Changing your device's IMEI is a sensitive operation that is often restricted by law and can lead to permanent hardware issues if done incorrectly. While Magisk itself does not have a native "change IMEI" button, it provides the root environment necessary for tools that can.

Methods vary drastically based on your device's chipset (CPU). 1. Snapdragon Devices (Qualcomm)

This is the most reliable method but involves the most risk. You aren't just "masking" the IMEI; you are modifying the EFS partition which contains your device's unique radio data.

Requirements: Magisk root, ADB/Fastboot, QPST (Qualcomm Product Support Tool), and a Hex Editor. The Process:

Backup: Use a custom recovery like TWRP to backup your EFS and Modem partitions. This is your only safety net.

Enable Diag Mode: Run setprop sys.usb.config diag,adb in a root terminal to allow your PC to talk to the modem.

Extract QCN: Use QPST Configuration to backup your device's .qcn file.

Modify: Open the file in an IMEI Rebuilder tool or a Hex Editor to swap the IMEI values.

Restore: Flash the modified .qcn back to the device and reboot. 2. MediaTek Devices (MTK)

MediaTek devices are generally easier to handle through "Engineer Mode," though newer security patches may block these commands. topjohnwu/Magisk: The Magic Mask for Android - GitHub

Changing or tampering with a device's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is illegal in many jurisdictions, including the United States and the UK, as it can be used to bypass blacklists on stolen devices. Additionally, performing these modifications will void your device warranty and may cause permanent loss of network connectivity or app-side integrity issues.

While Magisk provides systemless root access, it does not "change" an IMEI on its own. Instead, it is typically used as a prerequisite to enable Diagnostic Mode or to use specialized tools that interact with the device's hardware partitions. Common Methods for IMEI Repair (Root Required) Qualcomm Devices (Snapdragon)

Requirements: Magisk root, Qualcomm HS-USB Diagnostics drivers, and a PC tool like QFIL or QPST.

Process: Use Magisk/ADB to enable diagnostic mode (setprop sys.usb.config diag,adb), back up the QCN file, modify the IMEI within that file using a hex editor or QCN tool, and restore the modified file to the device. MediaTek (MTK) Devices Requirements: Root access or entry into Engineer Mode.

Process: Applications like MobileUncle Tools or the SN Writer Tool allow users to access "CDS Information" under Connectivity settings to manually input IMEI values via AT commands (e.g., AT +EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_NUMBER"). Software-Based Spoofing (Virtual Change)

Requirements: LSPosed (the successor to Xposed) running as a Magisk module.

Process: Modules like IMEI Changer do not change the hardware ID but "spoof" the value for specific apps. This is often used to bypass per-device app restrictions rather than restoring cellular service. Device-Specific Repair Tools

Google Pixel: Certain models (Pixel 3-5) can use specific IMEI repair tools or flashing methods to restore missing IMEIs caused by software corruption.

Samsung: Often requires paid professional tools like Chimera or Z3X to patch certificates after a modification, or the SIM may fail to register on the network.

Are you trying to recover a lost IMEI due to a bad flash, or are you looking to spoof it for a specific app?

Technical Report: Analysis of IMEI Modification via Magisk

Date: October 26, 2023 Subject: Feasibility and Implications of "Change IMEI with Magisk Exclusive" Status: Draft

Verification

To check if it worked (without looking at *#06# which often shows the real hardware IMEI):

su
getprop | grep imei

If you see your new IMEI here, the Magisk hook worked.

4.1. International Laws

In many jurisdictions, changing an IMEI is a criminal offense.

  • United Kingdom: Under the Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Act 2002, changing an IMEI is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment.
  • United States: While unlocking a phone is legal, changing the identifier to evade blacklists is prohibited under various fraud and telecommunications statutes.
  • European Union: Similar laws prohibit the tampering of unique device identifiers to facilitate theft or fraud.

Introduction: Why Magisk is the New Frontier

For years, the Android modding community has chased the holy grail of device modification: changing the IMEI. Traditionally, this required proprietary "box" tools (like Octoplus or Z3X), dangerous firmware flashes, or Xposed modules that often left traces.

Enter Magisk—the systemless root solution. With the rise of Magisk, developers have created "exclusive" modules that allow IMEI alteration without writing to the /system partition, without triggering hardware-level e-fuses (like Knox on Samsung or SafetyNet on Pixel), and, most importantly, without permanently bricking your device.

But why is "exclusive" important? Because the standard IMEI changers on the Play Store (requiring root) are largely obsolete. They attempt to write to nvram or efs partitions directly. Magisk-exclusive modules work by hooking the rild (Radio Interface Layer Daemon) process—the bridge between your Android OS and your cellular modem.

Changing IMEI with Magisk: The Root-Only, Systemless Approach

By [Your Name] | Advanced Guides

If you are an Android power user, you know that Magisk changed the game. It allowed us to modify the system without touching the /system partition—a concept known as "systemless."

When it comes to changing or simulating a different IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity), most online tutorials point you toward shady Windows tools or Xposed modules. There is a better, safer, and reversible way: The Magisk Exclusive method.

Here is how to manipulate modem properties using only Magisk and your terminal.