GoKawiilGoogle adds lock-screen IMEI display option, raising security debate
Google has rolled out a Play services update that lets many Android 12+ phones show their IMEI number on the lock screen alongside emergency info like contacts and medical details. The feature is optional and can help prove ownership if a device is lost, especially as newer phones like the Pixel 11 series drop physical SIM trays that once displayed the number.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Making IMEI numbers visible without unlocking a phone could simplify ownership verification for lost or stolen devices, but it also exposes a permanent identifier that bad actors could exploit, according to Android Authority. A reader poll cited in the report found 87% of respondents preferred hiding the IMEI, suggesting many users view the convenience as not worth the security tradeoff.
- Google Play services now lets some Android 12+ phones display IMEI on the lock screen.
- The feature is optional and can be toggled off in device settings.
- Newer eSIM-only phones like the Pixel 11 lack a SIM tray IMEI label, making this feature more relevant for ownership proof.
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See Tile Slim Bluetooth Tracker on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: androidauthority.com, 2026-09-25
Published there as: “How to hide your phone’s IMEI number from the lock screen — and why you should”
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