If your Google Pixel 10 shows no IMEI after an Android update, check *#06# first: if it returns a number, the IMEI is likely only hidden in Settings; if it is blank and baseband or SIM detection also failed, treat it as a modem or firmware problem. Ignoring the bad path can leave you without cellular service, SIM registration, or emergency calling. This guide shows how to tell hidden IMEI from real modem failure and which fix to try next.
What a missing IMEI after an update usually means
The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a 15-digit device identifier used for cellular network registration and carrier provisioning. On most Android phones, including the Pixel 10, you can usually find it in Settings > About phone, and some devices also print it on the box or SIM tray.
An Android update can hide the IMEI in the interface, interrupt carrier activation, or expose a modem/baseband fault that was already brewing. The update usually does not erase the IMEI itself. When the IMEI is blank and the baseband or SIM stack is missing, the problem is deeper than a settings glitch.
Likely causes, from most common to least common
- Settings display bug after the update.
- Carrier provisioning mismatch after reboot or SIM refresh.
- Corrupted modem firmware or baseband state.
- Failed SIM detection or damaged SIM slot.
- Mainboard or radio hardware fault.
Use this decision table to pick the next step
Start with the symptom combo, not the guess. A visible IMEI with no service points toward carrier or SIM trouble. A blank IMEI plus unknown baseband points toward modem failure. A boot loop after the update is the most urgent case, because recovery options get narrower once the phone cannot finish startup.
| Symptom combination | Likely cause | Fastest safe action | Data loss likely? | Stop troubleshooting and contact repair when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMEI blank in Settings only | Display bug or settings cache issue | Restart, then check Settings > About phone again and run *#06# |
No | *#06# is blank too, or baseband is missing |
| No cellular service but IMEI visible | Carrier provisioning or SIM issue | Reseat SIM, test another known-good SIM, then contact carrier | No | Carrier says the IMEI is invalid or rejected |
| Unknown baseband version | Modem firmware failure or radio hardware fault | Skip to support, after one restart and update check | Usually no, unless a reset is attempted | Baseband stays unknown after reboot and update check |
| SIM not detected | Tray, SIM, or slot problem | Reinsert SIM, test another SIM, inspect tray alignment | No | More than one SIM is not detected |
| Post-update boot loop | System corruption or failed modem interaction | Recovery-mode troubleshooting, then service if startup never completes | Yes, if factory reset is used | Phone cannot reach the home screen after repeated boots |
Why is my Google Pixel IMEI missing after an update?
Most often, the update has exposed a display problem in Settings, a carrier activation mismatch, or a modem/baseband failure. A software update can change how the Pixel 10 reports network state, but it normally does not delete the IMEI. If *#06# shows a number, the identity still exists.
Less commonly, the update exposes a damaged SIM profile, a corrupted radio partition, or a hardware fault on the mainboard. If the phone also reports unknown baseband version or refuses to detect any SIM, the fault is no longer just cosmetic.
- Open Settings > About phone > SIM status and note any error text.
- Dial
*#06#and record whether a 15-digit IMEI appears. - Check Settings > System > System update for a follow-up Android update.
- Restart the phone, then test mobile signal again after it fully boots.
How can I check whether the problem is software or hardware?
Software issues usually leave the IMEI visible somewhere, especially through *#06#, and the phone may recover after a reboot or follow-up update. Hardware or modem faults usually bring unknown baseband, no SIM response, or persistent no-service status even after a restart. That split decides the next step.
- Go to Settings > About phone and check IMEI, Baseband version, and SIM status.
- Restart the Pixel 10, then wait until the lock screen fully appears before rechecking.
- Remove the SIM tray, inspect alignment, reinsert it firmly, and check again.
- If available, test one known-good SIM from the same carrier or an unlocked line.
- Open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs and confirm the SIM is enabled.
Say your Pixel shows IMEI in *#06# but says No service for 10 minutes after reboot. That usually points to carrier registration, not a missing device identity. A common first-timer mistake is factory resetting before checking whether the carrier account still accepts the IMEI.
Can a software update remove the IMEI on a Pixel 10?
A normal Android update should not erase the IMEI. It can hide the value in the Settings app, break a carrier profile, or expose a modem problem that was already present. If the number still appears in *#06#, the IMEI is present and the recovery path is software or carrier-related.
If the update left the baseband as unknown, or if the SIM is no longer detected, the issue may be in modem firmware or hardware. That is the point where repeated reboots stop helping and service becomes the likely answer.
- Check Settings > System > System update and install any offered update.
- Restart the phone once more after the update finishes.
- Turn Airplane mode on for 10 seconds, then turn it off.
- Check Settings > Network & internet > SIMs for an active line.
