How to Block a Stolen or Lost Smartphone Using CEIR Portal

Mobile theft is pretty common across the country. But it is really hard to get back the lost or stolen phone even after filing a police complaint. People can only file a complaint, and get a new SIM card issued to use in the new phone. But the Indian government has now launched a new portal to reduce phone theft cases across the country.

Department of Telecommunications has launched a new website called Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) that lets people list a lost or stolen gadget with an IMEI to block it. Once the product is found, people can use the same portal to unlock it. In this detailed guide, I will explain how to block a lost or stolen phone. I will also provide steps to unlock a phone once it is found.

In case of phone theft, you need to first file a police complaint and get a copy of it. A police complaint is required to get the new SIM card issued. After the new SIM card is issued and is active, you are ready to use the CEIR website to block the phone. Before you proceed, you need to note down the IMEI numbers of the phone and find the invoice of purchase.

Block Stolen or Lost Phone

Now open the CEIR website. Click the Block Stolen/Lost Mobile button.

Here you need to enter your phone number and IMEI of your phone. In case you had a dual SIM phone, enter both IMEI numbers. Select the brand, enter device’s model name, and upload the invoice. You also need to enter the place where your phone was lost or stolen along with the Police Complaint number and a copy of the Police Complaint. In the last step, enter your own details and fill out the form.

After successful submission, your device will be marked as lost/stolen. It will also notify all the network providers to block these IMEIs within 24 hours. The smartphone will not work on any network. But police can still track the phone.

You will also receive a Complaint ID. You can use this Complaint ID to check the Complaint Status.

It is worth noting that Police can also list your stolen phone on the CEIR portal. In such cases, you will receive a message confirming the same.

There is also a free Android and iOS app called KYM (know your mobile). The app can be used to check the status of your smartphone. You can also check the status by sending an SMS. Type KYM <15 digit IMEI number> and send it to 14422.

Now you need to wait. If you are lucky, you will get back your phone. Once you get back your phone, you need to unlock the IMEI from the same portal before using it.

Unblock a recovered or found phone

To unlock a recovered or found mobile, open the CEIR portal and click Un-block found Mobile button.

Now either Request ID and the phone number that you entered while blocking the phone. Also, provide the reason for unlocking.

After filing this form, you will receive an OTP. Enter the OTP in the next step and your unlock request will be registered. Within a few hours, it will unlock the phone.

If the block request for your phone was generated by state police, you will have to ask the police to unblock the phone.

Wrap Up

Now you know how to block a lost or stolen phone on the CEIR portal. Once you found your phone, you also know how to unlock the phone on the CEIR portal. This is a great initiative and will surely drop the number of phone theft in the coming months.