Before looking for tutorials, consider the legal status in your region:
: In many countries (including the UK and India), changing an IMEI to anything other than its original factory number is Security Risks
| Your Goal | Legal Alternative | Success Rate | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Contact the original carrier to remove the block (if you are the original owner). Or use a third-party “blacklist check” service to verify before buying used. | Varies (10–80%) | | Hide from a stalker | You cannot hide via IMEI. Instead: Factory reset, get a new Google account, use a firewall like NetGuard, and consider a new phone number. | 100% | | Fix “No Service” after update | Flash the full factory image or use Google’s Pixel Repair Tool. Do not touch the IMEI. | 95% | | Use a second SIM from a banned carrier | IMEI blacklisting is network-specific. Switch to a carrier that doesn’t share blacklists (MVNOs often ignore them). | 70% | | Sell a phone with a bad IMEI | Be honest. Sell it as “parts only” on eBay or Swappa’s boneyard section. Disclose the blacklist. | N/A |
3. Why Are You Looking to Change Your IMEI? (And How to Fix It Legally)
This guide is for educational purposes. The authors and this platform are not responsible for any misuse or damage caused. google pixel change imei
If you're dealing with a specific error or trying to fix a faulty phone, let me know:
: Some methods require wiping the EFS configuration using fastboot oem commands to trigger a re-read of the modified identifiers. Method 2: Snapdragon-Based Models (Pixel 5 and Older)
The IMEI is designed to be permanent. It allows carriers to identify valid devices and provides a mechanism to Find your IMEI to blacklist phones that have been reported stolen. On a Google Pixel, you can easily view this number by dialing *#06# or checking the "About phone" section in your Settings app. Because this number is hard-coded into the device's firmware, it is not meant to be modified by the end-user. Technical and Legal Challenges
Extreme risk of permanently bricking the phone or downloading malware. Do not affect or change the underlying hardware IMEI. Valid Solutions Before looking for tutorials, consider the legal status
The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number is a 15-digit code that serves as a unique fingerprint for every mobile phone, including your Google Pixel. It is a critical identifier that network carriers use to validate a device and block it if it's reported lost or stolen. Because of this crucial role, the question of how to change a Google Pixel's IMEI number often comes up. Users may seek this out for various reasons, from trying to bypass a carrier block to repairing a corrupted IMEI. However, the reality is that for the vast majority of users, attempting to change the IMEI is an extremely difficult, risky, and unlawful endeavor.
If you are looking to change your IMEI for privacy or network issues, there are safer, legal alternatives. Actionable Alternative
Highly technical "IMEI Repair Tools" exist for experts but require Rooting the phone and enabling USB Debugging via Developer Options. These tools are specific to the device's processor (e.g., Google Tensor or Qualcomm).
lexipwn (pronounced "lexi-pone") is an open-source tool specifically designed for Tensor-based Google Pixels (models 6 through 9). It comes in both CLI and GUI variants and operates fully offline. Key features include: Instead: Factory reset, get a new Google account,
Any deep system modification that trips Android's verified boot process will permanently block future Google security updates and feature drops.
If you lost your phone, log into the Google Find My Device page and click the "i" icon next to your device. Physical: Check the original packaging or the SIM tray. What is "IMEI Repair"?
If you cannot connect to a network, you do not need to change your IMEI. Try these legitimate troubleshooting steps instead: 1. Check Blacklist Status
The most immediate risk is turning a functional Google Pixel into an expensive paperweight. Improper flashing of the devinfo partition, incorrect hash values, or simple command errors can corrupt the modem's ability to communicate with network towers. The result is a device that cannot make calls, send texts, or use mobile data—regardless of how carefully the SIM card was inserted.