Will a factory reset bring back the IMEI on a Pixel?
A factory reset can help when the update corrupted settings, radio configuration, or the post-update state stored on the phone. It will not repair unknown baseband, a dead modem response, or physical mainboard damage. Because it erases local data, it belongs near the end of the software path, not the start.
Use it only after restart, update, SIM reseat, and carrier checks fail. If the IMEI is missing in Settings but still visible through *#06#, a reset may help. If both are blank, the odds are much lower.
- Back up data in Settings > Google > Backup before you erase anything.
- Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).
- After setup, check Settings > About phone and dial
*#06#again. - Test one known-good SIM before restoring all apps.
If that didn't work, try this next
If the reset does not restore the IMEI display, stop repeating software wipes. At that point, the problem is more likely modem firmware corruption or board-level damage, and another reset only adds data-loss risk without improving the odds.
Should I contact Google or my carrier first if the IMEI is missing?
If the IMEI is visible but activation fails, contact the carrier first. Their activation system uses the IMEI for provisioning, and it can reject a device that has not been re-registered. If the IMEI is blank everywhere or baseband is unknown, contact Google support next, because the fault may be in the device itself.
When the phone boots but will not register, carrier triage is faster. When the modem identity is absent or the phone loops during boot, Google or warranty repair is the better path.
- Gather the serial number from the box, your account, or Settings > About phone if available.
- Take screenshots of the blank IMEI, unknown baseband, or SIM error.
- Save proof of purchase and the original purchase date.
- Have carrier account details ready, including the line number and any activation error text.
Picture a Pixel 10 that shows IMEI in Settings, but the carrier app says the line cannot be activated. That usually means re-provisioning, not repair. By contrast, a phone that shows no IMEI, no baseband, and no SIM response should move straight to Google support or authorized service.
Can I still use my Pixel if the IMEI is blank?
Maybe, but only in a limited way. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and offline apps can still work if the phone boots. Cellular service, SIM registration, and emergency calling can fail, and carrier activation may reject the device if it cannot read a valid IMEI.
Do not share the IMEI publicly while asking for help. Treat it like a device identifier, not a troubleshooting screenshot to post in full. If the phone still has service, make a backup before more intrusive steps.
What proof do I need for warranty repair if the IMEI is missing?
Provide the serial number, proof of purchase, the software version, and screenshots that show the missing IMEI, unknown baseband, or SIM error. Google support or an authorized repair center may also ask for the device box or purchase receipt if the phone cannot display its own identifiers.
Bring any carrier rejection message too. If the modem or mainboard is faulty, that evidence helps move the case past basic support and toward repair approval.
How do I find the IMEI if my Pixel shows no IMEI in settings?
If the Settings app is blank, check *#06# first. Many Pixels also print the IMEI on the retail box or, on some models, on the SIM tray. If the number appears there, the identity exists and the issue is usually software display or carrier registration, not deletion.
- Open Settings > About phone and look for IMEI.
- Dial
*#06#from the Phone app. - Inspect the original box and SIM tray for a printed identifier.
- Compare the IMEI against your carrier account or purchase records.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Google Pixel IMEI missing after an update?
Most cases are display or provisioning problems, not a true deletion of the 15-digit identifier. Check *#06#, then Settings > About phone. If baseband is unknown or the SIM is not detected, move to repair instead of repeating basic setup steps.
How can I check whether the problem is software or hardware?
Use three checks: *#06#, Settings > About phone > Baseband version, and SIM detection under Settings > Network & internet > SIMs. A visible IMEI with normal baseband points to software or carrier provisioning. Unknown baseband points toward modem trouble.
Should I contact Google or my carrier first if the IMEI is missing?
Contact the carrier first if the IMEI is visible and the phone just will not register. Contact Google first if the IMEI is blank in both Settings and *#06#, or if baseband is unknown. Have the serial number and proof of purchase ready either way.
Will a factory reset bring back the IMEI on a Pixel?
It can help only when the issue is a corrupted post-update state or broken settings cache. Back up data first, then use Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset). If the modem identity is missing too, a reset is unlikely to fix it.
Is the phone bricked if the IMEI disappears after an update?
Not always. A phone with a hidden IMEI can still boot, connect to Wi-Fi, and accept a SIM after the right fix. It becomes a repair case when the baseband is unknown, the SIM is never detected, or the device cannot get past the boot process.
What proof do I need for warranty repair if the IMEI is missing?
Bring the serial number, proof of purchase, screenshots of the blank IMEI or unknown baseband, and any carrier rejection message. If the phone has a service loop or boot issue, include that detail too. Those items help support verify the device when the IMEI cannot be displayed.