Google Play Services Update Lets Android 12+ Phones Show IMEI on Lock Screen, With Option to Hide It

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. Every modern smartphone sold in the US comes with a 15-digit IMEI number, or two for dual-SIM phones. The numbers cannot be changed and no two are identical, so cross-referencing the IMEI of a recovered device with carrier records is a reliable way to verify ownership.

On devices running Android 12 or newer, the recent Google Play services update allows the IMEI to be displayed alongside emergency information, such as designated contacts and at-a-glance medical information configured in device settings. Google's support documentation says IMEI numbers will be accessible by default if a user has enabled emergency sharing in the Personal Safety app.

There are reasons not to keep the IMEI easily accessible. Many devices have the IMEI stamped on the SIM card tray, but some new phones, including the Pixel 11 series, are eSIM-only, eliminating that route. A bad actor who obtains an IMEI cannot unlock the device or remotely control it, but could "clone" the IMEI, potentially impersonate the device to send and receive calls and texts using the owner's phone number. The person could also fraudulently report the device as stolen, which could lead the carrier to blacklist the IMEI and cut off service.

The benefit of lock-screen access is easier ownership confirmation. If someone finds a lost phone and turns it in to police, or if police recover a stolen phone, they can contact the carrier, which is also noted on the lock screen, to confirm device ownership. This applies even if the device was purchased from a non-carrier retailer or reseller, as long as the device has been active on the wireless account.

To turn off IMEI display on a Pixel phone, Android Authority described opening Settings, scrolling to Security & privacy, tapping Lost device protection, tapping Theft protection, and toggling off Device identifier on lock screen. The process is similar on modern Android phones from Samsung and OnePlus, though exact settings may vary. If a phone was not opted in by default, the same steps can enable the feature by flipping the toggle on.

Users who want a lost phone returned without exposing the IMEI can add trusted people as emergency contacts or add an email address or other contact information to the lock screen, the report said.