iPhone 3G has a hidden data matrix code

by Nilay Patel, posted Sep 18th 2008 at 12:13PM

fsjk85 at the Australian Whirlpool forums was playing around with his camcorder's NightShot function when he found something interesting -- a hidden data matrix code on the left side of the iPhone 3G. We're guessing that's where Apple imprints the serial and IMEI numbers of each handset since it can't exactly hide them under a removable battery (cough), but we'll leave it to the rest of you to decode this sneaky tag and solve the mystery once and for all.

Update: We just got a much higher-res image of the code -- check it out after the break. [Thanks, Ben]

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Handsets, Apple

Tags: 3g iphone, 3gIphone, apple, data matrix, data matrix code, DataMatrix, DataMatrixCode, iphone, iphone 3g, Iphone3g

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Matt G @ Sep 18th 2008 12:28PM

OMG

Apple is trying to track users!!!

I bet they have a special satellite that can read all those matrices from SPACE...

Neutral

Andrew @ Sep 18th 2008 2:08PM

You all know that the IMEI numbers are on the sim card holder right......???

Neutral

Kyle @ Sep 18th 2008 3:20PM

No, the ICCID or SIM Number is on the SIM and is independent of the device. The IMEI is specific the the device alone.

Highly Ranked

RF9 @ Sep 18th 2008 3:35PM

Kyle, the IMEI is phone specific. And it's imprinted on the SIM card HOLDER (not this SIM) in tiny letters. Go see for yourself.
Since the SIM card holder is removable, perhaps this data matrix code is just a more permanent version of the IMEI and/or SN.

Neutral

squiggleslash @ Sep 18th 2008 3:52PM

Kyle - Andrew said the "SIM card holder", not the "SIM card". Never having seen an iPhone, I can't comment on what that is exactly.

Does the iPhone let you enter *#06# to get the IMEI?

Neutral

Galen20K @ Sep 18th 2008 2:35PM

Do you mean to tell me you cant even remove the Battery on the iPhone?!!!

LAMe FACTOR 10!!!

Apple is TOo too Lame, QUITE LAme REally.......

Highest Ranked

ipu27 @ Sep 18th 2008 4:45PM

whats an iphone?

Neutral

Wobbly @ Sep 18th 2008 3:52PM

You can also just type "*#06#" on any GSM device to get the IMEI ... of course that won't work once you're integrated battery dies =[

Neutral

Alan @ Sep 18th 2008 4:09PM

I was just trying this with my phone, and there is no code on mine.

I realized that the plastic is transparent-ish to UV rays, and you can see screws and the battery underneath it. I'm sure it's just for manufacturing tracking, and may no even be meant to be seen from the outside.

Highest Ranked