For experienced users only. This method involves opening the router and connecting to the circuit board via a UART-to-USB adapter.
Warning Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Changing the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) of a device is illegal in many jurisdictions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, unless you are the manufacturer or a certified law enforcement agency. Modifying your IMEI can violate telecommunications laws, void your warranty, and result in heavy fines or imprisonment. Proceed at your own risk.
The IMEI is a unique 15-digit number assigned to every cellular device. It acts as the device's "fingerprint," allowing mobile networks to identify and authorize hardware on their network.
Users typically search for IMEI changing methods for two reasons:
Carriers check the “Time To Live” value. Routers forward packets with TTL=64, phones use TTL=128. On the MC801A, you can use iptables via Telnet (if enabled) to change TTL: zte mc801a change imei
iptables -t mangle -I POSTROUTING -j TTL --ttl-set 65
This often bypasses hotspot detection without IMEI change.
The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a unique 15-digit number assigned to every mobile station. It is effectively the hardware "social security number" of the device.
Attempting to alter this number is fundamentally an attempt to deceive the carrier network.
No, for 99% of users.
The ZTE MC801A is a sophisticated 5G device with protections that make IMEI modification difficult, dangerous, and illegal. The few successful methods require opening the hardware, risking permanent bricking, and violating telecommunications laws.
Instead of pursuing an IMEI change, focus on:
If you still decide to proceed, remember: one wrong AT command or power loss during flashing turns your MC801A into a paperweight. The golden rule of router hacking applies: don’t do it on your primary (or expensive) device.
Have you successfully changed an IMEI on a ZTE MC801A? The community would love to see evidence—but be aware that sharing methods may violate Reddit’s, Discord’s, or this site’s policies against illegal activity. For experienced users only
Last updated: October 2025. Firmware versions B13 and above are confirmed to block all known IMEI modification exploits.
I understand you're asking about changing the IMEI on a ZTE MC801A 5G router. However, I need to provide an important disclaimer first:
Disclaimer: Changing the IMEI of a device is illegal in many jurisdictions (including the US, EU, UK, and elsewhere) unless you are the manufacturer or a legally authorized repair center. IMEI alteration can be used for cloning stolen devices, evading network bans, or fraud. This response is for educational purposes only to explain why this is technically difficult and legally risky — not a guide to do it.