Can I Ring or Locate My Phone with the IMSI Number

Have you ever wondered about the secret numbers that identify your SIM card? One such number is the SIM IMSI number, which allows your device to connect to a cellular network. But can this IMSI number also track or locate your phone? This guide will help you determine how to check the IMSI number and unravel the best ways to track or locate a missing phone. 

What is the IMSI Number?

IMSI or International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number is a unique 15-digit sequence of numbers assigned to a SIM card. It’s directly encoded on your SIM card and helps identify the subscriber and their network provider. It’s important to note that the  IMSI number isn’t the same as the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). Unlike the latter which identifies your phone, the IMSI is strictly for your SIM identification and authentication to your network provider.  The IMSI number also changes when you switch SIM cards, since it’s created upon inserting and activating your SIM for the first time. Regardless, the IMSI also has three components:

• MCC – Mobile Country Code (2 – 3 digits) is used to identify the country where your cellular plan is registered.
• MNC – Mobile Network Code (2-3 digits) specifies your mobile network operator or carrier
• MSIN – Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (9-10 digits) identifies the mobile subscriber within the network.

So, for example, if the IMSI number is 31026012345678, then:

• 310 identifies the United States
• 260 identifies the T-Mobile carrier
• 12345678 identifies the subscriber’s SIM card.

How to Find IMSI Number

Finding the IMSI number is tricky. In reality, seeing the number on your phone varies from one place to the next. That said, let’s talk about the general steps for finding the IMSI number on your smartphone. 

on iPhone

To find the IMSI Number on your iPhone, you need to go to the Settings app. Next, select General, and then “About”. You might see the IMSI number as you scroll to the bottom of the “About” page. 

on Android

On Android, the process is slightly different. However, finding the IMSI number is also about going to the “Settings” app. Next, navigate to “About phone” and finally “status”

Is IMSI the Same as a SIM?

The IMSI and the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) are closely related but not the same. In truth, the IMSI gets stored on the SIM card upon inserting and activating it for the first time on your phone. Essentially, the SIM card becomes the secure storage unit for the IMSI. In contrast, the IMSI is used during the network registration and activation to identify and authenticate your device. 

Is IMSI the Same as a phone number?

The IMSI number is different from your phone number. While you use your phone number for making and receiving calls, the IMSI ensures transmission of your subscriber’s identity to your mobile network. So, it isn’t necessarily connected to how you communicate but about identifying and authenticating your device. The IMSI number offers secure and authorized access to the network. 

Can you track an IMSI number?

Generally, the IMSI isn’t dedicated to tracking location. But it can offer insights for tracking location, especially as it also impacts how your device communicates with the cell towers. Here are two great tools that can be used to track an IMSI number.

IMSI catcher

Government agencies around the globe often use special devices called “IMSI catchers” to connect the dots about your location and insights into your other activities. Examples of these tools include Stingray and Nyxecell. Such tools would track the SIM IMSI number by intercepting mobile communications including the IMSI. They generally impersonate (spoof) a cell phone Antenna and trick the phones into connecting to them. Through this, they can launch MIIM (Man-In-The-Middle Attacks) for monitoring voice calls, SMSs and even finding the phone’s location. 

Mobile operator

Network operators are also able to track IMSIs because they usually store the IMEI alongside the IMSI and subscriber information database. However, they are typically restricted by law from doing so. They would likely track IMSI to specific locations if the target individual was under serious security monitoring. It’s also important to note that the IMSI alone may provide convenient geolocation tagging as in many countries, customers are now required to provide an ID when purchasing a SIM card. So the IMSI can be connected to the identity of the buyer of the card, further enhancing how easily they can triangulate and geolocate signals. 

Alternative ways to ring a phone

Since finding the IMSI number can be tricky as smartphones obscure the process of finding that number efficiently. So, you may fare better using other measures of discovering your smartphone’s location. Let’s talk about other effective techniques including IMEI tracking, calling your phone and using your smartphone’s native location-tracking features. 

IMEI tracker

IMEI trackers can help triangulate your smartphone’s location providing an easy and streamlined alternative to find it no matter where you are in the world. IMEI trackers like LocatePhone work exclusively via your phone number. This tool triangulates your smartphone’s location using cell and Wi-Fi signals alongside GPS location data. The result is your precise location with impeccable accuracy. To use LocatePhone:

• Go to the LocatePhone IMEI tracker.
• Type in the phone number and tap “Locate”
• Enter your email address to finalize the process.

Call your phone

A simple and time-tested way to find a smartphone that just went missing around you is by making it ring. But what if you cannot get another person’s phone to do so? This Call My Lost Phone website allows you to place a call to your smartphone entirely free of charge. However, this service is only available within the United States and available for local US phone numbers. All you need do is:

• Go to CallMyLostPhone.com
• Type in the US phone number and tap “Make it ring.”

• Once it starts ringing, you’ll see the notification via the website.

Inbuilt tracker

Your Android or Apple Device comes with native location-tracking tools. As long as you’ve enabled them and have your location turned on, you’ll be able to make it ring and find it in no time. 

If you’re using the Google Find My Device:

• First, log into the Find My Device website for your Google account using another Android Device or computer.

• Locate your device on the map. There, you can make it ring or erase its data remotely.

For the Apple Find My iPhone, here’s how it works:

• Login into the icloud.com account via computer or another Apple device.

• Click on the six stacked buttons and tap “Find My”

• Tap on the specific iPhone.

• Next, tap on “Play Sound” and locate it or make it ring.

FAQ

Can an IMSI catcher be detected?

Yes, IMSI catchers can be detected but only using advanced techniques and specialized detecting software. Also, you need to be a profound expert in all things information security to be able to detect IMSI catchers like Stingray, and Nyxecell which are used by government agencies in certain security operations. 

Does IMSI contain a phone number?

No, the SIM IMSI number does not directly contain a phone number. However, the last 10 digits of the IMSI is a unique identifier assigned to the SIM card by the mobile network operator. So, the IMSI number identifies and authenticates the SIM card and your subscriber identity. But it does not identify your phone number directly. 

Can My IMSI Number Be Changed?

Yes, the IMSI number can be changed. This happens when you change your SIM card or your network provider for some reason decides to reassign the number. However, changing the IMSI number isn’t something you can do on your own. It’s a process entirely done by your network provider and you cannot be able to request it. 

Conclusion

Now we’ve unveiled the mystery behind the IMSI number helping you uncover its crucial role in connecting you to the mobile network. Remember, while the SIM IMSI number isn’t something you find easily, you may not be able to use it in tracking your phone’s location directly. This is why you have other efficient phone recovery tools. Fortunately, you can explore other readily available tools such as using your smartphone’s native tracking, calling your phone or leveraging IMEI trackers like LocatePhone.