An International Mobile Equipment Identification (IMEI) is coded and then
stored in a user equipment (UE), wherein an authorized user is allowed to
change the existing IMEI. When an IMEI is inputted, the UE generates a
security code and stores the IMEI and the generated security code in a
memory. Thereafter, if a second security code and IMEI is inputted, the
UE determines whether the inputted security code is identical with the
pre-stored security code. If the two security codes are identical with
each other, the UE generates a third security code and stores the IMEI
and the generated third security code. Thus, unauthorized IMEI storage is
prevented. Accordingly, the IMEI coding method of the mobile UE can
prevent unauthorized use of the UE while allowing the IMEI to be re-coded
without hardware alteration.