I lost my phone and I can't use the IMEI number to track it using Find my iPhone but I was wondering if I could use it to report the phone lost/stolen?
iPhone 8, 12
The Police can request your mobile carrier via a warrant or judicial requirement to track a stolen device. The Police themselves do not track lost iPhones.
The mobile carrier / company uses the IMEI to identify and track the iPhone.
You can give the Police the IMEI if you want. Whether they want to go through the trouble of asking your carrier to track it is a different question all together.
If you had Find My iPhone turned on, you can try to track it yourself: If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is lost or stolen - Apple Support
Criminal gang may use the SIM and run up a bill greater than the cost of a new phone.
I'm pleased for you that you live in a country where the police will try to trace a stolen phone.
No. The IMEI is merely an identification number. It has no magical tracking properties of its own. Also there is no option for using the IMEI number on Find My iPhone at all.
If the device is offline, it cannot be tracked using Find My iPhone.
Again, the network provider may be able to triangulate last known location via the last towers it was connected to, but in general that is only done by Police request via a warranty or judicial requirement.
No.
Ask your carrier to lock the device.
No. If the iPhone is offline, there is no magical way to track it.
It needs to be "online" to report its location for tracking.
Offline means it cannot be reporting its location.
can I use the IMEI number to have the police track my phone?
