A documented EFS recovery process for EC25 modems uses FastBoot commands:
While tutorials and software tools for "Quectel IMEI Change" circulate on developer forums and hacking communities, their usage exists in a legal gray area. Development and research into these mechanisms are permissible under certain exemptions (e.g., security research, interoperability testing), but the actual application of changing an IMEI for use on a public network is almost universally prohibited without OEM authorization.
Violations result in . These offences are cognisable and non-bailable under Section 42(7). The Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024 also prohibit altering IMEIs or producing equipment where IMEIs can be configured or changed.
Verify communication by typing AT . The modem should respond with OK . quectel change imei
Target the specific AT Port with a default baud rate of , data bits 8 , parity None , and stop bits 1 (115200 8N1). 3. Execute the Command Sequence
The IMEI serves as a device's "digital fingerprint" for cellular networks. Networks use it to validate legitimate devices, block stolen equipment, and enforce regulatory compliance. Quectel modules ship from the factory with a pre-programmed, unique IMEI burned into the device's non-volatile memory (EFS/EFS2 partition).
Users should be aware that a factory reset may revert IMEI changes. One user documented that "The IMEI check returns the new one but once AT+QCFG='ResetFactory' is called my previously used IMEI is restored" . The restoration uses the original IMEI stored in the module's base configuration, not the donor's XQCN IMEI. A documented EFS recovery process for EC25 modems
Changing the IMEI on Quectel modules involves modifying the module's firmware. The process may vary depending on the specific module model and firmware version you are using. Here is a general step-by-step guide:
The proprietary command AT+EGMR (Enhanced General Mobile Radio) can, on specific firmware versions, write to IMEI storage.
Quectel IMEI Management: A Comprehensive Guide to Changing and Repairing IMEI These offences are cognisable and non-bailable under Section
Before resorting to IMEI modification, consider these legitimate alternatives:
Given the significant challenges and risks, it's worth exploring alternatives to changing the IMEI:
The most common way to modify a Quectel IMEI is through the ( AT+EGMR ) command via a serial terminal like PuTTY , MobaXterm , or minicom . Query Current IMEI: AT+EGMR=0,7 Change IMEI: AT+EGMR=1,7,"YOUR_NEW_15_DIGIT_IMEI"
Quectel modules utilize specific AT command parameters within the engineering command set to interact with the device's non-volatile memory (NVRAM) or Qualcomm Configuration (QCN) layers. AT Command Syntax Expected Module Response AT+EGMR=0,7 +EGMR: "15_DIGIT_NUMBER" OK Write/Modify IMEI AT+EGMR=1,7,"15_DIGIT_NUMBER" OK (or +CME ERROR if locked) Standard Identity Query AT+CGSN 15_DIGIT_NUMBER 🛠️ Step-by-Step Implementation via Serial Interface
This article is for educational purposes and authorized device management only. Changing an IMEI to bypass legal tracking, evade theft blacklists, or commit fraud is illegal in nearly all jurisdictions (USA, EU, UK, China). You must own the hardware and have a legitimate operational reason (e.g., network whitelisting) to change the IMEI.