You cannot legally change an iPhone's IMEI number on your own

Your iPhone's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a 15-digit code that identifies your specific device to cellular networks worldwide. Apple and your carrier embed this number into your phone's hardware during manufacturing, and it cannot be changed through settings, apps, or any legitimate method available to users. Any website or tool claiming to change your IMEI is either a scam or describes an illegal process.

Changing an IMEI is a federal crime in the United States under the Communications Act, and most countries have similar laws. The penalty includes fines up to $250,000 and imprisonment. Carriers and law enforcement actively prosecute IMEI tampering because it enables phone theft, fraud, and use of stolen devices on networks.

If you need to change something about how your iPhone connects to your carrier, there are legal options depending on your actual problem.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iPhone's IMEI is permanently set in hardware and cannot be changed through any legitimate method.
  • Attempting to change an IMEI is illegal in the United States and most countries, with penalties including fines and imprisonment.
  • If your phone is blacklisted by a carrier, you must contact that carrier or work with Apple to resolve the issue.
  • If you need a different device identity for your carrier account, you may need to switch to a different phone or contact your carrier about your options.
  • Scams and illegal tools that claim to change IMEI numbers will damage your phone, steal your data, or both.

Why your iPhone's IMEI cannot be changed

The IMEI is written into your iPhone's baseband processor—a separate chip that handles all cellular communication. This is not software you can update or reset. It is burned into the hardware during manufacturing at Apple's factories, and only Apple's manufacturing equipment can write to it. Your iPhone's Settings app, Recovery Mode, and any third-party tool cannot reach this chip.

Apple deliberately made this permanent so that stolen phones cannot be resold on legitimate networks. When a phone is reported stolen, carriers add its IMEI to a blacklist. A thief cannot straightforward change the IMEI and sell the phone as legitimate—the phone stays blacklisted no matter what software runs on it.

What to do if your carrier says your IMEI is blacklisted

If your carrier tells you your phone's IMEI is blacklisted, it means your phone was reported as stolen, lost, or involved in fraud at some point. The blacklist is shared across carriers in most countries, so the phone will not work on any network.

Contact the carrier that blacklisted the phone and explain your situation. If you bought the phone secondhand, ask the previous owner to contact their carrier and report that the phone was sold legitimately. If you cannot reach the previous owner, ask your carrier whether they can contact the original owner on your behalf. Some carriers will remove a blacklist entry if the original owner confirms the sale.

If the phone was blacklisted in error, your carrier can remove it from the blacklist once they verify the phone is not stolen. This process usually takes a few business days. If your carrier refuses to help, contact Apple Support—they can sometimes work with carriers to resolve blacklist issues, especially if you have proof of purchase.

What to do if you need a different device on your carrier account

If you want to use a different iPhone on your carrier account, you do not need to change anything about your old phone. straightforward contact your carrier and ask them to switch your phone number and service to the new device. Your carrier will update their records with the new phone's IMEI, and your service will move to the new phone within a few hours.

Before you switch, back up your old iPhone using iCloud or a computer. Then sign out of iCloud on the old phone by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out. This removes the old phone from your Apple ID so it will not interfere with the new phone.

If you are switching to a phone from a different carrier, the process is the same—contact your new carrier, give them your phone number, and they will set up service on the new device.

How to check your iPhone's IMEI if you need it

You may need your IMEI when contacting your carrier or Apple Support. You can find it in three ways without any tools or apps.

The easiest method is to open Settings, tap General, then tap About. Scroll down and look for the line labeled IMEI. Write down all 15 digits exactly as shown.

You can also find your IMEI by dialing *#06# on your iPhone's Phone app. The IMEI will appear on the screen. This works on any phone and does not require any special permissions.

If your phone will not turn on or you cannot access Settings, you can find the IMEI printed on the original box your iPhone came in, or on your carrier's account page online.

Red flags for IMEI-changing scams

Any website, app, or person offering to change your IMEI is running a scam. Here are the signs to watch for:

  • Promises to "unlock" your phone by changing the IMEI. Legitimate unlocking does not involve changing your IMEI.
  • Requests to read an app or file to change your IMEI. No legitimate tool exists for this.
  • Requests for your Apple ID password, credit card, or personal information. Scammers use this to steal your identity or money.
  • Claims that changing your IMEI is legal or will not harm your phone. It is illegal and will brick your device.
  • Pressure to pay money upfront before seeing results. Legitimate services do not work this way.

If you have already downloaded a tool claiming to change your IMEI, delete it when ready. Change your Apple ID password and monitor your accounts for fraud. If you entered payment information, contact your bank or credit card company and report the transaction as fraudulent.

What happens if someone tries to change your iPhone's IMEI

If you attempt to use a tool or follow instructions to change your IMEI, one of three things will happen: the tool will do nothing and waste your time, the tool will install malware that steals your data and passwords, or the tool will corrupt your phone's baseband processor and make your phone unable to connect to any cellular network permanently.

If your phone's baseband is corrupted, Apple cannot repair it without replacing the entire logic board, which costs several hundred dollars and is not covered by warranty. The phone will still show a signal bar but will never connect to a network.

If you believe your phone has been infected with malware, back up your data to iCloud when ready, then restore your iPhone by connecting it to a computer with iTunes or Finder. Choose Restore to erase everything and reinstall the original iOS software. Then restore your backup. This removes most malware, though some sophisticated attacks may persist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my IMEI if I jailbreak my iPhone?

No. Jailbreaking removes Apple's software restrictions, but it does not give you access to the baseband processor where the IMEI is stored. The IMEI remains locked in hardware regardless of whether your phone is jailbroken. Jailbreaking also voids your warranty and makes your phone vulnerable to malware.

Is there a legal reason to change an IMEI?

No. There is no legitimate reason for a private user to change an IMEI. If your carrier or Apple tells you that you need to change your IMEI to solve a problem, they are mistaken or you are speaking with a scammer. Contact your carrier's official customer service line to verify.

What if I bought a used iPhone and the carrier says it is blacklisted?

Contact the seller and ask them to report the phone as sold to their carrier. If they will not help, contact your carrier and explain that you purchased the phone secondhand. Ask whether they can contact the original owner. If the original owner confirms the sale, the carrier will remove the blacklist. If the seller cannot be reached and the carrier will not help, you may have a claim against the seller for selling you a blacklisted phone.

Can I change my IMEI to use two phone numbers on one iPhone?

No. Changing your IMEI will not give you a second phone number. If you need two phone numbers, use your carrier's dual SIM feature (available on iPhone XS and newer) or contact your carrier about adding a second line to your account. Both options work without changing anything about your IMEI.

What if my phone's IMEI is damaged or unreadable?

If your IMEI is physically damaged or corrupted, contact Apple Support. They can verify your phone's identity through other means and may replace the phone if it is under warranty. Do not attempt to repair or replace the IMEI yourself—only Apple has the equipment to do this.