Nothing kills the excitement of buying a new phone like discovering it’s fake. And with lookalike devices now flooding the market, you can’t always trust what’s in the box, even if it looks perfect from the outside.
Counterfeit phones may copy the design, but inside, they often have poor hardware, outdated software, zero security, and no warranty support. But the good news is that you can check your phone’s authenticity in minutes using just one thing, the IMEI number. And the government’s Sanchar Saathi portal makes this super easy. Why you should verify your phone Fake phones aren’t just a bad purchase; they can be unsafe. They may carry hidden software, fail suddenly, or even be linked to illegal activity if their IMEI belongs to someone else. Verification ensures: Step 1: Find Your IMEI Number Every phone has a unique 15-digit IMEI, basically its fingerprint. Here’s how to find it: Also read: ‘Sanchar Saathi’ app to be pre-loaded on every new device, with no option for users to delete it
Step 2: Check Your Phone on the Sanchar Saathi Portal The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has created the Sanchar Saathi portal to help users verify smartphones quickly. Follow these steps: 1. Visit the Portal Go to sancharsaathi.gov.in 2. Select the IMEI Check Tool Under ‘Citizen-Centric Services,’ click ‘Know Genuineness of Your Mobile Handset.’ 3. Verify Yourself Enter the captcha and your mobile number. Click Get OTP and enter the OTP you received. 4. Enter Your IMEI Number Once your OTP is verified, type your 15-digit IMEI and hit ‘Submit.’ 5. View Your Phone Details The portal will show: If these details match your phone, it’s genuine. If not, the IMEI could be fake, cloned, or linked to a stolen device. You will also see an option to check another IMEI in case you want to verify multiple phones.
Also read: Apple refuses to pre-load ‘Sanchar Saathi’ app on its phones
Alternate method: Check via SMS If you have no internet the no problem. Just type: KYM <15-digit IMEI>
Send it to 14422 You will receive an SMS confirming whether your phone is genuine. Also read: Tech entrepreneur builds landline-style phone to reduce screen time
What to do if something looks wrong If the IMEI shown on the portal doesn’t match your handset: A mismatch usually means the device is counterfeit, tampered with, or stolen. Final tip: Always verify before you buy Whether it’s a brand-new phone, an online deal, or a second-hand device, checking the IMEI takes less than a minute and can save you from a costly mistake.
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