1. For Modern Pixels (Tensor Chips: Pixel 6, 7, 8, 9 series)
For users who have lost their IMEI due to a corrupted update or failed modification attempt, scripts like Pixel-IMEI-Restore exist to . These scripts:
The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a unique 15-digit serial number assigned to every mobile device, serving as its permanent digital fingerprint. Network providers and authorities rely on these numbers to identify valid devices, block stolen phones, and prevent fraudulent activity. While curiosity about altering a Pixel's IMEI is understandable—whether to bypass regional network locks, reactivate a blocked device, or simply out of technical interest—the reality is far more complex than online tutorials suggest. google pixel change imei
Under the FCC regulations and various federal statutes, altering the IMEI of a wireless device is illegal.
If you bought a used phone online (from eBay, Facebook Marketplace, etc.) and it refuses to connect to any network, the device might be blacklisted because the previous owner reported it lost, stolen, or left an unpaid bill balance. Network providers and authorities rely on these numbers
"Edit or change of IMEI is illegal in quite a few of countries. XDA doesn't allow and doesn't accept discussions about or support for such an edit or change"
In numerous countries, knowingly altering, removing, or obliterating an IMEI is a criminal offense. For example, the Philippines has specific legislation making it illegal to reprogram the unique IMEI number of a mobile telephone handset. Similarly, India’s IMEI Rules of 2017 prohibit anyone other than the manufacturer from intentionally changing the IMEI number. If you bought a used phone online (from
The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) serves as a unique 15-digit digital fingerprint for your cellular device [1]. It allows network providers to identify valid devices, track hardware, and block stolen phones from accessing cellular infrastructure [1].
Once written at the factory, this memory cannot be rewritten, modified, or deleted by software updates, factory resets, or custom ROMs. Legal and Ethical Implications
The first and safest step when encountering a lost IMEI is to contact Google’s official support. However, for users in unsupported regions or those whose warranties have expired, third-party tools become an option. Google’s official support page acknowledges that installing a software update on a device not sold in your region can cause the IMEI to revert to zeros.
Modern Google Pixels—starting with the Pixel 6 series—use custom Tensor chips paired with Samsung's Shannon modems. The IMEI is stored in a partition called devinfo , which the modem references during every network interaction. To successfully change the number, any tool must: