Before diving into the backup process, it is important to understand what the IMEI is. The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a unique 15-digit number assigned to every mobile device. Think of it as your phone’s Social Security Number or fingerprint. It is how cellular networks identify valid devices to grant access to calls, SMS, and mobile data.

Reverting to older official ROMs can sometimes result in lost IMEI data due to modem version mismatches. How to Create an IMEI Backup Zip

Don’t be that person. Take 10 minutes today. Root your phone if needed. Use TWRP or the Partitions Backup app. Create your IMEI backup ZIP. Store it on three different locations. Name it clearly – e.g., Redmi_Note_10_Pro_IMEI_backup_2026-05-11.zip .

Your phone shows “Unknown IMEI” and you never created a backup ZIP.