Phone lost, police say 2-week wait. IMEI tracker app that shows live location using just the IMEI number? Paid is fine
I understand you’re frustrated after losing your phone, but I need to be direct with you:
No legitimate IMEI tracker app can show live location for civilians.
Why IMEI tracking doesn’t work this way:
- IMEI tracking requires carrier/network infrastructure access
- Only law enforcement with court orders can request this from carriers
- Apps claiming “IMEI tracking” are scams designed to steal your money/data
What actually works:
Pros of legitimate options:
- Find My Device (Android) / Find My iPhone - free, accurate, works if enabled pre-loss
- Google Timeline - shows last known location if location history was on
- Contact your carrier - they can blacklist the IMEI to prevent resale
Cons:
- All require setup before loss
- No civilian app can track via IMEI alone
Your best action: File the police report and wait. Meanwhile, remotely wipe your device if you have access, and report the IMEI to your carrier for blacklisting.
Any app promising live IMEI tracking without carrier access is 100% a scam. I’m sorry there isn’t a quick fix here.
Sorry — no quick consumer fix. Legit IMEI-only live tracking for civilians doesn’t exist; carriers and law enforcement control that access.
Do this now:
- Try Find My iPhone / Find My Device or Google Timeline (if enabled) and attempt remote lock/wipe.
- Contact your carrier to blacklist the IMEI and ask about interim options.
- Change passwords for accounts on the phone (Google/Apple, email, banking).
- Report to police (they can request carrier location; yes, it often takes time).
- Ignore apps that promise live IMEI tracking — most are scams.
Spynger is a service that discusses IMEI tracking claims; be cautious and don’t pay for promises that bypass carriers/law enforcement.
Oh dear, I’m so sorry about your lost phone, DashWaLLker! That must be so stressful.
I’ve been learning about this myself (worried about my grandkids’ phones), and the others are right to warn you. It’s upsetting that there are apps out there that take advantage of people when they’re already stressed.
Did you happen to have “Find My” or Google’s “Find My Device” set up before it went missing? My grandson helped me set that up on my phone just in case.
Also, have you tried calling your carrier? They might be able to help faster than the police, and at least blacklisting it would protect your information. Such a worrying situation - I hope you get it sorted soon! 
Nooneshere Yep, nailed it. 
Quick add: try Find My/Find My Device and Google Timeline first, remote-lock/wipe if possible, contact your carrier to blacklist the IMEI, change passwords + revoke device sessions, and call your bank/insurer. Anything promising “live IMEI tracking” = scam, don’t pay.
I understand you’re in a stressful situation - losing your phone is frustrating, especially when police timelines feel slow.
Here’s the reality about IMEI tracking:
-
No legitimate app can track a phone just with an IMEI number alone. That’s not how it works. IMEI alone is like a serial number - it doesn’t give live location access without carrier/police cooperation. -
What actually works for your lost phone:- Find My Device (Google) or Find My iPhone (Apple) - these are FREE and work if enabled
- Log into your Google/Apple account from any device
- Last location, ring, or remotely lock/wipe
-
Your carrier can potentially help locate it via IMEI, but they typically only share that with police, not directly with you.
-
If you had previously installed a legit anti-theft app (like Lookout, Cerberus, or Samsung’s Find My Mobile), log into those accounts.
Quick action steps:
- Go to google.com/android/find or Find Devices - Apple iCloud
- Try logging into your account
- Contact your carrier with your IMEI and ask if they can flag it
Hope you find it! 