- Code found in the Google Personal Safety app suggests a new “Device info” option will allow users to view their IMEI number from the Emergency screen without unlocking the phone.
- This move contradicts Google’s previous rejection of a similar user request, where the company cited security risks and the sensitive nature of PII as reasons to keep the IMEI hidden on locked devices.
- While the feature could help law enforcement return lost or stolen devices without seizing or wiping data, it raises concerns that malicious actors could misuse the easily accessible identifier.
Every single phone, Android or otherwise, has an IMEI number. The IMEI number is a unique identifier that identifies a device on a mobile network, much like a personal identification number. It’s generally a good idea not to reveal or broadcast your phone’s IMEI number, just to avoid sharing it with malicious actors. However, there are situations where easier access to a phone’s IMEI number might have been useful. The latest release of the Personal Safety app, v2025.11.13.831777920, includes code that suggests Google may soon allow access to your phone’s IMEI number from the lock screen.
Currently, there is no way to access or check the IMEI numbers of your phone from the lock screen. This is because IMEI numbers are generally treated as Personally Identifiable Information (PII), and there’s a possibility that they could be misused by hackers or even law enforcement agencies in many cases.