPhone as if it were brand new, with a likelihood of encountering restrictions being less than 1%.

Method 3 — Using Special Software

If you purchase a program capable of changing the IMEI, this process will operate similarly to Method 1. The client must grant the software full access to the device. If you do not trust the developers of such software, it is better to find another method.

Important Considerations

Professionals who change serial and IMEI numbers use one method or another depending on the client's situation, individual needs, and other nuances. Always seek assistance from professional and experienced technicians if you need to change the IMEI of your Apple device. This will protect you from the complete loss of iPhone functionality and other potentially unpleasant consequences described above. For added safety and verification, consider using an Apple device IMEI check before and after any modifications.