How to block a lost or stolen phone in India with CEIR, and unblock it when it's found

AI-generated illustration by CyberShitty. Not a photograph or a document from the organisations named.

Every phone has an IMEI number, one per SIM slot. The Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), run by the Department of Telecommunications on Sanchar Saathi, can block that IMEI on the networks of all Indian operators. A blocked phone cannot be used in India even if someone puts a different SIM in it.

If someone does try to use it, a trace report is generated and sent to the police station where you complained, and you are told by SMS. When you get the phone back, you unblock it with the request ID from your block request.

Use it when

• Your phone was lost or stolen.
• Also do this quickly if the phone was unlocked, has banking or UPI apps, or holds your email: then change those passwords from another device and tell your bank.

Not the right tool when

• Blocking the SIM or number: ask your telecom operator for that, and for a duplicate SIM.
• A new phone lost before any SIM was used in it: the online form cannot handle it. Go to the CEIR district nodal officer in the police with a complaint that lists the IMEI.
• Unblocking a phone the police blocked for you: the unblock request must also go through the police.

Keep this ready

• A copy of your police complaint or FIR about the loss or theft, and its number
• A duplicate SIM for your lost number (the OTP goes to it; a re-issued SIM can receive SMS only 24 hours after activation)
• The IMEI numbers: on the box and the purchase bill. A dual-SIM phone has two
• Brand, model, and the purchase invoice if you have it
• An identity document to upload. If you use Aadhaar, upload the masked version

Step by step

1. Report the loss or theft to the police and keep a copy of the complaint.
2. Get a duplicate SIM for your number from your operator and wait until it can receive SMS.
3. On Sanchar Saathi, open "Block your lost/stolen mobile handset" (also in the Sanchar Saathi app).
4. Fill in the device details: your number, the IMEI(s), brand and model, and the invoice if you have one.
5. Fill in where and when it was lost, the state, district and police station, the complaint number, and upload the complaint.
6. Fill in your name, address and identity document, then verify with the captcha and the OTP sent to your number.
7. Accept the declaration and submit. Write down the request ID you get. You need it to check status and to unblock.

What happens next

• The Department says the handset is blocked on Indian networks within 24 hours.
• If the phone is used, a trace report goes to the police station where you complained and you get an SMS. Follow up with that station for recovery.
• You can check the status of your request on the portal or app. If you lose the request ID, there is a "forgot request ID" option.
• When you get the phone back, tell the police, then use the unblock form with your request ID, the same mobile number, the complaint number and a reason.

Know the limits

• Blocking the phone does not protect your accounts. Secure your email, UPI and banking separately.
• Unblock only once the phone is back with you.
• False information on the form makes the applicant liable. Changing a phone's IMEI is illegal.
• Buying a used phone? Check its IMEI first by sending KYM followed by the 15-digit IMEI by SMS to 14422.

Numbers to know

• Check a phone's IMEI (SMS: KYM <IMEI>): 14422
• Find your IMEI on the phone (dial): *#06#
• Sanchar Saathi helpdesk (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm): 011-20907480

Related guides

• SIM binding, IMEI crackdown and Sanchar Saathi: where India's telecom anti-fraud rules stand
• Infostealer infection: what to do, in the right order