Modern smartphones with features such as GPS mapping and cameras are a vital tool for CHERUB agents.

CHERUB agents use specially modified handsets that can hunt for a signal on several mobile networks and bands. This gives them a much greater chance of making a call in out of the way areas.

Other modifications to CHERUB handsets include high power settings that enable them to work well beyond the range of normal phones in an emergency, and firmware modfications allowing hidden address books and multiple identities, accessed by entering a numeric code.

Applications allowing the monitoring of listening devices are also commonly used.

Modern criminals and terrorists often buy cheap pay-as-you-go mobile telephones and use them for a few weeks. By the time the police or intelligence service are able to put a trace on the telephone, the criminals have usually switched to another cheap handset.