How to use Blue Merle v2 on the GL.iNet Mudi 7

Blue Merle v2 is free, open-source software for the GL.iNet Mudi 7 (GL-E5800) 5G travel router. Every phone and router has a hardware serial number called an IMEI, which mobile networks see every time it connects. If you change SIM cards but keep the same IMEI, the network can still link your old and new SIM. Blue Merle v2 can give the router new identifiers so that link is broken.

Important: check your local law first. Changing a device's IMEI is restricted or illegal in some countries. You are responsible for following the law where you use it. Use it only on your own device.

Which router? Blue Merle v2 is made only for the Mudi 7 (GL-E5800). For the older Mudi V2 (GL-E750V2), use the original Blue Merle: see how to change your IMEI with Blue Merle.

What it changes, and what it does not

It changes:

• The IMEI of both SIM slots (SIM 1, and SIM 2 or the built-in eSIM)
• The router's MAC addresses, Wi-Fi network name (SSID), BSSID, Wi-Fi password and hostname
• It keeps the list of connected devices in memory only, so it is gone after a restart

It does not hide:

• Your SIM card itself (its IMSI and ICCID). Use a SIM bought without ID, like our anonymous eSIMs.
• Where you are, or when you use the internet.
• What you do online. Use a VPN or Tor on top.

What you need

• A GL.iNet Mudi 7 (GL-E5800) on firmware 4.8.3 or 4.8.5. Check under System > Upgrade in the router's admin page.
• A computer connected to the Mudi 7's Wi-Fi or cable.
• The Blue Merle v2 package (a file ending in .ipk) from the project's GitHub page (Releases section).

Step 1: Turn on the advanced admin page (optional)

1. Open http://192.168.8.1 in a browser and log in.
2. Go to System > Advanced Settings and press Install Now next to LuCI.
3. The advanced page is now at http://192.168.8.1:8080. Blue Merle v2 adds its own page there.

Step 2: Install Blue Merle v2

On your computer, open a terminal in the folder with the downloaded .ipk file, and run these two commands (the router's admin password is the SSH password):

scp -O blue-merle-v2_1.0.0-Script-Local.ipk root@192.168.8.1:/tmp/
ssh root@192.168.8.1 opkg install /tmp/blue-merle-v2_1.0.0-Script-Local.ipk

If the version number in your file name is different, type your file's name instead.

Step 3: Check it and give the router a new IMEI

ssh root@192.168.8.1
blue-merle check
blue-merle rotate

• check shows whether everything is supported.
• rotate gives both SIM slots a new IMEI. Random mode is the most private.

You can also do this in the advanced admin page: Services > Blue Merle.

Step 4: Swap a SIM card safely

Changing the IMEI is most useful when you change SIM cards at the same time:

1. Run blue-merle sim-swap (or on the touchscreen, hold the clock in the top-left corner for 2 seconds). The router switches itself off.
2. Take out the old SIM and put in the new one while it is off, ideally in a different place from where you used the old one.
3. Switch the router on. It finishes the swap and sets the new IMEIs before connecting to the network.

Step 5: Change the Wi-Fi identity

blue-merle rotate-wireless

This gives the router a new Wi-Fi name, password and MAC addresses. Reconnect your devices with the new details.

Good to know

• Reinstall after every firmware update. Updating the router removes Blue Merle v2.
• Random mode is safer than "deterministic" mode, which can be linked by anyone who sees both the IMEI and the SIM.
• blue-merle status shows the current state, and blue-merle restore puts the original identifiers back.
• The project says some features are still being tested with live SIM cards. Check the GitHub page for updates.