- DoT launched the Central Equipment Identity Registry in 2019.
- The service can now be used by everyone in the country.
- CEIR is not the same as Google’s Find My Device service.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) established the Central Equipment Identity Registry (CEIR) in 2019 to combat the counterfeit mobile phone market and prevent mobile phone theft while protecting consumers. The service, which was first introduced in Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Goa, and Maharashtra, before being introduced in Delhi in 2019, is now available across India. In this article, we explain what CEIR is, how it operates, as well as the steps to block a phone that has been misplaced or stolen.
What is CEIR? How does it work?
CEIR serves as a common mechanism for all network operators to exchange data on blacklisted mobile devices, ensuring that devices blacklisted in one network will not work on another, even if the SIM card in the device is replaced.
CEIR is not the same as Google’s Find My Device. To use the Find My Phone function, your phone or tablet must be powered on, signed in to a Google Account, connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi, visible on Google Play, and have Location and ‘Find My Device’ turned on. Conversely, the CEIR uses only the IMEI number to hunt down a lost or stolen mobile phone. The portal will collect data from telecom operators around the country, so there would be no need to log in with an active internet connection or an ID.
How to block/find a lost/stolen phone using the IMEI number on CEIR
- Step 1: Before submitting a request to CEIR, users must report a lost or stolen phone to the nearest police station.
- Step 2: Go to the CEIR website at https://ceir.gov.in/Home/index.jsp. – to disable the handset’s IMEI number.
- Step 3: On the CEIR main page, click the ‘Block Stolen/Lost Mobile’ button. When you select this option, you will be taken to the ‘Request for blocking lost/stolen mobile phone’ form page. The page will request information such as your mobile number, device brand, lost location, lost date, owner’s name, address, identity verification, and other details. Fill in the details quickly, enter the OTP, click the declaration, and Submit.
- Step 4: Once you’ve entered your information, you’ll be given a request ID, which you may use to monitor your stolen phone.
- Step 5: In case you’ve recovered your stolen phone, you can unblock the blocked IMEI number. To do so, go to the CEIR main page, click ‘Un-Block Found Mobile,’ enter the request ID and cellphone number, and then click Submit. You can also check the status of your request from the home page by clicking ‘Check IMEI Request Status’.
